A week later Elizabeth stood in the wings of the local Sweet Valley morning show, watching Bruce talk to Mindy Pete, the perky news anchor with the wavy strawberry blond hair and bright green eyes. In any place other than Southern California, she would’ve been supermodel material, but here in Sweet Valley, she ranked only barely above average.
Bruce had asked Elizabeth to come this morning and she had, despite the fact that she should’ve been checking in with Robin. She had moved to her new house yesterday, and Elizabeth had promised to come by and help her unpack.
Instead, Elizabeth was stuck watching Bruce and the perky news anchor slowly dismantle the scared girl’s credibility.
“Unfortunately, we’ve really come to a place where there’s no due process anymore,” Bruce said in his level, reasonable-sounding voice. “Anyone can accuse anyone of anything, and there’s just the assumption of guilt.”
“Yes,” agreed Christina Black, an actress who had been one of Bruce’s most vocal supporters. She was sitting next to him on the little couch on the morning show set. The actress, brunette and tan and leggy, also happened to be in the top spy thriller released just that week.
Jessica had said Bruce shouldn’t be alone in any of his interviews. She thought it best if he appeared with a supportive woman by his side, someone credible but not an attorney, because no one went on television with a lawyer unless they were guilty.
Part of Elizabeth felt like she should’ve been the one sitting beside Bruce on camera. Yet she’d quickly backed away from the idea when Jessica had mentioned it a few days ago. Bad idea. Robin would certainly see her on television next to Bruce and her cover would be blown. But, worse than that, deep down, she wasn’t sure she could convince other people that Bruce was innocent. Elizabeth didn’t know what she herself believed these days. Bruce’s story had so many holes. It just didn’t add up. And then there was that nagging memory of the Bruce from high school at his family’s beach house that she just couldn’t quite forget. Had he just been a dumb, drunk teenager? Or was there something more to it?
“The sad thing about this whole situation,” Christina continued, “is that most people think someone like Bruce, who has wealth and power, is invincible. But the fact is, anyone, for any reason, can come forward and make a ridiculous claim like this and suddenly all of Bruce’s hard work championing the environment and other social causes just goes out the window. It’s unfortunate that good men like Bruce have become such easy targets in this accuse-first, ask-questions-later society.”
Mindy nodded her head solemnly, agreeing. Mindy would likely agree with whatever Christina said.
“The sad fact is there are a dozen reasons why a scheming person would want to target Bruce,” Christina added. “In fact, even people who oppose his environmental policies aren’t above these kinds of tactics. Or just someone looking for a bit of fame or money. It’s really sad what desperate, selfish people will do.”
Mindy nodded again. Elizabeth felt a twinge of anger on Robin’s behalf. The actress was so convincing, and beside her Bruce looked like a battered puppy dog. Who really was the victim here, anyway?
“Honestly, I just wish I knew who my accuser was,” Bruce said. “I frankly just feel blindsided.”
Yeah, like Robin felt when you tore her clothes… The thought jumped into Elizabeth’s mind before she could stop it. Is that what she thought? Did she really think Bruce was capable of violently attacking a woman? She thought not, and yet the evidence was stacking up against him. Elizabeth always prided herself on basing her opinions on facts. That’s what made her a good reporter.
Of course, on the public front, more people came to Bruce’s side every day. Jessica’s PR offensive was paying off.
“The woman who did this? She’s just despicable,” Christina said.
The interview ended there, and Christina gave Bruce a quick hug before she darted offstage. Mindy walked back to her news anchor desk, and Bruce sauntered over to Elizabeth, a look of relief on his face.
“How’d I do?” he asked her.
“Um…good.” Elizabeth tucked a strand of blond hair behind one ear. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet and tried to look anywhere but at him. She felt he’d be able to read the suspicion on her face.
“What’s wrong? Did you think Christina overdid it? I’ve known her forever and I know she has strong opinions.”
“No, she was good. It was all good. Really.”
Bruce studied her face a moment. “Well, she was good, but you would’ve been better.”
Elizabeth couldn’t quite meet Bruce’s eye. “You know I don’t like to be on camera. That’s why I’m in newspapers, not TV.”
The two of them walked together outside the studio to Bruce’s waiting car.
“Yes, but you know me better than anyone,” he said as he paused by the door.
“I’m sure Christina won you more fans than I ever could.” Elizabeth sent him a weak smile.
“Something is still bothering you.” It was a statement of fact, not a question. Suspicion lurked in Bruce’s eyes.
Elizabeth sighed. “I just don’t understand how food poisoning could’ve made you dizzy.”
“This again?” Bruce’s voice rose a little bit. “Elizabeth. Don’t you trust me? I mean, it sounds like you’re doubting me.”
“No, no—of course not.” Elizabeth put her hand on his arm. “I trust you, Bruce. I believe you.”
Relief fell across his face, and Elizabeth felt guilty. All he wanted was her support. Why couldn’t she just give it to him—no questions asked?
Bruce folded her into his arms for a hug and Elizabeth went, but stiffly. She couldn’t quite relax with his arms around her. The reporter in her would never stop asking questions. That’s just who she was.
“Elizabeth…” Bruce said, and in that moment she knew he could feel her discomfort, too. Elizabeth had never been a good actress. She stepped away from his embrace.
“I’m sorry, Bruce. This whole thing…I’m just so upset…for you. For both of us. It’s just so much to handle and I want to help you, but I feel so powerless about everything.”
That part was the truth. She felt powerless to protect Bruce…if it turned out he was really guilty.
“If we could only find out who this girl is, then I’m sure we could get to the bottom of it,” Bruce said. “Have you found any new leads?”
Elizabeth cleared her throat. “No, and that’s partly why I’m so frustrated. I’m going to work on it today.” The lie came so easily. Since when had she become so good at lying? Elizabeth never used to lie, hardly even white lies. Yet ever since these allegations had surfaced, she’d turned into a habitual liar. Lies, she realized, were more addictive than potato chips. She started with one and had to keep going with another, and another, and another. She wondered if she’d ever be able to stop.
“I’m going to work on it today,” Elizabeth promised.
“Okay,” Bruce said, but a sliver of doubt remained in his eyes.
During the car ride home, both were silent, lost in their own thoughts.