Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Placing the documents into his briefcase, William strode out to the motor court, climbed into his Corvette, and roared out on to the quiet country road. When he’d searched the Moonshine Campground online there was an endless list of excellent reviews, but all he cared about was Portia’s signature on the Power of Attorney.
He had to come up with a very large sum of money—and fast. His original plan had been to drug her at her country home, then turn into her loving boyfriend and take control of her finances. But suddenly it had fallen apart, mostly because of her reckless accident on the crowded freeway.
Now he saw only one way forward.
Transfer a significant number of shares from her portfolio into his, then sell them and disappear.
Though starting a new life under a different identity was daunting, he’d started making preparations a few weeks earlier when he found himself in over his head. It was when things had gone from bad to worse that hijacking Portia had come to mind.
Now it appeared that route was closing, and he couldn’t wait around to see if he could pry it open again.
One of the senior partners had started asking awkward questions, and a client’s accountant had requested a meeting. Starting over was a challenging ordeal, but it was a whole lot better than facing prosecution for embezzlement and various other white collar crimes.
Turning into the campground he rolled to a stop in the parking area, grabbed his briefcase and walked quickly to the restaurant. But as he opened the door he stopped short. He could see the bar, and sitting on a stool next to Portia was the cowboy.
William couldn’t risk trying to sneak in the Power of Attorney with Devlin next to her.
Furious, he marched back to his car.
He’d have to find a different way to get her signature on the document.
It was his only way out.
But as he left and started back down the road he saw a sign.
LAKE VIEW POINT.
Impulsively following it, he found himself driving down a short gravel lane leading to a lake set below majestic mountains. It was one of the most magnificent sights he’d ever seen.
Rolling to a stop and letting out a heavy breath, he stared up at the peaks, then across the still, glassy lake.
It was the perfect place to think.
* * *
“This is strange,” Portia remarked with a frown as she glanced at her watch. “William is always on time. He’s obsessive about it. How long should we wait?”
“Why don’t you sign contracts electronically? Whenever my lawyer has documents he shoots them over with an email.”
“Most of the time I do, but he came to the house to help me deal with the sheriff and everything after the accident, so he brought the paperwork with him.”
“Ah, I see. If he doesn’t show up soon we should leave. I want to show you around the rest of the barn while it’s still light so you’ll be ready to start in the mornin’.”
“Can’t we spend a little more time here? It’s such a great place.”
“It is, but you haven’t met all the horses. When we get back I’ll take you into the paddocks and introduce them.”
“What about their owners?”
“You’ll meet them as they come and go, but don’t worry, you won’t be workin’ for them, just me. I was thinkin’, when we leave here we should swing by your place so you can pack a bag.”
“I don’t want to go until William has left. What he did has freaked me out,” she remarked with a heavy frown, but as she finished speaking her phone rang. “It’s him.“
“Answer it and stay calm.”
“Calm, right,” she muttered. “Hi, William, where are you?”
“Sorry, Portia, I got held up, but I’m pulling into the parking area now. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay, see you in a minute. That answers that question,” she remarked, ending the call. “What do I say about you being here with me?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle that, just follow my lead. But a couple of minutes after he joins us go to the ladies room,” Devlin said, then looked over his shoulder at the restaurant entrance. “He just walked in. Remember, act naturally. He has no idea I saw him put that powder in your tea and we need to keep it that way.”
As Portia turned and watched her lawyer stride towards them she wanted to jump to her feet and scream at him, but she managed to swallow back her anger.
“Hey, Portia, hello, Devlin. I didn’t expect to see you,” William declared, placing his briefcase on the bar.
“Portia called and said she needed a lift.”
“My friend had to be somewhere,” Portia interjected.
“Are you okay?” William pressed. “Why the sudden need to get away from the house?”
“I felt bored and restless, so when she called and asked me over I decided to go. I should’ve left a note or texted. Sorry about that. But would you excuse me for a minute? I’ll be right back.”
As she slipped off the bar stool and walked away, Devlin remained quiet as William opened his briefcase and placed the documents on the bar.
“Devlin, I think we got off on the wrong foot,” he began. “My only concern is Portia’s welfare.”
“Yep, mine too, and that’s why you’re goin’ back to the house, packin’ up your stuff and leavin’. I’ll give you fifteen minutes. If you’re still there when we arrive you’ll have to see a plastic surgeon about your new nose.”
“Are you crazy?”
“I can be,” Devlin warned, lowering his voice and leaning towards him.
“I’m her lawyer. You can’t threaten me. I’ll sue your ass if you—”
“You can try, but that won’t fix your face or take away the pain, and you’ll have a helluva time provin’ I did anything,” Devlin growled. “And for the record, it’s not a threat. I’m tellin’ what will happen if you don’t skedaddle. She’ll sign what she needs to sign, then you’ll get the fuck outta Smoky Hill and turn her account over to another lawyer. Here she comes. Now make it quick.”