by Madyson Grey
After a thorough examination of the property, and after Rafael took pictures of it from several angles with his tablet camera, they moved on, and continued searching for that special place. They looked at several more communities that day, and Victoria wrote down a couple more addresses on the “Possibles” list. They agreed that on Sunday they would go towards the coast and see if they liked anything over that way. They both loved the ocean, but weren’t certain they wanted to live right on it, because of potential storms, tidal waves, and mudslides.
Just before dark they went home with absolutely nothing settled in their minds. But, it wasn’t like they were in a hurry. They had all the time in the world that they needed. And it was a nice diversion that got them out of the house and their minds partially off of the issues at hand.
Sunday was more of the same, only in a westerly directions, rather that easterly. This time they went armed with a computer printout of some homes that looked nice in their photos on the Internet. The homes were all between them and the ocean, and Rafael arranged them so that they would come to them relatively in order. One house in particular caught their attention, so Victoria added it to the list also. It sat on probably half an acre with a sprawling single-story house. The ad said that there was a guest cottage in the rear that might work for Lena.
By the time they found their way back home that evening, they had a list of half a dozen possibilities. They would go out again as time permitted until they found one that really suited their tastes and needs.
The following week Rafael worked hard to get the business set up to where he could take time off to go on their extended honeymoon trip. Victoria stayed home and let him concentrate on business without her there to ask so many questions. She made a few excursions here and there, doing things she wanted to do. She had either worked or gone to college full time for the past seven years, so she was rather enjoying her free time. She visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Art one day, and took Lena along with her. They had a good time together and enjoyed a nice lunch out as well.
Evenings Victoria and Rafael spent planning the details of their upcoming trip. Toward the end of the week they were able to set a definite date to leave. After extended discussion they ultimately decided to go the month of September, leaving the sixth, the day after Labor Day. They reasoned that kids would be back in school, the summer season would be over with a reduction in tourists, and that would also leave them home and available to be at any court hearings that should be forthcoming at any time.
It would also give time to shop for just the right motorhome without being pressed for time. The weather would be great, the heat of summer would be past, yet it would still be warm and pleasant. It did seem like the perfect time for a nice long trip. Since they now had a date set, everything they did revolved around preparing for it. Victoria spent time going through her wardrobe thinking about the clothes she would take, and whether or not she needed anything new. She decided against buying new clothes before they left, leaving herself opportunity to make purchases along the way if something called her name.
They obviously would not take Lena with them on their wedding trip, but they did plan to give her the month off with pay to do as she pleased—go on a vacation of her own, or whatever she wished. That pleased her immensely.
“I don’t think I have ever had that much time all to myself in my whole life,” she said, when they told her their plans. “It will take me all the time between now and then to decide what I do want to do with my vacation. Thank you both so much. You two are the best!”
The day came when Victoria got a subpoena from the district attorney’s office requesting her presence at a hearing for her mother. She would have to testify as to what she had seen and observed. The hearing was set for Wednesday, August 10 at nine o’clock in the morning. She would be there. Rafael planned to take the time off to accompany her. Rafael and Lena also received summonses to appear and give their testimony.
The three went together to the courthouse, found the courtroom where the hearing was to be held, and waited outside the door until it was time to go inside. This was the first time that Victoria had seen her mother since the first of July.
She was shocked at her appearance. In fact, she didn’t even recognize her at first, until she realized that it had to be Marian. Her hair was limp and lifeless, with gray roots showing about an inch long. Her face was pallid and her expression listless. She had no makeup or jewelry on, something that she would have never left home without. She was wearing the plain gray sweat pants and t-shirt of the facility where she was being held.
Victoria wondered if she should approach her mother and try to speak with her, but she feared an outburst. Mr. Bradbury, an assistant district attorney, spoke with the three of them briefly about how he would question them, and what the defense attorney was likely do. He reminded them that this was just a hearing, not a trial. The purpose of the hearing would be to determine whether or not she could stand trial.
The bailiff called the court to order as the judge entered the courtroom. One by one the testimonies were presented that addressed the day Marian Thornton assaulted her housekeeper, and then went to her husband’s former place of business and held Rafael and his secretary at gunpoint until she was subdued. Rafael and Karen, the secretary, Victoria and Lena all testified as to what they had seen that day. Dr. Stevens and another physician from the hospital where Marian had initially been taken, along with other hospital staff were called to provide their expert testimony as to Marian’s state of mind.
When it was all said and done, Marian was deemed unfit to stand trial for her actions on that day or any other. The judge saw that she was obviously guilty of the crimes of which she was accused. So he ruled that she should be incarcerated in a psychiatric facility until such time as she was proven to have recovered enough to stand trial.
The accusation of David Thornton’s murder was brought up, but as Marian was declared unfit at this point, it was declared a moot point. The DA argued that at the time of David’s murder she was not known to be insane, but because Marian was unfit to stand trial for one set of crimes, she couldn’t stand trial for the other. It was rather frustrating to Victoria. Not that she wished to see her mother convicted of murder and the other crimes, but because she just wanted this to all be over with so she could move past it.
After the hearing, Victoria asked the DA if she could speak to her mother for just a moment. He consulted with Mr. Kyte, Marian’s attorney, who agreed that she could have just a couple of minutes. Rafael and Lena went out into the hallway, leaving Victoria to face her mother alone.
“Hello, Mother,” Victoria said softly as she approached this woman who now seemed like a stranger to her.
Marian slowly turned her head in the direction of Victoria’s voice and finally made eye contact with her.
“Victoria,” she said, her voice weak and unsteady. “I want to … go … home.”
It took effort to speak the whole sentence.
“I know, Mother, but you can’t right now. You aren’t well, so you need to stay in the hospital for a while.”
“Did you find … what we need?”
“What do we need?” Victoria asked, assuming she knew what her mother wanted to know, but stalling until she could formulate an answer.
“Evidence against … Rafael … Rivera,” Marian said slowly.
“To take back the business, you mean?” Victoria asked, knowing good and well what she meant.
“Yes.”
“I have the business now in my name,” she told her mother truthfully.
“Good girl. I knew you … could … do it,” Marian said, struggling with the words.
Victoria didn’t bother to tell her that it was also in Rafael’s name or that she was now married to him. What she didn’t know wouldn’t cause her to possibly have another violent episode.
“I have to go now, Mother,” Victoria said, catching the signal from Mr. Kyte.
“Take care
of … the business,” Marian said. “And yourself.”
“I will, Mother. Don’t worry about anything,” she said.
She reached out a hand to touch her mother’s shoulder. Unexpectedly, Marian reached up for Victoria’s hand and held it for a brief moment. It could have been interpreted as a loving gesture, and touched Victoria in a way that she hadn’t expected. She turned away before her mother could see the tears forming in her eyes. They were tears of pity, however, not of love.
What she didn’t hear as she was exiting the courtroom was her mother’s weak voice saying, “I will … get it back … you little witch. Your precious daddy … isn’t here … anymore … to protect you. It’s mine … I will … have it. You’re not … my … daughter.”
But both Mr. Bradbury and Mr. Kyte heard those words, exchanged meaningful looks, and mentally filed those words away.
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About the Author
Born near the shores of Southern California, Madyson Grey currently spends her days writing suspense-filled romances, reading steamy novels, and complaining about the rain in her new Portland home that she shares with one loving husband, two adorable Bassett Hounds, and three rather snotty cats. When not cowering away from the rain, Maddy likes to walk the dogs down near the beach and sample all the amazing coffee that Portland has to offer.
Be sure to visit her Amazon page and hit ‘Follow’ to be notified of her new releases.
Also by Madyson Grey
THE PERFECT REVENGE:
The Perfect Beginning
The Perfect Little Lie
The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Burn
There Perfect Revenge
The Perfect Revenge: Complete 5 Book Boxed Set