by Zena Wynn
“Who’d she get?”
“According to Rashid’s lawyer, the best divorce attorney in town.”
“Ronald Davis? He’s good. I’m better.”
“That’s why I’m calling.”
“Divorces obtained in Guam are legally sound. He won’t have an easy time of it. What grounds is he basing his plea on?”
“Crystal’s emotional instability.”
“He’s using an insanity plea?”
“Basically.” She read him the Declaration.
“Damn, that’s original. It might just work too. It’s different enough to get the case heard, out of curiosity if nothing else.”
“That’s what the lawyer said.” She nibbled on a fingernail.
“What is Rashid going to do?”
“His lawyer advised him to hire a good divorce lawyer. I reminded him that we knew the best one in the country.”
“Flattery will get you everything. Hand Rashid the phone and go play with the babies or something. I want some privacy.”
“Aye, aye, sir.” She saluted, even though she knew he couldn’t see her.
She handed Rashid the phone. “He told me to get lost. He wants to speak with you man-to-man.”
His mouth smiled but his eyes were wary. “Don’t go far.”
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and left the room. Left to her own devices, she would only sit and brood. She went to the nursery and played with the twins until Rashid came and found her some time later.
She followed him into their bedroom. “What did he say?”
“He’ll do it if I let him have three nights with you alone.”
“What?” Her eyes bugged out and her mouth dropped open.
“Is that what because he asked, or because I agreed?”
Gail’s mouth moved but nothing came out.
“Just kidding. His professional interest is peaked. He’s going to talk to the Partners. He thinks he can persuade them to let him take the case.”
“Did he say anything about the children? Will we have to give them to Crystal?”
“She can’t touch the twins. They’re ours.”
“But you promised them to her in the prenup. Not only that, but courts usually favor the mother. If she gets a sympathetic enough judge, he may just give them to her, despite what she did.”
He stared at her, the expression on his face revealing his indecision. Finally, he held out his hand. “Come with me.”
He pulled her out of the room and back down to the study. “Sit.”
He went to the wall and opened the safe hidden behind their family portrait. There he pulled out a folder and brought it to her. “Open it.”
The file labeled “Personal Documents.” On the top was their marriage license. Underneath were two birth certificates belonging to the twins. “What am I looking for?”
“Read them. You’ll know when you find it.”
As she scanned the certificates, her eyes drew to the mother’s name.
Gail Marie Henderson
She looked up at him with the documents gripped tightly in one hand. “I don’t understand. This has me listed as their mother. The lawyer’s were supposed to fix this.”
“You are their mother. Why change the truth?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did. More than once.”
“I thought you meant biologically. You knew that. I didn’t know you meant legally as well.” She was trying to let this surprising turn of events sink in when an unsettling thought crossed her mind. “You mean I’ve been being nice to Crystal all this time and I didn’t have to be?”
“Why is that?” He took the folder from her and placed it back into the safe.
She shrugged. “I didn’t want her making trouble for you with the babies.”
“Communication. So very important in a marriage.” He tsked at her. “Next time, talk to me.”
She was trying to come up with a zinger of a reply when Rashid sank to his knees in front of her and placed his hands on her thighs, distracting her. “I’m going to ask you a question, and I want total honesty,” he stated.
“Sounds serious.”
“It is.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m ready. Lay it on me.”
“Now that you know the babies have always been yours, do you wish you would have made a different decision?”
“Are you asking if I regret marrying you? No. Why?” Where was this coming from?
“If Greg takes my case, he’ll be around…a lot. It wasn’t that long ago that you were willing to give up everything for him. I need to know if I should be concerned about my wife spending time with her former fiancé.”
She sat quietly for a moment before responding. “I love Greg. That hasn’t changed and I’m sure if I didn’t have the twins I would be happily married to him right now.” Then she cupped his face and leaned forward until their noses touched. “But, I wouldn’t trade you for anything or anyone in the world. I’m glad I misunderstood about the children. It was the push I needed to do what I wanted to do anyway.”
“Are you saying that if I had gotten to you first, you would have told Greg no?”
She pulled back. “No, that’s not what I’m trying to say. When you were in Guam, my mother said I was using Greg as a buffer to keep you from getting too close. I scoffed at the time but she may have been right. I was probably in love with you and didn’t know it. All the signs were there, but I refused to see them. My mind just couldn’t handle my being in love with my best friend’s husband. It was difficult enough just admitting to the attraction I felt for you.”
“Felt?” His hands slid up her thighs to the waistband of her pants, undid the button and pulled down the zipper.
“Feel?”
“I’m trying to.” He peeled off her pants and underwear.
She grinned. “Well, you’re not trying hard enough. I can’t feel a thing.”
He undid his jeans and pushed them down his thighs. “I’m just getting started.”
“Have you always been such a slow starter?”
“I believe firmly that if I take my time, I’ll do it right.” He spread her legs and slid a finger inside. It came away wet. He slid it back inside. “Can you feel me now?”
“No.”
He slid in two fingers. “Can you feel me now?”
Her grip on the arms of the chair tightened as she forced herself to remain still. “Not a thing.”
He added a third finger. “What about now?”
“Umm, not really. Don’t you have anything bigger?”
“Let me check and see.” He felt around his pelvis. “Found something. Is this big enough?”
She tilted her head to the side and studied it. “I don’t know. Looks kind of small.”
He thrust into her. “Small? Does this feel small?”
“Must…have…been…the…angle,” she gasped.
“So?”
“What?”
“Can you?”
“Can…I…what?”
“Can…you…feel…me…NOW?”
“ARRGH!!!!!”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
* * * *
Two weeks later, Gail and Rashid stood in the crowded airport waiting for Greg to debark. Gail bobbed up and down, searching through the swarming mass for a glimpse of him as Rashid watched; a feeling of dread in his stomach. Suddenly, she lit up like a Christmas tree and a big, welcoming grin covered her face. She started to run forward then visibly checked herself.
“Go ahead.”
She glanced at him, one eyebrow arched in inquiry while virtually bouncing in place.
“Go to him. You know you want to.”
“You’re sure?” Her gaze kept darting away, straining to keep track of Greg’s position.
Hell no! “Yes, I’m sure.”
She gave him a blindingly bright smile and then took off running. “Greg! Greg!”
Greg looked around, trying to home in on the vo
ice calling his name. Rashid could tell the minute he spotted her. His expression changed and he began shoving his way past fellow travelers, intent on reaching his goal. When she was close enough, Gail launched herself into the air. Greg dropped his briefcase and caught her midair, spinning her around in a circle, and knocking several people aside before gathering her close in a bear hug.
Rashid looked away, hands clenched by his side. He would give them this moment. He owed Greg that much, but after this, Greg had better remember that Gail was his wife and keep his hands off. When the happy reunion was finally over, they joined him where he stood off to the side out of the stream of traffic.
“Rashid.” Greg nodded. His hands were too full for the traditional handshake greeting. One arm wrapped securely around Gail’s waist. The other held his briefcase.
“Greg.” He casually reached out and pulled his wife from Greg’s side, hugging her securely against his own. “How was the flight?”
A mocking smile acknowledged Rashid’s actions as he responded, “The food was lousy. I’m starving.”
Gail made a sound that conveyed her sympathy. “We’ll feed you once we get out of here. We can drop your luggage off to the hotel and then head to the restaurant. Where are you booked?”
“No hotel. Rashid’s putting me up.”
Gail stopped abruptly, causing Rashid to stumble. “At the house?” Disbelief echoed in her voice.
“No, the penthouse.” He yanked, forcing her to walk or be carried.
Greg kept going.
“We have a penthouse?” Her attention completely focused on him and not on the congested walkway.
Rashid tugged her closer, out of the way of the stroller that rolled out in front of them. “No, the company does.”
“Don’t you own the company?”
He sighed and guided her around another obstacle. He could see Greg in the distance, headed toward the luggage carousal. “Yes, I own the company.”
“Then we have a penthouse. Why haven’t I heard about this before? All of those times you had me staying at the house, I could have been there instead. It’s staffed, isn’t it?”
“When someone’s in residence. The rest of the time, it’s maintained by a cleaning service.”
“So?”
“What?”
She huffed in frustration. “Why didn’t you let me stay in the penthouse?”
“The penthouse is for business purposes. Besides, I wanted you where I could keep an eye on you.”
He brought them to a stop and stood off to the side, watching the luggage as it rolled out on the belt. He could feel Gail staring at him. When he looked down, she was watching him with an expression that didn’t bode well for him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re very intelligent, crafty even.”
“And?” He wondered where this was going.
“I’m just realizing how many times over the last year I’ve been maneuvered into doing what you want.”
Busted! Play dumb or confess all? He caught sight of Greg reaching for his suitcase out of the corner of his eye. Confessions were out of the question. He’d deny it with his last, dying breath. “What are you talking about?” He knew his expression held just the right amount of bored curiosity. It was a look he’d perfected in the boardroom.
She gave him suspicious eyes. “I’m on to you now. You won’t find me so easy to manipulate the next time.”
“I would never try to manipulate you.” Now that I have what I want, there’s no reason. He turned as Greg joined them, hiding his grin.
“This is everything. Now all I need is some wheels. I’ll head over to the rental section and catch up with you outside.”
“You don’t have to pay for a rental. Use mine and I’ll use one of the other vehicles at the house.”
“No offense, Gail, but no. I will not be seen driving the family station wagon.” He shuddered. “Think of my reputation.”
“It’s not a station wagon. I drive a Santa Fe, an SUV.”
“It’s a station wagon pretending to be a SUV. SUV’s are a hell of a lot bigger. That thing you drive is just…cute.” His nose wrinkled in distaste.
“Watch it, buster. That’s my pride and joy you’re talking about.”
“You can use the corporate car,” Rashid interrupted. “It’s an Impala. That should be manly enough to suite your image.” He put a stop to things before the two of them could get going good. He knew they were just playing, but each teasing jab reminded him of how close he’d come to losing Gail to this man.
They piled into the Mercedes and headed for his Club where they could speak privately. Once they’d eaten and were ready to discuss business, Greg got things going.
“Are either of you familiar with the appellate process?”
Rashid shook his head. Before now, he hadn’t had a reason to know.
“Not really. I’ve done research for appellate cases but I’m not familiar with the actual presentation.”
“That reminds me. Rashid, I need to borrow your wife while I’m here. There’s a lot to be done and a short timeframe in which to do it. Gail, I need you to brush off your dusty paralegal skills and be my assistant on this.”
His wife’s eyes gleamed with suppressed excitement.
Does she miss the legal work she used to do? Is she tired of being a full-time mother? This was something they needed to discuss later when they were alone, he decided. “That’s no problem. Angelina is available to watch the children during the day. You realize that you can’t charge me research fees if my wife is the one doing the research.”
“Sure I can. All I have to do is pay Gail and bill you, after adding a little markup for myself, of course.”
“I believe I’m already paying you enough. Why don’t I just pay her myself and cut out the middle man?”
“You’re not going to pay me—neither of you. Rashid is my husband. This affects me as well. Anything I can do to help gives me less time to sit and worry.”
“There’s no reason for you to worry. Rashid has actually made my job easy. This should be nothing more than a formality.”
“I’ll remember that when I get the bill,” Rashid commented.
“Quit complaining. I gave you a discount. I usually charge more for my services.”
“Oh, joy.”
Gail and Greg thought he was hilarious from the way they laughed.
When they quieted, Greg continued. “Here’s how the process works. From now on, we’re on a strict timetable. When Crystal received notification of the divorce, she only had so many days to request an appeal. The first step was her Declaration of Intent, which you received. Now her attorney has thirty days from the date of filing to submit a brief to the court explaining in detail the points of the divorce decree under protest, along with any supporting documentation he may have. Then it’s our turn. We’ll receive a copy of the brief, and have thirty days to submit our own, rebutting any claims made by the appellant along with any supporting documentation we have. The court will review both briefs.”
He took a sip of water before continuing. “Sometimes they make a judgment based on the information presented in the briefs. If there’s not enough justification for an appeal, the case will be dismissed. Or, the court may determine there’s reason enough to warrant a hearing. At the hearing, both attorneys will have fifteen minutes to make a verbal plea to the justice. After which, judgment is made.”
Gail looked puzzled. “We won’t be called on to testify?”
“No. Any testimonies will be in document form and presented as written statements. Yet another reason why I need your help. I want you to type up all our witness depositions.”
“Where do we start?”
“I need copies of everything—the prenup, divorce decree, the surrogate agreement, the reports from the private detective service as well as receipts for the public notices that were posted in newspapers.” Greg ticked the items off on his fingers.
“They’re in the c
ar in my briefcase.” He’d been forewarned of what would be needed and was prepared.
“Good. I know Davis. I’ve opposed him many times and know how he operates. He’s going to try to prove that you violated the terms of the prenup to get custody of the children. Then he’s going to try to use Florida law against you and render the grounds for your divorce invalid.”
“But Florida accepted the divorce. If it hadn’t, Rashid and I wouldn’t be married right now.”
“The Circuit Court accepted the judgment, even though Crystal hadn’t been gone a full year. This is the State Supreme Court. They can reject it if they chose to do so, but I doubt that they will. It’s very rare that they override a lower court’s decision.”
Rashid frowned. “Guam granted the divorce because I had sufficient documentation of my fruitless attempts to locate Crystal.”
“And that’s going to be the basis of our defense with this appeal. You went through a lot of trouble, time, and expense to locate Crystal. You took out weekly newspaper ads in every major newspaper in Florida and Nevada, first to find her, and then to notify her of the pending divorce. You hired a private detective to trace her and kept them searching for her right up to the day Crystal appeared on your doorstep. We’ll formulate a more specific defense when we know the exact plea Davis is making. There’s very little that he can legally challenge: abandonment; lack of notification; and failure to comply with the terms of the prenup. That’s it. Everything else is subjective and won’t sway the court’s opinion one way or the other.”
“I still don’t get the whole “emotional instability” angle mentioned in the Declaration,” Gail confessed.
“It’s just a means of grabbing the courts attention. If it were me, this is how I would play it. I would prove that my client’s emotional instability made her not cognizant of her actions. Therefore, she didn’t really abandon Rashid because abandonment requires a conscious decision to leave, of which she was clearly incapable. No abandonment. No grounds for divorce. I win. But fortunately for you, Davis isn’t me.”
Gail stared at Greg in awe. Hell, even he was impressed. He was glad he allowed Gail to persuade him to hire Greg. Finished for now, Rashid drove Greg to his office and took him to Security.