Fallen Hearts (Casteel 3)

CAMDEN LAKEWOOD. Logan and I had gone to the large living room to await his arrival. Even though the three crystal chandeliers were lit like diamonds dangling in the noonday sun, I felt a gloomy darkness overtake me. The windows on this room opened to the north side, so the room didn't get as much light during the daytime as I would have liked. When I

redecorated, I introduced as many light colors as I could. Now I sat wrapped in my private darkness, surrounded by the bright hues I hoped would fill our days, waiting for the news that would tear Drake out of my life and leave a void even a rainbow could not fill.

Mr. Lakewood hovered in the doorway a moment, holding his briefcase. Logan, who had been making himself a gin and tonic at the wet bar, came around to greet him. I remained sitting on the couch, too tense and too frightened to move. "Mr.

Lakewood," Logan said, "please come in. Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you," Camden said and sat on the settee across from me. "Sorry to demand such an immediate meeting after a trying day, but--"

"Please, Mr. Lakewood." I was unable to contain myself much longer. "Just tell us what you have learned that has caused you to become so pessimistic about the outcome of the custody hearing." I couldn't believe how overwrought my voice sounded.

Logan came up beside me. I reached up to take his hand and he pressed his fingers around mine reassuringly.

"Well, this has all been something of a shock to me, Mrs. Stonewall. I must say, this story gets more and more intricate by the day," Camden Lakewood began.

"Go on, please," I beseeched.

"I received a phone call from Wendell Burton soon after we left the courtroom today and then, on the basis of the information he gave me, proceeded to make phone calls and do some investigating. As you know, Anthony Tatterton's lawyer, J. Arthur Steine, has some interest in this case and it was he who--"

"Just tell us what it is, Mr. Lakewood," I interrupted, unable to contain my impatience.

"Yes, Mrs. Stonewall. I'll get right to it." He took a deep breath and sat back. "It seems Mr. Burton had a meeting with Mrs. Wilcox right after the hearing, mainly to explain to her why he thought she would lose custody of Drake. During the course of this discussion, Mrs. Wilcox revealed, in a manner that illustrated that she didn't unde

rstand the significance of the information, that Luke Casteel was not, in fact, your father. She told him your real father was Anthony Tatterton," Camden Lakewood concluded and shook his head.

I loosened my grip around Logan's fingers and sat back. Logan sat down on the arm of the couch. I felt the blood rise up my neck and fill my cheeks with heat.

"What does this mean?" I asked in a voice barely more than a whisper.

"What this means, Mrs. Stonewall, is you have no blood relationship to Drake Casteel, whereas Mrs. Wilcox does. Obviously, that changes the picture?'

"We can fight this," Logan bellowed. "It's Fanny's word against--"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Stonewall. You see, Mr. Burton has already moved to subpoena Anthony Tatterton. I spoke with Mr. Steine, who immediately spoke to Mr. Tatterton. Needless to say, this creates a great deal of complication," he said, shaking his head. He was already sweating and had to wipe his forehead with his handkerchief. I understood from the look on his face that Mr. Steine had placed certain pressures on him.

"Then Tony admitted . ." Logan muttered.

"Yes, he admitted it to Mr. Steine and the implication was clear that if he were put on the stand under oath. . . well, from the way Mr. Steine was speaking, it would appear that Mr. Tatterton is under some emotional strain these days and--"

"He would admit to it?" Logan said

incredulously.

"It's just his way of getting back at me," I said softly, shaking my head. "But what I don't

understand," I realized, looking up quickly, "is how Fanny found out. I never told her anything about my relationship with Tony and--"

Camden Lakewood carefully cleared his throat. "She claims to have a letter, written to her by her brother, Tom--"

"Tom?" I repeated, stunned.

"Evidently. Luke Casteel had told Tom the truth about your parentage and, in despair at your not being related by blood to him, he confided his sadness to Fanny." His eyes looked at me sadly. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Stonewall."

Oh, oh, oh. Tom. My Tom had known the truth.

And he had told Fanny. Oh, he must have been so upset! My strong steadfast supporter Tom now had lost me Drake. Tom, who would never do anything to hurt me. Tom, who was the only one to help me believe in myself. How hurt he must have been. That explained why he had given up on his dreams, why he had followed Pa's way, never believing himself smart or talented enough to go to college and work toward his dream of being President of the United States. Oh, how we had helped each other with our impossible ideals. How we had hurt each other! Oh Tom, Tom, why does life have to be so cruel?

"Can such a letter be used as evidence?" Logan asked Camden.