“What can I do for you today, Mr. Vallega?” Mr. Dietz asked.
Staring the man down, Manny took the opportunity to impose intimidation tactics. His stature alone was massive, but his attitude was menacing. He remained standing. As Mr. Dietz looked up, Manny glared at him. It produced the desired result. The attorney was instantly unnerved.
Considering himself an expert at body language, he watched as Mr. Dietz retreated. His hands went into his lap and he sat far back into the fake leather of his oversized chair. One corner of Manny’s mouth raised as he smirked at the man.
“What you can do is educate me. I want to know what your affiliation is with Marisol Franzi.” His tone was flat, almost deadly.
Mr. Dietz swallowed hard.
“She’s my client.”
Manny began a game of cat and mouse, and the attorney was at a disadvantage because the cat was a panther.
“Let’s not play games, Mr. Dietz,” he said. He settled in a chair across from him. “Except for her, I wouldn’t be here.”
He leaned forward, crossing into the attorney’s personal space.
“I’m well aware you provided legal assistance, yet it wasn’t for the criminal charges against her. I understand you recommended the seriously deficient defense attorney who provided services for her. What you may not know is that he has been dismissed.”
Mr. Dietz opened his mouth to protest, but Manny held up a hand to stop him from speaking.
“Your signature is on real estate acquisitions which were performed on her behalf. What I want to know is how she came to utilize your services… and it would be to your benefit that I’m satisfied with what I hear, so answer carefully.”
There was an unpleasant tension in the room. Manny’s tone was gripping, and Mr. Dietz didn’t bluff well. His attempt at confidence and composure was no match for his formidable opponent. As Manny watched with satisfaction, he saw sweat forming on Mr. Dietz’s forehead.
After a few moments of silence, Mr. Dietz offered no answers. It antagonized Manny.
“Let me make this easy for you, while I make myself perfectly clear,” he said, his impatience presenting through his sinister tone. “I’ve noticed you are the attorney of record in many, many real estate transactions. It appears they were funded by Mari, yet your name is on every one. It leads me to believe you two were… close. What I want from you is an explanation as to why Ms. Franzi felt it necessary to obtain such a large amount of properties. I know you have the answer.” He paused. “I’ve done my homework, Mr. Dietz, and before I leave today you will fill in the gaps.”
He stood next to Mr. Dietz, who trembled slightly. Placing his hand on the smaller man’s shoulder he pressed down, making the pressure agonizing for the smaller man.
The attorney’s breath quickened and the muscles in his shoulder slumped under the pressure.
“I’m not supposed to divulge the secrets of my clients.” Mr. Dietz’s voice trembled.
“I don’t know how to make myself any clearer,” he chuckled, “but what I want from you, Mr. Dietz, are the details about each and every transaction which was conducted by you on Mari’s behalf.”
He paused.
“…and you will do it today.”
He released his grip on the poor man, and slapped him on the back. Taking the chair in front of his desk, he sat smugly sat before him.
“I could get into trouble, Mr. Vallega. There’s attorney/client privilege to consider,” he said nervously.
It was not what Manny wanted to hear. He leaned forward.
“Easy or hard?” he asked.
The attorney was confused.
“What?”
“Easy or hard, Mr. Dietz,” Manny said as he sat back, cracking his knuckles. “I will get what I came for,” he informed the frightened man. “The choice is yours as to how I get it.”
He reached across the desk and wrapped a fist around the man’s tie, lifting him out of the chair.
“So, again… you will tell me what I want to know—the easy way, or the hard way.”
Mr. Dietz swallowed nervously. He wisely decided to give Manny what he wanted. The truth was that he valued his life more than keeping Marisol’s confidence, and the bigger man scared the shit out of him. He didn’t want trouble. Especially the type this man implied.
While Manny quietly watched, the attorney went to the files and fumbled through the folders. He removed a rather thick one with the name “The Vencedor Corporation” typed across the front. As he handed it to Manny, he chose his words carefully.
“Mr. Vallega, the contents might not contain anything of interest to you, but it’s all I have. Ms. Franzi trusted me. I don’t think she trusts too many people.”
“I’ll worry about that,” Manny answered. “For now, this is a good start—but—I may need more information in the future. It would be good to utilize an accommodating man, such as yourself, if I need more information.”
There was an unspoken warning in Manny’s tone. It made Mr. Dietz very nervous.
“What, exactly, would you want from me?” he asked. “Would you, seriously, want me to represent you?”
Manny didn’t look back as he made his way to the door. “Yes, you could say that. Consider yourself retained.”
“But I’m a real estate attorney!” Mr. Dietz half shouted.
“Yes, I’m aware—but as an attorney in my employ, you will do what I ask,” he said dismissively.
Mr. Dietz didn’t want the job.
“I’m curious, Mr. Vallega, why her?”
Manny shot him a malevolent look. He didn’t like being questioned.
“Her?” Manny repeated. “Because she’s my wife,” he said firmly. “And if you had done your homework you’d know I have power of attorney while she’s indisposed…and I suggest this be the last time you question me.”
When Manny exited the room, a veiled threat lingered behind him.
Aimee’s pace quickened as she rushed to meet Paige and Blake for lunch. Packing for the trip had caused her to run a little late. When did she accumulate so much stuff?
She’d planned to take six months off, at least, to do the things she loved. Working hard proved rewarding in the finance department, but she needed the downtime. This was her last stop before going on vacation, and though she loved the company of her friends, she couldn’t wait to get on the road.
Entering Dos Locos, she saw them at a corner table and waved hello. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and grew wider as she got closer to them. Blake stood to greet her as Paige smiled behind him. It had only been a week since she saw Paige at the settlement, but they both had little time that day. Today she was turning over all the paperwork to Aimee.
She was ecstatic about the house! She bought it sight unseen, only having pictures to guide her. Blake and Paige went to see the property for her, and she trusted their advice about the house being structurally sound. At her request, they’d driven to the mountains on the pretense of visiting Carter, whom they supposedly did visit while there. In her absence, they looked over the house, and contracted a home inspector on her behalf. As far as the décor, she wasn’t concerned. She couldn’t wait to put her own stamp on. When she initially saw the pictures, Paige warned it was a handyman’s special, needing some TLC. She wasn’t intimidated in the least. She lived for projects like this. What was even more exciting was that it was hers. It would be her own little getaway. Something she worked and paid for by herself, unlike the condo in New York which was leased by the agency. Having something of her very own was a big deal to a girl who grew up with nothing—not even her own bed. She couldn’t wait to get her hands dirty. Who would expect a model to do that?
Blake kissed her on the cheek as she approached, and she took a seat next to Paige. She then was handed a large manila envelope, as her friend dangled the keys in front of her. Aimee snatched them right out of her hand.
“Mine!” she laughed.
Paige smiled. “Of course it’s yours. N
obody else would want it!”
She was right. The house was… different. Aimee loved different. A house boat! Not a boat on the water, but an old boat which had been turned into a house. It was so unique—and it was all hers. Whoever thought of the concept was a genius in her book. She loved repurposing old things, and this house was the epitome of reusing and recycling. She couldn’t wait to get there.
“It’s good to see you, sweetheart,” Blake said.
“It’s good to be seen!” she replied. “Other than working, eating, and sleeping, I haven’t done much of anything. I’ve been so busy since Marisol was arrested. You have no idea!”
“Umm, I think you’re referring to Paige who has no idea, since I’m the one who’s been giving you all the work!” he replied.
Aimee rolled her eyes at him.
“The one day at settlement wasn’t enough for me. We’ve missed you,” Paige said, “…and now you’re leaving again.” She stuck her bottom lip out in a sad pucker. “Are you sure you can’t stay for a little while?”
Aimee hugged her, pouting also.
“You can visit me whenever you want, you know that,” she said. “In fact, I want you to come up and stay with me.” She paused, then laughed. “In a few months, though, okay? Let me spruce up the place a bit!”
“Spruce-up?” Blake exclaimed. “Overhaul is more like it!”
Suddenly, some buyer’s remorse kicked in, and for a moment, Aimee wondered if she’d made a mistake. Concern clouded her face.
“You told me the house was in good shape—both of you did,” she said, worried. “I bought it on your word. What are you saying? I made a mistake?”
“Don’t pay any attention to him!” Paige said, turning back to her friend. “You don’t have to worry. The house IS in good shape. He was an eagle eye with the inspector when they checked it out. He’s just teasing you.” She gave Blake a dirty look, then continued. “It needs your touch, sweetheart, that’s all. The bones of the house are great, and I have no doubt it will be beautiful once you get your hands on it.”
Aimee calmed down. She looked forward to the challenge. As the waiter brought their drinks, she began to detail her aspirations for them.
“The pictures were so cool, I couldn’t resist it. I mean, who has a house like it?! No one! I’ve already mapped out in my head how I want to landscape, at least in the front where you took pictures—and I’ve had a few ideas for the kitchen to make it nice and cozy. I’ve even drawn plans for a breakfast nook.”
Paige placed her chin in her hand. She was fascinated by Aimee’s vision. She’d been with her several times, when she bought a piece of junk, or so she thought. The next time she saw it, her friend had transformed it into something unique and beautiful.
“How do you come up with these ideas?” she asked with wonder. “Do they just pop into your head? I mean, you haven’t even been in the place, and already you’re mentally remodeling it.”
“I don’t know…,” Aimee answered. “I just have ideas when I look at something. I see the potential in things most other people consider trash. I always wonder if there’s another purpose for it—whatever it is. I can’t describe it, because I see it in my head.”
“Better you than me,” Blake interjected. “I’d rather tell someone what I want done, and hire them to do it for me.”
“Where’s the fun in that,” Aimee scoffed.
His eyes widened.
“Fun is not what I have in mind when I move into a place, ladies. I love beautiful things. I’ve never seen the fascination with the whole distressed look. For me to like something it can’t be a project in the works. I simply want it perfect and done… finished… fini… finito!” He emphasized by using his hands dramatically.
“I get it! I get it!” Aimee raised her hands in surrender.
Paige was being entertained by their antics.
“Well, get ready for me because I plan to visit in about two or three months.” She placed her napkin on her lap. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with the place when I get there—and you’d better have a place for me to sleep!” She tucked the photos of the boat house into another envelope and handed them to her.
“I can’t believe it. All mine.” she closed her eyes in satisfaction.
“Don’t forget you also have a gorgeous condo in New York which Bella Matrix has provided. It’s quite the symbol of success,” Blake said.
“You’re right, but it wasn’t really me—and it was never mine,” Aimee said, overlooking the smart ass tone of his comment. “I know I’m a lucky girl, but this is different.” She turned to Paige.
“Do you understand? This is mine right from the beginning—and I can do whatever I want to it. The building’s cool, but the interior is a blank slate.”
She looked at Blake. “The condo, well, it was nice but it was already designed and furnished by someone else when it was loaned to me. You provided it out of necessity when I came to New York.”
She hugged the envelope with the photos to her chest. Her features softened.
“I could see this place as a refuge the moment I saw it. I guess I just fell in love.”
Just then the conversation livened as Declan and Aria surprised her. She jumped up to greet them. She was so happy to see her big brother and Aria. All conversation about the house came to an abrupt halt. Declan snatched her up in a bear hug, while Aria waited her turn. As she turned to Aria, she saw Katherine come through the door and she squealed. For the next few moments she was enveloped with affection.
Once the excitement died down, everyone ordered lunch. The conversation changed as they all updated her with current events and personal news. She hung on every word, having missed them all so much… and she was especially happy to hear any news about Carter.
Lunch turned into dinner with all the chatter and it prompted an unexpected overnight stay with the Sinclair’s. Now, back on the road, the quiet humming of the car as it rolled on the highway was welcome.
At Declan and Aria’s insistence, she spent the night with them. Truly, it hadn’t taken much to convince her. After packing most of the morning, then driving to the beach, she’d expended what was left of her energy. She hadn’t realized exactly how tired she was, and she fell asleep easily after a few moments of solitude looking out at the sea.
Breakfast had been another opportunity to spend some time with her friends, and it crossed her mind that it would be a few months until she saw them again. It gave her a strange, foreign feeling of homesickness. It was so bittersweet; feeling like she had family, but having to leave them. She wasn’t sure if she was happy or sad.
Last night was great, until they got to an awkward part of the conversation. Carter was the topic. She, Declan, and Aria were relaxing, talking about anything and everything. It was a perfect, cool night with a full moon. After Declan poured each of the girls a glass of wine, he joined them on the front porch. How she’d missed this place!
“So, are you going right to your house when you get there, or do you have to stay in a hotel while you renovate?” Aria asked.
Aimee pulled the Adirondack chair far enough out so she could sit back and put her feet up on the railing simultaneously. She gingerly held her glass with both hands and stared absentmindedly at the contents.
“No. No hotel for me,” she answered. “Paige assures me the house is livable. It was sold partially furnished. I wanted to know what I needed, so she and Blake took pictures for me of what was left behind. There’s a very pretty cast iron bed that’s in good condition, and I brought two sets of clean sheets with me—you know what a freak I am about mattresses,” she laughed. “Paige said though the frame looked old, the mattress looked pretty new, but it makes me feel better to double the layers if I’m going to put my face on it—you know what I mean?” she asked.
She looked up, away from the glass, turning her attention to both of them. “I’m planning on staying there the first night.”
“Really?” Declan asked, surprised.
“How about the other stuff, like the appliances? Are they working well enough to use them?”
“There is a fairly new washer and dryer, and both Blake and Paige said although the refrigerator was old, it was cold and working.”
Exhaustion was beginning to set in. As she took a sip from her glass, she mindlessly stared out over the water, going through a mental checklist.
“There’s no dishwasher, but it’s only me so I don’t need it.” She laughed. “I’m the dishwasher!”
In a more serious tone she continued.
“I might ask Carter if he’d like to come over for lunch or dinner, once I figure out how close he is to me.”
There was a pregnant pause as she waited for their reactions. She wasn’t disappointed.
Something was going on with him, she knew it!
Declan and Aria exchanged glances when Aimee mentioned his name.
“What?” she asked, and looked at them both.
“Nothing,” Aria said.
“Yeah, right. You looked at Declan as soon as I said Carter’s name.”
Aria looked to Declan for direction, monitoring his expression.
“See?” Aimee asked. She put her feet down and sat upright in the chair.
“You’re doing it again! What aren’t you telling me?”
Declan exchanged a pensive look with Aria. She then nodded supportively for him to share the update with regard to his brother.
“It’s just…,” he paused, taking in a breath before continuing. “he’s a little different since he’s gone back home.”
“Different?” Aimee asked puzzled. “How so?”
“I’m not really sure, because I can’t put my finger on it,” Declan continued. He leaned casually on the thick post in front of her.
“When he was here, at least he seemed to… relax… a little. You even mentioned it, how it was good to see him laughing when we all were together and having a good time. Since he’s gone back he sounds… I don’t know, Aim—serious, almost indifferent. It’s the best way I can describe it.”
Aimee unconsciously went on the defense.
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