He picked up the phone and dialed the number on his screen, uncaring it was two in the morning.
A breathy whispered, “hello” echoed in his ear. He shifted in his bed uncomfortably. Her voice was incredible.
“Liesl?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“Isaias Machado. I need to ask how you got the information you gave me earlier this evening.”
Her groan made him pull the phone away from his ear and almost rub his crotch. Her voice was the stuff straight out of a porn; soft, seductive, and sleepy.
“You mean last night? It’s two o’clock in the morning.”
“I’m aware of the time. You have sensitive information here. How did you come by it?” He admitted to being concerned about the legitimacy of how she obtained it.
She was quiet. “Does it matter?”
“It does.” He was going to use it either way, but he needed to know.
“My ex had a habit of working constantly. All the time, twenty-four seven. I admired his drive and determination and appreciated his hard work, but now I think he was avoiding me.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “Anyhow, frequently his own laptop computer’s battery would drain it because he was constantly on the damn thing. When it happened, he would simply grab mine and use it. When he very indelicately told me he had knocked my sister up, he forgot he had not cleared my computer of his information. It was on my computer purchased with my own money. It’s ancient. I’ve had it for at least eight or nine years. I use it for watching movies and doing my banking. It freezes all the time but it’s mine. The information contained on my computer is mine, is it not?”
“I am fairly sure this is not how it works. It also would not be a far stretch for anyone to put two and two together and surmise you provided to me details from the shared laptop for me to use this information to take business from your husband. I should tell you. I have no issues doing so on my own without help but this certainly would speed the process along.”
“I’m aware you can take him out on your own. He bitched constantly about you taking the last two contracts he had, one for the development of the subdivision in the grove and the other where you took the strip mall right out from under his nose. He felt it was personal.”
“It was.”
“Why?”
“I don’t care for his father. We will leave it at that for now. Regardless, I am curious what it is you want to negotiate for additional information.”
“I have removed the bulk of his information from my laptop. It is secured elsewhere. Broken down into files and folders where only I can find them. However, his email account is still wide open on my laptop, and I left two files with other key pieces of information. It would be unfortunate if someone with the means and the knowledge to bypass my security system were to come into my house when I was out and steal my laptop. It is of no intrinsic value. To make it look good, I’m willing to file a police report should the thief steal other items in the house. There really isn’t anything I want in it other than what is in my bedroom and art studio.”
“You want me to rob you?”
“Rich people don’t get rich playing nice, Mr. Machado. It was one of Merl’s favorite sayings. I’m sure you have an individual on your payroll to perform nefarious-type work for you all the time.”
“I’m simply a developer, Ms. McGrath and I could be insulted by your insinuation.”
“Yet, I bet you’re not.” She gave a throaty chuckle.
He found himself wondering what other noises she made. He pushed the thought aside, “no, you’re right. I am not. What do you want in return for your stolen computer?”
“I want you to come to my art show.”
“Art show?” his file he’d received from his security indicated she was an artist working primarily out of a local gallery.
“A man with your reputation showing up at my show would bring attention to me. It’s my goal to not touch a single penny of my alimony. I hate feeling like I’m still being supported by him. I want to make my own way with my art. If you come to the show, paparazzi will follow, and people will come. Also, it’ll really piss the entire McGrath family off. I want them to burn with anger.”
“I see,” he said quietly. “You will let me take your computer with the email open and access to whichever files are left on the computer and I can use the information how I see fit. You’ll file a police report to say you had a break and enter to cover your ass and all I need to do is become a patron of the arts?”
“Actually, Mr. Machado, you’re already a patron of the arts. When I saw you sitting at the table, I recognized you but thought at first it was probably at an event I’d been dragged to with Merl. However, the more I thought of it, it turns out you purchased one of my paintings several years ago. I was a student at the time, and you were there at the art fair with a very regal woman who purchased one of my paintings and you took one as well. Back then I never kept a record of names of who I sold to, but I went through my portfolio from back then and sure enough, you are in the background of a photo.”
“I know the art fair you’re referring to, but I bought the painting at least ten years ago. You remembered me after all this time?” He looked across his home office to the eleven by ten canvas he’d had framed years ago with the gold and red hues. “You don’t look the same. I remember you being curvier.” He remembered his mother teasing him how he’d been checking out the ass of the artist.
She gave a bitter laugh, “I was a lot chunkier back then, but it was me you bought from. I remember every person I have ever sold a painting to. The paintings are part of my soul. Each time I paint, and I let one go, I let a piece of me go as well.”
He was quiet at her words and then sighed, “when will you be out of your house?”
She gave a delighted squeal. “I’m going to a see a realtor tomorrow afternoon to discuss putting the house on the market. I’m going to sell it for under market value just to piss Merl off. He can’t get into it with me tomorrow because he’s getting married to my sister and then they’re going on their honeymoon. My wedding blessings for him are a flaccid dick and for her to be drier than the Sahara. I want to have the place sold and under contract before they’re back. I can only pray whoever buys doesn’t sell it back to him.”
“Why not sell it for a profit?”
“Because my sister wants it so she can raise her child in it. If I had my way, I would sell it to a buyer who wants to bulldoze it. My brother really wants to drive a bulldozer through it ever since we found out they had sex on my kitchen counters.”
He considered this woman was a very bitter and angry individual and he should tread lightly. Everything in him was warning him to hang up the phone and get as far away from her crazy schemes as he could. Instead, before he could stop himself, he spoke.
“I will give you full market value, I will let your brother drive the bulldozer, but I very much want to livestream the event so his family sees it. I also want to make it public knowledge I’m the one taking it and I want it done the day they are back from their honeymoon. I want him to be there but be unable to do anything about it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You may as well take a profit from his stupidity. Tomorrow afternoon, be out of your house. Keep up the ruse with the realtor. I’ll have my team make inquiries and we’ll go from there. When is your art show?”
“Next Friday evening.”
“Perfect. I will see you then. Goodnight, Liesl.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Machado.”
“Call me Isaias. Considering the hijinks, we’re about to indulge in, I think first names are warranted.”
“Then, goodnight, Isaias.” She gave a little giggle at his words before hanging up.
The sweet sound of her laughter kept him awake the rest of the night.
