She stopped and sat down on the sand. She had to recount every facet of her relationship with Luke from the time she met him to right now. It was the only way to confirm or refute his confession. She gasped, recalling the time she went hunting with Luke. When she’d first told him she couldn’t go with him due to her appointment with the forensic psychiatrist, he’d gotten very angry. Of course, now it all made sense: Luke was supposed to make sure she missed her first private session with the forensic psychiatrist.
It was on the hunt that Luke’s friend, Clay, had told her about Luke’s PTSD. Clay had warned her to be careful. She’d thought Luke’s PTSD explained his irrational behavior. Now, she wondered whether Clay had known Luke had been bought and was trying to warn her.
Then she recalled the first time she tried to break up with Luke. After Meredith had given her the trust deed to his house, proving he was married, she decided to end the relationship. And when she’d told Luke she didn’t want to see him ever again, he refused to accept her decision. He’d acted as thought his life depended on keeping her, and now she realized it did.
And the keys. Luke had the key to her car, and he told her Gabe had given it to him. But what about the other keys? There was the time the alarm wouldn’t turn on, and he’d opened both the side door and the balcony door, claiming he had all these master keys due to his plumbing jobs. No, it had to have been Gabe who’d given him the keys. Certain he’d never need them again, Gabe probably handed all of the keys from his life with Alex over to Luke.
Yes, the pieces were coming together, but she still needed proof, more proof. She had to hear Luke’s story again. She dialed his number.
“I need to see you,” she said.
“Where are you?” he asked.
She explained how she’d walked from Newport Beach towards the pier in Huntington Beach and was at Fiftieth Street.
“Wait there,” he said.
“Luke, I will not see you if you’ve had so much as one drink. I need total clarity.”
“I promise,” he said. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
She found a bench and waited. Once he arrived, she insisted he repeat everything he’d told her before.
He explained each and every detail, held nothing back, and apologized over and over.
After processing as much as she could possibly remember, Alex had to admit there was absolute accuracy to Luke’s confession. Everything fit together seamlessly.
“Alex, did you ever do something that seemed so right, so easy, only to find it was the opposite? It was wrong, evil, and malicious. I did that to you.”
She started to cry. “You hurt me terribly.”
“I told you I used to think my daughter’s death was punishment for the things I did in ’Nam, but now I know hurting you was worse than anything I did in ’Nam. If I didn’t have my grandson, I’d…”
“You can’t go there,” she said quietly, touching his arm.
There was sincerity in his voice. The lies and truths all fit together, woven into an ugly tapestry of evil.
“Luke,” she said with resolve. “Please drive me to my car. I need to compose myself for court tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 48
Two hours before the court hearing, Seth picked Alex up at Liz’s house.
“We’ll all be there,” Liz said and hugged Alex.
Seth put his arm around her and led her to his car. “You’re going to do fine.”
“Gabe paid Luke to harm me,” she said.
“Harm you?” Seth asked.
She repeated the entire story.
“Alex, why didn’t you go to the police the minute he told you?”
“The police would have arrested him,” she said.
“That’s exactly as it should be, and why do you care?” Seth asked, obviously unable to comprehend her refusal to report Luke.
“On the tape, Linda said, ‘I’m going to go to the police and report you for raping me and stealing my diamond.’ Luke didn’t respond to that. It sounded like a real accusation.” She started to cry. “I can’t believe Gabe paid him to date me.”
Seth stroked his beard. “Yes, I knew all about Luke.”
“You did?” Alex asked.
“I decided to check him out. Since I wondered how he could’ve afforded the membership dues, I went to the club to inquire about membership. While I was talking to the membership director, I glanced over and saw a file cabinet that was labeled ‘Membership.’”
“Seth, why didn’t you tell me all of this before?”
“You wouldn’t have believed me, and I didn’t succeed in getting the proof I wanted.” He looked at her. “I was the odd man out, and Luke had some spell over you.”
“Sex,” she said. “But why did you decide to check on his club membership?”
“A plumber—excuse me, supposed owner of a plumbing company?” Seth shook his head. “There is no way he could have paid those dues.”
“Of course not, and I didn’t even wonder about that,” she said.
“So I went back to the club with Rebecca.”
“Rebecca? Our office manager? Why would you go back with her?”
“I decided that someone, maybe even Gabe, must have paid for Luke’s membership.”
“Wow, you are smart,” she said.
“Is this the first time you realized that?” He smiled. “If Gabriel had paid by check or credit card, I would have had proof that he bribed Luke. So Rebecca and I went to the club. Rebecca asked the membership director for a tour of the club, and I said I’d just wait in the office. And, I might add, the membership director thought Rebecca and I were a couple. Pretty impressive, since she’s only twenty-five.”
“Seth, this is Orange County. Of course they’d think you were a couple. Get on with the story.”
“I opened the file cabinet and saw that all of Luke Jackson’s dues were paid in cash.”
“Why would you have taken a chance on opening the file cabinet in the director’s office?” she asked. “You could have been arrested.”
“Love,” he said.
“Love?” she repeated, no longer trusting the word.
“I’m in love with you,” he said.
She had always known and appreciated how protective he was of her. She’d also known he cared for her, even loved her, but he’d never acted or told her he was in love with her. “What if you just moved to Arizona without saying anything?” she asked.
“Alex, I tried to tell you, but it never seemed to be the right time.”
“It could have ended without even …” Tears welled in her eyes. She realized she’d missed all of the overtures from this wonderful man, and the possibility could have ended before it began.
He touched her face. “We all choose the consequences of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. We do one thing, and the next follows in a logical sequence. When you hit the tennis ball, the next move is the direct result of that shot. I had to stop trying and give up on you for my sanity.”
“You …” She stopped and forced herself to breathe as she spotted Gabe’s silver Mercedes.
“We’ll get through this,” Seth said. “The main thing is that you aren’t hurt, but it’s critical that you stay focused.”
They passed through security and made their way inside. Alex came to a halt. Shocked, she saw Jon positioned between Gabe and Linda, holding their hands as they walked down the hallway. She couldn’t fathom why Gabe had brought the children.
“You’re their mother, not her,” Seth whispered.
She took calming breaths and stared. Eric stood as tall as his father, looking grown-up in his blue oxford shirt and tan slacks. Daniel, preppy in a white shirt and navy chinos, seemed tense and uncomfortable. Wishful thinking?
Dr. Gabriel Rose, clad in his Republican-red tie and navy suit, gave her a
smug look and turned his back to her.
Alex longed to scoop Jon up into her arms, reach out to Daniel, and connect with Eric. Then Linda’s perfume—some lavender sachet—enveloped Alex, almost making her gag. She couldn’t allow this fortress of family strength to weaken her.
Linda pulled Jon close.
As Alex studied Linda’s perfectly tailored maroon suit and matching leather heels, she realized she’d only seen Linda in a long evening gown and slacks. Now in a short skirt, Linda’s fat ankles were visible. An imperfection! Alex thought with feline satisfaction.
Linda bent down and whispered something to Jon.
Alex watched Linda speak to her child, mother him. She was amazed at the ease with which Linda had slipped into her space, stolen her identity as wife and mother.
Seth stroked her back, his voice low and warm. “This’ll be over soon, and Gabe thinks he has nothing to fear. Just wait. Medicare isn’t something to fool with.”
Suddenly, Jon burst free from Linda’s grasp and ran to Alex. “Mommy!”
Before Jon reached Alex, Gabe sternly called, “Jon-a-than.”
Jon froze in midstride, glancing first at Gabe and then at Alex.
Gabe instructed, “Linda, take my boys to the cafeteria and get them settled, will you?”
Linda clamped a hand on Jon’s shoulder and motioned for Daniel and Eric to follow as she led them away.
Stay calm, Alex told herself as she watched Linda’s possessive herding of Jon, Daniel, and Eric.
Seth glanced at his watch. “Alex, we should go to the courtroom.”
“No. I’ve got to go to the cafeteria to talk to the boys,” she said, fearing this might be the last time she’d have with them before they’d see her through Gabe’s filter.
She pushed open the cafeteria door.
Eric moved away as though fearful she’d derail him from a decision he’d already made.
“Hi, Mom,” Daniel said, smiling up at her from the table where he’d spread out his homework.
Clutching his bear with the missing ear and the repaired innards, Jon ran to Alex.
“Wait outside in the hall, Linda,” Alex said. Trying to remain as composed as possible, she knew if she lashed out, then Gabe’s allegations about her irrationality would be substantiated.
“Gabe told me to stay with them,” Linda said.
“Get out.” Alex put her hands on her hips and stood between Linda and her sons.
Linda took a step back, her shock evident.
Alex saw Eric’s startled expression and Daniel’s smile.
“Linda, my children and I would like some privacy.”
“Mommy,” Jon whispered.
“What, Cookie-face?” Alex asked and then glared at Linda.
“Daddy told me it’s irrespecting to call her Linda, ’cause she’s the mother of his house.”
“What?” Alex said, wanting to scream, protest, and explain that Linda was not the mother.
Linda patted Jon’s head. “Jon, sweetie, I’ll be right back. Don’t worry.”
“Out, Linda. Now!” Alex pointed to the cafeteria exit and then motioned to the boys. “Time for a family meeting, guys, so gather around.”
“But Daddy said you’re not part of the family anymore,” Jon said.
Daniel’s chair screeched on the linoleum as he jumped up, ran to Jon, and placed a reassuring hand on his little brother’s shoulder.
Alex knew Jon hadn’t meant to rip her heart out. He was just parroting Gabe, but his innocent words tore at her heart.
Jon put his teddy on the table. “I don’t like it here.”
“I hate this!” Eric announced loudly as he approached the table.
Alex agreed. She would never have brought the boys to the courthouse, but it seemed Gabe had decided to parade them in front of her. He probably sought to unnerve her prior to her testimony, or he might have some other plan to use the boys to bolster his case. Nothing was beneath Dr. Gabriel Rose.
Jon snuggled into her as Eric and Daniel sat in nearby chairs.
Seth moved to a table on the far right of the cafeteria, giving them as much privacy as the open area would allow.
“Guys,” she said, “I’m going to tell you the truth.” She started with a cliché, exactly as Gabe had when he’d erased her from his life on the drive from Las Vegas.
“Mom, why don’t we just wait for the judge to tell us what to do?” Eric asked.
“Boys, I want you to live with me, but—”
Jon tugged on his bear’s good ear. “What if my bear’s stomach opens again?”
“I’d sew it up for you,” she said.
“Daddy’s the only one who can fix people by sewing,” Jon said and burst into tears.
Glancing across the room, Alex met Seth’s warm gaze. Then she saw Daniel make a sewing motion with a pretend length of string and a needle, and her heart warmed.
Eric scowled. “Danny, what weirdo thing are you doing now?”
Alex looped her arm around Daniel. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“What’s he doing?” Eric repeated.
“Daniel’s letting me know that, whatever the judge decides, we’re still connected.”
“Not true,” Eric said.
“Yes, it’s true,” she said. “The judge doesn’t always see everything clearly. Sometimes he sees only what’s shown to him, and he can’t always see the love.”
“I love you, Mommy,” Jon said. “And I see good.”
“I know, Cookie Face.” She brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes.
“It’s like this,” she said. “You’re up at bat, a ball is pitched, and if you let the ball go by, it can either be a strike or a ball. The umpire decides. If he calls it a strike and you’re sure it was a ball, what do you do?”
“You have to listen to the ump,” Eric said.
“Well, Dad and I both love you guys, and we both want you to live with us, but the judge is going to decide who’ll do the best job.”
Eric shook his head. “Why don’t you and Dad just cut us in half and each take a part?” Then he moved close, stiffy at first. “Mom, I really hate this.”
“I know.” She hugged him tightly, making sure he felt her love.
“No cutting,” Jon cried. “I don’t want my daddy to sew me back like my bear.”
Daniel leaned over and straightened his mother’s collar.
Her gaze encompassing them all, she said, “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Linda burst into the cafeteria “They’re ready in the courtroom. My sister’s here to watch the boys.” She pointed to the younger woman behind her.
Alex kissed her sons and proceeded to the courtroom.
CHAPTER 49
The First Friday Book Club women were standing outside the courtroom door.
“I can’t believe you’re all here,” Alex said, appreciative of these four women, her community.
“That’s what friends are for,” Judi sang out.
Alex smiled weakly. Judi’s singing was a little too upbeat, especially now. But then again, that was Judi.
“Judi might have come up with something even better than Silver Cloud,” Liz said.
“Silver Cloud might still be important,” Terrie said. “I had a patient—”
“Listen to what Judi has to say.” Liz twirled her long strand of pearls.
Judi nodded. “Since the patient who died was covered by Medicare, the hospital is opening Gabe’s locker today. Rumor also has it Gabe might have been stealing drugs, and that could’ve been the reason he’s been acting so irrationally. They’re conducting a full investigation. I told my hubby to text the minute he hears anything at the hospital.”
“Let’s hope your husband gets some proof before my husband takes my children,” Alex said.
“If I get confirmation, I’ll testify,” Judi said.
“You’re not on the witness list.” Alex dismissed her offer.
“I can be added,” Judi said. “With proper protocol, it’s usually allowed.”
Seth looked at his watch. “Time to go in.”
Alex hugged her friends and followed Seth into the courtroom. She took her seat behind the responder placard, turned, and saw Linda lean over and stroke Gabe’s back. He patted Linda’s hand as though he were a loving man, not someone capable of hiring another man to harm the woman he’d once loved. Then he took a document from his attorney, pointed to something, and winked at Linda. She smiled and winked back.
As though spying on a forbidden scene, Alex couldn’t look away. She had to watch Gabe, the man with whom she’d been one flesh, entwine himself with another. It was like the horrific sideshow at a circus where she knew she shouldn’t stare but found herself staring nonetheless.
“Stay focused. I’m right here for you,” Seth whispered.
Alex glanced across the table and saw Gabe’s attorney’s new Hermes attaché case. She stared at Mr. Leventhal’s cheap, weathered briefcase. She motioned to Seth to move close and whispered, “Look at Leventhal’s briefcase. There’s no way he can fight Gabe’s lawyer.”
“It’s the truth they want, not the one who has the best briefcase,” Seth whispered and turned to go to the back of the courtroom.
“Right,” Alex said sarcastically and looked to the right of the judge’s bench where the court reporter was adjusting her steno stand. The reporter inserted a register-sized paper roll into her machine. Alex watched, her chest tightening. She knew soon all the accusations, lies, and life-altering judgments would transform themselves into black squiggly marks on white rolls of paper.
As Alex watched Gabe’s attorney line up all his documents like soldiers ready for battle, she wondered if this time the judge would hear the truth or if, once more, he’d be swayed by Gabe’s lies.
The judge took the bench and announced he was ready to proceed.
Gabe’s attorney was called to present his opening statement:
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