Page 98 of Chase
“April, I’m just twelve weeks gone. We found out at our scan yesterday.”
“Us girls are going to have the best time getting ready for the new arrivals.” My eyes move to Emma. She’s new to the group, having only returned after sorting out her relationship with Damon in June. My friendship with Violet is solid, but it’s important Emma knows she’s part of this homemade family too. “All of us.” Emma smiles back, genuine appreciation on her face.
“So, shall we get this wrapped up?” Russell says. “Some of us have places to be.”
“Exciting plans?” Hunter asks, watching Russell look from me to Connor and back again. “The three of you?”
“We’re celebrating,” Connor replies. “Samantha is due some pampering, and we can all be civil for a few hours. Even my brother and I.” Russell lifts his hands, turning his palms over, then glares at his brother.
“Perhaps we could have been.”
“Chill, we’ll pick up some lemon juice for you.”
“You didn’t just fucking tell me to chill?” Russell snarls as Mrs. D. drops a bottle of lemon juice down in front of him.
“I noticed when you arrived,” she tells him, squeezing his shoulder. “That will take those dye stains right off.” We all watch as she turns and totters off out of the door.
“That woman really is a miracle on legs,” Russell mumbles, squirting the liquid into his hands. Harrison jumps up and collects a towel from the bathroom, dropping it in front of him before returning to his seat.
“So,” Harrison says, “before we all go home to celebrate our respective wins, my first will be the fact my wife actually stayed in the car like she was told. I am taking that as an improvement in her behavior.” He smiles at Violet, who sticks her tongue out playfully. She had wanted to come with me into the hospital when I heard the gunshot. I demanded she stay, but I won't tell him that. “I can confirm that the police have moved past us regarding last week's issues. Thanks to Damon’s contacts in the department, we’ve been able to remove our names from the case file.”
“How did you manage that?” Emma asks him.
“Don’t ask,” Damon replies. “Put it this way, I’ve called in every favor ever owed.”
“And Bryan?” I ask, my words nervous. Neither Connor nor Russell would tell me anything of his fate. Last week, I had been pulled away within seconds of killing their father. When they asked me why I did it, I told them that when I reached the room, Bryan had been standing with the gun pointed at Edward Chase. On instinct, I’d stepped forward and placed my hand over his; in that moment, I knew we were both protecting people we loved.
“He’s been released for now,” Harrison says. “I’m moving to have the charges against him dropped due to diminished responsibility. Marley had his son, and he threatened to remove his organs if Bryan didn’t help him lure us all to the hospital. I don’t believe Bryan was ever involved or being paid for the organ theft at Varley Medical. He’s just a hard-working father trying to look after his kids.”
“Also,” Emma pipes up, and all eyes move to her. It’s easy to forget she works at the law firm and probably has a better idea of what is happening than Violet or myself. “His eldest son just turned eighteen, so he can take responsibility for the younger ones if the worst happens. I’ve managed to negotiate child support payments from their mother as well.” She beams, clearly proud of what she achieved. “It’s enough to cover all their monthly living costs and have plenty left over. Amazing what a dive into her billionaire boyfriend's finances can achieve.”
“Great job, Spitfire,” Damon says, leaning over and kissing her softly on the lips. “Watch your back, boys.” His eyes flick between the three other lawyers in the room. “My girl will be taking your jobs.”
“Suits me,” Harrison says. “With three kids in the future to look after, more time at home would be helpful. Maybe I could be retired by forty.” Everyone laughs, but deep down I think he could be serious.
“And what about Josie?” Russell asks, and my pesky jealousy appears. Fuck, after everything she did, does he still care?
“She’s remanded at HMP, Bronzefield. I did go to visit her, but I can’t represent her. It’s too close to Bryan’s case, though a colleague has agreed to take her on. There’s little chance of her walking out of this free.” Harrison speaks clearly and precisely, his tone professional. “Sadly for Dr. Rivera, there are just too many complications. Between the loan from Varley, the death of the illegal organ donor, and her operating without authority and knowingly distributing organs, she will spend decades behind bars.”
“Why?” I ask after he lists the offenses.
“Why would she go to prison, or why did she do it?”
“Why do it?” I confirm.
“Greed,” Russell says quietly beside me. “Josephine always wanted more than she had. She probably got wrapped up in this stage by stage and never thought of the consequences. I’d guess by the time Marley had her husband and was threatening to take his organs, she was too far down the rabbit hole to stop. Sad but true. She deserves to feel the full force of the law for her crimes.”
I relax a fraction with his assessment. My man isn’t interested in her romantically, and he has never given me any indication he is. I need to let his previous relationship with her go.
“You would be right,” Harrison agrees. “This seems to be the case for all the medical staff involved. Big payouts dangled before their noses via Dr. Rivera. Then once they were in, there was no getting out. They will all spend time locked up I think unless they manage to broker a deal. But Rivera and Winslow will end up behind bars as the senior doctors. Both Varley Medical and Harbridges are under investigation by the police and the Care Quality Commission. Anyone connected to the incidents has been removed from the boards or staff as required. Some people end up doing bad things, when to start with all they were trying to do was save themselves and those they love.”
“I believe we’re all two decisions away from jail,” Hunter tells the room. “Decision one is choosing to do wrong. Decision two is doing it.”
“So tell me why you aren’t in the slammer then?” Damon asks, and Hunter smirks.
“Because I’m really good at decision three.”
“What’s that?” Connor asks.