“So what is this? He actually billed out five hundred twenty-five hours?” Joseph shook his head. “It’s impossible to log so many hours. What did he do, double bill to make up for previous months?” He brought his hand up to cover his mouth as he stared at the total for June. “But that wouldn’t make sense. The divorce wasn’t final. She could have gotten ahold of this.”
“It didn’t make any sense to me either, until I noticed the initial in front of ‘Merrick.’” He waited until Joseph looked up from the paper to continue. “The time sheets in June were for C. Merrick. All the other months were for N. Merrick.”
“I’m not following.”
“Look at these.” John handed him two more sheets. “See the employee name at the top?”
Joseph glanced at the sheets, noticing one was for the first of June with the employee name listed as “C. Merrick,” and the other was the first of May with the employee name listed as “N. Merrick.” “So he divided his time between two different names?”
“That’s my guess. But something went wrong that month, and all the hours were charged to C. Merrick.”
“But it doesn’t make sense.” Joseph looked from one sheet to the other. “How did he keep the C. Merrick charges from his pay statement? If he were receiving the money, it would be appearing on his biweekly statements, unless they were treated like separate employees.” Joseph’s eyes met John Bianchi’s. “He receives two pay statements, and two W-2s, and Lia only knew about the one.”
“That’s my theory.”
“And when his clients receive the bills, they don’t notice which initial is before the ‘Merrick,’” Joseph said absently.
“Correct.” John paused to take a swallow from his glass. “They’re paying for the services of Ned Merrick, and they receive an invoice with ‘Merrick’ at the top. They aren’t going to care what initial precedes the name. All they care about is that they’re paying for services they actually receive.”
“So you think he has two social security numbers?”
“He must. Which means his law firm knows what he’s doing. Which is a bit surprising, but considering his wife’s father is the founding partner...” He trailed off. “Maybe one of her relatives works in their Accounting Department. It’s an awful lot to risk to save what? Ten, twenty thousand? It’s probably more about sticking it to his ex-wife than saving money.”
“There aren’t any social security numbers on the time sheets?”
“No. I’ve already checked. They’re blacked out.”
“So what do we do now?”
“That depends on what Lia Merrick wants. Unless there’s a C. Merrick at Blackman and Associates, this guy is in some serious trouble.”
“Wait a second.” Joseph looked down at the June first time sheet. “Candice Merrick. This is his wife’s time sheet.”
“Then he’s a bigamist, because the date of that time sheet is over three months before the divorce is final.”
“Oh, right.” Joseph covered his mouth with his hand as he stared at the name. “Just to be safe, I guess we should make sure there are no other Merricks at the firm.”
“We already checked.” John closed his briefcase and deposited it on the floor beside his chair. “He and his new wife are the only Merricks.” He paused as the waiter delivered their salads. “We’ve got him by the balls.” John picked up his salad fork. “What? What are you looking at?”
“I still don’t understand why there were so many billable hours in June.”
“He’s probably double billing. He screws his ex-wife. He screws his clients. He certainly wouldn’t be the first.”
Joseph was freshly showered and dressed casually when Lia arrived at his apartment later that evening. “Are you hungry?” He took her overnight bag from her shoulder and set it by the stairs before following her to the kitchen.
“Kind of.” She actually wasn’t, but she hadn’t eaten all day and figured she needed food.
“I picked up some orange roughy on my way home. I’ve got it seasoned. I have to put it under the broiler, and I’ve got rice and asparagus cooking on the stove.” He took his cell phone off the counter and looked over the note he’d jotted down after his meeting with John Bianchi.
Doesn’t add up:
Two names
Two social security numbers
525 billable hours in June? Did he bill that many each month?
What am I missing?????????
“Can I do anything?” Lia was at the stove, lifting the lid off the asparagus.
“Hmm?” Joseph looked up from his phone.
“I asked if I could help.”
“Yes, in a second.” He crossed to the oven and placed the fish beneath the broiler. “You can set the table. There’s a salad in the refrigerator, and you can grab a bottle of Montrachet White Burgundy from the wine pantry…1986.” He frowned as he looked down at his phone. “Would you watch the fish?” He left the kitchen before she responded.
“Five weeks,” he said aloud moments later as he stared at the calendar on his computer. He picked up his phone and continued the note:
5 weeks in June so feasible that he was billing 100 hours per week
Why the jump from 60? It’s not Merrick’s MO
He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. “What am I missing?”
He sat forward and again began to type:
Why C. Merrick when his wife would be C. Merrick? Why not something random M. Merrick or O. Merrick? Why C.??????
“Dinner’s ready.” Lia leaned against the doorsill of his study.
Joseph lifted his gaze to hers. “Candice did take Ned’s name, right?”
“What?” She frowned.
“Did Candice take Ned’s name?”
“I heard you the first time. I can’t understand why that’s important to you.”
“I met with John Bianchi this afternoon, and there’re some discrepancies in Ned’s time records. I’m trying to figure something out.” He came to his feet. “I need to know if she took his name.”
“We have barely been engaged twelve hours.”
“And?”
“And you’ve been distant since I arrived—I was actually starting to wonder if you changed your mind about getting married.”
Joseph tilted his head to the side as he met her eyes. “You’re serious. I wasn’t paying enough attention to you, so you decided I didn’t want to marry you? That’s how much depth you think I have?”
“No, of course not. It’s my past—every now and then it creeps in and makes me have irrational thoughts.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly propelled her backwards until she was pressed against the wall. “What can I do,” he asked deeply, his eyes looking into hers, “to make those feelings disappear forever?” He kissed her hard on the mouth as he pressed his body into hers. “I’m thirty-four years old. I’ve dated a lot of women—I’ve known a lot of women, and until you walked into that lobby and my life, I had no clue what it meant to love another person.”
“Joseph.”
“Lia, I’m serious. Tell me what I’m doing wrong. Tell me and I’ll fix it.”
“You’re not doing anything wrong.” She kissed him. “You’re perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect, but my love for you is perfect and it’s permanent.” He kissed her nose. “Okay?”
“I’m sorry. I was so excited, and then I get here and you’re completely distracted.”
“I’m a man. I can compartmentalize.” He kissed her again. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You make me so happy.”
“Joseph…Joseph, are you awake?” It was past 1:00 a.m., and they’d been in bed over an hour.
“No,” his sleep-filled voice responded as his hold on her tightened.
“Remember what you asked me earlier about Candice changing her name to Merrick?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“She did. In fact, she
did it months before they were even married.”
She could feel his entire body stiffen, and then he was sitting up and turning on the light, flooding the room with brightness. He was awake.
When Ned stepped into Lia’s foyer Sunday evening, she made a conscious effort not to blurt out that she knew what a snake he was. He’d cheated her out of thousands of dollars, according to Joseph, but she wasn’t able to let on that she knew because Joseph was still in the process of gathering the proof.
“Where’s Joseph?” Taylor asked after hugging Lia.
“He’s at home. You’ll see him next week.”
“But you’re married,” Taylor said, frowning. “I thought married people lived together. I thought he was going to live with us.” She placed her hands on her hips as she looked up at Lia.
“Married?” Lia repeated, completely baffled. She couldn’t believe Taylor had been listening through the door when he proposed, but why else—
“That’s right,” Ned said. “Apparently he was in your bed the other morning, and our daughter thinks when two adults sleep in the same bed, they’re married.”
“Oh.” Her eyes moved from Ned to Taylor. “We’re not married, Taylor.”
Taylor brought her eyebrows together. “But he slept in your bed.”
“I know.” She rubbed Taylor’s back. “He was tired.”
“You’re a great role model, Mom.” Ned leaned back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “Just the type of mother judges look highly upon.”
“You’re one to talk,” Lia bit back and then forced herself to calm down, remembering Taylor. “Say goodbye to your daddy.”
“Bye, Daddy,” Taylor said softly.
“Bye, baby.” He bent down and gave her a hug and kiss. “I’ll see you Thursday.” He stood and his eyes found Lia’s. “You’re making this easy for me.”
Lia smirked, no longer fearing he would get Taylor. “I guess we’ll see.”
15
Tony looked up from his cell phone as Jason Broddick, a fourth-term congressman from Massachusetts and one of the firm’s clients, stopped beside his table at 1789 Restaurant in Georgetown a couple of weeks later.
“Good evening, Tony.”
“Jason, hello.” Tony came to his feet and shook the other man’s hand.
Jason Broddick was about forty with a tall, lean build, sharp features and an engaging smile. “I don’t think you’ve met my fiancée, Brooke Eastman.” Jason slipped his arm around a tall, dark-haired woman in her late twenties.
“No, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” He briefly greeted her, and then Jason was turning to the other two members of his party.
“And these are her parents, Richard and Elise. Richard, Tony is one of the founding partners at Prossi, Stuart and Craig, and of course, Senator Prossi’s son.”
Tony smiled politely at Elise Eastman and then was turning to Joseph’s biological father. “Mr. Eastman.” He held out his hand.
“Richard, please.” Mr. Eastman gripped his hand. “It’s a pleasure.” His intense brown eyes met Tony’s. “I read you’ll be representing Diner Securities in the SEC investigation.”
“That’s Joseph Craig’s case.”
“I didn’t realize he was a securities attorney,” Richard said, his face giving nothing away.
“Joseph has a number of specialties.”
“How is Joseph?” Jason asked. “I haven’t seen him in months.”
“He’s great.” Tony turned from Eastman to Jason. “Recently engaged.”
“Really? When Kathy Paige couldn’t land him, I didn’t think any woman would.”
“Well, someone by the name of Lia Merrick managed.”
“I suppose there’s something in the air.” Jason smiled. “You’re not eating alone, are you?”
“No.” Tony glanced at his watch. “I’m just being kept waiting. Enjoy your dinner. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.” His eyes moved over the group, which responded in kind.
“Be sure to tell Joseph and Kevin I said hello.” Jason touched his arm before they continued following their host.
Tony remained standing until they took their seats at a table about fifteen feet away, and then he was picking up his scotch and moving to the other side of his table. As he sat down, he had a perfect view of Richard Eastman.
Lia felt nervous as she and Joseph followed the host to their table at 1789 Restaurant, where they were meeting Tony Prossi for dinner. He was the one man Joseph respected more than any other, and Lia knew his opinion mattered to him.
“Sorry we’re late,” Joseph said as they reached Tony’s table. “It’s my fault.”
“I never doubted it,” Tony said dryly as he came to his feet. “Lia, I don’t believe we’ve ever been properly introduced. In fact, I think I was actually rude to you at our last meeting.”
“It’s fine.” Lia smiled.
“I apologize. I had no idea what was going on with your ex-husband.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I shouldn’t have interrupted your meeting. It really could have waited.” She felt like she was rambling, but Tony Prossi had to be the most intimidating person she’d ever met. He was much warmer tonight than the man she’d encountered outside Joseph’s office, but he still had an air of aloofness about him.
“Please have a seat.” Tony pulled out her chair and then was resuming his own across the table. “How is your daughter? All recovered?”
“Yes, she’s a hundred percent back to normal.”
The waiter arrived to take their drink orders, and Lia felt herself relaxing as she watched the natural rapport between Joseph and Tony. As the evening progressed, she found herself laughing more and more as they reminisced about their days at Harvard and the early years at the law firm. Tony was definitely the more serious of the two, but Joseph clearly had the ability to bring out a lighter side of him, and Lia found herself liking him very much.
“Joseph!” Jason Broddick stopped beside Joseph’s chair. “I thought that was you.”
“Jason!” Joseph came to his feet and shook the other man’s hand. “How are you?”
“Good. I saw Tony earlier, but I didn’t realize you were joining him.”
“It’s been a long time. This is my fiancée, Lia Merrick.”
Jason greeted Lia and then was glancing back towards his table. “I’ve got to get back before they bring out the cake. It’s my fiancée’s father’s birthday.”
“You’re engaged?” Joseph followed Jason’s gaze towards the back of the restaurant.
“Yes. Make sure you come by the table and meet her before you leave. In fact,” he began as he touched Joseph’s arm, “as much as you delve into the world of high finance, you’d really enjoy her father. Maybe he’ll even give you some investment advice.”
“Who’s her father?” Again, Joseph’s gaze moved to the back of the restaurant.
“Richard Eastman, so make sure you come by. Lia, it was a pleasure meeting you. Tony.” He nodded. “Come by and say hello,” he said again to Joseph before walking off.
Joseph remained standing as he watched Jason return to his table, and then he was rounding on Tony. “You knew?” His eyes narrowed. “You fucking knew all this time and you didn’t say anything?”
“Just sit down.” Tony returned his gaze.
“Fuck you!”
“What’s going on?” Lia’s eyes moved between the two men.
“Sit. Down,” Tony repeated through clenched teeth.
Joseph dropped down into his chair. “Fuck!”
Tony leaned across the table, his eyes intense. “Get it together, Joe.”
“It’s too soon.” He met Tony’s eyes. “I’m not ready to meet him.” He reached for the knot of his tie and began to loosen it. “It’s too fucking hot in here.”
Tony continued to watch him. “He isn’t worth it.”
“Joseph?” Lia touched his hand. “What’s going on?”
He didn’t respond as h
e picked up his water glass with a shaky hand and brought it to his mouth.
Tony glanced around, and then his eyes were focusing in on their waiter, who was standing at the next table taking an order. “Excuse me,” his deep voice rang out, interrupting the waiter. “Pardon me,” he said to the couple in the process of giving their order. “We need our check.”
“Yes, sir.” The waiter hesitated as if deciding whether to finish taking the order, but was rescued when the couple at the table assured him they didn’t mind if he prepared the check before taking their order.
“Joseph,” Lia whispered, “is everything okay?”
Joseph stared at the white cloth napkin clutched in his right hand, not responding.
“Joseph?” She touched his arm. “Please talk to me.”
“What?” He lifted his eyes to hers. “What!”
She pulled her head back as if she’d been slapped, not prepared for his anger. This wasn’t a side of him she had ever seen. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” But he wasn’t, and everyone at the table knew it. He shrugged out of the jacket.
In less than a minute the waiter returned with the check, and Tony held out his credit card, not bothering to look at it. And then he was pushing back his chair. “Come on. Let’s go.” His eyes were on Joseph.
Joseph’s eyes moved to Tony. “No. We’re not done.” He squinted and gripped his forehead. “I’m not letting him ruin my evening.” He picked up his spoon and dropped his eyes to his half-eaten chocolate mousse, beads of sweat evident on his forehead.
Tony leaned forward. “You don’t have anything to prove. He’s the asshole, remember?”
“I’m finishing my dinner.”
“Joseph—”
“Please.” He held up his hand, his fingers spread out. “Let’s finish.”
“Okay.” Tony’s lips were turned down as he watched his friend.
“Who is he talking about?” Lia looked to Tony when it was clear Joseph wasn’t going to answer her questions.
When I Saw You Page 21