I blinked and tilted my head to the side. “Well, that is true, but what does it have to do with this lawsuit.”
“If you were the father, legally, you could have made her stay in town to help raise your child. If, of course, you were aware of the pregnancy, and the child turned out to be yours. So, I can only assume, that’s the reason she kept it a secret. She wanted to get out of here… and may have been waiting for a convenient time in her life to let you know about the baby.”
I put my head in my hands and massaged my temple—what a mess.
“I know this is no reassurance, but this scenario isn’t all that uncommon. And besides, it might be just a scam, hoping you might agree. An easy check… a document made up between the two of you. You pay. She keeps quiet. And the child goes away. It’s called extortion or blackmail. You take your pick. And, of course, it is illegal.”
“Well, really, do you think Heather would hire the firm Brown and Brown if that were the case?”
Danielle looked away, then back at me, “No, Richard, I don’t. That’s why we need to file for the testing… to make sure.”
“Well, just so you know, if this scenario is true, then Heather was right. If I had known she was pregnant with my child, I would have made damn sure she never left River Valley!”
“Yes, Richard. I’m aware of your honorable reputation in business and family matters. Otherwise, I would not agree to represent you in this case.”
“So, you will take the case?” I tried to smile.
“Of course. “Look Richard, I know this is a tricky situation. We have a very long road ahead of us. This case could take months.”
I took in a deep breath and did what I do best. I calmed myself, cleared my head, and forced the rational side of me to take over for at least long enough to take in her explanation. “What do we do now, Danielle?”
“Well, let me go over the ins and outs with her attorney. See what shereallywants. And in the meantime, set up a hearing to get the DNA testing rolling. Everything revolves around the result.”
“The hell with what she wants! How do I get in contact with her?”
Danielle held her hands up and shook her head. “No, Richard. Let me handle this. The worst thing you could do right now is call her. If she wanted to talk to you, she would have called you directly. She knows where you work, and everyone in town knows your family.”
“Exactly,” I said. “This will ruin my reputation if it gets out. Even though I’m kind of known as, shall we say, being with a lot of women, this could ruin my public image. Make me look like an absentee father, just like Caley’s dad, Cam. I don’t want to be that guy!”
Danielle reached across her desk and put her hand on top of mine.
“Richard, you’re not Cam. Everyone in town knows that. You have done absolutely nothing wrong. You were in a long-term, committed relationship that didn’t work out. Heather finds out she’s pregnant after you break-up but doesn’t tell you and is now coming after you for child support. Your family can always go to the media with this story. Use your family’s public relations agency to get out in front of this… if you have too.”
I nodded as she spoke, realizing that she was right. Once word got out about it, and I knew that it would, I’d have to do a lot of damage control. I was also worried about how my father would react, but something told me that he’d be on my side.
“So, is it a boy or a girl?”
“I thought you would never ask. Allegedly, you have a daughter, Richard.” My heart started beating again. If there was one good thing to come out of the whole thing, it was that I had a daughter.
“I want to see her,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Unfortunately, Heather doesn’t have to let you see her. Not until the test results prove you are the father. Then the laws in California provide you with certain rights.”
“Excuse me? She dares to ask for child support and for me to sign over custody for our daughter, but I don’t have the right to see her? Does she know how powerful my family is? You bet your ass I’m going to see my daughter, Danielle!”
Once again, she held up her hands.
“Settle down. It’s not just back child support that she wants, Richard. She wants an additional lump sum payment, you know.”
By that point, my face was turning every shade of red.
“Of course, she wants a lump sum payment. It’s hush money,” I said. “Heather knows damn well this will ruin our family’s business. That’s why she’s doing it, Danielle. It’s hush money that I refuse to pay!”
Danielle let out another sigh. “Well, we already discussed the idea of extortion and blackmail. And yes, you will have to pay if the child is indeed yours. The court will decide, usually, based on your income. Unless you two can agree on a figure during arbitration.”
I knew Danielle was right.
“Forget the money, Danielle. Doesn’t a father have the right to see his daughter? I have done absolutely nothing wrong here!”
