A Woman to Die For

by Erin Wade

  Shay slowly guided the Turkel needle into Bear’s chest. The red marker popped up, indicating she was going through tissue. Then a green marker popped up when she broke through to the pleural space. A swoosh of air escaped as Shay pulled out the needle, leaving the catheter tube inserted to draw off the air in the chest cavity.

  Bear immediately began breathing easier. “He’s going to be fine,” Shay declared, gently stroking the big dog’s side. The siren from the ambulance announced the vehicle’s arrival.

  Grabbing her bag Shay rode in the ambulance with Bear, and Katie followed in her car. As promised, Wayne was waiting in the surgical room when they reached the animal clinic.

  “I’ll need to remove the rib from his lung,” Wayne informed them. “There’s a coffee shop across the street if you want to wait there.”

  “We’ll sit in your waiting room,” Shay said, taking Katie’s hand and leading her from the operating area.

  Shay called the police and reported the attack then she called Wendy Chase and informed her.

  “Wendy, would you get there as quickly as possible and work the scene? The bat may have fingerprints other than Katie’s on it.”

  They sat in silence. Katie laced her fingers through Shay’s and squeezed her hand. “You saved his life,” she said, sniffling. “You’re really a big deal, Dr. Shay.”

  Shay laughed. “I also saved your life. That was a much bigger deal.”

  “I know, but I wasn’t watching you in action then,” Katie said. “I observed you tonight. You’re very impressive.”

  Shay squeezed her hand but said nothing.

  “Did you really think I hit you with that bat?” Katie whispered.

  “I . . . I didn’t know what to think,” Shay admitted. “Oh baby, your face is cut, and you have a head wound too.” She pulled sterile wipes and bandages from her case.

  “You’re not going to shave my head, are you?” Katie teased.

  “No, silly.” Shay hugged her. “Just making certain you don’t pick up any cooties.” She cleaned the blood from Katie’s wounds. “I’m going to use Steri-Strips, or butterfly bandages, on your lovely face. She pinched together the cut on Katie’s face and applied the strips.

  “Once it begins to heal you should use ScarAway silicone scar strips. Your face will be flawless in no time.”

  “Thank you.” Katie pulled Shay’s face down to hers and kissed her lips.

  “I never know what to expect from you, Katie Brandt,” Shay murmured against her lips. “I don’t know what you want from me.”

  “I know,” Katie sighed. “I’m not sure what I want either. I do know I care for you.”

  “That’s good enough for now.” Shay smiled, putting her arm around Katie’s shoulders.

  ##

  “Your boy’s going to be good as new,” Wayne Mason said as he entered the room.

  Both women jumped to their feet. “Is he awake?” Katie asked.

  “No, I’m going to keep him sedated until morning,” Wayne informed her. “Dogs are their own worst enemies when it comes to recovering from surgery.

  “You need to keep him quiet and make him take it easy for about a week. I’ll give you some antibiotics for him when you pick him up tomorrow, any time after noon.”

  Relieved, they thanked Wayne and walked to the car hand in hand. “Let’s run by my place and clean up. Then we can go to dinner,” Katie suggested. “You’ve got blood matted in your hair. Should I run you by the hospital and have one of the doctors check you out?”

  “No, I’m fine,” Shay assured her. “It’s just a nasty bump. It’ll be gone in a couple of days.”

  ##

  They showered together, reluctant to be out of each other’s sight. Katie gently washed Shay’s hair, careful to clean around the laceration on her head. Shay returned the favor.

  “Please pack an overnighter,” Shay insisted as she pulled on the clothes Katie had given her. “I truly don’t want you staying alone here without Bear.”

  Katie nodded and left the room to pack. Shay wandered around the kitchen but kept coming back to the foil dunce cap. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands.

  “What are you doing?” Katie demanded as she entered the room.

  “Um . . . just wondering what this is.” Shay frowned.

  “I wear it when I work,” Katie said. “It keeps others from knowing what’s going on in my head and stealing my ideas.”

  “Oh,” Shay said. “I-I didn’t know. Um . . . aliens, is that it?”

  Katie burst into laughter. “You are so easy, Shay Copeland. “I wish you could see your face.”

  Katie reached for the cone-shaped foil object. “I was trying to figure out how to start off with a large amount of something and gradually reduce it down to almost a pinpoint. If I can arm our J-drones with a gun that has a continuous source of energy that can be pinpointed to silently fire at the enemy, I’ll have a weapon that can be used in all of our weapons. Bullets and heavy artillery shells will no longer be necessary. Our troops will be able to travel faster with less weight.”

  “Invisible jeeps, laser-type weapons . . . lady, you’re in an entirely different realm from me,” Shay marveled.

  “Life may have its ups and downs,” Katie said, “but I promise you it will never get boring with me.”

  “I never thought it would,” Shay exclaimed.

  Chapter 47

  Everyone filed into the courtroom, eagerly awaiting the judge’s ruling in the case of Brandt vs Brandt. Shay scanned the room before taking her seat. The hooded spectator was there, as usual, in the first chair on the back row.

  Katie huddled with a small cluster of people in the corner of the courtroom. All had computers. “You know what to do,” she said as she walked away from the group.

  “She took her place next to Chandler and leaned close to him. “Regardless of how the judge rules,” she whispered, “accept the verdict without argument. Then insist that everyone sign the agreement in her office immediately after this is concluded. No one can leave until the agreement is signed, sealed and delivered.”

  Chandler frowned but nodded in agreement.

  After the usual routine of seating the judge, Wainwright got down to business.

  “I’ve awarded the Brandt family home to Dr. David Brandt,” she stated. “He will also retain possession of his vehicles and any other personal items that are his. Mrs. Brandt has waived all rights to Dr. Brandt’s retirement fund, Social Security, and any other cash amounts he may have.

  “I also award half of the Brandt Technologies stock to Dr. Brandt. That will be twenty-nine shares, which will bring his holdings to thirty percent.”

  A gasp ran through the courtroom. Judge Wainwright banged her gavel, and silence filled the room.

  “To Mrs. Brandt I award thirty-one percent of the Brandt Technologies stock along with her retirement plans, Social Security, and any cash assets currently in her possession. She will retain the right to her jet and any properties not awarded to Dr. Brandt. From this day forward, any new inventions, companies, or contracts entered by Mrs. Brandt shall be her sole possession. She may form new companies and operate them with no regard for Brandt Technologies. Mrs. Brandt will retain all rights to her intellectual properties.”

  David fist-pumped the air. He had won a tremendous victory.

  “Your Honor,” Chandler said as he got to his feet, “if it pleases the court, we’d like to sign the agreement in your office at this time. My client wishes to walk out of this room and put all of this behind her.”

  “We’re in agreement with that,” Grafton said.

  Shay watched as the Brandts and their attorneys left the courtroom, headed for the judge’s office. A low murmur came from Katie’s small group in the corner. All five of them had their laptops open and were typing furiously.

  “My part’s done,” the oldest of the men declared.

  “I’m finished,” a young woman informed them.

  “Done here,” a yo
ung man announced.

  Two other women were typing frantically. “All done,” they chorused, pushing the Send buttons simultaneously.

  The five closed their laptops, slipped them into their bags, and left the courtroom.

  A ruckus at the back of the room caught Shay’s attention as two policemen arrested the man in the hoodie. When one of the officers yanked the hood from the man’s head, Shay recognized him as Reggie Ansloe, the man she’d met in David’s office.

  She followed them from the courtroom. “Excuse me, officer,” she said. “I’m Dr. Shay Copeland, and I’ve been involved in this case. Could you tell me why you’re arresting this man?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the officer replied as he examined his warrant. “He’s the man who attacked you and Mrs. Brandt yesterday. ME Chase found his fingerprints on the bat used. We also pulled video from Mrs. Brandt’s apartment security cameras that show Ansloe going in and out of her apartment.”

  Shay thanked the officer for the information then headed for her car.

  Shay drove to the vet to pick up Bear. She couldn’t wait to discuss the situation with Katie. She had no idea how long the meeting in the judge’s office would last. She only knew that Katie was determined to finalize the divorce.

  ##

  Shay slowly walked Bear into her house. He had been thrilled to see her but kept looking for Katie. “She’ll be here soon,” Shay reassured the dog as she fed him small bites of the steak she’d prepared for him.

  Shay relaxed on the sofa so Bear could lay his head in her lap and sleep. She turned on the TV and flipped to a national news station. She was shocked to see video of Katie and Chandler walking down the courthouse steps. The streaming banner beneath the video read, “Katie Brandt resigns as CEO of Brandt Technologies.”

  Shay suddenly understood the purpose of the five people who were in the courtroom with Katie. They were her press corps. Their press releases had streaked across the internet to every news outlet in the world the minute the judge adjourned the trial.

  A reporter shoved a microphone into Katie’s face. “Dr. Brandt, is it true you’ve resigned from Brandt Technologies?”

  Shay gasped when the reporter addressed Katie as doctor. Then she remembered that the woman held several doctoral degrees.

  Katie beamed as if she’d just won the lottery. “Yes, I’m stepping down from Brandt Technologies and will concentrate my efforts on a new company I am forming. I’ve assembled some of the most brilliant and forward-thinking minds in America to join me in my new undertaking.”

  Katie graciously answered reporters’ questions for thirty minutes before excusing herself.

  “In a related development,” the news anchor said as he took up the story, “Brandt Technologies’ stock is in free fall. It has dropped from $600 a share to $200 a share in less than three hours.

  “Our newsroom received an announcement about three hours ago, and it appears every other station in the world also got it. It is on Brandt Technologies letterhead and signed by Katie Brandt, CEO. I’ll read it to our viewers:

  It is with great sadness that I am being forced to step away from Brandt Technologies. Judge Wainwright finalized my request for a divorce from Dr. David Brandt and has awarded us equal ownership in Brandt Technologies.

  Obviously I cannot work with a man of David’s character and have resigned from the company, leaving David and the current board to operate my brainchild, Brandt Technologies, and Face2Face.

  I thank everyone who has had so much faith in me and my inventions over the years, and I hope to do great things going forward that will make you proud to know Dr. Katie Brandt.”

  The anchorman folded his hands on the desk. “The letter is signed Dr. Katie Brandt,” he said. “This is a dark day in the world of—”

  He paused when someone handed him a sheet of paper.

  “This just came across the wire. Brandt Technologies stock has dropped to an all-time low of $20 a share. However, no stock is being traded. All the stock is held by Katie and David Brandt and the company itself.”

  Shay’s doorbell rang, followed by a loud knocking. “Shay, open the door,” David demanded.

  Bear bristled. “The door’s unlocked. Come in,” she yelled, stroking the dog to calm him.

  David burst into the room but came to a screeching halt when Bear’s menacing growl sounded.

  “Down, Bear,” Shay commanded. The dog relaxed, laying his head back in her lap.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Shay asked.

  “Have you seen the news?” David howled. “Did you see what she’s done to me?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Shay said, feigning ignorance. “I just turned on the TV.”

  “She’s destroyed the value of Brandt Technologies stock,” David bellowed. “By the time the market closes, it won’t be worth the paper it’s written on.”

  “You should sell as quickly as you can,” Shay advised. “While it’s still worth a few dollars.”

  “The value of my stock has dropped from billions to thousands,” David wailed.

  “Surely you didn’t expect her to work with you after this nasty divorce,” Shay said. “Didn’t it occur to you that she would simply walk away and leave the entire thing to you?”

  “I never considered that. It’s not like her to give up that easy. I need the packet of papers I gave you to hold for me.”

  Shay slid from under Bear’s head and retrieved the manila envelope David had entrusted to her.

  “I need to use your computer,” he said. “Your desktop, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course.” Shay led the way to her office and turned on the computer.

  She watched as David logged onto Ameritrade and listed a sell of Brandt Technologies stock. She looked closer as she realized that the account he was using was in her name.

  “What are you doing?” she demanded.

  “Selling this stock before it becomes useless,” David snapped.

  “That account is in my name,” she said. “I don’t have an Ameritrade account.”

  “I opened it in your name and sold my stock to you months ago,” David said, sneering as he pounded away at the keyboard. “It was the only way I could hide it from Katie and her bloodhound lawyers.”

  Shay gasped. “But how? How could you open an account in my name?”

  “It was easy to do online. All I needed was your Social Security number, and I got that from payroll. With what I controlled and what the judge awarded me, I became the major stockholder in Brandt Technologies. Of course, I didn’t anticipate her walking away from the company and tanking the stock.”

  “Wow! Look,” Shay said, pointing to the monitor. “Someone snapped up your stock.”

  “Thank God,” David muttered. He looked to see the amount of money he would realize from the stock sale. Then he entered another sale of the shares the judge had awarded him.

  “But that stock’s not even in your name yet,” Shay pointed out.

  “I know,” David gloated. “I’m short-selling it. When Katie transfers thirty percent of her stock in the company to me, I’ll simply settle with Ameritrade. By selling right now, I’ve gotten the highest price for my stock, as I’m certain it will continue its free fall in the market.”

  As they watched, the shares David had been awarded suddenly dropped into his account. He explained the transfer to Shay. “That’s just like Katie,” he snorted. “She always gets unpleasant things out of the way. Now all I have to do is wait for someone to buy it.”

  “Looks like someone just did.” Shay pointed to the monitor.

  “Yes, and thank heavens they bought it before it dropped again.” David beamed. “We won’t be extremely wealthy, honey, but this will allow me to pay off my gambling debts and have a nice little nest egg left over. Where would you like to go on our honeymoon?”

  “Italy.” Shay smiled at him. “Rent a nice little villa and make love for a month.”

  “That’s my idea of h
eaven,” David said.

  “I can’t believe you pulled this off. With the nineteen percent you had hidden in my name, plus your one percent and the twenty-nine percent the court let you have, you actually walked away from the divorce with forty-nine percent of the stock in Brandt Technologies. You were the majority stockholder in a multibillion-dollar company.”

  “It wouldn’t have been a multibillion-dollar company for long,” he said. “There was a glitch in the software that would occasionally let hackers break into accounts on F2F. It was just a matter of time before the government found out about it.

  “That’s why I took Katie out of Glencove. She was the only one who could fix it. That’s the problem with letting your entire company rest on the shoulders of one person. They’re indispensable.

  “I’d brought in dozens of computer geniuses who should have been able to fix the problem, but none of them could. Katie refused to, because she was furious with me. Then she insisted on a divorce. I did everything in my power to stop that.”

  “Did you do all the things she accused you of?” Shay asked him.

  “Yes,” David bragged. “After all that, I can’t believe the courts found her sane. She isn’t, you know.”

  “The man in the courtroom every day in a hoodie . . . did you hire him to kill Katie and me?”

  “Good Lord, no,” David gasped. “He works for my bookie. He decided that if Katie was dead, I’d get everything. You showed up and foiled his plan, thank God.”

  “Katie will be here soon,” Shay warned him. “You should probably go before she sees you.”

  David stood and kissed her soundly. “I’m going to rent that villa in Italy,” he promised.

  Chapter 48

  It’s strange how things work out, Shay thought as she packed for their honeymoon. She brewed one last cup of coffee with her Keurig and thought about how much she loved good coffee.

  Good caffeinated coffee is like a fine woman; if they don’t make you climb the walls every once in a while, something is missing, Shay thought, and Katie Brandt had certainly made her climb the walls.