Chapter 6: Web of Lies

Upon his return, Jessica gave Chad a new phone. She stood outside his truck in the parking lot of an impressive condominium in the better part of town. She stepped up before he could get out, so he rolled down his window.

“What’s this?” he asked, hesitantly examining it. It appeared to be an Android unit far better than the beat-up flip phone he gave her that morning.

“It’s a Galaxy S10,” she said proudly. She climbed onto the step rail, leaning through his window and bouncing on her tiptoes in flip-flops as she explained it to him. “You need to upgrade PB. And this baby can do it all!” His pulse rushed as he noticed her clean scent and close presence. Her face was inches from his, and her C-cups hung provocatively over the door, allowing a wholly excessive amount of cleavage to spill from her spaghetti-strap top.

“I was good with my old phone, Jess,” he sighed.

She shook her head and started pointing and describing features on his new device. “That’s like wearing the shoes off your feet and not wanting a new pair—don’t be cheap. I’ve already upgraded and transferred your contacts. Now pay attention so I can show you what you need to know—”

After a fifteen-minute crash course, she deemed him competent and jumped down. As she turned to go, he called her back. “What were you going to tell me last night?”

“I collected some of Franky’s DNA and sent both kits off yesterday,” she grinned. “And we’ll be able to see and hear everything in his house or car.”

“Wow!” he gasped, “that fast?”

“You get what you pay for, sexy man,” she winked, “and you’re paying me a lot.”

She turned to walk away, and he stared after her as she strutted like a runway model, her ass swaying hypnotically. He felt his pants tighten, and he shifted uncomfortably as he started his truck and pulled away.

It took a week to file the papers and establish the corporate entity. After Paul and Matt agreed, Otis and Beulah were escorted to the Lottery Commission Offices to present ‘their’ winning ticket. The room buzzed excitedly as hands were shaken and photos of the beaming couple were taken. A news crew appeared and interviewed them as they held up the giant $245,000,000 check (pre-taxed). A limousine awaited them as they left. Inside the posh ride, they surrendered their phones to Jessica, who disabled them and provided new ones with different numbers. By the time the news crews and crowds arrived at their humble home—Otis and Beulah were already at the airport on their much-needed holiday.

Chad and Bobby were shopping for school supplies in mid-August when his phone rang. It was Jessica, and his pulse skipped as he accepted the call, “Hey Jess, sup?”

“Are you alone?” she breathed heavily into his ear, causing his heart to race. He glanced at his son, who was ignoring him. Stepping away, he spoke quietly, “I’m out with Bobby school shopping.”

Her husky, flirty voice changed. “Oh darn! When can you come to the office? We need to review the final report, and Paul wants to discuss your plans.”

“I can be there in a couple of hours.” He felt a rush as things were starting to get real. Molly was suspicious when he didn’t return to work, but he blew her off, stating he was taking vacation time. Within a day of starting her surveillance, Jess had informed him of the ‘surprise’ Frank wanted to share with the older siblings. He had taken them car shopping. Billy got an apple red Dodge Dakota, and his sister a silver Prius. Since they and their mother kept it from him, he chose to keep his knowledge to himself.

After returning to his former home and helping Bobby move his supplies upstairs, Chad gathered Elvis and headed for the law office. He wasn’t surprised to find the fab four waiting for him as he entered. His dog strolled into the conference room like he owned the place and dropped dramatically to the floor by Chad’s chair.

Paul and Matt were casually dressed in slacks and polos. Jennifer was radiant in a light-yellow sun dress. Jessica looked like a beautiful assassin in tight leather pants and a black studded jacket. A gleaming black motorcycle helmet was on the conference table by her seat. She rose, took the floor, and handed out thick folders to them before turning to the big screen TV at the end of the room. With a remote, she turned it on.

“Alright then,” she stated, “let’s begin.” She stood in front of the TV facing the group. “Bottom line is we’ve concluded without a doubt that your wife, Molly, and her widowed bother-in-law have been—and are currently engaged in an ongoing love affair.” She stepped aside as a still frame appeared on the screen, showing the pair in a heated embrace on his old bed. Both were nude, with Frank atop her while her arms and legs encircled his body. Her expression suggested she was giving voice to her passion.

Chad looked down at the table, his face flushed with anger and humiliation. At least Otis and Beulah were spared the indecency. He balled his hands into fists and forced himself to look up at the sympathetic faces. He sighed heavily and gestured for her to continue.

“We’re unsure how long the affair has been going on,” she continued, “but given Bobby’s paternity results, it’s clear they’ve been sleeping together for at least 12 years.” She paused and glanced at him sympathetically, “I’m so sorry, Chad.”

He met her eyes and realized it was the first time she had referred to him by his real name. He looked down at the table and relaxed his clenched jaw. As much as he expected the results, it was still disappointing to hear it stated factually. “It only confirms what I’ve known,” he replied with a catch in his voice. “The question is, how will the courts handle it? He hates his real dad, and they treat him like shit. How do I get custody of the boy to shelter him from—” he waved his hand disgustedly at the screen, “— that?”

Paul cleared his throat and looked at his wife nervously. “That may be a long shot,” he said, “If Mr. Discarsio has known of his biological son and ignored it, the court may look favorably on your petition. However,” he frowned at the folder before him, “it’s unlikely your spouse will be denied at least partial custody.”

Chad leaned forward. “I want to get Bobby into counseling. If we can show how neglected he has been during my absences, can’t we plea that she is an unfit mother?” He looked from Jennifer to her husband, but neither looked reassuring.

“Chad, it would have to be a pretty awful case of neglect,” Jennifer said sadly.

Jessica cleared her throat, and everyone turned to her. “What if she were indicted for accessory to commit murder?”

Chad gaped at her, and Paul sat back, frowning. “This is a civil case, Jess. And that incident was buried years ago. There was never enough evidence to prosecute.”

Jessica held up the folder, “Even if they admitted it to each other?”

Chad stood up. “You got them admitting they killed Florence?”

Jess waved the folder. “The transcripts are here,” she nodded, “and I got them discussing how convenient it would be to arrange a similar fate—” she pointed the folder at him, “—for you.”

Chad was stunned. “That’s just—” He shook his head, amazed.

Matt thumbed through the transcripts. “Can we use any of this?” he asked, “bugging his house wasn’t exactly legal.”

Jessica shook her head, “No, we can’t build a case with this. And you are correct that recordings from his house would be inadmissible.” Everyone waited as she smirked confidently, “However, your house is fair game, so anything captured there is legit.” Then she slumped and twisted her mouth, “Sadly, that snippet occurred in Franky’s home.”

“That doesn’t make it any less real!” Chad argued.

“It doesn’t matter,” Paul interjected, “no matter how damning it looks and sounds—if the DA wouldn’t touch it before, he won’t consider it now.”

“So, let’s leak it to the press,” Jessica interjected, “Once the Feds get wind of this, they’ll have to open a case.”

Jennifer nodded. “I like it. Hearing Franky Jr. air his dirty laundry on the nightly news won’t endear him to Daddy.”

Her husband nodded grudgingly. Despite his staunch belief in the justice system, it grated on his conscience to see the crime family always skirting the law and operating with impunity.

“I wonder how much that settlement was for,” Matt mused.

“$2,500,000,” Paul and the twins answered simultaneously.

Jess continued, “Based on the financials I uncovered, he only has about a third left.” She winked at Chad, “Your ex is good at spending his money.”

He snorted and turned to Paul. “How soon can I file?”

The attorney straightened. “Whenever you want. I have the petition ready. I only need your signature, and we can notarize it.” He noted something on his legal pad. “When do you want her served?”

“Tonight,” he growled, “I’ll do it myself.”

Jennifer stood up. “I will go with you to verify the process,” she said as she fetched the papers.

“Can I go too?” Jess begged, “I just want to see her face.”

When Otis and Beulah left for vacation, Chad had moved into their home to house-sit. He hadn’t slept under the same roof as his wife for nearly three weeks. His absence was evident by the overgrown yard and other signs of neglect. Her expression was a mix of astonishment, confusion, and anger when she opened the door to find Chad with the twins. Jennifer wore a professional business suit. Jess remained in her chic/biker/assassin leathers. Molly stared at the women before looking back at Chad. “What?” she asked waspishly. “Come by to show off your new whores?”

“Mrs. Molly Ann Ruston-Hartley?” Jennifer asked with a neutral voice. Her expression was deadpan as she held up a thick envelope.

“Yeah, what?” she snapped.

The attorney stepped forward and presented the manila envelope smartly. “You’ve been served. My card is inside.”

Molly was too surprised to register her words as she took it. Jess snapped the obligatory picture with her phone.

“Have a nice evening,” Jen smiled as she turned on her heels and departed.

“What the fuck is this?” Molly shouted. He saw his daughter approach the doorway, followed by Billy. They stood behind their diminutive mother, staring at Jessica with open mouths.

“Our divorce papers,” Chad replied. “I’m filing on the grounds of infidelity, even though this is a no-fault state,” he added, “I’ve got paternity tests and plenty of surveillance video to share with anyone who wants to see it.” He startled Jessica by wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “This is my PI, Jessica. She recorded some interesting things about my future health and well-being between you and Franky.”

Molly’s eyes widened, and her face grew pale as he turned them both and returned to his truck. “You fucking asshole!” she screamed, “We will fight this! Wait til we get our lawyers involved, fucker!” She ripped the envelope to pieces hysterically.

“See you in court,” he called back with a smile.

Jess removed her boots and placed her small feet on the dash as he cruised. She sat beside him on the bench seat, with Elvis content to look out the passenger window. They drove along in silence for several minutes, with only the sound of the Rottweiler’s panting with his head out the window.

Her subtle perfume filled the cab, and he felt strongly attracted as he draped his right arm across the backrest. She leaned into his chest and placed her left hand on his thigh.

“What now?” she asked.

“I don’t know about you, but I feel like celebrating,” he said, glancing down at her.

She returned his gaze and smiled, “I’m down for a party. Where to?”

“Well, since I’m broke,” he grinned, “I figured we could just go back to my place and drink beer.”

“Broke, huh?” she scoffed, “good thing I’m a beer girl. Lead on, cowboy.”

Two beers later, they were comfortably arranged on the couch with their legs entangled. She held her arms around his belly and rested her head on his chest. The room was dimly lit, with the big dog snoring at their feet.