Page 42 of Untamed Billionaire
“What’s this all about?” Charles huffed, another drink in his hands. “You are causing a ruckus at my daughter’s wedding and I won’t stand for it!”
Several more people stepped into the room, blocking the doorway. Charles noticed and opened his mouth to say something more, but his wife interrupted.
Turning to Marco, Jocelyn pointed an accusing finger in his direction. “You are making a mockery of this wedding!” she gasped, lifting a hand to cover her chest. “I can’t believe that you would….”
“The fingerprints on the poisoned champagne glasses are yours, Ms. Forsythe,” Rick interrupted, stopping whatever diatribe the woman might start.
Jocelyn’s mouth was already open, ready to spew additional angry words. But she stopped herself, although her mouth continued to gape. It took her only a few seconds to pull herself together. Tilting her head, she glared at the FBI agent, her eyes filled with righteous indignation. “I beg your pardon?”
Rick’s expression didn’t change. He merely looked bored now. “If you’re going to poison someone, it’s best not to leave fingerprints on the glass, Ms. Forsythe.”
One of the agents who had been guarding the doorway yanked Jocelyn’s purse out of her hands. He opened it and peered inside. When he lifted his eyes, he nodded towards Rick. With gloved hands, he lifted a small vial up to show everyone.
Rick’s hands now fisted on his hips. “We’re going to have that vial tested, Ms. Forsythe. If the contents of that vial match the poison in the champagne, then we have enough evidence to charge you with two counts of attempted murder.”
Charles stepped back, feigning horror. “Jocelyn, what have you done?”
A different agent stepped forward. “Sorry to interrupt,” the man said, not looking sorry at all. “I’m Detective Henderson of the Charleston Police Department,” he explained to everyone. A moment later, he turned, focusing all of his attention on Charles. “Mr. Forsythe, do you recognize the name Milton Smythe?”
Charles pulled his eyes away from the man attaching handcuffs to his wife, looking back at the detective. “Of course I know Milton. He’s the son of a very good friend of mine. His father, George and I have worked several business deals together. And we play golf occasionally.”
Detective Henderson nodded. “He’s been arrested.” He waited a moment to let that bombshell sink in. Sure enough, Charles almost dropped his glass of bourbon, his ruddy features going slack with the news. The detective continued, “He was caught two blocks away from the church about fifteen minutes ago. Mr. Smythe was carrying the rifle that was used to shoot your son-in-law.”
Charles stared and, in that instant, Chloe recognized the truth. It was there in his pale features that turned red with embarrassment a moment later. She’d give him credit though. He rallied. Her father pulled his shoulders back, stood up straighter and huffed in indignation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Charles snarled.
The new guy barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. “Mr. Smythe has been charged with attempted murder, Mr. Forsythe. He’s at the police station now, being interrogated.”
Charles huffed again, shaking his head. “I can’t believe that Milton would try to kill anyone! He’s a good boy! He comes from a good family!”
Rick smiled, but his eyes were still hard and uncompromising. “He’s saying that you paid him five thousand dollars to shoot Mr. Hudson, with another five thousand dollars to be paid when the job was finished.”
Charles sputtered, his ruddy cheeks shaking as he tried to deny the allegations. “That’s ridiculous.”
Rick nodded. “My team has already gained access to your bank records, Mr. Forsythe. There was a withdrawal of five thousand dollars three days ago. We’re not sure how you were going to pay the remaining five thousand dollars since you don’t have that much left in your accounts. Regardless, I’m arresting you for attempted murder and murder for hire, Mr. Forsythe.”
A second later, the glass of bourbon was jerked out of Charles’ hand so that a uniformed officer could snap handcuffs on his wrists as well.
There was a chuckle off to the side. “Damn, you throw an interesting wedding, Chloe!” Callum muttered.
Chloe turned and saw the Scottish man leaning against the wall, his tie gone and the top buttons of his dress shirt open. He looked like a male model, and she suspected that his sly grin turned many women’s hearts.
Before she could come up with a reply, the door opened and Dash stepped in, carrying a glass of orange juice. “Here. Drink this.” He handed it to Chloe.
“Why do I need orange juice?” she asked, but took it, gulping it down quickly. She was actually famished, and the cold liquid eased down her throat, instantly making her feel stronger.
“Because I doubt you’ve eaten yet today and this has all been a pretty major shock. You need the sugar in the orange juice or you’re going to pass out.”
Chloe couldn’t argue with him there. They’d been shot at, almost poisoned, and almost stabbed. Now both of her parents had been arrested, and they had watched a crazy woman get tackled and arrested right in front of her. Overall, it was turning out to be a surprisingly stressful day!
When she’d drained the glass, she looked up at Rick. “Any idea why Martha wanted Marco dead?”
Rick started to shake his head, but another agent stepped forward. “I just came from the room where other agents are questioning her. Apparently, her husband went into an alcohol rehab center several days ago. She says that it’s because of Marco trying to send her husband to alcohol rehabilitation.”
Chloe shook her head, looking around the room. “It’s not because of Marco that Bill entered rehab. I’m the one that urged Bill Jennings to find some help. I’m the one who told him that his drinking was making his business fail.”
The agent shrugged. “She blames Mr. Hudson, ma’am. But from what I heard, it had nothing to do with business. The woman said her husband was slowly killing himself from the drinking. She didn’t want him to stop.”
Chloe’s mouth fell open. “Martha wanted her husband to die from his drinking?”
