Page 88 of Mr. Perfect

“I didn’t,” Felix replied. “They weren’t kicked back as an invalid email address either. I paid a visit to Peachtree Tower when I was in Atlanta but couldn’t get upstairs to check out their offices.”

“Luckily, I have a friend who works in Peachtree,” Jill said.

Jude snorted. “Mom, it’s okay if you admit Stedman is your boyfriend.”

“I’m too old to have a boyfriend.”

“You’re never too old,” Jude said.

“This isn’t the time or place to have this discussionagain,” she admonished.

Jude’s eyes glittered like sapphires. He was enjoying her discomfort. “Yes, ma’am.”

“As I was saying, I visited my friend who works in the same tower. I veered off course to check out The Camelot Corporation’s office.”

“And?” Felix asked.

Jill laughed. “You’re as bad as my son. I was getting there. The office was locked.”

“Were there any lights on inside?” Jude asked.

“The door was solid wood with no glass inserts, so I couldn’t tell.”

Felix stood up and started pacing. He thought best on his feet. “That alone isn’t enough to prove anything, I guess.”

“I agree, which is why I stopped the mail clerk who was making his rounds when I was there. I noticed there wasn’t any mail in the box by the door. He informed me that he’s never seen anyone going in or out of the office, but someone collects mail from their box weekly. It usually occurs over the weekend when he isn’t working.”

“There’s not a lot we can do with the information,” Jude said.

“I could set up a toll-free number, then run an ad asking people to contact us if they’ve ever purchased an extended warranty or gap insurance policy through Spencer Auto Mall that wasn’t honored,” Jill said.

Felix halted his pacing. “I’d rather not tip our hand yet.”

“I agree,” Jill said. “The other option is to keep digging and look for concrete proof.”

“Which takes time,” Jude countered.

“It does, but the devil is in the details,” Jill said. “But that doesn’t mean we sit on our hands. We can focus on the immediate concern, which is making Spencer pay for reparations to Felix. I’ve drafted a letter for your approval, Felix. I’m going to email it to you as soon as we hang up. If you find it satisfactory, I’ll send it out via certified mail this afternoon.”

“I’ll get back to you right away.”

“I got to run, guys. I have a pretrial hearing this afternoon, and I need to go over some last-minute changes with my team.”

“Thanks so much, Jill,” Felix said.

“You’re welcome,” she replied warmly.

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you more.”

Felix received an email on his phone as soon as Jude disconnected the call. He opened it up and read the personal note she wrote to him.

Felix,

Please let me know if you have any changes you wish to make. By the way, I haven’t seen my son this happy since his freshman year at Emory. I’ll never forget the joy in his voice when he spoke about you. I look forward to finally meeting you in person.

xoxoxo