Smash Cut (34 page)
Authors: Sandra Brown
Tags: #Legal, #Suspense, #Fiction, #General, #Georgia, #Thrillers, #Rich people, #Atlanta (Ga.), #Trials (Murder), #Legal stories, #Rich People - Georgia
For your hand. Dodge passed Derek an ice pack.
With a nod of thanks, he applied it to his swollen, bloody knuckles.
Dodge had gone out to smoke a half hour earlier and had just now returned. In addition to the ice pack, hed brought back a Starbucks sack with three coffees in it. He passed one each to Julie and Derek, and kept the third for himself.
They were in the ER waiting room of Athens Regional hospital, where Creighton and Carol had been transported in separate ambulances. Uniformed police officers and sheriffs deputies were milling around trying to look official, drinking vending machine coffee, and getting in the way of the medical personnel. Their plainclothes colleagues were in a huddled conference with Sanford and Kimball.
Dodge slurped his coffee. Anybody look at it yet?
My hand? Derek flexed and stretched his fingers. Its okay. No bones broken.
A wonder, the way you hit him.
He had it coming, and then some.
He got some. Dodge shot Julie an arch look.
Derek growled, What in hell were you thinking, Dodge, giving her your pistol?
I couldnt run any farther without collapsing. I didnt want her charging in there after you without a weapon. He gave her a grin of admiration. Didnt know she was going to pull a Dirty Harry.
I only wanted Creighton to think I was, she said softly. When Paul had insisted she keep the revolver beneath her bed for protection, hed also insisted she learn how to shoot it with accuracy.
The blast from the pistol had made Creighton scream. Shed fired the bullet into the ground near enough to his head for him to feel the impact, near enough for him to know what Paul Wheelers last instant of life had been like.
Dodge glanced toward the detectives. Have they made noises about booking either of you?
Derek shook his head. Theyre probably arguing jurisdiction.
They havent even questioned us to any extent. Julie, who was sitting close to Derek, brushed soil and other organic matter off the knee of his trousers. I told them Creighton didnt go down easily, and that Derek and I had to do what we could to subdue him until the police caught up with us.
Dodge gargled a chuckle. Subdue? Ill say.
Ariel backed me up.
From what I saw of Wheeler when they put him in the ambulance, his cheekbone was caved in, Dodge said.
Hes in surgery now.
He wont be as pretty from here on. The investigator snorted. And Ill bet they had to change his underwear. He looked around. Wheres Ariel?
With Carol, Julie told him. The doctors have examined her. Shell be bruised and her throat will be sore, but shes going to be fine in a few days. Ariel got permission to spend the night with her once they get her into a room. Both are still shaken.
A few more seconds and we would have been too late, Derek said. Even if wed captured him, Carol could be dead.
But she isnt, Julie said, rubbing his thigh.
Derek turned his head and smiled at her, then as he was taking a sip of his coffee, he nodded toward the entrance. Theyre here.
Doug and Sharon Wheeler and a man Julie didnt recognize came through the automatic doors. Spotting her instantly, they walked toward her. Doug looked resolute. Sharon appeared shattered, barely holding on to her composure. Julie had never seen her with a hair out of place. Tonight, she looked ravaged.
They brought in a heavy hitter, Derek said under his breath, referring to the man who angled off toward Sanford, Kimball, and their Athens Police Department counterparts.
An attorney? Julie asked.
More like the Antichrist, Dodge muttered. Im gonna smoke.
The Wheelers didnt give Dodge a glance as he passed them on his way out. Julie stood up to meet them. Derek also came to his feet.
Its not true! Sharon shrieked, causing everyone else in the waiting area to turn and stare.
Doug placed his arm around her and pulled her close, but he never took his eyes off Julie. He spoke her name, making a question of it.
Creightons still in surgery, she said. He was hurt
He was brutally beaten! Sharon cried, glaring at Derek.
Your son was caught in the act of trying to choke a young woman to death, Mrs. Wheeler, he said.
Julie loved him for speaking to her without rancor. His tone was even kind.
If I hadnt stopped him, he added, he would have killed her.
Sharon crumpled against her husband. Derek hastily moved aside and helped Doug guide her into a chair. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. Doug bent over her, whispered something in her ear as he patted her back, then straightened up and turned to face Julie and Derek.
Well do our best for Creighton. His tone suggested that he expected an argument from them. He glanced toward the lawyer who was laying into Sanford and Kimball, both of whom remained stalwart against his tirade.
When Doug came back around to Julie, the pain in his eyesPauls eyeswas immeasurable. Her heart went out to him. Im sorry, Doug, she said, her voice made hoarse by emotion. I mean that.
I know you do. He made a helpless gesture. Creighton is a a tragedy. But hes my son. As his father, I must do all I can for him.
Thats what parents do. They take care of their children.
Doug looked at her for several seconds, then said, Just as Paul did for you. His daughter.
With a nod of thanks, he applied it to his swollen, bloody knuckles.
Dodge had gone out to smoke a half hour earlier and had just now returned. In addition to the ice pack, hed brought back a Starbucks sack with three coffees in it. He passed one each to Julie and Derek, and kept the third for himself.
They were in the ER waiting room of Athens Regional hospital, where Creighton and Carol had been transported in separate ambulances. Uniformed police officers and sheriffs deputies were milling around trying to look official, drinking vending machine coffee, and getting in the way of the medical personnel. Their plainclothes colleagues were in a huddled conference with Sanford and Kimball.
Dodge slurped his coffee. Anybody look at it yet?
My hand? Derek flexed and stretched his fingers. Its okay. No bones broken.
A wonder, the way you hit him.
He had it coming, and then some.
He got some. Dodge shot Julie an arch look.
Derek growled, What in hell were you thinking, Dodge, giving her your pistol?
I couldnt run any farther without collapsing. I didnt want her charging in there after you without a weapon. He gave her a grin of admiration. Didnt know she was going to pull a Dirty Harry.
I only wanted Creighton to think I was, she said softly. When Paul had insisted she keep the revolver beneath her bed for protection, hed also insisted she learn how to shoot it with accuracy.
The blast from the pistol had made Creighton scream. Shed fired the bullet into the ground near enough to his head for him to feel the impact, near enough for him to know what Paul Wheelers last instant of life had been like.
Dodge glanced toward the detectives. Have they made noises about booking either of you?
Derek shook his head. Theyre probably arguing jurisdiction.
They havent even questioned us to any extent. Julie, who was sitting close to Derek, brushed soil and other organic matter off the knee of his trousers. I told them Creighton didnt go down easily, and that Derek and I had to do what we could to subdue him until the police caught up with us.
Dodge gargled a chuckle. Subdue? Ill say.
Ariel backed me up.
From what I saw of Wheeler when they put him in the ambulance, his cheekbone was caved in, Dodge said.
Hes in surgery now.
He wont be as pretty from here on. The investigator snorted. And Ill bet they had to change his underwear. He looked around. Wheres Ariel?
With Carol, Julie told him. The doctors have examined her. Shell be bruised and her throat will be sore, but shes going to be fine in a few days. Ariel got permission to spend the night with her once they get her into a room. Both are still shaken.
A few more seconds and we would have been too late, Derek said. Even if wed captured him, Carol could be dead.
But she isnt, Julie said, rubbing his thigh.
Derek turned his head and smiled at her, then as he was taking a sip of his coffee, he nodded toward the entrance. Theyre here.
Doug and Sharon Wheeler and a man Julie didnt recognize came through the automatic doors. Spotting her instantly, they walked toward her. Doug looked resolute. Sharon appeared shattered, barely holding on to her composure. Julie had never seen her with a hair out of place. Tonight, she looked ravaged.
They brought in a heavy hitter, Derek said under his breath, referring to the man who angled off toward Sanford, Kimball, and their Athens Police Department counterparts.
An attorney? Julie asked.
More like the Antichrist, Dodge muttered. Im gonna smoke.
The Wheelers didnt give Dodge a glance as he passed them on his way out. Julie stood up to meet them. Derek also came to his feet.
Its not true! Sharon shrieked, causing everyone else in the waiting area to turn and stare.
Doug placed his arm around her and pulled her close, but he never took his eyes off Julie. He spoke her name, making a question of it.
Creightons still in surgery, she said. He was hurt
He was brutally beaten! Sharon cried, glaring at Derek.
Your son was caught in the act of trying to choke a young woman to death, Mrs. Wheeler, he said.
Julie loved him for speaking to her without rancor. His tone was even kind.
If I hadnt stopped him, he added, he would have killed her.
Sharon crumpled against her husband. Derek hastily moved aside and helped Doug guide her into a chair. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. Doug bent over her, whispered something in her ear as he patted her back, then straightened up and turned to face Julie and Derek.
Well do our best for Creighton. His tone suggested that he expected an argument from them. He glanced toward the lawyer who was laying into Sanford and Kimball, both of whom remained stalwart against his tirade.
When Doug came back around to Julie, the pain in his eyesPauls eyeswas immeasurable. Her heart went out to him. Im sorry, Doug, she said, her voice made hoarse by emotion. I mean that.
I know you do. He made a helpless gesture. Creighton is a a tragedy. But hes my son. As his father, I must do all I can for him.
Thats what parents do. They take care of their children.
Doug looked at her for several seconds, then said, Just as Paul did for you. His daughter.
EPILOGUE
I
NEED YOU TO HANG MY PAINTING.
You havent hung it yet?
I had the walls repainted first.
What color?
Same color.
I see. Well, the painting looked good on the wall it was propped against.
You think?
I assume you still want it in your bedroom.
Unless you find a better place for it.
Ill be happy to take a look. Let me know when would be a convenient time for me to come over.
Okay.
It was a Saturday morning, two weeks after that long night in Athens.
Not expecting him, Julie had answered her door wearing an apron over a pair of jeans and a tank top. He was dressed for a Saturday morning, too.
The conversation died there as they stared at each other across her threshold. Shed been hungry for the sight of him but hadnt dared to contact him. She knew if she was ever to see him again, the move must be his. Her heart was pounding as she wiped her hands on her apron.
The coffees still fresh. She motioned him inside, then led the way into the kitchen. Ive been cooking.
I guessed. He gestured at her apron.
Coq au vin. Would you like coffee?
Sure.
She poured him a cup and managed to pass it from her hand to his without making skin contact.
He glanced toward the oven. Smells mouthwatering.
Im making it for Kates mom. Shes having her Bunco group over tonight and wanted to serve something special.
Nice of you to go to all that trouble for her.
No trouble. I enjoy it. Cooking is therapeutic.
You need therapy?
She laughed lightly and refilled her coffee cup. Sit down.
They sat across the bistro table from each other and sipped their coffees in silence. Neither, it seemed, knew where to look. She was the first to speak. You painted your walls. So you plan to stay in that house. Youre not moving.
He looked at her quizzically.
She went on, You said you didnt think the house would ever be the same for you without Maggie. I thought maybe youd move.
Shell always be missed, and every room holds a memory of her. But to move, Id only be spiting myself. I love the place. Besides, I refuse to give Creighton Wheeler that much influence over my life.
Im glad youre staying there. Its a beautiful place.
Thanks. When you come to hang the painting, Ill give you the grand tour.
I look forward to it.
Another awkward silence stretched between them.
Finally she said, Roberta called and
Its Roberta now?
She insists. She called and told me that as soon as Creighton was able to speak, he waxed eloquent for almost five hours from his hospital bed. They recorded it all on video.
Derek was nodding. I was given an account, too. He confessedproudly and without any remorseto everything, even to crimes no one knew hed committed.
Did they find the bodies of those two other girls he claimed to have killed?
Yesterday. Right where he said they would be.
Julie shook her head sadly. At least now their families know what happened to them.
He was afraid Paul would marry you, maybe even have a child, and that would usurp him as Pauls heir. According to Sanford, once he started talking, his ego seized control of his tongue. His lawyer was apoplectic, but Creighton wanted to boast about how brilliant he was. In short, hes a sociopath.
Roberta wanted to see the movie he was emulating with Carol Mahoney. I gave her the DVD of
Frenzy
and told her I didnt want it back. That scene She rubbed her arms, which broke out in goose bumps. Softly, she added, That young woman owes you her life, Derek.
You figured it out, not me. If it hadnt been for you having the hunch about
Strangers on a Train
Id still be their prime suspect.
And Carol Mahoney would be dead. Perhaps Ariel, too. Although Creighton claims he didnt have plans to kill her, I think he had developed a taste for it. Anyway, those women owe their lives to you, too.
Well She didnt want to take credit for a fortunate set of circumstances. One thing I cant figure out is why Billy Duke came to my house to plant the evidence.
My guess?
Please.
Creighton was trying to sever all his links to Billy. Maybe Billy was trying to sever all his with Creighton. He was trying to shift the blame onto you.
Then flee and leave me holding the bag.
Literally.
I watched him shoot Paul. He killed him in cold blood. But I dont think he would ever have killed anyone if Creighton hadnt coerced him. In a very real sense, he was Creightons victim, too. He died a horrible death. Ill never forget it.
Theres a lot well never forget.
Their gazes held for several seconds. She was the first to look away. Keeping her head averted, she said, The news about Jason Connor You were right about him.
The story had dominated the headlines for days. It had been Jasons twelve-year-old sister who had committed the double murder in a fit of rage, having been subjected to her stepfathers sexual abuse for years. Out of fear, but more likely indifference, her mother had allowed it. Jason had suspected his sister was being abused, but the instances always occurred when he wasnt in the house, and the girl was too ashamed and too afraid of reprisal to tell him.
He came home from school and discovered her sitting on the floor near the bodies of the two, covered in blood, knife in hand, in a near catatonic state. He cleaned her up and assumed the blame, feeling he was guilty and deserving of punishment for not protecting her. When he was jailed, she was placed in the custody of relatives, to whom she confessed.
It wasnt my place to argue with you over him, Julie said. I apologize.
Usually my clients are guilty, Julie. Some are lowlifes with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I go to battle for them because its their constitutional right to have a defense. Some are rich and influential but equally guilty. They, too, are entitled to a defense.
But occasionally, like with Jason, the accused really is innocent. Thats how I can do it. Thats
why
I do it. Every once in a while a person
is
falsely accused and in desperate need of someone in his corner, believing in him, fighting for him.
Ill never ask you to justify or explain yourself to me again. I promise. She took a deep breath. You, on the other hand, are past due an explanation.
He set his coffee cup down. Paul Wheeler was your father, not your lover.
She raised her shoulders in a small shrug. Following her high school graduation, my mother went to spend the summer at the beach with distant cousins. She met Paul at a dance. They were seventeen, the climate was sultry, moonlight on the shore, strawberry wine. You get the picture. I happened.
Wheeler didnt know?
He knew. Mother contacted him and informed him that she was pregnant. My dad, the man who raised me, had been in love with her for years, waiting for her to reach a suitable age so he could marry her. She told him, too. He still wanted to marry her, and she truly loved him.
Seeing their relationship for what it was, Paul relinquished parental rights, knowing it would be in my best interest for him to do so. He was about to enter the university. He was unmarried. My dad wanted to marry my mother and claim me as his. So Paul gracefully withdrew from my life.
He offered his financial support, but my mother and dad respectfully refused it. He honored their wishes, but he made Mother swear that if she or I ever needed anything at any time she would send for him. She never did. Until I got into trouble in Paris.
The timer on the stove dinged. She got up, pulled on oven mitts, and removed the cast-iron Dutch oven. She returned to her chair and pulled off the mitts. Mother was sick and unable to help me out of that mess, so she summoned Paul. Even though it had been years since theyd had any contact, he went to see her immediately. She told him about Henri. What she knew, that is. Id kept a lot from her, not wanting her to fret over my circumstances, which Id foolishly brought on myself. Paul dropped everything and, as you said, flew to my rescue.
Derek regarded her thoughtfully. What did you think when this American millionaire showed up and introduced himself as your father?
Youd think I would resent him, wouldnt you? Youre my father? Where have you been all this time? But Paul was inordinately kind. He had only the highest regard for my mother, both as the girl shed been and as the woman shed become. He praised my dad for the loving, accepting man hed been. He said that kind of selfless, unconditional love was exceptional, and that he, Paul, was grateful Id grown up with such a man caring for me.
She gave a weak smile. Even though his news shook the foundation of my life, I could find no cause to hate him. He made it clear immediately that, although he hated that Id suffered Henri and the unhappiness hed caused, he was grateful for the opportunity to do something for me. He said that, although he hadnt been in my life, I had never been far from his mind. He wanted to make up for lost time. Not only did he want to help me out of the crisis situation but he wanted to get to know me, develop the relationship wed been denied.
But he didnt claim you as his daughter.
I wouldnt let him.
Why?
Out of respect for my dad, first of all. And out of respect for Pauls wife, Mary, whom he had loved with all his heart. I didnt want him acknowledging me when Mary hadnt been able to bear him any children.
Did he tell her about you?
Yes. Theyd kept no secrets from each other. He said that from time to time she would urge him to contact me, to invite me into their lives, but for all the reasons Ive told you, he didnt. Maybe if she had still been alive when he came to Paris, maybe if Mother had lived, wed have made different decisions about his claiming me publicly. But, as things were, I thought it was better that he and I left the nature of our relationship unspecified, let people conclude what they would.
You know what they concluded.
In return for the scorn of people I didnt care about, I had two years with someone I cared about very much. And they were wonderful years, Derek. Taking nothing away from the two dear people who reared me, Paul and I made up for a lot of time missed. He loved me, and I loved him.
Even Doug didnt know about you.
Not until Pauls attorney told him in regards to the will. Im glad he knows now.
Will he accept you as family?
I dont know. If he does, hell preserve the secret of our kinship. But I hope he and Sharon will accept me on some level. Theyll need support now with Creighton behind bars. I understand that most of their so-called friends have deserted them. Theyre facing this alone. I want to help them any way I can, any way theyll let me.
Derek fiddled with the handle of his coffee cup but didnt pick it up. At last he said, You could have told me, Julie.
She reached across the table and covered his hand. I almost did that night we were parked outside the hotel and you kissed me.
You said, Dont do this to me.
Because it was torture. I hadnt been with a man since Henri. I hadnt sought a romantic relationship in all that time with Paul. He encouraged me to date. He wanted to see me happy with someone who loved me. I think he would have enjoyed having grandchildren, she added with a sad smile.
But what happened with Henri had made me wary. Besides, most men wouldnt have understood my friendship with a rich, handsome older man. So that part of myself had been deprived for a long time. Until that night on the airplane. She glanced across at him, then away. I shunned your kisses because, even though I wanted you, I knew you were thinking that I was a fortune seeker ready to take up with the next man. Straight from Pauls bed and into yours.
I wasnt thinking anything that ugly.
But along those lines?
He shrugged guiltily. So it was hands-off because you wanted me to respect you in the morning.
She smiled. As cliché as it sounds, yes.
Then why didnt you tell me that night? Or any time? Why did you let me go on thinking the worst?
At first, I couldnt trust you with the secret.
And later?
By the time I came to trust you, it had grown into a lie of omission that would have made me look even more untrustworthy than you already believed me to be.
Whatever I thought, it didnt keep me from wanting you. But am I glad you were Pauls daughter rather than his lover? Yes. Definitely.
Im glad youre glad.
He hesitated, then asked, What about the money?
I never intend to touch it. Im giving it away.
Nobly said, but be realistic, Julie. Its a freaking fortune. Even giving it away will take a while.
Ive got the rest of my life. She looked at him imploringly. Please dont let it be an issue with you. Because I swear to you, its not an issue with me.
He studied her face intently, and when he saw that she was sincere, his features relaxed. Dodge plans to hit you up for a loan.
Oh, he likes me now?
Yeah, he does. Dropping the volume of his voice considerably, he added, So do I.
I like you, too, she said huskily. Very much. Where have you been?
Since I stormed out of the ER? Thinking.
About us?
About how I and my ego felt about being made a fool of.
I didnt keep my secret to make you look foolish, Derek. I was protecting Paul, my mother, my dad, Mary Wheeler, all of them, from scandal.
Yeah, thats one of the conclusions I and my ego reached.
That and what others?
That you were Paul Wheelers daughter and heir when we met. And that had I known that when I touched you for the first time, it wouldnt have made one bit of difference.
It wouldnt?
He shook his head.
You would have still ?
Oh, yeah. Nothing would have stopped me from following you into that lavatory.
He stood up and came around the table. Pulling her out of her chair, he placed his arms loosely around her waist. The final thing I concluded was that I really would be a damn fool if I denied myself years of happiness because of a little pride.
Years?
Starting today. Starting right now.
He touched her lips softly with his, then they fell on each other, kissing hungrily.
When at last he raised his head, he said, Thats all I needed to know. Well work out the details later.
He bent to kiss her again, but she angled her head back. One thing.
He nuzzled her neck as he untied her apron strings and slipped his hands beneath her tank top. Make it short.
When our children ask how we met
NEED YOU TO HANG MY PAINTING.
You havent hung it yet?
I had the walls repainted first.
What color?
Same color.
I see. Well, the painting looked good on the wall it was propped against.
You think?
I assume you still want it in your bedroom.
Unless you find a better place for it.
Ill be happy to take a look. Let me know when would be a convenient time for me to come over.
Okay.
It was a Saturday morning, two weeks after that long night in Athens.
Not expecting him, Julie had answered her door wearing an apron over a pair of jeans and a tank top. He was dressed for a Saturday morning, too.
The conversation died there as they stared at each other across her threshold. Shed been hungry for the sight of him but hadnt dared to contact him. She knew if she was ever to see him again, the move must be his. Her heart was pounding as she wiped her hands on her apron.
The coffees still fresh. She motioned him inside, then led the way into the kitchen. Ive been cooking.
I guessed. He gestured at her apron.
Coq au vin. Would you like coffee?
Sure.
She poured him a cup and managed to pass it from her hand to his without making skin contact.
He glanced toward the oven. Smells mouthwatering.
Im making it for Kates mom. Shes having her Bunco group over tonight and wanted to serve something special.
Nice of you to go to all that trouble for her.
No trouble. I enjoy it. Cooking is therapeutic.
You need therapy?
She laughed lightly and refilled her coffee cup. Sit down.
They sat across the bistro table from each other and sipped their coffees in silence. Neither, it seemed, knew where to look. She was the first to speak. You painted your walls. So you plan to stay in that house. Youre not moving.
He looked at her quizzically.
She went on, You said you didnt think the house would ever be the same for you without Maggie. I thought maybe youd move.
Shell always be missed, and every room holds a memory of her. But to move, Id only be spiting myself. I love the place. Besides, I refuse to give Creighton Wheeler that much influence over my life.
Im glad youre staying there. Its a beautiful place.
Thanks. When you come to hang the painting, Ill give you the grand tour.
I look forward to it.
Another awkward silence stretched between them.
Finally she said, Roberta called and
Its Roberta now?
She insists. She called and told me that as soon as Creighton was able to speak, he waxed eloquent for almost five hours from his hospital bed. They recorded it all on video.
Derek was nodding. I was given an account, too. He confessedproudly and without any remorseto everything, even to crimes no one knew hed committed.
Did they find the bodies of those two other girls he claimed to have killed?
Yesterday. Right where he said they would be.
Julie shook her head sadly. At least now their families know what happened to them.
He was afraid Paul would marry you, maybe even have a child, and that would usurp him as Pauls heir. According to Sanford, once he started talking, his ego seized control of his tongue. His lawyer was apoplectic, but Creighton wanted to boast about how brilliant he was. In short, hes a sociopath.
Roberta wanted to see the movie he was emulating with Carol Mahoney. I gave her the DVD of
Frenzy
and told her I didnt want it back. That scene She rubbed her arms, which broke out in goose bumps. Softly, she added, That young woman owes you her life, Derek.
You figured it out, not me. If it hadnt been for you having the hunch about
Strangers on a Train
Id still be their prime suspect.
And Carol Mahoney would be dead. Perhaps Ariel, too. Although Creighton claims he didnt have plans to kill her, I think he had developed a taste for it. Anyway, those women owe their lives to you, too.
Well She didnt want to take credit for a fortunate set of circumstances. One thing I cant figure out is why Billy Duke came to my house to plant the evidence.
My guess?
Please.
Creighton was trying to sever all his links to Billy. Maybe Billy was trying to sever all his with Creighton. He was trying to shift the blame onto you.
Then flee and leave me holding the bag.
Literally.
I watched him shoot Paul. He killed him in cold blood. But I dont think he would ever have killed anyone if Creighton hadnt coerced him. In a very real sense, he was Creightons victim, too. He died a horrible death. Ill never forget it.
Theres a lot well never forget.
Their gazes held for several seconds. She was the first to look away. Keeping her head averted, she said, The news about Jason Connor You were right about him.
The story had dominated the headlines for days. It had been Jasons twelve-year-old sister who had committed the double murder in a fit of rage, having been subjected to her stepfathers sexual abuse for years. Out of fear, but more likely indifference, her mother had allowed it. Jason had suspected his sister was being abused, but the instances always occurred when he wasnt in the house, and the girl was too ashamed and too afraid of reprisal to tell him.
He came home from school and discovered her sitting on the floor near the bodies of the two, covered in blood, knife in hand, in a near catatonic state. He cleaned her up and assumed the blame, feeling he was guilty and deserving of punishment for not protecting her. When he was jailed, she was placed in the custody of relatives, to whom she confessed.
It wasnt my place to argue with you over him, Julie said. I apologize.
Usually my clients are guilty, Julie. Some are lowlifes with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I go to battle for them because its their constitutional right to have a defense. Some are rich and influential but equally guilty. They, too, are entitled to a defense.
But occasionally, like with Jason, the accused really is innocent. Thats how I can do it. Thats
why
I do it. Every once in a while a person
is
falsely accused and in desperate need of someone in his corner, believing in him, fighting for him.
Ill never ask you to justify or explain yourself to me again. I promise. She took a deep breath. You, on the other hand, are past due an explanation.
He set his coffee cup down. Paul Wheeler was your father, not your lover.
She raised her shoulders in a small shrug. Following her high school graduation, my mother went to spend the summer at the beach with distant cousins. She met Paul at a dance. They were seventeen, the climate was sultry, moonlight on the shore, strawberry wine. You get the picture. I happened.
Wheeler didnt know?
He knew. Mother contacted him and informed him that she was pregnant. My dad, the man who raised me, had been in love with her for years, waiting for her to reach a suitable age so he could marry her. She told him, too. He still wanted to marry her, and she truly loved him.
Seeing their relationship for what it was, Paul relinquished parental rights, knowing it would be in my best interest for him to do so. He was about to enter the university. He was unmarried. My dad wanted to marry my mother and claim me as his. So Paul gracefully withdrew from my life.
He offered his financial support, but my mother and dad respectfully refused it. He honored their wishes, but he made Mother swear that if she or I ever needed anything at any time she would send for him. She never did. Until I got into trouble in Paris.
The timer on the stove dinged. She got up, pulled on oven mitts, and removed the cast-iron Dutch oven. She returned to her chair and pulled off the mitts. Mother was sick and unable to help me out of that mess, so she summoned Paul. Even though it had been years since theyd had any contact, he went to see her immediately. She told him about Henri. What she knew, that is. Id kept a lot from her, not wanting her to fret over my circumstances, which Id foolishly brought on myself. Paul dropped everything and, as you said, flew to my rescue.
Derek regarded her thoughtfully. What did you think when this American millionaire showed up and introduced himself as your father?
Youd think I would resent him, wouldnt you? Youre my father? Where have you been all this time? But Paul was inordinately kind. He had only the highest regard for my mother, both as the girl shed been and as the woman shed become. He praised my dad for the loving, accepting man hed been. He said that kind of selfless, unconditional love was exceptional, and that he, Paul, was grateful Id grown up with such a man caring for me.
She gave a weak smile. Even though his news shook the foundation of my life, I could find no cause to hate him. He made it clear immediately that, although he hated that Id suffered Henri and the unhappiness hed caused, he was grateful for the opportunity to do something for me. He said that, although he hadnt been in my life, I had never been far from his mind. He wanted to make up for lost time. Not only did he want to help me out of the crisis situation but he wanted to get to know me, develop the relationship wed been denied.
But he didnt claim you as his daughter.
I wouldnt let him.
Why?
Out of respect for my dad, first of all. And out of respect for Pauls wife, Mary, whom he had loved with all his heart. I didnt want him acknowledging me when Mary hadnt been able to bear him any children.
Did he tell her about you?
Yes. Theyd kept no secrets from each other. He said that from time to time she would urge him to contact me, to invite me into their lives, but for all the reasons Ive told you, he didnt. Maybe if she had still been alive when he came to Paris, maybe if Mother had lived, wed have made different decisions about his claiming me publicly. But, as things were, I thought it was better that he and I left the nature of our relationship unspecified, let people conclude what they would.
You know what they concluded.
In return for the scorn of people I didnt care about, I had two years with someone I cared about very much. And they were wonderful years, Derek. Taking nothing away from the two dear people who reared me, Paul and I made up for a lot of time missed. He loved me, and I loved him.
Even Doug didnt know about you.
Not until Pauls attorney told him in regards to the will. Im glad he knows now.
Will he accept you as family?
I dont know. If he does, hell preserve the secret of our kinship. But I hope he and Sharon will accept me on some level. Theyll need support now with Creighton behind bars. I understand that most of their so-called friends have deserted them. Theyre facing this alone. I want to help them any way I can, any way theyll let me.
Derek fiddled with the handle of his coffee cup but didnt pick it up. At last he said, You could have told me, Julie.
She reached across the table and covered his hand. I almost did that night we were parked outside the hotel and you kissed me.
You said, Dont do this to me.
Because it was torture. I hadnt been with a man since Henri. I hadnt sought a romantic relationship in all that time with Paul. He encouraged me to date. He wanted to see me happy with someone who loved me. I think he would have enjoyed having grandchildren, she added with a sad smile.
But what happened with Henri had made me wary. Besides, most men wouldnt have understood my friendship with a rich, handsome older man. So that part of myself had been deprived for a long time. Until that night on the airplane. She glanced across at him, then away. I shunned your kisses because, even though I wanted you, I knew you were thinking that I was a fortune seeker ready to take up with the next man. Straight from Pauls bed and into yours.
I wasnt thinking anything that ugly.
But along those lines?
He shrugged guiltily. So it was hands-off because you wanted me to respect you in the morning.
She smiled. As cliché as it sounds, yes.
Then why didnt you tell me that night? Or any time? Why did you let me go on thinking the worst?
At first, I couldnt trust you with the secret.
And later?
By the time I came to trust you, it had grown into a lie of omission that would have made me look even more untrustworthy than you already believed me to be.
Whatever I thought, it didnt keep me from wanting you. But am I glad you were Pauls daughter rather than his lover? Yes. Definitely.
Im glad youre glad.
He hesitated, then asked, What about the money?
I never intend to touch it. Im giving it away.
Nobly said, but be realistic, Julie. Its a freaking fortune. Even giving it away will take a while.
Ive got the rest of my life. She looked at him imploringly. Please dont let it be an issue with you. Because I swear to you, its not an issue with me.
He studied her face intently, and when he saw that she was sincere, his features relaxed. Dodge plans to hit you up for a loan.
Oh, he likes me now?
Yeah, he does. Dropping the volume of his voice considerably, he added, So do I.
I like you, too, she said huskily. Very much. Where have you been?
Since I stormed out of the ER? Thinking.
About us?
About how I and my ego felt about being made a fool of.
I didnt keep my secret to make you look foolish, Derek. I was protecting Paul, my mother, my dad, Mary Wheeler, all of them, from scandal.
Yeah, thats one of the conclusions I and my ego reached.
That and what others?
That you were Paul Wheelers daughter and heir when we met. And that had I known that when I touched you for the first time, it wouldnt have made one bit of difference.
It wouldnt?
He shook his head.
You would have still ?
Oh, yeah. Nothing would have stopped me from following you into that lavatory.
He stood up and came around the table. Pulling her out of her chair, he placed his arms loosely around her waist. The final thing I concluded was that I really would be a damn fool if I denied myself years of happiness because of a little pride.
Years?
Starting today. Starting right now.
He touched her lips softly with his, then they fell on each other, kissing hungrily.
When at last he raised his head, he said, Thats all I needed to know. Well work out the details later.
He bent to kiss her again, but she angled her head back. One thing.
He nuzzled her neck as he untied her apron strings and slipped his hands beneath her tank top. Make it short.
When our children ask how we met
Other books
Heraclix and Pomp: A Novel of the Fabricated and the Fey by Forrest Aguirre
Cold Copper: The Age of Steam by Devon Monk
A Dedicated Man by Peter Robinson
The Alien in the Garage and Other Stories by Rob Keeley
The Boy at the End of the World by Greg van Eekhout
Love Is Strange (I Know... #2) by Whitney Bianca
Rabid by Jami Lynn Saunders
Horse Fever by Bonnie Bryant
Always Conall (Bitterroot #2) by Sibylla Matilde
Zeely by Virginia Hamilton