Weeds in the Garden of Love (21 page)

Craig would have to find something right away. He hoped to land a job either with another developer or a real estate company. He did not want to fall behind on his child support and deprive his kids in any way. To make matters worse, he had been notified Chrissie had registered with the SOE. Craig remembered Garth’s warning about Lorne Davis: “Pray he never comes
lookin’ for
you.” A cold shiver ran down Craig’s back. The SOE ruined lives, and he didn’t want to be next.

Craig had few options. The money Chrissie paid him for his portion of the matrimonial home was gone. His legal fees ate up most of it. He also traded in his Tercel on a later model used car and purchased some basic furnishings for his apartment. Craig was so immersed in his thoughts he almost missed the entrance. He drove into the underground parking garage of 100 Sandford Plaza. Mark Floyd could offer some guidance.

* * *

Chrissie took a swig from her flask, locked her car and walked into the arrivals area on the upper level of the terminal. She stopped, as usual, at the bar outside baggage claim where she could wait for them. She checked her watch.
I have time for a quick drink.
I
t will take them a while to get their luggage
.

She was on her second double vodka when she spotted Paul and Lauren Beaumont pushing a full baggage cart through the double doors. Chrissie quickly finished her drink and hurried over to them. “Hi, you two. Looks like you’re staying awhile.”

Paul gave Chrissie a hug. “We’re on our way to Europe. Thought we’d stop by and say hello.” She knew he was kidding. The Beaumont's never traveled light, no matter where they went.

They giggled and small-talked on their way to Chrissie’s car. Not only were they good clients, but Chrissie also considered them to be friends. She called Paul immediately when she heard this property was available.

Victoria Crossing was prime real estate and this deal would be worth millions. Paul Beaumont was the right developer and had more than enough money to buy it outright. He told Chrissie: “This is too good to pass up. Let’s make it happen.” Paul was right. He was always right. That’s why he was such a huge success and why Chrissie admired him so much.

“
Helen Roberts wanted a quick sale,” Chrissie said, enroute to their hotel. “I was happy to help.” They all laughed. Not a nice laugh or a polite laugh, but the devious laugh people with no conscience use when they’ve profited from the misfortune of others.

* * *

Garth called upstairs. “Marcia. Rebecca. C’mon down, kids. Your mom and I want to talk to you.”

Garth smiled at Loretta. She looked beautiful and content. She should. They had spent last weekend together at a quaint bed-and-breakfast place. They made love, talked, made love, laughed and made love again. Garth had long since forgiven her for her unfaithfulness. He was in heaven when Loretta invited him to move back home with her and the kids. Garth’s world was coming together, once again. He felt like the luckiest guy on earth. He loved Loretta so much. He felt good and didn’t want the feeling to end.

Rebecca and Marcia came down the stairs. “Hi girls. C’mon in and sit down. Your mom and I have some good news.”

Rebecca knew exactly what was going on. “You’re going to live with us again, Dad?”

“
Yup, I am. And I hope both you girls are okay with it.” Garth was surprised and impressed by Rebecca’s intuitiveness.

“
Sure,” Rebecca said. “Can I go now?”

“
Me too,” Marcia said. The girls didn’t wait for an answer. They bolted up the stairs, giggling to each other. Garth didn’t know if they approved or not.

Loretta reassured him. “They’re fine. If they had a problem, you would have heard about it right away.”

Garth was relieved. It was like he had been given a second chance and was starting his life over again. He was back home living with his family. Also, he had a new job in sales with a heavy equipment dealership. The sales manager Bob Arden didn’t believe the rumors about Garth. He also had no love for Ron Zelnick, Garth’s former boss, who blackballed him in the construction industry.

Garth checked the time. He was late for a meeting with Craig. He told Loretta not to wait up. After he kissed her, she reminded him of her offer. “Remember what I told you. I’ll help you guys nail Lorne Davis. Let me know what I can do.”

Garth loved her for that too.

* * *

Helen Roberts intercepted Craig as he walked out of Mark Floyd’s office. “Craig. Got a minute? I’d like to talk to you.”

“
Sure, Helen.” The stress of Jim’s death had taken a toll on Helen. She looked ten years older. Although she tried to conceal her pain, her eyes betrayed her. The hurt in her soul was too intense.

“
I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Helen said. “It’s been a difficult time. I don’t know what I would have done without friends like you. I’m so sorry you lost your job. I had to sell Victoria Crossing. The place reminded me of … of … well, you know.”

“
That’s okay, I understand. I’ll find something else.”

“
Listen.” Helen sat up straight. “What if I call the new owners? I’m sure Paul Beaumont would hire you.”

“
You mean Paul Beaumont from Houston? If he bought it, then—” Craig stopped himself.
If Beaumont owns it then
Chrissie’s involved. Those two are as thick as thieves.
No way I could work at Vic Crossing.
He decided now was not the time to burden Helen with an explanation. “Thanks for the offer, Helen, but I’m real close to accepting a position. So that’s who bought Victoria Crossing, huh?”

“
You know Paul Beaumont?”

“
Heard of him, that’s all.” Craig was trying to cover his tracks. “Everyone in real estate in this town has.”

“
Oh, if you don’t mind, Craig, I need your help on something.”

“
Sure.”

Helen opened her desk drawer and took out some photographs. “Do you recognize the woman in these pictures?”

In the first photo, Craig saw Jim Roberts helping a woman out of his car. She had her back to the camera but was clearly well put together. Looking through the rest of the photographs, Craig realized this was the evidence Helen used to accuse Jim. The last snapshot exposed the woman’s identity.
Vikki Millard!
Jim—ou old pistol, you! Wait a minute—now
what do I say?
I don’t really want to get Vikki involved in this.
“Not sure. Why is she with Jim?”

“
I think they were intimate, but I couldn’t prove it.” Helen put the photos back into her desk. “This time.” She looked directly at Craig. “Yes, I caught Jim several years ago. He was cheating on me with one of his office staff. He said he had never done anything like that before. He apologized profusely and promised it would never happen again. I told him I believed him. But to be honest, I never completely trusted him after that.”

This conversation was making Craig uncomfortable. “So—you believe he was seeing this woman?” He didn’t know what else to say.

“
I had no hard evidence other than these photos. I accused Jim of being unfaithful. He denied it, of course. Then, I showed him the photographs. Oh Craig, I feel so guilty. I mean … if I hadn’t told Jim I was divorcing him, well … maybe he wouldn’t have—” Helen stopped, unable to say the words she was thinking.

Craig wanted to ease her pain and tried to comfort her. “It’s not your fault, Helen. You have no blame in this. You didn’t want this to happen. You had to find out what was going on. Anyone would have done the same.”

“
Thanks, Craig.” Helen stood and shook his hand. “Thanks for everything.”

“
Glad to help. Please, let me know if I can do anything else for you.” Craig stopped at the door. “I’m curious, Helen. Did you take those pictures?”

“
No—they were mailed to me anonymously.”

Craig walked out, curious as to who was responsible for those photographs of Jim and Vikki Millard.
Vikki Millard.
Funny,
I always thought
she was a sexy little thing.

Craig remembered one night when she and Eric were over for supper. Vikki was a tiny bit tipsy and cornered Craig in the kitchen. She jokingly made a pass at him. He was flattered by the compliment, and even though it had all been in fun, she had managed to intrigue him.

Wait a minute!
Vikki Millard!
Craig stopped beside the receptionist’s desk. I only know
one person contemptible enough to take those pictures and then mail them to Helen.
“Eric Millard,” Craig said. The receptionist stared at him with a puzzled look on her face. “Eric Millard—that’s who!”

* * *

Garth was looking out the coffee shop window as he waited for Craig.
Strange, how life can change in an instant,
he thought.
One minute, you’re a down-and-out bum and the next; you’re on top of the world.
A
man getting out of his car in front of the drug store across the street interrupted Garth’s thoughts. “It’s Lorne Davis!” In one motion, Garth grabbed his camera and slid out of the booth. “Gotta get closer and see what the creep is up to.”

Craig arrived and parked beside Garth’s car.
Not hard to tell it’s Garth’s,
he thought.
T
an over rust.

The coffee shop was empty except for a couple sitting near the back. Garth was nowhere to be found. Craig figured he must be late or in the washroom. He seated himself at a table by the front window. He spotted Garth walking across the parking lot with his camera in hand. Garth smiled at him and pumped his fist in the air like he had just sunk a twenty-foot birdie putt. Craig could hardly wait to find out what he was up to.

Garth sat down across from Craig. “Hey! I just got a great shot of Lorne Davis with some broad in his car.”

“
Hi, Garth. What’s new?”

“
Didn’t you hear what I said? I got a great—”

“
I was kidding, Garth. Of course, I heard what you said. Who is she?”

“
No idea, but she’s a chic and a half. Gotta get these developed right away.” Garth went on to happily explain he and Loretta had patched things up. He had moved back home. He also told Craig what Loretta said about Lorne Davis.

“
You’re kidding,” Craig said. “Are you sure she isn’t exaggerating?”

“
Loretta swears it’s true. And she oughta know because she dated the weasel. Says he’s hung like a horse.” Craig almost mentioned the fact Loretta had only Garth and the neighbor for comparison but thought it might hurt Garth’s feelings. The size of their own manhood is a touchy subject for most men. It is not something to ridicule, especially with a friend.

“
Well—we both know what that’s like, huh, Garth?” Craig winked and Garth just rolled his eyes. “But I hope you realize, the purpose of our mission against Lorne Davis has changed.”

“
How?”

“
Our mission is now more of a service to men everywhere. We must get that well-hung weasel out of circulation.” Craig and Garth both laughed at that. They agreed that with Loretta’s statement and all the pictures, Lorne Davis was as good as done at the SOE.

“
None too soon,” Craig said.

Garth asked what he meant. Craig told him about Jim Roberts’ suicide, the sale of Victoria Crossing and his subsequent job loss.

“
Kinda leaves you out in the cold, huh? What are you gonna do?”

Craig stirred his coffee. “My lawyer suggested I should start a small business. I’ve decided he’s right. Owning my own business is the best solution. I’ve got some start-up money, so I’m going into office supplies.”

“
When’s this gonna happen?”

“
I’ve set up some appointments for later this week to check out locations, suppliers and get a loan from my bank. If it all comes together, I’ll be in business before you know it.”

“
What about the next phase of Operation Well-Hung Weasel?” Garth said with a wide grin.

“
Let’s launch it next Monday morning.” Craig could hardly wait.

* * *

Garth picked Craig up at eleven o’clock on Monday morning. As usual, they stopped for take-out donuts and coffee. “This always make me feel like a real cop,” Craig said. The day started with a chuckle.

They staked out the SOE building. It wasn’t long before Lorne Davis emerged and walked across the street to his car. They followed him to a restaurant and found a secluded spot in the parking lot. They watched him walk to the front door. “Looks like Lornie’s going for lunch.” Craig put down his binoculars. “Wonder who the lucky girl is?”

“
Your guess is as good as mine,” Garth said. “Ya think it’s just lunch?” They both had a good laugh. The next instant, Lorne was standing at Garth’s open car window. He yelled right into Garth’s ear. Garth flinched and let out a high-pitched screech when he realized it was Davis. He slammed the car into gear, the transmission clunked and the car leapt forward. The tires smoked all the way out of the parking lot onto the street. Garth slammed on the brakes to avoid the opposite curb.

“
What are you doing?” Craig said. “Floor it! Let’s get outa here!” A few blocks later, Craig assured Garth they weren’t being followed and told him to slow down. Garth looked frazzled. “You okay, Garth?”