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Chapter 20
Last Updated:
2024-07-11 01:01:33
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The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 21
Chelsea was not happy with Ava’s testimony nor with Catherine, who pushed the matter. Ava wouldn’t even have lunch with them. Catherine loved her sister, dearly, but she just had to get over it. Catherine wasn’t sure if Derek truly killed Kelly or not, but he was the best scapegoat for reasonable doubt they had.It seemed like there was even more people in the courtroom than there was for the morning session. It was almost as crowded as the first day of court was. Everyone was all abuzz.“You think he’ll show?” Phillip asked.“No, think. I know he will,” Cameron said.“How do you know?” Catherine asked.“Because he just walked in with Francis Chadwick,” Cameron said.Catherine and Phillip turned to look at the doorway.Sure enough, Derek was standing with Francis Chadwick, a senior partner at Chadwick, Harvey, and Whitman Law Firm. The firm was one of the most prestigious in the city. Mr. Chadwick was wearing a navy-blue suit and stripped tie.Chelsea was looking at Derek like he was
Last Updated : 2024-07-11The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 22
“Don!” Cameron shouted nastily as he ran up the stairs in his mansion. Catherine, Ezekiel, and Matt followed as fast as they could. His parents and Aunt Lea Ann had elected to stay down stairs. I’m going to kick his ass all the way back to D.C. Cameron burst into the guest room Don was staying in. The room was a mess. Several newspapers were in the floor. The bed wasn’t made. Cameron stalked to the open closet door. Don’s suitcase and clothes were gone. “He’s gone, isn’t he?” Catherine asked she and Ezekiel filed into the room. “Looks like, the fucking toad,” Cameron said through clenched teeth. Catherine nodded and pulled her cell out her purse. Before she could make a call, Cameron glared at Ezekiel. “You knew, didn’t you?” Cameron accused. Ezekiel looked away from him. “Get out!” Cameron shouted. “Wait,” Catherine s
Last Updated : 2024-07-12The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 23
Two days later . . . Court was about to be in session again. Outside the courthouse was chaos like it was during the first day of court. Reporters shouting questions, photographers’ cameras flashing - so on and so forth. Ezekiel had shown up to court as promised. He had checked into the Marriott. Mr. Townsend didn’t even want him at his estate. Not one member of the family said a word to him. Nevertheless. They had to carry on. “Call your next witness, Ms. Van Dyke,” Judge Gehrig said. “The defense calls Leonard Dandridge,” Catherine said. Leo Dandridge walked to the stand. He was a tall, ready fellow with darkish blond hair. He wore a dark suit with a dark orange tie. Leo was also from an old money family. His family owned a little bit of everything. The bailiff sworn him in. “Mr. Dandridge, per the testimony of Derek Dawson you had an affair with Mrs. Kelly Townsend. Is that c
Last Updated : 2024-07-12The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 24
Once again, the courthouse was a madhouse with photographers and reporters. The Townsend family were getting used to the hustle and bustle of it all. But with any luck, they won’t have to put up with it too much longer. It didn’t take long for court to get underway. “Ms. Van Dyke, please call your next witness,” Judge Gehrig instructed. Catherine stood. “The defense calls Donald Townsend.” A bailiff who was at the back of the courtroom opened the door and stuck his head into the hallway. A pin drop could be heard in the room when Don entered with a man behind him. Catherine assumed it was the lawyer Don had hired. She didn’t recognize him. Don quickly strode to the front of the room. He wore a black suit, black tie, and white shirt. His hair was wetted and slicked back. He took the stand and a bailiff swore him in. “Good afternoon Mr. Townsend,” Catherine said as she rounded the table.
Last Updated : 2024-07-12The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 25
The next evening . . . Catherine couldn’t stop thinking about Cameron. How was he copping? Has he heard from Don? What was he feeling, right now? She finally broke down and called him. “It’s good you called,” Cameron said softly. “I’m . . . dealing.” “You sound calm,” she commented. “Cameron, I was wondering.”“Yes?” “We’ve never talked about how . . . losing your child affected you. Are you dealing with that all right?” Cameron had talked about how hurt he was about losing Kelly, and how her infidelity made him feel, but they had never talked about the loose of his baby. “As best as a man could deal with it, I guess. I mean it wasn’t until . . . after Kelly died I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he – or she was mine. By the time I knew for sure I was going to be a father. I wasn’t going to be at the same time. It . . . was a shock, but it never really sunk in. It was like the child was a dream. It was
Last Updated : 2024-07-12The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 26
It was the day for closing arguments. And once again, the courtroom was all a flutter. Catherine, with Phillip’s help here and there, had fine-tuned her closing argument. Cameron was wearing a dark gray jacket, a black tie, and black slacks. His dark hair was neatly combed. Phillip was talking to Ava in spectator seating. Mrs. Townsend looked more nervous than a cat in a tree during a lightning storm. Mr. Townsend and Ezekiel acted cool as a cucumber. Matt was whispering to Cameron like he was a coach talking to the star quarterback. Ms. Lea Ann sat in a chair looking – Catherine couldn’t place her look. It was like she had something on her mind. “Are you all right, Mrs. Rushings?” Catherine asked. “Huh? Oh, yes. I’m just . . . concerned for Cameron,” she said with a weak smile. Is that all? Something told Catherine it wasn’t. Mrs. Mays, Kelly’s mother, sat quietly next to Ezekiel. Catherin
Last Updated : 2024-07-15The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 27
Three days later . . . It was a miserable rainy Saturday afternoon. Catherine had called Cameron yesterday to check on him but he didn’t answer. And he didn’t return her phone call. That wasn’t like him, but she brushed it off, thinking he needed time alone and to rest. All this had to be taxing on him. That’s what she thought until Matt’s call. “What do you mean no one knows where he is?” Catherine repeated, trying not to panic. “I didn’t call you at first because I was trying to keep it quiet until I could find him on my own. But the rest of the family was starting to get suspicious yesterday. I had no choice but to tell them I haven’t seen or heard from Cameron since the day we came home from court.” “Oh, no,” Catherine whispered.He wouldn’t jump bail. He couldn’t. Everyone he knows is here. His family is here. His life is here. I’m here. “He can’t get too far if he . . . dare I say it out loud jump bail. He h
Last Updated : 2024-07-15The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 28
Catherine was awakened by her cell vibrating on the nightstand. She had put it on vibrate before her and Cameron dosed off. It was Frankie. He was working on two other cases for her. She quickly picked up her phone and dashed into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her. “Hello?” she whispered loudly. “Hey, lady lawyer,” Frankie greeted. “Did I catch you at a bad time?” “Um, kind of,” she whispered. “I’m sorry to disturb, but this might be important. Can we meet in forty-five minutes? I’m at an Italian joint called Roberto’s.” “Um, sure. I know that place. It’s not far from me.” “Great, see you in forty-five.” He hung up. Careful not to wake, Cameron she tip-toed around the bedroom getting dressed. She pulled on a pink pair of sweats and a light white long sleeve top. They were her jogging clothes. She grabbed her phone and turned to leave the bedroom. She looked back at Ca
Last Updated : 2024-07-15
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The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 36
Christmas Eve It had been eight weeks since the shooting. Cameron’s physical therapy was going well. He had been out of the wheelchair for a week and was now walking with a cane. This year, the Van Dykes were hosting a Christmas Party at their estate. The crème de la crème of New York’s elite were in attendance.Almost everyone patted Cameron on the back saying how glad they were to see him out and about. Catherine had asked her mother to invite Angela King and Terrance. And they did come. They had a hard time mingling at first, but Mr. Townsend intervened, walking them around, making introductions. After that, they relaxed and began chit chatting with a few people. Ava had also been invited. She was chatting with various people in the room. She hadn’t come with a date even though Catherine had said she could bring one. Catherine was speaking to a potential client when Cameron whisked her away. There was a time
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 35
Catherine, Matt, and Aunt Lea Ann had left to get dinner. Cameron had just had dinner. For hospital food it wasn’t bad. He heard someone enter the room. Don and Ezekiel came around the corner. Well, shit. “Hey, cuz,” Ezekiel greeted. “We heard about what happened. We’ve been in touch with Aunt Lea Ann. She’s been keeping us abreast with your progress.” “Yeah. It was really touch and go there from what we understand,” Don said. “That’ s what I’ve been told,” Cameron said as he stared at them. He didn’t know what to think about them being here. Ezekiel he could forgive. He had been between a rock and a hard. But Don? “I’m sure you’re still pissed. I would be if I were you,” Don said. “But at the same time, I didn’t want you to think I – or rather we didn’t care about what happened to you.” “I appreciate it,” Cameron said. “I really do.” Ezekiel nodded. “Now that we k
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 34
Two days later . . . Cameron had been moved out of ICU to PCU, meaning there was no longer a visiting restriction. Catherine showed up at the hospital as soon as Mr. Townsend had called and told her. She rushed into room 309. There he was sitting up in bed watching television in a hospital gown. “Catherine,” he said with a big smile. She practically ran to him. She plopped on the bed and they immediately embraced. “Oh, my darling, Catherine. You are a sight for sore eyes,” he said over her shoulder. Catherine pulled back. Their mouths met. They lapped at each other’s lips like they were star-crossed lovers who hadn’t seen each other in six months They were both breathless by the time they were done. “Oh, Cameron, I was so . . . frightened I wouldn’t . . . oh, darling.” She kissed him again. “Mmm,” Cameron groaned as he pulled out of the kiss.
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 33
The next day . . .Catherine was at Mercy Hospital again with the Townsends. Matt was reading something on his phone as Mrs. Rushings was knitting what looked like a scarf.Catherine exhaled heavily. Cameron was still in ICU in a coma. Even though he wouldn’t know she was there or not, she wished she could see him. Then again, Mrs. Rushings and Matt probably felt the same way.“I’m going to the bathroom,” Matt announced as he stood.“All right,” his mother said.He walked away.She placed her knitting in her lap and looked at Catherine. “I’ve been in touch with Ezekiel and Don. They’re still in New York.”“Oh?”“Well, Don flew back to D.C. for a few days to check on the restaurant. When he heard, from Ezekiel that Cam had been shot he flew back and got a hotel room at the Marriot where Ezekiel is.”“I see.”“I’ve been keeping them up to date with what has been going on. They are afraid to come to the hospital because they don’t know who Harry will react to them being here.”“I can und
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 32
It was after ten a.m. Sunday morning when Catherine returned to Mercy Hospital wearing a dark yellow pants suit. Lea Ann and Matt where in the ICU waiting room. It appeared they had gone home to freshen up and change clothes.“Hi. How is he?” Catherine asked as she approached.“Still in the coma,” Lea Ann answered. “Harry is in with him now. They let him visit every half hour. He should be out in a minute.”And like clockwork, Mr. Townsend emerged. He was still in the closes he was wearing last night.“Any change?” Matt asked.“No. He’s just lying there with an oxygen mask . . . machines beeping and what not,” Mr. Townsend said.Catherine exhaled.“We just have to be patient,” Mrs. Rushings said as she placed her hand on Catherine’s shoulder. “He’ll come out of it.”“Before I came here, I got a call from Ben Quinn, the ADA who is prosecuting Cameron’s case. Apparently, Mrs. Townsend has gotten a lawyer and Judge Gehrig is willing to hold court today – for her bail hearing and to consi
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 31
Mercy Hospital Emergency Room Cameron had been rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Unfortunately, Catherine and the Townsends couldn’t follow immediately. The cops had split them up in separate rooms to ask them questions as to what happened. Catherine knew it was procedure but it didn’t make the situation less stressful or better. Cops and forensics were all over the mansion. The cops arrested Martha Townsend within an hour of them arriving. After what seemed to be two hours, the police had let Catherine and the rest go to the hospital to check on Cameron. Mr. Townsend rushed to the emergency room desk. “My son, Cameron Townsend, was brought in here a little over two hours ago. Where is he?” “I’ll check, sir,” the clerk said and started typing. Dear god let him be all right. Cameron got shot saving her. “It says here he is in surgery,” the clerk said. “What kind of
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 30
Martha Townsend stood at the window looking out at the rain as Lea Ann finished her part of the story. Once she finished, you could hear a pin drop in the living room. “I . . . I didn’t mean to kill the little bitch,” Mrs. Townsend bit out bitterly. “I had only planned to scare her with it. But when she brushed me off like I was some pathetic creature that was beneath her . . . I snapped. How dare that trailer park trash gidget look down her nose at me.” Mrs. Townsend whirled around to look at them. “I got so angry that I . . .” “We got the picture, Aunt Martha,” Matt mumbled. He was still reeling. He had been in the dark about all of it. “I truly did not believe the baby was Cameron’s at the time,” Martha said sorrowfully. “I really thought it belonged to another man.” “What I couldn’t figure out on my way here was why did you decided to kill Joey Evers?” Catherine asked. “Who!” Mr. Townsend shouted with shock.
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 29
Three months ago . . . “Would you like some tea, Martha?” Kelly asked as she glided into the kitchen of her home. “How about herbal tea? You seem agitated.” “If you were out of our lives for good, I wouldn’t be so agitated,” Martha said. Kelly whirled around. “Now, Martha, is that anyway to speak to your daughter-in-law . . . and the mother of your future grandchild?” “Oh, please, we both know there is only a fifty - hell, maybe even a twenty-five percent chance Cameron is the baby’s father.” “There you go with those wild accusations again,” Kelly said in a shame on you tone. “All because you saw me talk to one man coming off an elevator. “You were flirting your butt of with him. But I didn’t need to see that to know you’re cheating on my son. So, let’s cut the bull. What will it take for you to leave Cameron - to leave the family?” “Leave?” “Yes. I’m prepared and able to write
The Billionaire Suspect (The Van Dyke Sisters 1) Chapter 28
Catherine was awakened by her cell vibrating on the nightstand. She had put it on vibrate before her and Cameron dosed off. It was Frankie. He was working on two other cases for her. She quickly picked up her phone and dashed into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her. “Hello?” she whispered loudly. “Hey, lady lawyer,” Frankie greeted. “Did I catch you at a bad time?” “Um, kind of,” she whispered. “I’m sorry to disturb, but this might be important. Can we meet in forty-five minutes? I’m at an Italian joint called Roberto’s.” “Um, sure. I know that place. It’s not far from me.” “Great, see you in forty-five.” He hung up. Careful not to wake, Cameron she tip-toed around the bedroom getting dressed. She pulled on a pink pair of sweats and a light white long sleeve top. They were her jogging clothes. She grabbed her phone and turned to leave the bedroom. She looked back at Ca
