Chapter 30
K
ate spent the rest of the afternoon working at the computer. She had a lot of work before her, but knowing what her ultimate goal was, she didn't mind. The only regret she had was that she'd lost five good years of her life. She would soon be forty-four years old. While she wasn't an old maid by today's standards, she wasn't some young hot chick either.
She was excited that Coleman was helping her. She would call Gertie. There was nothing more to hide.
She punched in the number.
“Hello,” Gertie said. In the background, the dogs were barking up a storm.
“It's Kate, Gertie. I take it I caught you at the kennel?”
“Yes, these little critters. They want their food. Why are you calling back so soon? You're not in jail, are you? If you are, I would hire that same attorney Alex had. The one in Florida. He'll be able to help you.”
“Gertie! First, I'm not in jail, so you can stop worrying. Secondly, I'm calling to give you the good news.”
“Okay, lay it on me.”
“I'm calling off the plot. Things have changed. Oh, Gertie, I feel like such an idiot! All these years. I could've been helping you. I could have done a number of things. All I wanted was revenge. Why didn't you try and stop me? Never mind. Don't answer that. You did. I know that.” Kate paused to take a breath.
“Well, I don't know what changed your mind, but whatever it is, I'm glad. Now when are you coming home?”
Kate hadn't thought that far ahead. She didn't really know where home was at the moment.
“I don't know. I'm still working on some things here. Gertie, Coleman Fitzpatrick is here. He's helping me.” Kate waited.
“Gertie, did you hear me?” Kate asked.
“Yes, yes, I heard you. I thought you said you were finished with your schemes and plots. What in the world did you go and involve a legal man in all this mess for?”
Kate laughed. So like Gertie.
“He's not involved in any scheming. As you said, he's a man of the law. He's going to help me make things right. Sort of undoing what I've done, but in a different way. A legal way this time.”
“So, has this Fitzpatrick kissed you yet?”
“Not hardly! Why would you ask such a silly question?”
“You sound happy, Kate. For the first time since Alex's death, you sound like the old Kate. The happy Kate. When you said âFitzpatrick,' something in your voice changed. I know these things, dear.”
“Well, I like the man. I'll admit that. He's a wonderful friend. And to answer your question, no, he has not kissed me!” The kiss on her hand didn't count. Or did it? She'd had such a reaction. She felt silly. Like a schoolgirl.
“As soon as he does, I'll know. I'll be able to tell. And, Kate, don't drive this man off with your need for revenge. Second chances only come around once. Now, I have a crew of animals to care for. Call me soon.”
Kate smiled as she replaced the phone in the cradle. Gertie knew her better than anyone. She hadn't had a chance to examine her feelings for Coleman. Whatever they were, they were still at the brewing stage. If asked, she had to admit she was attracted to him. He was the first man since Alex that she'd allowed herself to get close to. And it had only been a few days, but there was something simmering between them. When this was all over, she would take a closer look at her feelings. But first she needed to right the wrongs she'd been focused on for so many years.
She spent the next few minutes defragging her computer. That might take a while, so she was ready to implement round two of her plan.
This was going to be the hardest part. She and Coleman had gone over it until she was blue in the face. There was no other way.
She'd made a late-night trip to Wal-Mart. What would people do without the Wal-Marts around the world? Open all night for people like her. She'd purchased color stripper and a hair color as close to her own as she could find.
Now, as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror waiting for the solution to work its magic, she wondered what Debbie's reaction would be when she walked into her office. Would she put two and two together? Would she recognize her as Kate Ramsey, the woman who'd looked at her condo?
It didn't matter. Either way, she was going to go through with her plan. She was secure in the knowledge that once Debbie knew it was her who'd basically put the screws to her the past few days, she couldn't go to the police. Kate held too many aces. Debbie was going to go along with her plan. She had to. If not, Kate would go for round three.
Thirty minutes later, her reddish brown hair was almost back to its natural color. Another half hour to let the new color set, and she would be Kate again, just minus the long hair.
When she'd rinsed her hair in the shower, she got out and toweled off. Her reflection surprised her. She was pleased with what she saw. She hadn't done that bad a job on her hair. Cutting or coloring.
Who knows? Maybe I have a knack for doing hair.
She laughed. She added a bit of blush and mascara before getting dressed. Jeans and another white shirt. This would get old after a while, she thought. She wore her Nikes. In case she had to run.
Get real, you're being ridiculous!
She was not afraid of Debbie. She was afraid of her own reaction to the vile Mrs. Winter. As Kate Rocket. Kate Ramsey was already history.
She drove directly to the real estate office. When she pulled into the parking lot, she waited for a few minutes before going inside. She hadn't rehearsed what she would say. She knew the words would come to her as soon as she saw Debbie.
She entered the reception area just as she had the day before.
“Melanie,” she called.
“Be right there!”
Apparently the girl was in the kitchen. Kate could smell popcorn.
She didn't bother sitting down; she wanted to go right to the main office.
Melanie came down the hall with a paper bag of popcorn and a soda in her hands.
“Mrs. Ramsey?”
So much for her not recognizing her.
“Yes, Melanie, but it's really Mrs. Rocket. I don't have time to explain. Somehow I'm sure your boss will at a later date. Right now I need to speak to Mrs. Winter.”
“You should have called first. You just missed her. She said she had an emergency at the bank. She didn't know when or if she'd be back for the rest of the day. I'm sorry. Is there something Randi can help you with?”
“No. Does Mrs. Winter have a cell phone?” Kate asked.
“Of course. All the agents have a cell phone. Mrs. Winter supplies them with one; if not, well, who's to say when a client would call and theyâ”
“Sorry, Melanie, I don't have time to listen to your story. I want you to listen to me. What I am about to tell you and how you react could mean your job. Do you understand?” Kate hated to do this to the girl who'd been so sweet to her, but she didn't have time to worry about it at present.
“What is it?” Melanie asked. She didn't sound so sweet after all.
“I want you to call Mrs. Winter. Tell her there is an emergency at the office. She needs to return right away.”
“I don't think so, Mrs. Ramsey. Not now. She just learned her youngest daughter is pregnant. She's screamed at me so much the past two days, I am not willing to suffer her wrath.”
“Even if it means your job?” Kate persisted.
“I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think you have the power to control what Mrs. Winter does with her employees.”
So Melanie wanted to get smart. Okay, Kate would play her game.
“That's fine. I know where she banks. And I know why she's there. So, when she does come back, tell her she had an opportunity to get all of her money returned. She'll know what I'm talking about. And you can tell her that you decided that wasn't important enough to call her. You have a great day, Melanie.”
Kate was almost to the door before Melanie shouted, “Wait!”
She knew Melanie would see things her way. She stopped and turned to face the girl.
“Yes?”
“Wait. I'll call her. But if I get fired for this, you better believe I'm going to tell her how you came in here and bullied me into doing this.”
“I don't think you'll get fired. Now make the call before I change my mind.”
Melanie dialed Debbie's cell with shaking hands. Kate hated what she was doing, bullying a complete innocent, but it had to be done.
“Yes, I'm sorry. I know you said not to call. Well, there is a woman here that says she will get your money back. Yes. In the office. Right here. She wants to speak to you.”
Melanie gave Kate the phone.
“Hi, Debbie, how are you?”
Nothing.
“Who is this?”
“Oh, I think you know exactly who I am. Does the name Alex Rocket ring any bells? I tell you what, I've got fifteen minutes to kill. I can either spend them waiting for you to return from the bank, or I can drive to the police station. I'm going to be nice and let you decide for me. You like to make life-altering decisions, don't you, Deb? No, don't answer that. Be here. Fifteen minutes.”
Kate pushed the red End button on the phone.
“I'm going to wait in Mrs. Winter's office. You did good, Melanie. Thanks.”
Kate was shaking like Jell-O as she sauntered down the long hall. A few of the associates watched her from their desks.
She entered the chrome-and-white office. She sat in the white leather chair behind her desk. She could just imagine the look on Debbie's face when she saw her sitting there.
Just to be spiteful, Kate poked a few keys on Debbie's keyboard. She'd locked her system down. No one in the office would be using the Internet or the computers. For a while. Kate laughed.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Debbie swooped down the hall and into her office. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Kate.
“Long time no see. Well, not really. By the way, I did enjoy viewing the condo. You might want to tone down onâ”
“What in God's name are you doing in my office?” Debbie kicked the door shut as she leaned across her desk.
“Sit. Debbie. Sit.” Kate pointed to the chair across from her.
Debbie sat down in the chair usually reserved for her clients.
“You're just like the dogs Alex breeds. I guess I should say âgood girl.'”
“I'm giving you thirty seconds to tell me what you're doing here, or I am going to call my attorney.”
“Call your attorney?” Kate gave a harsh laugh.
“What do you think your
attorney
will do to me? Say, âShame, shame, go away. Come again another day'?” Kate stood up and peered out the window behind her. “I have a proposition for you.”
“You don't have anything I'm interested in, so why don't you leave. Your perverted husband ruined my life and my daughter's life. Personally, I think you have a lot of nerve shoving your way in here like you own the place.”
Debbie grabbed a cigarette out of her purse. Her hands trembled as she tried to light a match. Debbie stood up.
“Sit down, goddamn you. You are going to listen to me. Put that cigarette out!” Kate raised her voice so loud she knew the office staff heard her. She didn't really care.
Debbie sat back down, stubbing the cigarette out in an ashtray. “This better be good, Kate Rocket. Now, say what you have to say, then get the hell out of my office!”
Debbie sounded like a deflating balloon. Nothing but hot air coming out of her mouth.
“Does Emily know Alex is her father?”
“So, you found out. Mr. Perfect wasn't so perfect, was he? Yeah, we had a fling. Big deal.”
“It was a big deal to Alex. He took care of Emily. I know that, and I am proud he did. I always knew she was different from you and Sara. Speaking of, I just learned that your little monster is pregnant. Does she know who the father is? Forget I said that. Now, I'm going to tell you what I'm here for. Aren't you just dying to know?”
“Actually, I'm not. I don't really care to listen to anything coming from your mouth. Do you think you can walk in here and ruin our lives just because you . . . you get the urge?”
“No, actually I spent quite a few years planning what I would say to you when I saw you. Now, where is Emily?”
“She's at vet school, not that it's any of your business. Alex might have been Emily's father, but I am still her mother. There is nothing you can say or do to change that. I know, I know, you were always so jealous because I could have children and you were as dried up as an old tumbleweed. So Emily isn't really of any concern to you.”