Page 20 of Ashes of Us
David made a note on the notepad in front of him. “And both times, Jasper was aware you were pregnant?” Danica nodded.
“We were excited. He wanted to be a dad.” She whispered, closing her eyes as the memory of him holding her as they both cried on the bathroom floor while she was miscarrying came back to her. “He was very supportive through everything.”
“But obviously he hadn't told his family.”
Danica huffed out an annoyed sigh and shook her head. “Jasper didn't tell his family a lot of things. His mother thought she was his confidant, and he told her everything, but I laid down a firm boundary before we got married that our relationship was between us, not us and his mother, after she kept trying to insert herself into fights. We were going to tell them after twelve weeks.”
“And Jasper didn't mind not being able to discuss things with his family?” David raised his eyebrow.
“No, not after I pointed out that involving his mom in petty disagreements often ended with us fighting even more.” She explained. “If he admitted from the start that he was wrong or told things from my point of view, his mother would take my side. If he came in with the idea that he was in the right and downplayed my feelings and thoughts about it, she would take his side, and no amount of backtracking or admitting he messed up would convince her to back down.”
“So, she would validate his thought process no matter what?”
“Basically.” Danica nodded, looking around the office. Talking about her in-law’s pissed her off right now.
“And you think he told his mom about his infidelity the day he died?” David pressed gently. “I know this is hard to talk about, but the more information I have, the better prepared I'll be for court.”
Danica chewed her lip as she explained her conversation with Cecil when she told him about Jasper's death. “I think she told Jasper she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby, which sent him into a panic. He went to his parents because he didn't know what to do and told his mom. I obviously don't know what advice she gave him, but I think he picked her up that night to talk about things and wasn't paying attention when the accident happened.”
“Okay, so what we need is proof that he wanted her to abort the child or give up his parental rights to it, correct?” Danica nodded. “Do you have his computer or phone?”
“He had a phone. He used my laptop when he needed it.” Danica paused as she realized she hadn't received his phone back from the hospital. “I need to ask the hospital for his personal effects; I didn't get his phone back. I don't know if I can look through it.” She admitted softly. “I know everything points to the fact that my husband stepped out on our marriage, but I don't think I can handle having it confirmed. He's dead, and I just want to remember the good.”
David smiled and opened his drawer, pulling out a stack of business cards. He flicked through them and then passed one to her. “Here. This is a private investigator I've used a few times. Get in touch with him and have him look into your husband's last few months and the woman he slept with. If there's anything, he’ll find it. He's like a bloodhound. In the meantime, I'll start putting together a plan and figuring out what I need to subpoena from your husband's parents and the other woman.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Betty will have all the paperwork you need to sign and go over the fees with you.”
Danica stood up and shook his hand, murmuring a thanks. After a stop at Betty's desk to sign off on everything and pay the retainer, she left and got in her car. Pulling out herphone, she glanced at the time and saw she still had four hours before she had to be back at the house for the memorial, which was going to be a barbecue in her and Jasper's backyard. People could stop by and pay their respects to Jasper, have some food and pick up whatever item they had requested over the weekend. She hadn't explicitly banned Amy and Cecil from attending, but Emilia had made sure everyone knew what they were doing.
The family, for the most part, were disgusted by their actions and rallied firmly behind Danica, with several of them offering to testify that Jasper wouldn't want this. Amy and Cecil weren't backing down, though, and Danica heard through the grapevine that the Judge agreeing to hear their case had caused them to double down on their stance, so she didn't think they would have the guts to show up at her house.
Danica pulled the business card David had given her out of her pocket and checked it out. “Maverick Silva, PI.” She murmured. “Who the hell names their kid Maverick?” Realizing she was talking to herself, she shook her head. She really needed to get out more. She put in his number, and it was picked up after two rings.
“Maverick.”
“Uh, hi. My name is Danica Preston. My lawyer, David Niehaus, gave me your card.” She wasn't sure what to say, but figured that was the easiest way to start the conversation.
“David, huh? Are you free right now?”The voice was even and smooth, with a slight Boston accent.“I have a couple of hours before I'm busy again.”Danica blinked in surprise but nodded before she remembered he couldn't see her.
“Yeah, I'm just leaving David's office.”
“My office is on the corner of Cottage and Sumner, directly across from the pizzeria, just come on up.”Danicarealized he wasn't that far from her place and said she'd be there in fifteen minutes.
When she parked, she walked up to the outer door and, after a moment of hesitation, she walked in and followed the signs to the second floor. She knocked lightly on Maverick’s office door and then opened it. She wasn't sure what she expected, but the dark green interior walls, exposed brick exterior wall and warm wood floors weren't it. The outside of the building was a little shabby, but there was no sign of that inside. All the furniture was a mix of black metal, the same wood as the floors, and warm brownish-yellow leather, which was the perfect mix of modern and cozy. There was a desk in the corner with a pile of papers on it and a computer, and in the center of the room was a leather couch, matching chairs and a coffee table.
There was a short hall to the left, and just as she was about to call out “hello,” a tall, slender man with curly, sandy brown hair came walking out holding a large coffee mug. He was followed closely by a tri-colored basset hound whose tail immediately went into overdrive when he spotted her, but he didn't run or jump at her, which she appreciated.
“Wow, you weren't kidding when you said fifteen minutes.” He smiled at her, and she saw he had adorable dimples. “You are Danica, right?”
“Yeah,” She smiled back at him and held out her hand. “Maverick?”
“Call me Mave, most people do.” He shook her hand and glanced down at his dog, who was now whining a little. “You good with dogs?” She nodded, and he grinned. “Good, cause he's desperate to say hello. Go on, Watson.” The dog immediately came over and began sniffing her, so she bent down and patted his head a little awkwardly. She wasn't used to pets. Jasper hadmentioned getting a cat a few times, but nothing had ever come from it. “Can I get you a coffee or a bottle of water or anything?”
“A coffee would actually be amazing. Black is fine.” She straightened up. His coffee smelled incredible, and she hadn't had breakfast yet. He nodded and gestured for her to have a seat as he set his mug down and turned to go back down the hall. As he walked away, she noticed that he walked with a slight limp. She sat down on the couch, and the dog climbed up next to her, flopping down and rolling onto his back. She had to laugh as he pawed at her, clearly demanding belly scratches. Glancing down the hall, she obliged and giggled again when his back leg started to flick rapidly.
“Looks like you found his spot.” Maverick returned, holding a mug of coffee for her. “He won't leave you alone now.”
Danica grinned and found she didn’t mind that. “He's very cute.” She took the mug, gratefully wrapping her cold hands around its warmth and murmuring thanks.
“And he knows it.” Maverick sat across from her, stretching out his leg in front of him. “If he bothers you, let me know and I'll call him off.” She could see him studying her face from the corner of her eye and wondered what he saw because he was giving her the sympathetic look she had been receiving since she was told about Jasper. “He's a trained and licensed emotional support dog, and he seems to have picked up that you need him.”
