39. Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Maci
M y meeting with Hank can’t come soon enough. Thankfully, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, he comes out to the ranch so we can discuss what’s going on and Sutton can be a part of the conversation. I told him Sutton didn’t have to, but he was having no part of that option.
“How are you?” Hank asks, after sitting in one of the dining table chairs.
Sutton and I have taken up our usual places. Sutton’s warm hand rubs my leg in a soothing pattern.
“Truthfully?” I ask, continuing without waiting for a response. “Stressed. I need this done yesterday.”
Hank rubs his smooth chin. “I told you I’d see what I could do, and I will, but you know I’ll be honest with you about the outlook, too.”
Hank has always felt steady to me, and I appreciate his honesty, but right now I just want to hear that he can get this thrown out or something.
“Alright, first things first. I’ve requested documents from the police department. Alan’s lawyer has probably already done that as well, or he wouldn’t have agreed to the case. In theory, at least. Once I read through it all, I’ll have a clear idea of what’s beneficial to us.”
The tension coiled inside me eases minutely. I know everyone thinks Hank is the wrong choice as a defense attorney, considering this is so far from his specialty, but I’m following my gut on this.
“In the meantime, we’re going to respond to the notice. I’ll handle that part.” He looks between Sutton and me before continuing. “I’m going to assume we need to hit him hard. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to respond to anything less. Like logic and reason.” He smirks, and I’m reminded of the morning in Nana’s kitchen when he tried to soften the somber mood.
Sutton shifts in his chair. “What happens if you can’t convince him to drop this?”
“Scheduling will happen. We wouldn’t have a meeting with them for months. We can attempt mediation in hopes of convincing them to drop the case or settling.”
“I’m not paying him a fucking dime.” Hot fury floods my veins.
Hank doesn’t seem bothered by my interruption. “If all else fails, we’ll be going to trial. There will be a period of discovery when we’ll share information so that we understand what they intend to use against you, and vice versa.”
“How long is that?” Sutton asks, leaning forward in his seat.
“All in all, we could be looking at eighteen months or more. Years.” Hank’s face is tight.
“Years?” I exclaim, almost jumping out of my seat. Despair threatens to consume me. The idea of being trapped in dealings with Alan, reliving that horrid night and the past ten years of my life with his narcissistic ass, has me about to implode. “I can’t go on like this for years, Hank!”
“Maci.” Sutton’s voice is soothing as he presses his hand firmer to my leg. His comforting nature isn’t working.
“I’m being honest with you about the situation, Maci. I’m not going to sugar-coat this. At any point.” Hank’s voice is calm despite the seriousness of what he’s saying. “That doesn’t mean it will last all that time. Alan strikes me as wanting immediate wins. I don’t think he’ll want to be dragging this on for years either. If I can’t see a win, I’m directing you to someone else.”
My head falls forward and I rub my hand over my face. “I appreciate your honesty. I want it. I can’t have this, or him and all of his secrets, hanging over my head for years.” I sit up with a sigh.
His brows furrow. “Secrets?”
“Apparently, he has a secret life. At least, potentially. It all sounds like something out of a movie, but Melissa, his ex-wife, said she found out about it and Stephanie confirmed.”
Hank leans forward minutely. “Secret life,” he repeats.
“Yeah. You know, multiple families in different states,” Sutton says.
“Not legally, though.” Hank’s eyes bounce between us, like he’s on the hunt.
I shrug. “I doubt it. There’s no way to get multiple marriage licenses, right?”
“Not legally,” he repeats. His face relaxes a bit, and the corner of his mouth hints at a smile.
Sutton and I both stare at him.
“Maci, you kind of buried the lead on this one.”
“Did I?” I’m not sure how I could have. Alan is a grade-A prick, but I don’t see how it’s relevant.
“Yes. If he has marriage licenses in multiple states, that’s bigamy. It’s a felony. We can absolutely use that to our advantage in getting him to drop this case.”
My eyes bug. “So, how do we find out?”
“I’ll do some digging. Does your mom have any information on this?”
“I know she’s been in touch with another wife. I’ll get more details from her if I can. I’m sure Melissa would be willing to share what she knows, too.”
“Perfect. Get what you can. It’s more likely that he has aliases, so work on names. His or potential partners, cities, anything. In the meantime, I’ll send our response and get started going through whatever documentation I can get my hands on. We’re going to fight this with everything we’ve got,” he says confidently as he stands.
“Thank you, Hank.” An uncharacteristic urge to hug him surfaces, but I refrain. “I know this is a gamble, but I appreciate everything you’re doing.”
He smiles. “I’ll be in touch soon. Reach out once you know something.”
“Thank you.” Sutton extends a hand. He may not think Hank is the right person for the role, but I’m appreciative that he’s behind me on this.
I leave Sutton in the dining room and walk Hank out. When I return, he wraps me in his arms. “We’re gonna beat this, Firecracker. Come hell or high water.”
“I’m not sure how much further into hell I can go,” I say into his chest. It’s only a half-joke.