Partners

by Kira Chase

  Frankie's forehead wrinkled. “Connection to what, though? We originally thought the plan was to get as much support money from Will as possible, so how is putting Will in prison going to give them the money they seem to think Will has and are after? And what the hell could they have on Will in the first place that would send him to prison?”

  “I don't know. They obviously thought Will owned half the business. Maybe Kyle thought by working there he could juggle the books somehow and funnel money into an account. I'm grasping at straws here since I have no clue.”

  “If what you said is true about juggling the books, Kyle would eventually have been found out so it would defeat his purpose,” Frankie reasoned. “But it's better than anything I can come up with.”

  “I'm trying,” Johanna replied. “This is all so convoluted, but, at least, we did manage to disrupt part of the plan. I don't think Kyle and Brenna had any clue that we would be in the picture insisting on another DNA test, which would solve the paternity issue entirely.”

  “Yes, and it could possibly lead us to either what’s keeping Will so hush hush or it could be just the impetus Will needs to finally open up and spill his big bad secret,” Johanna said. “If nothing else, different test results, the test would prove Kyle and Brenna are lying. We need to push for the retesting, but not till Bobby is safely out of the picture.”

  “Okay. I one hundred percent agree with that.”

  “Two things. A negative test would be all the proof Will would need to see that he’s been set up.”

  Frankie nodded. “So you think Will would see anything else they're holding over him as just so much trumped up baloney, too?”

  She shrugged. “You would think so, but…I don’t know.”

  “What's the second thing?”

  Johanna tossed her hair over a shoulder. “Since they had no clue that we, including George, would be in the picture, now they have to scramble to come up with a new plan.”

  Frankie smiled. “I think I see where you're going with this. We've already thrown too many obstacles in their way. It wasn't in the plan for Kyle to be sitting in jail even though his volatile temper put him there. George might be able to convince Will that it would be in his best interest to file criminal charges against Kyle and Brenna for tampering with his DNA, once a new test is administered and the results come back.”

  “George would definitely get that in motion,” Johanna added.

  “Yes. Right now, by keeping Kyle and Brenna apart, they can't plan their next move. Neither knows what the other is being told.” She squeezed Johanna's shoulder. “Brilliant!”

  “There is still one disturbing piece of the puzzle.”

  “What's that?” Frankie asked lifting an eyebrow.

  “How the courts could have given Kyle and Brenna custody without even hearing Bobby's side of things. I don't get that.”

  Frankie scowled. “I think the pictures convinced the judge that the grandparents were abusive because of the way they were taken. With Blake being a cop, the judge just assumed the abuse took place.”

  Johanna nodded. “But Bobby still should have been allowed to testify. He's not a little boy. We need to take a look at that judge sometime down the line, too.”

  “I agree.” Frankie exhaled loudly. “But at least Bobby is free of them now, and I don't see any problem with him being placed back into his grandparents' custody.”

  “Me either. I'm just relieved he's here tonight instead of with Brenna. There was no way I would have left him in the house with her. If he wouldn't have been allowed to come here I swear I would have spent the night there to offer him protection.”

  “I would have been right by your side.” Frankie eased her body back down and stretched out on her back. “Well, we'd better get some sleep, baby. I'm planning to fix Bobby a huge breakfast before we head over to see George in the morning.”

  Chapter 18

  “Bobby, how many pancakes do you think you can eat?” Frankie asked cheerfully as she glanced over to the breakfast nook where Bobby sat.

  Bobby grinned at her. “As many as you can make.”

  “You got it.” She replied with a wink aimed at him.

  Johanna was busy pouring glasses of orange juice. When she finished, she carried them to the table, and then came back to where Frankie stood at the stove. “Need help with anything?”

  “No, thanks. Everything is under control.” She flipped the pancakes, checked the sizzling bacon, and picked up the pan of scrambled eggs to scoop them onto a platter.

  “Let me get that, Frankie,” Trey offered. He'd been leaning against the counter watching her as she cooked breakfast after he'd set the table.

  “Thanks, Trey, but I'm waiting for the bacon to finish. Just a couple more seconds.”

  He moved closer to where the women stood. “Can I ask you and Johanna something?”

  “Of course,” Frankie said.

  Johanna was now pouring three cups of coffee. She turned her head and looked quizzically at him. “What is it?”

  “Would it be alright if I took Bobby to my gym with me?” he paused. “He told me he and his grandfather used to go to the gym several times a week. I think it might be good for him to get out and do some of the activities he enjoys.”

  The women looked at each other and nodded. “I think that's a good idea,” Frankie said.

  “I agree,” Johanna added. “I'm glad you're here for him, Trey. He's really taken quite a liking to you.”

  “He's a good kid. He's so grateful to you both for letting him stay here.” He sighed. “My heart aches for what he's gone through. He told me some things that Kyle, Brenna and her brother have done to him that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.” His eyes misted. “It’s much worse than what we heard on the tape and that was bad enough.”

  Frankie blew her breath out. “Hopefully, George will have something worked out to get him back home with his grandparents where he belongs,” Frankie said as she placed the bacon on the platter next to the scrambled eggs. She used the spatula to remove the pancakes from the griddle and piled them on another platter.

  Trey picked up one of the platters and Frankie the other while Johanna poured a glass of milk for Bobby and set that, and the cups of coffee, on another tray. She carefully carried it to the breakfast table, where Frankie and Trey were setting down the platters of food.

  Bobby's eyes grew wide as they approached. He flashed a bright wide smile. “I haven't had a breakfast like this in months!”

  * * * *

  “We can take my car and I'll drive,” Frankie said. “Unless you want to drive.”

  Johanna took her arm. “No. We'll take my car tomorrow.”

  “Does it bother you having Trey and Bobby staying with us?” Frankie asked as she slid behind the wheel.

  “Of course not,” Johanna replied as she buckled her seatbelt. “But I do miss running around the house naked.”

  Frankie lifted an eyebrow. “When have you ever run around the house naked?”

  She laughed. “You never know when I might just surprise you.”

  Frankie smacked her lips. “Now that's a surprise I'd definitely like.”

  “And I'll be happy to deliver.” She placed a hand on Frankie's knee. “Remember we have a couple of appointments this afternoon.”

  “I remember.” Frankie frowned. “I'm keeping my hopes up that George will have some good news for us.”

  She shook her head. “All I can think about is what those bastards did to that boy.” She cleared her throat. “But at least we get to keep him out of their clutches. I want to clear up a little more paperwork, too.”

  Frankie glanced at her. “Good idea.”

  “I also want to see if there's anything we might need to shift around in case Bobby stays for a while.” She gave Frankie's knee a squeeze.

  “Yeah, I almost forgot that we have that surveillance to do in a couple of days for Helen Cosco after her husband and she return from his business trip. I'm sure T
rey won't mind keeping Bobby company if we have to go out for a few nights. We agreed not to go alone.”

  “I know. I think you're getting a little antsy because you love to be where the action is,” Johanna said with a sly smile. “Admit it.”

  Frankie laughed. “You're right. I do. I've never been one to sit still for long.”

  “How well I know,” Johanna answered. “Getting back to Bobby and Trey, we'll have to figure out what to do with Bobby during the day since Trey will most likely go back to work tomorrow.”

  Frankie's eyebrows drew together. “Maybe we can take turns going to the office. I'd say bring Bobby to the office with us, but he'd be bored out of his mind.” Her brows knitted together. “And we can't leave him alone at the house. Even though we're secure, I'd still worry.”

  “I just had another thought,” Johanna announced.

  “What is it?”

  “What if Kyle gets out on bail?”

  Frankie was thoughtful for a minute. “If Will doesn't post it and Brenna doesn't have it, he could get it from a bail bondsman.”

  “Or Blake Roman,” Johanna said distastefully. “If Kyle gets out, things could get quite nasty.” She pursed her lips. “Will is afraid of him and most likely will force us to return Bobby to him if Kyle demands it.”

  “No way,” Frankie stated. “That kid is not going anywhere near Kyle or Brenna again. We'll have to run this scenario by George.”

  * * * *

  “Good morning, ladies,” George greeted them with an unusually bright smile as he ushered them into his office fifteen minutes later.

  “Good morning, George. You're in an exceptionally good mood,” Frankie observed.

  “'Morning, George. What gives?” Johanna asked. “You are way too cheerful after the night we had.”

  He walked over to his coffee maker, poured two steaming cups, then grabbed some sugar and creamer packets, stuffed them in his shirt pocket, and carried the mugs to his desk, set them down and pulled the packets from his pocket. His half-full mug was already on his desk.

  He motioned with his hands to the two chairs in front of his desk. “Please have a seat,” he invited as he sat in his chair and then leaned back with his hands behind his head.

  Frankie stared curiously at him as she wondered what could possibly have brought on this unusual change in him. If she didn't know better, she'd think he'd been hitting the bottle. “So, are you going to tell us what's going on?” she asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

  Johanna sipped at her mug of steaming coffee. “I assume it has something to do with the copy of the tapes I sent you.”

  “It does.” He grinned. “Okay, I won't keep you two in suspense. I've been on the phone with the Seattle Police Commissioner all morning.”

  Frankie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “Did they catch Blake Roman tampering with evidence?”

  He scratched his chin. “Nothing they can pin on him yet, but they're getting close. He's been going through some cold case files.”

  Johanna frowned as she set her coffee mug on the desk. “How is he able to do that? Or is he assigned to cold cases?”

  “No, but a former partner of his is.”

  “Okay, George, where is this leading?” Frankie asked as she opened a sugar packet.

  He folded his hands together and placed them on top of his desk. “Maybe nowhere, but it has gotten the attention of the commissioner. Right now, they're keeping close tabs on him.”

  “What does this have to do with Kyle, Brenna, and Will?” Frankie persisted.

  “I'm getting to that. Blake Roman has requested, from his former partner, access to evidence from a series of unsolved rapes that took place through a period of time, beginning fifteen years ago and lasting for two years when they abruptly stopped.”

  Johanna shook her head. “I don't see the link. Have they run the DNA evidence yet?”

  “Yes, and no matches to Kyle or Will came up in the database.” He unfolded his hands and leaned forward. “This is where it gets interesting.”

  “What?” Frankie asked. “I'm not seeing the connection.” She frowned. “What am I missing?”

  “His former partner informed him that there was no DNA match in the database to any of the rapes, but Blake insisted that maybe they'd overlooked something. He proceeded to inform his ex-partner that he had reason to believe he might have uncovered evidence of who committed the rapes and this person wouldn't be in the database since he'd never been arrested for even a minor offense.”

  “Wait a minute,” Frankie said, snapping her fingers. “Do you think Blake planted Will's DNA?”

  “There's no evidence of it since his former partner never gave him access to any evidence. He was uncomfortable with Blake's request so he turned it in and that's how the commissioner got involved. The ex-partner has agreed to keep it quiet and work with the department.”

  “That's understandable. Why would he let Blake know he turned him in? That would put him in jeopardy. So, he's willing to spy on him?” Johanna asked.

  George nodded. “I think I told you that the department suspects he's a dirty cop, but they could never pin anything on him that would stick. He always managed to squirm his way out of any complaints before they got too far.”

  “That's what Kyle is holding over Will!” Johanna exclaimed. “Now I get it!” She looked at Frankie. “You see it, don't you?”

  Frankie's mind was whirling. A wide smile broke across her face. “Yeah,” she said nodding. “I get it. Blake Roman is planning to insert Will's DNA on the evidence in those cold cases.”

  Johanna nodded enthusiastically. “Kyle's probably told Will if he doesn't cooperate, then Blake will go ahead and report the new so-called evidence about his DNA being found on those old rape cases.”

  Frankie drew a deep breath. “Remember now that Kyle knows Will doesn't have ownership in the company, he will still force Will to sign over his share of the house to him so he can use that as leverage against Trey. Right now, since there’s no monetary payoff from the company, Kyle most likely assumes he'll still walk away with a hefty sum because Trey would only be eager to buy him out to retain full ownership of the house.” Frankie shook her head in disgust. “What a scumbag.”

  George was thoughtful for a minute. “There's two ways this can play out.”

  Frankie lifted an eyebrow. “I'm listening.”

  Johanna frowned. “Will refusing to sign his share of the house over to Kyle, forcing Kyle to play his hand, is the only one I can think of.”

  “That's one,” George said. “The other is if Will does sign it over and Trey refuses to buy him out.”

  “Trey's already thought about that. He's said if he's going to lose his house, which at the time he assumed would be to Will, he'd just sign his ownership over to him.” Johanna's brow puckered. “Will can't afford the mortgage payments so he'd lose it too. It would end up in foreclosure. As Trey explained it, if he signed it over, his credit would stay intact and the hit would be on Will.”

  “I don't see how any of this will benefit Trey. He'll still end up losing what he's worked hard for.” Frankie's jaw tightened. “He's the innocent victim in all of this.”

  “That's true. Somehow, we've got to get Will on board with us,” George said. “But we have to tread very carefully.”

  “So, we get Will to retake the DNA test?” Johanna asked.

  “We definitely need to do that, but we cannot, under any circumstances, let Will know what Blake is up to,” George replied.

  “Wouldn't Will already know?” Johanna asked. “Kyle obviously told Will about it. I mean about the DNA on the cold rape cases and convinced Will that it matched his DNA. And because Will has no criminal record that's why it never showed up in any databases. That is until the DNA was tested for Bobby's paternity.” She shrugged.

  “Except that Will doesn't know it's a set up,” George explained. “Since Will can't recall the night he supposedly impregnated Carrie Martin, Kyle and
Blake somehow convinced him that he committed all those rapes. He thinks he did it and that has to be what they're holding over him.”

  “Will would certainly know he didn't do it,” Johanna said. “But the question remains how would he have proven his innocence if his DNA is on it? He wouldn't have stood a chance.”

  “But Will doesn't know that we know what's being held over him. He's too frightened to tell any of us,” George said. “And we have to let him think we don't know about it.”

  “It's frightening to think if Blake Roman's former partner hadn't come forward,” Frankie said, “then Blake could have planted Will's DNA and Will could have ended up in prison for crimes he never committed.”

  George blew his breath out. “I don't know how Will would have gotten out of it. I doubt he would have. The troubling aspect of this whole mess is why doesn't Will remember anything about his alleged sexual relationship with Kyle's sister or the alleged rapes.”

  “That is what I cannot wrap my mind around,” Johanna admitted. “How the hell can you not have any clue that you did or didn’t do such a horrendous thing as rape?”

  “Easy,” Frankie said. “Kyle drugged him.”

  “Makes sense.” George nodded thoughtfully. “The authorities will be requesting Kyle's DNA.”

  A light bulb seemed to go off in Johanna's mind. “Wait a minute. Kyle supposedly hasn't committed any crimes either, so his DNA wouldn't be in the database, but I'll bet it's most likely on the rape evidence.”

  “Bingo!” Frankie said, giving Johanna's arm a loving squeeze. Then trained her eyes on George. “So, why don't we tell Will? He's got to be going through hell.”

  George frowned as he shook his head. “That's too risky. If he let it slip about Blake Roman's former partner helping to bring Blake down, it could not only put a target on the officer's back, Blake could quickly cover his tracks, knowing the department has its eye on him.”

  “I see where you're going with this. It would ruin Blake and Kyle's plan to destroy Will,” Frankie said. “So, what's in it for them, now that there really is nothing to gain except half of Trey's house?”