She snorted. “I’ll do even better than that and pick up an air bed for you.” Her dark gaze shifted to Josiah. “Want me to stay on task?”
Maria’s job was monitoring the various bugs he had planted throughout the district attorney’s offices, his city apartment, and around the exterior of the Atlanta safe house.
“Yes,” he replied. “Chances are Sullivan’s Seychelles funds are somehow connected to Sherman & Associates. Richard, I want you to start digging into Russell Sherman’s background. Again, use only mundane techniques. No magic.”
“What about me?” Anson asked.
Anson was Josiah’s man on the ground while his time was eaten up by working the DA job. “If things remain quiet, you can return on Wednesday and resume providing backup.”
The older man nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
A short time later, Josiah said his goodbyes. As he drove back to the city, he began to smile. The years of careful preparation were beginning to pay off. He had no doubt they would soon have their quarry in their sights.
Then the endgame would begin.
* * *
For the rest of that week, Molly practiced diligently until she could hit both stationary and moving targets and she no longer had to struggle to reach the Power that resided deep within her core like a golden well of light.
The results of her blood tests came back. She was relieved to hear they were all negative, though she’d have to have follow-up HIV tests in six months to be certain. She also found a broker to sell her jewelry, including her diamond engagement ring.
It had appreciated dramatically over the past twenty years, and everything sold within a couple of days. After paying the broker’s fees, she added another significant amount to her expanding bank account.
On Wednesday, Nina had a draft of the divorce settlement ready for her approval. After discussion and a few alterations, Nina had the papers served to Austin first thing Friday morning.
Austin might take days or even weeks to consider the papers and respond, but Molly knew he would read them that morning. She could almost sense him flipping through the package, his fury ratcheting higher with every page.
That thought put her in such a celebratory mood she went car shopping and decided to buy a new Jeep Cherokee. Since she paid in cash, the process took less time than it would if she had taken out a car loan.
By midafternoon, she was free to drive her new car off the lot. As she started the ignition, her cell phone rang. After making sure the car was in park, she checked the phone. Nina’s name lit the screen.
Molly’s heart pounded. She punched Accept. “Nina, what’s up?”
“Excellent news,” Nina said. “Austin accepted the settlement and signed the papers.”
“Wow, that was fast.” Vindication, triumph, and relief rioted through her veins along with a healthy dose of shock. “He accepted all our terms?”
“All of them. He signed over the deed to the house, the retirement accounts, everything.”
She coughed out an incredulous laugh, then swiped at her face. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”
Nina said gently, “It’s because you know there’s no miracle that will fix your broken marriage.”
“I guess. I already knew it, but this makes it more real.” She leaned back in her seat and stared sightlessly out the window. “Mostly I feel relieved, and I’m still really angry.”
“That might take some time to process. For now, try to celebrate. You’ve got him by the balls, and he knows it. And you know what’s worse for him? He knows we know it. He’ll be out of the house by the end of next week, and you can take possession next Saturday. I’m headed to the courthouse, so I’ll get this filed this afternoon. You’re on your way, Molly.”
“Thank you for everything.”
After they disconnected, she sat for several more minutes with her phone in one hand. Then she called Josiah.
He picked up on the third ring. “Molly.”
“You’re still an asshole.”
“You’re still Captain Obvious,” he replied. He sounded busy and annoyed. “Still angry over that stupid kiss?”
She clenched her free hand on the steering wheel. It still stung that it had meant nothing to him.
What the hell, she thought. I put one man on a hook today. Might as well try for another one. In a steady, cold voice, she said, “So you think kissing me is stupid?”
The change in atmosphere was almost electric. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it?” She imagined each syllable like an ice pick driving into his