worry, Anna. Jim and John are good police officers, and they take their jobs seriously. They’ll get the report to the prosecutor ASAP. Then we wait, see what happens, take it from there. Just keep Christina entertained until she’s on her feet.”
“Of course—thanks, Daniel. I’m glad you’re on our side,” she added. “Mandy, could you see Daniel out?”
“Absolutely,” she said, giving Anna a sly wink.
“I’ll see you soon, Anna,” Daniel said.
When she returned to the den, Christina was sound asleep.
Chapter 22
The phone jolted Anna awake. She looked at the time. “Is this Anna Campbell?”
She tossed the covers aside. It was just after six in the morning. “Yes, this is she.”
“This is a courtesy call from the Lubbock Police Department. We need to speak with you. We’re on our way.” The line went dead.
Anna wasn’t sure the police even made courtesy calls. Not caring about the time, she dialed Daniel’s cell number.
“Morning, Anna. I take it they called,” he said.
“The cops? Yes. Said it was a courtesy call. What does that mean?” She was in the bathroom, running a brush through her long hair, which was still damp from the shower last night.
“They’re bringing you in for questioning in the Robertson arson case. I told them I’d bring you in myself. No need to go to your house, make a big scene.”
Time stopped. Anna felt like she’d been punched in the gut. Rage took over. “What? Surely you don’t think I had anything to do with that?”
“Of course not. Apparently, the daughter told the investigators you had it in for her because you think she pushed Christina down the stairs. It’s Christina’s word against hers, though I don’t think it’s going to be a problem proving she had something to do with it. Certainly anyone who knows you wouldn’t expect you to retaliate by burning their house down. It’s not pretty, but I’m headed your way. We can go to the police station together. Clear this up, and you’ll be home in time for lunch.”
“You’re sure?” she asked.
“As sure as I can be. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, Anna. Don’t worry. I’ll have this cleared up soon.”
Anna quickly slid into a pair of jeans, a cream-colored blouse, and a pair of ballet flats. She twisted her still-damp hair into her usual topknot, then called Mandy, who was in her room here at the house.
“Listen, the cops are bringing me in for questioning. Renée told the arson investigators I might have something to do with the fire. I need you to look after Christina. Mona and Jeb left for Idalou late last night. They won’t be back until tonight. You good with this?” Anna asked, racing around her room, gathering her cell charger and stuffing it inside her bag. “Daniel is taking me down to the station. Keep this as quiet as you can. I don’t want Christina to get wind of this.”
“Wow, no worries. I’ll take care of everything on this end.”
“Thanks, Mandy. When this is all over, remind me to send you on the vacation of your dreams.”
“I will. Now, go do what you have to do to settle this mess.”
Anna went downstairs quietly, careful not to make any noise. With Christina in the den, it was tough to sneak out of the house so early, but she was waiting outside the gates when Daniel pulled up in a silver Ford truck. Pure Texan, she thought.
He stopped outside the gate and jumped out of the big truck. “I thought you might need a boost; you’re such a tiny little thing.”
“Thanks,” Anna said, as he helped her step up into the truck.
“I would’ve brought my car, but it’s in the shop.”
He did a three-point turn, then directed the Ford toward the police station in South Overton.
“I didn’t have time to make coffee, so we’ll go through the drive-through at McDonald’s, if that’s okay. I like their coffee a helluva lot better than Starbucks’.”
“Thanks,” she said. Though coffee was the last thing on her mind, she could use a dose of caffeine, no matter where it came from.
Anna didn’t pay much attention to the staticky voice at the drive-through, her attention fully on what lay ahead. How in the world did Renée think she could accuse her of something so vile and get away with it? Especially knowing she was responsible for pushing Christina down the stairs. The girl had issues, and Anna was through playing nice. That girl didn’t need treatment for issues; she needed to be locked away to