Deceived 4 - The Wedding by Eve Carter Read Free Book Online Page A

Falcon cleared his throat once again and pushed that annoying lock of hair back. “Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but there are people out there…private investigators, that will dig deep to find any dirt on people…Miss Patterson, that is. If they find something, you can use it as leverage when negotiating with her. Get her to agree to sign an annulment for a lower cost, maybe as low as fifty thousand dollars or so, if you find something good. Maybe she has a secret lover or something. Anything that discredits her would work. An annulment would be the best in any circumstance, like the marriage never existed. And like I said, an annulment could be done in a couple of weeks… if she agrees.”
    Mr. Falcon leaned back in his chair and tapped the end of his pen against his front teeth. “ I can recommend a guy I’ve used before. He’s very discreet and always produces excellent results. If she’s hiding anything, he will find it.”
    Ryan sat up straight. “That’s not a bad idea. I’m sure with her past history of psychotic behavior there’ll be a lot of dirt to dig up. Please, give me his name and I’ll call him.”
    Patrick sat with his fingers threaded together under his chin, contemplating the options. He interrupted and stood up I leaned forward. “Thanks, Ryan, but I should call him. After all, I’m the one who fucked up.”
    “ No, Patrick, I got this, buddy. You’re not the only one who fucked up. I was with you that weekend in Vegas. I should’ve done a better job of looking out for you.”
    Falcon scratched a name and a number on a card and handed it to Ryan. “Just tell him that you are working with Falcon and he’ll give you a discount. The Falcon always watches out for you, that’s my slogan. It’s on my ads.” He chuckled.
    “That’s great,” Patrick said. “So how long do you think it will take before he finds something?”
    “Oh, he’s quick. Usually a few days. No more than a week, tops.”
    “Great!” Patrick said enthusiastically and rose to his feet. It seemed the meeting was over and Mr. Falcon gave one last push to his floppy hair before he reached into the top desk drawer. He pulled out a small stack of business cards and began handing them to each of us.
    “Here’s my card. Take two, or three . Give them to friends, tell them that Falcon always watches out for them, that’s my slogan, it’s on my business card.” He grimed a tooth filled smile.
    Patrick took the cards and said, “Yes, I know, you said so already, but thanks. I’ll be sure to pass these along.” Patrick shot me a look. Falcon was a little eccentric but I had a good feeling about him.
    “Well then, let’s get on with the witch hunt, or in your case,” he leaned forward and made quotation marks with his fingers in the air as he said, “the ‘bitch’ hunt.” He bellowed out a loud laugh, once again thoroughly amused with his own wit and humor, as I mentally said goodbye to that miserable lock of hair.
    Patrick reached out a hand. “Thank you, Mr. Falcon. We will talk again soon.” We each shook hands in turn and bid each other farewell as Falcon walked us to the door, where he shut it behind us.
    “ Peculiar, isn’t he?” I said and wiped the palm of my hand on my dress as we walked out of his lobby to the elevators.
    “Don’t be fooled by his outward appearance, Chloe. This guy is exactly who we need. He knows Stephanie’s type. He won’t steer us wrong.”
    “I don’t know. He seems a little shady.”
    Ryan jabbed the red button for the elevator and said, “Exactly, it takes one to know one.”
    “And to beat one at her own game,” Patrick replied.
    The bell dinged as the elevator arrived at our floor and the doors slid open. Patrick took my elbow and escorted me into the elevator car. The soft whoosh of the door transported me into a daze as Patrick and Ryan talked, speculating on how Stephanie’s secrets would be discovered to do her in. Their voices faded to a dull buzz