The River Valley Series

by Tess Thompson

  Sarah and Rachel settled into the chairs as the crew made last minute adjustments. Gennie left them and went to sit with Stefan. When the camera rolled, Gennie reached for Stefan’s hand. He squeezed it as they watched on the teleprompters.

  “How did you discover that Genevieve Banks was your birth mother?” asked Rachel.

  “Like everyone else. On television.”

  “That must have been hard for you.”

  “It was weird. Surreal, I guess I’d say.”

  “When I spoke to Genevieve, she told me you were instrumental in her deciding to go forward with the entire truth of what happened twenty years ago. Tell us why you felt it was important to tell the truth.”

  “Gennie told me it was my choice whether we discussed the rape. We talked about how it will change my life if people knew about what happened and who my biological father is.” Her voice wavered. She glanced over at Gennie and seemed to gather strength because she continued, “I decided I wanted the truth out there, regardless of the personal cost. We can’t let someone like him become president.”

  “This is going to sound blunt, but I have to ask,” Raquel said. “What does it feel like knowing you were conceived by a violent crime?”

  “Not great. It’s also not great that the father who raised me is using Gennie’s story to get himself out of a gambling debt. But they are who they are. I am who I am. Gennie’s who she is. We must be stronger than the men who caused this. My adopted father’s a weak man. My biological father is an evil man. Gennie and I couldn’t sit by and not speak out for all victims of violent crime. We are here to say: enough. Men should not get away with sexual assault simply because they’re rich.”

  Gennie watched, amazed at this poised and articulate young woman.

  “She’s impressive,” Stefan whispered.

  “Yes, she is,” Gennie said. My girl.

  “How do you think this will affect your life going forward?” Raquel asked.

  “I don’t know. I can only think about today.”

  “If there are other victims out there, what would you say to them?”

  “I would tell them not to be afraid, and that Gennie and I are here for them.”

  “What’s next for you, Sarah?” Raquel asked.

  A ghost of a smile crossed Sarah’s young features. “I guess getting to know Gennie better. Going back to school. Being normal.”

  “Do you think that’s possible, given everything?”

  “Life is what you make it. My mother always told me that growing up. I’m still me, no matter what people say or think.”

  After Raquel and the camera crew had left for the lodge to edit and prepare the piece for an evening broadcast, Gennie stood near the window, looking out into the yard. A massive snowball fight was under way between Stefan, Drake, and the kids. Sarah and Alder shouted and shrieked with laughter as they ducked an attack. Gennie yawned. Her eyes itched and muscles ached like she had the flu. How nice it would be to get into bed and take a nap.

  Unfortunately, Trix didn’t seem inclined to leave anytime soon. She’d settled into one of the cozy chairs with her gaze glued to her phone. When Gennie turned from the window, Trix set her aside her phone and crossed her legs. “Well, that went about as well as can be expected,” Trix said. “The girl’s good in front of a camera. Comes off very sympathetic, but strong. You were surprisingly authentic.”

  “Surprisingly?”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but in the past, I’ve always thought you interviewed on the fake side. Like a little too Pollyanna. No one can be that nice or well-balanced for real.”

  Gennie plopped onto the couch. Sometimes I kind of hate Trix.

  Trix picked up her phone again and looked at the screen. “Holy shit, you’re trending on Twitter and the interview hasn’t even aired. The amount of press we’re going to get will be unprecedented. Everyone and their mother’s going to be tuned in for this interview.”

  “Well, thank God for that,” Gennie said. She looked at her watch. It was nearly two. Should I tell Trix to leave?

  “Your sarcasm is not appreciated, Gennie. We’ve got to get you out of Hicksville. Your sense of reality is becoming more warped by the day.”

  “I’m glad you’re excited about the ratings, Trix, but I don’t think you have any idea what we’re dealing with here. Murphy can crush all of us with the flick of a pen over a big, fat check.”

  “You’re about to announce it on national television. He’s not going to come after you now. If something happened to you, it would be obvious who did it. He’s not stupid.”

  “No, he’s not stupid. That’s what I’m worried about.”

  Trix’s phone vibrated. “Gotta run. Linus is here to take me back to the inn.”

  “Linus is not your personal chauffeur. He has a business to run.”

  “Don’t be such a grouch. He’s happy to do it,” Trix said. “I’ll call you later. I’m in your old room at the inn by the way.”

  “You really don’t need to stay in River Valley. I can handle this without you,” Gennie said, following Trix to the door.

  “It’s best if I’m here,” she said. They stepped outside to the stone walkway. “Good God, it’s cold. And is there really not a Starbucks within a fifty-mile radius?”

  “River Valley doesn’t need a Starbucks. The inn has great coffee. Order room service.” And stay in your room for the rest of the day.

  “All right. Kisses.” Trix, in her high heel boots, wobbled over the stone walkway until she reached the cement drive, which had been cleared of snow but appeared slick.

  “Careful,” Gennie called out to Trix. “It’s really slippery.”

  Trix’s gait slowed as she headed toward Linus who was driving a sturdy-looking SUV. When she reached her destination, she called back to Gennie. “I’m risking my life for you, Banks. I hope you appreciate it.”

  Gennie waved to Linus and turned to go back inside, cold without a jacket. Stefan, Drake, and the kids were no longer in the yard, but she could hear voices coming from the back patio.

  She wandered into the kitchen. Annie was just coming out of the pantry, carrying a loaf of bread. “Hey. You all right?” she asked Gennie.

  “Fine. Tired. I can’t thank you enough for letting us invade your house.”

  “There’s no need to thank me. I like a full house. Anyway, it’s my pleasure. I know what it’s like to be hunted by a dangerous man.”

  Bella had told Gennie the story of Annie’s ex being released from prison and coming after her. Gennie shivered.

  Annie gingerly lowered herself onto a chair at the kitchen table. “This baby’s supposed to come in two weeks, but I swear, it feels like she’s coming any day now.”

  “She? I thought you didn’t know the sex?”

  “Call it intuition, but I’m pretty sure it’s a girl.” Annie rubbed her eyes. “I think I will take a rest. You should too. This had to be a trying day for you.”

  She followed Annie’s advice and crossed the driveway to the guesthouse, the smell of grilled meat wafting up from the back patio. Once inside, she switched on a lamp and the gas fireplace. The front room’s décor mimicked the big house, rustic but cozy. A bookshelf held several rows of paperbacks. Wanting to stay away from television and her phone, she grabbed a romance from the shelf. She collapsed onto the sofa, pulling a throw over her legs, and reclined on a pillow. After reading several pages, her eyes grew heavy. Before she knew it, she fell asleep.

  That night, they all gathered in the front room of the big house and watched the telecast together. Trix slipped in right before the show started, with her phone planted on her ear.

  The fire blazed, but Gennie shivered as the show started. Raquel did a lead-in, summarizing the events of the past several days, and finished by saying this was Gennie’s official response and only interview about the subject.

  The interview with Gennie ran first. Sitting next to Gennie, her Mom cried for much of the interview. I’m detached from
it. It’s almost like I’m watching someone else. The emotional roller coaster of the past few days had taken its toll. I don’t have any tears left. Trix paced, much of her attention on her phone. “People are going crazy on social media.”

  Next, Sarah’s interview started. “Oh, my goodness. Is that how I look?” she asked during the first commercial. “I look giant next to Raquel.”

  “She’s a very small woman,” Stefan said. “You look great.”

  “I think so too,” Alder said.

  Sarah patted his head. “Thanks, buddy.”

  “Twitter feed is very favorable. You’re both coming off great,” Trix said.

  “This isn’t a popularity contest,” Stefan said.

  “Well, excuse me for trying to salvage this mess,” Trix said.

  Stefan didn’t say anything. He went to the bar and poured a whiskey. “Anyone else?”

  Drake asked for a glass of wine, but everyone else declined. Must keep my head clear for whatever’s coming.

  Raquel closed the show by saying they’d contacted Murphy’s team for comment but had received no response. The program went to commercial. Stefan turned the television off and started to pace in front of the window with his drink in hand.

  Gennie’s phone buzzed. Unknown number. Stefan looked at her. “Do you want me to get it?”

  It’s him. I know it’s him. “Hello,” she said.

  “I warned you.”

  Before she could answer, the line went dead. She started to shake and dropped the phone on the table.

  “Who was it?” her mom asked.

  “It was him.”

  “Dammit,” Stefan said.

  “Could I have a glass of wine, please?” she asked. Keep control of yourself. It’s going to be okay. Don’t let Sarah see you freaking out. Don’t scare her.

  “Now what?” Sarah asked.

  “Now we wait to see what he’ll do,” Gennie said.

  “And for the court ordered paternity test,” Stefan said.

  “But what about us?” Sarah asked. “Do we stay here? Will I be able to go back to school on Monday?”

  “I don’t know.” Gennie pulled her into a hug. “I just don’t know.”

  Later, after everyone went to bed and she was alone with Stefan in the guesthouse, they talked about the phone call.

  “How did he get your number,” Stefan asked.

  “I don’t know. How does he always know where I am? He has ways.” She realized she still had her makeup on from the interview. “I’m going to take a shower. I feel dirty.”

  “Yeah, okay.” He was sitting by the window, staring into the bottom of another glass of whiskey and didn’t look her way.

  When the water was hot, she got in and washed her body and face, then stood under the spray for several minutes. We are safe here, but for how long? Eventually, we will have to go back into the world. I will hire each of them a bodyguard. I will protect them all, no matter how much money it takes. He will not hurt the people I love.

  After she was out of the shower, she wrapped her hair in the towel and put on pajamas. Stefan had moved from the window to the fireplace. “What’s going on, Stefan?”

  “I’m feeling helpless, and I don’t like it. I should be able to protect you from all this and I can’t. I hate it.”

  “I know the feeling. I mean, how am I going to keep Sarah safe if she goes back to school?”

  He rubbed his eyes, then downed his drink. “One day at a time. Let’s see what the bastard does tomorrow.”

  She sat beside him on the couch and took his hand. “Thank you, Stefan. I couldn’t do this without you.”

  “You don’t have to. You’ll never have to do anything without me again, if I have anything to do with it.”

  Chapter 9

  The day started with her phone buzzing. Gennie rolled over to get it. Next to her, Stefan mumbled something and turned over onto his side.

  It was a text from Trix: Turn on the television. He’s about to be on the Today Show.

  She reached over Stefan for the remote and switched on the television that hung over the dresser. It was an interview with Matt Lauer and Rick Murphy.

  “Last night, actress Genevieve Banks accused you of raping her when she was fifteen. The child from that alleged incident was also interviewed. It’s our understanding you want to address these allegations.”

  “Well, first, thank you for giving me the opportunity to set the record straight. Of course, none of this is true. Complete and utter lies.”

  “What would be Ms. Banks’s motivation for telling such heinous lies?” Matt asked.

  “Well, clearly her career is washed up, and she’s desperate to be back in the public eye. It’s a heck of a way to do it, but that’s what these girls seem to enjoy doing for attention.”

  “Have you complied with the court order to take the paternity test?”

  “I can assure you I’m not the father. I refuse to play into these antics. I have more important things to do in preparing to lead this great nation of ours. I’ve served the public all my life, and I’m not about to let some second-rate actress distract me from what’s important.”

  “Wouldn’t a paternity test just clear all this up? Doesn’t that seem like the fastest solution?”

  “Well, Matt, that allows this to become even bigger than it is. I will not waste my time on something so ridiculous. Ms. Banks is in trouble with the court of public opinion and hatched up this sad story to get out of the fact that she left a baby in the snow twenty years ago. What’s even sadder is that she has the kid believing it’s all true.”

  “Is it true that she met you twenty years ago at your office?”

  “I met a lot of kids over the years. It’s certainly possible. Doesn’t mean I assaulted her. As far as the young woman’s concerned, given the gambling problems of her father, it seems clear she’s after money. Genevieve Banks, for that matter, could quite possibly be broke. We don’t really know. All we know is that she’s made up a ridiculous story to derail my candidacy. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to believe that perhaps this is sponsored by one of my opponents.”

  “Are you saying you think one of the other candidates is paying her to make up this story?” Matt asked.

  “I wouldn’t put it past any of them,” he said. “I intend to launch a full investigation.”

  The interview wrapped up then.

  Stefan’s hair stuck up in every direction, and his eyes were bloodshot. “Get on the phone with Grant. Find out the status of the paternity petition,” Stefan said. “That asshole isn’t getting away with this.”

  Her phone buzzed with a call from Trix. With reluctance, Gennie answered. “What’s up?”

  “I just got off the phone with the studio heads of your next two films. They’re dropping you.”

  “What? Why?”

  “They said they want someone younger and cheaper,” Trix said.

  “Both of them?”

  “Yeah, apparently, they all took the same course on how to be an asshole.”

  “It’s Murphy. I told you his tentacles are far-reaching.”

  “Oh crap,” Trix said. “One of the cable networks is doing a joint interview with people who’ve worked with you. They’re saying you’re unstable. Channel 46.”

  By this time, Stefan had made coffee and put a cup on the bedside table before climbing back into bed. She handed him the remote, her hands shaking too violently to hit the right buttons.

  The television screen showed three people streamed in from various locations, with a hairspray laden interviewer asking them questions. She recognized two of the interviewees from a horror film she’d done when she was twenty. She hadn’t seen either of them in anything for years. They hadn’t aged well, either. Will Morton had lost all his hair and looked like he’d been in more than a few bar brawls. Fifty extra pounds had attached themselves to Beth Crowley. She’d been anorexic thin when they’d worked together. The third woman she didn’t recognize. Was
it someone from acting school? Yes, that was it. What was her name? She was older than us. Ramona something. She wanted to be a standup comic. Yes, that’s right. I went to one of her gigs and she was terrible. Not funny, but mean.

  The man was answering a question about Gennie’s stability at the time he worked with her. “Oh, yeah, she was like really out there, you know. Didn’t talk to people much. Just kind of kept to herself most of the time, except when she was yelling and screaming at the crew.”

  “Screaming?” the interviewer asked.

  “You know, like diva stuff. She wanted coconut water in her dressing room. Threw a fit when she didn’t get it. Things like that.”

  Coconut water? There was no coconut water back then. A liar. They’re all liars.

  Beth spoke next. “All I know is she was a fibber. Lied about things that didn’t even matter. I swear she used to take things from my trailer. Hair brushes. Lipsticks. I confronted her once and she denied it, of course.”

  The failed comedienne spoke next. “I remember this one time she came to one of my standup gigs and got drunk. Started heckling me. That kind of thing. Very disconcerting, of course, when you’re on stage.”

  “After commercial, we’ll be back with a man who knew Ms. Banks and her mother before fame. It promises to be very illuminating.”

  Stefan muted the sound.

  How had he found them so quickly?

  “None of it’s true, Stefan. Not a bit.”

  “He’s paid them. None of them are doing well in the business. It wouldn’t have cost him much.”

  Gennie picked up her coffee, but her stomach churned. She set it back on the table, her hands shaking.

  The news program started again. This time an older man, wearing a suit and glasses, was the lone guest. A comb-over did nothing to disguise his near baldness. I think I know him. Who is it? Where do I know him from?

  “We have Harry Pettus with us now. He claims to have worked with Genevieve Bank’s mother years ago at a bank in Wisconsin. Mr. Pettus, did you know Joan Banks well?”

  Harry. Mom’s boss at the bank. He used to give me lollipops. Why would he do something like this? He loved Mom.