Deceptions Revealed (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “I didn’t see any choice. I had Daniel to protect.”

  “And we’ll continue to protect him tomorrow and in the future.” A timer dinged in the background, setting the two women into motion putting platters of food on the dining room table, now set for four with the chandelier lights reflecting against the china.

  Chapter Thirteen

  JoAnna and James both took Daniel to school Monday morning with new release instructions. Never was Benjamin Montgomery to have access to their child again. They introduced Beverly Montgomery and put her on his acceptable release forms. From there, the three of them went to Alan’s.

  There had been several telephone calls last night between them and there they regrouped and answered Alan’s questions. By eleven, they were a fierce foursome entering the judge’s chamber. Alan and Helen Scott had managed to have their meeting moved to chambers to keep it off the public record for the time being. If they could work out an amicable situation, JoAnna would drop the kidnapping charge and hopefully walk away with a petition to keep Benjamin away from Daniel. At least until they all had time to settle down and work through it.

  They arrived first, were introduced and waited. Benjamin entered with Aaron Metz. He didn’t look any worse for the wear of being held over the weekend. He was angry, that was apparent. Even Mr. Metz held an air of authority as he walked into the room, apparently thinking they had this all summed up and Ben would walk away clean. He hesitated at the doorway when he saw Beverly sitting beside James. Helen turned to see what halted their conversation and moved to the side.

  “I should have figured you had a hand in this. It’s your fault…” Benjamin started, his voice deep with anger, a tone that had secretaries and assistants, as well as some of the juniors at work running from his office.

  Today, they sat together, the three of them in a row, watching as he faltered. His face grew red when the judge cut him off.

  “There’ll be none of that here today. Take a seat Mr. Montgomery. Mr. Metz.” Both men looked to each other and back before taking the appointed chairs.

  Judge Carlson was a middle aged man, tall with wide shoulders and a nose that had to have been broken several times. His hair was graying and thinning at the temples. His body was large yet firm.

  “They’ll be no fighting here today, just the facts to be sorted through.” He nodded to the stenographer and listed everyone’s name and relationship to Daniel. Then he sat back in his large leather chair, the massive desk separating him from the rest. Helen Scott and Alan both calmly explained the situation from a factual perspective. Judge Carlson asked for clarification occasionally and got concise answers. And all the time he watched Ben Montgomery.

  In his capacity as judge he had to sort this all out, to see all sides and strategies and be fair in his decisions.

  Metz tried to interrupt the proceeding several times only to be told to keep quiet until it was his turn. Any details Alan left out, Helen filled in. Both JoAnna and James were asked if this was their perception of the facts. JoAnna bristled at the word perception as if there was another, but kept her mouth shut.

  Then it was Mr. Metz turn. He rumbled and stomped around the room at the injustice done to his client, being held without due process, etc, all of which was duly noted and ignored.

  “Well, Mr. Montgomery, what do you have to say about all this?”

  Benjamin turned and looked directly at James. “They’re all bad. You’ll regret this alliance soon, James. The mother who didn’t care, the girlfriend who cheated…”

  “I’ve never,” JoAnna said. James held her in her seat when she would have launched herself at Ben. Realizing her approach was just what he wanted, she paused adding, “Whatever you thought was wrong, Mr. Montgomery. You deliberately changed test results to favor your advancement of James’ career. Telling him his mother was in Europe living off his father’s insurance was bad enough, but to take the first six years of his son’s life from him is unacceptable. Nobody can ever make that up to either of them or me. Taking our son from school with forged notes and callous disregard for our feelings is over the top. Forcing him to eat foods the child knew to stay away from just makes you dangerous!” She looked directly at Judge Carlson. “I want him kept away from Daniel and myself, sir. You’ve heard the damage he’s inflicted on all of us. James and I were working out a custody arrangement that was satisfactory to us both before he kidnapped Daniel.”

  “I didn’t kidnap him, just took him to the arcade to get to know him.”

  “With false documents?” Helen asked.

  “Seemed simpler at the time than arguing with her for time with him.”

  “Please don’t refer to Ms. Sheridan as her. You know her name,” Alan said in a calm but definitive tone.

  “Bitch is more like it. Just like the other one sitting there looking so smug.”

  “That’s enough, Mr. Montgomery.” Judge Carlson dared him to continue with his words, offering contempt charges could be added. Metz broke into a tirade of civil rights being trampled and that made Carlson and Helen Scott both laugh aloud.

  Two hours later they reached a tentative arrangement.

  The kidnapping charge against Ben would be set aside, providing he didn’t break the rules of the order of protection granted to JoAnna and Daniel. If that happened, the charges would be reinstated. As to the personal side of the problem, he left that to Helen to sort out.

  “I sincerely hope to never see you in this court again, Mr. Montgomery. If I find out you’ve been near the boy, personally or by remote means, no amount of money will get you off. Not your Mr. Metz or any fancy team of lawyers you can bring in.”

  Helen offered the use of an empty office where they could go and finish their personal business. As they were leaving, JoAnna and James thanked Judge Carlson for his time and his understanding. JoAnna notice he held Beverly’s hand a bit longer than necessary.

  “Mrs. Montgomery, I’m so sorry for all your pain and loss. Fourteen years is a long time to be kept from a child.”

  “Yes, it was. Hopefully this will all end here, and James and Joey can build a future with Daniel.”

  “Will you be staying in the area?”

  “For a short time, this trip was quite unexpected. Although I would like to come back to spend some time with my grandson.” JoAnna watched Beverly blush and turned away, biting back a smile.

  “If there’s anything I can do to help you during your stay, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

  “I’m sure your wife and family would prefer I didn’t.” Beverly answered, her cheeks blushing as she spoke.

  “I’m a widower, Mrs. Montgomery, four years now, and what my children think of my personal life is no longer an issue as they’re all grown and have lives of their own.”

  “I’m sorry you lost your wife, Judge Carlson.” Brown eyes met brown eyes and held.

  “Please call me Walter.”

  “All right,” she said her smile widening.

  “I’m staying with James, his condo at Liftside.”

  “Do you ski?”

  “I’m afraid not. My husband used to say I fell rather gracefully if viewed from the correct angle.”

  James drew Joey to the side, his arms dropping heavily onto her shoulders. His forehead leaned against hers. “Is my mother flirting with the judge?” he whispered.

  “No, I think the judge is flirting with her actually, or at least that’s how it started.”

  They shared a laugh and a hug before being shown to the conference room where Ben waited. Beverly entered with confidence. Helen and Alan went against Ben and Aaron several rounds before James stood, his hand slamming on the table to stop the bickering.

  “Benjamin, in light of the last weeks there are several things you should know.” He stood tall and watched his grandfather, noting for the first time today he looked tired, but sympathy was long gone and James cleared his throat.

  “The board received my resignation this morning.” He waited while Benja
min threw a fit then continued when he quieted. “I’ve reassigned all my work and my office is cleaned out. As to Joey and I, you know better than to try and come between us again. As to my mother, I can’t get back those years any more than I can the years you took my son from me, but I can make you pay. The board is also aware of a complete accounting that started this morning by an outside firm hired by Alan on behalf of myself and Mother.”

  Ben laughed at him, dismissing him with a wave of his hand in the air. “There’s nothing you can do to hurt the business, James. Send in your best. I’m not afraid of a few bean counters.”

  “You should be afraid, Ben. You see, I have all the files from your closet safe.” He watched the old man stand quickly, several emotions crossing his face before he pulled the mask back in place. “And your passport too, so don’t plan on going too far.”

  JoAnna and Beverly had both shied away from him while James stood strong.

  “An arbitrator will decide how much you owe mother in actual dollars. Your conscience, if you have one, will decide the rest. You’re getting old, Ben. Maybe you should retire to the Caymans and give us all a break.” James laughed then added, “Oh, I’m sorry, you can’t. Everything has been sealed by the court until this is all sorted out.” He watched Benjamin shrug away the statement. “You’ll be given enough to live on and to pay your rent temporarily, but your personal accounts are sealed.”

  James knew his grandfather loved money more than any thing else in the world. Having access to his denied, even if temporarily, was a low blow, but James and Alan had talked it out last night, knowing if they weren’t careful from the start, Ben would just move the money and they’d never find it again. At least right now they had the numbers to the private accounts from the documents taken from his safe.

  “I’ll not let you get away with this, any of you,” Benjamin declared.

  “Go home, Old Man,” JoAnna said. “You’ve done enough damage for all our lifetimes. I’ll never forgive you, never give you access to Daniel and I’ll never accept you as a member of our family. As far as I’m concerned, you died today. Stay away from Hunter, Ben. Stay away from my son, his grandmother and James. I let you win one time, it won’t happen again. Never again will you be given the benefit of the doubt. Hunter Mountain doesn’t really need you, Mr. Montgomery. I suggest you take your slimy lawyer pet Metz and go back to Manhattan, or wherever you slither off to. If I see you in town, I’ll call the police with no regret.” She stood and calmly walked out of the office.

  There were several bursts of arguments from Metz and Ben about his accounts being frozen. James’ answer was simple.

  “If you had nothing to hide, you wouldn’t worry.”

  “You’ll throw away all these years for a woman who only wanted you for your money, and now you dragged this one back into the picture.” He referred to Beverly, and she stood, calmly taking her purse from the table.

  “Mr. Metz, you were always sleazy and still are. Benjamin, I hope to see you in court soon. I loved your son, but it wasn’t enough for you. No woman was ever good enough for any Montgomery man. It’s a shame you’re such an asshole.” She walked to the door adding, “I’m sure the IRS will be interested in your creative bookkeeping.”

  That threat he didn’t take lightly. His hands fisted on the table, and James just shook his head.

  “We all could have had so much more to this life if you hadn’t decided you knew what was best for us all. I don’t even feel sorry for you, Grandfather. What ever happens to you in the future, I’ll be no part of it. Alan will be in touch, as well as the auditors.”

  “You can’t walk away from the company, James. It’s yours. It always was. Everything I did was to make sure the company was intact for you and your future.”

  “No, Ben. You did everything you did to keep me tied to the company. That’s not a reality any longer.”

  “You have no more sense than your father did.”

  “Maybe not, but at least I’ve been given a second chance to be human.”

  James left Alan and Helen with them, closing the door softly behind him. Their plan had been to meet at a restaurant when this was all over. He found Joey and Beverly in the lobby, each tugging on gloves and scarves, readying for the cold.

  “Ladies, I don’t know about you, but suddenly, I’m starving.” Both women laughed, each taking an arm as he guided them outside. The sun was shining bright, the cold receding. Once they were settled in the car, Beverly spoke up.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m having supper with Walter tomorrow.”

  “I don’t mind. Do you, Joey?”

  “Not me. Now if she said she was having supper with Metz I’d worry!”

  “So would I!” Both James and Beverly said at the same time.

  JoAnna was quiet on the car ride over. Her body wanted to relax, but her mind was still numb. Suddenly it hit her, and she turned towards James.

  “You resigned from Montgomery Industries? What are you going to do now?”

  “I’ve a few ideas, Joey. Don’t worry, I’ll find a job.”

  “I’ve no doubt about that, but where and doing what?”

  “Let’s discuss it over lunch with a glass of wine.”

  “James?”

  “Alan and I have been talking. His practice is expanding, and I’ve been offered some seminars at the law school.”

  “That would mean staying in Manhattan?” Her voice was carefully controlled.

  “Only occasionally, actually I’ve been discussing an internet class with the school.”

  “Are you sure this is right? Shouldn’t you wait to make any major decisions?”

  “No, Joey. My decisions are made. Lunch with the two most beautiful women I know, then onto the court clerk for a marriage license. After that, we’ll just work it out as it comes along.”

  “I thought you hated Alan.” She paused then laughed, adding, “Only when you thought he was sleeping with me.”

  James smiled and turned the car into the restaurant.

  “Welcome home, James. Beverly, you’ll be most welcome in our home any time you wish to visit.”

  “Which might just be a bit more now that you’ve met Walter?” James asked.

  “Really, I just met the man.” Beverly would have been alright if she hadn’t blushed brilliant red.

  “I think we could all use a drink right about now. What do you think, Mrs. Montgomery?” James stared directly at Joey.

  “Sheridan-Montgomery.”

  “Fine, just as long as you’re my wife, you can call yourself anything, except free.”

  “I was never free, James. You were with me every day in Daniel’s smile and his laugh and sometimes his attitude!”

  “We should talk about James’s temper tantrums,” Beverly said, relaxing them all and leaving them with the hope that their future would be bright and full. At least whatever happened now, it was with open eyes and hearts.

  THE END

  www.lillithpayne714.com

  [email protected]

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Having been born and raised on Long Island, New York, my husband and I were both eager to leave the urban lifestyle behind and explore our futures. With his encouragement, I’m living my dream of writing romance novels full time.

  Our new rural setting allows us to enjoy time together and give me guiltless hours in my imagination indulging my other passion. When I realized my works consistently tended towards the erotic, I gave myself permission to explore places I might not venture in real life.

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

 

 

 
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