Runaway Fate: Moonstone Cove Book One

by Hunter, Elizabeth

  “What’s Mario saying?”

  “He’s still unconscious.”

  “But it’s Abby,” Katherine said. “I can’t imagine her even defending herself if someone was attacking her. There’s no way—”

  “No way she would hurt someone she loved.” Baxter’s voice was soft. He turned to Katherine and took her hands in his, pressing them between his palms. “And I’m sure Justin McCabe’s family and friends would say there was no way he would shoot up a fitness center full of people.”

  “No way Sarah Jordan would overdose her horse on tranquilizers,” she murmured. “You think Abby was participating in the study.”

  “I think it’s very likely,” Baxter said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if there is any way that I can help, I will. I don’t care about the ethics of the thing. You and me? We’ll be fine. Right now an innocent man is in the hospital, unconscious and gravely injured. And a bright and brilliant young woman is also in the hospital and under suspicion of attempted murder.” He shook his head deliberately. “Not her. Not Abigail. I know this girl.”

  Katherine nodded and put her cheek on Baxter’s shoulder. “We’re going to find out what’s happening.”

  She felt absurdly guilty for not foreseeing Abby’s breakdown. Why would she see Justin McCabe’s crime, but not Abby’s? Was it just proximity? Could she only see things right in front of her?

  Just so you know, Baxter, I’m just the tiniest bit clairvoyant. Nothing serious, merely a slight case of visions, but I thought you should know.

  Nope. She still sounded like a delusional person in her head.

  Baxter put his arm around her shoulders. His voice was low and grim. “If Ansel Shaver had anything to do with harming these children’s minds—”

  “Bax.” She reached up and squeezed his hand. “There’s no reason to think that. He’s not the friendliest person, but I’ve never known him to be unethical or cruel. We need to find out who was in that study. There were probably dozens of students, and it seems like any of them could be at risk.”

  She hadn’t known Sarah or Justin before their violence, but she’d known Abby. If something could make cheerful, funny Abigail Chung a violent person, anyone was at risk.

  “I may have an idea on that,” Baxter said. “I don’t know Shaver very well, but I know Anita Mehdi, one of the other professors who worked on it with him. We chatted a bit about the data collection and methodology months ago along with Professor Kraft.”

  “Alice Kraft? Isn’t she in computer sciences?”

  “Yes, but she was working with them on the reporting, I think? We spoke in general terms only, but I’m certain it’s the same study you were talking about.”

  “Do you think Professor Mehdi would be willing—?”

  “Maybe.” He turned toward her, and the planes of his face were shadowed in the moonlight. “For Abby—for all the other students—I’m willing to risk the ask.”

  Chapter 16

  When Katherine answered the door on Wednesday, she was expecting to see Toni or Megan even though it was a bit early for their usual meeting.

  What she wasn’t expecting was a trio of women with nervous smiles. The one in front was vaguely familiar. How did Katherine know her? Was she a neighbor? Someone from work?

  “Katherine!” The woman with sandy-brown hair spoke first. “I am so sorry.”

  “For?” How did she know her? Not work, she was… “You’re Mark’s wife!”

  “Robin. Yes. I am so sorry for barging in on you like this.” She genuinely looked apologetic. “I know we’re probably interrupting you, but—”

  Katherine looked at the two women behind her. “Which one of you is Monica?”

  A curvaceous brunette with dimples and warm brown eyes waved. “Hi, Katherine.”

  “It is so nice to meet you.” She opened the door widely and nearly pulled Monica inside. “I cannot tell you how reassuring it was for me to speak to you about…” Katherine suddenly remembered Baxter was in the study. “You know, I should introduce you to my husband.” She shook her head and mouthed, “does not know” as she pointed to her temple.

  Monica’s and Robin’s eyes lit up immediately.

  The other woman with them had pink-and-black hair. She looked confused. “Doesn’t know what?”

  Monica elbowed her and pulled her down to whisper in her ear.

  “Oh right.”

  “Baxter?” She leaned over to Robin. “Why are you here?” she whispered.

  “Girls’ break. Staying at the beach.” Robin was looking around her, surveying the house. “Your house is stunning. Lots of cool midcentury pieces here.”

  “Katherine?” Baxter poked his head out of the study and his eyes went wide. “Oh. Hello to lots of new people.”

  The pink-and-black-haired woman pointed directly at him. “You have a kick-ass accent and I love it. It’s Chinese but also British and it’s awesome.”

  Baxter smiled. “I’m from Hong Kong.”

  “That would explain it.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Val. I’m not the ringleader, but I’m probably the instigator.”

  Baxter laughed. “Nice to meet you, Val.”

  Katherine stepped to his side. “Do you remember my friend Mark?”

  He frowned. “Vaguely from running, right? College friend?”

  “Yes.” Katherine held out her hand toward Robin. “This is Robin, Mark’s wife. She and her two friends are here for a quick getaway, and they were nice enough to stop by.”

  Monica stepped forward. “Your wonderful wife helped me with a research question last year, and I’m so pleased to meet her finally. I’m Monica.”

  “Monica, it’s very nice to meet you.” Baxter looked around his kitchen, which was filled with women. “Are Toni and Megan still coming over?”

  “Are they?” Monica sounded excited. “Oh, that would be perfect.”

  “I think so.” Katherine was very tempted to grab Baxter, run into the office, and lock the door behind her. Two extra people in her house felt crowded. Contemplating five…

  “If they’re coming over, we might be too much company,” Robin said. “After all—”

  “It’s fine,” Katherine blurted. “It might be a little crowded inside, but we usually sit on the deck.”

  Val stepped toward the door and put her hands on her hips. “And why wouldn’t you? That’s one incredible view.”

  “You have incredible views too.” Katherine turned to Baxter. “They’re from Glimmer Lake.” Deep breaths, Katherine. In. Out. There is plenty of air.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful there. I love to go up in the winter right after it snows.” He frowned. “How long is that drive?”

  “About four hours,” Robin said. “Not too bad.”

  “Little complicated when you only have two hours’ notice,” Val muttered. “But yeah, the drive is nice.”

  His eyebrows went up. “Two hours?”

  Monica elbowed Val. “She’s just complaining because we dragged her away from work.”

  “She’s a workaholic.” Robin put her arm around Val. “We all are.”

  Baxter chuckled. “You’re in good company here.” He glanced at Katherine.

  She was trying her best not to look panicked.

  It was fine. It would be fine.

  They could go outside.

  The crowded feeling would go away and she’d be able to breathe.

  Baxter saw her. “Darling, why don’t you all go out on the deck, and I’ll bring a bottle of wine. No reason to stay in here where it’s crowded.”

  She was a brilliant woman. Absolutely brilliant. Not because of the two PhDs, that had nothing to do with it. She was brilliant because she married Baxter Pang when she was twenty-seven. How could she have known he’d be so wonderful?

  “Thanks.” She forced the words out. “Robin, Monica…” Dammit. She’d forgotten the third name.

  “Val.” The woman was already walking to the door. “Deck or bust for me. I want that ocean
view.”

  She turned to Baxter. “When Toni and Megan get here—”

  “I’ll send them back.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Look at you. You’re the center of attention.”

  “Make it stop,” she whispered.

  “If they’re here too long, I’ll come out and start telling them about the ABC-conjecture controversy.”

  “Careful. That’s such a compelling story they may never leave.”

  “I know you mean that sincerely.” He walked over and opened the wine cabinet in the kitchen. “Go entertain the guests. I’ll bring some wine out shortly.”

  “You are a prince among men.” She reached for wineglasses and hooked four between her fingers. “Thank you, Bax.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled at the women on the deck. “It’s quite lovely to see other people appreciating how delightful you are, you know? It makes me feel rather clever.”

  She felt her cheeks flush as she walked to the door. “I’m paying you back for that compliment later.”

  “I shall look forward to it.”

  Katherine stepped out onto the deck with the four wineglasses, a polite smile, and a spiraling sense of confusion about what exactly came next.

  Her life didn’t exactly feel like her own anymore.

  “So.” Monica scooted forward and reached for a glass. “Why don’t I start by telling you why we’re here?”

  * * *

  “You saw all of us?” Toni asked. “Like, in your vision?”

  Monica nodded. “You were holding a gun on someone. You looked… intent. That’s the only word for it.” She turned to Megan. “You were throwing someone into a tree.”

  Megan’s eyes went wide. “For real?”

  “Do you have superstrength or something?”

  “No, but I’m telekinetic.”

  “That might explain the superstrength,” Val said. “Combine natural strength with supernatural?”

  “Maybe,” Monica said. “And then Katherine was…” She frowned.

  “What?” Katherine felt a sense of impossible dread. What was Monica seeing? She didn’t look happy. “What was I doing in the vision?”

  “It looked like you were playing chess, but I couldn’t see with whom.” Monica held up her hands. “Sometimes the visions aren’t exact.”

  “Chess?” Katherine didn’t even like chess. Chess was Baxter’s game. “Okay. Chess.” Weird. She’d have to think about that one.

  “I saw the vision last night,” Monica said. “But we’ve been meaning to make a trip over here for a while. We talked to you a couple of weeks ago and then we didn’t hear anything back.”

  Robin said, “We were a little worried.”

  “You’d have reason to be,” Megan said. “Since the thing at the gym, we found out there was another young lady who may or may not have a connection to the boy who tried to shoot up the gym, and she had a very strange outburst too.”

  Katherine said, “And then just a couple of days ago, Baxter found out one of his grad students stabbed her boyfriend.”

  “Oh my God, is he alive? Is she?”

  “Yes and yes, but they’re both in the hospital.”

  Val narrowed her eyes. “Any history of violence or abuse?”

  “Nothing,” Katherine said. “No domestic violence ever reported. Very loving. Both perfectly normal kids in their midtwenties. The young man is still in a coma, and Abby—she was Baxter’s student—is at the hospital, but she’s being held on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. She claims she doesn’t remember what happened. She woke up and they were both bleeding. Baxter talked to her parents yesterday. She’s terrified and very confused. She’s still convinced that someone broke into their house and she doesn’t remember anything.”

  Monica shook her head. “God, that’s scary.”

  “She was bleeding too?” Val asked. “So the police are saying she stabbed him and then herself?”

  “That’s what it seems like.”

  Val set down her wineglass and pointed at Robin. “Ghost.”

  “We don’t know that,” Robin said. “I can look into that if you can get me close enough to visit with the girl, but there could be something else going on.” Robin looked at Toni. “You’re an empath, right?”

  Toni nodded. “Whatever that means. I’m still not quite sure yet.”

  “I’ve been doing some research with a few sources I’ve found that I trust,” Robin said. “Empaths and mediums don’t have much crossover, but there is some. Both powers involve connection with human energy. Maybe I can help you find some focus. It could be that you’d be able to sense a spirit’s emotional presence even if you can’t communicate with them. I might be able to teach you more about reading emotional signatures, which could come in handy.”

  “Do spirits have emotional signatures?”

  “Oh yes.” Robin nodded. “Very definitely. Sometimes they’re more emotion than anything else.”

  “Interesting.” Toni nodded. “Okay, I’d be game for that.”

  Val raised her hand. “Okay, who’s the telekinetic?”

  Megan said, “That’s me.”

  “Just so you know, I’m hella jealous. Telekinesis is so much cooler than psychometry,” Val said. “Can you imagine being able to, like, do the dishes while you make yourself a cup of coffee? It’d be like having an extra hand.”

  Monica gasped. “Val, you might even be able to… fold all your laundry.”

  “Stop judging my laundry sofa. It’s clean. Who cares if it’s folded or not? My two boys? I doubt it. If they want folded clothes, they can fold them.”

  Megan raised her hand. “For the record, I don’t have anywhere near laundry-folding control yet, but I do agree that would be awesome. Folding laundry is the worst.”

  Val pointed at her. “Thank you!”

  Monica shook her head. “How can you say that when ironing exists?”

  “Who irons anything anymore?” Toni asked. “The only person I know who irons is my mother, and that’s only my clothes for mass on Sunday.”

  Katherine watched the interplay of personalities, completely fascinated. The five women around her were all very different, but it was evident that the three women from Glimmer Lake were longtime friends. They spoke to each other more like Katherine spoke to her sister.

  Yet she could already see Toni and Megan showing some solidarity with each other even though neither was likely to admit it.

  And her?

  Well, she still felt a little bit on the outside, but she also felt included. She had a tie with all these women now. They were an accidental sisterhood of supernatural abilities. In another age, they would have probably been called a coven and burned for witchcraft.

  Moving on from that pleasant thought…

  “I haven’t had any more visions,” she said. “Rather, I haven’t had any helpful ones. I might get a flash of a dish or a cup falling, which isn’t helpful. I saw a car accident once; that was awful. I was able to stop a little boy from falling and hitting his head very badly at the grocery store last week. He was in the aisle over and was trying to climb out while his father shopped. I was happy I was able to save him from a few stitches.”

  “That’s great,” Monica said. “And at the beginning, I had a lot of mundane visions too. Mostly in my dreams, but sometimes waking ones. More dreams though. So I had this vision about you, and we’ve all been thinking about you girls. My thought was, what if we all took a few days off to come over here to the coast and help you all get a handle on this? I mean, we can’t teach you everything, and I’m sure you’re all busy—”

  “Not me.” Megan’s smile was bitter. “I moved out here and I have no job. No business. My husband is constantly gone. My kids are all doing their own thing. I’m thinking about getting a dog just so someone is excited when I come home at night.”

  Awkward silence fell over the group. Katherine glanced at Toni, only to find the woman staring back at her, looking as lost as Katherine fe
lt.

  “I want a dog,” Katherine blurted out. “A fluffy one. Medium-sized. Maybe a poodle.”

  “You should get one,” Toni said.

  “Agreed,” Monica said. “Definitely get the dog.”

  “I’m more of a cat person,” Val said. “But whatever floats your boat. And Megan, the upside to your children and husband being sort of assholes right now is that you have me for the rest of the week. I can’t teach you how to move stuff, but I do know quite a bit about the psychic energy of objects. And we can commiserate about teenagers.”

  Megan took a deep breath and forced a smile to her face. “Thanks. That would be great. I’ll give you my number.”

  “And Toni and I can work on the empathy stuff,” Robin said. “I’ve been doing some research too.” She reached down and took a manila folder out of her enormous purse. “And I have some ideas.” She noticed everyone looking at the folder. “I like research.”

  Katherine felt an immediate kinship with Robin. She probably liked spreadsheets and charts too. A kindred spirit.

  “And you and I can talk about seeing the future,” Monica told Katherine. “I know your visions are much more immediate and literal than mine, but maybe we can learn how to stretch things so that whatever you see, you have more time to react. I used to have no control of mine, but lately I’ve been able to control them a bit more.”

  Katherine nodded and felt a little bit of her unease settle.

  “Yes. I think I’d like that. Control would be good.”

  Chapter 17

  “So.” It was Thursday, and Monica met Katherine at North Beach Coffee Company. “How are you?”

  Katherine had barely taken her seat. She’d finished office hours that afternoon after two classes in the morning—Thursdays were her busiest day—and then sent two of her graduate students over to the Fred lab to do preliminary work on the current prototype that Job and Britt had tweaked.