Peter's eyes narrowed on hers. "Doesn't tell us who cashed anything."
Vicki nodded and folded the paper in his hand. "I'm sure the House of Morgan lawyers can follow the money backward. Behind the check, with the names of my nurse, and with the papers clipped together, we can build the case that the adoption papers contained forged signatures."
Vicki stared at the document. Her name was clear, and so was Colt's. Her father had covered his bases, and hadn't expected any questions. But then, he ran a multibillion-dollar banking industry with ties to every corner of the earth. He'd tried to make her baby disappear just as her mother had left weeks after her own birth.
Peter filed the papers Vicki handed him into a folder that was pre-labeled "investigate." She searched another pile. Peter also had the public records of Colt's court appeal that proved his name was forged. "We already know one of two signatures were forged. This is clear evidence for me too."
"No, it wouldn't be. It was filed by a different person, but it might be used as backup."
Vicki crossed her arms and stared at Alice, who was in the pool. Something cold pressed against her spine, and she realized she ought to play it safe. "I'd rather work with Colt, but I don't trust Belle. Instruct Ms. Montenagro to file everything she can just in case something changes."
It was easier to blame Belle, but it was also Colt. He had to tell Clara soon. "Last night, Belle tried to forge an alliance where she kept Colt and she'd give me Clara. I don't know what to do about her."
"Never trust a woman about to lose her fiancée, Vicki, and without the ring on her finger, she has no legal say in anything."
"There wasn't time to talk to Colt this morning, and the tension in the room was already high. Something else was going on." Vicki stood, folded the papers into the folder, and squared her shoulders. "Tonight, I'll tell him. He has a right to know, and I will find a way to corner him to tell him."
Peter repacked his briefcase. "I'll ensure your case is ready to go, but let's hope she's gone soon."
Vicki shook her head. "I lost Colt, but I cannot lose Clara too. I don't want to wish that the woman just disappears."
Peter placed his briefcase on the floor and stood beside his sister. "The Collins family are all pretty honorable. John's Alice is a keeper, and who knows, her brother might just end up with my baby sister. You're worth ten of whoever this Belle is."
"Not everyone has a dollar sign that makes them who they are." She sighed and then hugged her brother. At least in personality, Peter only kept who he was, despite their father’s influence. Now she had people on her side. It made breathing easier.
Silence greeted her ears, and Vicki glanced up to see Alice's determined jaw set as the three of them swam. "Let's get in the pool and cool off."
Vicki left Peter, walked over, and dived into the cool waters of the pool. The splashing sound made her forget everything else and find peace.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Vicki and Clara sat near the kitchen as Clara played with a doll quietly. Alice worked on food preparations, and once Vicki felt her daughter was fine, she stood to help her friend.
John and Peter talked in the living room about potential half-siblings that might exist somewhere, but Vicki didn't care. She glanced at her daughter as she said, "Clara, I'm going to help your aunt with lunch."
Clara didn't let go of her doll or whatever fantasy she was in at the moment. "Okay."
Vicki picked up a knife and began slicing the carrots, but then her phone rang. Alice retook the knife as Vicki checked her phone. She pursed her lips, as she didn't recognize the out-of-town number. She scratched her head, picked it up, and answered, "Hello?"
"Vicki, hi. It's Belle. Hope you're well."
Her face must have shown her surprise, because Alice stopped chopping and scooted closer. Vicki gripped the phone tighter. "Belle, I'm fine. Why are you calling me?"
Alice offered a smile, though she clearly intended to listen. Belle's voice had a sweet tinge in it. "I'm calling about the play date with Clara you're on today. I need you to come over to your bridal shop."
"Why?"
"I'm buying a dress and we should talk in person."
"Why are you there?" Colt had told her to take her time, as he intended to spend the day with Belle.
"I thought we'd clear the air."
Her stomach rolled. The wedding was on. She'd misread Colt, badly. Vicki had hoped he had dumped Belle. This time she had to be sure. "Okay. We're having lunch with her aunt and uncle. I'll be right over."
"Thanks. I look forward to our chat."
Her eyes felt wet as she ended the call. Today she let go of her crush on Colt. He must still intend to be with Belle. Perhaps they had worked out their problems. Her cheeks were slightly damp from her eyes, but Vicki turned away so no one saw her tears. "Belle is at my shop. Can Clara stay here for the hour so I can go help her?"
Alice pressed a hand on her shoulder. "You're joking."
Colt's sister shouldn't be surprised. Vicki froze. Now was not the time to listen to her heart. It could break, later, when she was alone. She stared at the ground, walked over, and kissed Clara's head. "I have to go. I'll be back here in an hour."
No one said a word to her. Vicki closed the door of the building, and started her car. With action, she didn't think. She had no right to let herself hope. She'd been wrong. She drove down John's street and toward her shop, as she fished in her pocketbook for her phone. At the stop sign, she dialed Colt.
The first ring took too long. The second was even worse. Then her heart almost stopped. He hadn't answered. His voicemail did. She sighed and then perked up her voice. "Colt. It's Vicki. Belle called me and asked for my help. I left Clara with John and Alice. I need you to call me."
As she continued on the street, he didn't call, and every second took too long. Guess she'd not talk to him first. Vicki parked out front of her shop, and all she heard was silence. She stared in the window. A dark-haired woman stood with a wedding dress. Vicki's heart thumped into her stomach as she turned the car off. This shouldn't happen. Colt should not marry Belle.
She willed herself forward. Her feet marched, but her ankles locked against the motion. With the blazing heat that beat against her head, she tried to breathe. He should have called her back already. The phone call might have been about Clara.
The doorbell chimed above her head as she slipped inside the shop. "Hello?"
"Victoria, you're the only woman I know in Miami that's female and not a child. I can't decide between this dress and one more." Belle twirled around in a Vera Wang. "What do you think of this one?"
Vicki blinked. At least Belle hadn't picked the Pandora dress from the latest line, as Vicki dreamed of herself in that dress, at the altar with Colt. Her stomach turned queasy. "You look beautiful."