A Reluctant Hero

by Dara Girard

  “Now everyone in town is going to know what you’ve been up to. And without an arrest Brooks is going to come after you again. But I’m going to get to him first. You’re going to go home. Pascal has also made himself a target, but he’s too visible to wipe out, but I bet you he can be bought.”

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I believe right now.”

  “I…this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  Trenton stood. “Get your things together. We don’t have time.”

  There was no goodbye, no farewell. Trenton saw her to her car then turned and went inside, closing the door. She knew he’d do what he needed to do to protect her but Pascal had torn them apart. She had been naive. And now she had lost him.

  Chapter 13

  Daniella looked inside the overcrowded classroom at the college while Pascal stood in front at the podium and held them captive. She opened the door. “Listen up, class, you’re about to learn a lesson on ethics.”

  “Daniella, not now.”

  “Why not? You taught me a lesson and I want to share it with everyone. They deserve to know what the real world is like.”

  “You’re making a fool of yourself, Daniella.”

  “Just tell me why.”

  “Why what?”

  “Why did you steal my story?”

  “I didn’t steal anything. You wouldn’t have had a story if it hadn’t been for me. You asked for my help every step of the way. It was our story. I gave you feedback, contacts—”

  “While I did all the work.”

  “I admit that I should have put your name on the byline. I will next time in the follow-up article.”

  “There won’t be a next time.”

  “I knew that you were too soft. That you’d let all this great material go to waste just because you have feelings for him. But this isn’t just one man’s story. It’s every man’s story. It’s our right as the public to know what goes on behind the scenes. What corruptions are out there. Because of me, the officials are looking into both Brooks and Sheldon Industries. Trenton will be vindicated.”

  “Because of you?” Daniella’s voice cracked in disbelief.

  “Dani,” he said with a hint of regret. “I said this story was out of your league and I proved I was right.”

  “You plagiarized—”

  “I didn’t plagiarize. I didn’t steal your words.”

  “You took my notes and—”

  “I wrote my own story from the facts you gathered. The facts don’t belong to you. That’s how it’s done. No one owns a story or its premise.”

  “You’re a bigger jerk than I thought.”

  “No, not a jerk.” A smug, triumphant grin spread across his face. “Just a writer.”

  “No, a parasite who needs a host in order to survive.”

  “The fact is I do survive and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “You’re a fraud, Parry Baines, and one day someone will prove it.” Daniella stormed out of the classroom with the same passion in which she’d entered, leaving the crowded classroom in stunned silence.

  * * *

  He’d have to get out of the country. Brooks hurriedly gathered the papers he’d kept in a safety deposit box hidden in his bedroom. The authorities couldn’t reach him in Spain or Portugal and better yet, the men he’d taken over a quarter of a million dollars from to make sure that Trenton took all the blame for the crash wouldn’t know how to find him. He jumped when a scream pierced the silence of his large house. Brooks raced down the hall and saw his wife paralyzed in the middle of the room with her eyes wide. When he turned his gaze he noticed the other figure in the room—the cause for her fear—Trenton.

  Brooks covered his own growing fear with anger. “How the hell did you get in here?”

  Trenton shook his head. “Try another question.” He went over to a couch and casually took a seat.

  “What do you want?”

  His mouth spread into a thin smile. “That’s better.”

  “Listen I—”

  “Sit down.”

  Brooks paused. “What?”

  Trenton pointed to the seat opposite him. Brooks glanced at his wife then took the seat and motioned for her to do the same. Once she was also seated he said, “I don’t know why you’re here, but I’m sure we can come to an understanding.”

  “I doubt it.”

  Brooks swallowed and licked his lips. He knew that Trenton could be a hard man to manipulate. He had to tread carefully. “What can I do for you?”

  “You were my father’s protégé. My father trusted you and so did I. I won’t make that mistake this time.”

  “I told you that there was nothing I could do. I only did my job.”

  “I thought the doctor’s oath was ‘First do no harm.’ I know about your connection with Sheldon Industries and I know what you’ve been up to the last several weeks.”

  Brooks felt beads of sweat on his forehead, but kept his voice level. “I haven’t been up to anything.”

  “Daniella Duvall. Does her name ring a bell?”

  He shrugged. “She came to ask me a few questions.”

  Trenton rested his arm on the back of the couch, appearing to look casual though Brooks knew he wasn’t. “Yes, and you tried to kill her.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Then I’ll remind you. I had a chance to chat with two men you hired to kidnap and scare Daniella.” He stared down at his hand and flexed it into a fist. “They were really reluctant to talk to me at first, but once they stopped screaming, I got them to tell me everything.” His eyes met Brooks.

  Brooks held his gaze. “If you tortured them I’m sure they said whatever you wanted them to say. You can’t prove anything. Besides, drug addicts make unreliable witnesses.”

  “How did you know they were drug addicts?”

  Brooks hesitated, recognizing his slip. “Those types usually are.”

  Trenton slowly nodded as if considering his words. “Fine, let’s pretend the kidnapping had nothing to do with you. What about poor Duane Martin? Do you deny you sent him after me? He told me you led him to me.”

  “He’s a disturbed man. He’s been in and out of grief counseling and is unable to handle his emotions. You can’t trust what he says.”

  Trenton shifted his gaze to Fayola, who sat still by Brooks’s side. “What was more tempting—the money or my wife?”

  “I—”

  Trenton held up his hand. “Never mind. Everything that comes out of your mouth is a lie. I know what you did. I even think I know why you did it.”

  “Then what do you want? Money?”

  Trenton lowered his gaze. “You’re smarter than that, Brooks.”

  “What do you want? Just tell me what you want.”

  Trenton kept his gaze lowered and remained silent. As the seconds stretched on Brooks lost his patience. He jumped up and shouted. “What the hell do you want me to do? I can’t change the past.”

  “Actually I don’t want anything from you.” Trenton turned his gaze to Fayola. She was still beautiful and wore her hair down in elaborate microbraids. As he stared at her he allowed himself to remember the hopes and dreams they’d made for the future together. “I wanted Fayola to see the choice she made.”

  “She doesn’t know anything.”

  “You never wanted to know.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Trenton, I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.”

  He stood when there was a knock on the door. “That will be the police.”

  Brooks’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “The police have a few questions to ask you about the two drug addicts you don’t know
anything about.” He opened the door and welcomed the officers in.

  “I’ll fight this,” Brooks said to Trenton after the officers read him his rights.

  “Try. I’m going to win this time.”

  Trenton watched them lead him away. “You should probably follow your husband to the precinct.”

  Fayola touched his arm and for a moment Trenton allowed himself to dream. This was the moment he’d always wanted. That she’d beg for his forgiveness and want him back. “I didn’t know anything, I swear. I’m just as horrified as you are. I was so wrong.”

  “Forget it.” He took a deep breath. “Just tell me one thing. Why him?”

  “It wasn’t something we planned, it just happened.”

  “Before or after the trial?”

  Fayola wiped away her tears. “I was always true to you. I loved you.”

  “Just not enough,” he said, unaffected by her tears.

  “We could start over.”

  Trenton briefly shut his eyes, ready to feel victorious but feeling empty instead. She wanted him back. She still had feelings for him, but the difference was he didn’t have feelings for her. He felt no pain. He was finally free. He moved away.

  “No point, Fay. There’s nothing to start over with,” he said then walked out of her life forever.

  At home Trenton tried to call Daniella but her phone went immediately to voice mail. Why wouldn’t she clear her messages or at least pick up? He looked down at Layla. “I’m sure she’s all right.” Maybe she’d disappeared and didn’t want anything to do with him. Maybe it had all been an act. Perhaps she and Pascal had been in it together the whole time. Fine, he’d move on without her. Layla dropped a toy at his feet. He tossed it to her and it rolled under the couch. “Sorry girl, that wasn’t fair. I’ll get it.” He looked under the couch and saw a folded piece of paper. He pulled the paper out and unfolded it. It was a pawn slip for an antique ring and earrings—eight thousand dollars. He looked at Layla. That was how much her surgery had cost. You don’t have to pay a cent, he remembered her saying, because she’d paid it for him. No one who could do this would betray him. She was genuine and he needed to find her.

  Chapter 14

  It was a cool summer day when Marnie Sheppard’s dream finally came true. She was removing weeds from her garden when she looked up and saw a man with a golden lab coming up the path. He’d walked that path before—rushing up it when he’d come home from his first day at school, after he’d led his track team to a state victory, when he’d wanted to introduce her to his fiancée. He hadn’t walked that path in a long time. But there he was. He stopped when he noticed her staring at him.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  She scrambled to her feet and ran to him, throwing her arms around him once he was within reach. She squeezed him tight and tears sprang to her eyes.

  “Mom, I can’t breathe.”

  She reluctantly loosened her hold and gazed up at him. “I just want to make sure you’re real.” She touched his face in awe. “Is my baby really home?”

  “Yes, for a while anyway.”

  “You’re leaving again,” she said, suddenly anxious.

  “No, just…” He shook his head. “There’s something I have to do. It’s a long story.”

  “I don’t care. I want to hear everything.” She looped her arm through his. “Come inside and get something to eat.”

  “Where’s Dad?”

  “Running one of his errands, he’ll be home soon and he’ll be so happy to see you.”

  Marnie wouldn’t leave his side. After requesting snacks from the housekeeper she sat beside him and touched his sleeve and held his hand and just gazed at him.

  Trenton took her hand in his. “I’m sorry for all the pain I put you through.”

  “No,” she said, too quickly. “I—”

  He shook his head. “Mom, please let me apologize. I shouldn’t have made you worry for all those years.”

  “We’re going to make up those years.”

  “Yes.”

  She turned when she heard a car drive up. “That will be your father.”

  Trenton stood suddenly, looking awkward. “What should I do?”

  “I don’t know.” She paused. “I know.” She shoved him toward the door. “Go and open it.”

  “Open the door?”

  “Yes,” she said, giving him another hard shove. “Don’t argue with me.”

  Trenton sighed then swung the door open just as his father was putting the key in the lock. Gilford stared at him, obviously stunned, then slowly crumbled to the ground.

  Trenton rushed toward him. “Dad!”

  He covered his face and shook his head. “I can’t believe it.” He stared up at him with tears swimming in his eyes. “Is it really you?”

  “Yes,” Trenton said in a choked voice.

  Gilford held out his hand. “Help me up.”

  Trenton took his hand and helped him to his feet and then his father pulled him close and gave him a bear hug. “It’s been too long,” he said, patting him on the back.

  Trenton could only nod.

  Gilford rested his arm on Trenton’s shoulders and the two men walked into the house. “Our boy’s come home, Marnie.” He lifted his voice. “Bonita, you can stop hiding, come out and say hello.”

  At first there was silence then the housekeeper cautiously came around the corner with her head bowed.

  Trenton sniffed the air. “Something smells good. Did you cook something special because you knew I was coming?”

  She shook her head, keeping her gaze lowered. “Don’t be kind to me, I don’t deserve it. Not yet.”

  Trenton rested his hand on her shoulder. “It’s all in the past.”

  Her voice wavered. “Did they tell you all that I did?”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “And my son—”

  “Won’t hurt anyone again.”

  She glanced up in surprise, then a cruel smile spread on her face. “Good.”

  Trenton opened his arms. “Do I get a hug now?”

  Bonita shyly hugged him.

  Trenton turned his cheek to her. “How about a kiss?”

  She laughed and playfully slapped him. “You’re still a bad boy.”

  Marnie clasped her hands together. “And we have to convince him not to leave us again.”

  Gilford looked at him with concern. “Is that true?”

  “I have to find someone.”

  Gilford tilted his head. “Is it that beautiful woman who first set out to find you?”

  “Daniella? Yes.”

  “How did you manage to lose her?”

  “Gilford, be fair,” Marnie said. “Who says he lost her?”

  “A man doesn’t have to chase down a woman he owns.”

  Marnie shook her head. “You don’t own a woman.”

  Gilford smiled. “I’ll convince you later.”

  She blushed. “Gilford. Really.”

  He returned his attention to his son. “So what happened?”

  “We had a misunderstanding,” Trenton said.

  “She’s the one for you.”

  Trenton patted the top of Layla’s head. “I know that now.”

  “I hate to see you go so soon, but I understand she’s a woman worth keeping.”

  “I think so.”

  “Before you go, we have to do one thing first.”

  Marnie frowned. “What?”

  The Sheppard men shared a smile then said in unison, “Fire up the grill!”

  * * *

  Sophia Carlton wasn’t in the mood for visitors, especially the one that showed up on her doorstep. The one who had caused her best friend to lose all sense and go after a crazy s
tory, to unravel a mystery, then break her heart. She opened the door then rested her hip against the frame, making it clear she would not welcome him inside. “Yes?”

  “I’m looking for Daniella.”

  “She’s not here.”

  “Could you tell me where she is?”

  “Maybe.”

  Trenton held out his hand. “My name is Trenton Sheppard and I—”

  Sophia folded her arms. Trenton was better looking than his pictures, but that didn’t matter now. “I know who you are.”

  “I just want to talk to her.”

  “Why should I let you see her? You’re the reason she’s been in bed for days.”

  “Maybe Layla can cheer her up,” he said, tugging on the leash in his hand. His face eased into a smile. “They’re good friends.”

  For the first time Sophia noticed the dog sitting quietly at his side. She was surprised by how infectious Trenton’s smile was. It lit up his face and made her want to smile, too. She hadn’t expected the smile, she’d expected him to get annoyed or surly with her, but instead he seemed not only patient and understanding, but determined. Sophia sighed, knowing that she wouldn’t easily get rid of this big man, and not knowing if she wanted to. She could see why her friend had fallen for him. “It was all a mistake. Daniella thought Pascal was helping her.”

  “I know.” He waited.

  Sophia let her arms fall, she didn’t have to let him in, but she knew he wasn’t going to leave. “She’s at her sister’s place.”

  “Which one? She has three.”

  “She’s with Izzy.” Sophia lifted a warning brow. “Alex is there, too.”

  “Alex?”

  Sophia nodded. “Yes, my older brother. We’re a close family so you’d better watch yourself.”

  A teasing gleam entered Trenton’s eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Sophia smiled, glad that he’d taken her threat in fun. Yes, she liked him and felt she was doing the right thing by sending him to Daniella. “Good, then I’ll give you the address.”

  * * *

  Across town, Alex Carlton stood beside his wife and shook his head in concern. “How long has she been like this?” he asked Isabella as they both watched Daniella sitting listlessly in the conservatory. Isabella had invited her over when Sophia had complained that Daniella wouldn’t get out of bed. Now she was up but the summer sun ceased to raise her spirits. Their two daughters were napping upstairs.