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“His Jag?” I gasped and began laughing. “Gerard babied that more than he did the kids. He thought it made him look something special. That’s funny.”
“Can’t say I’ve heard of a Jaguar costing that much.”
“Gerard had it tricked out. Whoever burned that really struck at his heart. If the detectives want to talk to me, that’s fine, but I’ve no cash and nothing to hide,” I replied, amused despite myself.
“Okay, Meadow, as long as you’ve got a heads-up. Oh, and Cartman is refunding your fee,” Drew tacked on.
“What?”
“He’s facing some serious shit, and your ex will also be detained for tampering with evidence. Ramirez, the detective in charge over there, hasn’t charged him yet as they want solid proof. Whoever attacked Cartman seriously put the fear of God into him. He’s terrified they’re coming back. He’s giving Ramirez everything needed to not only get Gerard arrested but sent down for it too,” Drew explained further.
“Well, I need a new lawyer, but who do I trust now?”
“The club can recommend someone, and they’ll be trustworthy,” Drew suggested. “Ask Nanci, she’ll have someone’s number.”
“Why on earth would Nanci have a divorce lawyer?” I asked, somewhat surprised.
“Because it’s Nanci; she has loads of information like that. Don’t ask me why,” Drew said with a smile.
“Will you keep me updated?”
“Yup.”
“Did Gerard say anything about paying child support?” I didn’t hold out any hope that he had.
“No, sorry, Meadow. Do you need money?” Drew offered.
I shook my head. Yeah, I needed money, but I wasn’t going to admit that. Zion had outgrown his clothes and desperately needed new ones. It made me so angry to hear Gerard would give Judy a fifty-thousand-dollar necklace but wouldn’t even buy five hundred bucks worth of clothing for his kids.
Drew stood up and patted my shoulder before heading back out. Without a second thought, I returned to preparing the pot roast I was cooking. But a small part of me was gleeful that Cartman and Gerard had both got a comeuppance.
Chill
A week passed. The lawyer did what I’d asked. The asshole didn’t. I was sitting in the Juno Group’s command centre in town, the one the public had access to, and watched Nigel.
Nigel tapped away, a frown on his face, as he tracked the cash.
“I’ve got it. What do you want me to do with it?”
“All of it?”
“Yup. He’s hidden it in several accounts. He’s not touching these three; he’s just leaving them there to build interest. This account, he’s withdrawing from,” Nigel said, pointing at the screen.
“Move the money from those the asshole’s not using. Get them into an account for Meadow. Can we find his other assets?”
“Yup. He recently transferred ownership of a yacht and a luxury condo in the south of France to his mistress. His car collection has also been put in her name. Further possessions, including his house, he’s put into a trust so Meadow can’t claim them.”
“Can we undo that?” I asked.
Nigel grinned. “Like taking candy from a baby. Do you want them moving back to him?”
“No.” A grin crossed my lips. “Let’s put some into Meadow’s name and the rest in the kids’. What about paper copies with signatures?”
“We have Simone.” Nigel clearly believed that explained everything, so I left him to it. Somehow, I had to get Meadow to listen to me. Considering she’s avoided me for a year, that would be difficult. Then again, I had a Nanci.
Meadow—two days later
“Need to speak to you,” Nanci declared, approaching me with an intense look. My gut churned. Was she firing me? “Can you come to my office?”
