Page 80 of Pretend for Me

Rocky barked and ran to Audrey. He knocked into her with such force that she landed on her butt. The cake was tossed midair and landed all over Audrey.

“My hair!” Audrey whined, “I just washed it.” Cake coated every surface of her.

Henry covered his mouth to stifle his laugh. Everyone else didn’t have to try and hide their laughter. Joy was much needed with this crew, even if it was at poor Audrey’s expense.

43

MATTHEW

“Oh Cassie, I can’t believe it.” Joy breathed into the speakerphone. “They took him into police custody. I’m so worried about him.” She sobbed, muffling herself on the other end of the phone. Joy had called Cassie, distraught that Parker was brought in for more questioning early this morning.

Cassie and Joy had gotten close since the revelation that my aunt and uncle had wanted to adopt her came out. There was no use in crying over things that couldn’t be changed, so they did the only thing they could do. They moved on and tried to form a relationship in a new way.

Cassie loved having another mother figure to speak to. I beamed with pride that my pseudo aunt could give Cassie a piece of what she was desperately missing.

“I’m so sorry, Joy.” Cassie inhaled sharply, looking at me as I got out of bed to grab my phone.

“Matthew’s calling Silas,” Cassie updated Joy, biting her lip, showing her distress over Parker’s fate.

She’d gotten rather close to Parker as well, which had taken her by surprise since Cassie had confessed that she was still apprehensive around men she didn’t know well.

I paced the bedroom as I stood on hold with Silas’s secretary.

“Matthew, I was just calling you. Are you home?” Silas barked, sounding jittery.

“Yeah?” I said, but it came out as more of a question.

“Turn on channel two,” Silas demanded. It sounded like he was rustling through papers.

I mouthed “channel two” and Cassie relayed the message to Joy as well. I flipped on the TV and turned to the correct channel.

“Investigators at the scene have ruled the cause of death to be an intentional drug overdose. Numerous bottles of Vicodin were found around the victim’s body.

Wyatt Robert Adams was found dead early this morning by first responders called to the scene by his maid.

Recently, Mr. Adams has been under investigation by the SEC for fraud and tax evasion. Rumor has it his position as CEO of Adams Point Financial was up for review with the board.

His death comes just months after the passing of his late wife Elizabeth “Liz” Adams who died from heart failure.

Eyewitness reports indicate that upon entry to the home, authorities found incriminating evidence against the Adamses in the form of video recordings.

There is mounting proof of illegal business dealings and the formation of shell corporations as a means of tax evasion. The tapes are said to have been recorded by Mrs. Adams prior to her death in an effort to “make amends.” Sources state that she goes into detail over how she and her husband planned to frame her brother-in-law, Parker Nardini, as a co-conspirator behind the fraud.

As if there weren’t enough of a scandal against this family, their adopted son, Matthew Adams, was shot earlier this month from a home invasion. Investigators are not sure if the crimes are connected but are going to explore every avenue until justice is served.

Detectives have ordered that Parker Adams and long-time business partner of Mr. Adams and dean of Princeton University, Arthur Harris, to be taken into police custody pending further investigation into their involvement in this evolving situation.

We have been told that an official press conference is to be held this afternoon, so stay tuned to hear the latest.

Back to you, Jeanine.

“Oh my god.Oh my god. Oh my god,” Joy kept repeating over the phone.

Cassie’s eyes widened as the news was being revealed. “Holy shit!” She covered her mouth with the palm of her hand.

She chanced a glance at me, attempting to gauge my reaction. I placed my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me, wanting some support. “Wow,” I said, breathless.

So many emotions crossed through my mind.

---