Free Surrender by Angela Ford

door.
    “Yes,” Lauren answered.
    “I’ve come to get Brett’s stuff. Can I come in?”
    She told him to come in. He entered to find her pointing to the black bag on the floor. It had a shirt and jacket tossed on top of it.
    “Everything of his is there,” Lauren coldly announced. “Let me know when he’s gone and we’re ready to go. I need to go to my parents’ house. This news is going to destroy my mother. I hope you will join me, Rick.”
    Rick nodded. Unsure of what else to say he mentioned he’d be back when they were ready to leave. Lauren thanked him politely.
    Rick handed Brett his bag. Brett tossed his shirt and jacket on. He reached out to shake Rick’s hand, “Keep her safe.”
    “I will buddy. I’ll be in touch.”

Chapter Ten

    Lauren drew in a deep breath as the car pulled up to her parents’ home. There were already two FBI vehicles parked with flashing lights. Her heart ached for her mother. She jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. Rick followed and flashed his badge to allow Lauren and him to enter the home. She spotted her mother in the sitting room and rushed to her side. She embraced her warmly. Her mother’s first concern touched her heart.
    “Are you all right, my sweetheart?” Marion gently brushed her daughter’s hair away from her face.
    “I’m fine, Mom. I’m more worried about you. I wish I arrived before the FBI showed up.”
    Lauren watched her mother’s eyes drift toward the front door and she turned. Her father walked toward the front door, in handcuffs, escorted by two FBI men. He looked their way momentarily and then lowered his head. She wondered if he felt any remorse for anything he’d done. Lauren heard her mother’s cries and turned to comfort her.
    “He does have the best attorneys,” Lauren whispered in her mother’s ear. She didn’t know what else to say to comfort her mother.
    Her mom withdrew from their embrace. The cold expression frightened Lauren.
    “He killed your husband and agreed to have you killed. I never want to see him again.”
    Lauren watched her mother stand, straighten her skirt and walk up the stairs with poise and confidence. Sadness settled in her heart instead of anger. Her father lost everything he built because of greed. Business definitely came before family.
     
    ****
    Charles sat in a small, cold and dingy room at the Newark FBI headquarters, what felt like forever. Not one agent had come in to question him. Nor had anyone come to ask if he’d like a cup of coffee or anything for that matter. He realized he’d lost everything. He’d been arrested for money-laundering with the records Rick uncovered, but not yet officially charged. He worried the charge of conspiracy to murder might be next along with the drug connection to the Mendez family. For the first time, Charles Vanderholm was not calm and no longer in control. Business always came first. His name and reputation depended on it. Now even that was gone. He knew his business would never recover the accusations let alone the charges about to be brought against him. Sweat dripped from his brow, he fidgeted with his hands and his knees shook underneath the table as he awaited his fate.
    The sound the door made when it opened made Charles practically jump out of his skin.
    “Mr. Vanderholm, we meet again.” Brett closed the door and tossed a folder on the table.
    “Thank you for protecting my daughter,” he said in a shaky voice.
    “As if you care about your daughter’s well-being, you son-of-a-bitch!”
    Brett pulled the chair out from the table and took a seat. The chair legs scratched against the old floor and made Charles twitch.
    “A little nervous I see. You should be. Let’s see…”
    Brett opened the folder briefly and looked at Charles.
    “So far we have you for money-laundering. I might add how pathetic to put your own daughter’s name on the account. There’s also conspiracy to murder and the connection to the Mendez family. Did I forget