“No, it’s more than that. For the first time since the trial, I feel like a real person instead of a convicted murderer. It’s not always the big things that matter, at least to me. I want to show my gratitude.”
“Normally, I would ask Darlene to get the ball rolling, but I’ll take care of this myself. Now, if you’re ready, we can head over to Lee’s office. I have already taken the liberty of contacting those who need to know that you’re traveling to your attorney’s office today.”
She had almost forgotten about that. “I didn’t even think about it. Thanks for covering my rear.” Her face reddened, and Sam laughed.
“No worries, Tess. I’ve got you covered.”
“How many times can I thank you? Now, I have another question: How are we going to get out of here with the media following us?”
“A member of your security is waiting in the garage now. He’s been there for a while.”
“Maybe that’s the noise I heard this morning. I was sleeping soundly, then something woke me up.”
“You didn’t tell me that earlier.”
“I’m used to noise at night. The prison was at its worst then. I probably thought I was back there and imagined I heard something,” she insisted.
“Okay then, if you’re ready, let’s get out of here,” Sam suggested. She went out the kitchen door that led to the garage, just as she had always done when she had lived here with her family, and saw a black Mercedes parked in the garage with a man in the driver’s seat.
Five minutes later, they were speeding out of the gates, the members of the press apparently too interested in their early-morning coffee to pay them much notice.
“Dave, this is Tessa Jamison. Dave is a retired Secret Service agent.”
“Good to meet you, ma’am,” Dave said in a pleasant voice.
“Nice to meet you, too, and I appreciate you getting up so early to take us to Lee’s office.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
She wanted to tell him he didn’t have to refer to her as “ma’am,” but given his former profession, she guessed it was a lifelong habit.
Once they had disembarked from the ferry and were on the mainland, it was a straight shot to the courthouse, the sheriff’s department, the police department, and the federal courthouse.
“Where is Lee’s office? I never even thought to ask,” she said, as Dave weaved in and out of several side streets before parallel parking in front of a high-rise condo that overlooked the Caloosahatchee River. Prime real estate, she knew.
“In the penthouse,” Sam said. “He owns the building.”
She raised her brows. Lee was obviously a very good attorney; at least he’d achieved financial success. Inside, the foyer was plush, decorated in a Florida motif, pale greens and blues with light oak walls. Giant plants, all native to Florida, were placed strategically throughout the room, giving the area old Key West vibes.
She followed Sam to a private elevator. “Is this Lee’s very own Trump Tower?” she asked, as they took the elevator up to the penthouse.
“I don’t think he’d compare himself to Trump, but he does well for himself. And he has been very generous with his own money, having become very involved in funding cancer research. Just about devoted his life to it.”
Tessa considered that quite a noble undertaking but kept her thoughts to herself as the elevator doors swished open, not giving her the chance to speak her mind even if she had wanted to.
Suddenly, she realized she was about to confront the mother of the man who’d wiped out her family. Her hands began to shake, and she felt sick to her stomach. She reached for Sam’s arm. “Is there a ladies’ room?”
“This way.” He took her hand and led her down a short hallway. “In here.”
She nodded, ran inside, and found an open stall. Entering the stall, she proceeded to empty herself of the morning’s coffee. Before getting up to use the sink, she took several deep breaths, hoping to overcome the waves of nausea that had sent her into the bathroom in the first place. Using a piece of toilet tissue to blot her mouth, she waited until she felt stable enough before standing up and going to the sink. She should have stayed behind, she thought, and let Lee and Sam deal with Rachelle. But, no, she reminded herself, she had decided that she had to do this for Piper, Poppy, and Joel. At the sink, she took a paper towel and ran it under cold water, blotting her face and neck. She had read somewhere that placing a cool cloth on one’s neck and wrists could stave off nausea.
She turned on the tap and let the cool water splash against her wrists. She rinsed her mouth out, wishing she had a mint or a piece of gum. She wasn’t sure how long she had already been in the ladies’ room, but she took a few extra seconds and reapplied her lipstick.
She was good at hiding things. No way did she want Rachelle to think she was frightened of her. When she stepped out of the ladies’ room, she found the ever-faithful Sam still waiting. The man was really a gem.
“I was about to come in after you. Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Just a bout of nerves, I’m fine now.”
“Lee’s waiting with Rachelle. And Cal brought Rosa in, too, so we’re all where we need to be. Are you sure you’re all right?”
Tessa stopped and faced him. “Do I look all right? I mean, do I seem . . . nervous? I don’t want that evil woman to think she’s intimidating me.”
“You look great, Tess, and I’d be nervous, too. You’ll be fine. Remember, I’m here with you, and Lee is on your side.” Sam held her close to him. Tessa thought she could stay in his arms forever, but she knew that was crazy. She had the sudden realization that she was attracted to Sam! Of all the times to
