The Outsider Series

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

“Mother!” Andy shouted as he slammed the front door and strode across the grand entryway.

Jules, of course, came running. “Sir, please, is there something you need?”

“Where’s Mother?”

“I’m right here,” Caroline called to him from the library.

When he strode in, she was sitting behind his desk, dressed in a dark blue silk pantsuit. She had his drawers open and was sifting through his personal records, which had been in a locked drawer.

“What the hell are you doing in my desk?”

She leaned back and crossed her legs, clasping her hands. “How was your morning, Andy?”

The way she said it, Andy knew she had been responsible for that circus in the courtroom. His mother had connections, money, but he never thought she had this kind of power. He obviously didn’t know her very well, and that terrified him. “Why would you do that to Laura? What did she ever do to you? You had your temper tantrum. Her child was taken away, for God’s sake. What kind of monster are you?”

“Andy, sit down, and don’t talk to your mother that way.” Todd Friessen was lounging on the sofa—Andy hadn’t seen him sitting there when he walked in.

“What the hell is this? Dad, we were always close, but doing this to an innocent girl is not okay. Which one of you was responsible for that carnival at court this morning?” Andy didn’t move but stepped back to really see both his parents. Right now, he didn’t like this vision of the two of them allied together. He wished for a moment that his father would take off with a new mistress, leave town for a while.

“That was necessary. We warned you, and apparently the threat to have your cousin’s funding pulled wasn’t enough incentive for you. After that stunt last night with Alexis, you humiliated her, abandoning her like that right before dinner. She couldn’t face anyone for dinner; she was to be seated beside you. Can you imagine the humiliation for her, seeing your name on the place setting but being greeted by an empty chair? There were whispers, but fortunately for you, it was hinted that you were so crazy about Alexis that you two snuck off together. The senator knew the truth, and he’s still livid. So you have a choice, Anderson: You will either knock off this foolishness and get to know Alexis or you’ll be responsible for a whole lot of misery. I think a spring wedding would be best.” Caroline spoke as if this were just a casual business deal.

“I don’t think so. I made it clear to you before that you will never have any say in who and when I marry!” Andy shouted.

Todd laughed. “Actually, son, it’s your choice. You see, Laura Parnell will never see her child again unless you make this happen. And remember, too, it’s amazing the things that turn up in people’s pasts. Dear, weren’t you telling me that several pieces of your jewelry are missing, and they were last seen before Laura cleaned your room? How many days ago was that? And Jed, wow, do you remember that incident Jed had with his brothers when they were teens, the time the sheriff brought them home with… what was it, theft, vandalism, public mischief? I guess the details don’t really matter. We just need to allude to the crime—they can dig and find out what really happened. Oh, that’s right. The senator doesn’t like any hint of a scandal, so by the time Jed straightens it out, his funding will be gone for good.”

Andy felt ice water chill his blood. He shut his eyes and started to leave, but then he stopped. He’d seen firsthand today just how far his parents were willing to go, so whatever deal they had with the senator, they needed him to make it happen. “So if things go your way, will Laura get her son back?”

“Well, it’s getting awfully close to Christmas, so can we expect your answer tonight?” Caroline asked.

Andy only nodded and left, fearing what he needed to do for a young lady named Laura who was out of her league, a pawn in a dirty game she had never signed on for.