Page 32 of Brokered Betrayals
They both looked at the bassinet where Darla dreamed peacefully.
“Uh-huh,” Royce said as he took Sawyer’s hands in his. “You are right. It’s going to be okay because the three of us will still have each other.”
Sawyer nodded. “But this feels like a dream, right? We’re going to wake up any minute, and Kelsey hasn’t gone into labor yet, and our adoption doesn’t hang in the balance.”
Royce scowled at him. “There’s only room for one doomsday alarmist, and I’ve claimed the role with my theatrics earlier.”
“Fine, but I think we should get to take turns,” Sawyer replied.
Ivy arrived before Royce could respond. She was barely recognizable in her current state. Instead of her usual business attire, she wore jeans and an oversized sweater. The only familiar thing about her was the briefcase she carried in her right hand. Ivy’s long hair hung lank around her face, and her eyes and nose were red from crying. No wonder Kitty questioned whether this woman was their attorney.
“I’m incredibly sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you,” she said. “I…I…” Fresh tears threatened, and Ivy turned her head to gather herself. Swallowing hard, their attorney straightened her shoulders and faced them once more. “This is so unprofessional, and I am so sorry. I’m just in shock.”
“We heard about Ned Owens,” Sawyer said. “We’re very sorry for your loss.”
Ivy cleared her throat and nodded. “Yes, thank you. It’s been a horrific day. Started out good though,” she said with a weak smile. “I got your message about Darla’s early arrival, but I got the news about Ned before I could call you back.”
“He was struck while jogging?” Royce asked.
Ivy sucked in a shaky breath and nodded. “And I don’t think it was an accident.” She shook her head. “No, that’s not right.” Ivy’s eyes darkened with determination as she straightened her shoulders. “I know damn well it wasn’t an accident.”
The seasoned detective stirred inside Sawyer to take over for the exhausted new dad. His senses sharpened as his brain fog cleared. “Are you basing your opinion on something the investigators said to you or on the conversation you had with Ned last night?”
Ivy stiffened and narrowed her eyes. “How did you know about my discussion with Ned?”
“I overheard bits of your exchange with Ned outside the conference room,” Sawyer said. “Ned seemed stressed and said that he needed to speak to you about a pressing matter. You offered to meet with him right then since Miguel hadn’t yet arrived, but Ned said he’d call you later.”
“Did he call you?” Royce pressed.
Ivy’s shoulders slumped, but she maintained eye contact with them. “He did. And yes, based on our conversation last night and the interview questions from detectives this morning, I am convinced someone murdered Ned.”
“And since CCSD is crawling all over your law office, I assume you shared what you could with investigators,” Sawyer said.
“Of course,” Ivy replied. “I want this lunatic brought to justice, and I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Royce tilted his head to the right. “Do you think the rest of the lawyers and staff are targets?”
“Possibly, but we won’t be the only ones hurt when the allegations come to light.” Ivy looked down at the briefcase, then gestured to the small dinette set at the opposite end of the suite. “Let’s sit down and talk. There are things I shouldn’t tell you, but I feel like leaving you in the dark is unethical and just plain wrong.”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged nervous glances before following Ivy. They sat opposite her and waited while she sorted through her briefcase. Was she using the search as a delay tactic? Sawyer was at his wit’s end by the time she pulled their legal documents from the briefcase and set them on the table.
“I was so rattled by the news this morning that I left the house without my cell phone. I am truly sorry for the worry my lack of communication has caused you.” She tapped the paperwork with her finger. “These are copies of the legal documents I filed in family court after I finished my police interviews.”
“Does this mean we can take her home when she’s discharged?” Sawyer asked.
“No, this is just the paperwork I filed on your behalf. It still needs to go before Judge Hampton for her signature, but I’ve been assured that won’t be a problem. The family court is used to dealing with time-sensitive situations, and I am confident that you will receive your post-birth orders tomorrow morning. The clerk will send that directly to the hospital once the judge signs off on the custody agreement. I’ll get a copy of the order, and I’ll make sure you receive one as well.” She pushed the documents forward, and Sawyer took them from her. Ivy laced her hands together and rested them on top of her briefcase. “I wish I could guarantee the rest of the process will go as smoothly as we’ve discussed, but I won’t lie to you. Considering Ned’s death and the allegations that will soon follow, I expect a delay before the court will finalize your adoption.”
Sawyer’s stomach sank so fast that the floor must’ve fallen out from under his chair. The world spun, and everything around him became a blur. Royce’s warm hand landed on his thigh, and everything settled into focus once more.
“Allegations of wrongdoing by your firm?” Royce asked. A husky edginess had crept into his voice, making him sound more like Eddie.
“No,” Ivy said adamantly. “I promise you that our law firm was not a willing participant in any of the alleged activities.”
Her assurances didn’t make Sawyer feel better. “What kind of alleged activities?”
“I’m not in a position to say right now.” Ivy held up both hands. “I know that seems unfair, but there are oaths I’ve taken and the legal advice from our attorneys that I can’t ignore. I am being as transparent with the police as I can legally be right now.”
“Can you respond with a simple yes-or-no answer to one question?” Royce asked her.