Chapter 3

"Thanks, Dave. I appreciate the information." Jed hung up the phone after talking with the FBI Director and stared out the glass doors. It had only been minutes since Leo had been escorted out and he was still shocked at the events which had transpired in the last half hour. He didn't hear the outer door open and so was startled when Abbey's hands slid down the front of his chest as she leaned down and kissed his left ear.

"You okay?"

Jed, continuing to stare, shook his head. "No," he replied softly. "I really don't know what to think."

"I know. I heard the news in my office."

Jed swirled around, looking into his wife's eyes. "Why?"

"Why did he do it? Why what?"

"He knew Abbey. Apparently for some time. He has a lawyer and everything. He didn't tell me. He didn't share this with me."

Abbey sat on the edge of Jed's desk, her suit skirt riding up exposing her shapely legs with the black stilettos. "And that hurts, doesn't it? It hurts that he didn't share this with you before you absolutely had to know."

Jed nodded. "Yeah. I guess that's it. I know he's innocent. He has to be. But I'm hurt that he's been keeping it from me. We could have talked about it. I could have supported him. He's got to be going through hell right now. I just can't believe anyone would think our Leo would do anything wrong. That's just not him."

"I know, hon. I agree with you. Leo is not guilty, no matter what he's charged with. Do you know any of the details?"

"Not much. Just what the FBI director just told me. Remember, Leo was working for Bern Securities when he was appointed Secretary of Labor?"

Abbey nodded, waiting on Jed to continue.

"Supposedly he embezzled or defrauded the firm for twenty-five million dollars. As a senior partner, he had access to all of the clients' accounts and could virtually do anything he wanted with it. But I don't believe he would do this. I know he didn't have a whole lot of money until after he went with the firm. He was a good lawyer but with the alcoholism, he didn't have that many clients. I knew he had earned a lot of money with the firm but he worked hard to do it as well. But I refuse to believe that Leo got rich by taking money he wasn't entitled to. Money he didn't earn himself."

"I don't believe it either. And I'm sure at the end of this he'll be exonerated and back at work."

"I hope so. I truly hope so."

"He will be. Now, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks for stopping by. You always seem to know exactly when I need you."

Abbey leaned over and gave him a kiss. "It's because I love you so much." She stood up. "We'll talk more tonight. Get back to work."

Jed gave her a salute and laughed. "Will do, boss. Will do."