“Because of Simon,” Hez said without hesitation. “But that also doesn’t make sense. Would Michael really put his grandson in danger like that just to gouge a few bucks out of Hornbrook?”
Ed tapped his fingers on his binder. “Did he know Hornbrook was going to kidnap Simon and President Webster?”
Hez snapped his fingers. “That’s it! I’m sure Michael wants me gone, and he must have wanted Hornbrook gone, too, because Hornbrook could implicate Michael in the artifact smuggling. So he set up this blackmail scheme to pit us against each other. If he was lucky, one or both of us would wind up dead and he’d make some easy money without ever getting his hands dirty. But then Hornbrook surprised him by kidnapping Simon and Savannah.”
Ed nodded slowly. “Yeah, that could be it.”
Hez reached for his phone. “We need to get this to Hope ASAP.”
The custody hearing was only three days away. Would Hope be able to secure a warrant and execute it in time?
Chapter 31
Savannah eyed herself in the antique mirror in the corner of the charming room she’d rented in Semur-en-Auxois. Power suit or something she could wear with sneakers for the walk along the cobblestone streets?Power suit, definitely.She needed all the backbone and persuasion she could muster to convince Martine to return to Alabama to testify.
She slipped out of her jeans into a muted navy pencil skirt and blazer with a cream top under it. She added a gold paperclip necklace Hez had gotten her and matching earrings. Tasteful and in control. Head high, she exited the hotel past a smiling blonde Frenchwoman and stepped out into the sunshine of the quaint town. According to the map on her phone, Martine’s mother lived two blocks east and three blocks south. Savannah should be there in less than ten minutes.
She set off to the east, taking care to watch where she planted her shoes. The sunshine felt good on her face, and she paused to take in the pink bluffs and the ruins of an old castle with a keep and ramparts. If only Hez were here so they could explore. The scent of chocolate wafted from a small shop, and she passed several vendors selling flowers.
She consulted her phone and reached a fence protectinga red-roofed manor set into the side of the cliff. She pressed a hand to her stomach to still the butterflies and squared her shoulders to approach the gate. It opened easily, and she started for the entry, but before she reached the door, she spotted Martine lounging at the side of the house beside a pool. An older woman was with her. Martine’s bikini showed off a perfect figure, and Savannah gulped back her envy.
Neither of the women had spotted her, and she took a moment to gather her thoughts. The estate was beautiful with gorgeous flowers and shrubs. Mosaic tile surrounded the sparkling pool, and Martine’s confident laughter rang out as Savannah stepped forward to make her presence known.
As Savannah drew closer, the smile vanished from Martine’s face. She pushed her silky blonde hair out of her face, then lowered her sunglasses and peered over the top of them to stare in Savannah’s direction. She gaped, then swung her legs to the side of the lounge chair to sit more upright.
“What are you doing here?” She squinted and her gaze traveled past Savannah. “Is Hez with you?”
Savannah stopped two feet away from her. “No. I thought the two of us could speak more openly without him.” She smiled at the older woman. “You must be Martine’s mother, because she clearly inherited your beauty. I’m Savannah Webster.”
“Mama, you remember meeting Hez in America when I was in law school. This is his ex-wife. She’s president of a university back in Alabama.”
“Fiancée,” Savannah corrected.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, mademoiselle.” The former model rose in a fluid movement from her chaise lounge. “I shall leave you two to speak privately.” Her reservedsmile held a trace of admiration before she walked toward the house.
Sit or stand? There was more power in towering over Martine, but it would be friendlier to sit for the discussion. Savannah perched on a chair beside Martine.
Martine draped a towel around her shoulders. “Let’s not beat around the bush. What do you want?”
“You’re an attorney, Martine—a respected one. I’m here to ask you to do the right thing. Michael has my nephew, and I fear for Simon’s future. You know what that Willard gang is like. Several of Michael’s nephews are behind bars or dead after being involved in his schemes. I’ve already lost my sister, and I don’t want to see Simon pulled into a life of crime. If you come back to Alabama and tell how you framed Hez with those fake pictures, we might be able to save a little boy. Michael will be behind bars and won’t be able to hurt your father.”
Martine blanched and put her hand to her neck. “You know about my father?”
“Hez tried to speak with him, but Francois refused.”
Martine narrowed her eyes at Savannah. “Is this conversation being recorded?”
“Of course not.”
Martine was silent for a heartbeat. “I wish I could trust you.” She grimaced. “I can’t help you. Find an expert to testify on your behalf about the pictures.”
“We have an expert who testified they are fake, but Michael has one who says they’re real. You know the truth. With your testimony we can save Simon.”
Martine caught her full lower lip in her teeth, and her dark, almond-shaped eyes held sadness. “I know what happens tothose who cross Michael Willard. He took my files and computer to make sure I had no proof he’d hired me to get what he demanded. And he’ll go scorched earth if I help you. It won’t be enough to kill my father. He’ll move on to my mother and to me. None of my family would be safe.”
“He’d be in jail.”
“Not soon enough. And his reach is long, even if he were behind bars. You don’t know what you’re asking.” She shook her head. “No, I can’t do it.”
