Fearless

by Fern Michaels

  Anna’s heart fluttered but in a good way. “I’m very flattered. So what did you watch?”

  “Dinners for one,” he said.

  “That’s an easy one to film.”

  “What do you do with all the food? I know that’s crazy, but I have to know,” Daniel said, a smile on his face.

  “We eat it, or the crew does. It doesn’t go to waste, I can tell you that.”

  “Good. I wondered about that.”

  “Well, I’m happy to clear that up for you.”

  As they turned down the drive to enter the gates, Anna was dumbfounded when she saw that two local news crews had gathered outside the gates.

  “This is what I was hoping to avoid,” Daniel said. “You have another entrance?”

  “In the back. The crew parks there, though this is too early for them to be here. We can go in through the entrance they use.” Daniel maneuvered the large pickup truck, pulling as close to the door as he could without ramming into the house. “Go on inside. I’m going to get rid of the media before this gets out of hand.”

  “Thank you so much, Daniel. I’m grateful Simon contacted you.”

  “Don’t say that until I send you my bill. We’re not finished, remember? There’s still the possibility your daughter may have to go to court if the state decides to prosecute Miss Robertson.”

  “I wish I could forget. I wish a lot of things. I’ll make us a cup of coffee if you’d like. You might need some replenishment after dealing with that group.”

  “Deal,” he said, getting out of the truck. “I’ll be back.”

  Chapter 23

  “The popular YouTube sensation Anna Campbell was questioned this morning in the arson case of Texas Tech University professor Ryan Robertson’s house fire. Sources tell this station that the former lovers had a dispute during a Labor Day event, hosted by Ms. Campbell. Her minor daughter, whose name we’re not permitted to release, suffered a fall and was hospitalized with a severe broken leg and a minor concussion. It’s believed that Mr. Robertson’s minor daughter had a conflict with the Campbell daughter, and the fire was set as retaliation. More on this breaking news . . .”

  “This is bullshit,” Mandy said, tossing the remote across the den.

  “Mom, this is a nightmare! Everyone at school will know it’s me! Can’t you do something?”

  “Daniel is taking care of it. He’s a lawyer, honey, and he knows what he’s doing. Let’s allow him to do his job. I know this is the worst thing that will ever happen to you. If there were any way I could change what those nasty reporters said, I would. Just know that it’s not true. Any of it.”

  Christina wheeled around the room in her wheelchair so she could sit beside her mother. She leaned over as far as the chair would allow. “What about the lovers part, Mom?”

  Anna knew this was coming and wasn’t sure how she should handle the situation, but when in doubt, telling the truth seemed to be the way to go. “Mandy, could you give me a minute alone?” She nodded toward her daughter.

  “Yep, I’m going to make lunch for all of us today.”

  “God help us, but thanks,” Anna said, realizing it was almost noon. Daniel hadn’t returned for the coffee, but he’d texted her telling he would stop by later.

  As soon as Mandy left the room, Anna positioned Christina’s wheelchair so that she faced her. “Ryan was never my lover in the way they’re reporting it. Lovers are just that. They love each other. Like I did your father. Like Mona and Jeb. That’s gross to hear when you’re thirteen, I know, but it’s the truth. The news is most likely going to get nastier, since Renée seems to think I burned their house down to get even with her for pushing you. I told you that.”

  “Mom, duh. I can’t see you burning anything. Even food.”

  “Thanks, sweetie. Your trust means more to me than you know. I can’t lie, and I know this isn’t what you need to hear; it’s hard for me to say this to you, but you know I try to be up-front with you as much as I can.”

  She nodded.

  “I did have a physical relationship with Ryan. I was never in love with him, though at one point I thought I cared about him. He is pretty rough with Patrick, and Renée. Cusses at them, and I think it’s rubbed off on Renée. The night I went to dinner to meet them, he was rude to both of them. I’m not sure why; I don’t think there is any support system in place, and I think he has financial issues. Maybe he takes that out on his kids. I can’t say for sure, and it’s just a guess. I feel terrible for bringing this drama and embarrassment into your life. I don’t know what I can do to change this, or how to keep you from hearing things on the news, but I will try to keep this out of the public as much as I’m able. Daniel is working on that as we speak.”

  “I know it’s not what you wanted. I kinda liked Ryan, but he seemed cold to me, like his eyes were empty. Does that sound crazy or what?”

  “Not at all.” Anna thought her observations were on point.

  “Mona and Jeb said you can stay at their house in Idalou if you want. When this is over, you’ll probably have your walking cast on, or I hope it’s going to be off, and you can start school after the Christmas break. It’s not like you’re lagging behind. They’re willing to stay there with you, but I said this was your decision.”

  Anna had hired a tutor who came to the house in the afternoon during the week. Christina was up to date on all of her lessons, and Tiffany stopped over at least a couple times a week to catch her up on the latest freshman gossip. Plus, she stayed in touch with her other classmates through social media. She would not be the pariah she’d thought she’d be when she was finally able to walk through the door at Bishop Coerver. Anna cringed when she remembered she’d considered footing the bill in order for Renée to attend the school with her daughter. Thank God her relationship with Ryan hadn’t gotten to that point.

  Barb sent her a daily e-mail with copies of all the receipts Ryan and his kids accrued. She continued to foot the bill for their hotel, food, and items from the gift shop. She had the money, and it wasn’t as if it hurt her finances any. She didn’t want to see them back at The Crown, no matter how rotten Ryan and his daughter were. However, this would have to stop soon. She couldn’t take care of the world, and especially a family that was doing its best to rip hers apart.

  “What about Miss Holmes, my tutor?”

  “I’m sure she’d be more than willing to drive the few extra miles to Idalou.”

  “Do I have to give you an answer right now?”

  Anna acted like she was in deep thought. “I don’t think you do. You don’t even have to consider it. It’s simply an option I’d like you to have. You didn’t ask to be dragged through my mess.”

  “I’ll think about it. More than anything, I just want this stupid cast off. I bet the hair on my leg is as long as the hair on my head, and it feels gross.”

  Anna chuckled. “We can take you and get them waxed when your cast is off.”

  “Really? I thought you said that was too much upkeep when I asked you the last time.”

  “It is, but you’re worth it. It hurts like crazy the first few times, though the upside is that the more you have them waxed, the less hair you’ll have.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about that, too. Mom, do you really believe Renée wanted to . . . like, kill me?”

  Anna had wondered about that herself. “I don’t know, baby. Like I said, she’s had a rough life. I’d like to think not, but I can’t say that and be sure.”

  “What about her mom? She died when Renée was a baby, right?”

  Once again, Anna realized just how little she knew about Ryan’s past. Mandy was right when she told her they should’ve been up-front about their spouses. Her only defense was that she’d met Ryan on a singles cruise. She hadn’t thought it the most pleasant topic, but they should’ve had this conversation when they’d started seeing each other once they’d returned to Lubbock.

  “I believe her mother passed away when she was just a baby; I think she might’v
e been one or two years old. Ryan said she’s never had a female figure in her life.”

  “What about grandparents? Aunts, uncles, or anything?”

  “Ryan told me his family died when he was in college.” Anna realized in all the conversations they’d had, that was the only time he’d ever mentioned family. It never came up again, and it should have. She’d told him she’d lost her father when she was a little girl though she hadn’t elaborated on the details. He knew she’d lost her mother, but that was all. Now that she was really thinking about the dates they’d had, all Ryan had talked about was money, or he had tried to show her that he had money. The fancy dinners, the hotels. How much he had. Or hoped to have? He drove a new Honda. His clothes fit well. He always looked like he’d stepped off the pages of a men’s fashion magazine. He was put together. All fake, she thought. Every bit of it an act created to . . . what? Attract gullible women?

  She suspected she wasn’t far off the mark, but she would obtain answers to these questions in time as the arson investigation proceeded. And if a case was brought against Renée, assuming the prosecutors decided there was a case, it made it almost certain that she would learn more about his past.

  “So he’s kind of like you. I mean, without a family.”

  “Baby, you are my family. Mandy is family, and Mona and Jeb. They’re as good a set of grandparents as you could wish for.”

  “I know. I just thought that’s what you and Ryan had, you know, in common, why you hooked up.”

  “Sadly, we don’t have much of anything in common other than the fact we’re both single.”

  “Daniel is cute, don’t you think? He looks like Thor. Tiffany about croaked when she saw him leaving. Said he was a hottie.”

  “Don’t get any ideas, kiddo. Daniel is a nice-looking man, and he’s kind and smart. He’s our attorney, and nothing more, so don’t you get any ideas in that pretty little head of yours.”

  “I was just telling you my opinion, that’s all,” Christina whirled around in her wheelchair. “Think Mandy has lunch ready? I am starving.”

  “Sit tight, and I’ll check.”

  Anna felt better for airing her dirty linen, if you wanted to call it that. She wanted to clear the air, especially after that news report. Sure, there would be more news in the upcoming days ahead, but she’d deal with it. She had a loving family and knew they were all standing with her and would always be there for her. Blood didn’t always make family.

  “Christina is starving, and I said I’d check on lunch. Something smells good.”

  “Look at this,” Mandy said, opening the top oven to reveal a pizza with cheese bubbling. The smell of garlic and onions made her hungry.

  “Looks delish,” Anna said. “Want me to see if I can get my daughter in here, or do you want to bring this to the den?”

  “I’ll bring it to her. I used that garlic crust you had in the freezer. Someday, I’m going to actually watch your videos and learn to cook. Directing the crew doesn’t leave a lot of time to stand by and take notes.” They both laughed.

  “I’ll get the drinks,” Anna said.

  “Thanks. Be there in a minute.”

  Anna took three cans of Coke to the den, not bothering with ice. She put them on the coffee table. She took her cell from her pocket and checked to see if she’d had any messages.

  There was one from Daniel.

  Major news. Be there when I can. Might be late.

  Major news. Anna hoped like heck this wasn’t going to send the local news vans back to her gates, just waiting for another piece of half truths to fill their allotted three minutes of live-on-air news.

  Just as she’d explained to her daughter, whatever happened, they would deal with it, and she would do whatever it took to make this up to her. First things first.

  Mandy came into the den carrying a serving tray over her shoulder like they did at Mario’s Pizza Parlor in downtown Lubbock. “Be careful.” She moved the cans of Coke to the side so she could place the tray on the coffee table.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’ll be glad when we can eat in the kitchen again. Girl, you need to do whatever it is you’re supposed to do to get that monstrosity off your leg,” Mandy said, as she served slices of hot, crusty pizza.

  “I’m getting a walking cast soon. I’m sick of this room, too. I can’t wait to have some privacy in my bedroom.”

  “As soon as you can hoof it up those stairs, your room is waiting,” Anna said. For the next fifteen minutes, they munched on pizza and talked about the upcoming holidays. Mandy said she really needed to be on top of her game this year, given the news. Anna agreed. Hopefully, this wouldn’t damage her reputation too badly.

  Chapter 24

  “I know it’s late, but I could not get away before now, and I need to tell you this in person,” Daniel said. Anna had spent half an hour soaking in the tub, the first time she’d truly relaxed since this ordeal began. She’d just put on her sleep shirt and planned to read in bed, but this was much more important.

  “Come in through the back. I’ll unlock the studio entrance.”

  She quickly found a pair of comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt. The evenings were starting to cool. Though West Texas rarely had much of an autumn, she felt a crispness in the air when she’d left Mona and Jeb earlier. She’d gone to the cottage, or the little house as Jeb liked to call it, and taken a few minutes to fill them in on the latest events, at least the ones that she knew about.

  She hurried through the studio, hitting a set of lights so Daniel could see. She’d just unlocked the entrance when she heard his pickup. She opened the door and stepped aside to let him in.

  “I don’t want to hear what you have to say, do I?” she said as she went back upstairs.

  “I think you might be surprised. Any coffee? I know it’s late, but the stuff does not keep me awake.”

  “I’ll make us a cup in the Keurig.” She fixed their coffees, bringing them to the bar. He took a sip, then ran a hand through his hair.

  “Christina’s memory paid off.”

  “How so?”

  “She remembered what Ryan told her the day of the barbecue. Something about Renée’s packing like she was going on a trip, brought along her entire bedroom. That’s not too far from the truth. It seems Gary and Lindsey were able to get a warrant to search the trunk of Ryan’s car. Just as had been said, there was a small piece of luggage inside. She had all kinds of personal items, just stuff a kid her age would have, but she also had a ton of photographs of her mother.”

  “Oh” was all she could say.

  “I was able to take a few snapshots with my phone. Not routine, but nothing about this case is routine.” He showed Anna several photos of a woman of whom Renée was the spitting image.

  “She looks like her mother, don’t you think?” Anna said, handing the cell back to him. “Poor kid.”

  “Wait, there’s more. While I wasn’t able to get my hands on it, I thought this might bring a smile to your face.” He opened the pictures again and handed her the phone.

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “Oh, it’s Mom’s necklace! I’m so relieved. Christina’s been so bummed about this. Where did they find it?” She was pretty sure she knew the answer but needed to hear it anyway.

  “In the luggage, along with the rest of her stuff.”

  “So this is good, right? Proof that Christina is telling the truth about what happened.”

  “Yes, it will hold a lot of water if this goes to court. Speaking of which, I know this isn’t my case, but I heard that James Banks pleaded guilty to first-degree stalking. Not sure what kind of deal he’s getting, but he’ll be off the streets for a while.”

  “As crazy as it sounds, I haven’t thought too much about him since they arrested him. What I never understood was why me? He’s a good-looking guy. He could’ve had any woman he chose, even the wife he lied about.”

  “He was obsessed with you and apparently had some sort of mental breakdown when you broke it off w
ith him. He was in therapy for a while. I don’t know who the therapist is, but he or she will most likely be asked about his mental evaluation, which might have some bearing on his sentence, but that’s not all.”

  “I see why you never made it back this morning. Did we get the gag order?” He’d told her he was going to ask the judge for a temporary gag order in an emergency chamber hearing due to the age of the girls.

  “We did. Temporary, but it’s a good thing. Now, this isn’t what I wanted to tell you, and it really goes to Patrick’s or Renée’s state of mind, but Birch called me an hour ago. That chocolate was loaded with Rohypnol, or roofies as they call them on the street. Birch says it’s the same crap that’s been seen in a few cases at Tech. A couple of girls almost died a few months ago. It didn’t make the news; someone at the college kept it quiet. So, that’s where we’re at. I’m guessing with the necklace, and this roofie mess, the prosecutor will decide sooner rather than later if he’s going to bring charges against that messed-up girl. It’s sad in a way; she’s so young. Anyway, I appreciate the late-night coffee. I’m out of here, and if you don’t mind, I’ll leave through the mudroom.”

  “Now that there’s no chance of the media hanging out, plus, the news hour is over, go on, get out of here. And thanks, Daniel. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

  “As I said, you’ll get my bill.”

  She smiled, closed and locked the door behind him, and went upstairs, ready to relax and read for a while. It had been a helluva day, to quote her attorney.

  Chapter 25

  Anna did her best to try to wiggle out of that night’s charity event, but at the last minute decided it wouldn’t hurt to show her face in public and let folks know she wasn’t hiding.

  Every year, the local garden club hosted an event, Sun ’N Fun, a home and garden show where most of the proceeds went to one of her favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity. She would make an appearance, shake a few hands, and hope to help to meet their goal of one hundred thousand dollars. Anna always matched whatever amount they raised—it was for a good cause—and it was something she felt good about.