He ignored everyone in his way until he reached Kelly. From the look on his face, he’d seen the interview.
“Where’s Matt?”
It took a moment for the meaning behind his question to register. “Oh, Lord. He’s at school.”
He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go!”
* * *
THE SIGHT OF reporters already thronged outside the school had Kelly grasping Evan’s hand once more.
“How did they get here so fast?”
Evan shook his head. “Reporters get wind of these stories hours before they air.”
A few news vans lined the street with their antennae hoisted for transmission. Evan squeezed her fingers, sending her a silent look of encouragement.
He offered a fifty-dollar bill to the taxi driver. “If you’d be so kind as to drive around the block and wait on the next street, we’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
The guy palmed the bill. “Sure.”
Evan turned to Kelly. “You are going to be barraged with questions. Don’t say a word. If anything, plaster a look of outrage on your face.”
His words penetrated the panic constricting her chest. Despite the few times she had formulated a game plan should Matt’s identity surface, she hadn’t truly prepared herself for the reality of the situation. She hadn’t prepared herself for the emotional crush that she just might have to confront her rapist and fight him for her child. This terror had her fight-or-flight response on full alert. She recalled her helplessness against the full force of Campbell’s power, and fear seeped right down to her bones. For the first time in her independent life she was grateful for Evan’s presence and his savvy in dealing with the media. His steady head helped cement her resolve to get through this ordeal intact. The determination in his eyes replaced her panic with anger at Doyle’s violation of her personal life.
She inhaled a breath, ready for the gauntlet. “You have yet to see angry, Evan.”
“Good! Let’s go.”
Once outside the taxi, Evan pulled her past reporters shoving microphones in her face and shouting questions. She had no problem saying nothing. She’d never said anything before and wasn’t inclined to do so now. Behind her she heard one female reporter saying, “And NCTV morning show host, Evan McKenna, is escorting Kelly Sullivan into her son’s school.”
Oh, dear. Evan’s friendship would certainly be tested now.
Kelly had phoned the school’s headmistress en route. Matt jumped from his seat in her office when they entered.
“Hi, Mom! Hi, Evan!”
Kelly’s heart squeezed at the joy in his innocent face. He had no idea how his world would change in the next few hours. She exchanged looks with the headmistress. “Thank you for having him ready. If it’s okay, I’ll call you later with details. We really must get moving.”
“Don’t worry, Ms. Sullivan. Happy to help in any way we can.”
“Where are we going?” Matt looked from Kelly to Evan.
Evan raised his hand for their secret handshake. “Hey, Matt-man! We’re going to play a little hooky today. I have a surprise.”
“Really? Can we, Mom?” He looked at Kelly with hopeful eyes.
While her knees felt like they’d buckle beneath her if Matt saw the reporters outside the school, she hadn’t come this far protecting her son to fall apart now. “That’s why we’re here, honey.”
Evan turned his winning smile on the headmistress. “We sure could use a back door if you have one.”
She returned the smile. “We have children of celebrities at our school. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you through to the building next door. It has a private garage.”
“Excellent. We’ll need one additional favor, if you don’t mind?”
“Yes?”
“I have a taxi waiting on the next street. The driver is a guy wearing a Yankees baseball cap. If you could direct him to the garage, that would be a big help.”
A young secretary rose from her desk and headed for the door. “I can do that for you, Mr. McKenna.”
“Thank you.” Kelly and Evan spoke at the same time. Kelly prodded Matt forward in the headmistress’s wake. “Time to go, buddy.”
* * *
NOT UNTIL MATT was in Evan’s penthouse absorbed in the pinball machine with the buzzing, bells and the macabre laughter did Evan lead Kelly to the overstuffed couch in the living room. He sat next to her, his close proximity more daunting than Kelly wanted to admit. She wondered if he sat so close with the intention to intimidate her. She wouldn’t give him the chance.
She held up a hand. “Don’t ask.”
“That’s not an option, Kelly. Were you the Campbell’s nanny?”
She met the interrogation in his eyes directly.