“Mr. Sherman, there’s a line between personal and business. Eric doesn’t ask about particulars of Sherman and Madison, and I don’t offer them. Just as I don’t ask about particulars of his work. We’ve found a happy medium. I’m sure you and Ms. McGrath will find that too. This was different. Phillip said things about you and about my family. He knew things about my grandchildren. I suppose he could have found them on social media.” She shook her head. “I don’t like all that the kids share nowadays.” Her brown gaze met mine. “I had to wonder if since what he said about my family was accurate, if his accusations about you were too.”
“I don’t know until I listen.”
She stood. “I’ll let you listen and then decide if you still want to include the police.”
I also stood. “I can’t thank you enough for your loyalty.”
A smile took over her concerned expression. “I think you sent me a text about a raise. You said for me to remind you.”
“You’re right, I did.”
Connie looked down at her watch. “Your first appointment, a Mr. Michael Ricks, is due any minute.”
“He’s going to be helping me personally as well as working with Sherman and Madison’s security team to make sure we’re doing all we can to avoid situations like yesterday or Phillip’s calls. I wanted to include Flora Banks in our meeting.”
“I can patch her through.” As she started to leave, Connie stopped and turned my way. “Ms. McGrath’s phone is here. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get her previous number transferred.”
“Why?”
“Her other phone is still active.”
“It shouldn’t be. Have it deactivated.”
“It’s not under her name. The account is in her parents’ names. Without the account holder’s consent…”
I inhaled. “I’m going to make a call. I’ll let you know when to send Michael back and contact Ms. Banks.”
“Mr. Sherman.”
“Yes.”
She broadened her smile. “I’m very happy for you and Ms. McGrath.”
“Thank you. Me too.”
“I can tell.”
I stood for a moment as the door closed, torn between wondering what Phillip’s voicemail revealed and how it would work to help me achieve my new plan.
My brother was insane.
There was no other reason he would pretend to be me.
Delusional.
His attempt to defraud Julia and her parents was witnessed by others.
If Madison was no longer fit to raise Brooklyn, and Phillip was delusional or deemed dangerous, then the custody of Brooklyn would need to be reevaluated. Living with Liv would be better for her.
Granted, this plan was in its early stages, but it was a plan. Instead of taking on the revenge myself, maybe I could let the legal and social systems work their magic. I’d just give them a little push in the right direction.
Calling from my office landline, I dialed Gregg McGrath. I’d yet to hear directly all that transpired yesterday. There was also the minor issue of canceling and deactivating Julia’s phone from the McGraths’ account.
As I waited for the call to connect, I logged into my computer and scanned the magnitude of unread emails. I’d cleared them all in the car before we arrived home. One caught my eye. It was from an Ashley at GreenSphere dot com.
Before I could open the email, Gregg answered. “Gregg McGrath.”
“Donovan.”