Trouble in Tampa Read Online Free PDF Page B

counted. “They got out. They escaped. One’s in college on the East Coast, and the other’s playing semi-pro soccer in Washington. They spread their wings and flew away. They did what I should have done long ago.”
    “But that’s what you’re going to do now.” I twisted toward her and slid the envelope from her hands. “It might have taken you a while, but you’re leaving him now and that’s what matters. Not that you maybe hung around for too long, or that you may have stayed for the wrong reasons, or that you’re scared witless to do what you’re about to. What matters is that you’re doing it.”
    Mrs. Tucker’s eyes met mine again. “What matters is that I’m taking him down in the process. What matters is that he’s going to feel what’s it’s like to feel his whole life slipping away from him. What matters is that he won’t be able to control it. I’m taking that from him. I’m going to be the one hovering over him when this is over. That is what matters.”
    “You’re doing this to get even,” I stated. I was fine with that. Even was good enough reason for me. Hell, at the end of the day, I didn’t need a reason. When the term domestic abuse came up, that was all the reason I needed.
    Mrs. Tucker shook her head. “Revenge,” she stated, her eyes narrowing. “I’m doing this for revenge.”
    So Mrs. Tucker had a bit more fight inside of her than I’d thought. Good for her. “You’re divorcing the bastard and taking him for half of everything.” I gave her a nod. “That’s a solid case of revenge if I’ve ever heard one.”
    “I’ve got twenty years’ worth of revenge to dole out. If there was a way to take him for more, I would.”
    I dropped the envelope into my briefcase. I needed to wrap things up. Time was a luxury I never had. Especially time with the Client. “You realize that when this is done and you’ve got the damning evidence you need, you’re going to have to get out of that house and stay away from him while you file for divorce, right? He can’t be anywhere close to you or know where to find you when he receives those papers. You know that, right?”
    That speech wasn’t in my job description. I didn’t council or advise or offer post-marital counseling. My job was one thing and one thing only—to seduce the husband and open up that pre-nup loophole. Something about Mrs. Tucker, however, left me conflicted. She wasn’t just married to a cheater—she was married to a man who beat her. I didn’t know what he’d do when he found out she was leaving him, but I knew enough to guess it wouldn’t turn out well for Mrs. Tucker. Whether it meant a few more bruises, or some mental blows that would leave permanent scars, or if he was one of the crazy ones who came at her with a loaded gun, I wouldn’t be able to sleep well if I didn’t say my piece.
    “I’ve already got that figured out. I have a couple of suitcases packed and hidden and an emergency fund I’ve been stowing away for years. I know exactly what I need to do. I’m ready. All I need is for you to do your part, and I’ll be free.” She exhaled as a shadow of a peaceful expression came over her face. “I’ll finally be free.”
    I gave Mrs. Tucker’s hands a squeeze before rising. The sooner I got the file studied, the sooner I could arrange the Greet with the Target and the sooner I could stick it to that asshole. Mrs. Tucker focused while I gave her the standard Meet lecture and when I gave her the phone, her eyes went a little glassy. “You know what the ironic thing about this whole thing is? If I could do it all again, knowing what kind of a man Rob would become, that wouldn’t stop me from marrying him. I’d do it all over again.”
    My forehead creased. “Why’s that?”
    She stopped twirling the ring on her left hand and lifted her right. She wore another ring on her right ring finger. One with two different gemstones. Mrs. Tucker smiled at it. “Because I got my two angels from