He had no reason to lie. “Then something is definitely up with her and I’m going to find out. Whatever it is, that lawyer buddy of hers, Sherman, is involved.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll engage the assistance of the corporate attorneys and have them dig into this. This is crap and you and I both know it.”
“Call Ryan. He’s the best.”
“I will. I’m already working with him on something else.” I decided to fill him in on English’s situation.
“Damn, it’s a good thing you went there.”
Every time I thought of it I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. “So true. I can’t fathom what would’ve happened if I hadn’t.”
Stanton grinned. “You two close or something?”
I scoffed. “I wish. I finally got her to agree to go to dinner with me. She thinks I’m a first-class prick, and rightly so.”
“What the hell did you do?”
“Long and painful story, but I’m trying my best to make it up to her.”
“If you ask me, you’ve scored a shitload of brownie points by saving her ass from that dickhead.”
“By the way, that dickhead is the son of one of the governor’s top aides.”
Stanton sneered. “Figures. The governor is the biggest crook next to the mafia. Rumor is he’s involved in organized crime and that’s how he got elected.”
“Fuck. That’s scary. For English, I mean.”
“Damn, I didn’t think of that. There’s another rumor going around that he’s going down too.”
“I hope you’re right. And I hope he goes down fast.”
“So, Tristian, what are you going to do? With the company, I mean?”
“You’ll still run it, of course. I’m not giving up my career, happy to say.”
“You know I’ll be out for a while.”
“How capable is Landry?” He was young, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
“He’s capable and works hard, but his business knowledge isn’t quite up to par.”
“Is there anyone you trust to assist him?”
My brother adjusted the hospital bed he was in and sat up straighter. “I have an idea that may be the best solution. We’ll work here. I can do most of my stuff, other than face-to-face meetings, here, and Landry can work by my side. That will accomplish a couple of things.”
“I see exactly where you’re going and great idea. When do you think you’ll be ready?”
“Tomorrow. I’m bored shitless.”
“You sure?” I didn’t want him overdoing it. He’d nearly died.
“Yeah.”
“Don’t get pissed off, but I want to get the doctor’s okay first. The last thing you need is a relapse.”
“Fine with me.”
We called his physician and received the okay for him to work six hours a day from home.
“In the meantime, I’m starting my own little investigation on Mother and her little lawyer buddy. Oh, and did I mention that Ravina has to get a job? I told her she’s sucked the life out of the family for far too long. I gave her several weeks and then I’d start charging her rent.”
Stanton threw back his head and roared. “Oh, how I wish I’d seen her face.”
“Man, it was priceless. The spoiled princess is going to pay her dues at last.”
Chapter Sixteen
English
Tristian was kind enough to set up a meeting for me with his company attorney. According to him, Ryan Cooper was extremely knowledgeable. Stacey accompanied me because I was clueless as to what to expect.
“Ms. Bridges, it’s nice to meet you, although I wish it was under different circumstances.”
I introduced him to Stacey and he introduced us to another man in the room. “I’d like you to meet Clayton Summers. I called him in today because he’s the expert on criminal law and he has agreed to take your case.”
Stacey’s eyes bulged out, so I figured he must be a pretty big deal. She practically fell over herself when she shook his hand.
We took seats around a conference table and the questions began about the night Stuart assaulted me. When they were done, Mr. Summers said, “I believe we have a very strong case, particularly since a police report was filed, we have a witness, and there are pictures supporting our case.”
Then I tossed in the information on Stuart’s father.
“Ms. Bridges, that doesn’t scare me. I’ve had bigger threats than that. This man clearly broke the law and should pay. Hopefully, we’ll get a judge who is especially harsh on these types of cases.”
I sagged in relief. The power play might not work for Stuart after all and I prayed he went to prison. Then I asked the question I feared most. “What about his parental rights?”
“Why