Chapter 4
4
Dressed in a tailored gray suit, white dress shirt, tie, and polished cowboy boots, Keith Mason was the epitome of an urban cowboy. His untamed collar-length mane of dark waves gave every woman’s fantasy a face and every man’s insecurity someone to hate. He resigned himself to the fact that his divorce had turned malicious when his wife accused him of adultery. As he sat in a courtroom with one ankle resting on the opposite knee, he listened to Simon Becker, his attorney, telling the judge that they had proof of Mrs. Mason’s infidelity. Simon picked up the sealed envelope from the corner of the table, making sure the judge saw it.
Samantha Hart Mason turned toward the back of the room where Keith’s private investigator sat. He waved, and her face reddened. She leaned toward her attorney Kathy Carpenter with surprise written on her face.
“Mr. Mason agrees to pay twenty thousand dollars per month for child support for as long as his sons are actively enrolled in college. Once Kevin is no longer in school, the amount drops in half. After Samuel graduates, child support ceases. I will need certified transcripts of their grades for the checks to be cut. Since they are both above the age of eighteen, Mr. Mason will arrange visitation with Kevin and Samuel directly. Mr. Mason also graciously offers to pay Mrs. Mason two thousand dollars a week for eighteen months in alimony. That’s a hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars, and under the circumstances, I believe that’s very generous. Mr. Mason is willing to give her a onetime check or make monthly payments, whichever Mrs. Mason chooses. That’s enough money to sustain Mrs. Mason until she can find employment or rekindle her interior design career. Per their prenuptial agreement, Mrs. Mason shall vacate the home she shared with Mr. Mason within thirty days of dissolving their marriage since Mr. Mason owned the home prior to the marriage. In addition, Mr. Mason is conceding the allowance account Mrs. Mason was given at the beginning of their marriage, where he deposited ten thousand dollars a month for the duration of their marriage. From his last statements, that account contains approximately two million dollars.”
The judge leaned back in his chair. “Both sides are claiming adultery. I’d like to see the proof, then I’ll rule on the settlement.”
Keith leaned toward Simon. “I want to see what she has.”
Simon spoke directly into Keith’s ear. “Is there something you haven’t told me? I do not want to be made a fool of.”
“I’ve kept my vows, Simon,” Keith said in a sober voice.
Simon rose with the envelope in hand and walked toward the judge’s bench. He handed it over. The judge opened it and pulled out the eight-by-ten, black and white photos. He looked at Samantha Mason. “Mrs. Mason, there is no doubt these photos are of you in a... um, compromising position.” He sealed the envelope and gave it back to Simon. “Ms. Carpenter, where is your client’s evidence?”
The attorney approached the bench with a manilla folder. The judge looked at the blurry photo. He squinted his eyes and turned the picture. “Mr. Becker, I’m having a hard time distinguishing who is in this picture. Please give this to Mr. Mason for verification that this is him.”
Simon retrieved the picture. When he sat back down, he showed it to Keith.
Keith shook his head. “Simon, if the judge will allow me to turn on my phone, I can prove that the picture is of Samantha and me. It’s a still photograph from a little home movie we made.” He glanced at Simon. “She sent one to me before I left to film my last movie.” He poked his finger in the center of the picture. “That’s Samantha and me.”
“Judge, my client has asked for permission to turn on his phone to prove that this picture is him and Mrs. Mason.”
“That is a picture of your client?” the judge asked.
“Yes, your honor, with Mrs. Mason.”
The judge nodded, and Keith dug his phone out of the breast pocket of his jacket. As soon as the phone was awake, he showed Simon the picture. “See, she blurred out the background, but that’s our bed. The pictures are on the nightstand, and that’s the little tattoo on her, um, butt cheek.”
Simon asked to approach the bench and the judge allowed it. He took both the picture and Keith’s phone. He showed both items to the judge, who looked at Samantha with her bowed head. “This is about as low as I’ve seen a disgruntled spouse stoop. I’m accepting the settlement Mr. Becker presented here today. Counselors, please have the documents drawn up and signed within fourteen days.” The judge slammed his gavel.
The attorneys acknowledged the judge’s statement. As both parties stood for the judge to leave chambers, Keith heard Samantha’s voice. “I want those photos.”
Ms. Carpenter looked at Simon and raised an eyebrow. Simon smiled and tossed the envelope to her. “Are these the only copies?” she asked.
Simon looked at Keith, who looked at Cliff, who shook his head. “When the papers are signed and recorded, I’ll make sure you get the originals.”
Samatha glared at Keith. “Shit move, Keith.”
Keith took a step toward her when Simon stepped in front of him. “Shit move? Accusing me of something you did was a shit move, Sammi.” He pointed a finger in her direction. “Be out of my house before I get back.” He turned and shook Cliff’s hand as they walked out the door with Simon behind them.
They parted ways outside the courtroom. Cliff headed toward the back of the building while Keith and Simon walked out the front door. They didn’t even reach the bottom step of the courthouse before cameras and microphones were thrust in their faces. Shouts echoed from several reporters. “Mr. Mason!” “Mr. Mason, over here!” “Are you divorced?”
Simon stepped forward and held up his hands. “Please give Mr. Mason a chance to catch his breath. The end of a marriage isn’t something my client takes lightly.” Simon waited for the vultures to quit yelling. Again, he held up his hands. “There is an agreement that the judge has accepted, but the documents are not yet signed. Until that happens, nothing is official. Please give my client privacy while the documents are ratified.” With that, Simon nudged Keith toward the open door of the limousine parked by the curb.
Keith loosened his tie and unfastened the top button on his shirt before the door closed. “The nerve! That lying bitch is going to try something before the documents are drawn up. Mark my words.” He slumped back in the seat and ran his fingers through his unruly hair.
“She can’t, Keith. The judge has ruled. It’s final.”
Keith cut his eyes toward Simon. “Don’t be surprised when things go sideways.” He sighed. “I’m flying back east for a few days to get a feel for the area where we’re filming, and then I’m going to the cabin in Montana. Once you get the documents, send them by private courier. I don’t want anyone to know what’s in those documents or where my house is.”
“I’ll send someone from my office.”
“Fine. She has to be out of the California house no more than thirty days after the divorce is final, right?”
“That’s what the prenup said.”
“Good. Let me know when she’s gone and the cleaning service has been in. I’ll be back then.”
“Will Chip be with you?”
“Yes, he’s waiting at the airport now.”
Simon pulled out a packet from his briefcase. “Edward looked over the contract for the film in North Carolina. He’s approved. Do you want to sign it now?”
“You’ll send a copy to Chip?”
“Of course.”
“Give me a pen.”
Keith spent the rest of the drive to the airport signing contracts, NDAs, insurance forms, and hold-harmless agreements. When they pulled up to the hangar at the private airfield, Chip greeted him with a smile before the car came to a complete stop.
“Still married?”
Keith gave the contracts to Simon and reached out to shake Chip’s hand. “Only until the final documents are drawn up. Judge says fourteen days.”
Chip grinned. “Let’s go to wide open spaces and fresh air. I can’t get out of this hellhole fast enough.”
“I think we can find those in North Carolina.” Keith grinned, then turned to bid Simon farewell. He held his hand out to his attorney. “Thank you, Simon. You were wonderful. Please remember what I said and keep me posted on any changes. Let Chip know when your person is coming out.”
“Take care, Keith. We’ll be in touch.”
Keith boarded the plane without looking back.