We Are Us

Chapter 47 Florida

“Mrs. Stockton, it’s always a pleasure to see you, although I regret the circumstances.” There is something about Douglas Keene, in-house counsel for Stockton Capital, that is almost too slick, too cu

“Please, call me Poppy.” I extend my hand and indicate the chair Sadie has pushed near my bed. “And thank you for coming down. You really didn’t have to. We could have made our way back to New York.”

“Nonsense. So, I’ve spoken with the Florida Police department, the FBI, the SEC, and Treasury. First of all, you are allowed to leave the state and go back home. I’ve taken the liberty of chartering a private plane. The pilot is waiting to bring you,” he glances at Sadie, “and, of course, your lovely sister, back home. Have you been released yet?”

“Not quite yet. The doctor wanted to review the results of the MRI they gave me earlier, but he said if he’s satisfied with the results, I’ll be released this morning.”

It doesn’t feel quite right to leave Florida. Tucker hasn’t been found—dead or alive. I haven’t remembered what happened on the boat. And Gavin hasn’t been back since Sadie kicked him out two days ago. But I can’t just sit in a room, flipping back and forth between cha

Either my husband has staged his disappearance and is somewhere now, watching his scheme play out.

Or… I killed him.

“Were you able to find out—”

“The questions you raised concerning your husband’s business dealings, criminal or otherwise,” Keene’s smile drops, “I’m afraid I can’t answer them.”

I inhale a shallow breath, frustration tightening its grip on my lungs. “What do you mean? Why not?” That’s the reason I called Keene in the first place.

“I’m legally barred from doing so. Everyone who works for Stockton Capital, from the secretaries to the managing directors, must sign non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements. Even me. I can’t talk about anything related to my work with you.”

“But I’m Tucker’s wife. I need to know what’s going on.”

Douglas lifts his hands, palms out. “I completely understand your concerns, but from a legal standpoint, my hands are tied.”

“So why did you come all the way down here if you can’t actually help me?”

“Wherever Tucker is, he would hardly want me to leave his wife to the mercy of government hacks looking to pin blame on the easiest target, which, the way I see it, is you.” He adjusts the Windsor knot of his tie. “I’m here to ensure you arrive back in New York safe and sound. But beyond that, I’ve compiled a list of excellent criminal attorneys you should consider.”

“Okay,” I mumble, the enormity of the mess Tucker left me with finally begi

Keene isn’t finished though. “However, in my opinion, there’s only one person you should hire. If she’ll take your case, that is.”

I hadn’t realized hiring an attorney would be such a difficult task. “Who?”

When he says her name, my stomach sinks. I must really be in trouble.