MemoriesErasedTreachery

by Charlie Richards

  "Entry dated the day before she died, Going to Pepperdine to have Jen and Kath witness the wills. Caro concerned about me traveling so far, so close to term."

  Devin looked at Ewyn. "Is there a computer here? I didn't notice one in Greg's office."

  "No, Greg came here to get away from everything, but he always had his laptop with him, just in case. Niki and Caro might have done the same."

  "No, because theirs would still be here."

  "Oh…right. As far as we know, they were returning here after taking care of business." Ewyn sighed. "Damn. Another dead end."

  "Not necessarily," Timothy stated. "Keep in mind, all of this is conjecture on our parts."

  "Their laptops and computers should be with the stuff in storage on the estate." Devin took a drink of water before continuing. "Tim, have someone pull Niki's laptop out of storage and Ewyn will check it out when we return to town." He looked at Ewyn who nodded. "There may be some mention of this mystery man before she came out here."

  "Will do," Timothy replied.

  "I need to reread the journal."

  Ewyn asked, "How will that help?"

  "I'm not sure, but I could be missing something." Devin stared at the journal. "Think about it. So far, we've been basing our assumptions on information we received from Patterson, the roommates, and friends, which is no more than hearsay, rumor, and innuendo."

  "Whereas, the journal tells us her friends didn't know everything," Timothy stated.

  "Exactly," Devin said. "Everybody who knew Niki thinks Kieki's father attended school back East because it's what Niki wanted them to know. Her journal doesn't confirm or contradict any of the hearsay."

  "Bringing us back to how she and the husband were communicating with each other," Ewyn interposed.

  "Yes. Was he flying back and forth? Is he out of school, staying with his family in Riverview--again hearsay. Or, has he been in California all along, attending Pepperdine?"

  "All good points," Timothy said. "Because, in the scheme of things, the only thing we have proof of is the man's ethnicity, the one thing everyone had right. I'd like to have a look at her journal, too. Once I contact Patterson, we'll have to turn the original over to him."

  "No doubt. I'll take care of it," Devin said.

  "You know Patterson will probably want to go out to Big Bear, since you found crucial evidence there," Timothy pointed out.

  "Hell," Ewyn growled.

  Devin leaned over and tugged Ewyn from his chair and onto his lap. "Fine. Tell him we're leaving the day after tomorrow, so he needs to get here before we leave, if he wants to look around. The staff won't give him access once we're gone." He kissed Ewyn's mouth. "Of course, he could be stupid enough to play the search warrant card, and he shouldn't go there with us."

  "I'll make that clear to him." Timothy chuckled. "But if he persists, I'll have MacGregor tie his ass up with jurisdictional BS for months," he said. "I'm going to make a few calls. I'll touch base with the two of you when you get back to town."

  "Thanks, Tim." Devin closed his cell and wrapped his arms around Ewyn, pulling baby-boy against him.

  "Damn, Dev, this is deep. Niki married the bastard." Ewyn sighed. "I can't think any more, I'm going to bed." He stood, gathered up the empty bottles, and tossed them in the trash bin on his way out of the solarium. Devin turned out the lights and followed.

  Ewyn climbed into bed and as soon as Devin slipped in beside him, he snuggled up, spooning his body to Devin's frame. "I don't understand." He yawned. "If the man was trying to do the right thing, and Niki married him, then why change her will."

  "After they married, the man's attitude disturbed her. Another entry in her journal noted he asked too many questions about the family business, he wanted details of her trust fund set up, and about her inheritance." Devin's arms wrapped around the lithe body. "Consider her roots. Questions about family business, not acceptable, and it would have made Niki suspicious. More to the point, if he claimed he married her solely for the benefit of Kiera's legitimacy, why all the questions. None of the personal stuff should have mattered. Maybe she had him investigated."

  "Naw. If she had, where is the information?" Ewyn shook his head. "Nothing in her personal papers. So, unless we find it on her computer…"

  "Again, conjecture on my part," Devin said. "If her husband is involved in the deaths, I have to wonder if the deaths were premeditated. Did he marry Niki intending to kill her?"

  "Right."

  Devin moved his hands down along the warm chest and abs, easing them beneath the waistband of Ewyn's pajamas. His fingers trailed through spirals of curly shorthairs, hands settling around Ewyn's cock. Fingertips stroking balls and perineum, teasing the tight asshole, the flaccid cock came alive in his hands. Both relaxed with sighs.

  "We'll sort it out." He kissed Ewyn's neck and closed his eyes. "I'm beat. We'll go over everything again when we get up."

  Chapter 13

  Outside the windows, beyond the craggy outline of the mountainside, fingers of sunlight teased the hovering shroud of darkness. Ewyn lay listening to the slow even breathing of the man beside him while he watched the dawn encroach on what was left of the night. Sighing, he turned over, snuggled up to Devin's side, and eased his leg over one muscular thigh.

  "Dev, are you awake?"

  "Sure thing. Been dozing on and off." Devin ran his hand down Ewyn's back and eased the pajamas down over his ass. "What's bothering you?"

  "What do you think happened to Niki's copy of the marriage license?"

  "Unless she stashed it somewhere other than with her personal papers, I'm assuming it was taken from her dorm along with the copies of her will."

  "Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Ewyn remarked. "So we need to go through all of her things when we get back." He nibbled his bottom lip for a few seconds, then, "Are you sure we can rule out CeCe?"

  "No. I'm basing my conclusions solely on the lack of Cecilia's name in the journal."

  Devin removed his pj's then hauled Ewyn on top of him, his cock coming to life when baby-boy's warm supple body and hard cock pressed against him. His fingers slid along the crease of the little butt, smiling when Ewyn reflexively clenched the cheeks.

  "For now, our main focus is Kieki's father. Unless we discover proof Cecilia is alive, I don't want her to become a distraction. Remember last time, we focused on Varvarinski, and we know how that ended."

  With his hands stacked on Devin's chest and his chin resting on top of them, Ewyn stared into sleepy amber eyes. "Maybe Niki didn't recognize her," he suggested.

  "Uh…a strange woman in the car. I don't think so. Neither Niki or Caro would have let a stranger drive the car."

  "The person had a gun."

  "True, but the girls probably didn't know until it was too late. Niki was in labor, Caro let the perp drive, got into the back seat. They must have known the perp. From the angle of the bullet, Caro was on the passenger side probably trying to comfort Niki," Devin reminded him.

  "Oh yeah, right. Sorry. Forgot about that."

  "Hey, it's okay. I can understand your trepidation concerning your sister-in-law," Devin assured him. "After everything she put you and your family through, and now, with Kieki's safety on the line, I agree we can't take anything for granted."

  "Dev, if she's involved in this and she goes after our baby-girl, I swear I'll kill her this time."

  "Baby, you are preaching to the choir. But what I keep coming back to is the confusion of the wills."

  "What do you mean by confusion?"

  "Well, who would take them? Only someone who would benefit from the old will, right?"

  "Yeah…"

  "CeCe or a spouse, correct."

  "Oh. I see where you're going," Ewyn exclaimed. "So how does Kieki's father come into it unless…" He paused, brow furrowing. "I don't get it."

  "Neither do I, hence, my confusion. Kieki's father may have known he had to marry Niki to become a beneficiary, according to the original will. However, he'd have to
be in California to know about the revisions, and to take them from the dorm. Niki wouldn't have given up that information."

  "Bringing us back to the where, and the how of their communications, if he's involved."

  "Precisely," Devin said. "Furthermore, if CeCe were involved, how would she have known about the revisions or have gained access to Niki's dorm to find them?"

  "Damn." Ewyn shook his head. "Could Kieki's father have someone on campus helping him? Maybe the friend who introduced him to Niki."

  "If so, it would have to be someone Kathleen, Jennifer, or Calabria knew, and they would have told you. It's only rumor someone introduced them. It could have been a chance encounter."

  "Yeah, and you're right about Kath and Jen, but I wouldn't trust anything Calabria says." Ewyn scowled. "Besides, he's such a fuckin' bigot, I doubt he has any Black friends, much less one close enough he'd become an accomplice to murder for him," he stated. "I need to read the journal. Might be something in there you've overlooked or didn't understand."

  "Not a problem. When we get out of bed, we'll take Kieki for an outing into town. While we're there, I'll make a few copies of the journal so Patterson can have the original. You can check the post office to see if Niki or Caro opened post office boxes in their names."

  Ewyn glanced over at the clock--six o'clock. "Kieki should be having breakfast right now, then playtime and a nap." Eyebrow arched, he stared down at Devin. "You know, if we hurry, we can get busy, shower, have breakfast, and be ready to go when Kieki wakes from her nap."

  "Hmm. I don't know about hurrying. I believe I won the challenge yesterday." Devin rolled pinning Ewyn beneath him. "Maybe we can forego breakfast, take our time, and christen the bidet."

  "Oh yeah." Ewyn ran his fingers through the soft blond waves, pulling Devin's head downward until their mouths were a whisper apart. "Except, we're parents now," he added. "If we've learned anything--our baby-girl is unpredictable, which means daytime is not sexually productive time." He leaned forward and took custody of Devin's receptive mouth for a moment, then sighed and leaned away. "Any in-depth amorous pursuits have to wait until nighttime, or when Kieki isn't with us."

  Devin groaned, rolled off Ewyn, and sat up. "She has us completely whipped."

  "You've got that right, and we wouldn't have it any other way." Laughing, Ewyn scooted off the bed and moseyed toward the bathroom. "So, I guess we do a quickie--Dev!" he squeaked when strong arms lifted him off the floor. "Shit! For such a big man, you really have that stealth thing going on."

  "Necessity of the job." Devin laughed and nuzzled Ewyn's neck as he stepped into the shower. "Mmm. Let's get this party started and I'll demonstrate another of my signature moves."

  Devin's cell rang just as he finished dressing. He flipped it open, noting the caller ID and the time as he pressed the speaker button. "Patterson. You didn't waste any time."

  "If it's okay, I can be there within two hours, depending on traffic."

  "See you then," Devin replied and closed his phone. He turned to Ewyn. "Let's go get our baby-girl."

  "Papoose or stroller?"

  "Papoose," Devin replied, referring to the baby sling. "I'll carry her."

  "You know, I'm feeling hungry. We should stop for brunch."

  "Why not. Suddenly, I'm hungry, too." Devin stared into green eyes sparkling with mischief. "I did work up an appetite." He bent and kissed the soft lips.

  "I'll let the staff know to expect Patterson." Ewyn grinned. "I'm sure he won't mind waiting until we get back."

  Devin pulled up to the estate, pressed the code numbers, then glanced over at Ewyn while he waited for the gates to open. "I promise we'll take a real vacation once we resolve this."

  "Hey. Don't sweat it. With the possibility of Kieki's life being on the line, vacations can wait."

  Devin drove up the driveway to the front door, unlatched the doors, climbed out of the SUV, and handed his keys to Martin. "Have Mick and Tag arrived?"

  "Yes, sir, they're with Miss Gemma and Detective Patterson. Mister Timothy called, said he was on his way."

  Ewyn laughed. "I wonder if Patterson is still pissed."

  "Who cares?" Devin snorted. "If he wants to play in the big leagues, he'd better get over himself. Of course, he wouldn't have had to wait three hours, if someone hadn't gone shopping, as if Kieki needed more things."

  "Hey! I recall you purchased a few outfits and toys for her, too," Ewyn said as he stepped out of the truck. He helped Mycelia by taking Kiera from her arms. "And that reminds me--Myce, did the staff pack the storage chest we found in Niki's closet?"

  "Yes, but I couldn't go through it."

  "No problem, I'll do it. Kieki may be able to use some of the stuff. At the least, it will make a nice toy chest and heirloom for her." Turning to the chauffer. "Thanks, Martin. You can put the Escalade in the garage after it's unloaded."

  Martin nodded and moved to the back of the vehicle.

  Ewyn looked at Kiera and scrunched up his nose. "Phew…Kieki, somebody made stinky." She giggled and bounced in his arms. He kissed her grinning mouth and handed her back to Mycelia. "I think a change will help," he stated and followed them into the house.

  "Oh yeah." Mycelia chuckled. "A change, a bath and food, then down for a nap. She remained awake the entire trip," she said moving toward the elevator. "Since you're still on vacation, will you be taking her with you when you leave?"

  "No," Devin responded. "We're going to finish off our vacation with the contractor coming in to remodel. Most of the time, we'll be here during construction. Would you have the staff put our stuff in Ewyn's room?"

  She nodded. "Sure thing."

  Mycelia stepped into the elevator, while Devin and Ewyn headed up the stairs. Mick greeted them at Gemma's door. "Damn, man." He looked at Devin. "Don't you know the definition of relaxation?" He shook hands. "Remind me to never take a vacation with the two of you."

  "Tell me about it," Devin countered as he headed across the room. He joined Gemma on the sofa, gave her a hug, and kissed her cheek. "How are you holding up?"

  "To be honest, Dev, and this may sound macabre, I haven't been this alive for quite some time. Sans the possible threat to Ewyn and Kiera, I'm enjoying myself, I like being involved, and I'm really getting into this detecting stuff." She patted his hand.

  "Ewyn's dad let me sit in on his business discussions, on occasion. Oh, I knew it wasn't a socially acceptable form of commerce, especially for a young lady, but it was my heritage." She laughed and looked at Detective Patterson. "I loved my big brother, and I was proud of him, regardless."

  Grinning, Ewyn came over and gave her a hug. "Calderone to the bone." He kissed her cheek then turned to Patterson. "Did you get anything out of the journal?"

  "It was interesting, to say the least, but I came to the same conclusions as the rest of you," Patterson told him. "The husband is the prime suspect."

  Ewyn nodded and turned to Taggart. "I'm going to help get Kieki settled, want to join me? Dev and Mick can fill us in later."

  Taggart followed Ewyn to the door. "Don't have to ask me twice."

  Ewyn and Taggart encountered Timothy on his way into the apartment as they left. "The gang is all here," Ewyn joked as they passed. "We'll catch up later."

  Devin vacated the seat next to Gemma, greeted Timothy who took his place on the sofa, then he went to the sideboard to get a bottle of water. He made himself comfortable in the chair next to Mick and asked the detective what he had discovered.

  Patterson told him what he knew regarding the blood, the fingerprints, and the gun found at the scene of the accident. It led nowhere, but he did canvass the Big Bear area and found the obstetrician Nicole had consulted.

  "She used an alias--Alanna Kelley. Told the doctor she was visiting friends in the area, gave her address as a post office box, and said she would only be there for the summer," Patterson reported. "Not unusual since the estates in the area only use post office boxes. The doctor's staff didn't push it since it's a reso
rt, and they get quite a few transient patients.

  "At her last visit, the week before she died, she told him she was going home. That's the reason he didn't send out a query. She took copies of her pregnancy history with her."

  Devin asked, "Were you able to get copies?"

  "Yeah, but she listed the father as unknown."

  "Damn. You said she used an alias. Don't they require I-D for health insurance purposes?"

  "She paid cash. However, get this--she had a bogus driver's license for Alanna Kelly with a bogus address in San Mateo." Patterson shook his head. "Smart woman," he mumbled and looked around at the assembled company. "No offense, but she'd have to know the right people to arrange that, planned out in advance to the smallest details." No one responded, so he continued.

  "It completely floored the doctor to find out Nicole had died. Said he read an account of the accident in the newspaper, but he didn't connect it to Nicole."

  "I don't understand," Gemma remarked. "Where was she planning to have the baby?"

  "Saint Bernadine's," Devin replied. "They wouldn't have turned her away. It had to be Nicole's destination when the car crashed, considering the location of the accident. She was coming home, so to speak."

  "Makes sense." Gemma sighed. "Explains why they were on that highway."

  The group spent a few hours reviewing the information at their disposal without resolving anything. Discussions turned to the individual areas of investigation each would pursue. After coordinating their schedules, they agreed to meet once a month to discuss any progress. "So we won't be spinning our wheels, duplicating efforts," Devin stated.

  "If anyone discovers something in the interim, contact Mick. He'll touch base with the rest of us." Devin turned to Patterson. "Tag and I will have to forego a few of these sessions when duty calls. Mick will keep us in the loop."

  "Not a problem," Patterson responded. "Will you need help with surveillance and protection for your baby-girl, or Mister Kelley?"