“Seriously, I’m going to call Simon Goldstein. He’ll advise me. Christina, I want to make sure you understand what you need to do. No matter how embarrassing, or scary, you have to do what is right.”
“This sucks, big-time, but yeah, I know what I have to do.” She fell against the pillows, resigned. Anna wished this had never happened, along with a dozen other things she’d experienced in the past few months. Will I ever get my life on an even keel again?
“I’ll leave you with Mandy if that’s okay. Just for a few minutes while I make a phone call.”
Mandy spoke up. “Go do what you have to do. We can finish watching the movie you interrupted.”
“Thanks, I won’t be long.”
Upstairs in her office, Anna called Simon. Explaining what happened was easy enough. He advised her and Christina, and Mandy as well, to keep quiet until he arrived. He would be there within the hour.
Chapter 19
Simon Goldstein had been her personal attorney for five years. He was short, bald, and wore Benjamin Franklin glasses, the epitome of what one imagined for a lawyer. When he spoke, his voice was soft and kind. She valued his advice, and it was agreed that Christina should cooperate with authorities, but she would need a criminal attorney. Daniel Alan Lowande was the best in West Texas, according to Simon.
“I’ve called him. I told him your daughter, Christina, wasn’t able to travel, so he’s agreed to come to your house first thing tomorrow morning. Understand, he’s just here to advise. You’re the victim, not the criminal,” Simon said, directing his words to Christina.
She nodded. “What will happen to her?”
“That’s up to the system. First, we have to establish that a crime was committed.”
“Isn’t the fact that she’s telling what happened enough?” Anna asked. “She’s lying in this bed because she was pushed down the damned stairs!”
“Calm down, Anna. I’m on your side. I’m only telling you what you can expect to happen. Given that she’s a minor, we can keep this quiet, or at least try to. Given your popularity, I can’t promise some kook won’t leak this to the press, but it’s against the law to release Christina’s identity.”
Anna took a sip of coffee. “It won’t be too hard to guess who she is if this gets out. Most people she knows, the school, her friends, their parents, all know who I am. It won’t be hard to put two and two together.”
“Let’s not worry about what may or may not happen. Daniel will advise you tomorrow. Now, if we’re finished, I have a late appointment at the office.” He looked at Christina, still in the hospital bed in the den. “Hang tough, kiddo. You’re a brave girl, just like your mother.”
“Thanks,” she said.
“I’ll walk you out,” Anna said, closing the door behind her.
As soon as they were out of earshot, she spoke. “Do we really need a criminal attorney?”
“Yes. Christina isn’t going to be charged with a crime, though it will be up to her to convince the authorities an actual crime took place. Don’t worry, Anna. I would do the same if I were in your place. Now, I’ve got that appointment. Stay in touch, and I’ll do the same.”
“Thanks, Simon,” she said, and closed the door behind him.
She and Mandy had spent a couple of hours searching for the necklace that Renée felt she had the right to. There was no other explanation for its loss. They hoped the little rat had held on to the necklace, that it hadn’t been burned up in the fire, since finding it in her possession would do a great deal to assure law enforcement that Christina was telling the truth.
Before she returned to the den, Anna went to the kitchen, where she found Mona and Jeb. It was time to tell them what had happened, assuming they didn’t suspect already.
“Can we chat for a minute?”
“Only if’n I can stir this pot of chili while I’m talkin’ to you. I promised Christina this mornin’ I’d make her a pot of chili. I ain’t gonna break a promise. So, what’s up?”
“I suspected somethin’ was going on when I saw Simon’s car,” Jeb added. “Ya’ll ain’t in trouble with the law, are ya?”
She wasn’t going to say they weren’t, but she needed both to be aware of what might happen if what had happened to Christina was made public. Anna explained about Christina’s fall, her hesitancy to tell them what had actually happened, and now that she had, that things might not be pleasant. “If you two want to go to Idalou, I’ll understand. We’re good here for the next few weeks. I’m cooking and filming, so it’s not like we’ll be without food.”
“You tryin’ to scare us off, forget about it,” Jeb said. “We’re family, and family sticks together.”
“You two are the best. Of course, Mona knows this, right?” Anna teased, the first time she’d done so in days.
“Mona does; now git on outta here. I’m goin’ to bring trays in for you three brats. We’re gonna watch that show where the dead people walk,” Mona informed them in her twangy way.
“Sounds good,” Anna said, then left the pair to finish dinner. Before returning to the den, Anna made a pit stop in her bedroom, checking through her jewelry box once more, in case they’d missed locating her necklace earlier. She pulled the tiny drawers out, searched through each one. The necklace was not there. Sad that a family heirloom was lost, it saddened her more to think how Christina felt when she’d learned it was nowhere to be found. Anna told her people were more valuable than things, and to always remember that. As she was about to return to the den, her landline rang, and she answered, thinking it could be Simon, or the new attorney calling to confirm tomorrow’s visit.
“Hello,” she said in her best vlogging voice.
“Anna, it’s me,” Ryan said. “Don’t hang up.”
“What do you want?” she asked, reverting to her normal voice.
“I wanted to apologize for the way I stormed out of the coffee shop. I’m upset, the kids are freaking out. I took it out on you and just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.”
“Fine, then.” She wanted to hang up, but then she had a thought. Maybe she needed to keep Ryan dangling a little while longer. “The news said it was arson,” she said. “The fire.”
“Yes, we’re all terrified,” he told her. “This is going to sound crazy, but poor Renée said that you could be responsible. Maybe you were pissed at her, blamed her for Christina’s accident. I told her no way, but you know how kids are when they become fixated on something.”
“What?” Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Tell me again.” She took her cell phone out of her pocket and texted Mandy: Come to my bedroom ASAP. Mandy answered, On my way!
Anna hit the speaker button on the landline. Mandy entered the room, and Anna placed a finger over her lips, indicating she should be quiet.
“So, Ryan, what you’re telling me is Renée thinks I was in some way responsible for burning down your house? Because of Christina’s fall? That’s what she believes?”
Mandy clicked the CALL RECORDING app on her cell phone. Anna gave her a thumbs-up. She placed her cell phone next to the receiver.
“Crazy, huh?” he said.
“It’s only crazy if you actually believe her,” Anna said, trying to see if he agreed with his daughter.
“I didn’t say that, just that she’s got this idea in her head. You know how young girls can be.”
“I do, yes.”
“So, that offer you made, the hotel. You still good for that? This place is not fit for rats, let alone my children. You were spot-on, again.”
Anna looked at Mandy, mouthed, “What should I do?”
Mandy shrugged.
“Let me make a couple of phone calls, I know the managers at the Garden Inn and the Hyatt. Let’s see what they have, and I’ll call you back.” Despite not being certain that Anna was making the right decision, Mandy nodded.
“I knew I could count on you, love. I’ll wait to hear from you,” Ryan said, then clicked off.
Anna stared at Mandy. “
He’s one ballsy SOB. I’ll give him credit for that,” Anna said. “I think I should call Simon.”
“Yes, see what he advises.”
Anna dialed Simon’s cell phone. He picked up on the second ring. “Simon Goldstein.”
“Simon, it’s Anna. Listen, I just had the most bizarre phone call. From Ryan. He told me his daughter, Renée, believes I’m responsible for burning down their house, then he had the gall to ask me if I could put them up in a better hotel. He’s waiting for me to return his call. What should I do?”
“An arrogant man. Get him a room. This might work to our advantage, though I’m advising you not to discuss your daughter’s fall or that necklace that went missing. Play it by ear, but don’t say anything that might be incriminating. You’re simply his friend helping him out.”
“If you’re sure,” Anna said, “I’ll arrange things now.”
“Go ahead, but remember, you’re helping a friend, nothing about the fire or the fall.”
“Thanks, Simon. I’ll keep you posted if anything changes.”
“You’ll tell this to Daniel tomorrow morning,” he advised.
Anna ended the call.
“What a dirtbag,” Mandy said. “Not Simon, Ryan.”
“Frigging nerve of that rat Renée, accusing me of burning down their house. The girl must have a mental problem. Let me call Barb at the Hyatt. She owes me a favor.”
Anna called Barb and made arrangements for two rooms. One for Ryan and Patrick. One for Renée.
“Maybe he’ll think I rented two rooms so we can be alone. Turn your recorder on—I want this documented.”
When she dialed Ryan’s cell, he picked up instantly. “Hey, that was fast.”
“I’ve got two rooms waiting for you at the Hyatt. Ask for Barb, and she’ll take care of you.” Anna forced herself to be civil.
“Well, I am impressed once again, Anna. I can’t thank you enough. You said two rooms, right?”
“Yes, I’m sure”—she started to say “Renée needs her privacy” but remembered Simon told her not to talk about her—“you all could use the extra room.”
“You’re sure that’s why you rented two rooms? I can keep the kids out for ages, trust me. If that’s what you’re hinting at, I’m all for it.”
Anna’s eyes doubled in size. “Uh, no, I really think you could use the extra room.”
“Have it your way, Anna. I’ll head that way then, and I’ll call you first thing in the morning.”
“Ryan, don’t you have school tomorrow? Or have you taken time off?” She had to ask.
“Uh, I’m on leave, or rather, I took some leave. It’s going to take a while for me to figure out what’s next. I’ll call you first thing in the morning. ’Night, Anna.”
“That’s one creepy son of a bitch, and I don’t care what you say,” Mandy said. “He doesn’t sound too broken up about losing his house, everything he owns, and all that.”
“No, he doesn’t. Though he did manage to muster a few tears at the coffee shop this afternoon. I’m sure they were for my benefit. Something isn’t right; I can feel it in my gut.”
“Wait and see if he calls back. You might have to make a booty call later tonight,” Mandy joked.
“In his dreams,” Anna said.
“Probably, and wet ones, too,” Mandy teased.
“You’re nuts, but in a good way. Let’s get out of here. I’ll take the extension to the den. If he calls back, just follow me with your cell phone, and we’ll record whatever crap spews out of his mouth.”
“Now, that’s more like it,” Mandy said. “You’re going to be just like me when you grow up.”
“Heaven help me,” Anna said.
“You will need that, too, if you follow in my footsteps.”
“Come on, let’s go have some of Mona’s chili. It’s better than mine, but don’t tell her I said that.”
“Deal,” Mandy said.
Mona had placed TV trays in front of the sofa, and two armchairs. Christina had a tray specifically for her bed. She’d arranged bright red bowls of chili on each tray, along with plates with a slice of corn bread stuffed with jalapeños, and shredded cheese. “Mona, this smells hot,” Anna said, thinking was there any other way to eat chili in Texas? “Spicy hot.”
“Yep, ya’ll gonna be . . . well, let’s just say you’ll be visitin’ the ladies’ room a couple o’ times tonight,” Jeb said, and they all burst out laughing.
Comforted by her hodgepodge family, for a few minutes, Anna felt like she’d returned to her old life.
Then the phone rang.
Anna grabbed the extension, racing to her room before Mona or Jeb picked up on her conversation.
“I need a bathroom break,” Mandy said, her excuse for following Anna upstairs.
She closed the door as soon as Mandy followed her inside. “So, I take it the rooms are to your liking.”
“They’re great, much better than The Crown. Listen, I asked Barb to run a tab; hope you don’t mind. The restaurant here is decent enough, and the kids are starving as usual.”
“Of course, I meant to tell you that you could. They have a gift shop, too. Any toiletries, shaving gear, get whatever you need. The kids, too.”
“You’re too kind, Anna, and I mean that,” Ryan said, lowering his voice. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you. Actually, I do, but we’ll work on that another time.”
“Just helping out, Ryan, that’s all. Nothing more,” she assured him. The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on. She almost felt sorry for the guy. What an idiot she’d been.
“We’re going to have dinner, so I’ll catch up with you later. ’Night, Anna,” he said, and hung up.
She tossed the phone on the bed. “He’s got nerve, I’ll give him that,” Anna said. “I’m going to call Barb, ask her to send me his tab each night in an e-mail. Not because I care about the money; I just want to know if he’s actually feeding his kids.”
“I would, too; if nothing else, just to be nosy,” Mandy said, grinning from ear to ear.
“That, too.”
Anna used her cell to call the Hyatt. She told Barb what she needed, asked that she be as discreet as possible, and now she owed Barb a favor.
“Done,” she said. “I’m going to finish that chili. It’s so hot, who knows, I might be arrested for arson?”
“That’s not funny, Anna. If that weirdo kid of his actually tells that to the arson investigators, they’ll have to question you, at the very least.”
“I think she’s just being a strange kid, running her mouth. I’m not worried.”
“I hope you’re right,” Mandy said. “Come on, I want to watch that dumb program they’re glued to. See what the hype’s all about.”
Chapter 20
Daniel Alan Lowande arrived promptly at nine o’clock. When Anna saw him, she wished she’d taken more time with her appearance. Ruggedly handsome, dusty-blond hair, light blue eyes, and at least six-four, he looked like a Texan. He dressed like a Texan, in his snakeskin boots and Armani suit. Maybe the suit wasn’t typical Texan, but Anna could tell that he was a man’s man. A Texas man. He reminded her of Chris Hemsworth, the actor who portrayed Thor in the Marvel Studios movies. His hair wasn’t as long as the actor’s, but it was long enough. He was, simply put, a hunk.
“Please, Mr. Lowande, come in. I’m Anna Campbell. My daughter is waiting to speak with you. We appreciate your coming to the house. Christina hasn’t been able to do much more than roll around this place in her wheelchair. Otherwise, we would’ve come to your office.” Okay, she was blabbering. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t expected to be reminded of Wade.
“It’s my pleasure, Ms. Campbell. Now, if you wouldn’t mind offering me a cup of coffee first, we can get down to business. I’m an addict. Coffee, that is. Can’t seem to function without at least a pot in the morning. I overslept and had to settle for the drive-through at Starbucks. I need something stronger.”
Anna laughed. “I get whe
re you’re coming from. I’ve just made a pot of Kaya Kopi. Cream, sugar, or both?” she asked.
“Good brew—black, thank you,” he told her.
“Follow me into the kitchen,” Anna called over her shoulder. “If you don’t mind,” she added.
“Best place in the world to figure out a person,” he observed. “See what they like.” He grinned at her. “You know, Cheerios or Frosted Flakes.”
“Very true. We’re more of a Fruity Pebbles crew here when we have cereal,” she said as she filled a large yellow mug with coffee. “Though I do like to toss in a banana; makes me feel like I’m eating healthy.”
He took a sip of coffee. “Excellent.”
“It’s my favorite,” she said.
“You’ve got good taste,” he said.
Anna would swear he was flirting with her. Or maybe this was just his way with everyone. Regardless, he was here to advise Christina and nothing more. She was through with men. For a while.
“Simon briefed me last night, but I’d like to speak to Christina first. Straight from the horse’s mouth, if you will. Sometimes kids are frightened of authority figures, so since most likely we’ll have to chitchat with the police, I’ll want to advise her what to say. I’ll see if I can help you all get this matter settled, then let her get back to being a kid again.”
That was exactly what Anna needed to hear.
“Here,” Anna said, “let me refill your cup and you can bring it with you. We’ve been camping out in the den since the accident. Dr. Laird is hoping to put her in a walking cast in the next week or two. Follow me,” she said, bringing her mug of coffee with her.
Mandy was downstairs with the crew, shooting layouts for the thumbnail. This could take hours, as Mandy was a perfectionist in all that she did. One more reason she was so successful.
She’d asked Mona and Jeb to give her and Christina time alone with the attorney. When they saw him, if they saw him, she could only imagine how they’d tease her.
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