Frankie took her hand and led her into the house.
Chapter 16
Frankie and Johanna sat in two of the chairs in front of Alec Oakman's desk. Kendall Longman stood at the side of his desk pacing back and forth with her hands tightly balled into fists at her sides. Occasionally she made eye contact with her lawyer. She was dressed as exquisitely as she was the first time they'd met her in this office. She bit her bottom lip, suppressing tears as the tape played through. She'd paled as it neared the end and Frankie was afraid she'd pass out if she didn't sit. Finally, Kendall stopped and gripped the edge of Alec's desk.
The pain etched on her face and in her eyes was unmistakable. Whatever thoughts were running through her mind she kept to herself. It was as though she'd been rendered speechless. Frankie's heart bled for her. She wished there were some words of comfort she could offer, but there were none that could be said that would ease the turmoil she was going through.
Alec, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode. His jaw tightened, the vein in his neck throbbed, and his face was so red with rage, Frankie was certain he'd suffer a coronary or stroke.
“You two have uncovered more than I could have hoped for.” He removed his reading glasses and sat shaking his head back and forth. He looked at Kendall. “Now you know why they're the best.”
“I knew it the first time we met,” she said flashing a weak smile in their direction.
Johanna glanced at Frankie then back to Alec. “What's next?” she asked.
Alec coaxed Kendall into a chair next to the side of his desk. “That's up to Kendall.”
Kendall swallowed hard. “Take him down,” she whispered hoarsely. “I don't care what it takes. He needs to pay for what he's done.”
“We will,” her lawyer assured her. “But we have to take our time.”
“He's had enough time, Alec. We can't afford to wait while he destroys everything my family worked for.”
“He'll never get that far,” he assured Kendall.
“There's something I've never understood, Alec,” Frankie said. “Why was it so important for you to want Thatcher to believe that you were on his side?”
“If he thought I was on his side he'd let his guard down a little and I'd be able to see what his next move would be concerning Kendall.”
“Well, according to Kristin it appears that he's going to be making a move very soon,” Kendall said. “He wants to save his family fortune,” she said sarcastically. “The gall of that lying bastard!”
Alec frowned. “I'm surprised that Kristin Robbins so freely shared this information with you two.”
“Because she's a blonde bimbo,” Kendall said bitterly.
Frankie felt a smile tugging at her lips. She was happy to see Kendall had some fight in her. It was better than curling up into a little ball. She admired the woman after all she'd been through. “Well, we did pour it on a little thick. I think she got so caught up in the idea of starring in a motion picture she didn't realize what she was saying. Then again, we supposedly aren't from around here so she had no idea that the name Thatcher was familiar to us, so she had no reason to worry about anything she shared with us.”
“She is young and naïve,” Johanna added. “And I think she's lonely and needed to unburden herself to someone.”
“Well, none of that matters.” Alec folded his hands. “We'll have no problem going ahead with the divorce and cutting him off from everything. But I need an account of every transaction in or out of that office.”
“Don't they bury them pretty deep?” Frankie asked.
“Never deep enough. I've got some resources and favors to call in at my disposal. I believe that Thatcher does have some questionable offshore accounts set up. God help him when all is said and done.” His jaw tightened.
Kendall listened intently. “I still can't believe that Becca Manning is Kristin Robbins’ mother. Who would have ever thought?”
“Is she or is that another ploy?” Alec drew his eyebrows together. He looked at Frankie and Johanna. “You two mentioned you were going to speak to Becca Manning. Did you ever do it?”
“We didn't see the need after we talked to Kristin yesterday,” Frankie said. “Unless you still want us to.”
“Not yet. Thatcher and Becca are obviously working together or he would have fired her. She definitely has something on him. Now we need to figure out a way to turn them against each other.” He was thoughtful for a minute. “I'm still worried that Thatcher may try to leave the country before anything comes down.”
“Wouldn't you be able to prevent that?”
“Not until we can locate any offshore accounts he may have set up. I'll be getting on that this morning.”
Frankie nodded. “I suppose then our work for you is completed.”
“Not necessarily. You don't need to tail Thatcher any longer, but I'd be grateful if you could still keep this case as your top priority. I may need you to tail Becca Manning. I'm going to go over some things with Kendall, but I'll keep you informed of everything that happens.”
“We appreciate that,” Frankie replied.
“Thank you both for everything you've done for me,” Kendall said. “I knew Thatcher could be cruel, but I never dreamed the lengths he'd go to in order to steal everything I own.”
“I wish nothing but the best for you, Kendall,” Johanna said. “And if it's any consolation, just remember how the employees on the tape feel about you.”
“Thank you, Johanna.”
“I hope he gets what he deserves,” Frankie added.
“With the three of you helping me, I know he will.” She smiled. “As soon as this is all settled, I intend to throw a big party. I've missed socializing these past few years. I want you two to be there and I won't take no for an answer.” She turned to Alec. “And of course it goes without saying that you
