Page 86 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
“There were no working cameras,” Wayne says. “The hostess said they turn all of them off for these games.”
“Bullshit,” I reply. “They’ve got hidden cameras on a separate circuit, for sure. There’s no way they’d hold these tournaments without some measure of control, especially if they get heavy players in the same room. Somebody’s got to keep an eye on the screens and spot the card counters, Detective.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that Dominic and Phoebe Baldwin were there stalking her mother,” Wayne replies with a raised eyebrow. “Her own mother.”
“There’s an ongoing legal dispute between Phoebe and Helen Baldwin,” Penny explains. “Helen is trying to keep Phoebe from accessing her trust fund and twenty-five percent shares in the company, both of which become available upon her twenty-fifth birthday.”
The detective takes another deep breath. “It sounds like rich people’s mess.”
“Phoebe has been repeatedly kept out of the family business because they knew she could expose their mismanagement of company funds,” Penny adds.
“I promise you, Detective Wayne, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find something a hell of a lot bigger than this poker tournament bust,” I say. “It’s a major white-collar crime unfolding, and it includes Helen Baldwin’s gambling proclivities.”
“Hell, you could use the embezzlement charges to get her to cooperate with the illegal gambling investigation,” Dominic adds, a cruel smile stretching across his face.
Wayne thinks about it for a minute, constantly flipping through the compiled evidence with a deepening frown, as Penny watches the shift in his expression to the point where a smile of her own emerges. She’s got him hooked.
“I’ll liaise with the department on this, but I know they’ll want the Feds to work with us, especially if we’re going to link it to the gambling ring,” he says. “A task force will be formed, most likely.”
“Either way, you guys will get to take down quite a few big players,” I reply. “And you’ll save the Baldwin Corporation in the process. They’re part of the backbone of the state of New York, historically speaking. They employ thousands of people, moving money across Wall Street, as well. I’m sure there’s at least one affiliated senator with volatile stocks who will be more than grateful for your work.”
“Consider the endorsements,” Penny adds. “It might even assist City Hall into diverting more funds into local policing, which you guys desperately need.”
Detective Wayne takes a deep breath, briefly overwhelmed and equally exhilarated by the prospect. “I think we’ve got ourselves a nice deal outlined here.”
“You’ll need to drop any charges against Dominic and Phoebe, though,” Penny is quick to secure our end of the bargain.
He’s not happy about it, but he’s a big picture type of guy. “I need to talk to the ADA first. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
My heart skips a hopeful beat as I watch the detective walk out of the interview room. Under this white, unfriendly light, we all look a lot more tired than we actually are. Dominic looks as pale as a corpse, but the shimmer in his eyes persists.
“We might’ve actually done it, bro,” he tells me. “We might’ve actually gotten Phoebe out of harm’s way.”
“It’s going to get so messy in court, though,” Penny warns us. “Helen will have ruthless defense lawyers. They’ll dig up any kind of dirt they can find to use against you. They’ll probably make the two of you, along with Theo, appear as unreliable witnesses with a grudge. They’ll cast doubt on the evidence you helped provide as well.”
Dominic frowns slightly. “Will any of it be considered fruit of the poisonous tree?”
“No. It wasn’t procured by law enforcement. We compiled it, and we have hard copies of everything, as well as affidavits from witnesses who are willing to go on record. There will be a clear and unbreakable chain of custody,” she explains. “My firm partners talked me through the whole thing before I took over. We’re good.”
“Which means Helen and Crystal’s attempt to screw Phoebe out of her inheritance will fail, right?” I ask.
“Pretty much.” She laughs lightly. “I can’t believe it’s over. You guys have been quite the force of nature, putting in so much work.”
I can’t help but smile. “She’s worth it.”
“You really love her, don’t you?”
“Like no one else before,” I admit, my chest tightening as I acknowledge the feeling. I know my brother and Theo feel the same way. “She’s got the three of us hooked for life, Penny. That much I can tell you.”
“Well, good. Phoebe deserves all the love and happiness in the world. No matter what people think or say on social media,” she adds, then checks her watch. “I can’t wait to see her. We’re almost there, fellas.”
Detective Wayne comes back into the room. I don’t like the look on his face: concern mixed with confusion.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Phoebe Baldwin was bailed out less than twenty minutes ago,” he says.
“What?” Penny is stunned. “By whom?”
