Betrayal (12 page)
Authors: Fern Michaels
Chapter 14
“U
nless Sara undergoes a psychiatric evaluation, there is no case,” Aaron Hanover explained to the Winters.
nless Sara undergoes a psychiatric evaluation, there is no case,” Aaron Hanover explained to the Winters.
“She's been through enough already. I've already taken her to the hospital for the anxiety attacks. That was more than the poor child could handle. I don't want some . . . some stranger asking her questions about this. It'll only upset her more,” Debbie explained to the attorney.
She and Don had discussed it and decided a civil suit was warranted as well as the criminal charges against Alex.
“As I said, Mrs. Winter, there isn't a case without expert testimony to back up Sara's accusation. She'll also need a complete physical. If you're unwilling to subject Sara to this, then I'm afraid I can't be of any help to you.” Aaron Hanover had been practicing law for more than twenty years. Never in all those years had he met a client he disliked on first sight as much as Mrs. Winter. She was too eager, wanted to know exactly how much money she could get if they won. Aaron was sure she didn't really care about the trauma her child had experienced any more than the father did. He wasn't even sure if the allegations were true.
Debbie shot daggers at the attorney. “Are you sure? This is such a painful time for Sara. She feels terrible about telling on her uncle Alex. I would think someone would have a bit of sympathy for my daughter.” She stood and turned to Don. “Let's go. I don't think Mr. Hanover can help us.”
“I'm sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Winter. I believe another attorney will advise you to do the same as I've suggested.”
Without another word, Debbie yanked Don's hand and tugged him out of the office. Once they were in the car, Debbie continued to rant and rave. “Doesn't anyone care about Sara? My God, look at what she's going through. I hope Alex Rocket rots in prison for what he's done to her. She'll never be the same again.” Debbie took a tissue from her purse and blotted her eyes.
Don thought about what the attorney had just explained. He feared that Hanover was right. Sara would need to be examined by a professional, whether or not they filed a civil suit. Debbie wasn't fully aware of the law.
“I think we need to listen to what Hanover has to say. He's supposed to be the best plaintiff's attorney in south Florida. If he wants Sara to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, Deb, we're gonna have to find someone we can trust. Someone who's experienced with sexual abuse.”
“How did I know you'd agree with that know-it-all? You men are all alike.” Debbie tapped a cigarette out of a crumpled package. “Can't you put yourself in Sara's place, just for a minute? We'll be lucky if the child has a normal life from this point on.”
Don sighed. Sometimes he wished he'd never laid eyes on this woman. “Sara needs professional help, Debbie. If there is any hope of her leading a normal life, that's the only way it's going to happen. She needs someone to listen to her, someone objective. We need to consult a psychiatrist.”
Debbie blew a puff of smoke from her glossed lips. “Then you take care of this garbage. I'm tired of it already. She's your daughter, too.”
“Which is it, Deb? Either you care or you don't. I'm very concerned about our daughter. I'm also burning with rage at the man who I thought was my best friend. If you won't find a professional to help Sara, I will do it myself. She needs help.”
“Go ahead, then. I say Sara will be even more traumatized, but you know everything, so we'll do it your way. Let's go have lunch, we have reservations at Tin City.”
“You always have to make everything so difficult. I'm taking you home. Screw lunch at Tin City, I can't stand to be around you a minute longer than absolutely necessary.” Don punched the gas, pressing Debbie backward in her seat. At that minute, he hated her with every ounce of his being.
Debbie dug her fingers into the dash. “Are you trying to get us killed or what? Slow down right this minute or let me out, you bastard!”
Don eased off the gas, but not because Debbie asked him to. He'd spotted a highway patrol vehicle at the next intersection. Let her think she was controlling the situation. It was the only way to shut her mouth. The last thing he needed was a speeding ticket.
“Let's just go home. I'll take care of Sara, and you can do whatever it is you do.”
“So now I don't do anything, is that what you're trying to say? Forget that I go out and bust my ass every day trying to sell these overpriced houses. I guess the next fifty-thousand-dollar commission check I collect, I'll donate it to a homeless shelter. Since I don't do anything.”
Another deep breath. “I didn't mean it that way, and you damn well know it. This situation with Sara is getting to both of us. I do appreciate your contribution, no matter what you may think.” He knew Debbie worked hard, but she loved it. She liked the social climbing that went along with her job more than the money. It was all she could talk about at times.
Twenty minutes later, Don was on the phone searching for a reputable psychiatrist.
He called Sara into the den.
“What do you want, Daddy? I was watching MTV.”
“Sorry to interrupt, kiddo, but this is important.” Don motioned for her to sit next to him on the white leather sofa.
“What?” Sara dragged out the word longer than Don thought possible.
“I know you're going to be upset, but I want you to listen. I've made an appointment for you to go to a doctor. She's going to help you talk about what happened with . . . Alex.”
Sara screamed, “I told Mommy I was not going! And I'm not!” She stormed out of the room.
Don screamed right back, “Get your ass back in here, young lady!”
Sara came back to the den, her face mottled with tears streaming down her fat cheeks. “What?”
“You have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with Dr. Kenton. I don't want to hear your whining. Now get out of my sight!”
“I hate you!” Sara screamed as she exited the room.
“Yeah, well, so do a lot of others,” Don said, knowing it was childish but unable to help himself.
If there was the slightest hope of Sara leading a normal life, Don knew he would see to it that she kept the appointment, even if he had to drag her by the hair.
It was time she learned to play by the rules.
His rules.
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James Conroy placed the call he'd been dreading all morning. There was no way around it, no matter how he tried to talk himself out of it.
He drew in a shaky breath. “Kate, it's James.”
“What's wrong? You sound terrible.”
He was hoping by the tone of his voice, or at least by his lack of enthusiasm, that she would pick up on why he was calling, anything to save him from saying what he knew the Rockets didn't want to hear. He had really come to like the couple over the last week. Hell, he'd practically promised them this would all be over with before they knew it. He was wrong.
“I was hoping to have better news. Apparently the grand jury has made its decision. They're binding Alex over for trial. I'm so sorry, Kate. I was almost positive that this would go in Alex's favor.”
Kate's hands trembled. Her eyes pooled with hot angry tears.
Damn that little bitch! She's about to ruin Alex's life. If I could get my hands around Sara Winter's fat neck right now, I just might choke the life out of her. I can't stand the kid.
Kate knew she'd regret her thoughts later. But not just then. She needed her anger to get her through this. Without it, she didn't know if she could.
Damn that little bitch! She's about to ruin Alex's life. If I could get my hands around Sara Winter's fat neck right now, I just might choke the life out of her. I can't stand the kid.
Kate knew she'd regret her thoughts later. But not just then. She needed her anger to get her through this. Without it, she didn't know if she could.
“I'll tell Alex,” Kate responded.
“I know this isn't what you wanted to hear. I want to go over a few details with you and Alex today. I'll stop by the house this afternoon. Will that work for you both?”
Their life was falling apart minute by minute. If their attorney wanted to make a house call, it mattered little to her. “That's good. We'll be here.” Still in a daze, Kate hung up the phone. The Winter family had won the first round. They were out to ruin Alex, or so they thought. While this was the worst news possible, Kate was ready for battle no matter how daunting the challenge. She had to be strong for Alex. Let him know they would get through this, no matter what. They would. She knew they would. They had to.
Alex entered the kitchen. “Who was on the phone? You don't look too happy.”
Kate shook her head. “You're not going to believe this.”
“Try me. At this stage of the game, I'm willing to believe anything.”
“That was James. The grand jury came back, Alex. They've issued an indictment.”
Kate watched the play of emotions dance across her husband's face. Surprise, resignation, anger, then acceptance.
“I thought as much. James talks a good talk. This is Florida. They don't take these kinds of accusations lightly, we knew that going in. Let's just hope we can prove otherwise.” Alex took a seat at the small kitchen table. “We'll get through this, Kate. I promised you I'd come home. You know I don't make promises I can't keep. Now come here.” He motioned for her to take a seat in his lap.
“James wants to stop by today, go over his strategy. I don't know what else there is to say. I've racked my brain for answers, and all I come up with are more questions, and that leads to the inevitable. Why did Sara accuse you of this?” Kate didn't want to talk about Alex's coming home. She was sure that he would. Anything more she couldn't conceive. Kate sat on Alex's lap, her arms around his neck. She breathed in his scent. If she lived to be a hundred, she'd always remember the smell of Alex. Old Spice and Dial soap.
“James mentioned a private investigator he uses. I think it's time we seriously listen to what he has to say,” Kate suggested.
“I never thought it would get this far, but you're right. James will start digging up anything he can find on the Winters and Sara. Let's just pray he comes up with something we can use.”
“I wish I had told Don about Sara destroying my earthenware in the studio. Maybe he would have thought twice before believing her.”
“Sara is his daughter. He has to believe her. If he thought she was lying, what kind of parent would that make him? A rotten one, I can tell you that for sure. It's easier for him to think I'm some sick molester; that way he doesn't have to question his skill as a father, or ask himself where he and Debbie went wrong. I know Don.”
“He certainly doesn't know his best friend. Former best friend, I might add.” Kate hated the Winter family. The extent of her rage frightened her. She'd heard all people had it in them to commit murder. She'd always laughed at the idea of such savagery. Now she completely understood. A person could only be pushed so far.
“It's sad, Kate, but life goes on. When this is all said and done, it wouldn't surprise me if Don called to apologize. Like he'd forgotten a birthday or something. That's how he is.”
“Then he's even more shallow than I thought. A sociopath is more like it. Adapting as the situation calls for. It'd be a cold day in hell before I'd say a kind word to any member of that family. I'm sorry, but you don't ruin your best friend's life, then say you're sorry.”
Her heart broke for Alex and his lost friendship. She knew he acted as though the loss meant nothing, but Alex wasn't that kind of man. The loss probably hurt him almost as much as Sara's accusation. For that, she was truly sorry.
“You're right, but this isn't the time or the place to contemplate Don and his idea of friendship. Right now, I want nothing more than you.” Alex eased her from his lap and led her to the bedroom. Words were unnecessary.
Kate, Alex, and James all sat at the kitchen table sipping iced tea. The weather was still killer-hot, with no break in the humidity. “There is always the possibility the DA will offer a plea. That's standard in this type of case,” James explained.
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