Page 21 of Smuggler's Cove
When Lincoln turned twelve, Bridwell asked him if he had any interest in learning how to play golf. Finally, there was an outdoor activity that sparked Lincoln’s interest. Basketball and football had no appeal. Both seemed too rowdy. Not that Lincoln was a sissy. He preferred a more subdued activity, like the time Uncle Kirby took him fishing when he was younger. Yes, golf could be something he could explore.
When it came to his studies, his favorites were math and science. The hints from his father about going into finance were not subtle, but Lincoln was more inclined to academia. He enjoyed the structure and camaraderie among the faculty of Hackley and wanted to pursue a degree in higher education. Unfortunately, his father put the kibosh on it and told Lincoln he would not pay for his college education if he was just going to become a teacher. “You’d be better off working on the railroad.”
It wasn’t until years later when Lincoln discovered his father had greatly exaggerated their lineage. True, his grandfather served in World War II. But he was not a decorated hero who died of war injuries. No. His grandfather had been a union worker for the New York Central rail line and died because of injuries sustained in a car accident while he was driving drunk. Lincoln also discovered they were not remotely related to President Zachary Taylor.
By his senior year, Lincoln made a loosely veiled gesture and enrolled in Pace University with a major in finance. He could change it at some point, but if not, he could continue to grad school once he finished there and major in whatever he wanted. But until that time, he had to toe the line.
Lincoln and his sister were model students and graduated with honors. Both applied for scholarships, not because they needed financing, but because their father thought it would look good on their résumés. Scholarships for high achievement.
It was September 1996 when Lincoln began his first year of college, and Madison was entering her junior year at FIT, the Fashion Institute of Technology. That’s when everything changed.
Chapter Five
Changes
Madison Taylor was considered one of the most talented students at FIT. She had a knack for mixing and matching patterns that would not normally go together and experimenting with color. Everyone agreed she had a bright future ahead of her. Until she got the call from her mother.
“Madison, honey. I want you to listen very carefully. Do not ask any questions. Just promise you will do what I ask.” Gwen’s voice was strained but steady.
“Mom? What’s going on?” Madison rarely heard her mother sound rattled, but she could hear cold, tense fear.
“Your father has been arrested . . .”
“What?” Madison shrieked. “What do you mean, arrested?”
“Madison, please, just listen to me,” Gwen said evenly. “The U.S. Marshal service was at the house with a search warrant. They confiscated all my jewelry and whatever cash we had.”
“Can they do that?” Madison was stunned.
“Apparently so. They are seizing assets, so he cannot dispose of evidence or ill-gotten gains.”
“What ill-gotten gains?” Madison was having a challenging time processing this bizarre information.
“Please, just let me finish, and we can talk later.” Gwen let out a big sigh. “It has something to do with fraud, mishandling of funds.”
“But he didn’t go to trial yet, right?” Madison insisted on asking questions.
“Madison, please. No, not yet, but they think he is a flight risk.”
“What about his lawyer?” Madison kept pushing.
“Sidney said that I should get out of town before the press starts stalking me for information. His arrest is going public as we speak.”
“Where are you?” Madison asked.
“I’m at the airport.”
“Where are you going?” Madison’s eyes welled up.
“Wherever the next flight is going out of JFK.”
“What about Lincoln?” Madison’s thoughts were in disarray. “What about the apartment? Where can we go?”
“You can go to the house and collect some clothes. There is a U.S. Marshal in the lobby. Show him your identification, and he will escort you to the apartment. I must warn you; he will be watching every move you make.” Gwen paused. “You and Lincoln should go together. For moral support.”
Madison was nodding at the phone and taking notes. “Maybe I can crash at Olivia’s for a few nights.”
“I don’t think that is a good idea. You do not want her privacy to be compromised.”
