Suspicion of Betrayal Read Online Free Page B

pay the mortgage, the wife's car loan, and all medical and dental expenses. All said amounts are to be paid forthwith."
    Under the table, Gail squeezed Jamie Sweet's icy hand. This was exactly what they had asked for.
    The judge went on, "The wife has also alleged a need for temporary attorney's fees in the amount of twenty-two thousand, five hundred dollars. This case is set for report in thirty days, at which time I will make a ruling on fees and reconsider the amount of support awarded to Mrs. Sweet, based on the husband's ability to pay."
    Gail kept her expression neutral, hiding her bewilderment.
    Ramirez consulted his notes. "Additionally, the court grants the wife's motion for contempt. Although previously ordered to do so, Mr. Sweet has not produced copies of documents relating to any and all offshore corporate or personal transactions in which he has had, now has, or expects in the future to have an interest. You shall produce said documents within one week, or this court will consider jail time. Mr. Sweet, are you paying attention? You give Ms. Connor those documents by five o'clock next Friday, or you're going to jail. Are we clear on that?"
    Acker nudged his client. Wendell Sweet shifted in his chair. He drawled, "Yes, Your Honor."
    "Good." Ramirez looked at Gail and made a slight smile. "You need to get busy if you expect the court to continue this level of support. Seek and find, Ms. Connor."
    She stood up. "Judge, do I understand that this order of support will expire in thirty days?"
    "No. The court will reconsider in thirty days. The amount might remain the same. It might not."
    "Yes, Judge." A mixed victory. Jamie would get some immediate help, but Gail would get no fees. Not yet. And everything depended on what she could uncover about Wendell. She sent a cool glance his way. His dark eyes poured acid.
    The judge banged his gavel. "That's it. See you folks for the final hearing in October. Sorry it can't be sooner. See if you can work out a settlement before then." Everyone rose as he left the courtroom.
    Jamie seemed stunned. Her lips barely moved to whisper, "Oh, my God. Did we win?"
    "More or less. We'll talk after they leave."
    Gail went over to speak to Marv Acker. She felt no animosity. They were both doing their jobs.
    Acker had his back to his client. Quietly he said, "I'm telling you, Gail, he can't pay what he ain't got. If there's something tucked away in a bank in Nassau or wherever, it's news to me."
    "Well, clients aren't always forthcoming," she said.
    "Take a look at the documents, but I think it's going to be blood from a stone. How's the office going, by the way? I should get over and see your new place."
    "I love it," she said. "No one to answer to but the staff. It's tough, though, after eight years in a big firm."
    "Tell me about it." When he turned away, the sour expression was back on his face. "Come on, Wendell, let's get out of here. We're going to discuss an appeal." That last remark was pitched loud enough for Gail to catch it, but she assumed it was more for his client than for her.
    Jamie Sweet helped load the luggage cart that Gail had wheeled in two hours ago. They took their time, lingering to make sure that Wendell left first. They didn't want to ride down in the same elevator.
    While his lawyer was packing up, Wendell Sweet walked casually across the courtroom. He had pouty red lips that reminded her of Elvis Presley. Jamie threw back her head and stared at him defiantly, but her face had gone so pale her freckles stood out like spatters of brown paint.
    Gail said, "Mr. Sweet—"
    He said to Jamie, "Quite a lawyer you have. She runs up the bill over twenty thousand bucks, and you expect me to pay for it."
    "Wendell, the judge has spoke, and that's that."
    "Spoken, my little Mississippi belle. The judge has spoken. Yes, he has. A fine example of judicial intellect."
    "Mr. Sweet, don't talk to my client."
    The close-set brown eyes—they seemed crossed at this