Read Online Maxine by SUE FINEMAN - Free Book Online Page B

After all, as Cara’s husband, half of everything belonged to him.
    When he finished with that bitch, it would all be his.
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    As much as Nick hated to deal with his former brother-in-law, he had to call him. Gerry Merlino was the best lawyer in town. He hadn’t spoken to Gerry in months and wouldn’t be calling him now if not for Cara.
    Instead of scheduling the appointment through Gerry’s secretary, Nick asked to speak with Gerry and got right to the point. “This is Nick. I might have a new client for you. She left her husband, wants to end the marriage. Look, Gerry, this may be more than you can handle. If it is, I want you to back off, refer her to another attorney, somebody you trust.”
    “What’s so special about this case?”
    “She’s well known, wealthy, and her husband is ruthless. She overheard him planning to have her committed to an institution so he could steal her money.”
    “How wealthy?”
    Nick’s anger bubbled to the surface. “You take advantage of her and I’ll make sure the whole world knows. Your practice will be toast.”
    “Aw, c’mon, Nick. You know me better than that.”
    “Yeah, sure.” They used to be good friends, but that was before the divorce. Gerry took good care of his sister, and Nick lost nearly everything.
    Gerry stayed silent for a few seconds. “Tell me about this client.”
    “It’ll be messy. She needs someone who knows how to fight, and you’ll probably need to hire a private investigator. Can you handle that?”
    “Of course. Bring her in tomorrow, around eleven.”
    “The road to my house is still out, so we’ll have to come in by boat. Can you meet us at the dock?”
    “Thought you sold your boat.”
    “I did. Eleven. Jerisch Park.”
    If Gerry took advantage of Cara, Nick wouldn’t just ruin his law practice. He’d break his face.
    Cara stared out the window, hugging her arms, and Nick knew she was afraid to go out in public. If she didn’t have to get her stitches out, he’d bring Gerry to the house. He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Scared?”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t matter. It has to be done.”
    “I’ll be right there with you, Maxine.”
    A soft smile touched her lips and he couldn’t resist a gentle kiss. It just made him want more.
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    Cara wore her new gray sweats with Nick’s dark blue jacket and a red baseball cap on the boat. She looked nothing like the famous heiress whose picture graced the covers of tabloids in every supermarket in the country. Nick wondered if anyone would recognize her dressed like that, with her hair an ugly, faded mess. The scabs on her face were gone, but the red marks remained. It looked like a bird with red feet had walked across her face.
    She stood beside him as he pulled away from the dock. “What are you smiling about, Nick?”
    “Bird feet.”
    She looked at him like he was crazy. He laughed, enjoying her company and the sunshine and cool breeze off the water. He’d been foolish to give up his boat for Lisa. She wasn’t worth the sacrifice.
    Gerry met them at the dock in downtown Gig Harbor. Nick checked the lines and helped Cara off the boat. “Gerry Merlino, Cara Andrews.”
    “Cara Andrews?” Gerry offered his hand to Cara and smiled like a cat who’d caught a fat robin. “Nick didn’t tell me it was you.”
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    Nick sat in Gerry’s waiting room, flipping through boring magazines, while Cara talked with Gerry in his private office. Time passed slowly. Gerry’s secretary left for lunch. Nick waited another half-hour, but he was hungry, his stomach growling. Cara must be hungry, too. He tapped on Gerry’s office door and opened it. “I’m hungry.”
    “Have my secretary order lunch.”
    “She left.”
    “Then you order something.”
    “Fine.” Nick pulled the door closed.
    Minutes later, a large pizza was delivered to the office. Nick tapped on Gerry’s door and walked in with the pizza delivery man. “Lunch is here. Pay the man.”
    Gerry looked