Yes, but I don’t know enough yet to make an informed decision. “I’m not sure what to think at this stage. Papa is looking into things but it doesn’t sound very good. Corruption and back handed deals that landed my cousin in jail.” She wiped a hand across her face and glared at him. “Simon never hurt anyone. He was a loving father and husband who obviously got caught up in something bigger than he could imagine. If your father did a deal that landed him in jail so your girlfriend could go free, I’ll never forgive you.” Never.
“If my father did a deal like that, I’ll gladly help Ben turn the tide.” He reached out to her. “Lena, I didn’t know, that I can promise you. I was young, and stupid, and let my father fix my problems for me when I should have sorted things out myself but I was buried in exams and intent on myself more than anything else. I didn’t know she was skimming money off the top until she was gone. Seriously, I thought she’d left me for someone else. Sally had been distant and I never really gave it much thought because I was sitting finals and that was my focus.”
He gave a bitter laugh. “It wasn’t until my father told me how much trouble he’d saved me that it all fell together. Neither Sally nor I had much money, but still I never gave it any thought when she started going out more, dressing in nicer clothes. I figured she was doing well at work. I just didn’t realize how well until he proudly told me he’d done a deal and my reputation was still intact.”
“How could you not know? Didn’t you even bother to try and find her and find out why she left?”
“No.”
“I should have known better than to trust you. I’ve been let down too many times lately to simply trust someone as easily as I did you.” More fool me.
“You have no reason to not trust me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You’ve managed to work yourself into my life in the time I’ve been home. I haven’t encouraged you either, just so we’re clear.”
“Lena, I’m not after anything, I can assure you. I like you, your son, and your parents and that’s it. I know you think your cousin going to jail is my fault, but I promise you it’s not. If we can be friends I’m more than happy.”
Friends. “Fine, so long as we understand each other then.”
Chapter 19
“Adam. To what do I owe this pleasure? Stuck for money?” Judge Chapman put his whiskey glass on the side table and rose to his feet. At an impressive 6’2”, he only just stood an inch taller than his son.
You wish. “No and I wouldn’t take yours if I was. This is a little bit more serious. I want to discuss the period in time when you did that deal to get Sally off for fraud. Remember that one?” He stood with his hands behind his back and watched his father.
The judge waved his hand in dismissal. “Old news. Why on earth would you want to drag that out again?”
“Because an innocent man went to jail over that and I think you were involved.”
“Hardly my concern at the time. I only cared about your reputation. Still do whether you believe it or not.” The judge walked over to his desk and opened a small wooden box, taking out a cigar. He looked over at Adam as he clipped the ends and held a match to it. When the cigar was alight, he spoke again. “Look, Adam, no good can come of you dragging this out now. What’s done is done. Leave it alone and get on with your life.” He took a puff of the cigar and watched the smoke rise. “So, tell me, how is the country treating you these days? Making any money out of your little venture?”
As if you care. “I didn’t come to discuss my business as much as it might thrill you to hear the news. I came here to see if I could help the man you wrongly imprisoned.” Someone had to do the right thing.
The judge looked at his son, his eyes squinted. “Don’t even consider opening that case again. Nothing good will come out of it.”
“It’s not really your call, Judge. You made the decision and it’s affected the lives of an entire family. I’m going to fix it.” Adam waited for the backlash.
His father gave him a scathing look. “You pompous young fool. Don’t you realize what will happen if you open that particular can of worms?”
And I should care, why? “I know exactly what’s going to happen. And if you think I’m going to let that stop me, you can think again. Aunt Gladys’ was right. Someone has to put you in your place sooner or later and it looks as though it’s going to be me.” He shook his head. “Don’t you understand, Father. You can’t go around doing deals to suit yourself. You of all people are supposed to uphold the law, not bend it to your will.” And it’s taken me this long to have to guts to say it to your face.
“If you do this, I’ll disown you. I’ll leave everything to charity.” The judge’s face turned red and his throat worked as he tried to contain his fury.
“Fine, go ahead. I have all I need right now anyway.” I’ll be happy to see someone else prosper from your dirty deals, your blood money. You have nothing I want. “I’ve asked for all of the court documents to be opened. And I’ve put out a search for Sally to
