92 Pacific Boulevard - Debbie Macomber [85]
Ben turned to Charlotte and said, “When David and I last spoke, he’d told Mary Jo he wanted a paternity test. She was against it, but because I asked her to comply, she did. Test results prove that Noelle is his daughter. There can be no doubt of that now.”
“Is David going to step up and accept responsibility?”
“He said he is,” Ben answered. “He came to me and explained that he’d left his job with the insurance company and is now working for a bank. He told me he’s trying to make positive changes in his life and asked for my help.”
“Financial help?” Charlotte asked.
“No, and that encouraged me. I felt for the first time in years that perhaps my son had learned his lesson and was willing to become the man I’ve always believed he could be.”
Charlotte’s gaze flew to Roy, unsure why Ben had involved him.
“The thing is, I’ve been led down the garden path with David before,” Ben continued. “It’s difficult for me to judge his sincerity because, as his father, I naturally lean toward trusting him. But rather than blindly accept his word this time, I asked Roy to check out David’s story.”
Roy bent down to open his briefcase. “I have a full written report for you here,” the investigator told them, getting up to pass Ben a file folder.
“Because we’re a little tight for time,” Ben said, “would you be kind enough to summarize it for us?”
“Of course.”
Charlotte noticed the way Roy’s back stiffened—as though he dreaded what he was about to tell them. “When David said he’d left his job, he was telling the truth, although the termination wasn’t his choice. The company fired him with cause. Apparently there’s been a sexual harassment charge filed against him. He didn’t receive a severance package.”
Charlotte wasn’t surprised David had been let go from his job.
“But he has this new position, correct?” The question came from Ben.
“No, I’m afraid that’s another fabrication,” Roy said. “He’s been unemployed for three months.”
Knowing how close to the edge David was financially, Charlotte felt she had to ask, “How is he living, then?”
Roy looked to Ben as if to ask the older man’s permission to respond. Ben gave a slight nod.
“David’s moved in with a…friend.”
“Male or female?” Ben inquired, frowning.
“Female.”
Charlotte sensed his disappointment in his son—his even greater disappointment, she amended.
“In other words,” Ben said, betraying none of the emotion Charlotte had recognized in him, “my son is letting a woman support him.”
Roy nodded. “That appears to be the case.”
“What about all this talk of being a father to Noelle, supporting her financially and bringing her into his life?” Charlotte looked at Ben.
“I can only guess he’s saying all the things I want to hear in an effort to convince me of his sincerity.”
“There’s something else you might find significant,” Roy said after a short hesitation.
“Yes?” Ben returned his attention to the investigator.
“David is currently living in Seattle.”
“Seattle?” Ben repeated. “How long has he been this close?”
“According to what I’ve learned, it’s been a couple of months.”
Ben’s son had been a ferry ride away and hadn’t bothered to notify his family. More telling was the fact that he hadn’t even attempted to see his daughter, who until recently had lived in Seattle, as well. This was a blow, and Charlotte knew that Ben had taken it hard.
“I see,” Ben said after a moment. He’d made an obvious effort—a painful effort—to absorb the shock of this latest revelation.
“I wish I had better news,” Roy was saying.
Ben shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’d rather deal with the truth now than uncover it later.”
Charlotte placed her free hand over Ben’s. She felt like weeping on his behalf. In only a few minutes, her husband looked as though he’d aged several years.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Ben asked.
Roy shrugged. “As I mentioned earlier, everything’s in the report. That’ll give you a clearer picture of your son’s life.“
“You mean there’s more?” Ben cried. “If so, just tell me straight out.“