Long Live the Rebel Read online

  “Hi, sweetie,” Mom said, sounding bright and cheerful as she answered.

  “Hi.” I tried not to be too sharp in my tone, tried to keep it mild. “Hey, I need to ask you something.”

  “Sure, what’s up?” I could hear water running, along with some mild clanging noises taking place in the background, and figured she was out tinkering in her garden again.

  “Mom, who is Jacob T. Daniels?” The sudden silence on the line was deafening, and I waited for her to reply. When several moments passed, I said, “Mom?”

  She cleared her throat. “Where… where did you hear that name?”

  “Why, Mom? Who is he?”

  “Answer the question, AJ!” she snapped.

  “No, Mom,” I fairly growled at her. “You answer the question. Who is he?”

  “I’m hanging up. I’ll talk to you when you’re willing to be an adult about this.”

  “His attorney sent me a letter. His attorney, Mom. It seems Mr. Jacob T. Daniels died about a month ago.” I heard her sharply indrawn breath, her shuddering exhale. “It also seems that he is claiming to be my father. And that up until a month ago, he’d been alive all this time. Which is odd… because you told me my dad died before I was born. So, I’ll ask you again, Mom. Who is Jacob T. Daniels?”

  “We shouldn’t talk about this over the phone, AJ.” Her voice waivered, “Why don’t you come home. We can talk then.”

  “I am home, Mom. This is my home. And I don’t have time to come to Florida right now. I need to know, though, so I’d appreciate the truth from you. Now.”

  “I’ll talk to you when you come here, not over the phone.”

  “Fine, Mom.”

  “Good, I’m glad you’re willing to be reasonable about this. When do you think you’ll be able to come?”

  “Sorry, you misunderstood me. You refuse to tell me your side of this story. Fine. I’ll just call the attorney and see what he has to say.” From past experience, I knew she had no intention of telling me the truth, no matter if I went there or not. She’d just use it as another weapon to hold over my head for manipulative purposes. Just another something to try and use against me and shape me to her will. Just another avenue she’d use to vent her dissatisfaction with my life choices. It was always about control with her, and the best way to avoid the battle was to circumvent the confrontation.

  “No! AJ, no!”

  “You had your chance, Mom. I gotta go.” Somehow, I’d known she’d respond like this. Unhelpful. Controlling. It was just one of the many reasons our relationship was always strained. I hit end before she could respond again. Then I headed to the house, ignoring her repeated attempts to call me back. After I settled onto my bed, and Josephine settled onto my lap, I dialed the number for one Kerry Walker, Attorney-at-Law.

  The phone rang four times, then I heard, “Law Office, Walker speaking.” The voice was average, the tone mild. Not giving me any clues as to age, ethnicity, anything.

  “Mr. Walker? Mr. Kerry Walker?”

  “Yes, this is Kerry. How may I help you?”

  “Mr. Walker… this is AJ McAdams. You sent me a letter… about Jacob Daniels.”

  “Ms. McAdams.” He drew in a long slow breath. “Yes, thank you for being in touch. We have a lot to talk about. I’m sure you have questions for me, and there are some things I need from you as well—"

  “Mr. Walker,” I said, interrupting him. “This whole thing is very confusing to me. I was under the impression my dad had died before I was even born. And now you are claiming that this man is, or was, my father. I don’t understand any of it.”

  “I understand, Ms. McAdams. I understand this is confusing. Have you spoken with your mother yet?”

  “Yes.”

  “And was she able to shed any light on this?”

  “No,” I admitted. “She wasn’t. She refused.”

  “I anticipated that reaction, based upon what I know.”

  “And just what is it that you know, Mr. Walker?”

  “Due to the legal ramifications of this situation, I can only inform you of so much over the phone. The rest will need to be said and done in person. What I can tell you is that your parents came to an… agreement… after you were born. I have a copy of that document and can give that to you when I see you in person. I think, once you read this and some other documents and letters that Jake left for you, things will make more sense. I am sorry for your loss, in more ways than one. Jake’ll truly be missed.”

  His last comment gave me pause. It took me a moment to respond. “You knew him well?”

  “I did. He was a fine man. A fine man.”

  “And yet, he just left me, ignored me my whole life. That ‘fine of a man’?” My feelings and emotions were a tangled mess inside me. They began to clog my throat, and I tried to quietly clear it.

  Mr. Walker was silent for a moment, apparently acknowledging my pain and confusion, before saying gently, “I know it’s hard to understand, Ms. McAdams, but I truly do believe that you’ll comprehend things much better when you come here and can see for yourself…”

  “So, I’m just supposed to head off to Washington State? To deal with the estate of a man I’ve never met or even known?”

  “Again, Ms. McAdams, things will make much more sense, when you come here. I promise.”

  Taking a deep breath, I said, “All right. If that’s the best that you can do…”

  “I know this is difficult. I know it is. But things will make sense when you are able to look through all the documents I have for you. At least come and hear the will and decide what you want to do then.”

  “I’ll think about it. I’ll give you a call before the weekend. Thank you for your time, Mr. Walker.”

  “Call me Kerry. And I’ll wait to hear from you. You take care.”

  “Thank you,” I said as I hung up.

  Five minutes later found me still seated in the same spot, my mind spinning. When the phone rang, I jumped, startled.

  It was Leslie. “Hey, Lez.”

  “Did you call?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  “He wants me to go to Washington.”

  “And are you going?”

  “I don’t know, Lez. I have a lot going on here. I’m in the middle of Midnight Marine…”

  “You can take that with you.”

  “So, you think I should go?”

  “I think it might be a good idea. Just go. See what all this is about. Then come back. No worries.”

  “I… guess.”

  “It’ll be fine, AJ. You want me to check on airline tickets?”

  “No. Not yet. I need to check my calendar and see what’s coming up.”

  “The next thing I have for you is in June, on the 20th. You have a speaking engagement at the Book Warehouse in Anaheim. After that, you’re doing a signing for Authors Unlimited in L.A. in July. Then you’re clear until September for your release of Friendly Fire.”

  “This is why I love you, Lez.”

  “So, should I book that flight?”

  “No, actually, not yet. If I go, I think I’m going to make a road trip of it. Take my time, just let my mind relax and mentally prepare for whatever I might learn there.”

  “Well, okay then. Sounds like a plan. You need me to make any arrangements for you?”

  “Thanks, Lez. I’ll let you know if I do.”

  “All right, sweetie.”

  Deciding a shower before dinner would be nice; I slid Josephine off my lap and headed for the bathroom. The phone was ringing when I stepped from the cloud of steam into my bedroom. Looking at the Caller ID, I saw that it was Mom. Again. Still not wanting to speak with her, I ignored it. Then my cellphone began to ring. Wow, she’s being persistent. I ignored the cellphone, too. Then the room phone began ringing again.

  Seriously, Mom? “What, Mom?” I said as I answered.

  “AJ! Look, hon, don’t call that attorney. Wait until you can speak with me. There is nothing to gain by
heading down that road. Trust me.”

  “Trust you? Mom, you lied to me. And you won’t tell me the truth about it. Why should I trust you?”

  “What I did was for the best. To protect you.”

  “To protect me from what?”

  “To protect you from him, baby.”

  “What does that mean? Is — was he dangerous?”

  Mom was quiet for a moment, “At the time, yes.”

  “Well, he’s dead now — for real this time — so I don’t think I’m in much danger from him.”

  “AJ, please don’t… don’t pursue this any longer. Just let it go.”

  “I’ve already spoken with the attorney, Mom. I leave this Friday.”

  “Dangit, AJ! I asked you not to!”

  “I know you did. And I asked you for the truth, but you wouldn’t give that either. So, I guess we’re even.”

  “You’re going to regret this, AJ. All this is going to do is bring you pain and misery. But you won’t listen to me. You never listen to me!”

  “What are you afraid of, Mom?”

  “I’m only trying to save you from being hurt, AJ!”

  “Hurt by whom, Mom?”

  “That’s not fair. You’re taking a perfect stranger’s word over mine, your mother’s!”

  “I’m not taking anyone’s word on anything. Which is why I’m going to Sequim, Mom. So that I can find answers.”

  “This is a mistake, AJ.”

  “You said that already. I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “I love you, AJ. I hope you know that.”

  “I love you, too, Mom. But I’m still going.” After hanging up, I turned and dropped backward onto the bed. Why are things always so difficult with her! Josephine crept close to see if I was all right; wanting to be scratched. That brought a smile to my face. She always knew when I was upset.

  I glanced at the clock — it was almost dinner time. Still needing to dress, I rolled myself off the bed. Standing in my towel, I looked into my closet. Normally, I’d just throw on jeans, go down to eat, then head back upstairs to write. But tonight, thanks to recent events and conversations with my mother, I wasn’t in the mood to sit in my room. I reached for my cell and dialed Harley. Harley and I had been best friends ever since we’d met working at a pizza joint our senior year. We’d even moved from Florida to Coronado together. And man, had we shared some serious adventures. We could be a little wild and crazy, though I was more the brake to her accelerator. We balanced each other out like that.

  Harley worked for the Hotel del Coronado in Guest Services, and I’d used several of her more fun experiences in my books over the years. She was my wingman, and I knew I could always count on her to have my back, no matter the situation. And right now, I needed her.

  “Hey, doll!” Harley said as she answered.

  “You have plans tonight?”

  “I’ve got a meeting with upper management in about twenty minutes; some big client is coming in and they want to prep us for the occasion. That should last about an hour. Then I’m free. What’s up?”

  “Wanna head to CBC and get a drink?” CBC is short for Coronado Brewing Company. They’d opened some twenty years ago — a couple of brothers, getting a jump on the craft-brew craze and were now well-established, offering a brew with a coastal tone.

  “Yes. Definitely. Can I meet you there?”

  “Yeah, see you in an hour or so.”

  We hung up, and I quickly stepped into my jeans, threw on a t-shirt, and headed down for one of Mrs. Carson’s awesome homecooked meals before going out to meet Harley and hopefully relieving some of this awful stress.

  CHAPTER TWO

  A Time for Every Season

  The Coronado Brewing Company was moderately crowded when we arrived, but we found a table easily enough. Wading through those gathered around the bar, we skirted several large and boisterous groups as we followed the hostess.

  Harley was as shocked as I had been when I told her my news. And even now, some thirty minutes later, concern was still clearly stamped across her face. “What are you going to do?” she asked between bites of carne asada fries, smearing each bite in guacamole and sour cream. “What did your mom say?”

  Harley was well aware of the relationship I had with my mom. She’d been witness to the numerous attempts Mom would make trying to manipulate me to her way of thinking. The way she critiqued everything from my chosen profession to the friends I kept, the men I dated — or didn’t date — my hair style, my tattoos, and my decision to move to California. Taking a deep breath, I let it out in a rush. “My mother was… my mother.” I shook my head. “Completely unhelpful. I spoke with Lez, though, and I’m going.”

  “You are?”

  “Yeah,” I nodded. “I am.”

  “You think that’s smart? I mean, yeah, he left you property and all, but he ignored you for your entire life…”

  “I know. It’s just… it’s just, I feel like I need to do this. I feel it in my gut, Harley.”

  “Well, I guess there’s a time for every season, or something like that. That’s a literary quote, I’ll have you know.”

  Chuckling, I said, “Of a sort. It’s from the Bible. From the book of Ecclesiastes. Third chapter, first verse. King Solomon wrote it.”

  Harley laughed. “This is why I love you. You’re a walking knowledge bank, AJ. How in the world do you even know that?”

  “I’ve read the Bible — you should try it. Valuable stuff in there.”

  “Yeah, I’ll have to see about that.” Harley sipped her drink then said, “How long will you be gone? Like a week or so?”

  “I’m anticipating at least two weeks. Probably longer, though. I guess there are a lot of extenuating circumstances that are in play here.”

  “Wow. That’s a long time.” Harley kept her eyes down as she finished her beer then looked up at me, worry in her gaze. “What am I going to do without you, AJ?”

  Chuckling at that, I said, “What you always do — shine.”

  “Yeah, but I shine best when I’m with you. You know that. I need you. I mean, come on, just tonight we’ve each had three phone numbers handed to us. I need you here, AJ.”

  I couldn’t contain my eyeroll at her comment. Harley was tall and raven-haired with bright blue eyes. She was infectious. And despite her insistence that she needed me, the truth was she didn’t. Harley was fully capable of being on her own and making a success of everything she attempted. “You don’t need me, Harley. You do just fine flying solo. But I’ll be back just as soon as I’m able.”

  “Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  “You know I won’t be able to keep the cat. The apartment doesn’t allow pets.”

  “I know. I figured I’d have to bring Josephine with me.”

  “On a plane?”

  “No; I’m going to drive.”

  “All the way to Washington State? On your own?”

  “Harley, please. Yes, on my own. I’ll be fine. I’ll map out the entire route and keep everyone posted as to my progress. Promise.”

  Harley nodded thoughtfully, a mischievous look in her blue eyes. “What?” I asked.

  “Well, I was just thinking… you’ll be in Washington, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well… just watch out for those sparkling ones. I mean, don’t get bit or anything.”

  I stared at her in silent disbelief.

  “What?” she said. “It could happen. Odder things have happened, AJ.”

  “Harley, you know that Twilight is based in Forks, Washington. Not Sequim, Washington, right?”

  “Pssht, close enough. All I’m saying is to watch out.”

  Rolling my eyes at her warning, I assured her that I would be safe, and even promised her that if I was bitten, I’d come see her and return the favor.

  We finished eating, and I paid the tab as I’d been the one to ask Harley to join me. Then we said our goodbyes, and I headed back to the house. Checking my p
hone as I parked in the driveway, I saw that it was closing in on ten. Lights were still on in the house, so I figured now was a good time to let Mrs. Carson know I would be gone for a while.

  Mrs. Carson was seated in her study. Cozy was how I’d describe this room, almost reminiscent of an old Victorian sitting room where ladies sat and gossiped. A cup of tea sat beside her on the little table. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace, despite the fact that we lived in sunny, southern California. “Mrs. Carson?” I asked as I entered the room.

  “Yes, AJ?” she replied, laying down her book.

  Glancing at the cover, I saw it was a Nora Roberts novel. She seemed to really like them.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be leaving for a while. I have some personal things I need to take care of. I’ll be gone for at least two weeks, possibly longer. And I’ll be taking Josephine with me when I go. I’m paid up for the next six months, aren’t I?”

  “Oh, yes, dear. You are. You’re taking your cat? Is everything all right? You never take your kitty with you on your jaunts.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I’m taking her this time. I have to go to Washington State. Like I said, it’s for personal reasons. I’ll let you know if my stay needs to be longer. I just wanted you to know. I’ll be leaving on Friday.”

  “All right, AJ. Just be careful. I wish you had someone close by that could watch over you.”

  Gritting my teeth, I managed to smile and say, “That’s really sweet, Mrs. Carson, but I’ll be fine. Truly. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” Maybe it was because I was the youngest person living in this house, and single to boot, but she seemed to always take a rather motherly approach when dealing with me. For the most part, it didn’t bother me, but then other times, I really had to bite my tongue.

  Mrs. Carson nodded and went back to her novel. After leaving her in the study, I was almost to the stairs before I spotted Paul standing against the wall in the shadows beside the tall window. My heart lurched in my chest before I recognized him, before I caught that distinct smell his cigarettes gave off. “Yeesh, Paul! Cut that out, will ya? Darn near scared the crap out of me.”