“In other words, he’s desperate for cash and if he can stall his bookies until Callie has her baby, he’ll have one more trust fund to steal from,” Hunter said, shaking his head at the man’s foolishness.
“That’s about it. If I find out anything else, I’ll give you a call,” Barringer added. “But I think you have the most relevant information now.”
When Hunter ended the connection, he immediately called the bank, Luther Freemont, Emerald’s assistant, then the bed-and-breakfast where Craig Culbertson was staying. Satisfied that he had everything under control, as soon as the fax came in from Emerald Inc. headquarters, he left the office and walked back into the dispatch room.
“I have some business I need to take care of,” he said, putting his arms around Callie. “When I get back from town, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Concern lined her forehead. “It sounds serious.”
“Nothing for you to be worried about, darlin’.” Not caring that Corey and Mary Lou were avid spectators, he gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“If we need you, we’ll page you,” Mary Lou said, pouring herself a cup of her god-awful coffee.
As Hunter drove into Devil’s Fork, he couldn’t wait to confront Culbertson. He was about to make the man an offer Culbertson couldn’t afford to turn down. And within the next couple of hours Hunter fully expected for Craig Culbertson to be headed back to Houston and out of Callie’s life for good.
“I have to admit, your demand that we have this meeting came as a bit of a surprise, O’Banyon.”
Seated in a booth at the back of the Longhorn Café, Hunter stared across the table at the most despicable human being he’d ever had the displeasure to meet. With his slick good looks, sophisticated air and boyish smile, Hunter could understand why women would find Craig Culbertson attractive.
But Hunter knew the type. Guys like Culbertson used their assets to hide their true nature, and Hunter never thought he’d ever admit it, but the man seated across from him was even lower than Owen Larson. As irresponsible as Owen had been about impregnating women, then leaving them to face single motherhood alone, he’d never used his offspring as pawns to bail himself out of a jam.
“I’m going to make you a one-time offer, Culbertson. And if you’re as smart as you try to lead people to believe, you’ll take it.”
“Oh, really?” The man’s sneering expression made Hunter want to reach across the table and grab him by the throat.
“I’m going to write you a check for five hundred thousand dollars, then you’re going to sign a document relinquishing all rights to Callie’s baby.” Hunter knew the moment he mentioned the money that he had the man’s attention. “You’ll leave town and never bother Callie or her child again.”
“What makes you think I can be bought off that easily?” Culbertson asked, not even bothering to sound offended by Hunter’s demands. “And who’s to say that once I sign that paper, I won’t discover that your check is no good?”
“Believe me, the check is good.” Leaning forward, Hunter lowered his voice to a menacing growl. “And I happen to know that if you don’t get your hands on some money, and damned quick, your life won’t be worth spit.”
Culbertson paled visibly. “What makes you say that?”
“It’s amazing what a good P.I. can uncover, like the bookies coming after you for your gambling debts.” Hunter removed the fax he’d received from Emerald Inc.’s legal department from one of his pockets and shoved it across the table. “This is a confidentiality and custody agreement. Sign it, accept my check and clear out of town or run the risk of not only losing the trust fund that would be set up for Callie’s baby but your life, as well.”
“Is that a threat, O’Banyon?”
Hunter shook his head. “Not at all. Although I’d like to take you apart limb by limb, I won’t have to do a damned thing. Your bookies will take care of that for me.” He held up his hand to get the waitress’s attention. “I’m going to order a cup of coffee. By the time I’m finished with it, you’d better have signed that document or the offer is rescinded and you can take your chances with the bookies and the court system.”
After the waitress brought Hunter’s coffee, Culbertson gave him a cocky grin. “Why should I settle for half a million? If I wanted to, I could get custody of Callie’s brat in a heartbeat and end up with a full million at my disposal.”
“I wouldn’t count on that.” Hunter gave the man a confident smile. “For one thing, Callie and I really are husband and wife. That will go a long way in her favor.”
“Oh, that’s rich,” Culbertson laughed. “You own a run-down air-ambulance service in Nowheresville that I’m sure barely makes ends meet and you expect me to believe that my lawyers and good friend Judge Howell would rather see a child raised by you and Callie than in the lifestyle I could provide.”
Hunter took a sip of the coffee, then slowly set his cup back on the saucer. “You don’t get it, do you, Culbertson?”
“What’s to get? I can tie this up in court for years and I know for certain Callie doesn’t have that kind of money.” His expression condescending, he shook his head. “And I seriously doubt that you do either.”
“You might be surprised who could tie who up in court.” Hunter laughed harshly. “Besides, I doubt that your bookies would want to wait that long before they start taking their money out of your worthless hide.”
Hunter could tell that he’d given Culbertson something to think about. But the man was more arrogant and self-absorbed than Hunter had given him credit for.
“What if I say half a mil isn’t enough? What if I want more?”
“It’s up to you.” Hunter took a healthy swallow of his coffee. “But I’m getting close to finishing this coffee. If you haven’t signed that paper by the time I get done, Callie and I will see you in court.” He grinned. “That is, if there’s anything left of you by the time the case comes up on the docket.”
When Hunter started to pick up his cup, he watched Culbertson glance at the contents, then eye the document in front of him. “And you’re sure the check is good?”
Hunter nodded. “I can guarantee it.”