Saving Shadows

by Kathleen Brooks

  “Because Daddy said he’d give Atherton access to some of his trust fund if, and only if, he married a hard-working, nice, reasonable woman with a good name and reputation who will make him grow up,” Ryker told her as his lips tilted into a smile.

  “And I’m that?”

  “You sure as hell ain’t Bitsy Englewood,” Ryker said, almost laughing now as Wade began to chuckle.

  “You’d love to hear what Beatrice thinks of Bitsy. Her mom couldn’t make it to the committee meeting last night. When Louisa suggested Bitsy for Atherton, Beatrice asked the group who else is amazed Bitsy doesn’t sweat in church.”

  Ryker was full out laughing now. “And Louisa chided her mother-in-law for insinuating Bitsy is a whore.”

  Wade was clutching his stomach trying to stop laughing as Ellery’s mouth dropped open. “And then Beatrice told her at least whores made money, but Bitsy gives the milk away for free.”

  Wade’s phone pinged, and he looked down at it. His smile fell, his body went rigid, and in a split second he transformed. It wasn’t only Ryker who had dark and brooding down pat. “There’s an SOS call. I have to go.”

  And before she could ask, Wade was out the door.

  “I better get to work too. But, Tibbie is worried about you. I couldn’t pull her aside with everyone there. I thought you might want to reach out to her secretly. She’s a sweet woman. Her husband was one of my first investors.”

  “Really?” Ellery asked as Ryker stood up.

  “He took a chance on a kid with a fancy education and a knack for picking fights. I doubled his investment in six months and bought him out in a year. But it’s because of his guidance I was able to do so. They’re good people, unlike the Hawthornes. I don’t know the Coldwells very much. They’re old money and don’t like to mingle with us new money types, but Beatrice seemed nice.” Ryker squeezed her shoulder as if he were a big brother. “I’ll see what Blair thinks and let you know.” He winked as he headed for the front door.

  “Thanks for the sacrifice,” she called out sarcasm.

  “It’s a long, hard job, but someone has to do it,” Ryker teased back.

  The door closed as Ellery laughed. It felt as if she had a family again, and it felt good. Now, if everything stayed calm until Gavin got off work, they could think of a plan. Until then she would work on her own ideas of how to clear her name.

  20

  Ellery didn’t get much time to herself. The doorbell rang fifteen minutes later. She thought twice about answering it then dropped to her hands and knees and crawled into the living room, using the furniture to hide her from anyone looking in the window. When she was close enough to peek out, she poked her head up and felt like an idiot.

  She rushed to open the door for Reverend Winston, Ruby, and Winnie. Each smiled and handed her food as they came inside, talking excitedly of the gossip. Apparently Lydia’s third child, Levi, had to be rescued from the top of a tree by Deputy King this morning. Then there was talk of another basketball coach coming to visit Quad Clemmons. And then Gator almost decked Professor Adkins for correcting him when he said, “ain’t.”

  Winnie shook her white head as she sat down in the living room. “Bless his heart, he has a real stick up his ass.”

  Ruby nodded her agreement. “It’s all that northern schooling. Educated the southern right out of him.”

  “What did Gator do?” Ellery asked, completely taken in with the gossip.

  “Reminded Stephen of what happened the last time he was traipsing about in high cotton,” Reverend Winston said with a shake of his head.

  “What happened?”

  “Bubba the alligator somehow got into Stephen’s house,” Ruby said, trying not to laugh.

  “And Gator refused to get him out until the end of the day,” Winnie said with nod of her head. “Serves him right for being too big for his britches.”

  “But we wanted to come check on you. Is there anything we can do to help?” Reverend Winston asked as everyone slowly stopped chuckling over Gator’s beef with Stephen.

  “I don’t know,” Ellery admitted after a pause. “I remembered more this morning, and I feel angry. I want revenge.”

  “An eye for an eye,” Winston said knowingly. “It’s been a common feeling for thousands of years.”

  “Exactly,” Ellery said, relieved someone understood. “The trouble is, I’m not quite sure how to get it.”

  “Why don’t you tell us what you know, hun, and we’ll put our thinking caps on,” Ruby told her as she picked up a brownie and handed it to her. “And you better eat something. You’re skin and bones.”

  Not one to ever turn down a brownie, regardless of the fact that she was not skin and bones, Ellery took the brownie and told them about what she remembered and about her talk with Ryan Parker and the sheriff.

  “There are some forces of evil at work, young lady,” the reverend said solemnly. “But we weren’t founded by pirates for nothing. If anyone can help you out of this, it’s Shadows Landing.”

  “There’s someone coming,” Miss Winnie whispered.

  “Winnie, you’re deaf as a doorpost. There isn’t anyone coming,” Ruby said with a roll of her eyes.

  “Ruby Jean, don’t tell me what I can or cannot be hearing. I’m telling you, there’s someone coming.”

  “Ladies,” the reverend said as if he’d done this a thousand times. He got up and headed for the window. “Let’s not argue. I don’t hear anything, and I’m sure everything is . . . Well, I be doggone, there’s some sort of law enforcement here. An unmarked car followed by the sheriff.”

  “Told ya,” Miss Winnie said on a huff.

  Ellery dove from the couch and plastered herself on the floor. “They can’t find me here. I have to hide.”

  “You don’t worry your pretty little head about a thing. Miss Ruby’s got this.”

  Ellery crawled to the coat closet in the hallway and wedged herself inside, leaving the door cracked just far enough that if she closed one eye she could see out of it. The doorbell rang, and a minute later she saw Miss Ruby saunter over to the door and open it. “You want something?”

  “I’m here to see Ellery St. John,” a male voice said. She couldn’t see who it was, but it wasn’t anyone she’d heard before.

  “There ain’t no one here by that name. Now you better get to scootin’. I have things to do. Get on with you.”

  Ellery saw Miss Ruby try to sweep him away with her hands as the sound of another car door closing reached her.

  “It’s okay, Miss Ruby,” Granger called out. “He’s a friend of mine sent here via Keeneston.”

  “I don’t know what any of that means,” Miss Ruby said, putting her hands on her ample hips. Ellery shoved the closet door open because by Miss Ruby’s rigid stance, she looked ready to charge out the door, sending law enforcement flying. The last thing Ellery wanted was Miss Ruby to end up in jail for assaulting, who Ellery thought may be, one of the good guys.

  “Let him in,” Ellery hissed from where she was hiding out of sight of the open door.

  “I need to see some identification,” Miss Ruby said with all sass and steel to her voice.

  “FBI, ma’am. Peter Castle. I’m on Miss St. John’s side.”

  “Miss Ruby, Agent Castle is here investigating the corruption of the higher-ups running the missing persons case as he believes she’s being set up,” Granger said patiently.

  Miss Ruby looked over her shoulder, and Ellery motioned for her to open the door. Miss Ruby didn’t like it, but she stepped back and let them in. A tall man strode in, wearing a wrinkled cheap black suit and somehow making it look good. His warm dark brown hair was the same color as his eyes. She expected him to look irritated, but instead she saw amusement. That was, until his eyes locked on her. The amusement fell away. While he kept his appearance easy-going, she saw that he swept her from head to toe and took in the entire room. He knew the location of every person and object. Then he relaxed again and strode the rest of the way in
to the room after deeming it safe.

  “Miss St. John,” he said to her, extending his hand, “Peter Castle.”

  After emerging from the closet, Ellery cautiously took his hand and shook it.

  “Hi there, young man. You aren’t from around here,” Miss Winnie said more as a statement than a question with a flirty grin on her wrinkled face. Oh gosh, Ellery might die of embarrassment if she saw Miss Winnie climb onto Agent Castle like some of the women did to Wade. Well, maybe she’d cheer them on too. After all, when she was that age, she sure hoped she was still admiring hot men.

  “I’m not, but I’ve quickly learned there is nothing sweeter than a southern belle.” Miss Winnie preened under his words. “But right now, I need to have a word with Miss St. John.”

  “Of course, young man,” Miss Winnie practically cooed.

  Granger looked at his phone. “I have to call King. I’ll be right back.”

  Ellery wrapped her arms around herself as she gave a weak smile to Agent Castle. “Why don’t we talk in the kitchen?”

  “Would you like me to get Gavin?” the reverend asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” Ellery said over her shoulder.

  “I won’t take too much of your time, Miss St. John, but I needed to see that you were safe and ask who you know with enough power to have you framed.”

  Ellery took a deep breath as Agent Castle indicated she should take a seat. “As you can see, I’m being well looked after.” That got a smile out of Castle. “As for who is behind this, I’m not quite sure. Certainly Atherton Hawthorne, my ex-boyfriend, has enough power. Well, his family does. He doesn’t. But from what I’ve learned, he’s trying to get back together with me since his father approves of me. So, after that is Tibbie and Elijah Cummings, but they’re like grandparents to me. They wouldn’t have me framed for anything.”

  “Sheriff Fox filled me in on everything you remembered. Can you think of how your car ended up at Mark Vosslinger’s house?” Castle asked as he casually crossed an ankle onto his knee. His shoes were scuffed but clean. However, there was no mistaking them as work shoes instead of the shiny leather loafers people wore into the gallery. Castle was a man of action, and that comforted Ellery.

  “That’s the thing. I don’t think I was at Mark’s house. One, I’ve never been there and he’s never wanted me there. Two, I was heading to the gallery to roll down the shutters, not to Mark’s house. And three, in the flashbacks I’m running on wet cobblestones. I want to go back to Charleston, and if I can find those cobblestones, which could be either at my condo or more likely at the gallery, hopefully I can remember what happened.”

  “What’s going on?” Gavin asked as he rushed into kitchen.

  Castle looked up at Gavin dressed in scrubs and wearing a stethoscope around his neck and stood up. “Agent Peter Castle. You must be Doctor Faulkner.”

  Gavin shook his hand and nodded. “Ryan said you were a friend.”

  Castle smiled as they dropped hands. “Yes, we are. I’m glad you called him. I think there’s something going on for sure. I don’t like being told not to investigate, and I was told under no circumstances was I to bother the hard-working police with this case. I went above my boss and got permission to shake the tree and see what falls out. Miss St. John was just telling me about the cobblestones. I think it’s time for a little game of cat and mouse if Miss St. John is up for it.”

  “What do you mean?” Ellery asked. She wanted to do something, anything, to find out what happened to her. So if he had an idea, she was ready to run with it.

  “I want you to go back to Charleston tonight. There’s a chance of rain. When it’s dark out I want you to drive from your condo to the gallery and see if you can find those cobblestones.”

  Ellery took a deep breath. It was action, and she wanted action. However, there was risk. “What if I get picked up?”

  “I want you to be seen. I want to make sure you hit a city camera and look right into it. But then I want you to disappear. And that’s where I come in.” Castle smirked and Ellery couldn’t help but smile. She wanted to rub her hands together because she was starting to see what Castle wanted.

  “For what purpose?” Gavin asked.

  “I want to see who comes running,” Castle told them. “I’ll be close by, but out of sight. If you get into trouble, I’ll swoop in and take you into FBI custody. I can tell you where the cameras are and how to avoid the others.”

  “Where should we start?” Ellery asked.

  “At home. I am going to set up hidden cameras in your condo so we can see who comes running if you are seen entering the building. And if they don’t come running, I want you to visit Mrs. Cummings. After filling her in, have her call the police and say she thinks she saw you leaving the building. Then we’ll watch and listen to whoever shows up. Is there a way for you to get to Charleston undetected?”

  “We can take a drive,” Gavin suggested. He looked to Ellery, and she nodded.

  “Good. Then we’ll meet and I’ll pick you up and drive you. That will reduce your risk of being stopped accidently,” Castle said with a nod. “Tonight then.” He stood up. “Here’s where we can meet.”

  He handed a card to Gavin as Granger walked in. Ellery didn’t need to know what the conversation was about. It was written all over his face. Something bad had happened.

  21

  “What is it?” Gavin asked his friend. His lips pulled into a frown and his jaw was tight.

  “King just called. Someone is asking around town about the new girl.”

  “Is it that officer again?” Ellery asked as Miss Winnie, Miss Ruby, and Reverend Winston came into the kitchen to listen.

  “No. Dressed like a tourist. Private gun is King’s best bet since he’s well-built, but King can’t find him now. The girls from Bless Your Scarf called King after the man left asking about you. King has scoured the town and can’t find him. I think you two need to leave. Now.” Granger tightened his jaw again, and Gavin was already in motion.

  “I’ll start the car and pull up the roof so we can hide you better. You get all your clothes,” Gavin told Ellery. “And grab some of mine too. I don’t care what, grab what you can.”

  “I can cool the car down and get the roof up,” Reverend Winston said, holding out his hand. “You finish with your patients.”

  Gavin had completely forgotten about his patients. He cursed repeatedly under his breath as Ellery tore up the stairs. He handed his keys to Reverend Winston. Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie opened cabinets and pulled out food in case they needed to go on the run.

  “I’ll move my car. I don’t want them to see an FBI vehicle here.” Castle stood and headed for the door.

  “We’ll be out of here in minutes, Agent Castle. Let’s meet as planned tonight.”

  “Be safe. Call me if you need anything. I have my private cell on the back of this card. Use it.” And then he was out the door and seconds later out of sight.

  Gavin hurried into the patient room and finished with the little girl he was examining when he’d been called out. “Ear infection,” he said, handing the prescription for antibiotics to her mother. He ushered them out of the office and called Sadie back.

  “There’s someone asking about Ellery. Someone dangerous. We have to go.”

  “You mean Emma, your friend from Kentucky, right?” Sadie winked and Gavin gave her a weak smile. Sadie would cover for them. “And her momma got sick so you’re driving her back to Keeneston right now.”

  Gavin grabbed Sadie’s arms and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. “You’re the best,” he said as he grabbed his newly packed medial bag.

  “Remember that when it’s bonus time,” Sadie called out as Gavin ran from his office. He took the stairs two at a time while Granger and Reverend Winston talked in the living room and Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie bickered in the kitchen.

  Ellery was in his room, pulling out his boxer briefs. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I don’t know where your bag
is so I’ve been tossing things onto the bed.”

  “Got it,” Gavin said, heading to his closet and reaching up onto the top shelf to grab a duffle bag. “Are you packed?”

  “Yes, I never really unpacked,” Ellery said with a sigh as she turned to help him stuff a wide assortment of clothes into the duffle bag.

  “I’m so sorry about this. I was really hoping we could stay here. Ryker will let us stay at his home in Shadows Landing. It has a lot of security that may prevent people from entering the property. Even the dock has a gate on it,” Gavin called out as he walked to his bathroom and scooped up all his toiletries.

  “Right now I’m just mad. I want this over. I want to clear my name. I want to remember. I want the person who did this to pay,” Ellery called out as he walked back into the bedroom.

  Gavin stuffed the last of his things in the duffle bag and threw the strap over his shoulder. “We’ll find them. Come on, let’s go.” He saw the garbage bags Ellery had sitting by the door and grabbed them. “We’ll do this together.” Ellery turned to say something and Gavin wouldn’t be able to stand it if she were filled with doubt, so he kissed her before she could talk.

  It wasn’t a long kiss, but it was full of emotion. In it he told her he cared for her, he’d protect her, and he wanted to be with her. And then it was time to go. He’d kiss her again later tonight as he held her in his arms.

  “Ready,” he said, motioning with his head for her to lead the way.

  “Let me help you,” Granger said, meeting Gavin at the bottom of the stairs and taking the two garbage bags. “Hang on a moment. I have King doing a drive around, and the reverend went out for a stroll. Your car should be nice and cool for you, so let me make sure you’re clear to leave without someone following you.”

  Granger took the bags and headed to the window as Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie bustled in from the kitchen carrying a cooler and a basket filled with food. “We can’t have you going hungry on us,” Miss Ruby said with a worried smile.