Chapter 368

I was sobbing as I clung to the steering wheel when someone tapped on the truck window. I wiped my eyes and sat up straight before opening the door.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Victor took me in his arms. “Were you attacked again?”

I shook my head and searched the center console for a tissue.

“If I tell you why I’m crying, you’ll think I’m a jerk,” I said and loudly blew my nose.

“I’d never think you’re a jerk,” Victor caressed a lock of my hair between his thumb and forefinger. “Talk to me, my love.”

“Amy and Justin are getting married next Saturday,” I revealed. “And I’m insanely jealous that it’s not me marrying you.”

I began to cry again.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Victor took my hands and pulled me from the truck.

As we walked around the side of the mansion, he put an arm around my shoulders.

“Our wedding day will come,” Victor assured me. “We will know it’s the right time.”

“I wish that day were here,” I grumbled.

“There are things we must do first,” Victor said. “You should get your degree first. How did things work out with the Omega mother accused of killing her baby?”

“I found evidence that proves she’s innocent,” I replied.

Victor stopped walking and kissed me. “That’s fantastic. We should be celebrating, sweetheart.”

“There’s more to it than that,” I said. I explained about Dr. Mancini and the lost report and what I overheard while hiding beneath the DA’s desk.

“I wish you wouldn’t take chances like that.” Victor grimaced. “Who do you think the DA is taking orders from?”

“Someone who doesn’t like me,” I replied. “The man with the intense cologne and expensive loafers said the boss would love to see me in prison.”

We arrived at the rose garden, and I stopped to inhale the exquisite fragrance of some of the new blooms.

“I wish we knew who he and his boss are so we could keep an eye on them,” Victor said.

“The DA knows.” I picked one perfect red rose and brushed the soft petals against my cheek. “Maybe the Public Defender can do something and have him questioned.”

“I’d like you to stay away from the DA.” Victor took the rose and tickled my nose with it. “He’s dangerous, and so is the man he’s working for.”

“Don’t worry. I plan on throwing myself into my schooling,” I assured him. “I want to graduate as soon as I can. Then we can get married.”

Victor enfolded me in his arms. “That sounds wonderful. By the way, who is coming to stay? Benson mentioned you called to tell him we are having a houseguest for a while.”

“Dr. Mancini,” I replied. “The man in the DA’s office said he would shut him up. So Allen Cross is putting him in protective custody until he gets the charges dropped against Marlee Krebs.”

I picked another rose. “I thought he’d be safer and more comfortable here than at a hotel.”

“Then we better get back inside and changed for dinner,” Victor said.

We took hands and began the walk around the mansion to the front door.

I squeezed Victor’s hand. “Thanks for understanding and not thinking I’m a jerk. I should be happy for Amy and help her with her wedding.”

“I’m sure it was a shock at first after what happened to us,” Victor assured me. “You’ll be fine and have fun helping her pick out centerpieces tomorrow.”

Two cars were in the driveway when we got to the front door. Dr. Mancini had arrived with a police escort and Allen Cross.

“Let’s go inside to talk,” I said and led the way into the mansion.

Benson took us to the sitting room and offered drinks to our guests.

“I’ve scheduled time with the judge to ask for a dismissal of the charges against Marlee,” Allen Cross announced.

“Will this help?” Dr. Mancini handed him a file folder. “I went to the hospital basement myself and found my original report on Lexi Krebs’s death with the attached lab reports.”

Allen took the file and examined it. “With your testimony, Marlee should be a free woman again. Thank you, Doctor.”

“How long do you think that will take?” Dr. Mancini asked. “I’m needed at the hospital.”

“The judge is hearing my motion to dismiss the case tomorrow afternoon. That’s when I need you to testify. If he rules on the motion to dismiss, there will be no reason for you to stay hidden.”

“Then I’ll enjoy my stay here tonight,” Dr. Mancini said. “I could use some downtime.”

“You’re more than welcome,” Alex said as he entered the room.

I introduced him to Dr. Mancini and Allen Cross.

“You have a brave and clever daughter, Mr. Wilson,” Allen Cross said. “She’s already been a huge asset to the public defender’s office.”

“You must tell me all about it over dinner,” Alex insisted.

“Dinner is about to be served,” Benson announced.

“Please follow me to the dining room, gentlemen,” Alex said. “I want to hear what my daughter has been doing.”

Over juicy prime rib, Allen Cross and Dr. Mancini explained everything. I blushed at the pride I saw in my father’s and Victor’s eyes when they looked at me.

But it felt wonderful. And knowing I helped keep an innocent woman from spending her life in prison was rewarding.

Perhaps this work was my destiny. It was time-consuming, a little dangerous, and emotionally exhausting work, but helping someone like Marlee was what I dreamed about doing all my life.

“My daughter is a fantastic person,” Alex said. “I’m glad she helped this woman. And it sounds like the DA needs to lose his job and perhaps spend some time in prison.”

“I’m working on it, Mr. Wilson,” Allen said. “But he has a lot of friends in high places.”

“Well, now, so do you,” Alex said meaningfully. “Victor and I will help you in any way we can. Crooked DA’s must not be tolerated in Denhurst.”

Victor led a toast to me and Justice before Benson brought dessert to the table. The tiramisu was delicious, but I was developing a headache.

After everyone finished eating and Alex invited everyone to his study for brandy, I excused myself and went upstairs to soak in a hot bath.

I lowered myself into the hot water scented with lavender essential oil and tried to get a grip on my emotions.

I had no right to be this upset about my best friend getting married. Amy deserves to be happy.

“I will be cheerful and help her do anything she needs to prepare for her wedding,” I vowed. “And I’ll work hard to graduate early, and then Victor and I will be married.”

I soaked in the water until my fingers were pruny. Then I climbed from the tub, dried off, and slipped a long silk nightgown over my head before climbing into bed with my phone.

I had two text messages. One was from Allen Cross, reminding me to be in court for the motion to dismiss Marlee’s case tomorrow.

“I can’t miss seeing her go free,” I said. “The poor woman has been through so much.”

I retrieved a small piece of milk chocolate from my nightstand drawer. Placing it on my tongue, I let it slowly melt in my mouth.

“I’ve got to make sure Marlee has a place to live after she’s released from prison,” I muttered. “Her husband filed for divorce, and she doesn’t have any other family. Maybe Amy has a vacancy at the shelter.”

I checked the other text. It was from Amy.

I opened it and sat upright before swinging my feet off the bed.

She was sorry she forgot to ask me before, but would I be her maid of honor?

Conflicting emotions darted through me. I was honored and happy, yet jealousy wormed its way through my heart again.

Amy was having the wedding I dreamed of having. As much as I loved her, it reminded me that I wasn’t allowed to have my wedding just weeks ago.

“Get a grip, Daisy,” I told myself. “Don’t spoil Amy’s wedding. Your day to marry Victor will come. You’ll have Amy in your wedding and have the cake and dress you’ve always dreamed of having.”

I heard Victor enter the room. He sat on the bed next to me and ran a hand over the silk material covering one of the thighs.

“That’s nice,” he murmured before his lips claimed mine.

His kisses made me forget about everything else. How I loved him!

“Come to bed, darling,” I purred.

“After a quick shower,” he said and went into the bathroom.

While I waited for him, I checked Amy’s other text.

“Unbelievable!” I cried before throwing down the phone and running out onto my balcony.