“Surely somebody was there for you. What about your foster family? Didn’t they see how good you were?”
“I didn’t dare practice at home. It interfered with Mona’s TV programs and she said the flute hurt her ears. I had to practice at school. Joe attended the concerts when he could, but except for an occasional solo, I was just a member of the band. You know, it’s sad he never lived long enough to realize how much that flute made a difference in my life.”
“What about Mona? Did she go to your concerts?”
“Are you kidding?” Anne shot back full force. “She couldn’t be bothered. She had more important things to do: like watching TV, doing her nails and gabbing with her friends.”
“You sure didn’t get much support. Did you? It’s a wonder you came this far.”
“It’s a wonder I didn’t end up like my mother.” Anne’s voice took on a bitter edge. “I was just a burden after my father died. Her boyfriends didn’t want me around either. Other than the obvious benefits, all they wanted was her money.”
“I’m guessing the boyfriends disappeared when the money was gone.”
“They sure did,” she agreed with a sigh. “And in the end, my mother blamed me.”
“They were predators, Anne, and your mother was probably too vulnerable to think straight.”
“Maybe. But some of the foster homes weren’t much better.”
Mitch drew in a long breath and decided to continue his line of questioning. “Did your mom know anything at all about her mother?”
“Not much. There was a rumor my grandmother went into Witness Protection.” Anne shrugged indifferently. “All I know is she pawned Mom off on someone else and disappeared forever.”
Mitch pulled up straight and leaned forward with renewed interest. “What about your father’s family? Why didn’t one of them take you in?”
“Who knows? Never heard a word from any of them. Maybe they never knew my father had a child. More likely they just didn’t want to have anything to do with me after he died,” Anne concluded, her shoulders sagging under the weight of old memories. “At least my life turned around five years ago. My band teacher was there for me. He gave me private lessons and never charged a dime. Mr. Dusek told me I was the most talented student he ever had. He was the one who believed in me and made a difference, along with Joe.”
“When Emma told me you didn’t have any family, I found it hard to believe.”
“Mom said she went looking for my grandmother after Mr. and Mrs. Clark died but found no such person existed. And since her father was listed as ‘unknown’ on the birth certificate, there was no way of tracing him. From what I heard my grandfather was probably a criminal and that’s why my grandmother couldn’t put real names on it. That’s all I can tell you.”
The waitress brought their salads. “Ground pepper?”
They both nodded.
“Enjoy,” she said, as she hurried on to the next table.
“Actually, I didn’t really care about any of this until that trust fund came from out of the blue,” Anne continued. “Who would do that for me? That money is the only reason I’m here. Otherwise, all I could hope for was a job at some fast food restaurant. Or I might have become a waitress at some nice coffee shop and made a good living. I guess I could have gotten by, but I would’ve never been happy.”
“The Clarks? Who were they?” Mitch asked.
“The people who took in my mother. From what I heard, they were real nice. They left some money to my mom, but like I said, she didn’t have it for long.”
“There must be somebody out there who knows you, Anne. People don’t set up trust funds for strangers.”
“I know. It doesn’t make any sense. That’s why I agreed to let Pete look into it, even though I don’t think he’ll find anything. Hope he won’t be too disappointed.”
Mitch waved his hand dismissively. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Pete’s enjoying every minute of his research. He likes solving mysteries. Between that and meeting Emma, he is one happy man.”
They exchanged smiles.
“We’d better eat,” Mitch added with mock concern. “Our salads are getting cold.”
Anne rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”
Minutes later their waitress brought the steaks. Anne took a bite. It was so tender she could have cut it with a butter knife. “You’re right. This is amazing!”
After they finished their dinners, the waitress brought a dessert menu. “Oh, please,” Anne protested. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
Mitch agreed and called for the check.
Anne gave him a mischievous grin and cocked her head inquiringly. “So where do we go from here, Mr. Randolph?”
“Have you seen Buckingham Fountain?”
“Sure! Last summer with Emma and Ashley.”
“Well, I’d like to take you there tonight. They’ll be shutting it off some time in October and I want to see it one more time.”
Mitch took care of the bill and hailed a cab to take them to Grant Park. They walked around the fountain as lights danced on the plumes of water and music played.
“Wow!” Anne looked up in wonder. “We didn’t see it at night. It’s beautiful.”
“That’s why I wanted to come and share it with you. This will always be our special place.” Mitch drew her in his arms and kissed her, slowly and deeply.
Anne felt the warmth go deep inside her. She wanted so much to believe that kiss meant something, but wasn’t sure she could trust anyone like Mitch. You know better. This doesn’t mean anything to him, she reminded herself. Anne pulled away shyly. “Í should get back to the dorm.”
Mitch dropped her off at the steps of Stanton Hall. “Hope you had a good time.”
“Yes! It was totally awesome.”
Mitch kissed her again and gazed at her with a contented smile. “I’m glad.”
Anne went to Emma’s room, lost in a haze of unfulfilled desire.
“How’d it go?” she asked. “You look like you’re walking on Cloud Nine.”
“I can’t explain it. Everything about Mitch makes me feel so alive. A goodnight kiss wasn’t enough. It left me aching for more. What I really want is to be alone with him on some deserted island. What’s happening to me?”
Emma shook her head, grinning. “It’s called lust.”
“Was it that way for you and Pete?”
“Yes, it was, so we consummated our relationship a long time ago.”
Pete and Mitch arrived in the lobby of Stanton Hall the next Friday afternoon. “We thought we’d meet you here. There’s some kind of demonstration going on downtown,” Mitch warned. “It’s supposed to be peaceful and shouldn’t be anywhere near the restaurant, but you never know. We’ll have to be careful.”
Pete gave an update on his research over dinner. “I’ve looked into trials of mob bosses in Chicago and New York, both newspaper stories and television footage. Nothing’s popping out at me. I’ve got a jigsaw puzzle with hundreds of pieces and no way to put them together.
“Well, you did your best,” Anne said, feeling a twinge of disappointment. “But I told you my mother had no luck finding her family. It’s impossible when you don’t even know who you’re looking for. If you’re ready to give up, don’t worry. I totally get it.”
“Oh, I have no intention of giving up,” he insisted. “My dad always says, ‘Impossible just takes longer.’”
Mitch took Anne’s hand in his and squeezed it gently. “I checked the situation on my phone a minute ago. Looks like it’s getting ugly and spilling over this way. We probably better get going.”
They walked briskly back to the dorm. Popping sounds and shouting erupted in the distance.
Pete and Mitch hailed a cab to take them to safety. Anne, Ashley and Emma hurried inside. There was little time for goodbyes. Both Anne and E
mma turned in early to get some rest. The next evening they would be performing at the engagement party.
Everyone arrived at the rehearsal hall by late afternoon amid a buzz of anticipation. The conductor went over the more challenging pieces of the program, reviewing key changes and transitions from one tempo to another.
“Our transportation is here,” he announced later. “When you enter the hall, the guests will be having dinner. Try to find your places quickly and quietly as possible.”
Anne and Emma stayed close to each other for the ride north. TV cameramen stood outside the Romero estate taking footage of everyone arriving. As the gate opened, Anne shuddered, feeling the same uneasiness she had at the dress rehearsal. Security guards opened car doors and escorted them into the ballroom.
“I feel like I’m being herded,” Anne whispered.
Emma gave her a wry look. “That’s for sure. Kind of like a death march.”
“Don’t go there,” Anne warned, acknowledging Emma’s sense of humor with a good-natured smile. “This whole thing is creeping me out as it is.”
They found their positions and tuned briefly before the opening number, “A Love Until The End of Time.” Chatter from the guests echoed so loudly, Anne wondered if a disc jockey playing CDs full blast wouldn’t do just as well.
The next piece was for strings only, giving Anne a chance to survey the room. Everything seemed to center around an older man at the head table, probably Tony Romero. She figured the young couple next to him must be the honored guests. Conversation appeared to be lively, except for one older woman who sat forlornly at the end of the table. She seemed sadly out of place with the others.
Anne was arranging her music when she felt someone’s eyes on her. She looked up and saw Romero staring back at her. She averted his gaze and quickly turned her attention back to the music as they played the rest of the program.
Everyone began packing up to leave after the final song, “Looking Through the Eyes of Love.” The conductor handed out envelopes with checks to the musicians.
“I’ll be glad to get out of here,” Anne admitted to Emma as she swabbed out the head joint of her flute.
“I’m with you. This place gives me the creeps, too. Gotta’ hit the ladies room first. See you outside.”
Anne was just about to leave the ballroom when Mitch caught up with her. “Hungry?” he asked, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. “If you are, I think I can rustle up something for you.”
“Starved,” she admitted, “but I can’t stay. I need a ride back. Emma’s outside waiting for me.”
“My parents can take us back,” Mitch insisted. “I’ll let Emma know you’re with me. That is...if you don’t mind dining with a law student.”
“Well, anybody who feeds the musicians can’t be all bad,” Anne replied with a smirk, accepting his challenge.
Mitch led her to a dining room with a bay window at the end. Anne took in her surroundings and was a bit puzzled. “Seems pretty small for a house this big.”
“There’s a much bigger dining room. This is for intimate family gatherings and dinners with business associates.”
Mitch left briefly to notify Emma and make arrangements for dinner. Anne sat by the window watching party guests stroll the grounds, enjoying a beautiful fall evening. Chrysanthemums in large pots lined every pathway and autumn leaves of bronze, gold and scarlet splattered their vibrant colors on the lush green lawn.
The door clicked open as Mitch entered the room and joined her at the table. Anne wanted to know more about the people she saw this evening. “Tell me about the party tonight. Who was the older woman at the head table? She looked like she would rather be anywhere else on earth than here.”
“You’re probably right. She’s Romero’s wife. They’ve been separated for years but they never divorced.”
“Beside his niece, who were the others sitting with him? Are they his children and grandchildren?”
“No. They’re all his nieces and nephews and their children. Tony did have two sons. After his wife left him, he got custody because he had just about every judge in northern Illinois in his pocket.”
Anne threw him a dark look. “Why am I not surprised?”
Mitch chose to ignore her remark and continued. “His sons went into the family business, if you want to call it that, and were killed over a territorial dispute.”
A man entered with a tray of food. He lifted the lid and presented Anne with a steaming plate of prime rib, carrots, mashed potatoes and a salad plate, plus a small loaf of french bread and butter.
“Hope I got it right,” Mitch said. “I thought maybe you’re a meat and potatoes kind of person.”
“You nailed it,” she agreed.
“Anything to drink, sir?” the man asked, addressing Mitch. “We have ice water, sodas, iced tea, coffee, wine or champagne.”
Mitch gave Anne a conspiratorial wink. “How about water and champagne?”
“But I’m too young,” Anne whispered in protest.
The waiter returned minutes later with a bottle of champagne. He popped the cork and filled their glasses.
“You should at least have your first taste,” Mitch insisted, once they were alone again.
Anne took a sip. The bubbles tickled her tongue and she laughed. “Not bad. Not bad at all.”
“Champagne means celebration to the French. So, this will be our celebration.”
Anne finished dinner and set her napkin aside. The champagne left her feeling mellow and content. Mitch drew her close, but just as their lips touched, the door opened abruptly.
Mitch’s father stood there with fire in his eyes at the sight of the two of them. “We need to leave. Immediately!” he snapped.
“I should get back on campus,” Anne agreed weakly, taken aback at the nasty tone in his voice.
The hostile atmosphere during the ride back to the city reminded Anne of every time she’d been judged unfairly. Mitch’s father stared out the window while his mother prattled on mindlessly about the party, trying to fill the void. She described in detail the designer clothing worn by various guests, the lavish flower arrangements and the elegant table settings. Anne felt trapped and couldn’t wait to get back to Stanton Hall.
The minute the car stopped, Anne jumped out before the driver could go around and open the door for her.
Mitch ran after her. “Anne, wait! I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Excuse me?” Tears of rage filled her eyes as she unleashed her fury. “Well, sorry doesn’t get it! Your parents just reminded me of what I am. I’m nothing! That’s what I’ve heard all my life, and I’m sick of it! I just wish to hell I’d died in that accident instead of my father. Everybody would have been so much better off!”
Mitch stood frozen in place for a moment, watching Anne rush away from the scene. He bowed his head and walked back to the car. “You could have been a little nicer to Anne,” he mumbled, as he climbed in.
His mother tried to make peace between father and son. “Mitch, she would never fit in with people like us, given her unfortunate circumstances. And you have to consider the possibility she might be targeting you for your money.”
“How can you say that? Anne has a trust fund and doesn’t need my money!”
“But you never know about these people. They always want more. We have to be careful,” his mother insisted.
“So what about the people at that party? Are they the kind of people who fit in with us?” Mitch countered, his eyes narrowing, “with all their wealth, gold place settings, Royal Doulton china, and fancy designer clothing, I guess it’s perfectly okay that Tony Romero was a criminal at one time.” He turned to confront his father. “Ah, but Tony has money, so all is forgiven in your eyes. What is the matter with you? Anne is worth a thousand of them!”
Mitch’s father remained stone-faced. “You’re too young
to understand these things. It would not be in your best interests to mix business with pleasure.”
CHAPTER 7
Anne came into her dorm room, discarded her concert dress without a word and sat down on the bed. The stricken look on her face spoke volumes.
“What happened?” Ashley asked.
“Well, it was a nice evening until I rode home with Mitch’s parents. They made it quite clear what they think of me. I’m not up to their standards when it comes to Mitch.”
“That’s bullshit!” Emma said, marching into the room.
“I know all too well what you’re talking about. But in reverse,” Ashley added. “People fawned all over me because my father had money. I hated it! You’re right, Emma. It’s bullshit!”
Emma gave a smile of approval at Ashley’s feisty spirit. “I sure do like the new you!”
“Maybe Mitch will stand up to his parents and follow his heart,” Ashley suggested.
“Ashley’s right. He should get a clue and strike out on his own,” Emma sympathized. “If he doesn’t, I wonder about how it’ll turn out? Will he be happy living the life they’ve planned for him?”
Anne shook her head. “Probably not, but he’ll only regret it in the end if he goes against them. I don’t want any part of that family. I’m sure they would use every means necessary to make us miserable, including digging up dirt about me and my mother, whether or not it’s true. It’s not worth it. If Mitch doesn’t obey his parents, everybody loses in the end. I’m just not good enough for them.”
“You got that all wrong,” Emma cut in. “They’re not good enough for you!”
Anne gave Emma a weak smile. “Thanks.”
Prelude to Silence Page 6