not wrong. I do buy designer clothes and plan parties. And until last week, I hadn’t changed a diaper in my life.”
“Well, that’s it then. Because, I’m sure a diaper changing contest will be the first thing the judge thinks of when determining custody.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. But you’re getting ahead of yourself again.”
Elizabeth understood Hanna’s point. She’d gotten ahead of herself when she thought Reed was cheating, and when she thought Joe might be a criminal.
“I can’t get hold of Reed,” she said.
“He’s probably in a meeting.”
“He’s always in a meeting.”
Things had definitely been better between them physically since they returned from France. But she could feel them slowly slipping back into their old routine. Although nine-month-old Lucas kept her busy, she couldn’t help but notice that Reed’s evenings were filling up with business obligations.
“You should call Collin,” Hanna suggested.
“You hate Collin.”
“Only because he’s a lawyer. But they do have their uses.”
Elizabeth thought about that. Should she wait for Reed? Or should she get things rolling on her own? She did want to develop some independence.
Getting a job was out of the question for her now that Lucas had arrived. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t start standing on her own two feet.
The strength and self-assurance of the coconut woman had wedged itself firmly into Elizabeth’s mind. For some reason, she knew deep down in her soul that Reed respected that kind of a woman.
“Collin it is.”
When the line connected, she heard female laughter, then a voice that sounded vaguely like Reed’s. Elizabeth’s spirits lifted.
“This is Collin.”
“It’s Elizabeth calling.”
“Oh. Hello, Elizabeth.” The background sounds suddenly stopped. “How can I help you?”
“Are you by any chance with Reed?”
“Not at the moment. Do you need to get him a message?”
Too bad. “Actually, I need some legal advice.”
There was a pause. “Sure.”
“I received a notice today that my sister-in-law’s parents are contesting my brother’s will.” She gave him the details.
“Does Reed know about this?”
“I haven’t been able to get hold of him.”
“I’ll have him call you.” And the line went dead.
Elizabeth replaced the receiver and frowned at Hanna. “Not a lot of help.” Then, remembering the opening to the conversation, she said, “It’s funny. It almost sounded like—”
The phone rang on the desk. She grabbed it quickly.
It was Reed.
She felt a rush of relief. “Did you get my message?”
“From Collin?”
“I thought you weren’t with Collin.”
“I’m not. He called me.”
So Reed picked up the calls from Collin, but not the ones from her? “Where are you?” she asked.
“What’s going on? Collin said the Vances contacted you.”
Elizabeth explained the contents of the letter.
“Collin’s going to come by and pick up the package,” said Reed. “I don’t want you to worry about it.”
“How can I not worry about it?” She glanced at her watch, noting that it was nearly five. “Aren’t you coming home now?”
“Not for a while. I’ve, uh, got a conference call with the West Coast.”
“I see.” Elizabeth didn’t disbelieve Reed. Problem was, she didn’t completely believe him, either. There was something in his tone that didn’t quite ring true, something that made her feel he was searching for excuses.
She didn’t like feeling this way. But the further they got from Biarritz, the more her confidence faded. If he loved her the way he said he did, shouldn’t he be rushing home? Shouldn’t Lucas and she be the most important things on his mind?
Reed hung up the phone and looked across the table at Collin. “Can you head for the penthouse and pick up those documents?”
Collin immediately rose. “You bet.”
Reed cursed the fact that he couldn’t leave right now. Elizabeth had too much on her plate. She was working round the clock to care for Lucas, while struggling to get over her brother’s death.
Collin left the boardroom as Gage Lattimer walked in.
“What’s up?” Gage took the chair across from Reed.
“This,” said Reed, sliding his latest problem across the table. It was another letter from the blackmailer.
“Don’t touch it,” he warned Gage. If he hadn’t obliterated them by opening it, the police might be able to raise fingerprints.
Gage read the short letter.
Hammond and Pysanski are the beginning. I’m the only one who can stop this now. Pay up!
When Gage looked up, his eyes were thunderous. “Who is this guy?”
Reed shook his head. “Trent stopped the Hammond and Pysanski connection from being reported in the media.”
“Is it somebody close to you? Or somebody connected with the police?”
Reed had no idea. But this was a very disturbing turn of events. “If he’s either of those things, you have to wonder how deep the frame-up goes.”
“You think he could actually nail you?” Gage paused. “Or me? Why isn’t he shaking me down?”
“Whoever did this has been thinking about it for a long time. Maybe he’s planted evidence against me but not against you.”
“I’m merely collateral damage?”
Reed coughed out a laugh. “Maybe. Or maybe he thinks I’m worth more money.”
“You are.”
“There
