Judy Christenberry - Vanessa's Match

From that moment, his relationship with his father had been ruined. He’d moved out and found his own place as soon as he could, but he’d continued to work with his father because he understood that it was his job, as well as his desire, to learn how to juggle the various companies his father owned. One day he would be responsible for maintaining the Austin Group, the corporation that controlled all the companies.

At the office, his father had never challenged him about his attitude toward Anita. Which had made him feel guilty, but not enough so to do anything about it. By the time Lindy was born, he thought his father had realized the kind of woman Anita was, but it was too late. Rick knew his father would never give up Lindy.

Which was exactly what he himself had done as soon as his father died and Anita had shown her true colors.

Damn! He hated having to admit what he’d done. He hadn’t wanted to have anything to do with the woman who had ruined his happy family. He’d adored his mother, and he and his father had mourned her passing. For a year or so after her death, they’d been closer than ever.

Then Anita had entered the family.

In his anger and disgust, Rick hadn’t realized he was isolating himself from his half sister. She was only six years old, a cute kid, but he figured she’d grow up and be like her mother.

Suddenly he turned his car in the direction of the condo. He had to see if what Miss Shaw had said was true. He grabbed his cell phone and hit the button to automatically dial his lawyer, Joe Adderly. After two rings, Joe picked up.

“Joe? It’s Rick Austin.”

“Yes, Rick. What can I do for you?”

“Meet me at the condo, and bring the key.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be right there.”

And he would, because Rick paid him a lot of money to be at his beck and call. One of Joe’s jobs had been to keep an eye on Lindy. At least Rick had done that much, though it hadn’t been much for a six-year-old. Rick now knew his lawyer hadn’t done a good job. But then, neither had he.

His lips tightened into a line as anger grew in him. He’d instructed his lawyer to visit Anita and Lindy once a month to give them the check and be sure Lindy was properly cared for. And to let Rick know if she wasn’t. He’d never heard a word from the man.

He screeched to a halt in front of the condo. Good, he’d arrived before Joe. He got out of his car and went upstairs to the second floor. But the condo was locked. He snickered. Joe had found his half sister on the verge of death but he hadn’t forgotten to lock the door.

Rick heard footsteps. He turned to watch Joe climb the stairs, a smile on his face.

“Hi, Rick. I didn’t even realize you were in town yet.”

“Really? How’s Lindy?”

“She’s fine,” the man said heartily.

“Where is she?”

“She’s still in the hospital. She’s going to be fine, of course, but they wanted to make sure.”

“I see. Would you unlock the door?”

“Yes, of course.”

The man stepped forward and inserted a key into the lock.

As he did so, Rick said, “And you visited the condo each month and saw Lindy?”

“Yes, and she was doing fine. I think it was just the shock of her mother’s death that upset her.”

“Why was she alone? Didn’t they have a housekeeper?”

“Yes, I believe they did. I didn’t think to ask—Well, who would I ask, after all? Lindy was in no shape for any conversation.”

“Of course.” Rick stepped through the door of the condo and saw what Miss Shaw had seen. A beautifully decorated living room. A dining room table and chairs that looked like it had never been used. He walked through to the kitchen and again, as she’d said, there was no table.

The lawyer followed along silently.

Next, Rick went to the master bedroom. It, too, was elaborately decorated. Rick opened the large closet and looked at some of the designer labels.

Joe smiled at him.

Then Rick turned to the second bedroom. After he walked through the door, he moved aside for the lawyer and folded his arms over his chest.

Joe gasped and turned to stare at Rick. “I—I don’t know what happened to the furniture in here!”

“What furniture?”

“Well, surely there was furniture. It’s Lindy’s bedroom, after all.”

“Have you ever seen Lindy’s bedroom before?”

“Well, no, of course not. I mean—it wouldn’t have been proper for me to go into her bedroom.”

“But you saw Lindy every time you brought over the check?”

“Absolutely!”

“And you’ve visited her in the hospital?”

“Of course, every day. I sometimes took my lunch hour and spent it with Lindy.”

“When was the last day you spent with Lindy in the hospital?”

“Why…yesterday, of course.”

Rick pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number he’d been given for Vanessa Shaw. He recognized the housekeeper’s voice when she answered. “May I speak to Vanessa Shaw, please?”

Joe was frowning.

“Miss Shaw? Rick Austin. Did you meet my attorney while you were at the hospital with Lindy?” He waited for her response, his gaze on the attorney. “And you were with her all the time?

“How long did she remain in the hospital? I see. Thank you, Miss Shaw.”

He hung up and turned to look at his attorney. “Joe, the woman who has been taking care of Lindy says she never saw you at the hospital.” The man started to answer and Rick held up a hand to stop him. “She also said Lindy left the hospital four days ago, so think before you tell any more lies.”

“I thought—I tried to do as you asked, but Mrs. Austin always said Lindy was out.”

“What time did you usually come over?”

“She asked that I come over around two.”

Rick put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Joe, I didn’t think you were that dumb. Lindy was in school at two every afternoon, unless you came over on a Saturday.”

“I’m sorry. I—I made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

“And how often have you lied to me in the past nine years?”

“Never about business, Rick. I swear!”

“Our relationship, business and otherwise, is over, Joe. I’ll let you know my new attorney’s name so you can send the files to him.”

“Rick, you can’t do this to me. It will ruin me.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you lied to me and failed to do what I asked. My little sister has been living in poverty while her mother was leading the high life! That wasn’t what I wanted, and I believe I made myself clear.”

Rick held out his hand for the key and stood waiting while his ex-attorney struggled to undo his key ring. While Joe did so, he pleaded for another chance, but Rick ignored him.

Once he had the key in his hand, Rick led him outside the condo, locked the door and pocketed the key. Without a word he walked away, Joe still trying to apologize and regain his trust.

After getting into his car without waving goodbye, Rick returned to the house where he’d left Vanessa Shaw. He felt he owed her an apology.

When he rang the doorbell, Betty recognized him at once and invited him in. She was leading the way to the library when another door opened and Vanessa Shaw came out with a young girl.

Rick stopped and stared. Could this slender blond lady be his half sister? “Lindy?”

The girl stared at him. Then, without a word, she crumpled to the floor.

“What’s wrong with her?” For an instant Rick was frozen in place, then he rushed over to Lindy, about five yards away. Vanessa, he noticed, had reacted immediately and was cradling the girl in a maternal gesture.

“She’s been worried about your return. I didn’t tell her about your earlier visit. She wasn’t ready for it.” She pushed Lindy’s hair out of her face with a caring touch. “What are you doing here again?”