He put Tina in the truck and she watched him with lust in her gaze as he walked around to his own door. Ben smiled. He locked the prototype in the back and got in to drive them to the mall.
As they made their way along Ben noticed a blue sedan behind him. It turned when he did and he seemed to recall seeing that car someplace else this morning. As they pulled into the lot of the mall it came to him. The sedan had been parked on the side of the road outside of Ashburn Court when they headed off to the milling shop. He frowned as he pulled into a spot and watched the car drive by.
He wasn’t going to let it bother him. Probably just another reporter. He got out and carried Tina into the mall and over to the guest services booth. He signed out a wheelchair and Tina sat in it gently.
“Is there anything you’d like to look at in the mall?” he asked but she just shook her head and pointed to the food court with a grin. He chuckled and pushed her in the direction she’d pointed.
The workers behind the counter of the Korean restaurant called out greetings to Tina as they stopped before the counter. She spoke to the owner for a bit after he came out to greet her and he smiled and nodded to her gesturing for her to wait. Ben paid for their order and in a few minutes the owner and one of his cooks came out the access hall carrying two trays. They carried them over to a table for Tina and Ben and Tina thanked them. Ben tried to emulate Tina’s motions but that just made them all laugh so he stopped. He wheeled Tina in place and sat across from her.
Ben could smell the spices in Tina’s food from across the table and knew they’d made it especially strong for her. Just like she liked it. His food barely had any spice heat at all but it did taste very good. They ate in happy silence and Ben loved seeing Tina so content. He wondered how the baby was dealing with the heat of the spices she was consuming.
When they were finishing up they watched the people go by as they’d done the previous time. Tina held Ben’s hand as she played with the last of her noodles. Ben got that she was full and was just letting the food settle. He was content to give her as much time as she needed.
“Mr. Shepherd.”
Ben sighed. Of course. At least the reporter was courteous enough to let him finish his meal. He looked up and saw a face he recognized. It took a few seconds to connect the dots in his head. “Mr. Holland?” The man smiled widely at being recognized.
Tina looked at Ben so he explained. “Mr. Holland is Wendy’s attorney.” He turned his head back to the man standing before them. “I suppose this isn’t just a happy coincidence, us bumping into you here- the blue sedan.” The clues connected for Ben.
“I just thought it might benefit us both to have a quiet conversation before the trial to see if there was anything we might do to make this unpleasant business go away,” the lawyer said smoothly.
Ben took in the relatively well tailored, dark blue pinstripe suit, the crisp white dress shirt with expensive looking cuff links and pinkie ring, the grey silk tie, the highly polished black leather shoes and the black attaché case. The man did well enough in his business. The man himself wasn’t particularly tall, fit, or handsome but he did have a sharp eye so Ben suspected he was smart enough. Thinning grey hair hinted at him being in his early sixties.
“You really should be speaking with my lawyer. He’s handling all the details,” Ben said.
“Some details are best reviewed by the defendant. The plaintiff is in some financial difficulty and has already resorted to selling some information about her marriage to you to the press. Against my advice of course. You may have seen the article in Peeps magazine. I understand the magazine has a considerable audience.”
Ben scowled. “Yes, I was made aware of the article.”
The lawyer pasted a concerned expression on his face. “Good. Good. Well, like I said, my client is struggling financially and has been fielding offers from several major studios to do a televised interview. These are nationally syndicated programs so they are guaranteeing exposure to a much larger audience. There is considerable money involved in these offers. So far I have been able to convince her to hold off but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to do this.”
Ben stared at the man. It was a blackmail scheme. He sighed. “Thank you for clarifying the purpose of the lawsuit. Now that I know its true nature I have a much better understanding of the depths you and your client are willing to sink to. I would ask that you direct all future communications to my lawyer.
Mr. Holland smiled and nodded. “I thought you might react in this way. There is something else you should know. Mrs. Shepherd’s financial dilemma is caused by very large medical bills. She’s sick Mr. Shepherd. Very, very sick.”
Seeing Ben’s stricken expression the man smiled once more and walked away. Ben was going to leap to his feet to chase after him but Tina’s hand on his arm locked his muscles. He turned his head to look at her.
“You must not follow him. You need to take your own advice in this matter and speak with your lawyer,” she said looking him in the eye.
Ben closed his eyes and struggled to center himself. Finally he opened them and nodded. “Of course, you’re right. I’m sorry for that lapse. Thank you for being the voice of reason for me Tina.”
She smiled at him and he kissed her hand.
He tidied up and wheeled Tina back to the guest services desk. Once the chair was signed back in Ben carried Tina out to the truck and drove her home. He saw no sign of the blue sedan.
Once they got home Ben followed Tina’s advice and called his lawyer. He made himself comfortable on the couch in the living room and dialed the number. It took a few moments but he finally got through.
“Ben! How are you?”
“Hi Walter. I’m doing well. Listen, I just had a short, surprise meeting with Wendy’s lawyer Mr. Holland. He tracked me down, followed my car, and approached me after I ate my lunch at the mall.”
“Let me guess, he’s trying to blackmail you. His client is feeding crap to the press and to stop it you just have to settle.”
Ben was surprised. “Uh, yes exactly.”
“Ben, you have to let me countersue. It’s the fastest way to crush this nuisance suit.” Walter asked.
Ben thought about what Holland said about Wendy. “No, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to sue Wendy.”
“At least let me go after Peeps magazine for libel. That might make other media outlets less eager to listen to her. Better yet if you could prove her statements were patently false,” the man suggested.
Ben thought about that. Something popped into his mind.
“I still have the airline tickets… and the bracelet,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“I was going to take Wendy to Hawaii. To rekindle the marriage. To try to break through her depression. I also bought her a diamond bracelet. The night she left me I was going to present the tickets and the bracelet to her. I still have them… with her rings she left on the table,” Ben pushed out.
“I’m sorry Ben. That must have been awful,” Walter said gently.
“Yes.” It was all Ben could manage to say.
“That’s all the evidence we need. I’ll file the papers. Take care.”
“Thanks Walter. Bye.”
Ben hung up and saw Tina standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes. She made her way to the couch and sat down next to him. He pulled her in close and gently rocked her in his arms. This relaxed both of them.
“I want to scratch her eyes out,” Tina said in a quiet voice.
Ben smiled. “No, don’t do that because our baby needs its mother. Not prison visits.”
Tina recognized her own words to Ben and giggled. She pressed her face against his chest.
He ran his fingers through her thick, silky ebony hair and felt her tremble in response. “I love you Tina.”
She looked up at him with joy in her eyes. “I love you too Ben. So much!”
Ben kissed her tenderly and she sighed. They cuddled on the couch until they both fell asleep.
“Awww, don’t they look sweet? Like angels!”
Ben cracked his eyelids open and saw Lucy, Karen and Penny smiling down at him. Tina began waking as well and realized she’d drooled on his shirt.
“I am sorry Ben,” she said contritely but he just waived it off.
“Wow! We really nodded off there,” he said.
Tina nodded and jolted. “Dinner!”
“We can order in tonight,” Ben said.
“CHINESE!” Karen and Penny called out in unison.
“I’ll just have the soup I normally order,” Ben replied. Tina nodded and the girls cheered and rushed into the kitchen to call in the order.
Lucy slid onto Ben’s lap and put her arms over his shoulders. She dipped her face down to his and kissed him with just a hint of tongue. Ben felt himself stiffening under her legs and so did she. She pulled back with an impish smile. He gave her a hot look.
“If you are going to start something, we’re going to finish it when we go to bed tonight,” he growled quietly. Lucy’s smile grew broader and her eyes twinkled with excitement. Ben looked at Tina. “I have something special in mind for you two tonight.”
“What is it?” Tina asked quietly, quivering with anticipation.
Ben stood with Lucy in his arms and plunked her down on the couch next to Tina. He adjusted his stiff cock in his pant leg and both women watched with rapt attention.
He gave them both an impish smile of his own. “You’ll just have to wait until then to find out, won’t you?”
He walked away hearing them both moan and a grin spread across his face. He turned back suddenly and they looked at him eagerly.
“Did anyone get Christopher yet?” he asked.
Lucy shook her head with a pout and Tina smiled.
“I’ll get him,” he said and put on his coat and boots.