“I must admit, this was easier than I expected,” Kat explained, bringing up a series of emails. “I thought he wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave a paper trail of what he planned to do. But I should’ve known that he’s an idiot, too.” She pointed to one of the emails, highlighting a paragraph. “Granted, he used an email without his name attached, but that was it. Didn’t change his IP address, nothing. Here it says that he began to put his plan into motion.”
Jaime’s gaze roved the words before he narrowed his eyes. “This doesn't have anything specific enough to implicate him, though.”
Kat shrugged. “No, but it’s definitely shady. Here’s another email. But really, here’s the clincher. He’d been emailing with a vendor about raising prices. Now, that’s a classic embezzlement move.”
“It is?” Grace asked.
“Sure. Raise the price, the company pays, then you and the vendor split the difference.”
Kat continued, showing them each and every bit of evidence she’d collected. By the end, Jaime was certain that no one could dismiss Eric’s involvement. Especially when Kat showed them an email that specifically mentioned framing Jaime for all of it.
“This is all great,” Jaime said as he sat back on the couch, “but we can’t exactly take this to the police.”
Kat smiled. “No, but you can use it. Nothing like a solid bluff to get a coward like Eric to shake in his cheap-ass boots.”
They talked about what Kat had found for a while longer, until Kat realized what time it was, stating she had to get up early for work. Jaime had forgotten that she worked at the elementary school.
“I’ll show you out,” he said.
As they left Joy’s apartment, a door opened at the end of the hall. Gavin, the prodigal Danvers brother, stepped out, looking like he’d been run over by a train.
Jaime hadn’t met Gavin yet, but he’d recognize him anywhere. He had the Danvers look, and his eyes were the same as Grace’s. He wondered if he should introduce himself, given the circumstances, but Gavin beat him to the punch.
“You must be Jaime,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Gavin Danvers.”
Jaime shook his hand. “I heard you were back in Heron’s Landing. How are you liking it?”
Gavin shrugged. “It’s Heron’s Landing. It is what it is.” His gaze turned toward Kat, and Jaime could see his eyes widen ever so slightly.
Jaime glanced at the two of them. “Gavin, this is Kat Williamson.”
They shook hands. Kat smiled as she did so, like she’d been told some wonderful secret. “You’re Emma’s dad, right? I have her in my computer class at HL Elementary.”
“So you’re the famous Ms. Williamson.” To Jaime’s surprise, the man actually smiled. It seemed a bit creaky, like he hadn’t smiled in a long time. “Emma can’t stop talking about you.”
“I shouldn’t say this, but she’s definitely one of my favorite students.”
Gavin seemed relieved, like he’d been expecting something else. “That’s great to hear.”
The two gazed at each other, and Jaime could feel the tension building between them. Kat licked her lips, and Gavin’s gaze narrowed in on that small movement.
Suddenly flustered, Kat said in a rushed breath, “I need to get going. Jaime, Gavin, it was nice meeting you both.” She nodded and then went down the stairs, not even pausing to let them say goodbye.
The two men stood at the top of the stairs, saying nothing. Gavin let out a breath.
Well, that was interesting, Jaime thought as he returned to Joy’s apartment.
It looked like snow when Jaime arrived at River’s Bend. Gray clouds pushed in from the south, and the wind had a bite to it that clawed underneath the heaviest coats. It was only a few days before Christmas, and the vineyard sparkled with Christmas lights, more than one tree decorated and placed in front of the tall windows.
But Jaime wasn’t here to look at Christmas lights. He’d called Eric yesterday to ask to meet with him. He could’ve gone to his place, he supposed, but he wanted to speak to him on somewhat neutral territory.
He glanced up at the sky, squinting at what looked like tiny flurries. He hoped it wouldn’t start snowing before this was over and done with.
A car pulled up. Jaime stilled, listening as he stood behind the main building of the vineyard, waiting for Eric to arrive. His former sous chef looked like hell as he walked toward him, his face a motley of bruises. Jaime rather wished he’d broken the man’s arm and maybe some toes, but seeing Eric clutch at his ribs as he walked gave him some satisfaction at least.
They stared at each other. Jaime rather felt like this was some kind of gun battle, with the swirling wind and the silence hanging between them. He’d laugh if he weren’t so tired, so angry with everything.
“I’m assuming you didn’t want to meet just to stand outside and freeze our asses off?” Eric stuffed his hands into the pockets of his coat, scowling above his scarf.
“Let’s not waste each other’s time, shall we?” Jaime stepped toward Eric, keeping eye contact the entire time. “The jig is up, Eric. We all know you’re the one who’s been stealing from River’s Bend and setting me up to take the fall.”
Eric laughed, a scratchy laugh that made Jaime want to throttle him. “And what evidence do you have? That’s right, none. Just because you want it to be true doesn’t mean one fucking thing.”
Jaime pulled out a sheaf of papers. This was the tricky part. Although they did have evidence, it wasn’t evidence they had gotten legally. So he had to bluff his way through this, and hope that Eric wouldn't call his bluff.
“We have financial statements from the vineyard, copies of invoices, and even a statement from the vendor who you were working with.” The last was a lie, but Eric didn’t know that.
The younger man’s scowl remained. “I don’t believe you.”
Jaime shrugged. “Does it matter? We have evidence that implicates you and clears me.”
“You’ve already been charged with the crime.”
“Based on flimsy evidence.” Jaime slapped at the papers. “This is concrete, my friend. This shows that you’re a weaselly piece of shit who would do anything to screw me over for God only knows why.”
Eric’s eyes darted around. “You really have no idea, do you?”
“About what?”
“I’m not the piece of shit,” he growled, his face turning red. “I’m not the one charged with a crime, and then had the audacity to start fucking your boss’s sister. But now you’ve turned Grace into your little whore—”
Jaime grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the wall before Eric realized what was happening. “Do not ever speak of Grace that way,” Jaime hissed, his vision turning red. “I already warned you once. Do you want me to break every rib, every finger, every toe, every bone in your body? Because if you even so much as think of Grace, I’ll make you pay.”
Eric gasped for breath. Jaime let him go, and Eric rubbed his throat, swearing.
“I want to get this over with. I have the evidence that will send you to jail, and even if some jury finds you innocent, we all know that the scandal will destroy you and your family.” Jaime watched as Eric’s eyes widened, the first bit of fear crossing his face. “Ah, so now you care? Eric O’Neill, the son of the prominent senator, getting arrested for embezzlement. That’ll make his campaign a hard sell, don’t you think?”