Betrayal of Trust (9 page)

After all, what harm could one service do?

D
rat! Parking oneself on a pew after fifteen years of no church attendance was like coming home after living in a non-English-speaking country for decades. Raven barely understood the language anymore. Churchese.

She sat stock-still, unsure what was appropriate, and unwilling to make a spectacle of herself by doing the wrong thing—especially if someone recognized her from the news broadcasts.

Seated next to Mrs. Strong, Raven felt as though she might as well have been Fergie sitting next to the Queen Mum, for all the warmth she received. Most horrifying was that, try as she might to stay stiff and unmoved, inexplicable tears burned just behind her eyes when the congregation began to sing “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”

Egads! Tears trickled down her face, first one, then another and another until there was no dignified way to hide the fact that she was crying. She sniffled. Mrs. Strong pressed a tissue into her hand.

Nodding her thanks, Raven kept her tear-blurred gaze
averted to the hymnal on her lap. Mercifully, the preacher took his place at the pulpit next and she was able to regain and maintain composure throughout the rest of the service. When the service closed, she excused herself to the restroom where she wiped away smudges of mascara. Dread tugged at her heart. How would she explain this to Matthew? Especially when she didn’t understand, herself.

Matthew stood waiting in the foyer when she emerged. A tender smile touched his lips. “Ready?”

“Where’s Jamie?”

“Mother picked her up from Kids’ Church. She’ll drive her home.”

He opened the church door and allowed her to precede him outside. The air smoldered in the summer breeze.

“Whew,” Matthew said, loosening his tie. “Leaving the air conditioning to come out in this is a shocker.”

“No kidding. Tony, our chief meteorologist, says we’re in for another week of this heat without much chance of rain.”

“Well, it’s his job to know, isn’t it?”

“Yep, and our Tony is the number-one weather guy in Kansas City.”

The small talk helped Raven’s taut nerves begin to relax as they drove out of the parking lot and into the traffic. The farther away from the church they drove, the better she felt.

To her relief, no mention was made of her meltdown during the service.

“So, how was Jamie this morning?”

“Not great. She had trouble sleeping last night—nightmares.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He pounded the steering wheel. “I’ve got to find this guy and get him out of our life. I hate the feeling that he’s a real threat to Jamie.”

“What about going to the police?”

“We did that in St. Louis.”

“I know, but that was over what happened yesterday. You have more now. Maybe you should show them the e-mail, let them do a trace.”

“Could they do anything you can’t do?”

“Well, no. Not until he’s actually caught.”

“Then let’s not take a chance the press will get wind of this. Jamie doesn’t need to see reminders on the news. She’s shaken enough as it is.”

Raven knew he hadn’t considered her employment status when he’d made the “press” remark. Rather than being insulted, she enjoyed the idea that he trusted her. Apparently it hadn’t crossed his mind that she might report this incident with Jamie as news. And amazingly, she hadn’t even considered it.

A definite sign of character growth.

“Here we are,” Matthew announced.

She drew a delighted breath at the sight of Matthew’s home as they drew up before it. “I’d forgotten how beautiful this house is.”

Matthew smiled. “Thank you.”

“You were one lucky kid growing up in a place like this, Matt. You must have had a lot of friends inviting themselves over.”

“Well, only from kids whose parents were in Dad’s political party.” He laughed. “Just kidding.”

“Is Jamie going to your fancy old alma mater?”

“Mother wouldn’t have it any other way,” he drawled. “To tell you the truth, I’d love to take Jamie and raise her in a normal house in the suburbs somewhere. Away
from so-called upper-class society. Mother’s a wonderful woman, but she has her notions.”

“That’s an intriguing idea. I think Jamie would love to live in a neighborhood with other kids to hang out with.”

“Intriguing, but not practical, I’m afraid. Especially now that we’ve become some sort of target.”

Raven reached across the seat and touched his shoulder. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

He covered her hand with his. “I’m glad you’ve come back into my life, Raven. For whatever reason. It helps having someone to talk to about this.”

“What do you mean, ‘for whatever reason’?”

Matt released a heavy sigh. “Kellie told me about your race for anchor.”

Her pulse quickened. Raven frowned. “Kellie Cruise?” The interloper, climber, daughter of the station manager? How on earth…Oh, yeah…

“My parents know hers. Mother is great friends with Kellie’s mother. She was just a kid last time I saw her until I ran into her the other night…coincidentally, the same place I first ran into you.”

Ignoring the innuendo, she worked at wrapping her mind around the reminder that Kellie had the same edge as she had for Matt’s story. “At the gym?” The little sneak.

“Yep. At the gym.”

Unable to bear the questioning look in his eyes, she averted her gaze, cleared her throat. He laced his fingers with hers. “I have a pretty good idea that you didn’t walk into Randy’s that night by mistake.”

A feather-soft kiss warmed her fingers, drawing her gaze upward to his. She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t admit that she’d callously looked him up in effort to use the love they’d shared for her personal gain. But awareness
shone in his eyes and she knew she didn’t have to confess. He chuckled.

“You never could tell a lie, Raven. You have guilt written all over that pretty face.”

“Matt…I…”

“Don’t…” He pressed a finger to her lips, and allowed it to linger, as warm and gentle as a kiss. “If that was your motive for looking me up, I can live with it. It doesn’t say much for my manly charms, and that’s a little ego-bruising. But, as I said, I can live with it.”

Raven opened her mouth against his finger. “Wait,” he said gently, applying more pressure. “Let me finish.” He slid his hand upward to cup her cheek.

She nodded, fighting the urge to lean into his palm.

“I want to pursue the feelings I’m having for you. But I need you to know I will not put Jamie on display for anyone. Not even you. So you have to make a choice. If you want a place—your rightful place, I might add—in my life, it’ll mean giving up the story you’re looking for.”

Raven closed her eyes, envisioning her career going round and round in circles until finally flushing down the bowl of life.

The balance scales in her mind weighed her options.

She cared about him…she really did. But what if they didn’t work out again? Where would she be? Stuck in a low-position job, reporting to Kellie—the cheerleader—Cruise. She swallowed hard. “Matt…”

A scowl twisted his lips. He dropped his hand from her face. “I guess that’s my answer.”

“Wait a minute. No it isn’t.” She grabbed his arm. “You have to understand…you’re asking me to give up something I’ve wanted for a long time on the off chance that you and I are going to work out.”

“Why shouldn’t we?”

“Well, look at last time.” She grimaced, wishing she hadn’t brought that up.

Predictably, Matt jumped on it. “Yeah, let’s do look at last time. You walked away without an explanation. Our relationship seems to rest firmly in your hands once again. Are we going to write a new story? Or is history about to repeat itself?”

Raven drew in her bottom lip. If the scales tipped on the side of work, she already had a thrilling enough story as it was, and something the St. Louis police could corroborate. All she’d have to do was report it, standing just outside the gate of the mansion. Ask rhetorical questions such as…“One has to wonder, is Mr. Strong’s fear for his family’s safety what compelled him to pull out of the race?” She wouldn’t even have to bring up the girl’s biological father extorting money. This kidnapping threat would be enough to win her points at the station. She’d have to act quickly, though. Matthew would be old news before long. Inwardly, she groaned. So much for that newfound character growth.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Anger flashed in Matt’s eyes, and rang in his voice. He slid closer and pulled her tightly into his arms. “Are you really going to walk away from us again?”

Tremors of longing surged through her stomach, igniting long-suppressed feelings. “Matthew,” she murmured.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Don’t tell me your heart isn’t racing as much as mine.”

“You know it is.”

“Then how can there even be a moment’s pause in your mind?”

“How can you ask me to choose? Do you know how long I’ve waited for a chance at anchor? I deserve it.”

“You do deserve it. But at what risk? My daughter’s safety?”

“I would never give out Jamie’s name. I’d just mention that you might have pulled out of the race in an effort to protect your family.”

“Raven…”

Her phone chirped, saving her any need to answer.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” Ken’s voice on the other end of the line forced a frown between Raven’s eyes.

“I’m with a friend. What’s up?”

“I just thought I’d tell you there’s been a fight down at one of the inner-city missions. Someone got shot in the crossfire. I got an inside tip from Lucas at the Kansas City P.D. It’s our story first if you can meet me over there.”

Alarm shot through Raven. “Which mission, Ken?”

“Victory Mission.”

Raven’s throat went dry. “I have to go,” she croaked.

“Okay, meet you in a few minutes.”

Without a good-bye, she disconnected the call and speed-dialed Keri’s cell. Her voice mail picked up. With a growl, Raven looked up the number for the mission in her contacts list. Ten rings later, she finally gave up.

“Something wrong?” Matthew asked.

“I’m not sure. Can you take me down to the Victory Mission?”

“What is it? You’re white as a sheet.”

“There was a shooting down there.” She gave him the address.

“Inner city?”

She nodded. “Would you rather I take a cab?”

“Of course not. What happened?”

“A fight broke out and someone was shot. That’s all I know. My little sister, Keri, and her husband run the place.”

“Let me see your phone,” he instructed, restarting the car.

She handed it over and he punched in a number. “Mother? Raven and I aren’t going to make it to dinner after all. You and Casey and Jamie eat without us.”

Pause.

“I’ll explain later.” He disconnected the call and returned her phone.

“Thank you, Matt.”

Raven watched him maneuver through traffic. Confident, determined to get her where she needed to be.

As if sensing her perusal, he turned his head, capturing her gaze. He gave her a reassuring smile and took her hand. “I’m praying your sister and brother-in-law are safe. But I’ll be right there with you just in case…”

“I appreciate it.”

He diverted his attention back to the traffic. Raven leaned her head against the seat. It was so nice to let someone else take charge for a change. Though she typically fought against that instinctual male protectiveness and TLC, she had to admit that for this moment, having Matt taking care of her gave her a wrapped-in-a-warm-quilt-on-a-cold-night feeling. She’d never been crazy about Keri working at the mission. Besides the obvious danger, the thought of her kid sister giving up a promising career in law enforcement—the opportunity to be the first female, not to mention the youngest, chief of police in Briarwood, Missouri, their
hometown—grated on Raven. But there was something undeniable about the love Keri and Justin shared.

Raven knew her sister couldn’t resist following her heart—something Raven had never had the gumption to do.

T
he wail of a siren sliced through the stifling air as an ambulance whizzed past Matthew’s car, heading in the opposite direction. Raven’s heart nearly thundered from her chest. The uncertainty of knowing what she’d find in a few minutes taunted her with images of the outcome she dreaded most. Losing another member of her family.

They drove another block before red and blue lights came into view from the two police cars parked outside the mission.

Matthew scanned the street. “There’s not going to be any place to park, Raven.”

“Let me out, then,” she said, more sharply than she’d intended. “I have to get to my sister.”

“Honey, I know you’re worried, but I can’t drop you off in the middle of that crowd.” He motioned toward a gathering of onlookers three and four people deep across the sidewalk.

Ken’s grizzled form appeared through the gathering. He spotted her instantly. With one arm cradling his camera, he waved frantically with the other, then motioned for her to hurry.

“Look, Matt. There’s Ken, my camera guy. I’ll be safe. Let me out. You can go around to the alley behind the mission. There’s a four-car garage back there for Keri’s and Justin’s cars. They added the other two for situations like this.” She grabbed a pen from her purse. “Here, give me your hand.” She scribbled some numbers on his palm.

He kept his gaze on the thickening traffic. “What did you write?

“The combination to the garage lock so you can park your car. It’s digital.”

“I think you should just wait and let me walk in with you.”

“That’ll take too long, Matt. Just stop and let me out.”

Like it or not, Matt was forced by the traffic in front of him to brake. Without bothering to wait for the car to come to a full stop, Raven jumped out. She dashed in and out of the dozens of people milling about on the sidewalk all the way up to the mission.

Any other day she might have been concerned about walking alone on this street, even with Ken standing fifty feet from her, but now her only thought was for her sister.

He elbowed his way through the crowd and met her halfway. “Took you long enough,” he wheezed, gulping for breath.

“Sheesh, Ken, if you don’t stop smoking you’re going to lose a lung.”

“Don’t nag.”

“Fine. I don’t have time to argue with you.”

She brushed by him, heading toward the doors.

He easily fell into step beside her. “Hey, they’re not going to let you in. Let’s do the lead-in now and find a few people in the crowd who might have seen something.”

“I’m not here for a story,” she said over her shoulder, pulling on the door. “It’s locked.”

“Come again?” Ken grasped her arm and pulled her back. “Do you think they’re actually going to let you inside? The cops have it locked down. This is a crime scene.”

“My sister and her husband run this place,” she said simply.

“Hot dog! Then let’s get in there and get our story.” He planted a fat kiss on her cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Ken! I don’t know if my baby sister was in that ambulance or not! I couldn’t care less about this stupid story at the moment. If it’s so important to you, call Kellie and see if she’ll come down here.”

She shook him off and shoved her way to the door again. Cupping her hands around her eyes to suppress her peripheral vision, she peered through the window. Relief weakened her knees at the sight of Keri, sitting on a bench against the far wall. She cuddled an African-American toddler against her chest, her chin resting on the child’s head.

Raven slapped on the glass, “Keri! Let me in. It’s Raven.” Keri didn’t look up, but one of a handful of officers spied her and jerked his thumb, a signal for her to beat it. She scowled and pointed toward Keri.

He turned toward Keri. She looked up and her ashen face brightened. She nodded to the officer. He opened the door.

Raven slipped inside and headed for her sister, who hadn’t budged from her place by the wall.

Ken’s voice coming from the door stopped her forward trek. “Rave, tell this guy I’m with you.” She turned to find the officer bodily keeping Ken from entering the mission.

“He’s telling the truth, officer.”

Raven turned her attention back to Keri. “I’m so relieved to see you’re okay. Where’s Justin?”

“In the ambulance,” Keri said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alarm shot through Raven. “Kere! Why aren’t you with him? Is he okay?”

“I had to stay with Anaya.”

“Give her to me. I’ll watch her. Do you want Matt to drive you to the hospital?”

She shook her head. “Justin can handle things without me.”

Raven frowned. Clearly Keri was in shock. “Did the paramedics check you over?”

Confusion crossed her features. “Me? Why would they?”

“I don’t know, but you seem pretty unemotional for someone whose husband was just shot.”

“Shot?” She rolled her eyes. “Good grief, Rave, Justin wasn’t shot.”

“Then why is he riding in the ambulance?”

“To stay with Anaya’s mother. She caught a bullet trying to get Anaya out of the way.”

Raven released a heavy breath. “I’m so relieved it wasn’t Justin.”

She caressed the sleeping toddler’s head. Tears formed in her eyes. “Raven, they said Mary probably won’t make it. What is poor Anaya going to do?”

“What about her dad?”

“Mary and Anaya have been living here since we opened the women’s section of the shelter. Mary was a prostitute. She doesn’t know who Anaya’s father is.”

“Have you gotten in touch with Social Services yet?”

Keri pulled the sleeping child closer and shook her
head. “Not until I have to.” She glanced up and Raven met her teary gaze. “Mary was this close to contacting her family. But she never told me anything about them other than that they don’t live in Kansas City.”

Raven felt the weight of the loaded statement. “A child with a family who might want her, but no way to find them. That stinks.”

“Yes, it does. This whole thing stinks. I’m just glad the shooter is in jail.” She shook her head. “Too bad that’s not going to bring Mary back.”

Raven sat beside her sister and slipped her arm around Keri’s shoulders, pulling her close. “I’m sorry, Keri. Is there anything I can do?”

“I’m just glad you’re here. How’d you know anyway?”

“Ken called me.”

“Your camera guy? But…how…? Did he know you and I are sisters?”

“No, he was looking for a scoop.”

Keri sat up straight and turned steady, scrutinizing eyes on her.

Raven’s defenses rose. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I promise I didn’t come down here for a story.”

“Then what’s the camera for?” She nodded toward Ken, who was talking to the officer who’d tried to keep him out.

Waving, Raven dismissed the question. “That camera is Ken’s security blanket. He wouldn’t leave it behind any more than he’d leave his cigarettes.”

“Do you want a story, Rave? I’ve been seeing that Kellie on air lately. I thought you’d be a sure replacement for Bruce King.”

“Well, technically, he’s not retired yet, but he had a mild heart attack and he won’t be returning to work. Kellie has anchored a couple of times.” The little sneak.
She always made sure she was in the right place at the right time.

Keri signaled for one of the officers. “How much of this is hush-hush for now? My sister is from Channel 23. Can she do a news report on this?”

“Since we already have the shooter in custody, thanks to you, Mrs. Kramer, I don’t see why she shouldn’t do the story.”

“Great,” Raven interjected, though the young officer was staring at Keri with more than a little admiration. “Thanks, officer. We won’t keep you from your investigation.”

Reluctantly, he moved away.

“I can’t believe it! That guy was hanging all over you. Doesn’t he know you’re married?”

Keri sent her a dubious grin. “He wasn’t hitting on me.”

“Then I’d like to know what that was.”

“I got the gun away from the shooter, that’s all. Now, Junior over there thinks I’m neat-o.”

Laughter bubbled to Raven’s lips.

“I hate to break up this touching sister moment,” Ken said in normal Ken fashion—cut to the chase, get the job done, hurry back to the station and clock out so he could throw back half a dozen beers before going home to his lonely little apartment. Even if he had to be rude to get it done.

Raven frowned, but couldn’t say much in this instance. He was right.

“This isn’t the sort of story that’s going to get me an anchor job, but it is newsworthy.”

“A woman was shot and will more than likely die.” Keri’s fierce voice raised Raven’s brow. “Maybe it’s not that big a story to you, but to her orphaned child it’s pretty significant.”

“Take it easy, Kere. I wasn’t implying it’s not heart-wrenching. But the world is used to these random acts of violence. An ex-prostitute getting caught in a crossfire isn’t that big a deal to most people, whether she dies or not. I’m sorry if that upsets you, hon. But that’s the way things are.”

“I don’t think you give people enough credit. How could they not care? Look what happened to Mahoney House after you did a report on it. When people found out Denni was trying to help former foster-care girls adjust to adulthood and keep them from following a pattern of welfare and out-of-wedlock babies, they started writing and sending money. She had enough donations to meet her budget for a year.”

Raven stared at her sister and tried not to give expression to the smug amusement playing inside her chest. Keri thought with her heart. So did Denni. Raven needed to be more practical. That was the difference between her and her two sisters. Another difference.

Perhaps the cut-to-the-chase part of her came from her father. A sudden surge of desire nearly overwhelmed her. To connect with Sonny and her biological father as soon as possible.

“I’ll tell you what,” she said. “How about if I film the little girl and tell her story in the report?”

Hope gleamed in Keri’s eyes. “Would you?”

Raven nodded. “I can’t guarantee it won’t be cut during editing, but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you, Rave.”

“Okay, Ken. Let’s do a lead-in and get this to the station.”

Matthew’s pulse quickened as Raven’s form appeared on the twenty-seven-inch TV screen. He grabbed
the remote and pressed Record. She was wasted on a local cable channel. Raven shone brightly as a reporter. But as far as he was concerned, she should be working for a real network—reaching her full potential. His father’s time in Washington had yielded contacts who might take a look at her tape.

He lay stretched out on his bed and watched. She was back at the mission, giving a live report to go with her tape. She stood in the street with the mission front as a backdrop.

“Mary Ford died en route to the hospital this afternoon. She leaves behind a beautiful two-year-old daughter named Anaya.” The station cut to the tape Ken and Raven had recorded earlier. Keri held the little girl in her arms. “We’re asking for anyone who might have information about Mary’s family to come forward.”

“What will happen to Anaya for now?” Kellie asked.

Raven nodded. “The directors of Victory Mission are emergency foster parents. They can keep her for a little while. But if her family isn’t found, she will eventually be placed in a permanent foster home.”

Anaya’s face filled the screen once more, her rosy lips slightly open as she slept against Keri’s chest. Raven’s voice dubbed over. “This little girl has a family somewhere. A family who might want her. Her mother may have started off in life with a few bumps in her road, but she had turned things around and was days away from contacting them to make amends. There are too many children without families. Perhaps as a community we can make a difference in the life of one beautiful little girl named Anaya.”

The screen split to show a photograph of the mother on one side and the child on the other, then switched back to Raven. The crowded street behind her was still
cluttered with onlookers trying to capture three-and-a-half seconds of air time. Movement in the corner of the screen caught Matthew’s attention. Cold recognition blasted him like a freezing wind, and he sat bolt upright.

“Ray!”

Anger burned in his chest, melting the shock and spurring him to action. If Ray was hanging out around the mission, it wouldn’t take much for Matthew to find him. He was going to pay dearly for the note, e-mail, and Jamie’s near-kidnapping.