Betrayal - Fern Michaels [70]
She sat at the end of one of the long tables. About when she started to wonder where her husband was, she saw him enter the room. His hands and legs were shackled. A guard removed the metal bondage, and Alex walked over to the table.
Kate felt tears fill her eyes. She didn’t care. She was with Alex. He walked to her side of the table and took her in his arms. Kate clung to him. She didn’t want to let go, but after what seemed too short a time, Alex backed out of their embrace. He’d lost at least thirty pounds. He was too thin. His skin looked yellow, like he was jaundiced.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Kate whispered through her tears.
“Let’s sit down. The guards are watching us.” Alex’s first words to Kate in three months.
She did as instructed. “God, Alex this place is terrible! I can’t imagine how you get through each day.” When the words were out, Kate wished she could have taken them back. It was terrible of her to say that to Alex. He needed her support, not her criticism.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
He smiled at her, and all was right with the world. “It was my first reaction, too. Surprisingly, it’s not as bad as it looks. It’s not home, but the guards are decent. The food leaves a lot to be desired, but I didn’t expect I’d be eating Chloe-quality food. I’m handling it, Kate, that’s about all I can say.”
“I’m glad. Not that I’m glad you’re here, just that you’re able to handle the place. I guess it could be worse.” She didn’t see how, but didn’t dare say the words aloud.
“Have you spoken with Coleman? Anything new?” Alex asked.
“He called to tell me about the visitation. There was no news about your case, Alex. I am so sorry. He only recently got a copy of the trial transcript. What should’ve taken a few days stretched into a few months. He told me as soon as he had something worth reporting, he’d come and tell you himself. I trust him Alex. It’s the system that I don’t trust. You were railroaded, bamboozled, and screwed any way you look at it.”
“True. But it isn’t the system that screwed me, Kate. It was Sara and her parents. If they had a shred of decency in them, they would’ve come to me in private. They could’ve told me what Sara was saying. I think we could have worked this out. If I’d had a chance to talk to the kid, I think she would’ve told the truth. I’m beginning to believe it was just like you said. I think Debbie encouraged her. Once Sara saw the attention she was getting, I think she went off the deep end. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this. I really believe they’re in it for the civil suit. Has that been filed, or do you know?”
“Coleman said it hadn’t, but that wasn’t unusual. It may take a few more months, for whatever reason. They can’t touch us; remember, Gertie has control of everything.”
“How is that old gal? I thought she might come along. I had her name put on my visitation list.”
“I asked her to come. She insisted she had to stay with the dogs. She’s hired a helper. Her name is Lauren. She looks like a fashion model. Lean, leggy, and blond. Says she wants to