Guilty Like Us, page 17
“My father doesn’t ask for favors. He demands. He threatens...he takes and destroys...”
Sounded exactly right. “He threatened to tell my mother what happened six years ago unless my father agreed to convince Meredith to come back to Reunion Gap.” Daniel dragged a hand over his face, pictured the torment in his father’s expression when he’d revealed his secret. “I was the lucky choice to do the convincing.”
“Damn that man.”
“Yeah, that’s what I said.” Daniel eyed Tate, his voice filled with determination. “I am going to find out what my father agreed to and why he doesn’t want to tell me.” He paused, added, “And I’m going to stop your father.”
Tate Alexander didn’t hesitate when he offered, “Then we’ll stop him together.” He pushed back his chair, stood, and extended a hand across the desk.
Daniel eased out of his chair, shook Alexander’s hand. “It’s a deal.” Pause, followed by a hesitant “And Meredith? She might have started out as part of some convoluted scheme, but she’s so much more than that.” He almost reconsidered his earlier decision not to tell Tate he loved Meredith. But her brother wouldn’t want to hear that confession, not until they’d fixed this situation so he settled for “I want to tell her the truth, but I don’t even know where to start.”
“At the beginning.” Those silver eyes sparked. “You start at the beginning.”
Chapter 25
Tate Alexander was right. If Daniel wanted a shot with Meredith, he had to start at the beginning. Of course, the guy hadn’t mentioned anything about “having a shot” with his sister, but it was implied. Wasn’t it? Alexander wasn’t stupid; he’d probably already figured out that whatever was going on between his sister and Daniel was a lot more than casual. No guy talked about his feelings for a guy’s sister or admitted he’d done her wrong unless he wanted to make things right.
Unless he loved her.
Yeah, no doubt Tate Alexander had assessed and analyzed that information before Daniel left his office. He’d probably even calculated the chances for success, which would be zero if Daniel didn’t own up to the truth—about everything. But first he had one more visit to make, a surprise one, and if luck were with him, the man would be home.
Daniel wasn’t intimidated or awestruck by luxury. He’d had the cars, the trips, the clothes, the multimillion-dollar condo, and none of it had made him happy for longer than the time it took to admit things wouldn’t make him happy. It took a while, but he finally got there, though he wished it had been sooner and didn’t involve a woman in his bed whose name he didn’t know.
But he bet Harrison Alexander had figured it out a long time ago. Money wouldn’t drive a man like that, but power would. And that’s why Daniel had to stop him before he used that power to once again destroy lives.
When the butler ushered Daniel into the library, Harrison Alexander glanced up from his book, looking powerful and intimidating, nothing like the rumors that labeled him weak and frail. “Well, well, isn’t this a surprise? What brings you to my doorstep? A mutual interest, perhaps?”
Daniel stared at the man who’d caused enough harm to flatten the entire town. “Leave Meredith alone. She doesn’t want to see you.”
“You’re concerned for my daughter’s welfare? Hmm. Now that is an interesting thought considering the circumstances under which you met her. I’m concerned about her as well, enough to make sure you stay away from her.”
The man might believe he controlled the world, but he wasn’t going to control Daniel or what happened between him and Meredith. “Haven’t you figured out she doesn’t want to see you? That she realizes you don’t care about her or her happiness? All you want is control, no matter how you get it, even if it means sacrificing your own children.”
The man’s laughter sliced him. “You don’t want me to hurt her? What do you think you’ve been doing with your make-believe antics? What’s going to happen when she finds out her white knight isn’t a knight at all, but part of a plan and she’s a victim?” A sigh, another laugh. “She’ll never want to hear your name again once I tell her the truth.”
Slivers of panic inched toward Daniel’s heart, squeezed. He beat them down, pushed forward. “I care about Meredith and, however we started out, things have changed. I’m going to tell her the truth, and then see who she cuts from her life.”
Tsk-tsk. “You’re not even a worthy opponent. You don’t care about my daughter; you’re incapable of caring about a woman.” Daniel advanced on him, fists clenched. Alexander remained in his chair, held up both hands. “Are you going to resort to punches like you did when you tried to save a girlfriend who couldn’t be saved?” He must have seen the shock on Daniel’s face because those silver eyes narrowed, spat out the tragedy that had lived in Daniel’s soul for too many years. “Didn’t think I knew about her, did you? Sara. Lovely name. I never pull people into a situation unless I understand the psychology that drives them. Your girlfriend refused chemotherapy because she believed her homemade potions would save her.” Tsk-tsk. “So tragic that no matter what you said, you couldn’t change her mind. Nothing to be ashamed of...people are interesting creatures.”
“This isn’t about Sara.”
“It’s about a lot more than Sara.” The smile spread. “Let’s call it a study in human behavior. Do you know why your Sara detested what some refer to as the establishment? It had little to do with her desire to grow herbs, sew her own clothing, and make trinkets. That was the aftermath of the fallout with her family, a family of equal or greater wealth than mine.”
“What?” Sara had nothing: no parents, no siblings, no place she thought of as home. I never knew my father, and my mother wandered from town to town looking for the next man. It was a painful existence, one I swore I’d never repeat. “She didn’t come from money, trust me on that.”
Harrison Alexander eyed him, his expression filled with arrogance and pity. “Of course, she did, so much of it, but why would you think that when she presented as an ‘earth child’ invested in causes and crusades?” More arrogance, more pity. “You never looked beyond what she wanted you to see.”
“You’re a liar.” Sara did believe in causes, but she was not a liar.
“I’m telling you the truth, one you don’t want to hear. Her parents were both doctors; the father an oncologist, the mother a psychiatrist. Don’t you find it interesting that she shunned traditional medicine when she was diagnosed with cancer? Isn’t that telling?” When Daniel didn’t respond, he continued. “The woman you loved hated her family more than she loved you and would defy logic and reason to prove it.”
No. Sara had convictions and a belief she could heal herself. This wasn’t about hatred and vengeance; it couldn’t be...
“I can tell you don’t want to believe me, but the expression on your face says you’re starting to consider the possibility that she might have lied to you and I might be telling the truth.” His words slithered toward Daniel, wrapped around his neck, squeezed. “It took a very persuasive and expensive investigator to unearth these facts, but I’m happy to share the report if you like. You see, her good friend, Chastity, I believe her name was, the one who sold pottery, was an heiress who grew up next door to Sara. Imagine that?” He folded his hands in his lap, smiled. “Ask your friend Ethan. He’ll confirm what I’ve told you.”
Ethan knew? Daniel sucked in a breath, tried to make sense of Alexander’s words. Ethan knew what? And when? Harrison Alexander was a cheat and a liar; he could be lying about all of this.
“Ah, now I’ve got you thinking.” The man nodded, his silver eyes glittering. “Well, consider this. You think you hate me and maybe you do, but the truth is what you really hate. And now you’ve convinced yourself my daughter would be a suitable replacement for the woman you lost, the one who didn’t love you enough to fight to live.”
“Shut up.”
“You’ll never have my daughter. Just remember that.”
“It’s not your choice.” Meredith could make up her own mind and once he confessed everything, he hoped she’d forgive him. “As for blackmailing my father, that goes both ways. You leave him alone or I will destroy you.” Daniel stared at the man, bit out, “No matter what I have to do.”
“Will you now? You don’t have the stomach for it.” He shook his head as if the threat were a mere annoyance. “You’d never be able to make the tough choices. No doubt that damnable sense of right and your conscience would stop you.”
“Maybe I can’t take you down all by myself, but I’ll have help.”
“Help? I’d like to see that.”
He would not tell him Tate had agreed to work with him to expose his father’s treachery. “We’ll see.”
“Indeed, we will.” A sigh, a soft laugh. “I knew my daughter would fall for you. She’s never been able to control her bleeding-heart emotions and you were just the type she’d choose. Meredith rescues strays and that’s what you are. A stray.”
“Maybe I am, but you don’t get to decide who Meredith chooses.” How had his father worked for this man and subjected himself to his threats? And Meredith? She’d had to live in a house filled with fear, controlled by a powerful, manipulative father. She didn’t deserve that. None of his children did and neither did the poor wife who’d probably decided it was easier to give up than struggle in the cruel reality of life with this man.
“Oh, but I do get to decide what happens with my daughter, of that you can be certain.” His thin lips pulled into a faint smile. “I’ll leave you with one parting lesson: consider it a favor. The next time you believe you can challenge an opponent, make sure you know him, know what he knows about you.”
“Is there a point?”
Harrison Alexander nodded, spoke in the cultured voice that rumor suggested had destroyed too many men. “I made you.” Pause. “Langston Turnings exists because of me. You didn’t think I knew? It wasn’t difficult because I knew you before you were anybody. I see you’re wondering how that could be. Let’s consider this a moment. Your father is an honest man who wouldn’t compromise his sanctimonious beliefs for money or power. But what would he do for his children? I’ll tell you. For the struggling son living in a rundown apartment, hope wearing thin, on the verge of giving up, well, a man like Oscar Reese would do anything.”
Dread smothered Daniel, squeezed so tight he had to suck in air. “What the hell did you do?”
“I made a deal. Your father had something I wanted and I had something he wanted. Success for his son. A chance to show the world just how good and talented he was.”
“You? You were involved in my success?” No, no, no, no…
“Of course I was. I made a handful of phone calls, convinced my colleagues to buy a few of your pieces for ten times what they were worth. That drove up the value, as I’m sure you noticed. And then there were the showings and the galleries. Oh, yes, everything else that happened in that first year had my name on it.”
Daniel took a step back, tried to get away from the man’s words, but they barreled toward him. “Very clever of you to remain anonymous and refuse public appearances once you created the Langston Turnings name. Drives the public crazy trying to figure out the puzzle. Word had it you were always at the showings, just as an anonymous observer. Brilliant marketing. The mystique exploded until everyone who was anyone wanted your work. That, I must say, is on you. But how many people would become famous if only they could showcase their talent? One small opportunity, that’s all they want. The models, the starlets, the musicians, the artists… The woodworkers. You really should thank your father because he suffered a heart attack and a guilty conscience that will live inside him forever in order to give you this opportunity.” A nod and the softest sigh. “A father will do anything for his child. You’d do well to remember that. Remember also; I’ll destroy you if you go near Meredith again.”
Chapter 26
“Why didn’t you ever tell me Sara was rich?” After his conversation with Harrison Alexander, Daniel had too many questions and no damn answers.
Long pause, followed by a quiet “How did you come upon that piece of information?”
Typical Ethan, trying to sidestep the real issue with diplomacy. “Harrison Alexander, the holder and keeper of dark secrets. He mentioned you by name.”
“Ah, should I be impressed? Or worried?”
“Maybe both.”
A soft laugh, followed by a confident “How about neither? Let him try to come after me; I’ll be waiting for him.”
Ethan Nance was shrewd, calculating, and thrived on a good challenge and a complex puzzle. He was the best friend Daniel had ever had and that’s why withholding information about Sara didn’t sit well. “Forget Alexander. You should have told me.”
“Did you want to get in the middle of that battle? What would you have done? Asked for financials? I did what I thought was best to protect you.”
“Damn it, Ethan, it was not your decision to make. I should have known.”
“Yes, you should have, and Sara should have been the one to tell you.”
Daniel pictured his friend rubbing his temples like he did when he wanted to avoid an argument…usually with himself. “If I had known, maybe I could have convinced her to—”
“To do what? See a doctor? Oh, right...her father was an oncologist, but you never knew he existed. And what was it she said about the mother? A woman, traveling from town to town, looking for the next man? Hmm, I didn’t know that was another term for a psychiatrist.”
“Smart ass. Okay, it’s messed up.”
“Like the woman,” Ethan mumbled. “Nothing was going to change. She had quite a few opportunities to tell you the truth, even after you spilled about how you weren’t exactly destitute. What did she do, Daniel? Do you remember? Because I do… She didn’t talk to you for five days. What was that all about? With a father who’s an oncologist and a mother who’s a psychiatrist, there’s a lot of heavy stuff in there, none of it good.”
Of course, Ethan had a point, as he always did. “Let’s just get this out there, I still would’ve wanted to know and the fallout would have been mine to deal with, not yours. But going forward, I expect you not to keep secrets from me. You find out something, you tell me. You think you’re protecting me? You still tell me and let me decide.”
The silence on the other end of the line lasted so long, Daniel thought he’d hung up. And then Ethan spoke. “What’s this really about? Or should I say whom? My guess is Meredith Alexander.”
He’d guessed right. “Meredith is part of this conversation. Did you find out anything significant about the father or his business dealings?”
“Not yet.”
“Keep looking. The man’s dangerous and has to be stopped.”
Daniel would always remember the day he broke Meredith’s heart. He would later recall the second the feelings she had for him shifted, turned dark and stripped away whatever they might have shared. He found her in her aunt’s dining room, cutting fabric that looked like it might have been a dress. When she spotted him, her full lips pulled into a soft smile. Daniel had grown to recognize that smile as one of joy and true happiness. It wasn’t sexual but was driven by the opportunity to help people, to make a difference in their lives. Sure, she had boatloads of money, but no doubt she’d help others even if she had less than they did. Meredith was a good person who deserved honesty and love in a relationship built on trust and if she’d give him a chance, he’d never disappoint her again.
But how to get there?
“Hi there,” she said, setting the sewing shears on the table and easing out of the chair to rush toward him. She flung her hands around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. “I missed you.”
Daniel stroked her cheek, murmured, “I missed you, too.” In the past he could go days before thinking about a woman, but that was before Meredith, before her kindness found its way to his heart and showed him what true caring meant. “We need to talk.”
Her blue eyes filled with concern, not for herself but no doubt for him. The fake, the man he was supposed to be...the impostor.
“Did you hear from your potential client? Does he like your work?”
Such damnable innocence. Even now he could tell her a story and she’d believe him, but she deserved the truth. “He did like it.” Why wouldn’t the man when Daniel had been working with him for five years?
She hugged him tight, pulled back and laughed, her expression one of pure joy. “I knew it. I knew it, Daniel. This is it. You’ll get the business and then there will be more, you’ll see. And soon you’ll be bigger than Langston Turnings.”
He forced a smile, placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “We need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?” She bit her bottom lip, clasped his hand. “This isn’t about your work, is it?”
No, it was about lies and dishonesty and it was time to be done with both. “You’re right, it’s not. Can we sit down?”
“Sure.” She led him into the living room, sat on the couch, patted the cushion next to her.
He sank onto the couch, wondered how people lived in this showcase environment with themes and fabric where the draperies matched the upholstered furniture and the accessories were selected by designers based on “flow” and “style”. No room for a kid’s artwork or the amateurish painting of a family member. Nope, this would all have to be high-end, vetted material or it would be relegated to a box in the attic or basement or maybe tossed straight in the trash, labeled unacceptable. Meredith had grown up in a house like this, yet grander, and she’d been miserable and mistreated.
He could not see her hurt again, especially not by him.
“Daniel?” She turned to him, covered his hand with both of hers and offered a tentative smile. “Talk to me.”
He’d never been much of a talker but then, what guy was? Men were doers, not talkers, but there came a time when they had to learn to use their words and understand the feelings behind them if they wanted a shot at happiness. Yeah, that was not his strong suit, hadn’t been even with Sara who preferred to tell him what he thought rather than ask. Meredith was different. She made him want to talk, to share, and she didn’t expect him to spit back some BS she wanted to hear. Daniel cleared his throat, pushed out the words. “There are some things I should’ve told you about me…about everything, but I didn’t think they’d matter...”
