Max's Hart--Part Five

They pulled into the driveway of the Sanders' residence, following the winding path, and coming to a stop in front of the large stately looking home. It was a Victorian style home, which looked to have been built in the mid to late 1800s. It was where Andie had grown up, and from where she had later fled to go to college. The grounds were impeccably maintained, at one time by Andie's mother. Ivy flowed upward alongside the house and gardens full of flowers were abound. Several expensive cars sat parked in the far side of the driveway, waxed to a shine. If Derek Sanders was attempting to sell his business because of financial problems, his house certainly didn't reflect it.

They walked along the stone path leading from the driveway to the front door, Jennifer pausing momentarily to admire the greenery. Jonathan rang the bell, the sounds of chimes within the house could be heard echoing within. A few seconds later, the heavy door was opened by a maid wearing a gray dress with a white apron over top of it.

"Yes?" The woman looked at them, a look of annoyance on her face, as if they had just interrupted her daily polishing of the silver.

"We'd like to speak with Mr. Sanders," Jonathan explained, "Is he at home?"

"Come in," the woman spoke, sounding slightly more welcoming, "I'll see if he'll talk with you."

As the petite woman walked away, Jennifer and Jonathan looked to each other, both fairly impressed with their surroundings. Jennifer moved to look at a statue of a Greek god that rested atop a pillared stand. She couldn't help but wonder what it must have been like for Andie to grow up here. Everything seemed too perfect. It seemed so impersonal and cold, like the home had never heard the laughter of children or felt the love of a family. Ironically, the outside of the house looked similar to the one where she had grown up in Maryland, but the inside had a totally different feel to it. She couldn't explain it, but she didn't like it. Maybe it had been different when Andie's mother had been alive, she hoped so for Andie's sake.

A tall, distinguished looking man dressed in a three-piece suit entered the room. He was of similar height and build to Jonathan but looked to be about 10 years older. He extended his hand and introduced himself. "I'm Derek Sanders. Is there something I can do for you?"

Jonathan stepped forward, taking his hand. "I'm Jonathan Hart. My wife, Jennifer."

"I recognize you, from the business section of the paper. You have appeared in there quite frequently. What do you want with me?" Andie's stepfather hoped that this would somehow have to do with the sale of his company. Maybe Jonathan Hart industries was interested in acquiring a construction company. He knew that they were a very diverse company, perhaps this would be the break he needed.

"We've come to speak with you about your stepdaughter, Andie." As he spoke, Jonathan noticed the other man looking increasingly more uneasy.

"You mean my daughter. How do you know Andie?" The man's voice was filled with uncertainty, this meeting could not be good for him. How could they know that Andie wasn't actually his daughter? Only he and Andie were privy to that information, Andie having just found out recently.

Jennifer acknowledged his question. "Actually, Andie has been staying with us." She paused. "We have a mutual friend."

"Why don't you come into my den, we can talk about it there." He didn't want the help hearing about this, at least not like this. "Come in here." He motioned toward an open door. The Harts followed him into the room which functioned as his office when he was at home. He took a seat behind his desk, which was filled with papers, and a photo-a photo Jennifer recognized to be Andie's mother, Kathryn. She looked younger in the photo than when she had attended Max's funeral, but the face was the same. What kind of a man could look into the eyes of the woman in the photograph, the same woman whose daughter he was trying to kill. He was either a very cold and unfeeling man, or they were missing something. They sat down and waited for Derek to speak.

"Is she okay? The police dragged me downtown last night, accusing me of trying to murder my daughter…my stepdaughter…but they wouldn't tell me if she was okay or not." As he spoke, the Harts tried to read him, but they came up with nothing. His tone was professional, and he revealed nothing.

"Yes, she's fine…well, except for a gunshot wound to her arm." Jennifer watched his reaction. Again there was nothing.

He seemed mildly offended by the claims that the officers had made the previous night. "What is happening? Why would I try to hurt Andie? I have raised that girl since the day she was born, as my own, and now she thinks I have been after her? What is she thinking?"

Jonathan tried to explain. "She is very afraid. And she has been being stalked by someone whom she believes is working for you. Do you know a Tony DiMarco?"

"Tony DiMarco? No, I don't. Never heard of him."

"He doesn't work for you?" Jonathan asked.

"How many times do I have to tell you," the irritation level rising in his voice, "I don't know any Tony DiMarco! Again, I ask you, why would I kill my daughter…stepdaughter…Andie, I mean…Why?"

"The rumor on the street is that Sanders Construction is available to the highest bidder. Any truth to this?"

"Yes, there is. So what? I have been thinking of selling the company for a few months, even asked around a bit to see if anyone would be interested. I still don't get the connection."

Jonathan sought to clear that up for him. "What about your wife's will? What happens to the money from the sale of the company?"

Derek Sanders brushed his fingers through his graying hair and shook his head. "Now I see where you are going with this. You think that I want Andie dead so that I don't have to split the money with her. Why? I have more than enough to live on. I don't need her money."

Jonathan looked at him accusingly. "For some people there's never enough money."

Jonathan's last comment had pushed Derek's patience to the limit. He stood up, walked to the den's door, and opened it. "Mr. and Mrs. Hart, I think you've overstayed your welcome. It's time for you to leave."

Without argument, Jonathan and Jennifer walked through the door and into the foyer, pausing briefly for Jonathan to speak. "If you feel like discussing this, you can reach me at this number." He handed him a business card, embossed with the Hart Industries logo as well as his home phone number.

Derek took the card and nodded as the Hart's left through the same door from which they came.

"Looks like we've got some company, darling," Jonathan said, taking note of the bright red sports car parked in their driveway upon their arrival home. "Were you expecting anyone?"

"No darling, everyone thinks we're in New York. I hope there isn't any trouble." The fact that she didn't recognize the car troubled Jennifer, especially since the officer at the main gate had been instructed by Jonathan not to allow entry to anyone.

"I'm sure it's nothing, darling." Though his words were meant to reassure his wife, he found himself quickly exiting the car and moving toward the house at a very speedy pace. They entered through the back kitchen door, barely pausing to close the door behind them, and immediately ran into the kitchen.

"Hi Jennifer, Jonathan." Andie sounded relaxed, even upbeat, a fact that reassured her new friends that she was indeed alright.

Seated in the living room with Andie was a handsome man, whose striking good looks would have caught almost any woman off guard. He was almost 40 years old but anyone meeting him for the first time would guess his age to be nearly 10 years younger. He was very attractive, with dark wavy hair and green eyes. He was dressed as if he had just come from a photo shoot for the cover of GQ magazine, complete with a photographic smile. He was one of those men who exuded charm from every pore of his body.

"Hi Andie. We noticed the car outside, we didn't mean to interrupt," Jennifer began. "We were surprised to have company, that's all. Just wanted to make sure you were okay."

The man rose from his seat, buttoning the jacket of his perfectly tailored suit, and turning to face Jonathan. "Hello, I'm Michael Sanders, Andie's cousin. The guard at the gate called up to the house and Andie assured them that it would be alright if I were allowed in. It's nice to meet you Mr. Hart."

Shaking his hand, Jonathan replied, "Please, call me Jonathan." Motioning to Jennifer, he completed his sentence, "And this is my wife, Jennifer."

"Lovely to meet you as well, Jennifer. Andie has been telling me how kind you have both been to her. I do appreciate you both looking out for my cousin."

Jennifer smiled at Michael. "We're glad she came to us. It's been our pleasure to have her here. Please, sit down. Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you. I'm glad you both are here, I was just about to tell Andie why I am here."

"This isn't just a social call?" Andie instantly looked worried. "I thought you just came to see if I was okay." For the first time since Michael's arrival, Andie stopped to wonder how Michael knew where to find her. She hadn't called him and there was no way that he could have known about her link to the Harts. She had been so happy to see a familiar face that she hadn't even thought to ask. "How did you know I was here?"

"The San Diego police department told me. Uncle Derek called me late last night, ranting and raving about how he had been taken into police custody and questioned extensively about some attempts on your life. I thought that maybe he had been drinking again so I went down there personally to find out what was going on. They explained the situation, and when I told them that I was your cousin, they phoned someone at the LAPD who informed them that you had been staying with the Harts."

"We just came from seeing your Uncle," Jonathan explained to Michael. "I'm afraid he wasn't any more cooperative for us. What do you know about the situation, Michael?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. I was shocked to hear about the whole thing." Turning to his cousin he asked, "Why didn't you tell me about this? Maybe I could have helped."

Andie reached her hand out and placed it on top of her cousin's. "I was scared. And I didn't really believe it was happening. I didn't know what to do…and I know how close you and Derek are, I didn't know if you would believe me."

Jonathan steered the conversation back to the reason for Michael's visit. "You mentioned you came here for a specific reason?"

"Yes, I did. Last night when I returned to Uncle Derek's house after seeing the authorities, he was really agitated. He kept saying something about 'another man's child'….I don't know what he meant but he was furious. I knew it had to have something to do with you cause he kept yelling out your name and saying that 'you would finally get what was coming to you.' That is why I came here today, I wanted to warn you. I have never seen him this upset, Andie. Do you know what he was talking about?"

She faced her cousin, knowing that she owed him an explanation that was long overdue. "Yes, I do, Michael. You see, Derek is not really my father. I just found that out when my mother was dying. Apparently Derek has known it all along and the anger has been building which is why…" She began to weep softly, leaning into her cousin's chest for support.

"So Derek is behind the attempts on your life that the police told me about? Wow…" A look of disbelief conveyed his emotions. "I am shocked, to say the least. Why would he do that?"

Jonathan thought he should do the explaining for Andie while she regained her composure. "I think it all boils down to greed, Michael. It's amazing what some people will do for money. And perhaps revenge is a factor too, maybe he resents the fact that he raised another man's daughter."

"I just can't believe that Uncle Derek would do that. That doesn't sound like the man I know."

"That's exactly it, Michael," Andie said, drawing herself away from him and looking into his eyes, "The Uncle Derek you know and the man who raised me aren't the same person, they never have been. For years I have attempted to gain his approval but I was never good enough. I even resented you at times because of the close relationship that the two of you shared. At least now I understand why it was that way. How could he love me like a daughter when all he could see was another man's child. But I never would have believed it would come to this."

"Is there anything I can do for you, Andie," her cousin wanted to know. "If Uncle Derek is really responsible for this then I guess…" He stopped and looked down at the floor. Raising his head, he finished his thought, "I guess he will have to be stopped. What are the police doing to get to the bottom of this? Do they have enough evidence to arrest him yet?"

Jennifer had been sitting back quietly, listening to their exchange to this point. "Unfortunately, the police can't do anything right now, except keep Derek under 24 hour surveillance. They are still investigating but they have thus far been unable to conclusively link him to any of the attempts on Andie's life. But don't worry, Lieutenant Grey usually gets his man, and if he doesn't, Jonathan will." She looked at her husband proudly, full of confidence in his abilities.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Jonathan told him reassuringly.

Michael glanced at the Rolex watch on his left wrist and then reached up to straighten his tie. "I hadn't realized how late it had gotten. I have a meeting that I must attend. I don't want to give Uncle Derek any more stress, there's no telling how he will react these days. He has me bidding for a contract to build a new chain of retail stores…a multi-million dollar contract…and it won't look good if I'm late."

Andie quickly explained Michael's role at Sanders Construction. "Michael handles all of the day to day running of the company. He does all of the bidding on contracts and oversees the actual construction process. Derek has phased himself out of the routine stuff and he trusts Michael completely." Andie was clearly in awe of her cousin and his abilities.

"It's not that big a deal," Michael spoke up, trying to downplay his cousin's obvious admiration of him. "Andie is just easily impressed." He kissed Andie lightly on the cheek. "I really do have to be going now. Please let me know what is happening and if there is anything I can do to help. I will call you tomorrow to see how you are doing but call me if there are any problems in the meantime." He then turned his attention to Jonathan and Jennifer. "Thank you both for helping my cousin. I'm very grateful. It makes me feel better to know that she is here with you and that she is safe."

"We're just glad we can help," Jonathan responded.

Andie showed Derek to the door and followed him outside to his car, leaving the Harts alone for a few minutes.

"Jonathan, I was thinking…I think it would do Andie a world of good to get her out of the house tonight. Last night at dinner she seemed so much happier, more relaxed. I can't even imagine how hard this is for her." She paused, formulating a plan. "Do you remember Deann mentioning the get together that she is having tonight at her place? I think she said it would just be something casual, with some friends and Hart Industries employees. We had told Deann that we wouldn't be able to join them because of the New York trip, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we stopped by. We could introduce her to some of our friends, even Stanley will be there. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a great idea, darling. As long as Andie is feeling up to it."

As if on cue, Andie joined them again, obviously feeling more lighthearted after her visit with Michael.

"What do you think about going to a party tonight?" Jennifer suggested. She filled her in on the details of the party-who would be there, where it was, what she should wear-and Andie agreed with Jennifer that it sounded like just what she needed. He knew no one in LA, other than the Harts, and welcomed the opportunity to meet some new people. She excitedly went off to her room to rest for a bit before getting ready, reminding them of a child looking forward to a visit to an amusement park.

"We don't have to go for a couple of hours, how do you feel about a walk on the beach?" Jonathan wanted to spend some time with his wife before having to share her attentions with everyone at the party.

"I'd love it!" She jumped up from the couch, rushing up the stairs, with Jonathan following behind her, to change into something more suitable. They hadn't had an opportunity to change since arriving home, Jonathan was still wearing a business suit and Jennifer a casual knit dress. A few minutes later, both of them clad in shorts and a t-shirt, they walked along the beach hand in hand.

They both loved the ocean and spent many an hour just sitting on the sand, listening to the waves crash against the shore, and watching the sun rise or set, depending on the hour of day. It was peaceful there, taking them away from the hustle of their daily lives, and allowing them to unwind. Today they walked barefoot along the beach, where the water met the sand, feeling the waves on their feet and just enjoying each other's company. Neither one of them spoke for a long time, they didn't need to as they were almost able to read the other's every thought.

"I miss him too, darling." Jennifer knew the look on her husband's face all too well and wanted him to know that she understood what he was feeling at that moment. The entrance of Andie into their lives had stirred up all sorts of emotions for both of them. Though they had coped as well as could be expected with Max's death, they both still missed him incredibly. She gently tucked her arm around his waist, causing him to stop walking, and pulled him close to her. They sat down on the sand, watching the seagulls fly overhead and breathing in the cool ocean air.

"I thought it would get easier with time," Jonathan said softly. "I mean…it has gotten easier…I think it's just having Andie here. In so many ways she reminds me of Max."

"I know what you mean, darling. I can see him in her smile…her mannerisms…so many little things. At first it was almost unsettling to me, but now I am actually finding comfort in the fact that we have a little part of him still here with us. I still miss him but somehow this makes it…easier, I guess."

Jonathan reached over and brushed away the stray hairs that the wind had blown into Jennifer's face. "Do you know that you have an amazing way of putting things into perspective? She is the only part of Max that we have left, other than our memories, so we better do everything we can to keep her safe."

"I have the utmost confidence in your ability to do just that," she told her husband, with a twinkle in her eye. She leaned toward him, brushing the inside of her hand against one of his cheeks, before placing a kiss on the other. Her hand lingered next to his face before resting on his shoulder.

He reached up and took her hand, still resting on his shoulder, and gradually lifted himself to a standing position, pulling her up along with him. "I think we better get back to the house if we are going to make it to Deann's party. I have a couple of phone calls to make before we leave and I know how long it takes you to get ready." He looked to her for a reaction and wasn't disappointed.

"Me?" She laughed at him, knowing that he was merely trying to tease her. "I am the only woman in America that waits for her husband to get ready."

He didn't dispute her, more often than not it was she that waited for him to finishing getting ready for social events. He was constantly amazed at her-in what seemed like record time she could throw herself together and the end result was always perfection. He had heard so many men complain about their "high maintenance" wives and was thankful that Jennifer was not one of them. She was always meticulously groomed and dressed in the finest clothes but for her it seemed so easy. She enjoyed her visits to the spa and shopping on Rodeo Drive but for her it wasn't the obsession that it was for other women in their social circle.

They walked slowly back to the house, reminiscing about Max and the times that the three of them had shared. By the time they arrived at the house, they were both feeling much more relaxed and looking forward to a night out with friends.