Chapter 9—Christa #3
He freezes for half a second, then carefully folds his arms around me.
The hug should be awkward. He’s still wearing yesterday’s clothes. My hair is damp. I’ve known him for a matter of weeks, and my husband has been served with divorce papers for three days. None of that changes how safe I feel.
Simon doesn’t squeeze too hard or hold on after I start to pull away. When I step back, his expression is softer than I’ve ever seen it.
“That was for the sofa,” I say.
“I’d sleep on worse for another one.”
My face warms as his smile deepens. He gives me an excessively lascivious look.
I put my palm on his chest and push lightly. “Go home, Simon.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I close the door behind him and stand there for a few seconds. Then I return to the table and call room service for fresh coffee because apparently today requires professional support from several industries.
AT NINE, JAI JOINS the lender’s fraud call. By nine thirty-two, my hope that Charla somehow has an explanation dies a quiet, deserved death.
The application used my full legal name, Social Security number, birth date, and a scanned copy of my driver’s license. The email address belongs to Charla, as does the phone number. The delivery address is Charla’s condo.
The investigator asks whether I gave her permission to apply for credit in my name.
“No.”
“Did you authorize her to use your identification?”
“No.”
He frowns but keeps his tone professional. “Did you sign an electronic credit application on August fourth?”
“No.”
The investigator pauses before explaining they may need a police report as part of the formal fraud process.
I look across my desk at Jai on the video call.
She leaves the decision with me. “The lender is explaining what they may require to remove your liability.”
Charla’s message flashes through my mind.
Charla: You have more than enough credit. It wasn’t hurting you.
“Send me whatever I need.”
The investigator confirms they’ll freeze collection activity while the claim is reviewed. The vehicle recovery issue belongs to another department. He can’t promise what happens next.
I don’t need a promise. Charla bought a McLaren with my identity because Dad told her no. Whatever happens next belongs to her.
After the investigator disconnects, Jai remains on-screen.
“I have the rest of the trust language,” she says.
That gets my full attention. “Already?”
“My morning improved while you were talking about the McLaren.”
“Please improve mine.”
She glances down at her notes. “The fourteen-week threshold is confirmed. More importantly, I have the controlling definition now. The qualifying male descendant has to be conceived by Tate and his lawful spouse during the marriage.”
I lean back slowly. “Excellent.”
“The certification also requires an attestation identifying the pregnant spouse. Trustees can require identification and supporting medical records.”
“They’re going to identify Charla as me.”
Jai nods. “That’s what the Bellweather performance suggests.”
All those people congratulating Charla while calling her Christa weren’t merely cover for an affair. Tate was making the lie familiar before anyone had reason to question it. “Can we stop them?”
“Yes. I don’t want to challenge anything yet.”
I study her face on the screen. “You want him to submit it? He could stop it right now.”
“I want Tate to make his own choices without us warning him which ones will hurt him.” Her tone is professional, but the twinkle in her eyes is wicked.
That makes me smile. “This is why I hired you.”
“It gets better.”
My smile widens even before I hear more.
“If qualifying parentage is credibly disputed, the trustees can require genetic proof before accepting or maintaining certification. Refusal disqualifies the claim.”
I think about Simon telling Charla that Tate believes the baby is his and how quickly she insisted the baby was Tate’s son.
I bite back a snicker. “Does Tate know?”
“He should. It’s his family trust.”
Tate refused a semen analysis because he never doubted himself. I can’t imagine him refusing a paternity test when he’s certain the result will hand him control of the Meade empire.
“What happens if someone knowingly submits a false certification? Having Charla pretend to be me must be illegal.”
“I’m still reviewing every remedy, but rejection isn’t the only consequence. There are provisions affecting the claimant’s eligibility when fraud is established.”
My pulse kicks harder. “So Tate could lose the control he’s trying to steal.”
“Potentially. I’m not promising that yet.”
I nod. “I’ll settle for potentially.”
Jai’s mouth curves. “For now, don’t contact Tate, Charla, Celeste, Bernard, or the trustees about any of this. Let Tate believe he still has three weeks.”
I look through the glass wall at the work waiting for me in the studio.
Three weeks.
Yesterday, that sounded like time Tate had stolen from me, but it’s really time I can use against him. “What’s next?”
Jai smiles.
“We wait for Tate to show us exactly how stupid he’s willing to be.”
Finally, a legal strategy I understand.