Page 86 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
You know, Trudy, you’re on your own,Estelle said.I want no part of this. I didn’t want to be here to begin with, and you promised this was about a belated celebration for yourwedding renewal vows, not another run into Mexico to stock up on your illegal sports enhancement pills.
Oh, stop being such a buzzkill, Estelle.Trudy told her.Why do you even defend Finn? He took out a restraining order on you.
That was because you told him I was a crazed stalker who was endangering your kids, you, and him. After all, I was besotted with Finn,Estelle hissed.
Oh, right!Trudy laughed.But he got a restraining order without even trying to get your side of the story.
That’s because you’re such a convincing liar that I think you convince yourself your lies are the truth,Estelle said.
Oh, come now, Estelle.Trudy’s voice softened.It’s not like Finn’s going to get caught.
Because of you and your scheme to get his company and find a way to pretend to leverage the kids that you didn’t want custody of anyway, and you tricked him into taking a drug test for you,Estelle reminded Trudy.This will be his second drug-related offense.
What are you an attorney now?Trudy asked.
Actually, yes, I am,Estelle said.As you well know, you’re always getting free legal advice from me.
And how did you get that law degree of yours again?Trudy asked her.Byme helping you with money and a cover so your weird family didn’t know you were actually going to college and getting a degree.
Money and favors I have more than paid back to you over the years,Estelle reminded Trudy.
Where do you work at the moment?Trudy asked.
You know where I work, Trudy.Estelle said.Why are you even asking?
I just wanted to remind you that I have both your work and family on speed dial,Trudy told her.What would your work say if I sent them the picture of you carrying one of my duffelbags of pills?Trudy paused for a while.Or how would your family feel to know that you’re a lawyer working at night at a pro bono law firm and that you’re estranged from that old man you’re married to?
Fine!Estelle said.You win. But I’m sorry. I’ll find my own way back to the States. I don’t want to be around you at the moment. I don’t recognize you anymore, Trudy.
Suit yourself,Trudy said.But don’t try anything stupid like warning Finn. Just remember I own you.
“Oh wow!” Harriet’s eyes were wide when the recording stopped. “Your late ex-wife seemed to be a delightful woman.”
“She wasn’t like this when I met her,” Finn assured Harriet. “I’m sure Estelle must’ve doctored this.”
He found himself once again rushing to Trudy’s defense. Finn didn’t know if it was because he was trying to defend his choice of a wife and mother for his children or because this wasn’t the Trudy he’d fallen for.
“Of course,” Harriet said, her eyes flashing with anger. “You want to keep blaming Estelle because it’s easier than admitting the woman you fell in love with was a monster.”
“Trudy wasn’t a monster!” Finn snapped and immediately regretted it when he saw Harriet flinch back and raise her brows. “I’m sorry.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a lot to wrap my head around.”
“I know,” Harriet said, her voice soft and filled with compassion.
Finn looked at her. “If this is real, then I owe so many, including my kids and Estelle, apologies.” He shook his head. “They told me Trudy had all these different sides to her, and all I saw was the one side.”
“None of us want to see the bad in the person we fall for,” Harriet told him.
She paused when the waiter brought their food and drinks. When the waiter disappeared, Harriet shared her romance with Leon, which didn’t do much to appease Finn’s guilty conscience as he already knew the story. Finn felt like his world was suddenly balancing on a fragile bubble of lies and secrets, waiting for the bubble to get too heavy and burst.
CHAPTER 15
Harriet and Finn finished their meal and, by mutual agreement, decided not to discuss Finn’s previous life with Trudy.
“Why don’t we try and figure out what’s going on with this mystery?” Harriet suggested. “We can go back to my suite and try to figure things out. I have my laptop, and I know my way around a few things to find out the information we need.”
“Is that your way of saying you know how to hack?” Finn laughed as he paid for their meal, and they left the restaurant, heading for Harriet’s suite.
“I’d never say anything like that,” Harriet said with a grin while the elevator swished them to her floor.
