A Woman of Fortune (38 page)

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EARLY
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WENTY
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BREAKING NEWS

Vice President Reece Sandell, whose rise to political power included being elected the youngest senator from Texas, resigned today, leaving office amid scandal.

Sandell announced he was stepping down at a grim appearance on the steps of his Washington, DC, office, less than forty-eight hours after being caught with a high-priced prostitute, leaving the public stunned and angered.

With his wife standing next to him, he said he was leaving political life to concentrate on his family.

In other news, Theodore Massey, former cattle broker and financier who was arrested and incarcerated on multiple counts of cattle fraud and federal racketeering charges, served his sentence and was released from prison today. With his family by his side, Mr. Massey says he is extremely happy to be released and is anxious to go home.

1. In
   A Woman of Fortune
   , Claire Massey experiences a life event in which her security shifts beneath her feet. Have you ever felt a similar blow? Describe how you made it through.
   
2. Claire enjoys a fabulous life until her husband betrays her and his actions put everything she holds dear at risk. Why do you think she didn't see it coming?
   
3. Describe Claire. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses?
   
4. In what ways does Tuck remind you of the white-collar criminals often seen in the news? What characteristics make him different? Why do you think he perpetrated these crimes? Why does he continue to hide the truth of his crimes even after the initial settlement?
   
5. Claire's situation in this story is not unlike many politician and celebrity wives who face public humiliation and have to decide whether or not to support their husbands. If you were faced with a similar situation, would you stand by your man? Why or why not?
   
6. Couples often carry baggage into their marriages. What did Tuck and Claire cart into their relationship?
   
7. Do you think Claire made the right decision to stay in her
   marriage? Or do you think she should have pursued her relationship with Brian? Why?
   
8. Describe the scenes that most reveal how Lainie's emotions are particularly bruised by her father's actions. In angry desperation, have you ever made decisions that made everything worse? Were you surprised at Lainie's choices?
   
9. As the events in the story unfolded, describe how Tuck's criminal actions affected each member of the Massey family. How did these events change the characters by the end of the story?
   
10. Brian tells Claire she shouldn't live her life as a mirror, reflecting everybody else's view. Describe ways you think Claire does that.
    
11. If you were in Jana Rae's shoes, would you continue to support Claire? Why or why not?
    
12. Women have incredible influence. How did Ellie Wyden impact her daughter and granddaughter and their choices?
    
13. Men also have influence. Describe how Tuck molded his sons.
    
14. List the ways you think the Masseys' faith, or lack thereof, plays into their struggles.
    
15. While shopping, Lainie encounters a poignant scene of a man and his pregnant wife in the mall. Seeing the man rub his wife's feet moves Lainie to crave a different kind of relationship than what she's been pursuing. Why do you think that is?
    
16. Shortly after, Lainie acknowledges she's been swimming in a muddy pond when she is meant to ride the waves of the ocean. Why do you think so many young women settle for less than what they really want?
    
17. The story concludes with the author giving readers a quick peek twenty years later. How would you write the rest of the story?
    

I
n late 2008, many of us watched as master financier Bernie Madoff's story unfolded. I couldn't seem to pull my eyes from the television as this man, accused of swindling thousands of innocent victims—including family and friends—out of billions of dollars in the world's largest Ponzi scheme, was taken from his posh Manhattan apartment in handcuffs and his family became vilified in the media.

The events held particular interest for me. In my former role as a legal professional, I helped unravel what was then the largest cattle fraud in the United States. I interviewed dozens who were caught in the betrayal and who found themselves and their businesses floundering as a result.

These stories fascinate me on many levels, but in particular, I'm intrigued with the families behind the scenes. What is it like for a wife to learn her husband is a criminal? What happens to children when they face that kind of shame?

We know at least in part what transpired in the Madoff family in the aftermath—fractured relationships, family devastation, and suicide. As a novelist, I yearned to explore what might happen if the converse were true. What would the story look like if a strong
woman protagonist bucked the odds and stayed in the marriage? What if the family lost their footing but in the end landed on solid ground?

On a personal level, I know that even people who love one another can encounter marriage struggles. On more than one occasion in my own long-term marriage, there were times that deciding to stay was often much harder than leaving. I'm sure if you ask my husband, he could say the same.

I don't stand in judgment of any marriage or any person's decisions regarding their relationships. I'm simply acknowledging, through this story, that there are no pat answers when it comes to marital issues, but sometimes blessing can come if you work through the difficulties.

My own marriage stands as a testament to that truth.

Sadly, my own life also reflects Lainie's struggle to find security and love in the wrong places. My early adult years were spent a bit off track. But my life is living proof that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who comes after his lost sheep . . . and sometimes carries those of us with broken legs until we learn to walk again.

I
'd like to thank a few people who granted me their time, knowledge, and support. My career as a novelist would most certainly be flatter without regular morning telephone chats with my writing partner, Lynne Gentry. Beyond all the ideas I bounce off her before placing them on the page, she helps me process the ups and downs of the writing journey, and life in general. You are very dear to me, sweet friend.

A big bowl of gratitude is poured at the feet of the team at Baker Publishing Group/Revell, especially Jennifer Leep, who shares my vision for the stories I want to bring to women. The hard work by the marketing folks, the art department, the sales team, and the editors shaped this book and created what you hold in your hands (or on your e-reader). I am honored to be published by such an amazing group of people, and my heart is filled with admiration and appreciation!

My gratitude also goes to my agent, Natasha Kern. Frankly, she is brilliant when it comes to this industry. Thank you for your amazing support and hard work on my behalf.

Special thanks go to a few people who provided technical support. Stanley D. Williams, PhD, writing coach and author of
The
Moral Premise
, helped me early on in the development of this story. His stellar guidance helped focus the themes of betrayal, family, and losing your life to gain a better one. Thank you, Dr. Williams. And thank you to unnamed sources at various US Attorney's Offices and the federal court judge's clerk, for the criminal procedure and grand jury information, and for a behind-the-scenes look at how plea bargains really work.

I appreciate my good friend Carol Johanson, ICU Charge Nurse at Meridian Park Hospital in Oregon, for looking over the medical terminology (and for always giving me a place to stay when I'm on book tour).

Thank you to Lonnie Gentry, a Texas pastor. Although modified for this book, your wedding ceremony was
perfect
.

Thank you to the staff at the Adolphus for showing me around. Your hotel establishment is indeed stunning!

A big shout-out goes to Kathy Patrick and the Pulpwood Queens. Thanks for letting me hang out with you at Girlfriends Weekend. Who knew I'd ever wear hot pink and a tiara?

As always, I am filled with love and gratitude for my family—for my husband, Allen, and my boys, Eric and Jordan. For my sister, Jeannie Cunningham. For my daughter-in-law, Brandy, and my precious little grandson, Preston. And a new little baby girl, yet unnamed, who will debut about the same time as this book. For Jeramie and Angela Ausmus and beautiful little Jaslyn. You all make my life sweet and worth living.

Last, but not least, I want to tell readers how much I appreciate you. You faithfully purchase my books, share them with friends, and recommend them to libraries and book clubs. You send me emails and Facebook messages and post reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Some of you even wear T-shirts with my book cover on the front (you know who you are). Thank you for reading my stories and for all the encouragement you send my way. You are foremost in my mind as I write.

1

C
onference
hotels
all
look
the
same
.

This was what Juliet Ryan thought as she rode the elevator down twenty-two floors and stepped into the lobby of the Renaissance Marriott Convention Center, with its enormous floral arrangements and lengthy granite-topped counter lined with check-in clerks and their pasted smiles.

Even though she'd given up the secret vice months ago, Juliet found herself wanting a cigarette. Especially today, when the need to step into the sunshine to calm her nerves with a few quick puffs tugged at her like a leash.

Juliet mentally shook off the craving, took a deep breath, and gave herself a pep talk. She had no reason to feel this anxious. Not really.

She'd waited a long time for an invite to participate in a panel of this stature. In quality control circles, the North American Food Safety Symposium (NAFSS, as commonly known in the industry) was the pinnacle in a very high stack of conferences held across the nation each year. Her inclusion signaled a grand recognition among her peers that she'd finally made it. This conference featured only the elite candidates in the food safety field, and she was one of them. She had every reason to feel confident.

Juliet fished a schedule from the leather attaché hanging from her shoulder. She quickly located the Grand Ballroom on the map and made her way down a long hall in that direction, passing a mirror that reflected an image of exactly what she hoped to portray—an educated, accomplished young woman who had earned the respect of her colleagues, not an easy feat in a field overrun with testosterone and gray hair.

Her spot on the dais was third from the end on a row of tables seating nine—not exactly the first order of prestige, but a position of some cachet nonetheless. After her presentation today, no doubt she'd cement a spot closer to the head of the table, even if she were the only woman presenter again next year.

Introductions were made by Dr. Leon Thatcher, director of NAFSS, a delicate man with birdlike stature and spotty hair. He held a master of science degree in epidemiology from the University of Guelph, Canada, and a PhD in epidemiology and public health for his work on prevention and control of STEC illnesses—or so the brochure Juliet nervously folded in her hand stated.

On stage, Dr. Thatcher read off the impressive credentials of each of the panel members, while an audience of bobble heads nodded their collective approval.

The first to take the podium was Leonard Paternoster, a plaintiff's attorney who had carefully cultivated his notoriety after winning several highly publicized landmark awards.

Leo Paternoster pulled at his starched cuffs. “Good morning, everyone. I am an attorney specializing in foodborne illness cases. Before I go any further, I need to disclose that I am here for one reason alone—and that is to help you put me out of business.”

Juliet listened to the spiel she'd heard many times before, knowing the somber-faced attorney had been positioned to go first for good reason. The threat of a lawsuit always made people in the food industry sit up and pay attention.

No one wanted another deadly restaurant outbreak like the Jack in the Box situation in the nineties.

She'd been in junior high when a silver-haired talk show personality named Phil Donahue interviewed those affected. Juliet's father wanted to take credit for her career choice, but really, the moment she knew she wanted to spend her professional life pursuing food safety was triggered by that television program and the look in Vicki Detwiler's eyes as she described how her seventeen-month-old son tested positive for E. coli, and his agonizing last hours.

Of course, her career choice came with a few drawbacks.

While many of her girlfriends packed up their parents' Ford Explorers and headed for sunny California to obtain trendy marketing or journalism degrees, Juliet spent lonely winter nights at Cornell in upstate New York with her nose buried in textbooks, learning the finer points of foodborne disease epidemiology and HACCP, or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.

She also hadn't counted on the bleak disinterest in men's eyes when they discovered how many hours she devoted to pathogens and coliforms. She'd be sitting across the table from a guy, about to take a dainty bite of arugula and goat cheese salad, when the inevitable question would volley across the table. “So, what do you do for a living?”

She'd answer in the broadest terms possible, of course, and tell him she was responsible for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food products—never a popular topic while you're eating. He'd give a weak smile and quickly change the subject, often telling her she looked nice.

Still, for all the disadvantages, Juliet loved her profession. Her work mattered.

She held onto this satisfying thought as she took her turn at the podium.

“Good morning. My name is Dr. Juliet Ryan, and I'm here to bring an added perspective to what my esteemed colleagues have shared here this morning, and look at these issues from inside the walls of the food producer.” She paused and made eye contact with the audience. “Often we are the ones who are the last line
of defense when it comes to establishing and monitoring quality controls necessary to prevent the kinds of incidents that have been described here today.” She leaned forward ever so slightly to create greater impact. “We are charged with keeping America's food products safe.”

Over the next hour, Juliet communicated her carefully memorized points, all constructed to balance the often skewed belief that food corporations only thought in terms of the financial bottom line. She clicked through her PowerPoint presentation, showing charts and statistics, making sure to highlight the incredible cost of fully equipping a quality control laboratory, before moving to her closing statements.

“Companies across America are using the most sophisticated scientific techniques available to refine the processes used to kill pathogens without destroying the nutritional value of its food. We constantly face familiar strains like salmonella, but there are newer threats as these pathogens evolve.” She paused for emphasis, appreciating every eye was focused on her and what she had to say. “Those of us who have been entrusted in these corporate environments must stay one step ahead. The research developed must be put to wise use so the public can benefit.”

Juliet felt tension slip from her shoulders. She could tell her message had hit its mark with the distinguished audience. This was her moment in the spotlight, and she'd satisfactorily shined.

Relieved, she took a deep breath and continued. “Consumer health and safety are at the very core of what we do every day, and because of the collective efforts of dedicated food scientists and quality control directors in companies across America, outbreaks are now rare, with fewer reported each year than ever before.” She let her lips part in a wide smile, showing off gleaming (and costly) white teeth. “Thank you.”

Juliet waited until the applause faded before extending appreciation to the directors of the symposium for inviting her to speak. She straightened her notes at the podium and prepared to return
to her seat when a hand shot up in the back of the auditorium. “Uh, excuse me. I have a couple of questions.”

Juliet froze. Her eyes darted across the room, searching the crowd for the owner of the familiar voice.

“Isn't it true that as recent as two months ago, twenty-four people in Kansas were sickened with cyclospora linked to Bluebell Honey? And only weeks before that, in California, over a hundred fell ill after eating frozen strawberries tainted with salmonella? I could name a dozen more such incidents, all in the last twelve months. I hope no one in this room lets down their guard, believing we've done enough.”

Hundreds of heads turned to face the voice, likely wondering who would be bold enough to challenge her assertions. But Juliet knew.

The voice belonged to her father.