by V. B. Tenery
“The ID is positive, whether or not he knows is another question. My guess is no,” Matt said. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to murder your sister and her family. He would have known he would be an heir and Ethan and Ann would have welcomed him with open arms.”
Matt grabbed his coat from the hanger by the door. “We’re on our way with a warrant. Perhaps your nephew can answer some of your questions. Find Emily and be careful. Take one of Ethan’s guns with you.”
“I’m a man of God, Matt. I can’t use a gun.”
“Perhaps you should make an exception in this case.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Grayson Manor, Twin Falls
Twin Falls, Texas
“When did you know, Emily?” Alexander asked.
Emily closed the door to the horse stall and turned to face him. Sunlight beamed through the open stable door. She couldn’t see his face with the sun behind him and wondered if he could see the anger and fear in her eyes.
“A few moments ago, when I saw you with the rifle.” Her voice sounded low and strained to her ears. Sad. Calm. “Do you have any concept of the pain you’ve caused?”
“I’m sorry, Emily. I never wanted to hurt you. After I dropped you off that night, I’d hoped to avoid killing you. You startled me when you shouted from the stairs. I turned and saw you standing on the stairs...so very lovely...I think that’s why the shot missed its mark. When I learned you had survived, I had mixed feelings. Glad you were alive, but I also feared you might be able to recognize me. That’s why I asked you to come back to Grayson Manor to recuperate.”
“What will you do now, Alex, kill me too?”
“You should call him Andrew,” Ian said from the stable entrance.
They both turned to face him.
“Andrew?” Emily asked.
“Yes, Trevor Nelson is actually Andrew Grayson, Ethan and Ann’s firstborn son, abducted in London when he was a baby by Samuel Nelson.” Ian turned his gaze on his nephew. “Your supposed father.”
Andrew’s face paled. “That isn’t true. It can’t be...”
“It’s true.” Ian walked over to stand by Emily. “Matt Foley just told me he has DNA evidence that proves you’re Ethan and Ann Grayson’s son.”
Emily uttered a small gasp.
He pulled Emily into his arms and locked his gaze on Andrew. “It’s beyond comprehension. Five people died for greed.” He faced Andrew. “You would have received a large portion of the Grayson estate when your parents died. If you’d ever met Ethan personally, I think he would have realized you were his missing son. He was a very wise man. Why, Andrew?”
Andrew stood trembling and pale in the faint light. He brought his hands up and covered his face. “I didn’t know. I would never—. When Alex died, I only intended to take his identity. It seemed so easy.” He brought his head back against the stable wall with a sharp bang. “I loved Alex. We were best friends and had so much in common. I guess our shared gene pool explains that. I knew eventually, his parents or siblings would come looking for him and realize I was an imposter. So I decided to… No matter now, it’s done. I can’t change it.”
“It doesn’t matter that you didn’t know,” Ian said. “You took the lives of five people for what? Money. There is no excuse under Heaven for such brutality. None. You should know Matt Foley is on his way here with an arrest warrant.”
Andrew picked up the rifle and opened the gate to Thunder’s stall.
Ian pushed Emily behind him.
“Don’t worry, Uncle,” Andrew said, his words weighted and weary. “I don’t intend to harm you. There has been enough of that.”
He grabbed a saddle and blanket off the rack and began to saddle the big stallion. “I’m going to try and make my way back to the Northern Territory. I have some money there, and I can live in the bush for a very long time before they find me.”
He paused for a moment. “Not that it matters now, but I knew of the bad blood between Ethan and Jack McKinnon from Alexander. I hired Trujillo to lure Jack in with the gun. After shooting the family that night, I passed the rifle to him, and he sold it to Jack. It’s a shame really. I had everything set up so carefully. I even left the shell casings at the scene. I thought Jack would make a perfect patsy. The best laid plans of mice and men, as they say.”
Ian didn’t move. Still standing in the semi-darkness he felt a terrible sorrow for Ethan and Ann. To die by the hands of their own son. People who deserved to live a long healthy life, to die in their own beds of natural causes. And now the last of the Grayson family was headed to an early death or life in prison. “Andrew, don’t leave. I’ll stand by you. God can forgive even sins such as yours.”
“Sorry, Uncle. I don’t believe in your God, but I do believe in the inevitability of the death penalty. I’d rather die my own way.”
Ian shook his head. “It isn’t that simple, Andrew. It’s the after-life that matters.”
The faint wail of sirens hastened Andrew’s movements. He mounted the excited horse then stopped in front of them. “Sorry, I don’t have time for one of your sermons. That will be our illustrious chief of police. Take care, Uncle.”
He jerked Thunder’s head around and bolted through the paddock doors, jumped the fence and galloped into the trees.
***
Andrew Grayson disappeared into the woods, just as Matt Foley’s SUV screeched into the paddock. Three squad cars rolled in behind him and formed a half circle, their blue and white strobe lights casting a frenzied glow over the stable and paddock.
Ian and Emily met him as he stepped from his vehicle. “Are you two all right?”
“We’re fine.” Ian said.
“Where’s Andrew?”
Ian pointed toward the forest. “He rode into the woods on Thunder. He intends to try to make his way back to Australia.”
“When Hades freezes over,” Matt said. “We’ll catch him. That’s a given. He can’t get too far on horseback.” Matt turned to the officer beside him. “Radio for helicopter support to cover the area. And let the sheriff know what’s happened.”
He headed for the stable. “I’m going to try to follow him on horseback.”
“I’ll come with you,” Ian said.
They quickly saddled two horses and rode off in the direction Andrew had gone. He had a fifteen minute head start, but the trees were thick, and Matt knew the man would be forced to ride cautiously. Andrew didn’t know the countryside.
Thunder was the fastest horse in the Grayson stable, but the two he and Ian had chosen would have no problem keeping him in sight.
They prodded the horses into the forest, dodging low hanging branches and moving as fast as was safely possible, following their quarry’s trail through the thick trees and underbrush.
This wasn’t the way Matt wanted this to end. He’d hoped to catch the man at the manor, cuff him, and haul him to jail to rot. This way, there was a good possibility he would have to shoot Grayson to bring him in. He’d rather Ian not witness that. Matt had wanted it to be a clean arrest.
The temperature dropped incrementally as they rode into the shadows, and Matt wasn’t dressed for riding.
Ethan’s horses were mixed breed Arabians, beautiful, intelligent, and easy to handle in the wooded terrain, and Ian proved to be a capable rider. This wasn’t an outing for a beginner.
Twenty minutes into the ride, Matt stopped and Ian reined in beside him. Snapping twigs and leaves crunching sounded ahead of them. Something moved in their direction through the brush. Impossible to tell if it was man or beast—Andrew doubling back? Or perhaps an animal disturbed by the foreign invaders into its domain.
Matt dismounted directing Ian to follow. Matt removed the Sig from his holster and stepped behind a tree near the trail and waited.
Abruptly, Thunder appeared in the path, his reins dragging the ground.
Moving carefully towards the big black stallion, Matt patted his neck as he picked up the reins. He felt rather than saw Ian come up
behind him. They moved down the trail with the least noise possible and tied the horses to a tree.
With imminent foreboding, Matt hurried in the direction Thunder had come.
Thick foliage blocked out any light there might have been on the eerily quiet trail, the only sounds those of their footfalls on the forest floor.
Matt suddenly realized he shouldn’t have allowed Ian to follow him. This could be dangerous. Andrew was armed. He could be waiting up ahead, and the man was an excellent marksman.
The trail bent sharply to the left, and Matt took point, keeping the missionary behind him, staying to the side of the trail. He moved cautiously forward until he had a full view of the path ahead.
In an instant it became clear why Thunder’s saddle was empty. In the filtered light of the trail, Andrew Grayson hung from the branch of a low limb, his thick blond curls snagged by a low hanging limb. The impact must have jerked him from the saddle and snapped his neck.
The last of the Grayson family―dead.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
County Jail
Twin Falls, Texas
Matt left home at seven AM with Rowdy in the passenger seat beside him, The Yorkie’s paws in the window taking in the scenery along the two-lane highway. And it was worth taking in. On this unseasonably warm Thanksgiving Day, temperatures hovered in the high sixties, and a bright yellow sun embellished the luscious red and gold of the autumn leaves.
He parked in an open slot behind the city jail. He’d put all the paperwork in motion yesterday to release Jack McKinnon. But this was a job he wanted to take care of personally.
Inside, he spotted Judith Bittermann waiting beside the guard’s station.
Matt smiled at her. “I should have known you’d be here.”
“Of course. I had to make sure my client was set free without any complications. Thought maybe Mayor Hall might try to throw his weight around.”
“No need to worry. Our mayor is keeping a low profile.” Matt chuckled. “He made a statement to the press Tuesday that Jack pleaded guilty to avoid the needle.”
Judith grinned. “Wonder where he got that crazy idea?”
Matt laughed out loud. “I heard his source was a janitor in the police department.”
The guard led them back to the cellblock. The door gave a loud clang, shattering the silence. Jack sat on his bunk, staring down at his hands, his orange jumpsuit replaced by the clothes he’d worn the day he was arrested. Jack glanced up and rose to his feet.
“You ready to blow this joint?” Matt asked.
“There are no words to explain how ready I am.” Jack stood and hugged Judith. “I’m glad you came.”
She laughed and returned the hug. “It’s included in the exorbitant fee you’re paying me.”
Matt and Judith walked him through the release process, making sure there were no glitches and that his personal property was returned. “Sorry, we can’t give back the rifle. It’s evidence.”
Jack shuddered. “Keep it with my blessing. You’ll save me the trouble of burning it.”
They pushed through the front entrance and stepped outside into the sunshine. Jack closed his eyes and turned his face to the warmth. “You can’t imagine how good that feels. As jail terms go, mine was reasonably short, but each day seemed like a month.”
“I have a good idea although I’ve never been in your shoes,” Matt said. “I came to take you home, if you want a ride.”
“Dad is picking me up. I spoke to him last night. He should be here soon. I’ll just sit on the bench and enjoy the sun and fresh air.” He stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Chief. I think I owe my freedom to you.”
Matt shook his head. “A case like this one is never a one-man show. There were more people involved than you will ever know. Even Emily provided the DNA that proved Trevor was Ethan and Ann’s son.”
Jack flashed his first smile of the day. “That doesn’t surprise me. Emily is quite a girl.”
“That she is. What are you going to do now that you’re a billionaire? Have you had time to think about it?”
“Not really.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and gazed across the street at the small park. “I’m in no hurry. The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll keep Grayson Manor. Perkins and the rest of the staff will have a job as long as they want. But I’ll have to find something to keep me busy. Obviously I won’t try to run Grayson Limited. I’ll leave that to Norris, but I’ll probably sit on the board.”
He looked down and rubbed a spot on the sidewalk with the toe of his boot. “Truly, the inheritance feels tainted. No amount of money in the world could be worth the lives of those five people. And the amount is more than any one man needs.”
Varied emotions played across Jack’s face. He’d grown up fast in the last few weeks. The kid might just have the right stuff to handle the charge thrust upon him. Great wealth was a greater responsibility than most people realized.
Judith gave Jack another hug then turned to Matt. “You are both invited to my place for Thanksgiving dinner. My daughter’s in charge, and she’s a wonderful cook.”
“If I know Perkins, he has a feast prepared, but I appreciate the invitation and everything you’ve done for me,” Jack said. “We didn’t have to go to trial, but if we had, I can’t think of anyone I would rather have had defend me.”
“Thank the good Lord it never came to that point. But it was great to have an innocent client for a change.”
Matt kissed her cheek. “Thanks for the invitation, Judith, but I’m having dinner with Sara and her family.”
The judge wiggled her eyebrows. “Do I smell orange blossoms in the air?”
Matt tried not to blush. She was a very perceptive woman.
Pulling her car keys from her handbag, she gave them a jaunty wave and disappeared into the rear parking lot.
“You know, when I set my hate aside, I can feel sorry for Andrew.” Jack returned to his seat on the bench and stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing his ankles. “He cared for Alexander yet justified killing his family for money. It boggles the mind. I guess he is one argument for the environment versus breeding theory.”
Matt sat beside him and watched the holiday traffic move, some of whom were headed for early Black Friday sales. “I’ve seen many reverse cases, where kids from slums with drugged-out parents become extraordinary citizens.”
Sean McKinnon’s black truck pulled to the curb. He waved at Matt.
Jack stood and held out his hand again. “The doors of Grayson Manor will always be open to you, Chief. If you ever need anything, anything at all, call me.”
“Thanks, Jack. Have a happy Thanksgiving.”
Jack let his gaze roam over the façade of the county jail then opened the truck door. “I already have.”
Grayson Manor
Twin Falls, Texas
The black Silverado pulled under the portico, and Jack and his father got out.
“We get to use the front door now. It seems very strange to me after all these years.”
Jack laughed. “I’ve always used the front door, Dad, at least until Ethan caught me making out with Vic. Who knows, if I have a daughter someday, I probably wouldn’t want a guy like me hanging out with my little girl.”
He pulled his father into a lingering hug. “Thanks, Dad, for believing in me, and for your wisdom. I don’t think I’ve ever properly appreciated it, until now. And Dad, I don’t want you working as gardener any longer.”
“I wasn’t raised to do nothing, Jack. I’d be lost without something to keep me busy, and I love to see things grow. It’s always been a labor of love.”
“I’ve given that some thought. You could take some young boys under your wing and teach them all the secrets you have hidden in that wise head of yours. We wouldn’t want your talent to die with you. It would be such a waste.”
Sean nodded slowly. “Now that, I would enjoy.”
The door swung open, and Perkins stood in the entryway. “Welcome hom
e, Mr. Jack. We’re all so pleased everything worked out as it did.”
Bounding up the steps, Jack pulled the old butler into a one arm hug. “It’s still Jack, Perky. That is if I can still call you Perky.”
“Only in private, please, sir. And it will take some getting used to. I’ve never called the master of the house by his first name.”
“We’ll both have a lot of things to get used to. Is Emily at home?”
“Yes, sir. She’s in the library with Sir Ian.”
Jack shook his head. “I’m not sure we’ll ever retrain you, Perky.”
A squeal echoed down the hallway. “Jack! You’re home!” Emily rushed into the entryway and into his arms.
They stood there for a long while, holding each other, sharing their grief without speaking. He finally released her and gazed down, tears in his eyes. “Did you know Vic was pregnant with our child?”
“Oh, Jack, no! I’m so very sorry.” She pulled him into another long embrace.
Looking over her shoulder, Jack noticed the tall man standing behind Emily. Although he’d never met him, Jack knew it had to be Ann’s brother, Ian Hamilton.
Ian held out his hand. “Nice to finally meet you, Jack.” An awkward silence followed, none of them knowing quite what to say.
Finally, Emily reached out and took his hand. “Come, there’s coffee and tea in the library. You look like you could use it.”
He laughed. “You always could read me like a book, Em. I’d love a good cup of coffee. The city makes a terrible brew.”
The library was as he remembered except for new furniture in front of the hearth. The tea tray sat near the comforting blaze that filled the room with a woody fragrance. He looked at the room with new eyes, trying to absorb the fact that this now belonged to him. In his wildest dreams, he had never considered that he, the son of a servant, would someday be master of Grayson Manor. And it would never be the same without Victoria.