Read Online Nolan by Kathi S. Barton - Free Book Online Page A

to say so.”
    “Do you believe him?” It was a chancy
question and one that could very well get him thrown out even before he began
this. “I believe that not only is Shane his son, but that David has made his
life and that of his mother up to and after her death very difficult. There are
things you might not be aware of that I have information on.”
    “And if he is? What does he want? In my will,
I suppose? Does this child have plans to ruin David?” Joey said nothing but
reached into his briefcase and handed her paperwork. “What’s this?”
    “DNA reports on Shane. Also, you’ll find
pictures of him. I see the resemblance and I think you will as well. There is
also a transcript of the conversation that David had with his wife, Shelby,
while she was still in recovery after Shane was born. The hospital has the
original and the recording if you don’t believe me.” Joey handed her another
thick file as well. “He sold the house that they were to have after the divorce.
And should she sign the paperwork stating that she’d had several affairs while
married to David, he promised her a monthly settlement. There was never any
money given to her or her son. Of course, she hadn’t had any affairs either.
She was as loyal to David as he was at having the affairs. Copies of all of
those, including the ones she did sign, are in that as well. When she wouldn’t
play ball his way, he took more from them. David is—and I think I have a good
case for this—directly responsible for her not getting the treatment that she
needed, and the added stress shortened her life considerably.”
    Mrs. Cole said nothing but looked through the
file. He knew when she got to the pictures of the boy, and knew that she could
see how they looked alike as well. Meanness had made him include a copy of not
just Shane’s birth certificate, but also a copy of the death certificate of his
mother, as well as copies of the still unpaid bills that had mounted up over
her illness, including the cost to bury the young woman. He had been surprised
by the amount of money that Rylee had been settled with, and wanted to help her
out even more.
    Mrs. Cole laid them on her lap and said
nothing for several minutes. He let her think. Joey knew it was a great deal to
hand someone. When she finally looked at him, Joey knew that he’d messed up and
that all of this was in vain.
    “You never answered me, Joseph. What does
this boy…and his aunt want from me? I’m assuming they know that there is money
to be had if this is true.” He shook his head. “They don’t want my money? Or
David’s? I understand his current wife has plenty enough to allow him to have
numerous affairs and vacations to wherever he wants. Perhaps if you enlighten
me on what it is they do want, we can move on from there.”
    “They don’t know I’m here.” She nodded and
picked up the little bell on the tray. When the butler appeared just after the
bell was set down, Joey stood up. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
    “Do sit down, Joseph. I dislike having a
man…any man…assuming that he knows my mind. I’m very old and very good at
getting things done as well. You’ll see that in a moment.” She turned to the
butler. “Call Jenkins and tell him to get his ass here now. And tell him to
bring what he needs to clear up a paternity suit.”
    The butler looked shocked for all of a second
before telling her he would make the call. Joey could only imagine what was
going through his head at that moment, and leaned back in his chair and looked
at the very wealthy and slick woman.
    “David is not going to be happy with you.”
She snorted. “I’m sitting here wondering if you might have known about this all
along. I hope not. But I need to know.”
    “You don’t need to know jack shit.” He
laughed at her and she smiled. “No. I didn’t know. Had I known any of this I
might have taken some sort of action. I guess…David has been somewhat of a
problem child of