LITMIR.BIZ

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more than happy to oblige Mr. Schmidt.”

      Patsy’s attorney stood. “Excuse us a moment.”

      Carson led him across the hall to a smaller conference room he’d had one of the assistants reserve. On the table was an envelope that contained copies of what Whit’s assistant had.

      “I hired a private investigator to obtain these photographs. If you don’t sign on behalf of Patsy, they go to your wife.”

      Patsy’s attorney looked from the envelope to Carson. Then he snatched up the envelope and slid out the first of several photos. He didn’t look at any others. The first one was enough, as Carson suspected it would be.

      “What kind of businessman are you?” Patsy’s attorney asked.

      “I’m not.” He’d run as far and fast away from business as he could. He didn’t even work for AdAir Corp. And he didn’t like feeling as though he was acting just like his father, using blackmail to get what he wanted. His only justification was that he had to right a wrong, Patsy’s wrong, and to honor his father’s wishes. For that, he’d do anything. This was a quick and sure way to see that Patsy no longer poisoned his family.

      “You think you can get away with blackmailing me?”

      “I prefer to think of it as blackmailing my mother.”

      Patsy’s attorney scoffed. “Your family is despicable.”

      “I’ll be sure to tell Patsy that if she isn’t guilty of murdering my father.” Otherwise, he’d have to agree that at least his mother was despicable.

      “Your mother has a legitimate reason for disputing Reginald’s will.”

      “Jealousy is not a legitimate reason.” Carson took a step closer. Taller than him by six inches or more, he loomed over him. “Sign the agreement or your wife finds out about your double life.”

      “Don’t you care at all about your own mother’s wishes?”

      He shook his head. “Not in the least.”

      “This is preposterous!” Patsy’s attorney slapped the envelope down onto the table. “I won’t stand for it.”

      “Your choice.” Carson pressed the speaker on the phone and called Whit’s assistant.

      “Yes, Mr. Adair,” she said.

      “Go ahead and deliver the package.”

      “Right away, sir.”

      “Wait!” Patsy’s attorney jerked forward toward the phone as though the assistant could see him try to stop her. “That won’t be necessary.”

      “You’ll sign?” Carson asked.

      “Yes.”

      “Never mind, Carol. Wait for me to stop by your desk.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      Carson ended the call. “If you don’t go into that conference room and sign the agreement, I will have those photos couriered to your wife this morning.”

      “You’re as ruthless as your father.”

      Carson had never blackmailed anyone before, and it didn’t come easy to him. “Perhaps you should be more particular about the clients you represent.” He stepped toward the door.

      “What about these?” Patsy’s attorney gestured to the photos.

      “They’re yours. The originals will go into my personal safe.”

      Anger flared from the attorney’s eyes. He picked up the envelope and took it with him.

      Back in the conference room, Schmidt looked suspicious. Whit already knew what this was about.

      “I signed the agreement, Carson.” Landry stood. “I’m going to go now.”

      “Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.”

      She left the room while Schmidt, Georgia and Ruby watched Patsy’s attorney stuff the envelope into his briefcase.

      “We’re all ready to sign the agreement.”

      Georgia looked stunned, gaping at him, no doubt wondering how he’d done it. And why.

      Patsy’s attorney signed the agreement and stood, picking up his briefcase. With a last glare at Carson, he stormed out of the conference room.

      “What did you do?” Georgia asked.

      “That’s between me and him.” He handed Ruby a pen. “It’s not important anymore. What’s important is that he signed.”

      She took it and signed the mediation agreement.

      “I’ll let you know when the transaction takes place,” Carson said.

      She smiled warmly up at him. “Thank you, Mr. Adair. Your father would be so proud.”

      He grunted derisively. “You have no idea.”

      You’re as ruthless as your father. He’d done whatever was necessary to repair the damage Patsy had left behind when she’d fled. He wasn’t happy about having to use a strong arm to make her attorney do the right thing.

      Whit came up behind him with a pat on his back. “Thanks for taking care of this, Carson.”

      “No problem. Hey.” He stopped Whit from leaving. He leaned over and picked up the papers. “Did you know about these?” He showed the pages to Whit, who studied them.

      “No.”

      “There’s contact and background information on Reginald’s housekeeper and the neighbor. He must have gotten this just before he died.”

      “And planned to go to North Carolina to talk to them?”

      “That would be my guess.”

      Whit put the papers down and looked at Carson. “Are you going to check it out?”

      “Police report said they talked to everyone, but maybe Dad had a reason for talking to them again.”

      “I’d have to agree with that,” Whit said. “Where’d you find these?”

      “On his desk. Your assistant said she had it among Elizabeth’s things. It must have passed to her before anyone noticed what it was.”

      “I’ll have to thank my assistant for being so good at her job.”

      When Whit left, Carson turned back to the remaining attendees. He saw Georgia and Ruby stand from their chairs. Unlike her stepmother, Georgia was not all aglow over the outcome of the meeting.

      “Mrs. Mason,” he said to Ruby.

      “Please, call me Ruby.”

      “Ruby.” Carson caught the roll of Georgia’s eyes. “As you know, none of us were aware that our father had another son. Your son.”

      “Yes, that came as a shock to me. I was sure he’d have told you.”

      “My father wasn’t the same man who married you.”

      “So I’ve heard.” Ruby looked sad over that, as though thinking of what could have been had Jackson not been kidnapped.

      “We need to go, Mother.”

      “It’s all right, Georgia.”

      “Whit and I have decided to take over the investigation our father was conducting to find your son, Jackson. We... I was hoping I could meet with you some time to talk about what happened. His kidnapping.”

      Ruby’s face fell. She was still, even after all this time, distraught and quite possibly full of guilt.

      “No. I won’t stand for that.” Georgia turned to her stepmother. “Mother, it’s bad enough you had to take their money. You

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