Free Good Sister, The by Diana Diamond Page A

Airport to invite Catherine and Peter to dinner. “I’ve made reservations at Ciro’s,” she said. “The stuff in my refrigerator is probably growing hair.”
    At dinner, Jennifer dropped the bombshell. She and Padraig were going to be married.
    Peter’s expression never changed, almost as if it were set in cement. Catherine mumbled a “Dear God” and lowered her face against the back of her hand.
    “I knew you’d be overjoyed,” Jennifer teased.
    “Married?” Peter managed. Then he added, “Is that really necessary?”
    “Only to make an honest woman out of me, for whatever that’s worth.”
    “You’ve only known him for … what? One festival and a couple of weeks in Ireland,” Catherine speculated. But almost immediately she got control of herself. “Oh, hell, what am I saying.
I should be thrilled for you. You must be so happy. But are you sure? Absolutely sure?”
    Jennifer shrugged. “Who’s ever sure? I know I’m taking a chance. But so far all the chances I’ve taken with Padraig have worked out just fine.”
    Peter forced down his dinner in near silence. Catherine moved a fish fillet around her plate with a fork and ignored the vegetables. Only Jennifer ate heartily.
    It was a week later when Peter summoned the two sisters to his office, opened a bottle of white burgundy, and passed a small file folder to each of them. “A distasteful subject,” he announced, “but one that has to be considered.” They both looked down at the first page: “Prenuptial Agreement Between Jennifer Ann Pegan and Padraig Aloysius O’Connell.”
    “Jesus,” Jennifer said, and slammed the folder shut. Catherine looked sternly at Peter.
    “This, or some version of it, is absolutely essential,” he went on. “You’re bringing forty-five percent of this company into your marriage, as well as millions in personal assets. Your money is your business, but it’s my responsibility to protect the company. Depending on where you get married, Padraig O’Connell could have the second largest stake in Pegasus the moment you say ’I do.’ That’s because he could own one half of everything you own.” He was unyielding, staring across the table at Jennifer, who was just as defiantly staring back.
    Catherine felt a need to mediate. “I agree, Peter. Some sort of protection is certainly needed. But does it have to be this? Now?”
    “It does have to be this. Prenuptials have the full weight of law. And it has to be now. I doubt Mr. O’Connell will be anxious to sign after the wedding.”
    Jennifer jumped to her feet. “Is that what you think Padraig is interested in? The company? My money? Open your eyes, Peter. He has his own fortune.”
    Peter opened his own folder. “A little more than two hundred thousand dollars. And half again that amount in lines of credit.
But he also has debts. He’s solvent, but he doesn’t have a fortune.”
    “Where did you get that?” Jennifer snarled.
    “It’s public information. Our bankers gathered it for us.”
    “Not for ‘us.’ For you. I’ll have no part in snooping into Padraig’s affairs.”
    Catherine put a hand over Jennifer’s, siding with her. “I don’t think that was necessary,” she told Peter.
    “It’s a factor in framing the agreement,” he answered calmly. “Half of everything he has could well become Jennifer’s.”
    “Well, your figures are all screwed up,” Jennifer snapped. “Padraig got ten million dollars for his last movie.”
    Again Peter consulted the notes. “Actually, it was eight million. He owed a bit to his agent. And seven million of that turned around in three weeks to cover debts he’d run up.”
    Now Catherine seemed concerned. “But he has more films in the works.”
    “Very true, but thus far there’s no financial backing.”
    “He’s going to start a production company.”
    “That has no financial backing, either.”
    “Jesus, he bought me a Ferrari. On a whim!”
    Peter turned another page. “He made a down