“Are you sure that red isn’t to menacing”, I ask as I pull Sera’s Tesla into a tight spot in front of Cortland Day’s house. I thought our Mount Laurel subdivision was extravagant but the Cherrywood Villas subdivision is something else, it’s hidden behind two man-made hills and secured behind an iron gate.
We’d been greeted at the Cherrywood Villas gate by a security guard who escorted us through the winding streets of McMansions perched on perfect green lawns. Each house had large windows, pillars, and various arches. It didn’t have the quiet stoic appearance of wealth I’d glimpsed in Travis Wentworth’s neighborhood or the elegant gilt many of Sera’s clients lived in. This was something else entirely. We drove past the club house, golf course and lake in complete silence.
“It’s not like I can change”, Sera says adjusting the rearview mirror so she can put on her white gold dagger shaped earrings. Those were definitely menacing.
“Darling.”
Sera rolls her eyes and tosses the earrings into the cup holder. I jump out the car to open her door and collect the vegetable tray and wine out the back. I guess in the light Sera’s red flowy romper was summer appropriate. At the house I’d convinced her to trade the dangerous stilettos for low wedges. I still though it was a lot of leg.
“I thought you wanted me to be a distraction”, she says.
“I do”, I say trying to keep up with her long strides, “But I still want to make a good impression. Never want to burn bridges—“
“Paris you said he’s a criminal.”
“I know. Look, I’m just going to look around. See if there is anything that will bolster the fraud case. I need direct evidence before I accuse Day. I need to be sure about this. Here put this on.”
I balance the food in my arms and fish an enamel pride pin out of my pocket. It glints and catches the sun just like Dom Hidalgo’s tennis bracelet, which is currently looped around her ankle.
She just rolls her eyes, “You want me to wear this?”
“Yes.”
“Fine…go fetch,” she tosses the pin somewhere in Day’s immaculate front yard.
“Seraphina”, I set the food down and quickly scan the lawn on my hands and knees until I spot it. She is so fucking amused and reluctantly puts the pin on when I find it and bring it back to her.
“Good boy”, she says heading for the front door. I jog to catch up with her. Before I can knock a petite woman with a straight blonde bob and bright brown eyes greets us.
“Hi, Paris and…Seraphina?” she says brightly, “Come on in. I’m Skylar. Sky. Cortland’s wife.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Day”, I start, and “You have such a wonderful home. I’ve heard so much about you from Cortland and I –“
“Kylie”, Sky turns as a teenager bolts down the stairs and towards the back of the house, “Say to Mr. Prince and his wife. He’s your Dad’s new co-worker.”
“Hi”, Kylie says looking up for a moment before going back to her phone. Sky does a frustrated smile laugh then turns fully to her daughter.
“Please get off the phone for one second Kylie. Here. Take this vegetable tray out back and let your father know Mr. Prince is here.”
Sky hands the wine and vegetable tray to the teen, then invites us further inside. The house is open and warm. It’s tastefully decorated in sage green and neutral tones. The walls are covered in impeccably well-lit family photos, including a large photo of Day and Sky on what must have been their wedding. They are surrounded by friends in a flurry of flower petals. They looked really young.
“Everyone’s out back, Paris”, Sky says walking into the living room, “Us ladies are in here, Seraphina”
Sera and I share a glance. Sera just nods politely and tries to copy Sky’s over enthusiastic smile but it looks fake. Before I head outside I’m quickly introduced to Lia Bruno and Sunny Lee, Supervisor Bruno and Lee’s wives, who are sitting comfortably on a beige sectional. Supervisor Hollins much younger wife, Melanie, is also present. She’s sitting on an ottoman in jeans and a Hollins Family Dental polo shirt.
I mentally prepare myself before stepping out into the massive
backyard. The large resort style deck has a huge the lagoon shaped pool in the
center that is currently occupied by teenagers. The expansive slightly raised patio
is set up with a large grill, lounge chairs and covered bistro seating. I spot
Day by the grill with the other supervisors. I hold back my nausea as I
approach the cooking meat and strong lighter fluid.
“Cortland”, I say making my voice loud and chipper. Not at all like I know that he and his dead father have stolen millions from the county.
“Paris. Glad you made it. Is your wife here?” Day asks. A man I don’t recognize tries to nonchalantly swing his elbow into another man. I can tell by his expression that word had got around that I had a hot wife who did porn, instead of a partner in sex work that demanded regulation and protection. So much for me controlling the narrative.
“She’s inside.”
“Uh oh”, Bruno says. Don’t let those girls get her into too much trouble.”
“Grab a drink, Paris”, Cortland says, “Make yourself at home.”
I head over the fully stocked bar and settle for a seltzer water with lime, then make Seraphina a white wine spritzer. When I navigate back to the house to bring it to her there is a chorus of ‘awws’.
“Enjoy newlywed life while you can”, Mrs. Lee says with her hands pressed to her chest.
“Oh…we’ve been married…eight years this summer.” I tell them.
“Well. Honey you must have some tricks you can teach me”, Mrs. Lee says to Sera. Sera bites back a response and tries to smile. I was grateful Sera was usually quiet and shy around new people.
“How did you two meet?” Skylar asks leaning in.
“High school,” I offer, “We didn’t date until I was in college. We both grew up in foster care and just decided to elope one summer.”
“Cort and I got married in college too”, Skylar says, “It’s tough when you’re young--but special to grow-up with someone you care about. Cortland said you were a model in New York, Seraphina.”
This seems to catch the attention of the women.
I falter for just a minute and Sera talks over me.
“Not exactly. I was a Dominatrix”, she says using the word that was a bit more mainstream, if a bit vulgar.
There are a few shared looks of confusion. Sky seems to start and end several sentences at once. Sera had no idea how to read a room. We’d prepared for how she was supposed to answer.
“It’s a long story”, I say trying to save the moment, “law school is pretty expensive…but she’s always wanted to stay-at-home. So…that’s the plan…right Darling?”
Sera nods in agreement and that seems to put the group at ease. It wasn’t a lie. Sera did want to be a housewife, she just expected to be catered to at the same time.
“I’ve been staying at home for 15 years”, Sky says helping to ease the tension, “Trust me it’s not as easy as it looks.”
The women laugh out of obligation or nerves. I take the moment to disappear into the backyard before anyone asks about children. There is no way I can look around Day’s house for more evidence with the wives sitting inside. I’ll have to bide my time.
Instead of posting up with the other supervisors by the grill I circulate and meet everyone in attendance. There are a handful of managers and directors who work for the county but they are a little standoffish.
I recognize Carver Landow and his wife Josie. The couple was in their late 50s. They both appeared average and wholesome, but Landow had been Sera’s client for years. He’d introduced us to the Sex Worker Collective and asked Director Munroe to consider me for this position. He was not going to like it when I made the embezzlement public. Sera was already giving Landow free home sessions as a thank you for helping me get this job. Sera wasn’t a fan of his wife, Josie, who wasn’t into kink but hovered at the end of sessions. Landow probably also won’t like that Sera was brutally honest about her job since he was still her client. He knew we ran a discrete business but something told me this place didn’t keep secrets.
I eventually drag over a chair to where Bruno, Lee and Hollins have set up camp next to Day. Day works the grill with a precision I can’t fathom. I can feel a shift in the mood of when I sit down.
“I feel like we haven’t gotten a chance to get to know each other.” I say to my fellow supervisors
“Yeah”, Lee says, “We were just talking about the scrimmage last night.”
I desperately tried to pull up any sports knowledge I had. I’d spent most of last night mentally preparing for this party. I hadn’t even thought of researching local sports.
“Which game is that?” I ask.
“HARRISON COUNTY HAWKS”, Lee shouts.
A few teens in the pool jump up and shout in return.
“HARRISON COUNTY HAWKS”, they respond then follow up with loud cawing.
“I missed it.”, I admit, “I’ll have to catch the next one.”
I take a notebook out of my pocket and make a note. Then slowly put it away because they are all staring at me. I sit back and listen to the rest of the conversation about the game. Day in a show of comradery offers me a grilled corn.
The embezzlement Day is caught up is bad. It could be career ending and he could get serious prison time. But to be honest Day isn’t a bad guy. I can tell by watching him. He is always checking in on his guest and knows everyone by name. By stationing himself at the grill he is able to chat and literally serve everyone he invited. He can talk local ordinances, infrastructure and schools with expertise. He’s not a bad guy. He just inherited a problem from his selfish father.
Day takes a quick break from the grill and hands the reigns over to Bruno. Day peels his shirt off and with a running start dives into the pool. Everyone is delighted and watches him. When he comes up he picks up his daughter and tosses her into the deeper end and splashes the other teens
“Dad”, Kylie says slightly annoyed. The other kids are laughing and underneath it so is Kylie.
“Hawks got to keep your eyes open”, He laughs.
Day splashes around with them some more, before getting into a deep conversation with some of the boys about the scrimmage. Some of Kylie’s friends clearly can’t seem to take their eyes off Day’s toned chest and arms. He was no Sven but for a suburban dad he looked pretty good.
At that moment Sky comes out of the house with the other wives trailing behind her. Sky immediately breaks away from the group when she sees Day in the pool.
“Cort”, Sky chastises Day with a tight smile, “You’re supposed to be watching the grill. Can you please…?”
“Okay, Sky”, he says, “Just give me a minute.”
“Cort”, she says as a warning her arms wrapped tight around herself. Day makes a big deal of shaking his hair out and grabs a towel. He heaves himself out of the pool, then him and Sky head to the back of the pool house gesturing wildly in hushed tones. Kylie quickly tries to distract her friends who must have noticed the tension.
I notice a few women trying to casually find seats by the supervisor’s wives—including Josie Landow. I start to walk over to the group but then realize that with the wives out here…the house would be empty. Now might be my only chance to look for more evidence on day.
“I’m just going to grab another drink”, I say to the supervisors and they just give obligatory sounds.
The inside of the house is quiet and mercifully cool. I turn my eyes to the spiral staircase. I had to move quickly in case anyone else came into the house--
“Hello?”
I jump at the voice and duck into the kitchen. I hear footsteps coming from the front door. I recognize the voice and slowly open the shutters that separate the kitchen from the living room. The voice hadn’t been speaking to me but to Sera who was still inside the house. She was touching up her ponytail in an oversized hall mirror
The voice belonged to…
What was his name?
Emile.
Emile steps into the living room balancing a plate of appetizers. He must have been sitting on the front steps. Sera turns and gives him a cool look.
“Hello”, Emile says playfully when Sera turns around, “Got
lost from the flock?”
“No”, she says turning on her heels, “You?”
“I’ve been coming to this thing for years. They’ll come find me when it’s time for the pictures. What are you hiding from?”
Sera turns back to the mirror, clearly offended that he would think she was hiding from anything, “You can clear a room pretty quick when you tell a room full of politician’s wives you’re a sex worker.”
Emile nods trying to hold back his shock or confusion.
“Ah”, he says skewering a meatball, “So tell me, do you use your line of work to defend your second amendment stance? I notice you aren’t packing this afternoon.”
“Did you ever look up my license? Or what about my instructor certification? Or did you just want to cause a scene?”
“There is a thing called discretion and common sense. You’re never going to convince me we should all be carrying guns around like it’s the Wild West.”
She sighs but I can tell she’s ready for a fight.
“So …I was a Domme. That’s what I did for a living. I mean everyone in BDSM loves that safe, sane, consensual mantra but there are people who take advantage of the community. It’s usually cis-men who get their kicks breaking the rules and fucking with dominant…women.”
“I…you…you…what?” Emile says not expecting those words to come out of her mouth.
Sera studies him in the mirror, “Oh, I didn’t think I’d have to explain BDSM to you.”
“I spent a summer in San Francisco in the 90’s I get the general idea. Just trying to figure out how you married a politician.”
“I didn’t marry a politician, a politician married me”, she corrects him and Emile actually smiles at her.
“Apologies.”
“Anyway”, Sera continues, “When a client or scene partner gets to aggressive or ignores the rules there is nothing you can do about it and they know it. The authorities don’t take you seriously once they hear BDSM and, as Paris likes to say, there are no real protections for sex workers. You only have to get assaulted by an entitled client once to remember there are other ways to protect yourself. Or in my case eight times.”
I bit my lip to keep quiet. I only knew about two incidents that had gone bad with clients.
Emile nods while eating another meatball.
“What about those kids out there”, he inclines his head to the backyard, “Last year every single one of those kids out there sat on the floor in the dark praying two men with guns didn’t decide to kill them. They texted good-byes to their parents who could do nothing to save them—in a place where they are supposed to be safe. The same laws that make you feel safe doing your job, has inflicted years of trauma on children.”
“Those were assault rifles—“
“So? The same exact laws that make you feel safe allowed the sale of that weapon. The same laws that make you feel safe are the same laws traumatizing a generations. Communities. “
Sera’s considers this and Emile waits patiently for a rebuttal.
“Well I guess the laws need to change”, she says.
“Exactly”, Emile says in a way that has me clocking him as an educator, “It’s about the law. And the people who make those laws get elected here. At the local level first. Which is why we don’t need any party handpicking officials.”
I realize that’s a reference to my appointment. The previous supervisor was 89-years old and had been pulled out of retirement to hold the seat for the newly formed district. When he’d died at his desk, all the DCC had to do was say the word and the residents in my heavily Gerrymandered district voted as they were told.
“Paris is a good man”, Sera says, “He cares about people. He always does what’s right. ”
“Good because if this country did have protections and infrastructure for sex workers you wouldn’t have to be afraid to report assault. Then you wouldn’t need the gun. Change begets more change. We have to push those in power…now more than ever. That’s why I started the community activism board and the teen activism board. You should join. I could use another adult volunteer on the teen board. I can’t get any of the other Skybirds to help”
She raises an eyebrow and Emile is somehow able to read that look.
“You know. The wives of the supervisors, board members and insurance executives who are always flocking around Sky. Skybirds”
Sera turns to the backdoor where the group of women are playing cards outside.
“Okay”, she says a little ominously, “I’ll volunteer.”
“But?” Emile catches the caveat in her tone.
“But I want you to go shooting with me. Just to say you tried it. I’m not reckless. I get guns are complicated but you assumed I didn’t take ownership seriously--”
“You bought a gun to an elementary school.”
Sera walks over to him. He’s tall but she still has several inches over him.
“Fine. You want the truth? I had a long day. I had two new private clients, I had to get the keys to my subletters and I had to pick up that fucking cake. I forgot I had it on me…I guess I can see why it may have caused a problem. I was already pissed off and got defensive…sorry.”
If I wasn’t waiting for Emile to leave so I could sneak upstairs, I’d have jumped out and asked him how the hell he got my wife to admit she was wrong.
“Maybe I got a bit accusatory but tensions are high around here.”
I hear Sera shift her weight in her heels.
“Will you come shooting with me?” She says but it’s not really a question
“Okay. How about tomorrow?”
“I can’t. I have to work.” Sera says
“On a Sunday?”
“It’s a Sunday Saints and Sinner’s themed party. How about next weekend.”
“It’s a plan. Can I bring a few teens from the activism board?”
This surprises her
“Why?”
“For some of these extremely privileged kids the only experience they had with guns was last year. Maybe being in a controlled environment might help with some of the anxiety. We can do it at my place. I have lots of land and the entire place to myself this summer.”
Sera nods and turns toward the backdoor where the Skybirds are waiting. Emile makes a companionable “you first” gesture and Sera walks with him towards the party out back
I slip out the kitchen and head upstairs. When I reach the second story I type out a quick text to Sera
Distract Day
The second floor has five doors. I can easily make out Kylie’s room, her door is covered in Harry Styles and Drake posters. The master bedroom door is slightly ajar but it seems unlikely Day would keep anything in his bedroom. I turn a sharp corner and come face to face with double doors that open up to an overstuffed office.
I guess I was doing this
I slide behind his large mahogany desk, the chair is a plush leather and the thought of dead animal skin makes me a little nauseous. The drawers are neatly organized and he has hidden away a few cigarettes. I stand up and my foot kicks something under his desk. I push the chair back and see two banker’s box with gold name plates
‘ARMITAGE DAY’
Armitage Day, Day’s father. He’d died a few years ago but it looked like Day kept his memories close. I felt like shit for opening them.
The first box is filled with pictures from Day’s childhood. I don’t feel right looking through it so I set it aside.The second box is different. Inside are several index card organizers. I hadn’t seen these since I was kid. I open up the first one and flip through the tabs.
SIGNATURES
BANKS
ORGANIZATIONS
ROUTING NUMBERS
DOCUMENT TITLES
Each section is filled with strips of paper. I pull a few strips from BANKS and each strip has letterheads from a different bank on them. Some I recognize and some have to be made up.
The routing numbers are real though. Inside the banker’s box are several starter checks with routing numbers that match up to the strips of papers under ROUTING NUMBERS.
I set out a few strips and realize this must be how Armitage Day created the fake invoices. I take pictures of the strips and the index card organizers for proof. There are 8 index card organizers and there must be hundreds of paper strips. Millions of ways to mix and match your own invoices. Armitage had his own system.
It was like a game.
I shift through the paper strips just to get an idea of what kind of businesses Armitage had made up.
School Security Consulting firm
Sign Solutions Inc.
EduMediaPlus
Nutrition Plus Food and Beverages Mobile
Education Mobile Solutions
Student Survey App Data Corp
Paper Partners
My phone starts to vibrate and I dodge for it. Sera sent me some random emoji and letters. I send her a ‘?’ and she sends me another bunch of random letters. It looked like she was typing without looking—
“Fuck”
She must be trying to warn me.
I quickly try to put everything back in place but I drop one of the organizers and strips of paper scatter across the floor. I scramble to grab each one and stuff them in my pocket. A few scatter into the vent and there is no way I’ll be able to get them out.
“Shit”, I just brush any remaining strips under the carpet and head for the office door.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t talk downstairs in the kitchen”, I hear Sera’s voice in the hallway and freeze.
“The kitchen? Do you usually work in the kitchen?” Day laughs nervously.
“I told you. I work anywhere”, she says a hint of flirtatiousness in her voice, “But I really think your wife would be more comfortable if we were downstairs.”
“I just don’t want anyone to overhear us downstairs.”
“We’re not…doing anything wrong. We’re just talking about a session.”
“You are a lot more open than most people… I hope those women didn’t give you a hard time.”
“I don’t care what they think”, Sera says.
“But you did. A little. I could tell. I’m so sorry for that.”
“That’s actually…sweet? But I just think if we go downstairs--”
“I don’t want to be weird, Seraphina…but…I guess I’ve always thought…office stuff would be…fun. My office is up here. This is weird. I can never talk about this kind of stuff with my wife.”
“Allowing someone into your fantasy is a very vulnerable act. If someone is vulnerable enough to task me with making it a reality …it’s my job to handle it with care and discretion.”
She was talking to him like he was an actual client but there was something underneath it. A hint of actually attraction.
I move out from behind the desk and peer out the crack in the double doors. In the hallway Day has his back to me. Sera is holding both his hands in hers. Letting him tightening his hands to relieve his nerves, she’s working him through his discomfort. When I told Sera to distract him I didn’t think he’d try to book an honest appointment with her.
Sera looks up from Day and she seems to take note of my movement. She squints to get a better look and I try to gesture her to get Day downstairs. She gives me an annoyed expression I can’t read but quickly turns her attention back to Day.
“Show me your bedroom.” she says suddenly.
“What? Are you sure?”
“I think if it’s your first time with a Domme a bedroom can be more comfortable. It’s a safe space and if you have bathtub that can make things interesting. I just want to take a quick look so I can see what kind of equipment to bring.”
“Equipment?”
Sera shrugs.
“Ropes, pulleys, restraints, electric wands, paddle--”
“Whoa. Let’s not move to fast. Let’s talk about privacy and confidentiality first.”
“Paris handles all that. I just need to measure. It will take a second.”
“Wait…does he really need to be involved in this?”
I hear the smile in her voice
“Maybe we can leave him out this time.”
“Okay. Right this way.” He opens the bedroom door. Sera closes the bedroom door behind them and I run out of the office. I double check to make sure everything is in place then I bolt out the office
… and run right into Skylar Day.
+++
“Fuck”, I say defeated and frustrated at the fucking universe
“What are you doing up here?” Sky asks.
“I was just—“
“What’s is…”
Sky looks past me. Her ears tuning to the conversation happening inside her bedroom. Sky brushes past me and forcefully opens her bedroom door. Day is already on his way out with Sera at his heels.
“What’s going on?” Sky asks her eyes locked on Sera.
“Calm down, Sky. It’s nothing”, Cortland says, “Don’t overreact.”
I can tell ‘overreact’ is a trigger word for Sky. Sky keeps the fake calm in her voice but I can tell she is holding back.
“Don’t overreact? We have guest downstairs and you are doing this in our bedroom with our daughter in the house?” Her voice cracks but she swallows back the emotion. Sera is awkwardly caught between the bedroom and Day.
“Skylar”, Days says, “We weren’t doing anything. If you jump to conclusion you’re going to make yourself look really ridicu—“
Day stops and for the first time registers that I’m also in the hallway. His gaze goes down the hall to his office door and I can see the wheels in his head spinning. Then he turns back to Sera who maneuvers around him to stand next to me.
“What the hell is going on?” Day looks right at me, “Is this a setup? What are you two up to…were you in my office, Paris?”
Sky moves imperceptibly to her husband’s side
“I can explain”, I say.
“Paris what the hell? I knew there was something fucking off with you. I’m calling securi—“
“I know about The Municipal Complex.” I blurt out, “I know the county has being paying a fake tax bill and mortgage on it. I know your Dad started it.”
I expect Day to look defeated but he looks ready for a fight. He shoves the door to his office open and gestures us all inside. Sky follows us in but she never takes her eyes off Sera. Day calmly sits behind his desk.
“Paris. My father made a mistake.”
“I saw the boxes…under your desk. He didn’t just do it once. He must have made hundreds of fake bills and invoices.”
Days shakes his head.
“You have to understand he did it to save our Florida house. That place was like a second home for me growing up. It was the only place my family was happy. He knew how much Blue Orchid meant to me. It was all a mistake really”
“What do you mean?”
“The fake property tax bill was just a formality to make the sale look real, but some clerk submitted it for payment by accident and the county paid it. He and Hollins, Sr. split the money. He only kept doing it because he was afraid Hollins, Sr. would turn on him.”
Armitage Day had clearly edited the story he told his son to make himself look better
“Cort”, Sky says. Her knuckles are white from gripping Cortland’s desk, “What’s going on?
Day raises a hand to shush his wife and she tries to steady her breathing.
“My dad did what he had to for his family”, Day says calmly, “We all did. When the recession hit we did what we had to to keep the county and our families afloat.”
We
“Paris.”, Days
continues, “I’ve got this situation handled. One of the reasons the county been
so friendly with the developers is because one of the big developers is willing
to finance a project to purchase and repurpose the municipal complex for 12
million dollars.”
“The county doesn’t actually own the complex. It never did. Hollins, Sr. does. How will that work?”
“Officially Hollins, Sr. will receive an advisory fee to help on the project. Unofficially we’re…buying the deed from him. Then the complex will finally belong to the county and then we can hand it off to the developers.”
“12 million dollar is a lot for a renovation.”
“True. We are expecting surplus of funds. The surplus should more than cover any…fiscal discrepancies in the record. I’m cleaning up my father’s mistake. I just didn’t count on the feds auditing us this year.”
“You couldn’t hide it from me, you won’t be able to hide it from them.”
Day looked up from his desk.
“Paris. The feds are only going to see what you put in the audit report.”
There is a long silence.
“Cortland…what are you asking from me”
“Paris. I loved my father. This town loved my father. My daughter loved her Grandpa. I don’t want to tarnish his name. You don’t want to either. We just need to get through this situation. This position is a jumping off point for you. With your ambition this positon will soon be a minor blip on your resume. I’m sure you with all your knowledge can find a way to make sure the auditors see what we want them to see.”
I could do what he was asking. I could easily find a way to hide the embezzlement from the federal audit. I could finish my year out here and move on. Day would move on to his Governor’s race and what we did would just get buried with time.
Except.
We
“We”, I say, “You said we all did what we had to do when the recession hit. Your father had died by then. Who is we?”
I reach into my pockets and pull out the strips of paper I’d picked up from the floor. They fake company names were on stark white paper in simple but recognizable computer fonts with intricate logos.
“These are…new.” I pull more out of my pockets, “You made these, didn’t you?”
“Paris…I can explain”
“Fuck, I bet no one blinked an eye when you billed the county for school safety security consultants and software after the shooting. Considering all the good will you have, I bet no one followed up either. You used that tragedy to finance what? Your fucking ugly pool?”
That alone was the fucking headline.
“Cortland what is he talking about”, Sky asks, “What did you do?”
Day put his hand on his wife’s back and I could tell he was regretting having our wives here.
“Skylar, I did what I had to—“
“We didn’t need the money”, she says biting back tears, “I thought we were doing okay. What about your trust? We could have asked my Dad--
“For once leave your Dad out of this.” Cortland snaps, “Those septic issues with the remodel really set us back. Plus you said Kylie needed those tutors, and that fucking modeling school, plus the kitchen had to be remodeled and you had to take the ladies to fucking Cabo last year.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like—“
“Paris”, Day cuts Sky off. His voice picking up a fake calm, “Why sneak into my office? Why haven’t you gone to the feds yet?”
I’m quiet.
“Seriously, Paris. Tell me. Other than using Mrs. Ginger’s log in to get round the restrictions I put on your access… how did you figure this out.”
“Well, I went to Harvard—“
“No. You had to have accessed the data outside of work. I’ve seen you carrying around that little laptop. Did you take work home with you? Accessed files you shouldn’t…transferred public data to a private device. We both know if the authorities get involved everything on your personal computer becomes public. I can only imagine what you have on there.”
At that he looks up at Seraphina but then quickly back at me.
“I have nothing to hide”, I say and I can practically hear Sera’s teeth grinding together. We had nothing to hide, but if my laptop became a public record New Aeterna’s clients list and perferences would get out there. If that happened every single one of Sera’s rich client could (and would) sue us.
“I doubt it”, Day says, “It sounds to me like we both need to keep our mouth shut about this whole thing. We’ll put something together for the feds and then we will put this behind us.”
I’m sure by that he meant we would doctor whatever documents were needed to pass the audit.
I decide to bluff.
“Too late. I’ve complied an entire dossier on this entire scheme. The minute I walk out of here I’m mailing it to the Hartford-Star and going to the feds.”
I did have a dossier but I wasn’t planning on mailing it.
“Cortland”, Sky cuts in wiping a tear from her red rimmed-eyes,”Fix this. Whatever this is fix it.”
“It’s okay Sky. I’ve got this.” Day assures her, “Let’s negotiate Paris.”
“Negotiate? “
“Paris, the money from the developers will cover any discrepancies. We just need to pass this audit. If it helps…I can offer you an expense account.”
He reaches under his desk and pushes a few blank invoices towards me along with one of the index card boxes. My own little get-rich-quick toolkit. He seems confident. He has clearly done this before.
We
“You’re all doing this?” I realize, “Bruno, Lee and Hollins. You all have fucking expense accounts from the county coffers. That’s really fitting for a future governor”
+2+
Day and Sky freeze.
“You told him you’re running?” Sky says her eyes glassy.
Day takes a deep breath. Day hadn’t told me. I’d seen the endorsement letter from his party when Sera and I broke into his office.
“I wasn’t planning on announcing that until after we had dessert”, Days says.
So it was true.
I take the items he’d pushed toward me and throw them in the trash.
“Fuck you. Just so you know that’s conspiracy. That will for sure get all you federal jail time. Also what you just did right here is bribery--”
“Shut up, Paris”, I jump at Sera’s harsh clipped tone. “Stop being so fucking self-righteous. He didn’t hurt anyone. It’s just money. We’ll just leave town, go back to the city and never say a word—“
“Sera now is not the time for you to convince me to move back to the city.”
“You are in over your head as always Paris.” Sera’s bitter voice rises a bit, “You are not getting cops involved and dragging me and my clients into this shitstorm or some fucking trial. Cortland clearly has a plan to fix this so leave it alone--.”
“You do not need to talk”, Sky cut in. Her voice had a sharp edge to it and her eyes are still red, “I do not want to hear my husband’s name coming out of your mouth. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Sera quickly turns her rage from me to Sky
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Sera says, “I’m trying to keep us all out of jail and you’re mad at me ?”
Sky wipes her eyes. Cortland reaches for Sky’s hand but she quickly bats it away.
“My husband has worked for this county for almost fifteen years”, Sky says, “He is a good man and whatever Cortland has done I know he was only doing what’s best. You’re an outsider, Paris. You think you can come here and tell us how to live? To threaten our family?”
“I—“, I start
“Get out”, Sky says wiping her eyes. “Now.”
“No”, I say, “Not unless Day agrees to come with me to make a deal with the feds. Maybe if you turn on Bruno, Lee, Hollins, Sr. and Hollins you can get a deal. “
“I can’t do it Paris.” Cortland says. His voice is low and he can’t look up at me, “They are like family.”
“Fine. Then you’ll go down with them.”
“Paris”, Sera clenches her fist tight, “My client list cannot get leaked because you want to go on some fucking crusade.”
Her fast paced clipped words seem to take Day and Skylar by surprised. I recognize the unease I feel in my chest as fear. Sera has a temper but it isn’t usually directed at me.
“We’ll figure it out, Darling”, I say a little shakily, “Day, I’m sorry it had to be this way.”
I head for the door but Sera doesn’t move. She brings her palms to her forehead and rubs the stress line there. She looks a little unsteady on her feet.
“Are you okay?” Cortland asks Sera which is the complete wrong thing to do.
“Seriously?” Sky rounds on Cortland.
“Sky have some compassion”, Day starts.
“Compassion? Get this whore out of your office”, Sky seethes.
“Don’t be crude”, Cortland says
“Don’t be crude? You had her in our bedroom.”
“For fucksake, Sky”, Cortland says between gritted teeth
Sera makes her way out of the office, but it’s not fast enough for Sky. Sky shoves Sera over the office’s threshold. Sera stumbles and slams into a small hall table. A table leg snaps under her weight.
“What the hell?” Sera pulls herself up and examines the small cut on her arm.
“SKY”, Day roars snatching his wife back by the arm, “Get yourself together.”
“I invited you in my house. Who do you think you are to be carrying on with my husband”, Sky demands from Sera.
“What the fuck is wrong with you”, Sera pushes me out the way when I try to help her up, “I am not the one you need to be mad at you crazy bitch.”
“You knew exactly what you were doing with my husband.”
Sera straightens, “Well, your husband’s probably going to jail so you might want to get used to the idea of other people fucking him.”
Sky slips passed Day and slaps Sera across the face. Sera shoves her to the ground and without hesitating they both go after each other and pull each other down to the floor. Sky is trying to choke Sera. Sera is mostly trying to be defensive but also trying to scratch her eyes out.
“Fuck”, Days says and we awkwardly realize we have to pull each other’s wife off our own. Day hooks his arms around Sera and drags her back. Sky is much heavier than she looks but once Day has Sera, I’m able to easily hold back Sky.
“Get off of me”, Sky says once I have her on the other side of the hallway. I immediately let her go before she scratches me, “Get out. Both of you.”
“Let go, Seraphina. Now”, I order sharply in a voice I didn’t know I had.
Day lets Sera go and she purposely take a moment to straighten her posture and romper before heading down the steps. Out of habit I step back to let Sera go first. I’m pretty sure Sera did something petty like give Day a final glance or flipped Sky off because the minute I step aside, Skylar Day rushes forward and shoves Sera down the spiral staircase.
One minute Sera is there…then she’s gone. Sera topples down each step with a thud and slams into the mid staircase landing. Sera’s wedge shoe had come off and is perfectly perched on the top step. Sky picks up the shoe and throws it at her…except Sky misses and the shoe sails through the downstairs window.
“What the hell?” Day demands grabbing his wife and shoving her against the wall “Are out of your damn mind.”
What follows is a long tense silence. Sera is sprawled face-down on the steps and a little trickle of blood drips down the faux shiplap stairs. I can’t stop shaking. I can’t move on from this moment if she doesn’t.
Then Sera groans. She pushes herself to a sitting position and looks up the stairs.
“Oh God”, Sky whispers with tears pour down her face. It seems to suddenly occur to her what she’d almost done. Sky buries her face into Day’s chest and he awkwardly brings his arms down to comfort her.
I rush down to help Sera stand-up. Her nose is bleeding and her legs are scrapped up.
“Dad?” a voice comes from below
I look up from the Sera and see everyone from the party is at the foot of the steps including Kylie. Everyone looks confused. I quickly deduce they hadn’t seen Sky push Sera. They must have heard the shoe crash through the window. I could save this moment.
We could get out of here without making a scene.
Sera looks at me and blood pours down to her lips and into her mouth
“Darling-“
“You motherfucking cunt”, Sera stands up and throws her other shoe at Sky. Sky ducks and the shoe crashes through wall by Sky’s head. Everyone gasps, “I’m going to fucking kill you. I’m so tired of this fucking town and these fucking people. You’re going to burn. You fucking bitch—“
Sera tries to make her way back up the stairs toward Sky but Emile grabs her and helps me bring her down the steps and toward the front door. Day is turning bright red and utterly failing at containing this situation. Sky is crying again which doesn’t help the situation at all. Sera won’t stop cursing which really doesn’t help the situation.
“Ummm”, I say to the crowd while keeping a vice like grip around my wife, “Its fine. My wife just tripped. It’s okay. It was just a misunderstanding. It was an accident. It was an accident, Honey. You’re fine. Just a bad fall”
Day is nodding along with my lie. I put a big smile on my face and with Emile’s help lead Sera through the crowd gathered at the door.
What a fucking disaster.
+++
Okay. So…Yeah...
I didn’t mean for Sera to have issues with every female character in the story. It just happened that way.
This was also the point where Emile showed up and just…didn’t go away. So he’s here now.
SHV please don’t kill me. I originally made Cortland Paris’ boss when this was supposed to be a four chapter serial about a town coming together after a tragedy…but it SPIRALED.
Plot Hole : There is a plot hole in that Paris/Sera's anniversary is in June but it's never going to be mentioned.