Winds of Fire, стр. 40
“I didn't think of that,” Frankie said.
“Now with what you've learned about the tension between Thatcher and Becca Manning, she might just turn on him to save her own neck.”
“Okay, I'm confused.” Frankie pursed her lips. “We know this case was never just about a cheating husband.”
“No.” He smiled broadly. “I was hoping you two would uncover more than just his cheating. And you have. Just call it my way of seeking justice for Kendall after all he's put her through.”
“A prison sentence would be too good for him,” Johanna said bitterly. “Could Kristin be forced to submit the baby for DNA testing?”
“Kendall can bring a suit against Thatcher stating that she has reason to believe that he is the father of Kristin Robbins’ baby. In order to prove he's not, if indeed he isn't, he'd most likely convince Kristin to submit the baby for testing. If she refused, the judge could order the test. Again, as in Thatcher's case, if Kristin refused, it would look as though she's hiding something. Of course, we'd have to have something substantial enough to convince the court to hear the case. By submitting pictures of them together, and anything you can get Kristin to admit to, would be very helpful.”
“Well, it looks like we have our work cut out for us then,” Frankie stated.
Chapter 12
“I'm excited,” Johanna exclaimed rubbing her hands together. “Looks like Thatcher is finally changing his routine.”
Frankie nodded. “Looks that way. I wonder what he's up to since he's driving to the opposite end of Charlestown. Maybe he's headed to Philly.”
“Guess not,” Johanna observed as Thatcher abruptly made a sharp left. “Well...well...well, another strip mall. He sure has a thing for strip malls. Only this one is much more upscale.”
Frankie's jaw tightened. “Only six shops in this one, but look at the fancy construction. Wow!” She scanned the businesses. “What is he doing here? We've never been here before.”
Johanna craned her neck, taking in the various shops. “I need to check this one out myself. Designer handbags, shoes...oh look, Eastens is here. This must be where Kate said Arlan and she went to pick out her wedding gown.”
“Yeah.” Frankie exhaled loudly. “Don't you find that just a little bit strange?” she asked as she followed Thatcher's car. She pulled into a space in the huge lot closer to the entrance. She turned off the lights and cut the engine, then leaned back. “Well, don't you?” she asked turning toward Johanna.
Johanna busily readied her camera as she scanned the lot keeping her eye on Thatcher. “Not really.” She snapped a few pictures of the storefronts.
“Oh, come on! Kate should have asked us to pick out the gown with her. Whoever heard of bringing your fiancé?”
“Well, babe, times are changing. No one seems to stick solely to tradition anymore.”
“Well, they should. I don't like it.”
Johanna chuckled. “Well, our wedding wasn't exactly traditional.”
Frankie scrunched up her face. “Point taken.”
Johanna turned her camera toward Thatcher's car. “He's getting out.”
“You keep an eye on him and I'll keep my eyes peeled for anyone else pulling in. Wouldn't it be nice if we not only nailed Thatcher, but also caught the elusive arsonist? Imagine what a coup that would be,” she teased. She watched a car enter the lot and begin to slowly drive the length of it. “Probably looking for a close spot,” Frankie said.
“You never know,” she grinned. “Okay, Thatcher's walking toward the shoe store. He stopped and is looking in the window. Maybe he buys his shoes here.”
“Keep track of him. I'm keeping tabs on a car that stopped briefly behind his.”
“Is it Becca's car?”
“No. Nothing like it. I don't have a clear visual of the license plate from where we're parked.”
“Let me get a quick picture.” Johanna focused the camera and snapped a couple of pictures. “I don't know if I'll get any of the license plate. It's odd that the car is just sitting there.”
“I wonder who it is.”
Johanna turned her attention back to Thatcher. “Where the hell did he go? I only turned away for a minute.”
“Don't worry. He probably went inside. He has to eventually come back out. Okay, the car is finally moving...going at a snail's pace toward the exit. I'd like to know what that was all about.” Frankie cast her eyes on the storefronts.
“I'll be damned,” Johanna said snapping a series of pictures as Thatcher and Kristin exited Eastens smiling at one another and oblivious to anyone around them. Kristin's hand was resting in the crook of his arm. He bent and looked at her as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Kiss her, dammit,” Johanna hissed.
“Wouldn’t that be nice. But look on the bright side, he's becoming bolder. And they did come out of the bridal shop.”
“It doesn't make any sense,” Johanna said. “Why were they in the bridal shop?”
Frankie shrugged. “I have no clue.”
Johanna stiffened. “Maybe Thatcher is planning to marry her.”
Frankie shook her head. “Now that is what makes no sense. He's married to Kendall and he can't divorce her unless he's willing to give up everything.”
Johanna's eyes widened. “Maybe there's something in the pre-nup that cancels that clause if Kendall's deemed permanently mentally unstable.”
“Not just institutionalized. I see where you're going with this. But I didn't see anything in the pre-nup about that situation. And God knows there were a zillion clauses added,” she said rolling her eyes.
“What are we missing?”
“Maybe he's just going to run away with her. Certainly he must have enough money in the offshore accounts.”
“If the accounts really exist. There's no proof that he even set any up. It's all speculation at this point.”
“Then how do you explain the strange relationship between Becca and him?”
“I don't. That's what we need to find out.”
Johanna's hands slightly trembled. “Wouldn't Thatcher automatically inherit everything in the event of Kendall's death?”
“That's the way it works from what I read in the pre-nup.”
Johanna's blood ran cold. “I don't like this, Frankie.