Desperado

Chapter Sixteen

The Lost Weekend

I walk out of my room wearing black scuba floral crop top with a black bodycon corduroy skirt. I pair it with my black suede ankle booties by Christian Louboutin. My hair is in a messy bun because I didn't feel like actually dealing with it this morning.

"Morning," I say spotting Paul sitting with my mom.

He smiles at me and stands. "Ms. Lodge, it's nice to see you. I'm Paul Sowerberry, your father's attorney."

I nod shaking his head and sitting down. "Why are you here?" I question and my mom chuckles.

"Excuse her."

"I'm just here to brief you two and Veronica on testifying for your father. Accounting for his character as a loving father and husband."

'Please... he's far from that.'

"Well if that's the ca-" My sentence is cut short with Roni coming into the room.

"What's going on?"

"Veronica, this is Paul Sowerberry, your father's attorney. He's here to prep us for our statements and helps at your dad's hearing." Mom says and I stay seated watching this unfold.

"Except, I told you, Mom, I'm not giving one. Not one you'd want."

Mom stops Roni from leaving and I realized that Roni pearls are gone. When did she stop wearing them? Though she did have on a pearl choker. I wonder if she still has a small ounce of love for Hiram still. I glance to my ring and bracelet knowing it was still my way of working for Hiram. Only until I can leave this hellhole.

"You won't be asked any questions about your father's business arrangements. We just need you, your sister and your mother to speak to his character. It'll humanize him. Which could mean a lesser sentence. If you don't make a statement, well, that's problematic and damaging." Paul tells Roni.

"Our mother already told her this," I state leaning back in the chair.

"Well, dad made his bed and Kate and I are late for school." Roni leaves and I stand grabbing my bag.

"Katie please." Mom begs and I smile to her.

"I never said I wasn't. Like Roni says... I'm late for school. Another time, Paul." I state and we shake hands before I leave.

++++

"Veronica, Katie, there's something we need to talk to you about."

I look to my phone as they say this. Why did it feel like we were at an intervention?

"Bring it. After the morning I've had, I'm ready for just about anything."

"Okay, well, Archie was with the Blossoms while their Board was in town. He, um..." I narrow my eyes looking to both Betty and Archie. What did Archie know? "Why don't you tell them? You were there."

"Why is this suddenly feeling like a friendtervention?" Roni voices my thoughts.

"I overheard Mr. Blossom say he's the one responsible for your dad being arrested and put in jail."

I cough nearly choking on my latte. Roni taps my back as I look to Archie knowing what I believed all along was true. Oh, my God... I was right. Dad was framed. He was always too careful!

"Are you sure... you didn't mishear anything?" I ask him.

"And why the hell would Clifford Blossom have anything to do with why he's in prison?"