“I can ask the judge for a separation order. If granted, the Coopers’ business entity will be separated from Reid’s personal probate assets. As it stands, the Coopers are incorporated. That should pave the way for separation. The incorporation is why the Coopers have been able to keep operating. Asking the judge to make it official is a start.”
“Can the Coopers be separated from her challenge?”
Trish sat taller. “I can’t make any promises. I need to read through information Cammy is getting for me.”
“What if I hadn’t hired you? Joe Eads seems to be fully in Daphne’s corner.”
“You did hire me. And I’ll do my best for you.”
“I’m not being selfish.” I rubbed my palms over my slacks. “Dad had the chance to sign a new will and chose not to.” I sat forward. “And now I’m confused about his private life. Daphne acts as if their marriage was perfect. Bre said Joe knew about Dad’s plans to divorce.” It felt cathartic to speak to an objective listener, one clad by client/attorney confidentiality. “And a few minutes ago, Grant dropped a bomb.”
“What kind of bomb?”
I shook my head. “He told me that either Bre is lying about the pregnancy or she’s pregnant from someone else because according to Grant from Daphne, Dad had a vasectomy before their marriage.”
Trish’s eyes opened wide. “If Bre’s pregnant, a paternity test will be mandatory before that child is included in Reid’s estate.”
“I told her. She didn’t sound concerned.” I shook my head. “But I don’t get it. Why would she lie about a pregnancy?”
“Reid Hubbard had about six billion reasons for her to lie.”
“She showed me an engagement ring.”
Trish nodded. “That could confirm their affair.”
“The thing is,” I began to explain, “she kept the ring in her desk. All the contents of her desk were seized by the police. They’re holding them.”
“It’s okay. The police will inventory everything.”
I exhaled. That was what Leigh said.
Trish pursed her lips. “I don’t know your family well. Why would Mrs. Hubbard relay that private information to your cousin?”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “I don’t want to know.” I shrugged and made a face. “Pillow talk.”
“Oh.”
“No, that’s gossip. I have no proof, nor do I want proof.” I stood. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stared out the window at the graying landscape. “I never imagined my father would cheat.” I spun back to Trish’s direction. “Now I’m assuming everyone is.”
“Have you spoke to your stepmother about the estate?”
“Not really.”
“Maybe it would be a good idea. Her challenge is filed, but if you spoke and relieved her fears of being left out, we might be able to work this out without the input of the court.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a manila envelope. “I wanted to give this to you.”
I took the envelope. “What is it?”
“Your parents’ divorce decree.”
Inhaling, I looked down at the envelope in my hands as if it had the power to bite me.
“I can give you a summary,” Trish offered “if you don’t want to open it.”
Nodding, I felt my pulse race and my heart thump beneath my breastbone. This wasn’t life-changing information. And yet it felt as if it could be.
“In the State of Kentucky, a couple may divorce with the cause of an irretrievably broken marriage. That was the wording on the filing.”
“That’s kind of generic.”
