Sequel to Open House
The Open Series: Book Three
Seth Wilder and Bryce McFarland deal with the aftermath of Owen Lightfoot’s destructive rampage. Once again, the insurance company denies the life insurance benefit despite the compelling evidence regarding the underlying cause of Mark’s death. However, they acknowledge their former employee’s complicity in the multiple crimes that have blindsided Seth and Bryce. They settle to keep their name out of the news, offering the couple a million dollars apiece, which they accept.
Owen learns of the big payoff and is determined to get his cut. Just when Bryce and Seth think it is all over, Owen reappears, and what follows tests the very limits of their endurance. Through the help of friends and relatives, Seth and Bryce find the strength to keep their relationship intact while seeking out the best way to stop Owen once and for all.
Cover Artist: Catt Ford
THE INSURANCE executive from Hartford, Connecticut, looked sympathetic but resolute. After clearing his throat, he announced his employer’s decision. “Despite compelling evidence, our company cannot reverse the decision on your late partner’s death benefits.”
Bolting upright, Seth exclaimed, “That’s preposterous! You know damn well Mark wouldn’t have killed himself if he were in his right mind.”
He’d been slumped on one of the leather chairs in the boardroom, enduring the final round of arbitration over Mark’s half-million-dollar life insurance policy for which he was the sole beneficiary. His attorney, Doug Osler, had assured him this was a slam dunk and he’d walk out with a check, which was the only reason he’d been persuaded to file the claim. If he’d known the eventual outcome, he would have never challenged the insurance company’s original denial. So far, it had proved to be the worst decision of his life. The inspector they’d sent from the home office in Connecticut had turned out to be a desperate, ruthless sociopath with his own agenda, who left a swath of destruction in his wake.
In a monotonous tone, the insurance representative continued. “Regardless of the whys and wherefores, Mr. Wilder, the bottom line is that our policyholder—your lawfully wedded spouse—died by his own hand. The circumstances that drove him to his death cannot factor into our decision. It would be setting a dangerous precedent.”
“For whom?” Seth asked.
“The hundreds who have come before. Once our company softens its policies on extenuating circumstances that drive people to kill themselves, the floodgates will open and we’ll be inundated with back claims. Beneficiaries will blame the cause of death on everything from the alignment of the stars to the drop in the NASDAQ index. One reason to take your life is no better than the next. Our suicide clause is quite clear and irreversible. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
Seth shook his head in disgust. “Then why did you bother to send an inspector—and that’s another topic altogether—to measure the black mold levels in the house if there was no hope of reversing the decision?”
“We have to give each case proper consideration,” the executive replied. “We had to make certain there was no foul play involved.”
“Bullshit!” Seth spat out. “You never had any intention of paying me, and now I’m worse off than I was before.”
“I don’t follow,” the gentleman responded.
Seth snorted. “Let me spell it out for you, Mr.—?”
“Duncan.”
“Right,” Seth acknowledged. “Before I asked you to look into the underlying cause of Mark’s suicide on the off chance you might change your hard-core policy, I had a home. Older and in need of repairs, but a mortgage-free home in a very good neighborhood. Because of your ‘proper consideration,’ it was razed to the ground and Mr. McFarland’s apartment, where I’m currently living, was almost destroyed. Now I have neither a home nor a check. Your inspector is a criminal who would have never entered my sphere of existence if you people had a better handle on your employees. Haven’t I suffered enough, Mr. Duncan, or does your company intend to twist the knife a little deeper so you have one less thing to deal with?”
Seth stood in the middle of his rant and leaned forward on the table, ready to throttle the gentleman who was looking more and more like a frightened field mouse and less like an intimidating executive.
“Mr. Wilder!” Duncan exclaimed. “How dare you imply that our company is oblivious to your pain?”
“How could I not think it?” Seth said, narrowing his eyes. “You people have been less than forthcoming when asked what you intend to do about Owen Lightfoot. The list of damages Mr. McFarland and I have incurred is a mile long. Extortion, assault, attempted murder, arson. Shit, the only crime Lightfoot didn’t commit was burglary, and that’s because there was no cash on hand. What’s even worse is that the son of a bitch is still out there. God only knows what else he has planned for Bryce and me. And if you’re going to tell me you’re not responsible for an employee’s actions or there’s no proof he did it, then guess again. We have all the proof we need, and Owen was on your payroll when he committed the crimes.”
“About that,” the executive said, appearing more flustered. “We had no idea Mr. Lightfoot was in financial trouble, and we would have dismissed him if any of this had come to light, however—”
“However my ass! The bottom line,” Seth continued, “is that you sent someone out here not properly vetted and you’re going to have two lawsuits on your hand. One from me and one from Mr. McFarland. No ifs, ands, or buts!”
Seth spun around and walked out of the office, leaving a chorus of protests behind. He was done for today and refused to listen to any more excuses. Let Osler deal with the insurance assholes.
Bryce had been pacing outside the door, prohibited from being part of the negotiation as he wasn’t Seth’s relative or legal partner. “Is everything okay?” he asked the minute Seth pushed through.
“Not even close,” Seth said. “I’ll tell you in the truck.”
Bryce nodded and put his arm around Seth’s shoulders. “Okay, let’s go home.”
Home was Bryce’s apartment on the Gold Coast, one of Chicago’s most desirable zip codes. It had been three weeks since Owen—Bryce’s infamous ex and nefarious insurance inspector—had torched Seth’s house and set fire to portions of Bryce’s apartment. Fortunately, Bryce’s owning a construction business had paid off, and the apartment was deemed livable within a few days. Presently, they were camping out in the guest room, but renovations on the master bedroom were already underway.
Seth’s house in Lincoln Park hadn’t fared as well. It lay in ruins, a pile of charred rubble waiting to be bulldozed and carted away the minute his homeowner’s insurance gave him the okay. Fortunately, that policy was with a different company, and they had no problem forking over the money once the formalities had been observed. Their inspector had come and gone last week, conferring with the Chicago PD, reading the reports, and examining the evidence that pointed to Owen Lightfoot as the arsonist. Seth had never been under suspicion, but steps had to be undertaken before he received full compensation. His innocence had been established quickly, everything was found to be in order, and a check had been cut and deposited. Now it was time to make a decision—sell the empty lot or rebuild.
Mark, his late partner, had intended for Seth to remain in the house, which Mark had paid off before he died. Living off the income Seth made as a writer would be a lot easier if he didn’t have a mortgage or rent to deal with. Neither of them could have predicted how quickly Seth would fall into a new relationship. It had come as a complete surprise, and Seth eagerly accepted the invitation to move in with Bryce for a multitude of reasons. As things stood now, selling the Lincoln Park home without rebuilding was tempting and far less problematic. Seth could keep the insurance money and whatever he received from the sale of the land and be done with it. But was it the wisest decision?
Seth was virtually homeless at this point, and if he and Bryce didn’t work out, he’d be in the unenviable position of trying to figure out where he would live. It made him feel more vulnerable than ever. Putting all his eggs in one basket, albeit one that was sexy, kind, and generous, was never a good idea. If he took the money and rebuilt, staying within budget, he’d have a mortgage-free home to fall back on if, God forbid, he and Bryce broke up. When their relationship moved to the next level and they were legally bound, they’d have some prime real estate they could either sell or rent out. Clearly, that was the better option but a lot more work.