New Growth (Spook Hills Trilogy Book 2)

by Menard, Jayne

  Callie nodded. Her weary eyes shone with elation at having her daughter back. John Henry stood close by, staying focused on Susannah and still seeming annoyed even if relieved. A sob escaped from him when Susannah ran into the house and hugged first her mother and then him. They cut John Henry out of the rescue and Mathew bet that did not sit well with him, however hearing the raw, caring emotion out of the man meant he had some decent feelings.

  Chapter 8

  After seeing Callie, Susannah and Lenny off on the Bubird, Mathew stopped at a twenty-four-hour coffee shop to pick up coffee and bagels to take with him. Once back at Callie’s, Mathew briefed Rick and John Henry about the likelihood the kidnapping was to settle a debt owed to an underworld mob. Rick seemed interested and thoughtful. John Henry appeared to be apprehensive.

  “I want to talk with each of you separately,” Mathew said. “In about an hour, agents will be here to conduct interviews.”

  “You mean to interrogate us,” John Henry said bitterly. “I will not be pushed around in my house.”

  Rick stared at the man in annoyance. “This is Callie’s house. She used her inheritance to buy this place, and she keeps dipping into that money, her only security, to pay its upkeep and taxes. Don’t give Mathew or me any crap about your house.”

  Mathew put a hand on each man’s arm. “We’re all tired. We need to stay focused on catching the kidnappers. If you know anything, I may be able to ease things for you. John Henry, let’s go into the other room.”

  When John Henry picked up his coffee, his hand shook. Mathew realized how much harder handling this trauma must be for an alcoholic, even one who now drank surreptitiously. He walked with him into the living room. John Henry sat in an elegant flame-stitched wing chair, his expression arrogant and wary.

  “After this is over, I’ll need a counselor to help me through this trauma.”

  Mathew narrowed his eyes, irritated by John Henry, but now channeling his annoyance into toughness. “Let’s cut the charade. You are sneaking alcohol. Your recovery is a sham.”

  “Sod off, you weasel-in-armor. You fail to appreciate the pressures I have. You roar in here and shove me into the background like I’m a disgraced relative.”

  Mathew dug inside himself to stay calm, to put his personal abhorrence of John Henry aside and find his agent modus operandi. “Getting Susannah back was my sole priority. She and your wife are on their way to a secure place. I remain here only to ease the process with the FBI for you and Rick. Let’s put the posturing aside.”

  John Henry brushed some lint off a knee with a gesture of wishing he could dispose of Mathew as easily.

  “Did you accrue any large debts now in arrears from gambling, drugs, pleasure houses or whatever?” Mathew asked.

  “Are you crazy? I might imbibe a little too much on occasion, but I have no obligations to the underworld scum you may be accustomed to wallowing around with.”

  “Anyone blackmailing you?”

  “No.”

  “What about friends or relatives? Did any person approach you for money or do you know someone with illicit habits they can’t afford?” Mathew asked.

  John Henry sat staring at the floor.

  “I don’t travel in those sorts of circles. I come from three generations of scholars. My great grandfather was a don at Oxford,” John Henry raised his head in haughty pride, then rose and went to the window, staring out at the back garden lit by lights hidden in the flowers, making the white blooms glow in the subtle light.

  The snideness in his protest and his taking refuge behind what sounded to be a distinguished family tree told Mathew that John Henry was hiding something about himself.

  “The FBI will start digging. They will continue to dig, probe and investigate until they find the link between this family and the criminals who kidnapped Susannah. This matter has gone to the head of the Bureau. The assigned agents will not let it go until it is solved and the guilty parties are behind bars.”

  Mathew stopped to let those words sink in and then said, “They will talk to you, to your relatives, to your neighbors. They will interview your peers and your department head at Berkley. They will keep at it until . . .”

  “Alright!” John Henry said as he turned back quickly from the window, his haughty composure slipping away. “A cousin on my mother’s side of the family. He would never be so imprudent as to accumulate five million in debt.”

  “How much? A million? What’s he into?

  “He had issues since adolescence. He experimented with cocaine and other uppers and he liked to place wagers on football games or whatever. I departed for college and fast-tracked my doctorate. I lost touch with him.”

  “Until?”

  “You don’t give up, do you?”

  Mathew waited, using a technique he learned from Steve. Give people time and you sometimes learn more.

  “I ran into him a few days ago. We partook of some cannabis.”

  “You may as well tell me the whole story. If this comes out later, the FBI will not approve of you withholding information.”

  John Henry glared at him, raising his head in an attempt to regain what he considered his superiority. An odd smirk came to his face, contorting one side of his mouth in disdain.

  “I encountered him at an upscale bordello employing high-class call girls,’ John Henry said. “We spent the afternoon quite satisfyingly. I presume you are going to relate all this to Callie.”

  Mathew kept his gaze steady. He needed to disassociate his attraction for Callie and his loathing of John Henry from his role as a federal agent.

  “Not if I can avoid it. How many times did you meet him?” Mathew asked.

  “Only the one afternoon. He did approach me for money.”

  “Is he aware of Rick’s financial status?”

  John Henry sat silently, avoiding his eyes and making Mathew think the cousin knew about Rick’s wealth. Mathew took down the particulars. “I will relay this info to the federal agent in charge of the investigation. You can expect to be questioned more about this relative and about your activities. Giving all the facts should make the conversation go more smoothly.”

  “My colleagues cannot be apprised of this at Berkeley.”

  “You are the one who mixed up your priorities. For Callie and Susannah’s sakes, I will keep this information contained if possible. They deserve not to be hurt more over this travesty. In all likelihood, Callie will hear about it from the FBI. This is their investigation now. As Susannah’s parents, each of you will be briefed periodically on the status of the case.”

  Mathew went back to the kitchen to interview Rick. A series of anomalies popped up with his son’s financials and Mathew needed to pursue them. Rick was just taking a glass of cold water back to the table.

  “Rick, can you think of any liaisons, friends or family who might be into unlawful activities and created a massive debt?” Mathew asked as he sat down.

  Rick’s face showed no surprise at the question. “Been sitting here asking myself the same questions. Me, no. Way too much to lose, including my family and my self-respect. Among my friends, relations and associates, none I am aware of and no deviant behavior that I noticed.”

  “What about your son?”

  “What do you mean?” Rick asked, his voice a little uneasy.

  “The FBI scrutinized the financial records of close relatives,” Mathew replied. “Your son systematically drained his bank accounts and his 401K. He took out a second mortgage.”

  “Damn it, Mathew. His investment is legitimate. Some buddies of his from college offered him a chance to buy into the startup of a new golf club in a prime location. The money he put up is part of their capital. I also gave him a partial advance on his inheritance. For the sake of the estate, the transaction is documented.”

  “If confronted, he will be able to show us paperwork, ownership shares, and other documentation?” Mathew asked.

  “Unless he was stupid and invested based on a handshake since hi
s friends are doing the project.” Rick wiped a hand across his eyes and stifled a yawn, reminding Mathew that none of them had slept much the last two nights.

  “It would be best if you do not tip him off,” Mathew said.

  “For chrissakes, you talked with him at my house. We may not be the closest family, but he is my son. I can’t let an FBI agent knock on his door without first hearing why,” Rick said, his voice rising in indignation.

  “All right. Call your son now,” Mathew said although he was reluctant to relent on his stance. “Tell him about Susannah and advise him the FBI will be interviewing your family members. No other details.”

  “My kids are jealous as hell of Callie and Susannah. They’re going to flip out if the feds come after them.”

  “Miserable business,” Mathew said. Rick nodded stiffly, making Mathew concerned about the outcome of this investigation harming their friendship.

  Right then, a car pulled up outside the house and three federal agents walked up the short path to the front door. Mathew would give his statement before the agents questioned John Henry and Rick. He would try to make the interviews less painful and tedious, particularly for Rick, who he admired. He hoped his son was not associated with this crime.

  Juxtaposed to Rick was John Henry. The more time he spent with that man, the more despicable he found him to be. When will Callie come to her senses about him and realize she needs to be rid of him?

  Up in Dundee, Callie followed Steve as he carried a sleeping Susannah downstairs to Mathew’s room where they expected to stay until Mathew and Rick returned. Sassy slept in the adjacent guest room. Fred offered to guard them by bunking down on the floor in the nearby games room while Lenny went for some much-needed sleep in his trailer.

  Callie crawled between the crisp, clean sheets, checking on Susannah before laying her head back against the pillows. Despite feeling exhausted and stressed, here in the comfort of Mathew’s bed, his lingering presence buoyed up her tired spirit. This trip marked the end of her marriage with John Henry. The last two days proved what she suspected – he snuck alcohol even while claiming to take sobriety seriously. The way he sat around useless on Susannah’s trauma and how he blamed her for his negligence in not seeing their daughter into school reinforced her decision.

  She decided to call Uncle Rick the next morning to tell him and Sassy together, seeking their guidance on how to approach John Henry. Even though she wanted their kind support during the rough parts of divorcing her husband, she must be the one to take the initiative with Susannah coming first in her decisions.

  Callie laid out her plans in her mind. Uncle Rick had already offered to let her and Susannah move into his large home. She would use this trip to leave John Henry and make this move back to Oregon permanent. At some point she would have to return to California to pack their things and hire a mover to put the furniture she wanted in storage. The house would then go on the market. Since she bought it with her own money, the deed was only in her name.

  Susannah loved her great aunt and uncle as grandparents. Their vineyard embraced her like a second home. Now she formed a special attachment to everyone here at Spook Hills. Susannah even favored the stern Steve and the gruff Lenny. While Callie worried about what her daughter might suffer from the aftermath of the trauma, the move back to Oregon would be an easy transition for them both.

  She marveled at finding herself in Mathew’s bed. Despite the circumstances with her marriage, she wanted to learn more about Mathew. He was different from her husband, much more masculine, at least as intelligent and yet kind and gentle, except he could throw a good punch, like a gallant gentleman of old defending a woman’s honor. Most importantly he had a strong character, which John Henry did not. His handsome face glowed with his inner goodness, while his blue-green eyes made her shimmer with suppressed excitement if he glanced her way. When amused, his eyes provoked merriment. If he ever turned to her with an expression of longing, her battered heart would follow him like a bright yellow California poppy tracks the sun. Even so, she needed to face her issues first.

  This decision to leave John Henry had taken her too long to make. Now she and Susannah resembled two wounded birds needing time in a safe nest to heal, each for different reasons. She snuggled under the comforter with her daughter’s warmth next to her. Even freshly laundered, the bedding carried a faint scent of Mathew’s masculinity and a comforting whiff of spicy aftershave. She closed her eyes and for the first time in two days, she let herself drift off to sleep.

  Chapter 9

  Two weeks later, on the first Friday in September, Mathew waved Steve and Ivy off as they headed out for a couple of days on the Oregon coast. With their vines too young to produce any grapes for wine, next week they intended to participate in harvest at Rick’s, learning as they worked.

  The prospect of Callie coming over for dinner that night filled him with anticipatory delight. While they saw each other at Rick’s and once here at Spook Hills, he held back from asking her out and even tonight he refused to characterize as a date since he wanted to advance their relationship slowly. In talking with her at Rick’s the day before, she used the words ‘wounded birds’ to describe herself and Susannah. Even though he found the epithet endearing, the sadness laced in those two words reinforced the need for him to move at a measured pace and remain only her friend for some time.

  To his surprise and delight, Callie had filed for divorce right after coming up to stay with Rick and Sassy, and she was making the move to Oregon permanent. Susannah was enrolled in the local Oregon school and would start classes next week. Only two weeks had passed since the kidnapping and since Callie left John Henry, yet so much was happening. It impressed him that Callie was both cautious in making decisions and yet willing to act swiftly once they were made.

  For now, he had to let Callie and Susannah heal, from the kidnapping, from the breakup with John Henry and at least for Callie, all the years of verbal abuse and bad attitude she had put up with from her husband.

  Last week, Ivy taught him how to make a traditional dish with a sophisticated sauce called Steak Diane. Corn on the cob and a crispy salad of farmer’s market greens, candied walnuts, crumbled Stilton and diced pears would balance the complexity of the beef dish. He also made crostini from an earthy whole grain bread to serve with olives marinated in slivers of garlic, olive oil, and shards of lemon peel, next to a ripened slice of Bucheron goat cheese for an appetizer. With a stack of cookbooks, notes and a timetable to follow, he trusted the meal would prove to be fail-safe.

  He studied his task list. Over appetizers Mathew planned to update Callie on the FBI’s pursuit of the underworld figures responsible for Susannah’s kidnapping. The FBI had arrested the mob leader with many of his gang while shutting down their operations. With that communication complete, he and Callie could shift to other topics.

  Carrying a pitcher full of sunflowers out to the table on the deck set for their dinner, Mathew realized that cooking for Callie seemed more intimate than going to a restaurant. If she agreed to spend time with him as a friend, next time he would take her to Portland with Susannah for some fun activity.

  Mathew just completed prepping the appetizers when the doorbell rang. Wearing Ivy’s red Glögg recipe apron to keep his shirt clean struck him as a little silly when he went to answer the door. His heart gave a lurch at seeing Callie on his doorstep, appearing equally nervous about their evening together. She carried a bottle of pinot from a nearby prime winegrower, Archery Summit, to drink with their steak. Some aficionados classify pinots as too delicate for a rich beef recipe. Mathew favored their nuances over the more robust reds. He opened the door, bending down a little to press his cheek against hers.

  “Welcome to Spook Hills! You better be hungry because we should enjoy scrumptious provender, thanks to help from Ivy, and provided this fraud of a cook can make the food turn out right.”

  She smiled at him in her direct way and said, “I’m sure dinner will be excellent. I doub
t you could scam anything you do.”

  Even after a few days away from John Henry, Callie had changed for the better. She stood straighter and spoke at a more audible level.

  “While I’m not much of a chef, I want to learn,” Mathew said. “Ivy agreed to conduct cooking classes this winter for Moll and me. Did you meet Moll?”

  Callie frowned for a moment and nodded. “Yes, kind of a kooky fellow with curly hair and more brains than he knows what to do with, right? Since I’ll be staying with Uncle Rick and Aunt Sassy, do you think Ivy will let me join the culinary lessons? My cookery talents are pretty basic.”

  “You probably underestimate yourself, but I’m sure Ivy won’t mind a third student. Will Susannah be interested too?”

  “More likely she’ll want to play Scrabble or another game with Steve,” Callie said. “She likes him so much, ever since the day he made the ice cream sundaes. Remember how the two of them snuck into the kitchen, giggling over swiping extra cherries?”

  Mathew grinned at the memory. “How hard we all laughed at Susannah chasing him around with the pressurized canister full of Ivy’s homemade whip cream.”

  “I didn’t know he ever goofed around.”

  “Remember him and Ivy doing a Norwegian folk dance?”

  “When they collided with each other and stopped dancing because they cracked up with laughter? Still, I always think of him as serious, almost forbidding.”

  “Steve is a different man now than before he met Ivy.” Mathew stopped to grab a bottle of wine. “Let’s go out on the sundeck. I thought a little Pinot Gris might work well with our appetizers.”

  They walked through the open doors to the roof deck at the back of the house, where Mathew poured them each a glass of wine, and they settled into deck chairs.

  “Callie, I thought we would start by bringing you up to date on the kidnapping case, but first, and most importantly, how is Susannah adjusting?”