Page 10 of Viktor

“How did Roger respond?”

“He was furious. They arrested him for assault and battery on Delia. His cousin is the town’s police chief, though, and he knew the arraignment judge. Roger was released on a five-thousand-dollar bond. He kept calling my phone, leaving me all sorts of nasty messages. My lawyer told me not to erase them. It was evidence of harassment.”

“He was right. It’ll help me prove he’s breaking his restraining order. I’ll need to read over it, so I can determine what loopholes there are.”

“Loopholes?”

“You would be surprised at what a defense attorney can do when it comes to a restraining order and its wording.”

Sara let out a long sigh. Well, hell. She’d never even thought about that.

“Don’t worry, Sara. That’s why I’m here. I’ll make sure you and Delia are safe, and then I’ll deal with Roger.”

“Make sure we’re safe how?” It was one of the questions she had. How was he going to do that?

“Let me ask a few questions first, okay?”

She nodded.

“How are you handling Delia and the school situation?”

That brought about another soul-wrenching sigh. “The school is aware there is a restraining order against Roger, and he’s not allowed to see her at school.”

“But?”

“But he’s got family that works there, and they let him see her. It upset her so much, I had to take her to the hospital to treat her panic attack. Dad called the superintendent and threatened to sue the school and the school board if it happened again. It hasn’t so far, but I worry about her on a daily basis. It’s the one place I have no control.”

“I’ll make sure I take her to and from school. We’ll also need to speak with the principal to let her know who I am. I also want to reinforce your father’s threat of a lawsuit. I can be very intimidating.”

That, she believed, given her mother’s reaction to him.

“Are you still at your parents’ place, or have you moved into your own?”

“I’m still at my parents’. The money situation is the main issue. Roger locked me out of our bank account. All my money is in that account. My friend, Elizabeth, recommended I open a new account in my name, which I did. I also updated my banking information on all my publishing platforms so royalties won’t go into the one Roger locked.”

“That was smart.” Viktor nodded. “Roger cannot, however, hold your money hostage. Why hasn’t your attorney addressed that yet?”

“He hasn’t returned my phone calls about it.” Sara heard the dejection in her own voice, and it depressed her further.

“It’s an easy fix.” Viktor took out his phone and sent a text. “I know an attorney who can get your money back for you. Not sure what he’ll need from you, but he’s very good, and he’s based in Richmond.”

“You know an attorney in Virginia?” Sara asked, surprised. “I thought your company is in New York?”

“It is, but I spent my high school years in Virginia. I met Brad Landon my first year here. We’ve been good friends since.”

“If he can help, I would appreciate it. I may not be able to pay him until I get my money back, though, and that’s going to be a fight. Roger will want every dime of it.”

“He’s not entitled to every dime of it.” Viktor signaled to the waitress to refill their drinks.

“Tell that to Roger.” She thanked the waitress and asked for two orders of duck fries to go.

“Hungry much?” Viktor asked.

“It’s for Mom and Delia.”

“Speaking of your mom, do your parents have a security system?”

“No. It’s something I’ve been trying to convince them of for years, but my dad refuses. He’s old school with his dogs and his shotgun. You come on his property uninvited, and he’ll make sure you meet the business end of a barrel.”

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