The Puzzle (34 page)

Initially, I felt if I could find out where I came from, then I would understand where I was going. I felt this void for as long as I can remember, neglecting every other aspect of my life. You see, besides my bipolar meds, this was my drug of choice. I never told you about that before, did I? I secretly went the DNA route too.

I know, I probably broke some laws, but to me it was small in the scheme of things. Funny, the irony is that you never cared about your past. You were satisfied and content with just your writing and me. Me? I was miserable and lonely even though I had so many people around me. I won’t pull any punches. The documents with this note prove beyond a doubt the accuracy of my statements. Our fate in meeting each other was set in stone from the very beginning. On a whim, I threw you in as my control factor.

The paradox? Anna lied, pure and simple. She didn’t have a son. She had a daughter.
You, Sam.
Not me. That means Jack, who was a perfect match, is your father, not mine. My emotional devastation was complete. All my time was spent searching for a nonentity. I’m deleting all my research. Then I’ll take a final ride down the mountain and toss the laptop. I may not have had a say about how I got here, but I do have some control about how I leave. Clay is a good man and I sense he will watch over you.

Regretfully Yours, Stephen

I sat there, stunned. No tears. No words. I was numb. Finally, I whispered, “Bipolar meds?”

Clay set the note down and came around to my side of the table, leaned down and said gently, “Sam? Are you all right? Can I do anything, get you something?”

I slowly turned my head in his direction, and we made eye contact. “What is there to say? This was the last thing I would have thought conceivable on the subject of Stephen and myself. All this mental torment he was going through alone, and without realizing it, he ended up leaving his last hope for a legacy to me. Unbelievable.”

“Would you rather be alone? I could drive you home.” Clay offered.

I placed my hand on top of his. “No, not yet. This has just knocked me for a loop, that’s all. I need a few minutes to absorb all …
his
…I mean …
my
…
my
history.”

Clay stood up. “Why don’t I clean up? You go sit by the fire and have a few quiet moments to yourself. I’ll make us some coffee and then we can talk if you like.”

“I’d like that, Clay. Thank you,” I replied, grateful for his understanding.

A little while later, we sat companionably sipping coffee. There was a slight chill in the air and Clay had started a small fire in the hearth. It soothed my frayed thoughts, but not my questions. “What a waste. It’s obvious he took his own life, isn’t it?” I asked, but really knew in my own heart, he had. “I felt alone, but all his life he must have suffered too.”

I realized some of my theory was right. “Clay, when I walked the terrain where the laptop was found, I felt Stephen must have thrown it from his car on the way down the mountain because he was being chased. I was right about the first part, but wrong about the last. He threw it on purpose. Stephen had it all planned, right down to tampering with his own brakes. All because in the end, he lost what he thought should be his. I never would have expected this final secret and act of deception.”

Chapter 72

You Must Remember This

The flashing cursor on my laptop nudged me to keep on reading, so I wouldn’t forget any details of our conversation and the letter I found on that fateful night with Clay that changed my life. We talked for hours, both agreeing that it was a relief the truth was finally out in the open, and that my previous assumptions were right on the money.

As he rubbed his forehead and sighed, Clay, feeling guilty, finally admitted to anonymously stalking me from the very beginning, sending me the notes to jar me into some kind of action. He was the one who made the phone calls during the storm and then heroically rescued me to gain my confidence, so he could find out helpful information for both of us.

He also confessed to chasing me through the woods, while I was hiking, to scare me just enough to get me angry, so I would dig in my heels and not give up my search. Then he rescued me yet again to erase any doubt in my mind as to his loyalty and friendship, so I would readily confide in him in the future. My car accident was something else entirely, and proved to have nothing to do with Clay or Stephen at all.

The truck belonged to Travers Trucking in Franklin. The two men had been drinking at a local bar the night of my accident. They panicked when they saw what they had done and successfully disappeared by taking the old log road back. After all those months, one of them, burdened by a guilty conscience, finally confessed to the local authorities, implicating the identity of the driver. Recently, they were formally charged and awaiting trial. It was a close call that almost wiped out Jack’s ultimate wish.

Clay told me, he finally confided in Barbara and Jack that fateful morning, just before I arrived and found them in Jack’s study. He informed them he was working with the authorities and was following me closely. That explained, why Jack didn’t know what to say to me when I stood there in the doorway. His worst fears were indeed true. Stephan’s brakes were tampered with. He was also devastated to learn that Clay had possession of the laptop and all information had already been deleted from it.

The other day, I received a call from Clay. With my permission, he sat and had a long conversation with both Barbara and Jack to let them read Stephen’s letter and papers, allowing Jack some privacy to absorb the shock of discovering he now had a daughter. I didn’t think I could have handled a disappointed expression from Jack if he would have preferred a son, but Clay said they both cried when learning about Stephen’s suicide and that Jack was overjoyed by the unexpected discovery of having a daughter.

Aside from the loss of someone they both loved, they were thrilled to have a family at last. To celebrate, they decided to get married and wanted me to give them away. The wedding would take place at their home this evening. I was already dressed and anxiously waiting for Clay to pick me up. The other family reunion I solved was almost comical. I smiled at the memory of how it was handled.

Martha and I were planning to move some large pieces in the store. Clay had volunteered and offered to bring someone to help. Martha was beside herself, wondering how I tricked Clay into so eagerly wanting to lend a hand. The bell rang at the door and we both turned. There stood Clay and right behind him was Ben.

Martha sized Ben up and down and then turned to Clay. “You could have brought someone a little more muscular. I wouldn’t want him to hurt himself,” she mocked.

“Be nice. Never refuse an unexpected gift,” Clay lectured.

“What do you mean gift?” Martha asked, warily.

I walked over to her. “I’ve got good news.”

Ben whipped out a bouquet of flowers. “Mom!”

Martha snapped a look at Clay, and then me. We nodded simultaneously, smiling.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” she said to us both, shocked.

I took her hand. “No, Martha. It’s true. Ben’s your son. Aren’t you excited?”

She turned back to a beaming Ben, shaking her head, laughing. “God help me.”

Now I was reading everything I had written down as fast as I could, and still laughing, as I recalled that last surprise and everything before it, hoping I had caught the essence of my story, now that it was finally put to print. I didn’t want to miss one single detail.

I wanted everyone to know that besides all the pain and heartbreak, what a full and rich life I now had. I was one lucky woman. My agent and editor loved my book and got it published.

What was the saying? Every time a door closes, another one opens? Well, I had hoped my readers got the true impression of what I was trying to convey. You see, every day is a gift, and we should embrace it, whether good or bad. It’s a part of who we are and the possibility of who we might become.

I heard the door open and looked up. It was my forgiven knight in shining armor,
Clay
. I was now a true believer in happy endings. I watched him approach me slowly and confidently.

“Hi,” I said, smiling.

He smiled back. “Are you nervous?”

I took his hand in mine. “Just a little.”

He leaned in to gently kiss me.

“Oh, I like that,” I admitted, invitingly.

He grinned, whispering, “Say it again, Sam.”

And I did.

About The Author

Peggy A Edelheit
has three sons, lives with her husband & miniature Schnauzer & spends time between Bucks County, PA and South Florida.