Bay Hideaway (19 page)

Judi leaned forward, gnawing at her bottom lip. “But I also have a Social Security card.”

“Not a big deal,” Winslow asserted with confidence, chuckling at Judi’s look of disbelief. “Although it goes against the grain of the American justice system, the feds aren’t terribly interested in you, either.” He scratched at the side of his nose. “The Social Security number will be revoked, of course, but the worst that will happen is that all the monies you paid into the system using that number will be lost. If you had tried to withdraw money from the program, that would be another story, but without any theft, and because of the circumstances that caused you to falsify your identification, they don’t care to prosecute.”

“That is great news!” Nathan’s confidence in the man was growing. Right now he was thankful Mr. Edwards had steered them in the right direction.

“I believe,” Winslow continued, tilting his head in thought, “I can get you through this entire process without any criminal charges being filed.”

“None?” Judi perked up. “How can that be?”

“It can be done, but it will be cost some money.”

Nathan knew this was coming. “How much?”

“Your biggest outlay will be in restitution to the city and county,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Restitution?” Judi asked.

“The city and county will want to be reimbursed for the rescue and recovery attempts they made. It won’t be cheap!” Winslow began ticking off items on his fingers. “There will be the police department’s man hours, canine units, dive teams, and the detective’s investigation to recoup—to the tune of around fifty thousand dollars.”

“Fifty thousand dollars!” There was awe in Judi’s voice.

“And if we make restitution,” Nathan asked, still sorting through the details, “then the city and county prosecutors won’t press charges, is that right?”

“They’ll probably kiss your ring for saving them the time and expense of attempting to prosecute such a case.” He shrugged his bulky shoulders. “If you don’t or can’t pay back this money, or if they decided to formally charge Judi, there’s a good chance I could still get a jury acquittal. Realize, however, there are some risks and there will still be court fees and possibly fines to pay. Another possibility if you were charged would be for you to agree to plead guilty to lesser charges and make restitution, which brings us back to where we started.”

“Then we’ll pay the city and county up front!” Nathan looked determinedly at Judi and then at the attorney. “There’s no sense in taking a chance.”

“I have absolutely no money, Nathan,” protested Judi. “Where would we be able to scrape up that kind of money?”

“Let’s not worry about that now!” Nathan would find the money, even if it meant selling their house. He turned back to Winslow. “What else?”

“There’s the matter of the life insurance policy.” Winslow tilted his head toward Nathan. “From what you’ve said, twenty-five thousand was donated to a charity. Unfortunately, the insurance company could not care less where the money went—they’ll just want it back immediately.”

“That’s over seventy-five thousand, so far,” Judi needlessly pointed out.

“The last matter will take more time than money to fix.” The lawyer leaned back in his chair as he looked at Judi. “A judge has declared you to be legally dead. We have to get that reversed and revive your real Social Security number. Until those steps are done, you won’t be able to hold a job or apply for a driver’s license—anything that requires identification or a background check.”

“How much time do you think that will take?” Nathan asked.

He shrugged again. “It might take weeks, but I’ll do my best to speed the process along.”

“Anything else?” Nathan was roughly calculating what it would take to pay the debts.

“I think we’ve discussed all the major issues.”

“Except for your fees,” Nathan added.

A surprised look crossed Winslow’s face. “My fees? They’re already covered.”

“Covered?”

“An anonymous donor is paying my fees,” he answered. “I thought you knew that.”

Nathan looked at Judi, who returned a suspicious nod. “Mr. Edwards?”

“I really can’t say,” he said with a knowing smile. “All I can tell you is that my services have already been taken care of, and I’ll do the best job I can.” His smile slowly faded. “I understand that you have recently discovered the identity of the author of the threatening notes. If you need my help in that matter, I’ll represent you.” He looked at Judi. “Do you have any plans to file charges?”

The stricken look on her face answered the question. “No matter what my father has done, I can’t do that to him.”

The attorney nodded with understanding. “Unfortunately, I can’t solve or heal family problems like the one you’re facing.” He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. “Are there any other questions I can answer for either of you?”

“No,” Nathan answered. “You’ve been very helpful. I’ll let you know when the money is secured to make restitution.”

“Very well,” concluded Winslow. “My secretary has some papers for you to sign and then you’re free to go. Will you be staying here or going back to the island?”

Nathan felt Judi’s gaze on him. “We have some family business to take care of before we make any career or relocation plans.”

“Another set of decisions I can’t help you with.” There was empathy in the attorney’s eyes.

“I know!” Nathan stated.

Only God can!

Judi stood alone in the master bedroom slowly turning in a circle to take in the surroundings. The memorable sights and smells belonging to her previous life were coming alive and rushing at her with thrusters on full burn, penetrating her soul with unbearable longing. It was as if she was returning to the pages of a suspenseful but unfinished novel she laid aside years ago. With a heavy sigh, she sank onto the king-size bed and absently smoothed out a crease along the wedding ring quilt.

Like a fog lifting, she could feel her heart respond to the surroundings. She had purposely closed away these pictures of her past and now they were being dusted off and put back into service.

She wished Nathan was with her at this moment; but in the silence of their house, she was quite alone.

Instead, Nathan was with Lindsey, explaining what he couldn’t convey in a phone conversation. He hadn’t volunteered any insight into what he was going to say to the woman, and Judi had been too afraid to ask. With a sense of foreboding, she watched him back out of the driveway and speed off toward the west end of town. It was hard not to worry about the outcome of his visit with this woman who also claimed to love him, but Judi had to preserve her physical and emotional energy to focus on what was scheduled next—her father. It was a visit she dreaded but desperately needed in order to understand why her father would have done such a thing.

How was she going to get through this meeting with her father when she’d been a total basket case just listening to Nathan’s phone conversation with him? There had evidently been some hesitancy at her father’s end of the line when Nathan explained his urgent need to see him, but Nathan had been firm and the older man eventually agreed to meet.

If that weren’t enough, Nathan’s entire family would be gathering at the house in less than four hours. Although she understood the necessity for the announcement of her return to be quick and efficiently executed, the sheer weight of the project besieged her. Nathan had warned that the media would be onto them within twenty-four hours and they needed to reach their family members before it had a chance to blow up. He had already been in contact with the statehouse, though she didn’t know the particulars. Nathan wouldn’t discuss it—not yet.

Judi took a deep breath and blew it out between pursed lips. Her gaze landed on the jewelry box sitting cockeyed on the dresser—her jewelry box. Getting up, she made her way across the room and carefully lifted the lid. Several glittering gems sparkled in the light. Piece by piece she examined the necklaces and rings, tilting her favorite opal ring to see the brilliant fire of color. Slowly she placed the ring back in the holder and continued her search. Her grandmother’s ruby brooch was glaringly absent.

It was then she saw another ring—a gold band.

Nathan’s wedding ring.

Carefully she lifted the ring and held it between her fingers. The beaded edge was slightly worn and Judi smiled sadly. The jeweler had explained that over the years the edging of their matching rings would eventually wear down into a radiant, shiny gold—a tribute to a long and happy marriage, the man had said.

Judi wondered how long Nathan had worn the ring before taking it off for the final time and placing it in the dormant jewelry box. What went through his mind when the decision came? Lost in thought, she stared at the gold band.

There was a slight sound from behind and suddenly she knew she was no longer alone. Slowly she turned to see Nathan leaning against the doorjamb watching her, his face solemn. For a long moment neither spoke.

“I thought you might be in here,” he finally said, breaking the spell of the silence. His tired eyes pivoted to the ring she held then back to her. He gently pushed off from the door frame and came near. “My wedding band.”

Judi nodded, instantly feeling intrusive. “I’ll put it back.”

His hand shot out and captured hers. “I don’t want it back in the box.”

Confused, but hopeful, she looked up to meet his captivating gaze. The expression on his face made mincemeat of her insides. He was fighting against the same stresses threatening to take her under and yet there was vivid fire in his eyes. With awareness he took the ring from her hand and slid it over his finger.

“This past week has thrown my entire world into a vortex of chaos.” Nathan’s voice was low and expressive. “So many choices and possible directions to go.” He gave a slight shake of his head. “I had no idea what I was going to say to handle Lindsey today, and I asked God to show me how to make an impossible situation a possible thing for Him.”

“And what did He show you?” Her breath felt suspended as her chest ached for the answer.

“That I have already committed to love and cherish the woman I married.” Nathan gently took her face between his hands. “We said it would be for better or for worse. We’re experiencing the ‘worse’ part now, and I’m willing to hold out for the ‘better’ portion to come.” He sighed. “I’ve not always been the best husband. I know that!”

“It’s not true,” Judi cried, clasping her hands over his. “I’m the one to blame. It was immature of me to be jealous of your political work. I should have trusted you enough to know your long hours of work weren’t a reflection that you loved your job more than me—or that you weren’t trying to get rid of me. If only I had come to you. I’m so sorry!”

Nathan leaned closer. “We’ve both made mistakes in the past, but we have to look to the future. We have something very solid to bond us together that was missing before.”

“God!”

“Are you willing to see if God can bring us together as one again?”

“Willing?” she cried, drawing one hand endearingly down his chin. “I’ve been desperately praying for it.”

Nathan imprisoned her hand and pulled her close, his lips beginning an exploration of her face, kissing her cheeks, chin, and eyes, moving into the hollow of her neck. “I’ve missed you so much. When you disappeared—”

The obvious pain in his voice tore at her heart, and she gently put her fingers to his lips and hushed him. “I’m here now and I promise to stay this time.” Judi felt a great surge of happiness when he kissed her again.

Slowly he pulled her back. “I wish we didn’t have to deal with our families this afternoon.”

Judi sagged against his chest feeling the tightening of his grasp. “I can do anything as long as you’re beside me, Nathan.”

“I love you, Judith!”

Closing her eyes, she reveled in the depth of his tone, the beauty of his words. For several minutes they stayed in the close embrace, Judi never wanting to leave the warmth of his touch.

Suddenly, she heard a gasp from the doorway and both jerked toward the sound. Nathan’s sister stood in the doorway, her mouth gaping in utter surprise.

“Judi?”

“Are you sure Laurie’s going to be all right by herself?” Judi asked when they pulled out of the driveway. “She looked absolutely floored.”

Nathan sent her a sideways glance. “She’ll be okay! I never thought she might make it into town this early and use the spare key. That was my fault.” He looked in the side-view mirror before changing lanes. “I’m sure my cryptic message insisting that she meet at the house tonight with the rest of the family sent her into a panic.”

“She won’t tell the rest of your family before tonight, will she?” Judi looked at him doubtfully.

“She promised not to, but one can never tell.”

Remembering the shocked expression on Laurie’s face sent shivers through Judi. If Laurie had reacted with such alarm, Judi could only imagine how her own father was going to respond. Her hands were beginning to sweat as they drew closer, finally turning into her father’s driveway.

Nathan turned to her. “Stay in the car until I give you the signal. We don’t want to give him a heart attack. Let me talk with him first.”