“If you’re sure, I really don’t mind taking a look.”
“No, truly. I’m fine. It’s probably residual creeps from that movie we watched last week.” Aubrey didn’t mention that she’d been getting the same feeling, on and off, for months.
“Maybe so, you are a lightweight when it comes to thrillers,” Joe chuckled.
“I seem to remember you jumping straight up off the chair, when the killer came around the corner,” Aubrey teased.
“At least I wasn’t hiding my face behind my hands.” Joe dropped a kiss on her cheek, before taking his beer to the den.
“Lightweight,” Aubrey repeated with a smile. “Can’t argue with that.”
The feeling of safety Joe brought into the room lingered as she finished preparing the pies. It helped that she never once looked out of the kitchen window.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Mr. Grant, there are people driving to the back field,” Marie wiped her hands on the dishcloth as she came through the dining room door. “It looks like the same ones who were here yesterday. You know, the police. They’re in a black van, just like yesterday.”
“That’s fine, Marie. Thank you.” Graham dismissed her with his tone.
“Graham, shouldn’t you go and see what they want?” Belinda sipped her morning tea with care. For some reason, her head was splitting open this morning. The most she could swallow was tea.
“No, Mother. I’m sure it’s the forensics people, trying to find a clue to help them locate Thomas. They don’t need me down there getting in the way.” Graham appeared cool and collected, totally unfazed by the activity on his property. Inside, he was seething. If they stayed more than an hour, he would have to alter his plans.
Plans he’d carefully constructed last night, after seeing Aubrey with her husband. She let that barbarian put his hands on her, everywhere. It was unseemly. They had made out on the couch like teenagers, late into the night. He’d had a front row seat to it all. Just the thought of it sickened him.
“I have an appointment in town today, Mother. I’ll be out for most of the day.”
“What? But how can you leave, with so much unsettled? Police and who knows who else are roaming the property, at will. And we still have no butler. Aren’t you going to do something about that?”
“Yes, Mother, of course I am. I’m meeting with suppliers in Topeka, then I am personally going to the employment agency and speak to them about the caliber of people they recommend to work here.”
“Oh, well then. In that case, I’m sure that we’ll muddle through.”
“You have Marie and Sophie here with you today. I’m sure that between the three of you, everything will be fine.”
“When will you return?”
“I’m not sure, you know how these meetings go. If I’m not home for dinner, start without me.” Graham had no intention of being home for dinner, ever again.
~~~
“Who lives here?” Ethan asked as they pulled up to an attractive bungalow.
“Ellen Starks, she’s expecting us,” Jeri told him, getting out of the car.
“You realize that this is a longshot,” Ethan joined her at the walkway.
“It’s the best idea I’ve got, at the moment. May as well give it a try.”
“Of course, I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.” Ethan rang the doorbell.
Soon, a petite blond woman opened the door, her face smiling with welcome.
“You must be the EJB people, how lovely. Do come in.” Ellen didn’t wait for them to confirm before she pushed open the storm door, allowing them to enter.
“Thank you, Mrs. Starks. I’m Jeri Forbes, this is Ethan Barnes.” Jeri made the introductions as she entered the home.
“Please, call me Ellen. Come in, come in. Sit down. I’ve made coffee, and a bundt cake. We can have a bite, while we visit.”
Ellen led them to a chintz sofa, piled with pillows. On the coffee table sat a tray, beautifully arranged with china, a coffee pot, and slices of cake.
Jeri felt her stomach rumble. They’d come back to the hotel to shower this morning, after a night of keeping watch over the Grants. Breakfast consisted of coffee and a power bar to go. This looked much better.
“Thank you, Ellen,” Jeri smiled at her hostess. “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”
“But we’re so glad that you did,” Ethan gave Ellen one of his drop-dead gorgeous smiles. He was already salivating at the thought of homemade cake.
“Well, it’s nothing, really,” Ellen said, patting her hair as she sat across from them. The man sitting on her sofa was arguably the best looking thing she had ever seen. Shaking herself before her thoughts could take her away, she fell back into hostess mode, offering them both a plate. “How do you take your coffee?”
Jeri waited until the niceties were over, until they all had steaming mugs, and empty cake plates, before launching into the reasons for their visit. So far, Ellen had seemed content to tell them about Clevestone, about her family, and about the church bazaar, later that day. The woman did love to talk.
“It sounds like a lot of fun,” she smiled, placing the plate on the table. “If this is an example of the baked goods they’ll be selling, we’ll have to stop by.”
“Oh, you should, definitely. But something tells me that you didn’t drop by to hear about the bazaar. What is it that I can do for you folks?”
“Maybe nothing,” Jeri told her. “But you may be able to help us catch a killer.”
Oh, my, how exciting!” Ellen gushed, then sobered as she thought of the young girl they’d found in Clevestone two days ago. “Is this about the girl who was killed? And the prostitutes?” She whispered the word ‘prostitutes.’
“Yes. More so the girl. You may have heard on the news that two other girls who were kidnapped were found yesterday.”
“Yes, I did hear that. It’s wonderful. Were you two involved with that?”
“Yes, we were. All three teenagers, the girl who was killed, and the two who were rescued, bear a strong resemblance to you, when you were in high school. That’s why we’re here.”
For the first time since inviting them into her home, Ellen was shocked into silence. She looked at Jeri, then at Ethan, saw that they were serious. Then she found her voice.
“You think that poor girl’s murder had something to do with me?” Her voice was weak, barely audible.
“We’re not sure, it’s just a theory, at this point. It’s possible that you may have known the killer, back when you were a teenager. I’d like to show you some pictures, see if you recognize anyone.” Jeri pulled out the enlarged photos of Graham Grant and Thomas, one current and one from back in the day. She laid them side-by-side on the coffee table.
Ellen removed a pair of glasses from a case on the side table. Sliding them into place, she studied the images. Jeri and Ethan remained silent as she did so.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen these gentlemen, not once in my life. I can pretty much tell you for sure that they didn’t attend Clevestone High. Back then, the school only had about two hundred students, and I knew most of them, at least by sight.”
“Thank you, Ellen. We appreciate your taking the time to meet with us.” Jeri began stacking the photos, preparing to leave.
“Of course, it’s been my pleasure. I only wish I could have helped you.”
“Oh, but you did,” Ethan grinned at her. “Your hospitality, and your lemon cake, is something we’ll both remember.”
“Mmmm, aren’t you the charmer,” Ellen blushed at his compliments.
“He speaks the truth,” Jeri told her, standing. “Thank you, Ellen, for everything. We do appreciate your time.”
“Remember to come on by the bazaar later, if you can. It starts at noon, and there’ll be enough baked goods there to satisfy any sweet tooth.
“We’ll try,” Ethan promised as they walked to the door.
~~~
“Jessie, your dad’s waiting in the car, get a mov
e on!” Aubrey yelled up the stairs. “You’ll be late for the game.”
“Coming, Mom,” Jessie clattered down the stairs, dressed for soccer. “See, I’m ready.”
“Did you bring a change of clothes for the bazaar?”
“Yep, jeans and a tee.”
“Did you bring a change of shoes?”
“Shoot, no. I’ll be right back.” Jessie raced back up the stairs.
Shaking her head, Aubrey checked the contents of the duffle bag, then nodded approvingly.
“I grabbed socks, too,” Jessie held them up proudly, before her mother had a chance to ask.
“Good girl,” Aubrey kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I’ll miss the game, but I have to get to the church early, and help them set up.”
“That’s okay, Mom. You come to all of the games. You’re allowed to miss one, every now and then. See ya!” Jessie zipped the bag, and ran for the door.
“I wish I had half of her energy,” Aubrey said aloud, making her way to the kitchen.
She heard the car door slam, heard Joe toot the horn quickly in goodbye, then heard the car drive away. The house suddenly became quiet. No kids, no television, the only noise was the tick tock of the grandfather clock, sitting in the hallway.
Glancing at her watch, Aubrey realized that she had an hour before she had to be at the church. A whole hour to herself, to do whatever she liked. It was such a rarity, that she had to think of a way to spend it.
“Coffee on the porch with that book I’ve been wanting to read,” she decided with a contented sigh. “What a luxury.”
~~~
Graham stopped at the end of his driveway, looked to the left and to the right. He knew they must be watching him, and he had the perfect plan to lose the tail. Turning the truck in the direction of Topeka, he watched the rearview mirror, waiting for someone to fall in behind him.
He didn’t have to wait long.
~~~
“He’s on the move,” Monique texted Jeri. “He’s headed for Topeka, we’ll stay with him.”
“Don’t lose him, keep us informed,” Jeri texted back.
“Right,” Monique answered. “Any luck in Clevestone?”
“Not yet, we’re on to the second on the list. Stay safe!”
“You, too.”
“The first lady was a bust, they’re going to the second,” Monique told Chloe, after the exchange.
“Do you think he knows we’re following him? There are so few cars on the road, and he’s not stupid.” Chloe was more focused on keeping Grant in her sights, than on what Monique was saying.
“If he does, then he’ll know better than to do something stupid. If he doesn’t, then we may catch him doing something stupid. It’s a win-win.”
~~~
Graham made certain that he kept to the speed limit, and drove like a model citizen, all the way in to the city. Once there, he turned into a parking garage adjacent to his attorney’s office building. The garage sat squarely on the corner of an intersection, with an entrance from each street. It was the perfect solution to relieving himself of his shadow.
After parking the truck, he casually strolled to the elevator, careful not to look directly at the black SUV, now parked a few rows over.
“Such incompetent women,” he breathed, stepping into the elevator.
~~~
“What do we do now?” Chloe asked as they watched Graham Grant walk past the car.
“I follow him, you stay with the truck,” Monique told her as she opened the door. “If he comes back, and I don’t, stay with him.”
“But…” Chloe started, but Monique was already halfway to the elevator. “I thought we weren’t supposed to split up,” she finished, to herself. Shrugging, she watched as Monique studied the numerals on top of the elevator, before pressing the button.
~~~
Graham left the elevator on the third floor. Being Saturday, he knew that the office building would be sparsely populated, giving him the advantage. Not that he needed it. He was, by far, superior to the lady agents, or whatever they were, in every way.
Exiting the elevator, he walked a short distance to the main hallway. There, he made sure that no one was milling about, before plastering himself against the wall.
~~~
Monique landed on the third floor only moments after Graham. Holding the doors open with one hand, she carefully peeked out to look for Grant. He was nowhere to be seen. But then, the elevator was set off from the main hallway, so there was no reason for him to be standing in the alcove.
Stepping out, she listened for sounds of activity, but the building was unusually quiet.
“It’s Saturday,” she reminded herself softly. Not as many people at work today.
Walking swiftly to the open hallway, she stopped at the entrance, to look both ways.
It was the last thing she remembered.
~~~
“That was too easy,” Graham chuckled as he rode the elevator down. He’d left the woman lying on the floor, knocked out cold with one quick punch. She’d never seen it coming.
Losing the second one would be just as simple, especially as he didn’t look like the same man she had seen enter the elevator, only moments before. He’d changed his shirt, and his jacket, along with adding a Stetson, glasses, and a mustache for good measure.
When the elevator door opened, he turned left, rather than go straight to his truck. She would not be expecting the stranger, dressed like a cowboy, to circle around behind her.
Graham removed the knife from his pocket. Walking between the cars, he made a wide arc to the back of the SUV. The parking lot served many of the downtown stores, so there were enough cars to camouflage his route.
Once he reached the cars parked two rows over from the SUV, he crouched down and made his way to the large, black car.
~~~
Chloe checked her watch and noted that Monique had only been gone for eight minutes. Feeling a tickle on the back of her neck, she quickly checked the mirrors in the car, but saw nothing. The only person to exit the elevator a moment ago had already disappeared.
“Somebody must be walking over my grave,” she said aloud, repeating a phrase she’d heard all of her life.
~~~
Graham eased the knife into the rear tire, then gradually drew it upward. Repeating the action on the second back tire, he folded the knife, then duck-walked his way out of the woman’s line of sight.
Once he was well away, he stood into a crouch, then worked his way to the passenger side of his truck. By the time the ridiculous woman realized that his truck was moving, she would have no way to chase him.
~~~
Watching the elevator intently, Chloe was surprised to hear an engine start, to her right. Glancing quickly at the truck, she saw the man in the Stetson back Grant’s truck out of the parking space, then drive swiftly away.
“Crap,” she started the car, shifting it into gear before she remembered Monique. “She told me to stay with him,” Chloe said between gritted teeth as she drove while reaching for her phone. She’d only gotten a few feet before realizing that the back end of the car was riding low.
“He didn’t,” she said, shoving the car into park, then jumping out. But he did. Both back tires were sinking fast, making it impossible for her to follow Grant.
“Dammit!” Jumping back into the cab, she reached for her phone. She had to find Monique.
The phone rang until it went to voicemail, telling Chloe that Monique was not on a call, nor was she able to answer. Racing for the elevator, she dialed Jeri.
“He got away,” she said quickly, as soon as she heard Jeri’s voice. “Monique followed him into an office building while I stayed with the truck. A few minutes later, a man dressed like a cowboy came out. It must have been Grant, because he managed to slash both back tires of the SUV. I saw him drive away in Grant’s truck, not two minutes ago.” She was out of breath by the time she finished.
“Where’s Monique?” Jeri asked sha
rply.
“Somewhere in the building. She’s not answering her phone. I’m looking for her now.” Chloe pressed the button marked ‘One’. She had no idea which floor Monique had gotten off on.
“Find her. Call me when you do.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Graham tossed the Stetson onto the seat beside him, ripped off the fake mustache, threw his head back, and laughed.
That had actually been fun.
Now he could focus on his true objective, capturing his beloved, Aubrey. In a few hours, she would be his. And there was nothing that anyone could do about it.
He drove the truck straight to the same dealer he’d purchased it from, only a few months ago. He had pre-ordered the newest model, a green one this time, not red like the one he drove.
The salesman greeted him warmly, grateful for two commissions in such a short time. He’d taken care to follow Mr. Grant’s instructions to the letter, and had the new vehicle ready to go. Within a few minutes, Grant had transferred his belongings from one truck to the other, and was on his way to Clevestone.
~~~
“Nate, we need a BOLO issued on a red Ford pick-up, Kansas plates, license number…”
As Ethan spoke to Nate, Jeri ordered a new rental car to be delivered to Chloe and Monique. Chloe still hadn’t called to say that she’d found Monique, but Jeri had to move forward, trusting that she would.
She and Ethan remained in Clevestone, knowing that there was a good possibility that Grant was on his way. He was running scared, but he wouldn’t leave without his prize.
If they only knew who she was.
The second woman they interviewed did not recognize Grant, or Thomas. That left them with three possibilities. Three women, one of whom had her life on the line, she just didn’t know it.
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