Page 44 of Billion-Dollar Ransom

MIKE HARDY CAME storming into the Sandbox. “Remember that nonsense Schraeder and Haller were both slinging?” he said. “About how all Schraeder cared about was getting his family back?”

Nicky nodded.

“Well, it might be true that he wants his kids back. But I’m not sure that applies to his wife. I have it on good authority that ol’ Randy is in the process of getting himself unhitched for the fifth time.”

“Why? Has Boo Schraeder aged out of trophy-wife status?” Nicky leaned back in her chair. “How good an authority is this? Please don’t tell me you’re reading TMZ.”

“I’m buddies with a guy from law school who travels in the same circles as Schraeder’s money manager.”

“Does Boo have a prenup?”

“Yeah, but it’s downright miserly. I suppose Schraeder or his lawyers learned from their past mistakes.” Mike drummed his fingers on the table. “What do we know about Mrs. Fifth Wife?”

“They met on TV,” Nicky said. “It was a segment on a cable show about the army’s abortion policy. Randolph Schraeder was firmly against the policy, and they invited a female active service member to debate him.”

“Which would be the woman who became Mrs. Fifth Wife.”

“Exactly. They really got into it too! Boo tore him apart. The clip went viral for a couple of days. And it went viral again when the news broke that Randy proposed to her.”

Mike rolled his eyes. “Because he’s the kind of guy who just loves a strong woman, right?”

Nicky smiled. “Just like you, Detective.”

“Me? Nah. I’m drawn to the gold-digger types who are just in it for my fat police pension.”

“I’m not sure Boo Schraeder is a gold digger.”

“You’re going to have to show me your math on that one.”

“She’s forty years younger, true,” said Nicky. “But close friends say she’s super-down-to-earth and not afraid of a messy fight when it comes to defending her family or the Schraeder name. Apparently, she’s also a good stepmom to Cal and Finney.”

“Speaking of, where is Mrs. Fourth Wife?” Mike asked. “Should we be looking at her?”

“I understand she’s been on a rotation tour of spa resorts and rehab clinics ever since the divorce,” Nicky said. “But we should have someone contact her anyway.”

“That’s more your world than mine,” Mike reminded her.