Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past)

by Danielle Rose-West

  “How was Doug?” she inquired anxiously.

  Jason had talked to his father the day after everything had happened. Doug had not taken the news about Sandra very well at all. Unsurprisingly, he’d known nothing. Even after Trish’s death, Sandra hadn’t had the decency to explain anything to the man she’d been sharing her life with.

  “He’s not good. He and Sandra had a huge row yesterday and he’s kicked her out.” Jason kissed the top of her head.

  Callie wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m so sorry. How is Fay taking it?”

  “She’s fine. She never liked Sandra anyway. It’s Dad I’m worried about.” Jason grasped her hand and led her to the sofa. “He’s been drinking rather more than I’d like. I don’t want him to do anything stupid. He was a real mess after Mum left.”

  Callie sank down beside him. She bit her lip. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No, but thanks for asking.” Jason smiled at her grimly. “You haven’t asked where Sandra is. Don’t you want to know?”

  Callie shrugged and glanced down at their combined hands. “Am I supposed to care about her? I know she gave birth to me, but is that enough to inspire worry or care? Truthfully, I’m not sure I even like her.”

  She sighed and raised her eyes to the ceiling. She wished the answers were written in the swirling pattern above her head. Unfortunately, life was never that easy.

  “Have you heard how Mitch is doing?” she asked quietly.

  Her brother was never far from her thoughts. She wished she could visit him and talk with him, but she knew he wouldn’t want to see her right now. He’d had the shock of his life too, and he’d lost his mother. She could imagine all too well the terrible pain he must be in. The last thing she wanted to do was make it worse.

  Jason hesitated. Callie glanced at him sharply. “What is it? Tell me.”

  “He’s currently being held in custody,” Jason finally informed her.

  “What?” Callie gasped, horrified by his news. “Why?”

  “After he was told the truth, he knocked Max out and tried to strangle Sandra. The police arrested him and have been holding him for assault.” Jason leaned forward and cupped his hands together. “He is one very angry young man.”

  Callie closed her eyes briefly. “He has every right to be angry. Why is he still being held? These are extenuating circumstances, after all.”

  “It makes no difference. Max isn’t pressing charges, but Sandra is. Mitch will face a court hearing and possible jail time.” Jason shook his head. “It doesn’t seem right somehow.”

  Callie didn’t think her opinion of her parents could sink any lower, but apparently, it could. “How can she put him through that? Hasn’t she done enough to that poor guy? And how can Max let her?” She gritted her teeth. Anger and frustration pounded through her body.

  “I agree, but what can we do?” Jason rubbed her arm, but it didn’t comfort her as it usually did.

  “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Won’t the case be dismissed if Sandra drops the charges?” Callie bit her lip, her mind working overtime.

  “They would, why?” Jason clasped her chin in his hand and drew her gaze to his. “What are you up to?”

  Callie kissed the palm of his hand and leapt to her feet. “Have you got Sandra’s mobile number?”

  Jason nodded. “Sure, but are you sure it’s a good idea to call her?”

  Callie rummaged through the storage cupboard and grabbed her bag. She rifled through it for her phone. “I’ll text her. She’s been trying to speak to me since the truth came out. I’m going to agree to meet her, if she drops the case against Mitch.”

  Jason frowned. “How do you know she’ll keep her word? Telling the truth is hardly her strong point.”

  “She will,” Callie held her hand out for the number. “I’ll check with the police before I turn up at the meeting. She drops the case or I won’t meet with her. It’s that simple.”

  Jason climbed to his feet and pulled his phone out of his back pocket. He scrolled through his phone book, then handed her the device. Callie quickly tapped out her message and sent it to Sandra. Now all she had to do was wait for a reply.

  *****

  Callie paced back and forth in the lobby of the Lazy Boy. Work progressed well and she was pleased with how Mike had handled things in her absence the past few days. He must have heard the rumours about what had happened to her, but to his credit he hadn’t given any indication that he knew. The man was a true professional.

  Callie glanced at her watch. Sandra would arrive at any minute. She wrung her hands, her stomach full of butterflies. This meeting wasn’t something she relished doing, but it was worth it. Mitch had been released without charge. She hoped her brother wouldn’t land himself in any further trouble. She wouldn’t be able to pull him out of it a second time if he did.

  The outside door opened and Sandra appeared. Her face had aged since the last time Callie had seen her. It was as if someone had knocked the stuffing right out of her. She stared at Callie. Deep circles stood out under her eyes.

  “I did as you asked,” she said quietly. “Mitch is free, although I don’t see why you would bother with him. He hasn’t exactly been all sweetness and light to you.”

  Callie gritted her teeth. “I suggest we go somewhere more private. There has been more than enough fodder for the gossips as it is, without us adding to it. I’ve arranged for us to use one of the sitting rooms.” She inclined her head. “This way.”

  Callie led Sandra to the small sitting room, now completely redecorated. The soft cream shades added light and freshness to the room. The smell of fresh paint still clung to the air.

  Callie sank down into an easy chair so that Sandra couldn’t sit next to her. Her mother’s lips pursed, but she seated herself on the sofa without comment.

  “Well, I’m here as I promised.” Callie held her arms out. “What is it that you wanted to say to me?”

  “Don’t say it like that.” Sandra cocked her head to one side. “Is it so strange that I would want to see you? Surely you know the only reason I acted the way I did when you arrived was to keep you safe. I don’t deserve to be punished because I did what any mother would do to keep her child from harm.”

  “I understand that.” Callie had thought of nothing but the events that had taken place and the horrible truth that had been revealed to her. “I don’t blame you for giving me up for adoption. I don’t blame you for pretending that I was dead or for the way you behaved when I first arrived. I can understand all of that and forgive it.”

  “Then why haven’t you seen me since Trish died? Why only meet me to free Mitch from jail? Can’t you see? Now the danger is gone, we don’t have to be afraid anymore.” Sandra leaned forward, her face earnest. “Isn’t it time we created a mother, daughter bond between us? It’s all I ever wanted. This is our chance to know each other. I could hardly dare to dream of such a thing.”

  Callie shook her head. “A woman is dead, Sandra. Doesn’t that bother you at all?”

  Sandra shrugged and stared down at her hands. “I can’t feel sad about Trish. She stole both my children from me. My beautiful Sophie is lost to me forever and I never saw you grow up at all. How can you expect me to mourn her or feel sorry for her?”

  Callie swallowed hard. “I honestly don’t expect you to mourn her. I can totally understand your feelings. But you and Max have to take some of the responsibility for what’s happened. How could you expect Trish to be okay with what you did to her? She found out you were sleeping with her husband after they were married. Is it any wonder she lost her mind?” Callie’s voice rose several octaves. She waved a hand in Sandra’s direction. “You were sleeping with your own brother, for heaven’s sake. Can’t you see how wrong that is?”

  Sandra’s face stiffened. “You don’t understand. Max and I have feelings for each other. We have loved each other for years. There has never been anyone else for me. It killed me when he married Trish.”
She glanced at Callie, her face begged for understanding. “I hated that woman for being the one to call him husband. She was the one going to bed and waking up with him every day. It should have been me!”

  Callie jumped to her feet and clasped her hands over her ears. Her stomach twisted. She fought down the urge to vomit. “I don’t want to hear this. It’s wrong on so many levels.”

  Sandra surged to her feet and pulled Callie’s hands from around her head. “How can love be wrong? If you love someone, nothing else matters.”

  “Of course it matters. He’s your brother! You’re supposed to hold platonic love for him, not a relationship love.” Callie stared hard at Sandra. She couldn’t work out if her mother had been brainwashed by Max into this twisted affair or if she was as sick as he was.

  “This is beside the point.” Sandra turned and paced the room. “This is about you and me, not me and Max. I want a relationship with you, Callie. Max does too. You are the physical evidence of our love. We are so proud of you. What we both need to know is where we all go from here. We need to discuss how we can move forward and be a proper family.”

  She stared at Callie expectantly. Callie felt weighed down with indecision. She didn’t like causing anyone pain, but she couldn’t just ignore her own sense of right and wrong.

  “I’m sorry,” she admitted at last. “I can’t just be okay with this. The whole thing freaks me out. I think, under the circumstances, it may be impossible for us to have any form of relationship. It may be best all round that we forget we ever met.”

  Sandra stabbed a finger at Callie. “I don’t accept that! You must have met with me because part of you wanted to. I want the chance to be a mother again. Please, give that to me. You are the only living part of me and Max that’s left. I can’t lose you.”

  “I can’t, I’m sorry. I met with you because I wanted to help Mitch. I knew you wouldn’t release him unless I intervened.” Callie slapped a hand to her chest. “I couldn’t leave him to face court and possible jail time. Not after all this.”

  “Why do you care about him? He hates you!” Sandra yelled, spittle flying from her lips.

  “I know what pain he must be in,” Callie said quietly. “I can understand where he is coming from. How is it that you don’t? You would have put him in jail after everything else you’ve done to him. Didn’t Max ask you to drop the charges? Or didn’t he care either?”

  Sandra’s face tightened. “He asked, but he also understood it was my choice. Mitch almost strangled me! You have no idea what I’ve done for that boy over the years. He completely betrayed me.”

  “You slept with his father and are the reason his mother is dead! How did you expect him to react?” Callie demanded.

  Sandra’s chest heaved with her rising emotions. “He could at least have heard me out and let me explain our side of things. He owed me that much.”

  Callie could see nothing she said affected her mother. She threw up her hands. “I am wasting my time here. You are completely blinkered! You seem to be unable to see things from other people’s points of view. You want everyone to agree with your relationship with Max. It’s not right to expect that.”

  “And what right do others have to inflict their narrow viewpoint on us?” Sandra cried bitterly.

  Callie’s shoulders sagged under the weight of the situation. She couldn’t see a solution. “You’re right in one way. How you live your life is totally up to you and Max. I just can’t be part of it and that’s my choice. You’ll simply have to understand that and let me go.”

  Callie walked slowly to the door of the sitting room. She turned to Sandra, one hand on the door handle. “This will have to be goodbye for us. I’m sorry, but there is really no other option for me.”

  Callie stepped into the hall and shut the door behind her. She heard Sandra’s wails rising up from inside the room. Callie closed her eyes and pushed down the guilt that surged forwards. She had to follow what her own conscience dictated, but she wasn’t sure Sandra and Max would accept her decision.

  Callie was relieved the B&B project would be finished here soon. It was the last tie to the town that she had. She just didn’t know what came after it. She needed to speak with Jason. Staying here was not an option. She hoped he felt the same.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Jason lit the candle and placed it on the table. He tugged at his shirt collar and hoped Callie would appreciate the effort he’d gone to. The delicious smell of dinner filled the flat. He owed his sister big time for helping him to prepare it. Flowers graced the table along with the candle and everything was set for romance.

  Nerves clawed through his stomach. He thought of the phone call he’d received. He had no idea what Callie would say to his news. Tonight was a big night. The beginning of the rest of their lives if all went well.

  Jason glanced at his watch. He wondered how long it would be before Callie returned. He knew speaking with her mother would not be easy. He hadn’t liked the idea of Callie meeting with Sandra, but he couldn’t very well stop her. Callie had wanted to help Mitch, and he could understand why. He hadn’t wanted his young friend to languish in jail either.

  He heard the key in the door. Callie swept in, her face pale. She stopped short when she saw the table. Tears filled her eyes and she clamped a hand to her mouth.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Is this inappropriate?” Jason fiddled with his collar again. “It’s just I had some things to talk with you about, and I thought you might need cheering up after speaking with Sandra.”

  Callie held up her hand to halt his words. “It’s wonderful. Perfect! Just like you.”

  She crossed the room and kissed him deeply. Jason held her tightly against him, relishing her warm body pressed to his. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she moaned. Jason’s breathing grew ragged. He pulled away and gazed into her passion filled eyes.

  “Maybe we’d best stop there or dinner and conversation won’t be on the agenda.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Callie smiled, but her eyes were sad. “I’m sorry. I know we haven’t exactly cemented our relationship physically yet, it’s just that……”

  Jason placed a finger on her lips. “There is no rush. We have the rest of our lives. I love you, Callie Price. Your happiness means far more to me than anything else.”

  Callie hugged him hard. “You are incredible. And to think I thought you were rude and boorish when we first met.”

  “Me?” Jason cried in mock horror. “You mean my natural charm didn’t win you over straight away?”

  Callie laughed. “Let’s just say you grew on me.”

  “You make me sound like mould,” he teased.

  She slapped him playfully on the arm. “Hardly.” Her wide golden eyes regarded him seriously. “You are my rescuer and the love of my life. However did I get so lucky as to have you come to my aid when I broke down? Heaven surely smiled down on me that day.”

  “Actually, I rather think it’s you that saved me,” Jason replied seriously. “I didn’t know what love was until you came along. I’d been existing in a relationship that was nothing but a lie. I know this has been hard for you, but I am selfishly so glad that you came here, Callie.”

  Callie’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. He kissed her again, cupping her face in his hands. The sound of the smoke alarm broke through the air. Jason jerked. Their dinner!

  He sprinted across the room and threw open the oven door. Big, thick clouds of smoke flooded out. Jason wafted a tea towel in front of the oven door. He pulled out the beef joint he’d been cooking to Fay’s instructions. It sat on the rack, a perfect impersonation of a lump of coal.

  “Is everything okay?” Callie called out to him. He could hear the laughter in her voice.

  Jason slammed the roasting tray onto the work surface. Disgust rolled through him. “How do you feel about a take away?”

  Callie slipped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. She eyed the lump of beef. “A lot better than ch
arcoaled beef joint.”

  “Oh, ha, ha!” Jason tickled her ribs. She swatted his hands away, her laughter echoed through the flat. Jason picked up the meat with two meat forks and dumped it in the recycle bin. He surveyed the table he’d laid, disappointment lodged in his chest.

  “This was supposed to be special.” He grimaced. “Whatever you do, don’t tell Fay about this. She helped me a lot to put this together. She was going to stay until I served, but I told her I could handle it by myself. I’ll never live it down.”

  Callie bit her lip, but he could still hear her struggles not to laugh. “My lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Highly unlikely. I’m guessing this is going to be used against me as blackmail for years to come,” Jason joked.

  “How well you know me already.” Callie grinned. She glanced at the table and grasped his hand in hers. “Seriously, this is wonderful, but I’m actually not that hungry. I’m fine with just a sandwich and a cup of tea. Sandra kind of knocked the stuffing right out of me.”

  Jason rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. He sighed. “I’d hoped to make this evening special. I’ve had some news today. I’d planned to discuss it with you over a candle lit dinner for two.”

  “I’m intrigued.” Callie raised an eyebrow. “Care to share?”

  “All in good time. We’ll make that sandwich you wanted first, eh.” Jason grinned. He grabbed the loaf of bread from the breadbin and pulled two plates out of the cupboard, handing one to Callie. “How did things go with Sandra?”

  Callie grimaced. “Not well.”

  She quickly filled him in on their conversation as she pulled two slices of bread out of the bag. Jason shook his head. “I am so glad my father is out of that relationship. I just hope he can see it one day. He is still so cut up. I think he needs to make a clean break. Living in that cottage is doing him no good.”

  Callie grabbed the butter from the fridge. “Talking of clean breaks and things to discuss, I actually wanted to talk about something with you.” She cleared her throat. “I will finish the Lazy Boy project soon and I think we should contemplate what happens after that.”