Illicit Affairs

Chapter 35

I stepped into my heels and checked my reflection in the mirror. Tailored black slacks, a crisp white blouse and black blazer had me looking like a woman ready to get down to business.

My hair had been freshly highlighted and was nearly back to my natural shade after Ryan commented yesterday morning before flying out to Phoenix for a tire test that my color had faded and my blonde roots were starting to show. I booked an emergency appointment with my stylist. She explained that going back to my natural color all at once would be very damaging to my hair because she would have to bleach my entire head then add toner and color. We decided to remove as much of the now faded medium brown dye as we could and add lots of highlights. I was very pleased with the results.

Today was a big day. Jimmie and I had a meeting at SHR with Tony Stewart and Gene Haas. Jimmie had also told me that his investigator had given him some information to go on. For that reason, I was meeting Jimmie before the meeting to go over everything.

The SHR shop was located about twenty minutes away in Kannapolis. Upon driving into the complex, I spotted Jimmie's black Tahoe and I pulled into the parking spot next to him. He waved me over from inside the vehicle, so I climbed into the passenger side after exiting my car.

"Love the new hair color. Looking more and more like your mother every day." He smiled at me.

"I take that as a compliment." I smiled back.

"As you should." He then handed me a clasped Manila folder. "This is what we have so far."

I opened the folder and pulled out a stack of documents, unsure what I was actually looking at. I looked to Jimmie for explanation.

"Natalie Payton was born October 12, 1976 to Mary Ellen Payton." Jimmie pulled a birth certificate out. "There is no father's name listed on the birth certificate. After digging into Mary Ellen, we found out that she was your grandfather's secretary for several years at his first dealership. In February of 1976, she abruptly left her job and a very large sum of money was deposited into her bank account. There has been no work history since."

"Do you think my grandfather paid her off?" I asked.

"That would be my thinking. However, we are still without any solid proof. Mary Ellen moved to Charlotte and some years later married. Became Mary Ellen McLemore, then pretty much dropped off the grid. Here's something interesting...Mary Ellen gave birth to twins girls. Natalie has a twin, but we have not found any information on her. According to the birth records, it was a live birth, but so far, it's as if she doesn't exist. He's still investigating." Jimmie explained.

"So it's possible that I have an aunt out there?" I asked.

"It's possible. I've learned that Mary Ellen is still alive and still living in Charlotte. I have her address. My investigator found some additional information on Natalie. She had a spotty work history between a couple of um...gentleman's clubs. By spotty, I mean there was no work history for several months in 1997.. According to hospital records, she gave birth to a son on November 29, 1997 but the baby was placed for adoption. Unfortunately, he was unable at this time to access the adoption records." Jimmie told me.

"Why does that date of birth sound so familiar?" I wondered out loud.

"It's the same date of birth as William." The way Jimmie said it told me he had been thinking the same thing as me.

"You don't think that's a coincidence do you? I mean the rumor about him being Rick Hendrick's grandson had to come from somewhere right? But what about his slip up in calling Jeff dad?"

"I think it's too crazy to be chalked up to coincidence. Maybe Jeff found out about Natalie being Rick's daughter and sought her out? We're still playing a guessing game at this point. It's all still speculation, but hopefully soon I'll get some more information." Jimmie replied.