In the midst of all his anxiety for Jenna, the police had insisted on questioning him when he’d told them about the message he’d received from her and how it detailed the deliberate attempt to make Jenna crash.
They’d listened to the message over and over. He’d only needed to listen to its horror once for it to have been indelibly etched into his mind.
The police told him they already knew she’d been run off the road because the marks on the road left no doubt there’d been two cars involved. Jenna’s vehicle was also badly dented, indicative of having been rammed. Whoever was in the car that’d rammed her, had purposely run her vehicle off the road. The officer said that he believed the perpetrators would’ve seen the car smash head-on into the tree, seen the blood on the windscreen and presumed she was dead. Max kept hearing how it was a miracle she’d survived.
When he’d been waiting at the hospital, the police had led him into an unoccupied family waiting room and bombarded him with questions—as if he was their prime suspect.
‘Where were you at the time of the crash?’
Max hadn’t liked the officer’s tone.
Given he had Jenna’s voice message and could pinpoint exactly when the crash had taken place, Max had been able to verify he’d been signing off on his deal with several witnesses able to provide him with the alibi.
‘Did Miss Sinclair have any enemies?
‘I doubt it. There were competitors, of course, but she was well respected. I can’t think of anyone who didn’t like her.’ He hadn’t been able to think of a single motivation for the attack then, and he still couldn’t think of one now.
‘Were you on good terms?’
‘She’d just accepted my proposal, for God’s sake.’
He thought better of mentioning the first message. He didn’t want the police to know she’d been furious with him in case they put a different slant on it when it’d been a simple misunderstanding. He was confident it would’ve been cleared up quickly once he and Jenna had spoken and he’d explained the situation to her.
‘Can anyone verify that you’d become engaged?’
‘I told two of my friends. Maybe she told her closest girlfriend Diane. I’m not sure. I didn’t speak to her after she left my home this morning.’
‘I knew they were engaged.’ Nick strode into the waiting room right at that moment.
‘You’re Nick Henderson?’ The officer had recognised Max’s high profile billionaire friend immediately.
‘I am. I spoke to Jenna after Max phoned me about their engagement this morning and offered my congratulations. She was, of course, over the moon.’
Max had shot Nick a grateful look as he stood and greeted his friend. ‘Thanks for getting here so quickly.’
The interviewing sergeant gave them no reprieve. ‘Who would stand to gain by Miss Sinclair’s death?’
‘James Mendles.’ It’d been Nick who’d responded. ‘Jenna’s step-brother is facing bankruptcy. I’m not aware of the contents of her will, but if Mendles is her only ‘relative’, he could well inherit any money in her accounts.’
It’d been impossible for Max to believe anyone wanted Jenna dead. Mendles had always been envious of Jenna, but Max had never imagined the jealousy would lead to murder.
Subsequent investigation into Mendles and David Curtain had revealed they had watertight alibis and witnesses had convinced the police and Max’s own private investigator that they hadn’t been the cause of her brush with death.
The questions continued to burn into his brain.
Who had wanted Jenna dead and why?
His pulse pounded at the base of his neck. Was Jenna’s life still in danger?
Chapter 4
Jenna cradled the cup of tea in her hands, the heat soothing her. Her mind tangled trying to process the events that’d played out in the church.
The rector had excused himself so Jenna now sat alone with Dr Gerber—yet another stranger—and wondered where she went from here.
Pouring herself another cup of tea, the psychologist said, ‘Mr Bennett has engaged my services to help you through your amnesia, however, anything you and I discuss is strictly confidential. I’m not here to advocate on his behalf.’ The blonde woman tilted her head as she asked, ‘Are you happy for me to work with you to try to regain your memory?’
Katherine Gerber had a very professional persona from the tips of her manicured fingernails to her sophisticated French roll hairstyle. Jenna pegged the thirty-something year-old woman as having reliable ethics. ‘Yes. I’ll do anything you think will help.’
‘There’s no guarantee, but I am hopeful.’
‘Do you believe Max is telling the truth about us having been engaged?’
‘If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have had any association with him. He’s a highly respected businessman and, from what I’ve observed, he’s been genuinely distressed about your welfare.’
Jenna also sensed Max had integrity. Unless somebody else turned up claiming to be the baby’s father, it obviously hadn’t been an immaculate conception. Someone was the father of her child, and it was much more likely to have been Max than David. Still … ‘It’s thirteen weeks since my accident. Why has he only turned up now?’
Setting the teapot down, the older woman sat back in her chair. ‘As I understand it, Mr Bennett was at the hospital every day you were in a coma. Your step-brother had an old document giving him authority to act as your power of attorney and he used the authority to block Mr Bennett’s attempts to see you. Officially, Mr Bennett wasn’t even given any information about your condition.’
Jenna propped her elbows on the table and rested her head in her hands. She could only imagine what a fraught time it must’ve been for Max to have been kept from her if they were truly engaged.
‘He was fighting your step-brother in the courts,’ Dr Gerber explained. ‘Your closest girlfriend came forward to testify that you’d phoned her the day of your accident to tell her you’d just become engaged. The—’
‘What’s my friend’s name?’ The question burst forth in the hope that the name would stimulate her memory.
‘Diane.’
Jenna closed her eyes and turned the name over in her head. ‘No. I don’t remember her.’
The doctor merely nodded. ‘I believe the judge was about to award Mr Bennett rights to visit you and to be involved in the decision-making regarding your care. Before the ruling was made, you came out of the coma and your step-brother discharged you. You were whisked away without any forwarding address.’
‘So Max has been looking for me all this time?’
‘He’s had a team of private investigators trying to track you down. They only located you hours ago, after finding an article about today’s wedding in yesterday’s Stow-on-the-Wold community paper. I’ve been on standby for the last five weeks, ready to travel to wherever you were found. This morning was quite a rush. I’m glad we made it.’
‘I had no idea of the trouble I was causing.’
‘It wasn’t you who caused the trouble,’ the doctor said firmly, ‘it was your step-brother and his wife. Anyway, I imagine you’d like to talk to Mr Bennett at some point. He can answer these questions—and questions about your past—better than I.’
Jenna definitely wanted answers, yet she wasn’t certain she was ready to meet again with the enigmatic man who’d proclaimed they were to be married.
‘Have you had any memories to date, Jenna?’
The question had been phrased gently and she wished she could answer positively. ‘I’m afraid not.’
‘It’s not unusual and it’s still very early days,’ the doctor said with easy acceptance. Shifting forward in her chair, Dr Gerber reached for her tea cup. ‘Any sense of anything familiar—a scent or scene? A song you’ve heard on the radio, perhaps?’
‘I sensed marriage to David wasn’t right. I couldn’t fathom he and I had been … that he was the father of this child. I didn’t feel a shred of attraction for him.’ Jenna
made the declaration with one hundred per cent confidence.
If she’d been introduced to David and Max and asked to choose which man she thought was most likely to have been her lover, she wouldn’t have hesitated in choosing Max. God, what woman wouldn’t at least fantasise about having him as a lover?
It was incredible to think she’d known him intimately. Of all the memories she’d lost she couldn’t help but think his lovemaking would be something she’d want to re-live.
‘Did anything about Mr Bennett strike you as familiar?’
There’d been a lot that’d struck her, but had it been familiar?
‘When he interrupted the ceremony I felt … I’m not sure if it was recognition at a subconscious level, but I felt there was a connection. His name meant nothing to me, but I had a compelling sense I could trust him—that he’d keep me safe. I never sensed it with James or Sally or David. I relied on them because there was nobody else to help me.’
Dr Gerber took another sip of her tea then put the cup down. ‘It sounds like you’ve got good instincts.’
‘The way James kept pushing me into marrying David, I started having doubts whether or not I should be trusting him. Unfortunately, I had no basis for my doubts. All I knew was that he and Sally had been taking care of me. I thought, without their support, I would’ve been homeless and destitute.’
Dr Gerber’s mouth tightened and her tongue clicked against the roof of her mouth. ‘I believe they’ll face charges and will most likely be arrested today, however, they’ll probably be released on bail before long. I think it would be better you didn’t return to the cottage where you’ve stayed with them. I’d rather you had no more confrontations with them at this point.’
‘But where will I go?’ She frowned as she thought about it. ‘Oh. I’m wealthy. I must have a home of my own, right?’
‘You do, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to return there yet. I’d rather give you a couple of days to absorb these new truths you’ve learnt. Mr Bennett has exclusive rental of a small boutique hotel just fifteen minutes’ drive away. Would you consider moving there?’
‘Is he staying there?’
‘Yes, as am I and former Chief Inspector Page. You won’t need to see anyone if you don’t want to. There are seven suites and spacious grounds. If you want to move about the hotel but would rather not have company, I can let the men know to stay out of your radius.’ She gave Jenna an encouraging smile. ‘I think it’d be an ideal place to stay while you delve slowly into your past. I’d like to be close at hand in case you need me, but you have to feel comfortable with the idea.’
Turning the option over in her mind, Jenna realised she didn’t want to remain at the cottage if James and Sally might return. It was better she moved somewhere new and tried to shed all her angst about her time with her step-brother, his wife and David. ‘Yes. I’ll stay there. Actually, I’d like to leave here now. I want to get out of this horrid wedding dress and I’m so exhausted I’d like to sleep.’
Dr Gerber failed to suppress a smile. ‘It is rather horrid, isn’t it?’
‘I didn’t choose it. It was Sally’s idea.’
‘Yes. Well …’ The doctor grimaced slightly before she assumed her professional persona once again. ‘Your brain needs time to heal. While it’s recovering, you’ll find you’re frequently tired. Your advancing pregnancy is no doubt also adding to your fatigue.’
‘I’ve been sleeping a lot.’ It struck her now that it’d been a coward’s way out. Every time she hadn’t been able to cope with James and Sally, she’d excused herself and taken herself off to bed.
‘Will you be okay here if I leave you for a moment to let Mr Bennett know you’re happy to move into the hotel?’ When Jenna’s bottom lip started to disappear beneath her upper teeth the doctor hastened to reassure her. ‘You needn’t see him until you’re ready, but he’ll make all the arrangements and we can leave when I return.’
‘I’ll be fine, doctor.’ As the psychologist stood, Jenna said, ‘This must be hard on him too.’
Dr Gerber smiled. ‘It is. You have my word I’ll do my very best to help you both through this.’
‘Do you think I’ll get my memory back?’
‘I’m hopeful. I can’t guarantee it, but I can guarantee I’ll help you navigate through this period of uncertainty.’
And that, Jenna decided, was most likely the best anybody could do.
When Dr Gerber closed the door behind her, it reinforced Jenna’s feeling of isolation. This time, at least, there were two people who appeared to have her best interests at heart. Still, after the lessons she’d learnt today, Jenna needed to dig deep and start standing on her own two feet. At least, if she had financial resources, she knew she wasn’t relying on anyone for her daily survival. She was also pleased Katherine Gerber had asked her if she felt comfortable working with her—that the woman hadn’t tried to insert herself into Jenna’s life without consent.
Finally, she was being respected and given some say in what she wanted to happen.
As for what would happen in nineteen weeks when this baby was born … She closed her mind on the thought, unable to think in terms of motherhood at this point. There were too many other more immediate problems to grapple with.
Chapter 5
Max’s mobile phone rang when he was still sitting on the front pew. The caller ID told him it was Nick.
‘Hi.’ He stood and started making his way out of the church.
‘You made it in time?’
‘Barely.’
‘And?’
He let out a long, slow breath. ‘Good news—I stopped the wedding. Bad news—Jenna doesn’t recognise me.’
‘It wasn’t unexpected. You told me Dr Gerber warned you Jenna probably wouldn’t know you.’
‘I was hoping for a miracle.’
‘The main thing is you’ve found her and stopped the travesty of a marriage James Mendles orchestrated. Things would’ve been more complicated had she married.’
‘But, what now?’ Max wondered aloud.
Dr Gerber said Jenna would probably be different from the woman he’d loved. She’d suggested Jenna would be confused and possibly disoriented, and also far less confident and assertive than she’d been prior to her amnesia. But the renowned psychologist believed Jenna would still have the same likes and dislikes, the same moral values and sense of humour, because that section of her brain hadn’t received any traumatic blows.
In fact, the psychologist had been surprised at the extent of Jenna’s amnesia given the type of head injury she’d sustained in the car crash. She’d suggested the memory loss might only be partly due to the trauma of the accident and quite possibly be due to the psychological trauma of the attempt made on her life.
‘Now, you need to keep her safe,’ Nick told him. ‘If you’ve found her, it’s only a matter of time before those responsible for the attempt on her life track her down. We don’t know what their motivation was, so have no idea what’s at stake for them or if they’ll try again.’
Max fought against the swell of panic that made his palms clammy. He cursed Jenna’s unknown enemies. ‘Security’s already organised. She’s going to have round-the-clock, covert security until the police identify and apprehend whoever made the attempt on her life. I’m hoping Dr Gerber will talk her into moving into the hotel I’ve rented. It would make security easier.’
‘You’ve got security too?’
‘Yes. A firm Luca recommended.’ Although it went against the grain for Max, his friends had pointed out that Jenna may have been targeted through her relationship with him. Even though Max didn’t think it was likely, it couldn’t be ruled out. Someone may be trying to get to him by hurting the woman he loved.
‘I take it she’s still unaware of the attempt on her life?’
‘Dr Gerber was most adamant she wasn’t to be told. The police psychologist said the same thing. Obviously, it would’ve been useless to question her as soon as she regained conscio
usness considering her amnesia, but all the professionals believe it’d be detrimental to her regaining her memory if she’s worried her life may be threatened.’
‘They have a point. There’s no point alarming her.’
Max ran his free hand through his hair as he emerged from the church and walked over to a bench. ‘It’s been a major shock for her to discover the people she trusted were ripping her off financially. Get this—she not only had no idea she was an heiress, that bastard Mendles let her think Curtain was the father of her child.’
‘Shit! That’s why she agreed to marry him.’
‘She thought she was penniless and had no other options.’
‘I trust you set her straight?’
‘I did, although I probably shouldn’t have. Imagine her confusion. She was preparing to marry one guy and I charged down the aisle, stopped the wedding and claimed to be her fiancé and the father of her child. It was bloody farcical.’
‘Hang in there, Max. You did the right thing.’
‘Yeah. I’ll hang in. There’s no other choice.’
‘Call me if you need me to be there.’
‘Thanks.’
‘You want to phone Luca to give him an update, or will I?’
‘You can.’
‘Consider it done. Talk soon.’
‘Thanks, Nick.’ Max disconnected and thrust the mobile back into his pocket.
Today at the church, he’d seen the evidence of their child for the first time. He didn’t need a paternity test to know the child she carried was theirs. He was absolutely certain he’d been Jenna’s only lover.
While it’d been a shock to him to learn of her pregnancy, he couldn’t begin to imagine how traumatising it must’ve been for her to wake up and be told she was going to have a child when she didn’t even remember having been in a relationship.
Shit! What a mess.
To say the last few months had been an emotional roller-coaster ride would be putting it mildly. There’d been the fear Jenna had died and the relief to know she lived. The worry she was in a coma and the shock of her pregnancy.
Seduced by the Stranger (Billionaires & Babies, #2) Page 4
