Buried Evidence Read Free

just like a gambler
had
to toss his last chip down on the table. “You know your father doesn’t always tell the truth,” she continued. “Even if he closed a deal tomorrow, Shana, it could be up to three months before he received a commission check.”
    “You’re just saying these things because you’re jealous,” the girl argued. “You’ve always been jealous over my relationship with Dad. That’s why you put him down all the time.”
    Lily suspected there was some degree of truth in her daughter’s statement. She wouldn’t call it jealousy, however. All the checks she sent to Shana were cashed by her ex-husband. With the exception of the rent, she had been supporting them both for over a year. “Your father made it sound like he doesn’t anticipate being able to pay the rent for quite some time,” she went on. “I suggested he get a regular job, something that paid him an hourly wage. He hung upon me.”
    “But my friends are here,” Shana cried. “I’ll have to start over if you make me change schools. And you know Santa Barbara isn’t ranked as high as UCLA. I want to go to a first-rate law school.”
    With her free hand, Lily opened the door to the rest room. She could already taste defeat. Her daughter had an emotional stranglehold on her. If she continued the discussion, she would be sucked dry. “I’ll agree to allow you to continue at UCLA,” she said, “but you’ll have to move into the dorm by next semester. Otherwise, I might not be able to afford to send you to law school.”
    “Now you’re threatening me!”
    “I’m attempting to explain the facts of life to you,” Lily said. “I earn a modest living, Shana. The price of education is astronomical. I’ve been saving for your future since the day you were born. I’d work a second job if necessary. I simply cannot support your father.”
    The line was silent.
    “I love you,” Lily told her, wishing such a negative discussion hadn’t been necessary. “Everything will work out. It won’t be so bad living in the dorm. You’ll have fun, get to spend more time with your friends. Who knows? Maybe you won’t need the added expense of keeping a car.”
    “Great,” Shana snapped. “Thanks a lot, Mom. This is just what I needed to start my day. First I have to move. Now I have to give up my car. Everyone has a car in L.A. How will I get around?”
    “You’ll be living on campus.” Lily paused. She should have never mentioned the car. The car was a sore spot. “Your father doesn’t have a car, and he seems to be making out just fine.”
    Shana knew she was busted. When her mother had tapped into her savings to buy her a brand-new Mustang convertible for a high school graduation gift, she had made her promise that she wouldn’t allow anyone else to drive it. “What am I supposed to do? Dad needs a car to sell real estate. Either he drives me where I want to go, or I catch a ride with one of my friends. What’s the big deal?”
    Negotiate, Lily told herself, taking in a deep breath. Her daughter was a formidable young woman. Already she argued like an attorney. When given the chance, however, she could be as manipulative as her father. “I might be able to increase your allowance so you’ll have more money to spend on entertainment and clothes.”
    A small voice said, “I have to go.”
    “Family problems?” Kingsley asked, overhearing the tail end of Lily’s conversation.
    She slipped her cell phone back into her purse, giving him a look that said he should mind his own business. No matter how attractive he was, the attorney annoyed her. Maybe he annoyedher because he was so good-looking. Just to prove her point, a couple walked by. The man glanced at Lily and immediately looked away. The woman smiled flirtatiously at Kingsley. He was used to women drooling over him. He loved it, encouraged it. “No sign of Orso yet?”
    “Nope.”
    “As soon as he shows, ask him to postpone the arraignment until three o’clock