Page 22 of Ashes of Us

After spending the weekend working with Emilia and a few of Jasper's cousins to plan his memorial for Monday afternoon, Danica was up and in the law offices of Elliot and Niehaus by nine and in David Niehaus’ office by ten after nine, with a quick introduction by Trista and the offer of coffee or water.

David was a short, portly man with salt and pepper brown hair and sharp brown eyes.

After Trista had left them alone, he smiled at her and leaned back in his chair.

“Trista gave me a rundown of everything and what happened in court Friday, but I would like to hear it all in your words.” He pulled out a small recorder and set it on his desk.

“Do you mind if I record this? It makes it much easier for me to go through and pick out the important parts.”

“No problem.” Danica shrugged; whatever she had to do to help him help her win was fine by her.

When he switched on the recorder, he started by asking her to state her full name and briefly describe the issue.

“Danica Grace Preston, nee Callahan.” She cleared her throat and then went into the issue, starting once more with the fight she had with Jasper, how he accused her of cheating with Alexander after he left her five hundred thousand dollars in his will, disappeared for close to fifteen hours and came home begging for forgiveness and to fix the marriage.

She laid out their plans, how things were going at home and in their counselling sessions, how he resented that she was travelling for work while they were rebuilding and that she had put the money in a trust instead of quitting her job.

He then asked her about the accident, how she found out about the affair, and what the Prestons had done.

“I don't think it was an affair,” Danica said firmly.

“I think he wanted to get back at me, then regretted it instantly. Jasper...” Her throat closed off, and she closed her eyes as her mood switched, and her hurt and sadness that he was gone came back again.

“He loved me. I don't care what anyone says, he loved me and wanted to be with me. I know here.” She placed her hand over her heart as her voice cracked.

“That he didn't want to leave me, that he wouldn't have wanted the baby and if he hadn't died in that car accident, he would have told me the truth and done everything in his power to make it up to me.”

“Would you have stayed with him if he had confessed?” David asked, pushing a box of tissues toward her. Danica pulled out a couple of tissues and swallowed the lump in her throat as she dabbed at her eyes.

“I don't know.” She took a deep breath and tried to force her feelings back to normal.

“Things were already so messed up, he grabbed my arm hard enough to leave bruises, and I left my handprint on his cheek.

Counselling was bringing up a lot of issues and insecurities that I knew he had, but didn't think were that deep, you know?”

“Like what?” David's voice was soft and sympathetic, and for some reason, it helped Danica control her spiralling emotions.

“Like how much he disliked my relationship with Alexander and Cassandra.” She muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

“He felt they saw me as a charity case at best and someone pathetic they felt bad for at worst. He admitted he didn't really think I was having an affair with Alexander, but he was deeply jealous of and insecure about me working for Alex, especially since Alex is in the process of divorcing his wife in England.

He said something about not liking the way Alex looks at me, but Alex…

well, I won't say he actively hates me, but I'm definitely not his favourite person, especially since he's forced to rely on me for a lot of the hotel operations.” She ran her hand through her hair and looked up at the ceiling.

“I did everything I could to make him feel secure. I was even going to quit my job and move to Dedham with him to open a classic car restoration garage with him.”

“So, you were both committed to working things out and moving forward in your marriage.” David nodded. “Kids?”

“No, but we weren't trying to prevent it from happening.” Danica looked back down at David. “I had two early miscarriages earlier this year, pretty much right after my doctor confirmed I was pregnant both times around the ten-week mark.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.” And he did look genuinely sorry for her, Danica noticed, like he understood the pain she and Jasper went through both times. “Did your physician tell you why you miscarried?”

“Um, the first time there was a problem with how the baby's organs were developing, and he died, the second time they didn't know, just said it happens sometimes.”

David made a note on the notepad in front of him. “And both times, Jasper was aware you were pregnant?” Danica nodded.

“We were excited. He wanted to be a dad.” She whispered, closing her eyes as the memory of him holding her as they both cried on the bathroom floor while she was miscarrying came back to her. “He was very supportive through everything.”

“But obviously he hadn't told his family.”

Danica huffed out an annoyed sigh and shook her head.

“Jasper didn't tell his family a lot of things. His mother thought she was his confidant, and he told her everything, but I laid down a firm boundary before we got married that our relationship was between us, not us and his mother, after she kept trying to insert herself into fights. We were going to tell them after twelve weeks.”

“And Jasper didn't mind not being able to discuss things with his family?” David raised his eyebrow.

“No, not after I pointed out that involving his mom in petty disagreements often ended with us fighting even more.” She explained.

“If he admitted from the start that he was wrong or told things from my point of view, his mother would take my side. If he came in with the idea that he was in the right and downplayed my feelings and thoughts about it, she would take his side, and no amount of backtracking or admitting he messed up would convince her to back down.”

“So, she would validate his thought process no matter what?”

“Basically.” Danica nodded, looking around the office. Talking about her in-law’s pissed her off right now.

“And you think he told his mom about his infidelity the day he died?” David pressed gently. “I know this is hard to talk about, but the more information I have, the better prepared I'll be for court.”

Danica chewed her lip as she explained her conversation with Cecil when she told him about Jasper's death.

“I think she told Jasper she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby, which sent him into a panic.

He went to his parents because he didn't know what to do and told his mom.

I obviously don't know what advice she gave him, but I think he picked her up that night to talk about things and wasn't paying attention when the accident happened.”

“Okay, so what we need is proof that he wanted her to abort the child or give up his parental rights to it, correct?” Danica nodded. “Do you have his computer or phone?”

“He had a phone. He used my laptop when he needed it.” Danica paused as she realized she hadn't received his phone back from the hospital.

“I need to ask the hospital for his personal effects; I didn't get his phone back.

I don't know if I can look through it.” She admitted softly.

“I know everything points to the fact that my husband stepped out on our marriage, but I don't think I can handle having it confirmed.

He's dead, and I just want to remember the good.”

David smiled and opened his drawer, pulling out a stack of business cards.

He flicked through them and then passed one to her.

“Here. This is a private investigator I've used a few times.

Get in touch with him and have him look into your husband's last few months and the woman he slept with.

If there's anything, he’ll find it. He's like a bloodhound.

In the meantime, I'll start putting together a plan and figuring out what I need to subpoena from your husband's parents and the other woman.” He stood up and held out his hand.

“Betty will have all the paperwork you need to sign and go over the fees with you.”

Danica stood up and shook his hand, murmuring a thanks.

After a stop at Betty's desk to sign off on everything and pay the retainer, she left and got in her car.

Pulling out her phone, she glanced at the time and saw she still had four hours before she had to be back at the house for the memorial, which was going to be a barbecue in her and Jasper's backyard.

People could stop by and pay their respects to Jasper, have some food and pick up whatever item they had requested over the weekend.

She hadn't explicitly banned Amy and Cecil from attending, but Emilia had made sure everyone knew what they were doing.

The family, for the most part, were disgusted by their actions and rallied firmly behind Danica, with several of them offering to testify that Jasper wouldn't want this.

Amy and Cecil weren't backing down, though, and Danica heard through the grapevine that the Judge agreeing to hear their case had caused them to double down on their stance, so she didn't think they would have the guts to show up at her house.

Danica pulled the business card David had given her out of her pocket and checked it out.

“Maverick Silva, PI.” She murmured. “Who the hell names their kid Maverick?” Realizing she was talking to herself, she shook her head.

She really needed to get out more. She put in his number, and it was picked up after two rings.

“Maverick.”

“Uh, hi. My name is Danica Preston. My lawyer, David Niehaus, gave me your card.” She wasn't sure what to say, but figured that was the easiest way to start the conversation.