Free Shattered Dreams by Sandy Loyd Page B

Carl’s banker wanted, she took off her earring, hit the ON button, and cradled the phone between her shoulder and head while flipping through proofs.
    “Good morning, Mr. Hennessy. What can I do for you?”
    Her smile died and a cold chill raced up her spine as she listened to his explanation.
    “No. Carl’s not available at the moment. Why don’t you send the paperwork over with a courier, and I’ll make sure it’s taken care of?” She broke off and forced a smile, hoping it translated to her voice. “I’m sure a week’s delay won’t be a problem. Our concern is accuracy.”
    Claire hung up, barely able to contain her rage. “That bastard!”
    She didn’t realize she’d spoken the words out loud until Gwen said, “What’s wrong?”
    Claire glanced up, noting both women’s interest. Pinpricks of furious tears burned her eyes, but she blinked hard, forcing them back.
    Though worry had taken a small vacation while she was in Jason’s company the evening before, the minute she was alone her anxiety had returned, resulting in another sleepless night. She’d woken up this morning determined to stay strong, but with William Hennessy’s news just now, everything slammed into her at once and she felt herself coming completely apart.
    “What’s happened?” Gwen prodded. “Is it Carl?”
    “It’s Carl, all right,” she spat out. “It’s not enough the bastard drugs me, sets it up to look like I killed him, and then steals our assets. Now he’s leveraging the business.”
    “What?” Amy asked, her eyes practically popping out of her head.
    “He’s stooped too low this time. I really will kill him before I let him take everything.”
    Looking into two shocked faces, Claire realized she’d said too much. Without explaining any further, she gathered her things and handed the pile to Gwen. “You two will have to take care of this without my input. I’ve got a few calls to make.”
    Gwen hesitated, eyeing Claire with concern. “Are you okay?”
    “Don’t ask. It’s too complicated.”
    While heading out of the conference room, her thoughts were on her asshole of a husband. Husband. Ha! What a laugh. He’d never been a husband . . . more like a spoiled child. She was finally tired. Tired of everything.
    Thank God that Hennessy, being an exacting man, had called asking for her when he couldn’t get in touch with Carl. Seemed there’d been some small glitch in the paperwork he and Carl were working on, and it had to be redone.
    Claire’s next step involved taking action. No way that sniveling coward would steal what was hers. She stormed into her office, picked up her phone, and punched a preset button she never thought she’d use again, until now.
    “Crystal Grayson.”
    “Crystal? It’s Claire.”
    “Claire?”
    “You got a minute? I need you.”
    “That’s a switch.”
    “I didn’t call to fight about past grievances. Carl’s disappeared.”
    “So I heard. I can’t believe the bastard drugged you.”
    “How’d you know?” The news stunned Claire.
    “Jason told me when I asked how things were going.”
    “It’s gotten worse,” she said, ignoring a twinge of annoyance. So what if her sister and Jason had a relationship? “He’s selling our assets. Plus, he applied for a large loan, using the company as collateral. My signature’s on the form. Crystal, he forged my name. If not for an error in paperwork, he’d abscond with over ten million dollars and bankrupt the company. I need to stop him.”
    “About damn time.”
    Claire clenched her teeth. “You can gloat later.”
    “I don’t want to gloat.” Crystal sighed, and her voice took on a conciliatory quality. “Believe it or not, I did what I did for you. So you could see what an asshole he is.”
    “Spare me the details.” Claire snorted.
    Only Crystal could make herself out to be some kind of hero for screwing her sister’s husband. Yet Claire had bigger worries now, so she relented, doing something she’d