Part 19

"According to Denise, people thought that Greer was seeing Dr. Reed."
Tom placed two water bottles on the desk and sat across from Cassy.

Cassy took a long drink. "But we both know that is not possible. Greer was
devoted to her husband. She left a wealthy fiance and allowed herself to be
cut off from her family's support because she fell in love with a carpenter."

"So why would people think that there was something between Reed and
her?"

"Come on Tom, it doesn't take much to get the rumor mill started. Look
at us, people were whispering that we had secretly eloped when marriage had
never been discussed."

"And again after we were married and people thought it was because you
were pregnant."

Cassy frowned. "I remember that. I got all sorts of looks. People were
watching me to see if I made a mad dash to the bathroom and if my clothes
started stretching."

Tom smiled. "Speaking of mad dashes to the bathroom, I haven't seen you do
that in a while."

"I know, isn't it great? Ever since we returned from LA, I feel great."

"That's terrific. Getting back to business. We have nothing to connect Reed
to Greer's death. The only thing we might be able to get him on is the baby
scam."

An angry look fell on Cassy's face. "I hate this. He kills an innocent girl
and gets away with it. I really hate this."

"So do I, but we have to play the hand we're dealt. It looks as though the
baby angle is our only way."

"I know. I think it's time we raise the stakes on our deal with the good
doc."

Cassy raised an eyebrow. "Raise them how?"

"It's time to call Dr. Reed."

Tom switched the regular phone with the special untraceable phone and
dialed. "Dr. Reed please. This is Patrick Birch....Yes, I'll hold." Tom
smiled at Cassy. "Dr. Reed, Patrick Birch here... Fine, and
you?....Terrific. Look Dr. Reed, Georgia and I are growing impatient
with you. We need to know if you're the one for us or do we need to look elsewhere....Yes, I understand it's a long process but we are very busy
people too and where money is not an issue, time is....Money? A gentleman
never discusses money on the phone....A meeting would be great.. 3:00 would
be perfect...See you then."

Tom hung the phone up. "How did I sound?"

"Decisive. Who would have guessed?"

"What do you mean 'Who would have guessed?' I happen to be a very decisive
man, thank you very much."

"If you say so."


"Ashley, call me at the office. It's important." Dr. Reed hung up the
phone. Patrick Birch was ready to deal. All he need was the last background
check on the Birch's to come through, a final deal with Patrick Birch and a
baby.

The only one that was a problem was the last item. Unfortunately, none of
the women in the center were ready to deliver. Leslie was three weeks from
her due date. Sandy was four. Kim was a week late but at the last second
changed her mind and left. He had no baby to offer the Birch's. If he didn't find a
baby and soon, he was going to lose big.

The phone rang.

"Dr. Reed."

"Hi Honey, I got your message. What is so urgent?"

"The Birch's are ready to deal now. We can't afford another incident like
we had with Kim and the Green's."

"Brian, you'll have to stall them. Neither Leslie or Sandy is ready."

"Patrick Birch was very specific. He wants a baby now or he'll go
elsewhere."

"There is nothing we can do. You can't induce another delivery."

"No, it would be too dangerous. Let me think on it. Meanwhile has the
investigator called?"

"No, not yet. You meet with the Birch's. I'll stay here and watch Leslie
and Sandy, and wait for the investigator to call."

"Call me if anything happens."


Cassy opened another bottle of water while Tom opened a soft drink can.
She was tempted to switch drinks, but she promised herself and Tom that if
she was to do right by the baby then that meant no caffeine of any sort.
But once this baby came, if Tom tries to stand between her and a cup of
coffee, he was going to lose a limb. "So, what's the plan for this afternoon?"

"I'm going to make an offer, fifty-thousand dollars for a baby in
twenty-four hours."

"So we could very easily have this case wrapped up by tomorrow." Cassy
looked unhappy about it.

Tom patted her hand. "Not the case we wanted but he will go to jail. And
after this case is tucked away, we have a new project to work on."

"Yeah. Telling Harry about..."

"Telling Harry about what?" Harry appeared beside a startled Cassy.

Tom smiled a cool smile. "It looks as though this case may be solved by
tomorrow."

"Terrific."

"How did the meeting with Alexandra Prescott go?"

Cassy had forgotten about that meeting.

"Interesting. Alexandra Prescott's husband came barging in her office
right after I arrived wanting to know why he was just served divorce
papers. She tried to get him to leave, but when he wouldn't, she pulled out
some pictures of him with some woman. Neither one seemed to notice or
care that I was in the room."

Cassy's face went white. "A woman?"

"Yeah, some tall brunette. Apparently Ms. Prescott has been having her
hubby followed for some time."

Cassy sighed in relief.

"I don't think this was the first time he strayed."

Cassy tensed up again. "Why do you say that?"

"Because all she said as she was showing him the door was 'I trusted
you. No one does this to me twice in a lifetime. Was she a prostitute
too?'"

"Ouch" Tom said as he watched Cassy face. She smiled at him to let him
know she was all right.

"Ouch is right. That's a little more about that marriage than I ever wanted
to know. Needless to say, that cut the meeting short, so Kiddies, it looks
like we may have bought ourselves more time. So tell me why you think
this case may be solved tomorrow?"


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