In a millisecond, her countenance and tenor changed. Lena-the-businesswoman was back. “The only variable is the lawsuit against Herman Wade’s will. That could hold up Julia’s shares.”
“In which case, no single stockholder would have a majority, not even if you successfully acquire Butler’s shares.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Lena said, walking to the chairs near the fireplace and taking a seat.
“About?”
“Julia’s request.”
My gaze narrowed.
“About Skylar Butler. Do you think she meant it? Is it important to her to try to save Skylar from his father and uncle’s fall?”
I took a deep breath. “I do. That’s Julia. She told me today that Skylar married her friend—ex-friend.” I shrugged. “They’re expecting a child.”
“Oh, fuck.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “They moved out of his parents’ home and into the house Skylar and Julia had built.”
“Does it have to be with Wade?”
“Skylar’s lifeline?”
Lena nodded.
“I’d say not. I can’t imagine him agreeing to work for me. I would hope he wouldn’t.”
“He could work for me.”
“You. Logan’s sworn enemy. His family will advise against it.”
“Fuck his family.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do, isn’t it?”
Lena grinned. “I received the contracts this morning. Marlin signed.”
Good.
“Word from Vicki,” I said, “is that the Butlers and McGraths had a falling-out.”
“It doesn’t look good for Julia’s parents, Van. I have a feeling about this will thing. It’s highly unusual for a court to allow a will to be contested after ten years. It goes against Illinois statute. There must be something big.”
“The suit was petitioned the day Julia’s and my engagement was announced. The same day that we’ve learned Phillip received a rather sizeable deposit into a 529 for Brooklyn, and the same day Madison was released.”
Lena stood as her chocolate eyes narrowed. “Do you think Phillip knew about Madison’s release?” She shook her head. “Of course he did.” Lena began to pace in front of the fireplace, her high heels clicking on the slate hearth. “Phillip was the one who had her evaluated prior to her being committed. I remember talk about psychotic features. Then after she’s released, she ends up here.”
“Don’t forget, he ended up in Chicago.”
“He set her up, Van.” She spun toward me. “I know she pulled the trigger, but he set her up, put her on the road to Ashland, fed her some bullshit.” Lena’s expression tensed. “Their marriage wasn’t good. I knew it. I tried to help. The more I questioned, the more Phillip kept her isolated. He would say it was for her own good. I’d hoped that Olivia was helping.”
I shook my head. “We both walked away, Lena. Sometimes it’s the healthiest thing to do.”
She took a deep breath, her breasts pushing against the front of her dress. “Tell me that you think differently—that Phillip didn’t have some role in Madison’s release to cause harm.”
“I don’t. Somehow, they were working together. You know I listened to a voicemail that Phillip left Connie.” I shook my head. “He was basically incoherent, ranting about the past. He even brought up Brooklyn. He said—to my assistant—I’d never get her. And then Liv told me that Lip’s been worried that I’d take Brooklyn ever since Madison was committed. I didn’t know until recently that she was committed.”
“We need to find Phillip.”