Convicted (Consequences)

“Some of the employees declined and they received a severance package. The last time I looked into the data regarding that company, over seventy people were employed, and my profits were higher than projected with the original proposal.”
    “What made you change your mind? Why didn’t you go with your original plan and just close the company?”
    “My dear, there has only been one person who has ever made me do anything or question my beliefs, and since she has become a real, true part of my life—my world has never been the same.”
    Despite their wet clothes and skin, Claire filled with pride and warmth. “So, I helped save those peoples’ jobs?”
    “You didn’t help. Not one of my employees—or anyone—had ever had the nerve to question my motivation or decisions. You were the first.” His eyes shone with pride. “Claire, you didn’t help save their jobs—you saved them .”
    Her smile beamed upward. “I told you some of your confessions would upset me. That doesn’t mean I love you any less.”
    Tony pulled her closer. “You need a warm shower. It sounds like the storm is slowing down. When you’re done, you can get a few more hours sleep.”
    She lifted her arms. “Only if you’ll help me get out of this wet nightgown.”
    Pulling her gown upward, Tony replied, “I told you before, you made a great business negotiator.” Once it was completely over her head, he kissed her lips. “You still do.”

 
     
     
    The family you come from isn't as important as the family you're going to have .
    —Ring Lardner
     
     
     
    Amber entered Harry’s condominium. Sitting in the living room, surrounded by stacks of papers, open file boxes, and multiple computers, she found her brother. Glancing around the cluttered room, she sighed.
     

     
    Harry hadn’t heard her enter, but he heard the sigh. Looking up, he asked, “Hey, have you heard of knocking?”
    “I’ve heard of it. I didn’t know you understood the concept. It’s not like you use it when you enter my place.”
    Harry laughed. “Yeah, sorry. I didn’t know Keaton was over the other day.”
    Her cheeks blushed. “Well, since Liz’s at the office, I figured it was safe to enter. What are you doing? I thought you were on medical leave.”
    “I am, but Williams had some evidence shipped over here. I was going nuts with nothing to do.”
    Amber reached out and gently touched her brother’s left cheekbone. The bruise was no longer red and puffy. His left eye now opened as well as his right; nevertheless, the skin around the eye and down his cheek was still discolored. A greenish-yellow tint replaced the dark blue that followed the red.
    Harry groaned.
    “I guess that modeling career you’ve had on the back burner is out of the question.”
    Though Harry tried to appear offended, the corners of his lips rose revealing his amusement. Smugly, he replied, “That’s not nice. I’ve been told I’m still very handsome.”
    “Well, Liz is biased.” Amber picked up a stack of papers from the sofa, relocated them to his coffee table, and sat down. “Seriously, Harry, what are you doing?”
    “You know I can’t give you the details.”
    “Fine, no details, but you’re still working the case against Rawlings, aren’t you?”
    “No details, Amber.”
    Her shoulders sagged. “Harry, look at you. Think about Ilona and Jillian. Think about Liz—she’s still traumatized. It’s not worth it!”
    His blue eyes bore towards her. “How can you say that? What about Simon? Don’t you care that Rawlings hasn’t been punished for what he did?”
    “Can you prove he did it?”
    “Not yet, but my unexpected meeting in a back alley confirmed he’s involved.”
    Amber leaned forward. “No, Harry—that meeting confirmed what you know, what you already knew. Remember what you told me when you thought Claire was pregnant with your child? That attack confirmed that you should leave the FBI and come to SiJo. Simon would want you safe. He wouldn’t want you risking your life or the life of your child or anyone else to prove something that can’t be changed. I mean—so what if it is Rawlings? It won’t bring Simon back. What if you’re wrong? What if Simon’s crash was what the NTSB said in the first place? What if it was an accident? Either way, Simon won’t be coming back.”
    “You don’t get it. People can’t go around changing other peoples’ lives without consequences. We know for certain that he kidnapped