Betrayal of Trust

by Tracey V. Bateman

“I didn’t. I didn’t even plan it. I was in the chapel and she walked in. Said God wanted her to pray for me.”

  Taken aback, Raven wasn’t sure how to respond. She gaped.

  Ray nodded. “I know. I didn’t know what to say either. But I didn’t have to say anything, because she did the talking. Prayed for me to be strong and good. And that God would help me to find a place to live and a job so I could take care of myself.” He shook his head as though still in disbelief himself. “Funny thing is, I had just been praying those exact things when she walked in.”

  “Okay. So you honestly haven’t been harassing Matt?”

  “Nope. I probably would have gone back to him and tried for more cash if I was still using, but not now.”

  “Would you be willing to tell him face-to-face?”

  He shrugged. “I guess.”

  “All right. Hang on a sec.”

  Raven dialed Matthew’s cell.

  After a few rings, his voice mail picked it up. Raven disconnected and dialed the main line. His mother answered.

  “Mrs. Strong, this is Raven.”

  “Is everything all right with Jamie?”

  “Yes. She’s fine. I need to speak with Matthew. It’s urgent.”

  “I’m sorry, Raven, Matthew’s out like a light. The doctor gave him a prescription-strength pain reliever for his throat and he’s been asleep now for two hours. I doubt I could wake him if I tried.”

  Disappointment clutched at Raven. She was so ready to get this chapter of Matt’s life closed for him. “All right. Will you please give him a message to call me just as soon as he wakes up? As I said, it’s urgent.”

  “I hope nothing is wrong.”

  “I wish I could tell you, Mrs. Strong, but I’m not at liberty to share this with anyone but your son. I’ll let Matthew fill you in later.”

  “I understand.”

  She hung up and focused her gaze once more on Ray. “Matthew’s too ill to talk. Do you have the number for the other mission?”

  Ray reached into his grimy pocket and pulled out a card. Raven fought to keep her disgust to herself as she took the filthy thing and dialed the number.

  “Gospel Mission.”

  “Yes, I’d like to confirm that you’ve had a certain resident there working your drug and alcohol program.”

  “I’m sorry, we don’t give out information over the phone.”

  “Look, he’s sitting here in front of me and told me he’s been down there. I’m at the Victory Mission a few blocks away from you. My sister and her husband are administrators of the place.”

  “Justin and Keri?”

  “Yes, I’m Raven Mahoney. Keri’s sister.”

  “The reporter?”

  Someone else who recognized her. Strangely, the sense of satisfaction she’d once had was missing. “Yes.”

  “May I speak with the resident in question?”

  She handed her phone to Ray, fighting harder than ever not to wince as he put it up to his ear.

  “This is Ray Marx. That you, Alan?”

  After a minute of conversation, Ray handed the phone back. She had no choice but to swallow down her revulsion and hope no bugs had crawled out of his hair and onto her phone. Why didn’t these places insist upon showers?

  “This is Raven.”

  “All right. I can confirm that Ray has been a resident here for the past few weeks. As far as I know he has not had a drop of alcohol or any drugs during that time, but we don’t force them to stay in house. He’s met with his parole officer on a weekly basis and has passed each drug screening with flying colors. He’s about to move into the next phase of the program where we teach about personal hygiene and social interaction.”

  That’s a mercy.

  Raven thanked him and closed her phone to disconnect the call.

  “So your story pans out. You going to be there when Matt’s well enough to check out your newly turned-over leaf?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “One more thing, Ray. Jamie’s off limits.”

  He gave a sad nod. “I know.”

  Raven watched him shuffle out of the chapel. Realization struck her that she might very well have lost Jamie today—for the second time. She glanced at her watch. Still a little earlier than she’d told Mrs. Strong she’d have Jamie back, but the weight of responsibility hung over her like an anvil. She couldn’t bear the thought of being the one to lose Matthew’s most precious treasure.

  Amid protests from the willful little girl, Raven loaded her into the car and drove her home. When they pulled into the circular drive, she walked to the door with a silent, brooding Jamie.

  Not quite as angelic as the temperament she’d displayed at the mission.

  Mrs. Strong seemed relieved that they’d arrived home safely. She hugged Jamie close and then kept a protective arm around the child’s shoulders as she faced Raven.

  “How is Matt?” Raven asked.

  “Still sleeping. I felt his brow a little while ago and he seems to be a bit cooler than before, though still feverish to the touch.”

  “Please give him my best and ask him to call me as soon as he’s well enough to talk.”

  Mrs. Strong’s countenance softened. “Would you like to come into the kitchen for tea or coffee?”

  Raven smiled, warmed by the invitation and aware that the woman was indeed extending a welcome back into Matthew’s life. “I appreciate the offer a great deal. But I have a dinner appointment. And I want to check on my dad before I head that way.”

  The warmth left Mrs. Strong’s face and in its place a suspicious frown appeared. “A dinner appointment?”

  A wry grin tipped Raven’s lips. She really couldn’t blame the woman. Not considering their past. “With my aunt.”

  “I see.”

  “But I’ll have my cell phone on and handy, so as soon as Matt’s up to it, I’ll take his call.”

  “All right. And thank you for taking Jamie with you today.”

  “It was my pleasure. She’s truly an inspiration at the mission.”

  Jamie gave a very uninspiring scowl. “I’d like to go up to my room, Grams.”

  “All right, but don’t bother your dad.”

  “I won’t.”

  Mrs. Strong turned back to Raven, a questioning frown creasing her brow.

  “She’s a little upset that we had to leave earlier than planned.”

  “She’s a willful child. Stubborn, like Matthew. But I expect you’ll be able to handle it.”

  Raven’s brow rose as surprise shot through her.

  “You love my son. This time, I doubt you’d have the heart to let him go.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Jamie comes with the deal.”

  “I know. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Mrs. Strong stepped forward and gave Raven a quick hug. “I hope you’ll come to dinner as soon as Matthew is on his feet again.”

  “Thank you. I’d love it.”

  Raven’s mind buzzed as she drove away. After a long fifteen years of bitterness, secrets and the pain of loneliness, she felt as thought she’d walked into a burst of sunshine. To have Matthew back in her life, to be trusting God once more, being open with Mac about knowing that she wasn’t his biological child…the truth really did make one free.

  Now there were only a few unanswered questions left. And in just a couple of hours she’d know everything she needed to know.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Matthew woke with a sense that something was horribly wrong.

  Jamie!

  “Mom!”

  He sat up, dodging the pain in his skull by closing his eyes tightly. He stumbled to the door and into the hallway. “Mom!”

  The ground wobbled before him, and he grappled for the wall in order to stay upright.

  “Matthew!”

  Relief flowed through him at the sound of his mother’s voice. She took hold of his arm. “What are you doing up?”

  “Is everything all
right? Where’s Jamie?”

  “Jamie’s in the kitchen having her supper. Raven brought her home a few hours ago.”

  “Must be the fever,” he mumbled. He leaned heavily on his mother as he headed back toward his bed. “It felt like something was wrong.”

  “Well, everything is just fine. You go back to bed and sleep this thing off. Maybe you’ll feel better tomorrow.”

  “Mmm…” Matthew drifted to sleep once more.

  Raven stared at the forty-year-old photograph. Except for the set of the other woman’s eyes, it could have been Raven herself staring back from the image.

  “Startling isn’t it?”

  Raven looked up and shook her head at Meredith, who sat in an overstuffed rocking chair across from Raven’s place on the couch. “It’s uncanny. And this is you?”

  The elderly woman’s eyes danced. “It certainly is. I had no idea we would resemble each other so.”

  “Except for the eyes.”

  “Yes,” she agreed softly. “You have your mother’s eyes.”

  “You knew my mother?”

  “Yes. Josiah brought her to my house often for dinner. I thought a great deal of her.”

  “I didn’t realize they had a real relationship. I thought it must have been one of those sixties free-love things. A one-night-stand.”

  “Oh, no. They were in love. Deeply.”

  “What happened between them? Why would she leave when she was pregnant with me?”

  Meredith’s expression became one of sad remembrance. “She found out he was married. To Sonny’s mother.”

  Raven gasped at the knowledge. “I just assumed they had met after Sonny’s mother left.”

  “No. When your mother told Josiah she was pregnant, he confessed to having a wife. She was heartbroken. Bad enough that she’d betrayed her principles and slept with a man before marriage, but to learn she was an adulteress as well was mortifying to her.”

  Raven shuddered to hear her beloved mother described in such a manner. She wanted to scream at the old woman, wanted to protest. But she saw the truth written plainly on her newfound aunt’s sweet face. “What happened?”

  “Josiah knew he would have to choose between the two women. On the one hand, he had a son he loved, a wife who, though crazy by all accounts, was still his wife. In and out of institutions, cruel to Sonny, Josiah wouldn’t have stayed as long as he did if not for Sonny. But when it came down to having to choose, he knew he couldn’t let your mother walk out of his life. He begged her to give him a few days to sort things out. When he went home, he told his wife everything and asked for a divorce. Instead, she left that night and never returned.”

  “I can only imagine how that affected Sonny.”

  Meredith nodded. “He was always an odd boy. I suspect living in such a volatile atmosphere with his mom during his formative years took its toll. But once she left, it was worse. He just grew stranger and stranger. By the time he reached his teen years, I was, quite frankly, afraid to be alone with him.”

  “Really?” Raven’s mind shifted to the times she’d felt a twinge of reservation.

  “I hesitate to speak ill of anyone, but I believe the mental problems his mother suffered from were passed down to Sonny.”

  “Why do you think he would lead me to believe his father was alive?”

  “I don’t know, but I can tell you that Sonny and Josiah were not getting along very well at the end.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Sonny discovered Josiah was looking for you and was ready to contact you. He was jealous, I suppose.”

  “If Sonny was so jealous, why on earth would he look me up himself?”

  “I can’t say. He’s a strange man.” The old woman stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “Mercy.”

  Raven shoved herself up from the couch and grabbed her purse from the coffee table. “I’m sorry, Meredith. It’s getting late. I stayed much too long.”

  Meredith struggled to her feet. “Nonsense. I enjoyed having you.” Her watery eyes shone with sincerity as she placed a weathered hand on each of Raven’s arms and held her at arm’s length. “I hope you will return soon and visit me again.”

  “You can count on it.” Raven gently pulled the old woman close.

  They walked together to the door. Raven gave her one more hug before stepping onto the porch.

  “I wish I could walk you all the way to your car to make sure you’re all right. But I don’t get around too well anymore.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. And if I get nervous, I always have my cell phone handy.”

  Anger shot through him…Betrayed. Once again by a member of his own family. Raven was supposed to be his. Oh, he could guess the lies Aunt Meredith had spread. Now, Raven wouldn’t love him. Wouldn’t believe him.

  The pain knifed through his heart, screaming with each agonizing slice. I told you, Sonny. No one cares about you. No one loves you. You thought Raven would never betray you, but look…she went behind your back to find Aunt Meredith. Why didn’t she tell you? Now she knows about Dad. She knows you lied. She’ll never love you now. Never.

  Raven dialed home as she left the parking lot. Ruth’s Texas drawl greeted her.

  “Hey, Ruth. How’s Dad?”

  “Oh, he’s growly as an ol’ bear. Thinks he ought to be up and about.”

  “Good. Then he’s feeling better.”

  “Do you want to talk to him?”

  “No. I’ll be home in about twenty minutes. I can talk to him then.”

  A beep on the line alerted her to a new caller. “Ruth I have another call so I’ll let you go.”

  She said goodbye and clicked over.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, sis!”

  Raven’s gut tightened at the sound of Sonny’s cheerful voice. “How are you, Sonny?”

  “Great. Want to have dinner?”

  “Tonight?”

  “Sure. Or have you already eaten?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid I have.”

  “Oh? Who with?”

  Raven hesitated. “Family.”

  “Family, huh?”

  “Yeah, my Dad and his fiancée are here from out of town.” Not a lie, but not forthcoming either. Meredith was already afraid of Sonny. Raven couldn’t take a chance that he might confront her.

  “Hey, that’s great. When are you going to introduce us?”

  Yeah, right, buddy.

  “Maybe when you introduce me to your dad.” She kept her voice light, but anger tightened her throat and she wasn’t positive how convincing she sounded.

  “Yes. It’s definitely time for you to meet Dad. How about tomorrow night?”

  Raven drew in a quick breath. “You’re going to introduce us?”

  “Yes. I’ve come to know and love you. Dad will too.”

  Okay, so he was obviously playing her. But Raven needed to know what he had up his sleeve. Exactly what sort of game are you playing here, Sonny boy?

  “All right. What time then?”

  “I’ll pick you up from your house at say…eight?”

  “My house?” Okay, she wasn’t sure she wanted Sonny knowing where she lived.

  “Sure. And don’t worry, I already have the address.”

  Lord, does he seem to be threatening me?

  “I can’t at eight, Sonny. I have to work. They’re introducing me as the new anchor tomorrow night.”

  “Okay. Then what time are you off?”

  “I should leave the station about eleven. I’ll be home by twelve.”

  “Midnight? That’s perfect. I’ll pick you up then.”

  Plan B started to form in her mind. No way was she getting into a car with this nutcase. Brother or no.

  Raven was very glad Mac and Ruth were planning to stay a couple of more days. “Your dad will be up for visitors that late?”

  “Believe me, to Dad it doesn’t matter what time we come.”

  An uneasy shiver crawled up her spine as she said goodbye and
set the phone in the seat next to her. She hit the automatic lock, hating that she was suddenly afraid of being alone in her own car.

  Sonny pulled alongside the curb halfway down the block from Raven’s house and watched her pull into her driveway. Night-vision goggles provided him an adequate view.

  He could have taken care of things tonight. But how much more fun to make her squirm. By now she was aware that his dad was dead. But she didn’t know he knew she knew. That was what made tonight so sweet. Her mind would concoct a thousand different questions. Different scenarios. He watched her until she closed the door and the front light went black.

  He reached over and patted the tattered stuffed cat.

  Tomorrow…

  Mac was sitting up waiting when Raven walked inside. Her heart rate slowed to a steady beat as she relaxed, knowing she was safe. She hadn’t realized how lonely the nights were, coming home to an empty house, now even emptier since her childhood toy had gone missing.

  “Hi, Dad. What are you still doing up?”

  “You know I can’t sleep until you’re home, safe and sound.”

  Raven tossed her keys on the counter and walked into the living room. She flopped down beside Mac on the sofa and curled her legs up under her. “I’m a big girl, now. I can take care of myself.” She hoped. “But it’s nice to have you here, just the same.”

  “I’m worried about you, Raven. What did the aunt have to say?”

  “She told me some things about how Mom and Josiah parted ways. He was married. She didn’t know. That kind of stuff.”

  Dad nodded. “I met your Mom three weeks after their breakup. She came to Briarwood for a new start. Just sort of started driving and stopped in Briarwood. I was a new deputy back then, and found her sleeping in her car in the park.”

  “Dad! You didn’t arrest her, did you?” Raven grinned. She knew this story by heart. She hadn’t known the details leading up to Mom’s arrival in Briarwood, but their meeting had always tweaked her sense of romance.

  Tomorrow was so uncertain. What would she do if Sonny gained an upper hand? If his intentions were sinister somehow? This sort of felt like the calm before her storm. A sigh left Raven and she leaned against Mac, resting her head on his shoulder.