Crown's Law by Wolf Wootan Read Free Book Online Page A

let
things run their course—let the cops find an abandoned car and do
their thing. He cut across to the I-5 and headed north to Santa Ana
to switch the van for his flaming red Camaro convertible.
    It was quite dark by the time Sam and Becky
were speeding south on the I-5 toward Capistrano Beach and his
parents’ beach house. Becky sat silently in the soft leather front
passenger seat of the Camaro. Her world as she knew it was about to
change forever. She just did not know how. She was now an official
orphan at 13 years old. She was tired, depressed, and silently
grieving for Rachel, but she tried to keep her lips from
trembling.
     

Chapter 6
     
    Saturday, August 8, 1998
    Capistrano Beach, CA
     
    Sam had called his mother and told her that
he was bringing a waif to the beach house for the night, and he
thought his mother seemed a little bit too agreeable. Sam knew his
parents—especially his mother—were disappointed with their only
son, Samuel, for not producing a grandchild. Sam could not help
it—he hadn’t found a woman with whom he wanted to settle down and
make a family. Maybe he never would. Besides, he enjoyed variety,
having bedded dozens of beautiful women in his life. And he
intended to bed many more. Sam was sure that his mother would have
a great time doting on Becky until he could decide what to do with
her.
    As they passed through the Beach Road guard
gate, Becky finally spoke. “Wow! Is that the ocean I hear? Cool!
Right on the beach!”
    “Yes. That parking lot we just passed as we
turned in is called ‘Meter Beach’ because of the parking meters
they put in. It’s a state beach. Inside the gate here is all
private beach. You’ll like it here. And you’ll be safe.”
    “Thank you for this, Sam. I didn’t know what
I was gonna do without Rachel,” said Becky.
    When the two of them entered the house
through the door from the garage, Mrs. Helena Crown was waiting for
them, a big smile on her face.
    “There you two are! My goodness, child! So
thin! You must be hungry!” Helena rattled on.
    “No, Mother, hungry she’s not. Becky, this is
my mother, Mrs. Crown. This is Rebecca Rogers, Mom,” replied Sam.
“She likes to be called Becky.”
    “How do you do, Becky! Welcome to our
home.”
    “Pleased to meet you, ma’am . . . Mrs. Crown.
Thank you for letting me spend the night. I’ll try to not cause you
any trouble, but could I have a shower, please? This was to be my
shower day.”
    Helena looked at Sam and her face was
signaling that her heart was cracking.
    “Of course, dear! Samuel, carry Becky’s bags
up to the south guest room so she can get cleaned up. Then, come
back down here. We need to talk.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” said Sam, and he led Becky
upstairs to her room.
    The room had a queen-sized bed, a dresser,
two night stands with Tiffany table lamps, and a small makeup table
and chair. It was done in Spanish antiques and was the best looking
bedroom that Becky had ever seen! Becky plopped down on the bed and
bounced up and down. She couldn’t believe her good fortune!
    “Oh, my! I haven’t slept in a bed in forever!
And never a bed like this! Either I won’t be able to sleep, or I’ll
never wake up! I don’t know which!” exclaimed the excited
child.
    Sam showed her the bathroom—and soap,
shampoo, towels, and a new toothbrush.
    “Get cleaned up, then come on downstairs.
We’ll talk. Oh, and one more thing, Becky. Mrs. Crown doesn’t allow
bad language—not even from me! So watch your mouth, OK?”
    Becky smiled, “Sure, Sam! I’ll try real
hard!”
    Sam closed the bedroom door and left her
alone. She took off her shabby clothes and then stood in the shower
for a long time, silently crying. She had not wanted anyone to see
her cry, but now she let it all out. She felt so alone. What would
she do without Rachel? Where would she be tomorrow? She was
scared.
    ***
    Downstairs, Sam filled his mother in on
Becky’s situation, telling her everything he knew about