Indemnity: Book Two: Covenant of Trust Series by Paula Wiseman

Chuck’s office today to pitch a fit over the court order for the DNA test.”
    “ Oh, no.”
    “ I’ve got to get used to it. She’s not going away.”
    “ I hate to see you have to deal with this again and again. Once was more than enough.”

INTERPOSITION
     
     
    Wednesday, August 15
     
    Rita Heatley double-checked the post-it note stuck to the steering wheel of her car. The Penner Hewitt law firm should be four blocks down on the right.
    Bobbi said she had to get used to it. No, she didn’t. Something had to be done. Somebody had to take action. Chuck wouldn’t stand up for her, and Gavin couldn’t make any headway with him, so it was all up to her.
    Rita knew she’d catch all kinds of grief over what she was about to do. Unless it worked. If it worked, everyone’s lives would return to normal, and no one would be the wiser.
    “ Here we go.” She parked her car in the first visitor’s spot, and then she leaned forward, straining to see the top story of the glass façade. “This is a lot bigger than Chuck’s building.” Too bad she couldn’t throw that up in his face someday. She grabbed her purse, checked inside to make sure she had everything, and strode into the building.
    Natural light filtered down through the atrium into the open lobby. Large plants, even a few small trees, in huge stone pots lined the walkway to the reception desk. As soon as Rita got within ten feet of the desk, the receptionist looked up and greeted her. “Good morning. How may I help you?”
    “ I’d like to see Tracy Ravenna.”
    “ Do you have an appointment?” The woman reached for the telephone.
    “ No.” Nor did she have a backup plan.
    “ Can I have your name, please?” the receptionist asked, picking up a pen.
    “ Rita Heatley.”
    “ One moment.” Rita stepped away from the desk while the receptionist made the call to Tracy. “Ms. Heatley, Ms. Ravenna is in Suite 304. You can take the elevator to the third floor, and she’s the second office on your right.”
    “ Thank you.” In the elevator, Rita took two deep breaths. Her hands were steady and dry, proof that she was doing the right thing. Rita’s resolve wavered though, when Tracy met her at the office door.
    “ Ms. Heatley, I’m Tracy Ravenna.” She smiled, and extended her hand. She wore a tailored gray pantsuit with a silk blouse, modestly buttoned almost to the top. Not one of her auburn hairs was out of place. She wore no jewelry except earrings and a tasteful, elegant diamond and gold watch. Rita suddenly felt uncharacteristically self-conscious in her slacks and blouse from the clearance rack at JCPenney.
    “ Please come in.” Tracy eased the door shut and showed Rita to a leather armchair, then rounded the desk and took a seat. “Is that Mrs. Gavin Heatley?”
    “ Yes,” Rita answered, taken aback.
    The corner of Tracy’s mouth curled into a smirk. “He came to my house one night. He’s quite a gentleman.”
    Rita bristled at the way she said, “he came to my house,” like she could have Chuck or Gavin or anyone else she wanted whenever she took a notion. She couldn’t be more wrong about Gavin, but that was little consolation. No wonder Bobbi so adamantly protested Chuck having any contact with her. He didn’t stand a chance against this woman playing her game.
    Before Tracy could go any further, Rita opened her purse and pulled out her checkbook. “Ms. Ravenna, I’ll get right to the point. How much will it take for you to disappear? For good.”
    “ Excuse me?”
    Rita relished the flash of shock across Tracy’s face. “You’ve brought enough pain into my sister’s life. I want you to leave the state of Missouri. Name your price.”
    “ Your sister? Bobbi is your sister.” Tracy leaned back in her chair, and spoke quietly, the smirky smile returning. “It all makes sense now. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out the connection between Chuck and Mr. Heatley.” Tracy swiveled her chair around and stood