The meeting was set for 7 p.m. at Morton Steakhouse, neutral territory where both Jessica and Patrick would feel comfortable.
Wade arrived early and selected a corner booth with clear sight lines to all entrances. Old habits from a youth spent in environments where sitting with your back to a door could be fatal. Jessica arrived first, her nervousness obvious in the way she kept smoothing her hair and checking her phone.
She dressed carefully, professional but attractive, the kind of outfit that suggested serious business while still appealing to the men in her life. Patrick entered exactly at 7, and Wade had to admire his composure. The man showed no sign of recognition beyond a polite smile, no indication that he’d been systematically looting Wade’s life for over a year.
He was good at his craft. Wade. Good to see you again, Patrick said, extending his hand with perfect confidence.
Jessica’s told me you’re interested in some offshore opportunities. Very interested, Wade replied, studying Patrick’s face. I understand you have considerable experience with international asset management.
Some, Patrick said modestly. I’ve helped a few clients diversify their holdings in favorable jurisdictions. Wade nodded and pulled out a briefcase.
I’ve brought some documentation you might find interesting. Patrick’s eyes flicked to the briefcase, then to Jessica, who had gone very still. Wade opened the briefcase and removed three folders, setting them on the table with deliberate precision.
The first folder contains financial record from my businesses over the past 18 months. Wade began. Revenue.
Expenses. Asset transfers. The usual.
Patrick relaxed slightly. This was familiar territory. The second folder contained surveillance photographs taken over the past month.
Patrick’s face didn’t change, but Wade caught the slight tightening around his eyes. Jessica made a small sound that might have been a whimper. The third folder contains transcripts of conversations between various parties regarding my finances, my marriage, and certain planned relocations to non-extradition territories.
The silence that followed was profound. Patrick’s hand had stopped moving toward his water glass. Jessica was staring at the folders like they were venomous snakes.
Now, Wade continued conversationally. We can discuss this like civilized people, or we can involve other parties. Your choice.
Patrick recovered first, as Wade had expected. Predators were always quick to assess new threats. Wade.
I think there might be some misunderstanding. No misunderstanding. Wade opened the first folder and removed a bank statement.
Jessica. Would you like to explain to Patrick why your signature appears on this withdrawal authorization for $50,000 from my business account? Jessica’s face crumpled. Wade, please.
Or Patrick, perhaps you’d like to explain why you’re listed as the beneficiary on a life insurance policy Jessica took out on me six months ago? That got Patrick’s attention. Wade had saved this revelation from maximum impact, and a look of genuine surprise on Patrick’s face told him everything he needed to know. Patrick hadn’t known about the insurance policy, which meant Jessica had been planning contingencies that didn’t include her lover.
Life insurance? Patrick’s voice was carefully controlled, but Wade caught the edge of betrayal underneath. $2 million, Wade said, with Jessica as the primary beneficiary and Patrick Mullins as secondary. Interesting arrangement, don’t you think? Patrick turned to Jessica with an expression that would have been terrifying if Wade hadn’t been enjoying it so much.
You didn’t mention any insurance policies. Aye. I wanted to protect us.
Protect us? Or protect yourself? Wade leaned back and watched as the alliance between his wife and her lover began to fracture in real time. This was why he’d included the insurance information, even though discovering it had been the most chilling moment of his investigation. Jessica hadn’t just been stealing from him.
She’d been considering whether his death might be more profitable than his betrayal. There’s more, Wade said, opening the second folder. Patrick, are you familiar with the name Arturo Haynes? Patrick’s face went white.
How do you— Arturo is a business associate of mine. Has been for years. Imagine my surprise when he mentioned that someone had approached him about arranging an accident for a prominent local businessman.
This was a lie, but Wade delivered it with such casual confidence that both Jessica and Patrick believed it completely. The art of psychological warfare was making your enemies destroy themselves with their own guilt and paranoia. Wade, Jessica whispered, we never— Never what? Never planned to kill me? Or never planned to get caught? Patrick stood abruptly.
I think this conversation is over. Sit down, Wade said quietly, and something in his voice made Patrick freeze. You haven’t heard the best part yet.
Wade opened the third folder and removed a photograph of Patrick entering a hotel room, followed by another photograph of him leaving three hours later with a briefcase. That’s the Riverside Hotel, room 237. Last Tuesday night, the briefcase contains approximately $150,000 in cash that Jessica doesn’t know about.
Jessica turned to Patrick with an expression of dawning horror. What is he talking about? Or we could discuss the house in Costa Rica that Patrick leased in your name, Jessica. The one you’ll be liable for even after he disappears with the money you’ve both been stealing from me.
The trap was now fully sprung. Patrick realized he’d been outmaneuvered, Jessica realized she’d been betrayed by both men in her life, and Wade sat back to watch them tear each other apart. You bastard.
Jessica hissed at Patrick. You were planning to leave me holding everything. And you were planning to murder your husband.
Patrick shot back. Don’t pretend you’re innocent in this. Wade smiled.
Actually, you’re both going to have bigger problems than each other very soon. He removed his phone and showed them the screen, which displayed a text message. Package secured.
Awaiting instructions. Clarence Combs has been monitoring this conversation. He’s also been monitoring both of your residences, your financial accounts, and your communications.
In approximately 10 minutes, federal agents are going to raid Patrick’s apartment and Jessica’s office. This was another lie, but Wade was counting on panic to prevent logical thinking. What they’ll find is evidence of systematic fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit murder.
They’ll also find evidence that Jessica has been embezzling from her own company to fund this operation. Jessica’s face went ashen. She worked as an accountant for a major firm, and any financial irregularities in her work would end her career, even if they didn’t result in criminal charges.
Here’s what’s going to happen. Wade continued. Patrick, you’re going to transfer every penny you’ve stolen from me back to my accounts.
All of it. Including the money you’ve hidden from Jessica. And if I refuse? Wade’s smile was cold.
Then you’ll find out what happens when you steal from someone who grew up in neighborhoods where thieves didn’t live long enough to repeat their mistakes. Patrick’s bravado cracked. You’re threatening me? I’m promising you.
Wade turned to Jessica. And you, my dear wife, are going to sign divorce papers that leave you with exactly what you brought to this marriage 15 years ago. Nothing.
Wade, please. You had 15 years to be honest with me. You had a thousand opportunities to be the woman I thought I married.
Instead, you chose to be a thief and a whore. The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Wade stood and placed $500 on the table.
This covers dinner. You have 24 hours to comply with my terms. After that, other people will handle the situation.
And they won’t be as generous as I’m being. Wade walked away, leaving Jessica and Patrick to face the wreckage of their carefully planned betrayal. Behind him, he could hear them starting to argue.
Accusations flying. The sound of two predators turning on each other when their prey proved too dangerous to handle. The real revenge was just beginning…
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