A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "Hey Hunter, it's Jed. I've got a few updates for you and Becca." He sounded grim.

  "Is it bad?" He didn't like the tone in Jed's voice at all.

  "I'll leave that up to you to decide. Is there a good time today to meet up and talk?"

  Hunter avoided looking at Becca. "We're available now."

  "I can be there in a half hour."

  "Okay. Sounds good." Or did it? Hunter slid his phone across the nightstand and turned back to Becca. "Jed finally has some information."

  She sat up immediately. "He does?" Worry filled her voice.

  Hunter had to admit, he had his own worry. Who knows what they'd hear? "Guess we'd better get dressed."

  *****

  Sitting next to Hunter holding hands, well, more like squeezing for dear life, Becca waited for Jed to begin.

  "I started looking at your family background, Becca. I found that your father was married prior to Anne. The woman had two kids from previous relationships. One of them was a very troubled girl named Sylvia. Their marriage didn't last long, a year or so." He slid a photo across the table. "There's the family, and there's Sylvia. She's about seven in that photo. Rusty kept in touch with her for two years after divorcing her mother until he moved away suddenly. She had to have been about seventeen or eighteen the year of the plane crash. Sylvia had a lot of problems and had been in and out of juvenile detention and even a metal hospital a few times. Not too long before the plane crash, she escaped and hadn't been seen for a few months. After that it gets even more sketchy as to her whereabouts."

  Sylvia's facial features very much resembled Carrie's. Becca noticed that right away. It was the same troubled look she had the day on the plane. She tore her gaze away from the photo, shuddering. No doubt this was the same girl. So at least part of what Sylvia said was true. Rusty was her stepfather.

  "I also found out that Anne was married previously. Ellie is not Rusty's biological daughter."

  Ellie wasn't Rusty's child? That one Becca didn't expect. She covered her mouth, not sure how much more she wanted to hear.

  Jed continued. "Anne and Rusty had trouble conceiving a child. When she finally did, the pregnancy was very difficult. I can't find any direct documentation that she lost a child, but she'd chosen to have a home birth and avoid hospitals. I can't find any information on who worked with them. There's also no record of a child being stolen at nearby hospitals. Do you happen to have a copy of your birth certificate? I'm not finding anything about the birth of a Rebecca Lange."

  "Yes. I've had it in my safe box ever since I declared emancipation," Becca said with a shaky voice, unsure where this was going. No information on her birth? Why wouldn't there be?

  "Do you have that here?"

  She nodded.

  "Bring it to me. Let me see if I can get any information off of it and dig further."

  "Of course. I'll be right back."

  As she ran upstairs, Becca heard Hunter ask. "Did you find any connection between the Langes and my parents?"

  Becca opened her safe box and pulled out the faded piece of paper. She stared at it without focusing on the contents for a moment. "You hold the key to my past in more ways than one," she whispered. This still didn't answer her questions. She studied the birth certificate that stated Anne and Rusty Lange were her parents. These could be falsified easily, if needed.

  Her stomach hurt. Her heart did a pitter patter dance as she made her way back downstairs. With a shaky hand, she handed over the paper to Jed. When she sat back in the chair, Hunter slid her a concerned stare and moved his arm around her shoulders. She leaned her head on him, taking in his comfort and love. His fingers gently rubbed her shoulder where his hand rested.

  "I'm going to take a photo of this for now. If you have a scanner, it would be great if you'd scan this in and email me a copy." Jed looked to Becca for approval.

  "Go ahead," she instructed. Whatever it takes.

  He took a few pictures from different angles before pushing the birth certificate back across the table.

  "Okay, Hunter. Your family history was much harder to find. However, I did find that Savannah and Anne went to high school together."

  Becca gasped, staring at Hunter. Color drained from his face.

  So there was a connection.

  If what her grandparents said was true, it very well could have been that Hunter's parents helped her parents. But where did Becca come from? She covered her mouth with her hand, choking back a cry.

  Hunter let go of her and sat up straighter. "Did they stay in touch after high school?"

  "If they did, I can't find anything on it. Nothing is out of the ordinary. This is going way back, so getting information isn't easy. Obviously, something had to have happened if your families were both on that plane. I just don't know yet if that connection is Becca. Having this birth certificate might help pinpoint anything because I can check with hospital records."

  "Is there any information about Anne and Ellie, surrounding Ellie's birth?" It felt weird to say Anne, but at the moment, it felt weird to say Mom. Becca sucked in a sharp breath, waiting for the answer.

  Jed nodded. "I'm still going to look into that, but it does appear that Ellie was your mom's biological child."

  Too bad the same thing couldn't be said about her.

  "This is all I have so far. I'm sorry it wasn't more."

  Hunter cleared his throat. "It's plenty, actually. It tells me being on that plane together was no coincidence."

  No, it wasn't a coincidence at all. What tied them together that night?

  Chapter Twenty

  "I want to know more than ever where we were going that night," Hunter muttered after Jed left. Did Carrie ... er, Sylvia?- whatever the hell that psycho's name was, find something out about Becca and threaten to tell? Why was his family dragged in the middle of it unless they had something to do with it in the first place? Most of all, why the hell was Sylvia on the plane with them, too? Where the hell were they headed?

  He thought back to his parents. Could they really have been responsible in helping to steal a child?

  Just how close was his mom with Anne Lange?

  This new information provided some answers, but it gave him even more to question. How much of this did Becca's grandparents know?

  Speaking of Becca, she never followed him to say goodbye to Jed. He headed back to the dining room, where he found her sitting in the chair. She was stiff as she stared ahead. When Hunter knelt beside her and reached for her hands, he found them sweaty and shaking. "Angel, look at me." He knew from the start this whole thing would get messy. He'd even warned Becca, but neither of them could have expected this. It was more than just a simple plane ride gone wrong now. So much more.

  Her eyes had an empty, cold look to them. "I know you said brace myself, and I thought I did, but..." She shook her head.

  "I know." Hunter licked his lips. Words failed him. He had nothing. This took him by surprise, too. He had no idea there'd been a connection between the families from that far back. How far would one woman go for her best friend? Were they even best friends, or did they just know each other? How the fuck did this all fit?

  "If I'm not a Lange, who am I? There is a family out there possibly who lost their child and they have no idea what happened to them! That child could be me!" Becca jabbed her finger at her chest.

  "Hey, let's not do this yet. Don't fill your head with stories that are going to scare the hell out of you. We don't know for sure that you aren't Anne or Rusty's child. We'll get to the bottom of this." Somehow. He sure as hell hoped so.

  "What if we don't? What if it's too far back and too much is buried to get the answers? Sylvia's dead, my grandparents won't speak of it, and our parents can't tell us anything because they aren't alive! What if this hangs over my head the rest of my life?" Becca spit out in angry bursts.

  His heart broke for her. Rising to his feet, he swooped her up in his arms and held on tight. "I wish I knew, baby. I don't like the scenarios
any more than you. Go ahead, let it out. I've got you. I've always got you."

  Like a dam ready to burst, Becca finally cried. She clutched Hunter's shirt with one hand and her other wrapped around him, clinging to him for dear life. Powerful, shaking sobs erupted from her. He wished there was a way to make it better. He held her while she let it out as he ran his hand up and down her back. Hunter closed his eyes and wished for relief somehow.

  Becca pulled herself together pretty quick. Hunter was surprised when she calmed down so soon. She sucked in a ragged breath. "I don't know what to think. I'm a mixed bag. I'm angry at them for things I don't even know, I'm angry at my grandparents for never giving me the truth. Not to speak ill of the dead but I'm angry at that spiteful woman who had it out for my family and did what she did. I hate to say this, but my grandmother was right. I can't unlearn what I know and I sure wish I could! But I can't cry myself into crazy mode over this any more. I just have to finish what was started. Learning the truth." She straightened and clenched her jaw. "At least I still have you," Becca whispered.

  "You'll always have me. Just know that whatever we find still brought us together. What happened in our past doesn't change who we are now. I'm struggling with my own feelings, even without all the answers. For some reason we were all on that plane and it wasn't to reunite. I have a suspicion there are plenty of buried secrets about to surface. When I think of my mom and dad, I don't see a couple who could have possibly helped steal a child. I guess it's weighing on my mind too, even though I suggested for you not to let these ideas fill your head." Hunter let her go and rubbed the back of his neck. His phone rang, which startled him. More bad news?

  Eva's name came up on the caller ID. He said as such to Becca before answering it, as her face paled. She probably thought the same thing about more news. "What's up?"

  "Are you available right now? Can I drop Sienna off for a while? I actually have a job interview and they wanted to know if I could come in today. Mom and Dad aren't around and you're on the way." She sounded winded.

  "Of course you can! I'll even drop her off this evening if I can have a few extra hours with her," Hunter offered, loving the idea of having his daughter over for a while.

  "Are you sure? I know you have a lot going on-"

  "Eva, I always have time for Sienna." His tone came out harsher than intended. "Have the doctors made any decisions about her ears?"

  "We're waiting on the specialists follow up. He's supposed to call this week about options. So far, the new medicine has helped, but she still rubs her ears a lot."

  "Well, bring her by. Becca and I are home and don't have anything going on until tonight."

  Eva promised she'd be there in ten minutes and hung up.

  "Good timing," Becca said softly. "She'll get to see the finished result in her room." While her smile was genuine, it didn't reach her eyes like usual. In fact, her eyes were haunted, full of question and doubt. "I'm going to go change and make myself presentable."

  Why did Becca feel like she had to keep this all in? She was allowed to be angry, grieve, fear, and yet she wiped it away like a dirty spot on a surface.

  Well, everyone had their own way of dealing. Hunter just hoped this wouldn't set her back when she was just starting to come around to her old self again. He watched her walk away and wondered if this changed things between them. The truth was an ugly son of a bitch, and it wasn't even over yet.

  *****

  Call it silly, but Becca avoided looking in the mirror. Every time she did she wondered about her past. A mystery stared back at her, and she cursed herself for thinking about it constantly.

  She kept her eyes away from the mirror as she left the bathroom with Sienna, who'd just washed her hands after having a snack.

  "All right Sienna, time for another dose of medicine." Hunter held the bottle in his hand. "Let's get your ears better."

  "It's yucky," Sienna pouted.

  Poor kiddo. Ear infections, especially constant ones, sucked.

  "I know it is. But we have to do what we can to make your owie go away. Come on, let's get it over with and then we'll go for a plane trip around the house before your nap."

  "Okay." She trudged over to Hunter and cooperated with him as he gave her another dose.

  "You'll be better soon. Then we shouldn't have to give you yucky tasting medicine anymore." Hunter sounded hopeful. "All done. Let me wash the cap out and then plane ride time!"

  "Yay!" Sienna found excitement again as she jumped up and down.

  Becca watched the love between father and daughter as Hunter lifted her in the air and ran around the hallway making airplane sounds. Sienna's giggles were constant and melted Becca like butter on bread. Her gut was hit with a pang of sadness thinking back to the few memories she had of Rusty Lange. He was loving, fun, and full of life. The little things she recalled about him, he'd always been amazing.

  Hunter had said something before when this first came up. No matter the truth, Rusty Lange had loved her. He'd been devoted to her and Ellie and that had never been questioned. She could always carry those memories in her heart. She hated the idea that her parents could possibly have done something so unthinkable, but they were the only parents she'd known.

  Even though she fought them, tears pooled in the corner of her eyes. She sniffled and swiped at them, but not before Hunter and Sienna both noticed.

  "No cry." Sienna ran to her when she was set back on the floor again. "Not broke. No cry." She wrapped her arms around Becca's legs.

  Becca picked her up. "No, not broke. I'm okay. Just watching you with your Daddy." Hunter watched her with a curious gaze. Sienna laid her head on Becca's shoulder, something the sweet girl was content with every time. Becca thought back to Eva's hurt expression a few weeks ago. Everyone could see how quick Sienna took to Becca and it couldn't be easy on her mother, even though Eva had her issues. It was no secret Eva felt like she was trying to take her place.

  Her mind was a mess. An image of a woman in a rocking chair crying for her child filled her head and a strong, overwhelming sense of sadness tensed up her muscles. She closed her eyes, trying to erase the image and think of something scenic to paint instead.

  This time it didn't do the trick.

  "Bec?" Hunter's voice was low.

  She opened her eyes again. "Sorry," she mumbled.

  "Sorry? What are you sorry for?" He moved closer. "Here, let me take her and see if she'll lay down, then we'll talk. You look so upset, and I think I have an idea why."

  She blinked as he gently took Sienna from her. Becca scooted past them and headed for the window seat in the art room, trying to gather her thoughts. Outside the sun was bright. Such a nice day and the weather was so opposite of her mood.

  No matter how she tried, she couldn't quit thinking about all the unanswered questions in her mind. She stared out the window, watching the tree branches sway in the wind and attempted to keep her racing mind under control.

  The sound of footsteps loomed closer. She turned away from the window. Hunter stood in the doorway without Sienna.

  "She go to sleep without a problem?"

  Hunter nodded. "I think the ear infections and medicine are knocking her on her butt. Poor kid. I'll be glad when this is all over with. Do you want company or should I leave you be?"

  Becca patted the spot beside her.

  "What happened out there earlier?" he asked as he sat beside her.

  With a sigh, Becca told him. "I can't stop thinking about Rus- my dad. Geez, I don't even know what to call him any more and it's killing me. Watching you and Sienna filled my head with the little memories I have of my dad. Then when I was holding Sienna I thought back to Eva's hurt look every time your daughter shows me affection, and an image of a devastated woman sitting in a rocker without her baby popped into my head. I know you said not to run scenarios in my head, but they won't stop!"

  "Your mind is becoming just as scary and tortured as mine." Hunter smacked his hand against his forehead. "Dam
n it. Wrong thing to say, I know. I just- I don't have the words to make this any better for you. I'm feeling a little helpless here."

  She clutched his hand. "Part of me wants to call my grandparents and relentlessly bug them for answers, but they haven't given me anything in twenty years. I can't see why they'd give me anything now. The fact that they know something bugs me to no end! I never felt wanted by them and I guess now I know why. I feel ... displaced. It's hard to explain."

  "I think I get it. It's like you knew where you came from, but now you aren't certain. It doesn't help that the answers aren't in reach and there aren't many people you can trust, plus all the other added crazy from the past few months."

  He'd pegged it right on the target. "I've always lived with doubts and fears. It was hard to feel like I belonged going through school because I had so much stacked on me, but to lose the security of knowing my background, that's a whole new level. I'm trying to be okay about it, but that's not working out so well. I've already been lost enough lately and was just getting back on track. Now this..."

  "Hey, there's no time frame for when you have to be 'on track'." Hunter made air quotes. "You've been pushed for so long to keep it in. I think you naturally do it even when you don't have to. Any time you feel the need to be angry, do it. Don't hold back, angel. I'm with you every step of the way. You don't have to keep it together all the time. Eventually it's going to wear you down. I've seen it happen this summer already. I hereby declare this house a feel free zone. No holding back, no worries about what someone will think of you if you break down." He waved his hand in the air.

  Good old Hunter. He had a way to be sweet and funny, but serious at the same time. "I never realized how bad I was about holding it in until recently. I thought I was one who dealt with things as they came. No, I build it up and it's not good for me."

  "Sounds like someone else I know." Hunter jabbed himself in the chest. "Except I didn't have jerky family members push me to be that way. I guess it's naturally the way I am. You're free and clear of your grandparents, Bec. You don't have to be who they want you to be any more."