Then There Were None (Matt Foley/Sara Bradford series Book 2)

by V. B. Tenery

  Matt stood and walked to the window. Two gray squirrels performed a gymnastic routine, scurrying from limb to limb. “You’ll survive. You have Turner to keep you straight.”

  “You realize that would be the incompetent leading the confused,” Davis said.

  Matt chuckled. “When you get to Alice Springs, check into Trevor Nelson’s death. Ask the police if they consider the death suspicious.”

  “That’s on my list,” Davis said. “You think his death wasn’t an accident?”

  While they spoke, Matt made notes on a yellow pad. “Don’t know. I just want all the bases covered. Do what you have to do. But stop short of breaking the law. You wouldn’t like the prison system there.”

  Davis snorted. “I wouldn’t like the prison system anywhere.”

  Matt Foley’s Home

  Twin Falls, Texas

  The alarm jarred Matt awake. Sleep hadn’t come easy last night. When the clock sounded his wakeup call, it seemed he’d just fallen asleep. Rowdy had snuggled in close to him during the night. Matt shoved the dog over, sat up, then trudged to the closet. He grabbed his sweats and running shoes for his daily punishment. Rowdy jumped down and joined him on the deck for stretching exercises.

  He sucked in a deep breath of the chilled morning air as he started his run. It took a mile at a fast pace for the body heat to overcome the cold. He didn’t always enjoy running, but it helped clear his mind.

  As he ran, his body adjusted to the temperature and stress on his limbs. Feeling the ground beneath his running shoes, he moved into a smooth rhythm. The cool wind on his face brought with it the bracing scent of pine needles. Rowdy dashed into the woods to check out the wildlife.

  An hour later, he huffed his way home and made his way upstairs for a shower.

  He left the steamy bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and stopped at the sink to shave and brush his teeth. Reaching for the toothbrush, he saw Mary’s, still resting in the holder next to his.

  After her death three years ago, her brother had removed Mary’s clothing and personal items, knowing Matt couldn’t do it. He’d never been able to toss the toothbrush into the trashcan. Should be simple, right? Lift it and drop it in the basket not a foot away.

  Depression, brought on by the Grayson murders, stirred the old pain of his wife’s death. Knowing the cause didn’t help overcome it. He found himself questioning his relationship with Sara Bradford. Was he ready for such a commitment now? The status quo was a safe place to hide. No pressure to love another woman he might lose as he’d lost Mary. With a sigh of resignation, he lifted Mary’s toothbrush and dropped it into the receptacle.

  This was only a phase he was going through, brought on by the Grayson tragedy. And it would pass. He wiped the leftover shaving cream from his face then stepped into the closet to dress.

  Grayson Manor

  Twin Falls, Texas

  Matt arrived promptly at ten o’clock for the reading of the will. Perkins led him to the library where the small group had gathered. Longfellow dashed into the room and jumped onto Sean McKinnon’s lap.

  Ethan’s attorney wore the proper somber face as he called the meeting to order. “As I’m sure you know, most of Ethan and Ann Grayson’s estate will go to their remaining heir, Alexander. The exact sum is not readily available, but over the coming weeks, I’ll have to put a value to it for income tax purposes.

  “He also left sums to charities he and Ann supported, as well as legacies to his senior household staff. To Sean McKinnon, Elias Perkins, Amanda Castleton, and Emily Castleton, he left $500,000. Due to the death of Amanda Castleton, her share will go to her daughter, Emily.”

  Matt scanned the faces around him. Alexander showed no emotion. Nothing less than he expected. Sean’s and Perkins’s demeanor remained grave. Emily’s face blanched when the attorney mentioned her inheritance.

  The attorney continued, “Ethan asked that said employees, if they so desired, remain on staff at Grayson Manor as long as the property remained in the family.

  “To Sir Ian, Ann Grayson left family heirlooms and memorabilia which are listed in her will. I won’t read them, if that’s okay, but I’ll provide you with a list. Are there any questions before we adjourn?”

  Sean cleared his throat. “Is Longfellow mentioned in the will? If Mr. Alex doesn’t want the cat, I’d like to have him. We’re close friends.”

  “Of course, Sean, he’s yours.” Alexander said. “I’m not a big animal lover.”

  No further questions were forthcoming. The meeting ended, and Molly entered with tea.

  Alexander made his way across the room to Matt’s side. “No surprises in the will for you, Chief Foley?”

  “Not really. Thanks for letting me sit in.” Matt shook Alexander’s hand. “Tell me, what happens to the estate in case of your death?”

  Alexander shrugged. “If I have no wife or children, it would go to my grandfather, if he is still alive. Otherwise, everything would go to Ian.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Grayson Manor

  Twin Falls, Texas

  In her room, after the reading of the will, Emily lay across the bed. I have a killer to find, she thought, and no idea where to begin.

  Jack McKinnon wasn’t guilty. There was little doubt of that in Emily’s mind. Did he have a part in it? As much as she hated to believe it, that was a possibility. He had the murder weapon. The only way she could know for sure if he was involved would be to look into his eyes and ask. He could never lie to her.

  Dressing for dinner, guilt welled inside her chest. She fought an internal battle that had raged for the past week. Why was she the only survivor? It was an irrational question no one could answer, but she couldn’t hold it back. Each day it became more difficult to cling to the promise that all things work for good to those who love the Lord. What good purpose could her mother’s death possibly serve? Grief overwhelmed her in a moan of unbearable pain.

  When there were no more tears she straightened her spine. She must pull herself together. Dinner in her room would have been preferable. But avoiding people would be cowardly and self-serving. Perkins had other things to do. And so did she. Snatching a tissue from the holder, she wiped her eyes, added a few drops of Visine, and went downstairs.

  Ian and Alex waited for her in the foyer. Always the gentleman, Ian stepped forward and took her arm. “You look lovely, Emily.”

  “Indeed,” Alex said, leading the way into the dining room.

  Alexander’s jeans and a sweater bothered her. Unreasonable, of course. He hadn’t been home in years and had probably forgotten his father’s dictate that they dress for dinner. She had no right to judge. The house now belonged to Alex. Perhaps he wanted to set a more relaxed tradition. Certainly, he had every right to establish new customs.

  She chided herself for her inconsistency—having silently complained for years about having to change into semi-formal attire for dinner. But it was too soon, too painful to drop the old habits. Everything she loved had vanished. Clinging to the old traditions felt safe. She needed that. At least for a while.

  Ian being there helped, despite his overprotective nature. His gentle presence reminded her of Ethan. Ian had visited her daily in the hospital and he had become a dear friend.

  Silence filled the empty spaces. Alex and Ian picked at the meal—the three of them bound by the unfathomable sadness that enveloped the manor. How did one put such a tragedy behind them?

  Alex studied her from the table’s head, and the intensity of his gaze made her uncomfortable—as if he tried to see into her thoughts

  While Perkins served the rack of lamb, Alex, apparently in an effort to lighten the mood, lifted his wine glass. “To beautiful women and great food.”

  She and Ian lifted theirs halfheartedly.

  Alex sipped the wine and smiled at her over the rim. “Were you surprised at the legacy my father left you?”

  She placed her fork on the placemat. “Very surprised. Perhaps I shouldn’t hav
e been. Ethan and Ann were always generous. The money does answer a number of questions I had about my financial situation. For all I knew, I was broke and homeless.” She swallowed hard. “But I needn’t have worried. My mother made financial arrangements in the event of her death.”

  Going through her mother’s books had tested her resolve to stay strong. Had she known about the Grayson legacy, she could have postponed the unpleasant task until she was stronger.

  “If my father hadn’t made provisions for you, Emily,” Alex said, “I would have made sure you were taken care of. My parents considered you one of the family.”

  “Does this change your plans for the future?” Ian asked.

  “It will give me time to make plans.” She looked into his earnest hazel eyes. “Working in the church outreach the last few years, I considered going on the mission field.” She swallowed hard. “But now, I can’t do anything until after the trial.”

  Alex leaned back in his chair. “The police will handle that. You should get on with your life.”

  Emily didn’t respond. Let him think she would follow his advice. Finding the killer, the real killer, was uppermost in her thoughts. It wouldn’t bring back the family, but it must be done. She could never rest knowing her mother’s killer was still out there.

  Emily decided to plunge forward with an announcement. “I’m starting a new job, working for Sara Bradford tomorrow.”

  The two men looked up.

  Before they could respond, Emily rushed on. “Last year, Sara adopted two children. Now she’s afraid the children might be too much for her aunt and the housekeeper while she’s at work. She asked me to act as governess until she can make other arrangements. Since I know the children, she thought I might like something to keep me occupied.”

  Emily didn’t think it possible, but Ian’s expression became more somber. “Are you sure your health is up to that kind of challenge? Your left hand isn’t completely restored, and two children can be quite a handful.”

  “My hand is fine, really.” She wiggled her wrist. “I’m good as new, and I need something to fill my time. Poppy and Danny are great kids. They won’t be any trouble.”

  At the head of the table, Alexander lifted an eyebrow. “How is it you know the children?”

  Perkins removed her dinner plate, placed bread pudding in front of her, and offered vanilla sauce. She shook her head and waited until he finished serving the others. “They rode the bus in our church ministry outreach. Their family died in an automobile accident last November.”

  Ian nodded. “Then they’re hurting. You’ll be good for them, Emily. Children need a full-time positive influence. Sadly, there are no ‘do overs’ in parenting.”

  After dinner, Emily went straight to her room. The new job would be hectic until she became used to the routine. She needed the distraction. The job offered an added bonus. It would keep her close to Matt Foley and the murder investigation.

  Sara Bradford’s Home

  Twin Falls, Texas

  Danny and Poppy had finished breakfast when Emily arrived, and she sent them off to brush their teeth, following along behind to assist Poppy into her school uniform.

  On the drive to school, the children were silent, watching out the windows. A white SUV followed too close on her bumper and distracted her from the road for a moment. The driver backed off and she brought her attention back to the children.

  The kids were in their first year in the church’s private school. Danny was in first grade, having attended public school kindergarten last year, but Poppy seemed nervous, adjusting to the new routine in Pre-K.

  “How do you like your teachers?” Emily asked.

  Danny nodded. “Good.”

  Poppy’s face brightened. “Miz Anders teached me to tie my shoes. She gived me an old shoe and lets me practice every day.”

  Emily smiled. “Great. How’s it coming?”

  Poppy avoided her gaze in the rearview mirror. “I can do it now, ‘cept sometimes.”

  Emily pulled into the unloading zone, then got out and released the children from their car seats. Cupping the little girl’s face in her hands, Emily looked into Poppy’s bright blue eyes. “You’re so smart you’ll master that shoe-tying thingy in no time.”

  Poppy gave Emily a quick smile before she bounded through the school’s double doors behind her brother, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her.

  On the return trip home, Emily caught sight of the white SUV again. It unnerved her and she glanced in the rear-view mirror every few minutes to see if it still followed. After a few miles, it turned onto a side street. She released the breath she’d been holding. She was becoming paranoid.

  ****

  Emily straightened the kids’ rooms after dropping them off at school, made their beds, then threw their dirty clothes into the laundry chute. The day had turned chilly, and she put out warm play clothes for when they came home.

  Later she went downstairs to make snacks and drinks. Kids were always hungry when school let out.

  When she finished, Beatrice pointed her down the hallway. “Miss Maddie would like you to join her for tea.”

  Emily made her way down the corridor to the library’s open door. The smell of hickory logs blazing in the hearth beckoned her in. “Thanks for the invitation. This looks great. I skipped lunch. Lately it seems I forget when it’s meal time.”

  “I’m glad you stopped for a while. Skipping meals isn’t good for you. It’s important to keep up your health.” Maddie smiled. “Sit down and join me. The sandwiches are marvelous.”

  Emily filled a cup and took a finger sandwich from the tray.

  “How’s your first day going? The children’s energy level can be daunting. Beatrice and I are both here to help if you need us.”

  Emily laughed. “I’m certainly not overworked. I have to look for things to keep me busy. I would like to find some games they can play when the weather is too bad for them to go outside.”

  “That’s something Sara planned to do. With the adoption and all the chaos in her life, however, she hasn’t had the time.” Maddie pointed to the bookcase on her left. “There are a number of games on the bottom shelf. They may not be age-appropriate, though. You’re welcome to see what you can find in town. Sara will reimburse you. She wants to convert a large portion of the third floor into a study and play area before Thanksgiving.”

  “That sounds like fun. Perhaps I can help. I know my way around a paintbrush.” Emily glanced at her watch and realized it was time to pick up the children. “Thanks for the tea, Maddie. I’ll stop at the mall on the way home this afternoon, and check the game section at the toy store.”

  Twin Falls Mall

  Twin Falls, Texas

  Christmas decorations were in full display throughout the mall, although Thanksgiving was still weeks away. But stores weren’t crowded yet with shoppers and their Christmas lists

  The Toy Mart sat just inside the entrance and Emily found a red-vested clerk in the game aisle. “Hi, can you point me to games for five to eight-year-old’s?”

  “Sure,” the clerk said, and led her to a large selection.

  Four games and art supplies later, Emily exited into the crisp November air, enjoying the fragrant pine and cedar in the air as she strolled to her red Mini-Cooper. Shorter days had brought darkness early and only a few cars were scattered on the lot. She pushed the key fob to unlock the doors, tossed her packages into the back seat, and slammed the door.

  Before she turned to get into the car, a strong arm slipped around her throat and pulled her close against him. Something hard jammed into her ribs.

  A muffled voice with a strong Spanish accent whispered in her ear, “Get into the car and drive where I tell you. One false move and I’ll kill you right here.”

  For a split second, she froze. The man jabbed the gun into her ribs again.

  Anger rushed through her body like a jolt of electricity. Advice from her self-defense instructor flashed into her mind. “Never get
into the car and drive away with a kidnapper. Scream, make as much commotion as possible. Take your chances in a public place. If you are injured the likelihood of survival is greater than on a lonely road where you are at the mercy of your captor.”

  Emily released a frantic scream, jerked her right leg forward and kicked back hard against his shin with the heel of her leather boots, at the same time slamming her elbow into his chest. The man swore in Spanish, and the gun clanked to the pavement.

  The second he loosened his grip, Emily twisted free and sprinted toward the mall entrance. Terror pushed her on as sounds of the gunman scrambling for the gun reached her. She glanced back and saw his face for the first time as he picked the gun up off the cement.

  Emily stopped cold, unable to make her legs move to her command.

  “Police, drop the gun!” A female voice challenged from somewhere behind Emily. She moved quickly to the right out of the line of fire, giving the officer a clear shot.

  A petite uniformed female stood facing the Hispanic man, holding her police revolver with a two-handed grip. “I said drop the gun. Now.”

  The man hesitated a fraction of a second, seeming to weigh his chances. With lightning speed, he raised the pistol.

  But not fast enough.

  Two shots rang out. The bullets pierced his chest. A look of surprise crossed his face before he fell backward onto the pavement.

  Emily didn’t need to ask. The assailant died seconds after the bullets entered his body.

  The officer removed her radio from her belt and called in the shooting. She turned to Emily. “Are you okay?”

  Words didn’t flow easily through Emily’s trembling lips. “Y-Yes…you were amazing. Thank God you were here.”

  The officer gave her a self-conscious grin and looked down at the body. “An ambulance is on the way, but it won’t do him any good.” She looked a little shaken but in control. “I patrol this area and saw him following you when you pulled onto the mall parking lot. I became suspicious when he parked and waited in his car so I pulled around the corner where I could watch him. You did the right thing...not letting him force you into his car. Do you know him?”