AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My Dearest Son.
I just heard from an old friend in Malibu. She told me you’re planning a second wedding. I’m so happy for you, and so sorry I refused to come to the first one. It was wrong of me. You can’t imagine how badly I wish I could turn back the clock. I hope, one day, you and Stephanie will find it in your hearts to forgive me.
Unfortunately the manor became too much for me to manage and it’s been sold. I’m living in Oxford now, in a lovely home near the river. My new telephone number is written below. Please ring me. I would love to hear your voice.
With much love,
Your foolish mother.
Overwhelmed, Stewart fought back tears, and in spite of the heartache she’d caused, he longed to reconcile. Not even thinking about the time difference, he grabbed the phone and called. After a long, emotional conversation, he promised to visit her, and to bring Stephanie with him so they could all make their peace.
* * *
HEATHER HAD JOYFULLYaccepted Tony’s invitation to move in with him. Though he’d be able to keep her wild side in check, and offer advice on her road to success, he was the first to admit he knew very little about the music business.
When Jerry contacted him expressing interest in the two songs she had sung for a film calledThe Strange Bedfellow,Tony immediately called Stewart. Baxter Artists Management had a division for recording artists, and Stewart jumped at the chance to represent her.
A few days later, Jerry called again, asking if he could drop by the house around six o’clock to see Heather on a personal matter.
“Please tell her to be prepared for some news. It will be startling, but it will help her make sense of certain things.”
Jerry arrived with a tall, wide-shouldered Texan named Wesley Tucker. The moment he stepped inside, Tony’s heart skipped. Heather had the same crystal blue eyes. Suspecting what the startling news would be, he held Heather’s hand as Wesley began to speak. He gently explained he was her real father, and why he had to keep his distance, then told her the legendary singer Korey Sinclair was her mother.
As the tears sprang from Heather’s eyes and she jumped to her feet, Tony thought she was about to race across to the man and pound him with her fists, but she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“I know, I know,” she cried. “She left me a letter. I found it in the sleeve of one of her albums. She said my real father would show up after my 21stbirthday, or before then if he could. But she didn’t say who you were. I’ve been waiting and waiting for you.” Then abruptly pulling back, she shouted. “Why didn’t you come sooner? What if something had happened to you?”
“Then you would have received this,” he said patiently, lifting a manila envelope from his leather satchel. “I’ve been writin’ to you over all these years. You can read all about Korey and me, and my life since she’s been gone. You’ll see I was forced to wait in the wings. You’ll also see the trust fund Kent claims he put in place was actually done by your mother, and I’m the one who’s been feedin’ it. He doesn’t know that. He thinks the money has come from her royalties.”
“I’m so happy you’re here. I’m so happy that bastard isn’t my dad,” Heather declared, the tears still running down her face. “I want to know all about you. Where do you live? Are you in L.A?”
“Dallas, Texas, but I’ll be stickin’ around a while, and Heather, you have a sister. She doesn’t know about you yet, but you know her. It’s Stella Stanley.”
“What?” Tony interjected. “Stella is your daughter?”
“She sure is, and I owe you, Tony. I know you’re responsible for introducin’ her to Matt Montgomery, and you helped her get away from John. I’ll always be grateful. What a pathetic excuse of a man he is. But we’ll be talkin’ about that another time. Heather, there’s something else I must tell you about Kent. You know he’s not a nice man.”
“Hell, yeah, I know that.”
“This will be hard to hear, but I have always believed he was responsible for your mother’s death. Now I can act on my suspicions.”
“Oh, my gosh.”
“Is it even possible to investigate the accident after all these years?” Tony asked. “Surely new evidence will be hard to find.”
“It’s not just about new evidence. When it happened, he and Korey were Hollywood’s golden couple. Korey’s songs were consistently hittin’ the top of the charts, and he’d just won his first Oscar. He had a lot of clout, especially out here in Malibu. But now there are new people in charge, for various reasons, I’m the one with the power. I’ll spend whatever it takes, and call in every favor to uncover the truth.”
“You really think he killed her?” Heather mumbled, staring at him with wide eyes.
“I don’t know, but I sure as hell am gonna find out.”
After Jerry and Wesley left, Tony followed Heather as she walked out onto the deck and stared across at her former home.
“That was a lot to take in,” Tony said, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Better than okay. Angry about some stuff, but happy too, and now I understand why he was always so weird with me. He must have suspected. But, Tony, you know what else is weird?” she asked, looking up at him. “You and Stella, and you and me.”
“Why?”
