“That’s fine.”
“I don’t think you understand what this could mean if Tim paints a good story. Your business could suffer. Are you sure you want to move forward with finding her? Maybe she knew what Tim was up to and is trying to protect you,” Meredith suggested.
Ben scoffed. “I have no doubt in my mind that’s exactly what happened. I don’t care. I want Katherine safe. People can say whatever they want about me. They always have and I’m sure they always will. I’m not worried about me and I have a feeling Katherine doesn’t care about rumors that might get started about her.”
“Good. You need to know this Tim guy wins his cases in the public eye because he’s a smooth character. He knows how to work a jury as well as the public. Women everywhere are going to see her as the villain with you as her evil sidekick. The lawsuit against you is only giving his story credibility,” she continued.
Ben paused. “I know. It sucks, but that’s the way it is. I know the truth and maybe Katherine will be able to tell her side of the story. All it would take is one picture of her after Tim beat her. Then the public would know why she ran.”
“I agree, but that is a very private matter and I don’t see Katherine ever letting that happen. She doesn’t want to be seen as a victim.”
Ben knew Meredith was right. She refused to let anyone think she had been a victim. She was a strong, stubborn woman and would balk at the idea of her personal life being put on display. There had to be another way to beat Tim without sacrificing Katherine’s privacy. She’d already lost enough of herself. She didn’t deserve to sacrifice anything more.
“You’re right. Tell your guys to call me or I’m going to start looking for my own people to hire.”
“Ben, listen, you need to think about hiring a publicist. I don’t think you understand how bad this is going to get,” Meredith warned.
“I’ve never used a publicist in my life,” Ben said, affronted at the very idea of someone cultivating his image.
He liked who he was and didn’t need to hide behind a bunch of fluff. He was a private man and had managed to avoid most of the front pages of the society sections. He wasn’t the type of guy who went out with hot models or Hollywood celebrities. He preferred to keep things much lower key.
“Do it. That’s an order. I’m going to need the help fighting this thing in court. I can’t have that guy smeari
ng your name and your company while I’m trying to get this thing dismissed. You can afford it,” she ordered, leaving little room for him to argue.
“Fine, I’ll call my assistant and have her set one up.”
“Good. Get used to be driven around as well. No more driving. I can’t have you running over paparazzi or breaking the speed limit.”
“Meredith,” he grumbled, feeling like a teenager having the keys to the family car taken away.
“I’m serious. This is my arena. You listen to me now.”
“Fine,” he said and hung up the phone before she told him to wash behind his ears or something stupid.
He called Rachel and told her to get a publicist lined up, filling her in on the details. Rachel’s life was about to get hectic as well. There was no doubt the press would be calling the office, wanting a statement. Once he was done with Rachel, he strolled out to the small guard shack next to the gate to his home and spoke with his security. He wanted everything locked down tight. No one got through the gate, not even delivery men. He gave the very short list of people he would allow in and headed back inside. It felt like he was getting ready to ride out a violent storm. In many ways, he guessed he really was.
He had no idea how long it would take the press to pick up on the story, but he wanted to be ready when they did. If he was lucky, it would be a busy news cycle and his story would stay off the radar. He had a feeling Tim would not like that and would work very hard to get the lawsuit front and center. It was his way of coming out ahead in the divorce. Ben was more than willing to sacrifice a few million dollars if it meant Tim would be out of the picture for good.
Chapter Thirteen
Katherine
IT WAS A NEW CITY AND a new hotel for Katherine as she tried to find her bearings. She felt like an aimless, wandering arrow with no destination in mind. She knew why she was struggling to pick a place to start over. It was Ben. She didn’t really want to leave and therefore was stalling at really starting over. Katherine really wanted to go back to him. By continuing this limbo, there was a small chance that she could. At least that’s what she told herself. In reality, she knew that returning to Ben would make his life hell, even if he couldn’t see it.
The TV was on outlining the expected weather for the day—rain. She wasn’t sure she could survive in a place that got rain so regularly. Her psyche couldn’t handle it, even if it left everything very green. The area was gorgeous, but she knew it wasn’t right for her.
The small town had been okay for a day, but it soon became clear it wasn’t the place for her either. She needed to work and there were few jobs available for a woman with almost zero work history and limited skills. It also became painfully clear that although it was a small town and there were few people, they were people with big mouths. The gossip about her arrival had made its way back to her and that would never do. She needed a place to hide where the people had a little more discretion. She may as well put up a giant, flashing arrow advertising her presence with as much as the townspeople were talking.
After leaving there, she’d ended up a little closer to Portland, in a small city with more hotel choices. She’d splurged and went with a Quality Inn that offered with a free breakfast. That would save her the hassle of trying to find somewhere to eat, plus the food selection was healthy and smelled amazing as she strode down the carpeted hallway to the banquet area.
With her filled plate in hand, she quickly found a quiet corner, her back to the wall, where she could eat her breakfast while keeping an eye on things. A discarded newspaper caught her eye, and it was one she recognized well, the LA Times. Desperate for some connection to the place she once called home, she snatched the paper up, anxious to read about the latest happenings in the area, even if it wouldn’t affect her.
Her breakfast of bacon, eggs, a fluffy waffle and orange juice suddenly soured in her stomach as she stared at the front page of the paper. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. There was no way she was seeing what she was seeing. She shook her head, blinked and looked again.
Yep, it was a picture of Ben, his huge smile filling the page. It was his business head shot, his name in emboldened letters below his image under the tantalizing headline.
Silicon Valley Billionaire Embroiled in Violent Scandal