Chapter 16 #3
Before Abby left, Julia brought a small paper bag from the pantry. “These are the crackers I ate when I was pregnant with Hudson. I bought them before I understood where things stood.”
Abby looked inside at two unopened boxes from an ordinary grocery store. “I can use these. Thank you for asking first.”
Julia nodded and walked her to the door. She kept her hands clasped in front of her until Abby stepped forward and embraced her.
The hug lasted only a few seconds. Julia did not hold on when Abby released her.
Robert waited beside the open door with Abby’s coat. “Your attorney may contact me directly about the financial records. I will preserve everything we find.”
“I’ll tell her.” Abby slipped her arms into the coat. “Please don’t give Hudson my address.”
“We won’t.” Robert opened the door wider. “If he learns it through someone connected to the company, tell me immediately.”
Sadie’s car appeared at the curb before Abby reached the end of the path. She climbed into the passenger seat and placed the laptop bag at her feet.
“Do they believe you?” Sadie asked as she pulled away from the house. “You were in there long enough for a trial.”
“They believe the evidence.” Abby leaned her head against the seat and closed her eyes. “Robert recognized company cards on some of the hotel rooms and gifts.”
Sadie slowed at the intersection. “Hudson used work money for the affair?”
“At least some of it.” Abby opened her eyes and watched the Covington house disappear behind a row of trees. “Robert is starting a review.”
“What an idiot.” Sadie let out a low whistle.
Abby’s phone rang inside her coat pocket. She expected Hudson’s name, but Evan’s appeared on the screen instead.
“How did the meeting go?” Abby asked after answering. “You don’t have to give me the improved version.”
Evan released a tired breath. “The board approved the funding, but only through the revised pilot date. If the hospital delays again, we’ll need another customer ready to replace them.”
“Can you find one in six weeks?” Abby asked as Sadie glanced toward her. “Or are they asking for something impossible?”
“We already have two smaller hospitals interested.” Evan’s voice sounded rough from hours of speaking. “Neither contract would be as large, but together they could reduce the risk.”
“Then the meeting could have gone worse,” Abby said. “It still sounds like you have a lot to do.”
“I do.” Papers shifted on his end of the call. “How was dinner with the Covingtons?”
Abby looked down at the paper bag of crackers in her lap. “They know about the eighteen months, the hotels, and the payments. Robert recognized company accounts in some of the records.”
Evan went quiet for several seconds. “Are they blaming you?”
“No.” Abby watched streetlights pass across the windshield. “Robert is reviewing Hudson’s expenses, and Julia apologized for believing him before she asked me.”
“How do you feel?” Evan asked. “You sound exhausted.”
“I am exhausted.” Abby rested her head against the seat again. “I also feel as if I spent two hours proving that my own life happened.”
“You shouldn’t have needed to prove it.” Evan’s chair creaked through the phone. “Do you want to talk, or do you need quiet?”
Abby considered the question. “Quiet tonight, but tell me what happens with the other hospitals tomorrow.”
“I will.” Evan paused before adding, “Get some sleep, Abby.”
“You too.” She ended the call and placed the phone in her lap. “You sound as tired as I feel.”
Sadie waited until they stopped at a red light. “Did his board give him the money?”
“For six weeks.” Abby looked toward her sister. “He needs another hospital prepared in case the first one delays again.”
“That company has been six weeks away from disaster for as long as I’ve known his name.” Sadie accelerated when the light changed. “I hope he eventually gets to be six weeks away from something good.”
Abby watched the wet street shine beneath the lamps. “So does he.”
Her phone began vibrating again before they reached the apartment. This time Hudson’s name appeared, followed by a series of messages arriving too quickly for her to read.
What did you tell them? The first message filled the preview. My father just suspended my company cards and ordered a review of my accounts.
A second message replaced it. You bitch! You had no right to drag my parents into a private issue because you’re angry with me.
By the time Sadie parked, there were four missed calls and three more messages. Hudson accused Abby of trying to destroy his career, turn his family against him, and threaten their child’s financial security.
Abby took screenshots before silencing the conversation. She forwarded the messages to her attorney, then typed one response.
Your parents asked what happened, and I told them the truth. Any questions about your company accounts should be directed to your father.
Hudson called again the moment the message showed as delivered. Abby declined the call, carried her laptop and the crackers upstairs, and locked the apartment door behind her.