Abe called to her from his back porch as she turned to go back upstairs. “Shannon, you okay?”
“I will be eventually. I’ve never shot anyone before. I’m really sorry.”
“No apology necessary. I’m just glad you were armed and could protect yourself. If anything like that happens again, you call me.”
“I will. Thanks. I need to get back upstairs to Bailey.”
“Tim Murphy is a good cop. You just tell him the truth and everything will be fine.”
She nodded. The whole truth and nothing but? She was fairly certain that would all come out once Anthony Baker was conscious and speaking. If he survived. She shuddered thinking she might have killed a man.
Upstairs she lit a few scented candles and sat in the rocker. Thunder rumbled as the predicted storm rolled in. A flash of lightning brightened the sky followed by a loud boom. She blew out the candles, left one lamp burning, and checked the lock on the door—for all the good that was. In the bedroom, she sat with the pillows behind her listening to the storm outside and to her own terror. She could pack what they would need and drive up to Canada. Caleb had told her not to try to leave the country. He hadn’t said she wouldn’t be able to do so with the papers he had given her.
She was still sitting up in bed, staring at the opposite wall when the sun rose. The storm ended at some point in the previous few hours, but she’d missed it. Her mind had been busy entertaining three possible plans of action. And now, with the light of day, she knew what she had to do.
As she stepped out of the shower and turned off the water, she heard the phone ringing. She pulled on the oversized terrycloth robe and padded down the hall. “Hello?”
“Ms. Chase, this is Officer Murphy. I responded to the call at your place last night?”
“Yes, I remember you.”
“I was wondering if you could come by the police station and answer a few more questions.”
“I…uh…suppose. If you need me to, of course.”
“We do. I’d appreciate it. You know where we are on Douglas?”
“I’m not sure.” She jotted down the directions he gave. “How is the man I shot?”
“He’ll be fine. When do you think you can come by? Do you need me to send a car for you?”
“I’ll be there in an hour or less. I have a car, thank you.” She hung up and chewed on her lip. What questions could they have for her?
She called Dawn Kohler and asked if she could keep Bailey for a few hours, explaining what had happened the previous night.
“Oh, my. That had to be awful for you. Of course I’ll keep her.”
“Thanks, Dawn. I’ll be there in about half an hour. I have to feed Bailey first.” She hurriedly dried her hair and dressed, then packed up Bailey’s bag and fed the baby. She stopped to tell Abe where she was going and that she’d be using the car.
“No problem. Let me know how things turn out,” the old man said.
Shannon pulled into the parking lot of the Snoqualmie Police Department and into a space designated for visitors. Inside the station, she asked for Officer Murphy.
Tim Murphy rounded the reception desk and greeted her. “Miss Chase, thank you for coming in. If you’d come with me, please.”
He escorted her down a hallway and into a room marked ‘Interrogation.’ She didn’t like the sound of that. A man dressed in a suit sat at a table inside the room.
“Shannon Chase this is Detective David Greer.”
The suited man stood and nodded. “Miss Chase. Please, have a seat.”
Shannon regarded him for a moment before sitting.
The detective nodded to Officer Murphy, who then left the room, closing the door.
“Miss Chase, I heard about what happened at your apartment last evening. And I’ve had an opportunity to interview Mr. Baker.” He picked up a pen that sat atop a yellow legal pad in front of him. “Would you please recount the events of last night. Were you out earlier in the evening or at home?”
“I went to Seattle with some friends for dinner and a movie.”
“Friends?”
“Yes, three other women.”
“And what time did you return home?”
Shannon frowned. “I got to the sitter’s around eleven forty-five and back to my place a little past midnight.”
“Did you have drinks while you were out?”
“I had two beers with dinner. What’s that got to do with anything? I wasn’t drunk, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He cast a cool glance at her. “I’m not suggesting you were. Just trying to get the full chain of events. Did you go home alone?”
“I…yes…well, me and my daughter. She’s four months old.”
“And what time were you wakened and discovered Mr. Baker in your apartment?”
“It was just past two. I thought I heard a sound and woke up, but then I didn’t hear anything. I went out to the living room to investigate.”
“With your gun in hand?”
“Yes. I didn’t hear anything more, just the wind whipping the trees. I got a glass of water and then stopped in the bathroom. When I stepped back into the hall, I saw a shadow, a silhouette of a man looking through my mail. He had his back to me. So I went back into the bathroom. Then Bailey started to cry and I heard the man start down the hall. I stepped out into the hall and aimed the gun at him and told him to stop. He didn’t, and that’s when I shot him.”
“He didn’t identify himself?”
“No. He didn’t say anything. He had something in his hand and he started to raise it. I swear I thought it was a gun.”
“But it was, in fact, a cell phone.”
“I found that out later.”
The detective jotted a few notes then looked her in the eye. “Were you expecting anyone last night?”
“No. I don’t really know anyone here. I just moved here a few weeks ago.”
“From…” He riffled through his notes. “…Akron, Ohio.”
“That’s right.” She gulped, wondering if he knew the truth.
He sat back and tossed the pen onto the table. “We have a problem Miss Chase. As a matter of fact, we have quite a few problems.”
Shannon’s hands began to shake and she wound her fingers together in her lap. “I don’t understand.”
“The man you shot is Anthony Baker. Brother of Governor Corinne Baker Hastings of Missouri. He admits you may not know him, but insists you do know Mark Hastings, the Governor’s husband, quite well.”
At the mention of Mark, Shannon’s stomach clenched and bile rose in her throat. She swallowed hard.
The detective leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. “You do know Mark Hastings?”
“Yes.” Heat rushed up her neck and burned in her face. “I know him.”
“Mr. Hastings tells me he spoke with you earlier this week and that you were expecting him last evening.”
Her head jerked up. “I…No, I was not expecting him. I did talk with him briefly, but….”
“Except Mr. Hastings knows you as Heather Carlson. He says the two of you have a child together.”
Shannon began to shake all over. “I have a child fathered by Mr. Hastings. That’s true.”
“As a paid surrogate for Mr. Hastings and his wife, the Governor.”
“What? That’s insane.” Shannon’s heart pounded and she felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.
“And it seems you forgot one minor detail—to give them their baby. But you had no trouble accepting a payment of fifty thousand dollars. And then you got greedy, insisting on one hundred thousand. You thought Mr. Hastings was bringing the money to you last night, but he sent Mr. Baker who insists, by the way, that your doors were unlocked and that you didn’t answer. Since you were expecting Mr. Hastings, Mr. Baker let himself in and called to you.”
“None of that is true. Mark didn’t even want me to have the baby. And I never received fifty thousand dollars. Governor Hastings came to my apartmen
t and threw ten thousand dollars at me, but….” Something told her it was time to stop answering questions. She met the detective’s gaze. “I think I’d like a lawyer now.”
He stared at her, his mouth in a narrow, flat line. “Suit yourself.” He stood and left the room, closing the door with a resounding thunk.
Shannon sat in the overly-cold room, shivering. A paid surrogate? They were actually going to try to make her the villain? And how would that explain Anthony Baker breaking into her apartment?
Detective Greer returned with Officer Murphy. He placed a hand on Shannon’s arm, forcing her to stand. “Heather Carlson, you are under arrest for extortion and for assault with a deadly weapon.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Shannon sat staring at the telephone placed in front of her. One phone call. But who to call? If she called Dawn Kohler, she would know that Bailey would be cared for, but how would anyone know she needed help? She couldn’t call her mother. Brooke. She picked up the vintage phone and punched in Brooke’s cell number.
“Hello?” Brooke asked.
“Brooke, it’s me. Look, I don’t have much time. Something’s happened here. I’m in jail.”
“Jail? What’s going on?”
“I can’t explain everything. I need you to listen very carefully and write some things down. I’m being set up by Mark and Corinne. I shot a man who broke into my apartment and it turned out to be Anthony Baker, Corinne’s brother. Bailey…Amanda is with a woman by the name of Dawn Kohler. I don’t remember her phone number, it’s in my purse and they took that. Her daughter’s name is Angie and she works at a bar called Rusty’s. Are you getting all this?”
“I got it.”
“Good. I need you to call my Mom. I’m going to need her here. She can stay at my apartment. If you can reach Angie, I’m sure she’ll pick Mom up at the airport in Seattle.”
“I’m coming with her. I’ll coordinate the flights so we both get there around the same time and I’ll rent a car. My God, I can’t believe this.”
“The detective’s name is Greer and the officer is Tim Murphy, in case you need to call here. I’ve asked for an attorney. Brooke…please hurry. And call Dawn.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can, and I’ll see that your Mom gets there.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to hang up.” She placed the phone back in the cradle and closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath. She was shown to a small room where she was given an oversized jumpsuit and a female officer watched while she changed, then took her clothing away. Next she was led to a small cell and ushered inside.
An hour passed in unnerving silence. She hoped Brooke had been able to locate Dawn’s number and had called her. No one had told her what to expect, what came next. A few minutes later, she heard voices just beyond the door that separated the cells from the front office area.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Tim. Do you think I’m bringing in a cake with a file? I need to see her now. My mother’s babysitting her daughter.”
Angie! Oh, thank God. Shannon stood, her fingers wrapped tightly around the cold metal bars. Waiting.
The door opened and Officer Murphy let Angie inside. “Ten minutes, Angie. That’s the best I can do.”
“Okay, okay.” Angie stared at her. “I cannot believe this.”
“Thank God you came. I was so worried about Bailey. Is she all right?”
“She’s fine and Mom says not to worry. She’ll take good care of her for as long as necessary. What the hell happened?”
Shannon gave a brief synopsis of the events. “I’ve asked for an attorney, but who knows how long that will take?”
“You don’t want some court-appointed flunky. I got you covered. My ex-sister-in-law is an attorney in Seattle. I’ll call her as soon as I leave here.”
“She should know that I don’t have much money. I’m not sure how I’d pay her.”
Angie waved a hand. “Let’s not worry about that now. Your friend called my Mom. She’s arriving tomorrow and your mother will get here the next day. I’ll go over to your place and make sure it’s cleaned up for them. The police can leave such a mess.”
“I cleaned up everything. The blood.” She shivered.
“Yeah, but they searched your place while you were here. Abe told me when I called him. It’ll be trashed.”
“They searched my place? Why? They already had my gun.”
Angie shrugged. “Who knows?”
Then it hit Shannon—the money. They would find the money and use that as evidence that she’d accepted a payment from the Hastings. “Oh, God. This is a nightmare.”
Angie wrapped her fingers around Shannon’s. “Look at me. This is going to be okay.”
“Why are you helping me? You don’t really even know me.”
“I’m a good judge of character, and I like you. I spoke with your friend, Brooke, and she told me the whole story. Besides, you’re a friend of Jake’s.” She hesitated. “Do you want me to call him?”
Shannon shook her head. “No. Don’t. Wherever he is, I’m sure he has enough to deal with. He can’t do anything anyway.”
Officer Murphy opened the door. “Time’s up.”
Angie held up a finger to indicate one minute. “Maggie Randolph, that’s the attorney’s name. She’ll probably call you first to get the details. You hang in there.”
Shannon nodded, feeling more alone than ever when the door closed behind Angie.
*
It was after six that evening and Shannon sat staring at the untouched dinner tray that had been delivered earlier. The door opened and a female officer came inside, unlocking the cell and sliding open the door. “Your attorney is on the phone.”
“My attorney?”
“Ms. Randolph?”
“Oh, yes.”
The officer held her by the arm and led her to a small conference room furnished only with a narrow metal table and two benches. A phone stretched from the wall and sat atop the table. “Pick up the receiver and press the blinking line. Knock on the door when you’re finished.” The officer snapped the door shut behind her.
Shannon tentatively picked up the phone and pressed a button. “Hello?”
“This is Maggie Randolph. Is this Shannon Chase, a/k/a Heather Carlson?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Good. Do you prefer Shannon or Heather?”
“I…uh…Shannon, I suppose. For now.”
“Okay, Shannon. I took the liberty of having the police fax me a copy of their report.”
“Wait. Ms. Randolph? I hope Angie told you my situation. Financially, that is.”
“She did. Let’s not worry about that now. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Papers rustled on the other end of the line. “According to the police report, you shot a man who broke into your apartment. The man turned out to be the brother of Governor Corinne Hastings. His story, not surprisingly, is quite different from yours. The police have charged you with extortion with regard to a surrogacy relationship with the Hastings and assault with a deadly weapon perpetrated on Mr. Baker.”
“But I didn’t….”
“I’m just reviewing with you what they’ve told me. Is this accurate so far?”
“Yes.”
“You were brought in for questioning and, at that time, determined you wanted legal representation?”
“Yes. They…. Yes.”
“Okay. Am I correct in understanding that you would like me to represent you in this matter?”
“I suppose…. I mean, I need an attorney and Angie recommended you.”
“Yes, she did. But what do you want?”
Shannon hesitated.
“Ms. Chase, I’ve been practicing law for the past twenty-two years. I’ve won ninety-seven percent of my cases. I’m very expensive—usually. But you’re a friend of Angie’s and I do some pro bono work. So, let’s put the checkbook aside and you tell me what you want me to do for you.”
“I want you to represent me. Please.
”
“There, that wasn’t so difficult. I’m in court tomorrow morning, but I’ll be in Snoqualmie to meet with you after lunch. Is there anything you need?”
Shannon thought for a moment then said, “I’m probably going to need tampons soon.”
Maggie Randolph chuckled. “Can do. Shannon, try to get some rest. Worry will do you no good, and I need you to be alert when we meet. Now, until you and I meet, I want you to talk with no one. Not a word to anyone about your case, your views on recycling, the weather. Nothing.”
“I understand. Thank you so much, Ms. Randolph.”
“Maggie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Maggie Randolph sounded like a no-nonsense person but with a hint of a sense of humor. Shannon felt relieved to have an attorney—an apparently competent one—in her corner.
She sat on the cot and glanced at the gleaming silver toilet attached to the wall in the corner. A four by four metal sheet offered little in the way of privacy. And she’d have to undo the one-piece jumpsuit to use the toilet. She was sure that, as soon as she had undone the suit and sat down, someone would come through the door. She squirmed with discomfort.
An officer came in later and took away the untouched dinner tray. Shannon kept only the cup of diced fruit and bottle of water. “Thank you.”
When the lights dimmed and she lay on the cot in near darkness, she knew she couldn’t put things off any longer. She undid the jumpsuit and squatted behind the sheet of metal on the cold toilet. Relief.
She lay on the cot, listening to a murmur of voices beyond the door. She appeared to be the only felon in captivity in Snoqualmie. She turned over the events of the past twenty-four hours in her mind. This time last evening, she was laughing and having a nice time with Angie and her friends in Seattle. It amazed her that Angie dove in to help without question. Then she thought of seeing her mother tomorrow, if they’d let her mother come in. Tears stung her eyes and trickled down her temples. Never would she have imagined her mother visiting her in jail. At least her mother and Brooke would be able to get Bailey and look after her. And what about Helen Swinson? Who would take care of her? If Abe had to get a new caregiver, then Shannon would be out of a job and a home.
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