Lasting Shadows: Shadows Landing #3

by Kathleen Brooks

  “So, a hot Special Forces hacker,” Ellery said, nodding slowly. “Yup, totally Harper’s kind of thing.”

  “But that’s the thing. He was introduced to us as a grad student,” Tinsley told them.

  “And while he is hot, he’s not Special Forces hot. Not a tattoo to be seen,” Harper told them expertly.

  “He is muscled, though. Maybe he’s undercover?” Tinsley wondered out loud.

  “His dad and sister are like superheroes. Of course, some of that has rubbed off, but he’s definitely not a soldier,” Harper said with confidence.

  Savannah held up her hands. “Hold on. Why didn’t Ridge know him?”

  “Ridge didn’t go to Dylan’s wedding. He was the keynote speaker at some big conference that weekend. But Harper and I went and we met him,” Tinsley told them.

  “So, is he hot?” Ellery asked the important question.

  “Totally,” Harper confirmed. “But not bad boy enough for me.”

  All eyes turned to Tinsley. “Too young for us both. He’s like twenty-five or something.”

  Ellery nudged Savannah. “Notice she didn’t say he wasn’t hot?”

  Tinsley blushed as Savannah laughed. “Fine, he’s hot. But my artsy side would make his brain explode.”

  The woman all laughed and Savannah’s eyes drifted to where Ridge was joking with his cousins. He glanced over at her and smiled before his cousins started teasing him. Only he didn’t look worried about it. Instead, he laughed and turned once more to give her a wink.

  “Aren’t they cute?” Tinsley smiled happily as she clasped her hands.

  Harper rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything while Ellery nodded her head in agreement. “He makes me happy. He makes me feel . . .” Savannah struggled to find the right word. “More.”

  But before she heard what the women were going to say, Ridge looked down at his phone and then looked immediately to her. “It’s Kale.”

  “Go,” Tinsley shooed.

  “And then tell us everything!” Ellery called after her.

  Savannah hurried over to where Ridge was holding the back door open for her. “One second, Kale. Savannah and I are just stepping inside.”

  Savannah went through the door into a kitchen that was cool with the house’s air conditioning and filled with trays of food. “Hi, Kale. I’m Savannah. How is your sister, Abby?”

  Kale chuckled over the phone as Ridge shot her a questioning look. “I didn’t know you knew the family.”

  “Tinsley and Harper were just telling me about Abby’s wedding to their cousin Dylan. They sound like a neat couple,” Savannah said as her eyes didn’t leave Ridge’s face. She saw the moment he made the connection and rolled his eyes at himself as he shook his head.

  “They are. They’re out of the country at the moment on business. I’m sure they’re having fun,” Kale told them.

  “The conferences I went to were never fun,” Ridge said dryly.

  “Eh. You’re not overthrowing a dictator,” Kale said, and Savannah couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. “But anyway, what did you need?”

  “We have a problem,” Granger told him.

  “A Bunny problem?” Kale asked and Savannah tried not to snicker.

  “A someone-is-trying-to-kill-me problem,” Savannah answered for Ridge.

  “That’s interesting. Why is someone trying to kill you?”

  Savannah shrugged as if Kale could see her. “That’s why I called,” Ridge said, taking a deep breath. “The sheriff here is our friend.”

  “Granger Fox.”

  “That’s right. You saw him and listened to him when you hacked my phone,” Ridge explained. “Well, he’s out of legal options to get some answers. We thought Bunny was behind the attempts of harming us, but after you told us she was on a yacht, we turned our direction to finding out who hired the man that tried to kill Savannah.”

  “What man?” Kale asked.

  “We thought for sure Bunny was behind it, but a man tried to kill Savannah and he told her he’d been paid for it. We thought it was Bunny.”

  “What did the man say during interrogation?” Kale asked.

  Savannah cringed. “Well, he kinda jumped out of a window to escape me and died.”

  “Gotcha,” Kale said. “You need to find the contract and trace it back to who is behind it all.”

  “Exactly. The man has a phone on him, but Granger is out of legal options to unlock it,” Ridge explained.

  “Ridge, hand your phone to Savannah,” Kale ordered and Savannah took the phone from him. “Smile.”

  She smiled but didn’t know why. “Why would you have me smile?”

  “I just took your picture. I’m going to run it through some software to see what I can find on the dark web. And the wanted lists. People post the darnedest things on there. But usually when there’s a contract out on someone, they don’t use the person’s name when they hire someone. They use a photo and a location. I already have your location.”

  “You can do that?” Savannah asked, surprised.

  “I can do just about anything,” Kale told her. “Now, tracing a contract might take a little while, so hang in there while I work on this.”

  “I don’t suppose there’s a way to get this information admissible in court?” Ridge asked. Savannah hadn’t even thought about court. She just wanted to know who was behind this and why.”

  “Has there been any kind of court order?” Kale asked.

  “Yes, Granger got one for the phone, but the company is stonewalling us.”

  Kale snorted. “No problem. I just need the phone’s serial number, and I’ll see what I can find and then send it to Granger.”

  “How is that admissible?” Savannah asked. She knew enough about law to realize this was seriously gray territory if not off limits completely.

  “I’ll send it from the company’s email. It will look as if the company was simply following through on the court order. And I won’t tell if you don’t tell.”

  “You can do that?” Ridge asked, stunned.

  Kale laughed again. “As I said, I can do just about anything. Send me the number and I’ll get started. Stay safe and I’ll call you if I find anything.”

  The line went dead and Savannah looked over to Ridge. “Who is that man?”

  “At least he’s a friend,” he said as he shook his head.

  “Do you really think he can find the person behind this?” Savannah asked, torn between hope and not wanting to know. Part of her wanted to run and hide her head in the sand. The other part wanted to know who it was and kill them.

  “I guess all we can do it wait and see,” Ridge said as he reached for her and pulled her into a hug.

  “And stay alive,” Savannah said into his chest as he held her.

  23

  Savannah pushed her sunglasses up as if they were a headband. She looked up at the church as a couple of old ladies were leaving Bible study. Was she really going to a self-defense class with a bunch of seniors? Taking a deep breath, Savannah walked up the steps of the church. Well, some self-defense was better than no self-defense. Maybe they had pepper spray she could have.

  Savannah entered the church and looked around at the beautiful stained glass. A grandma in a knitted cat vest came toward her. “Excuse me, where’s the self-defense class?”

  The woman blinked and then smiled. “Oh, weapons are in the armory. Go through those doors and take a left. You’ll see it.”

  Armory? Weapons? The poor dear was so old she was confused. “Thank you,” Savannah said to the cat lady before following her instructions.

  Savannah turned left down the hall. At the end of the hall there was an open door. She could hear laughter and the sound of metal upon metal. Maybe they were knitting? She’d ask the knitting group where the self-defense class was.

  Savannah turned into the room and froze. The tap-tap-tap sound of metal upon metal wasn’t two knitting needles, but two long, thin, and very sharp-looking swords being wielde
d by two women that were old enough to be grandmothers.

  “Oh, good. You joined us,” Miss Winnie said with a grin as she teetered over to her using a large pike as a cane. “How was the apple pie?”

  Savannah blushed and Miss Winnie laughed. “What is this?” Savannah asked as women began to fill the room. Some were seniors, some were younger, and then she recognized Lydia with her eldest daughter who couldn’t be more than ten. And even Tamika, the teenage waitress, came in.

  “Welcome to our weapons class, Miss Ambrose,” Reverend Winston said as he smiled at her upon entering the large room.

  “This isn’t self-defense,” Savannah finally stuttered.

  “It is and it isn’t. I told you, women are the protectors of Shadows Landing.”

  Savannah looked incredulous. “But that was during pirate times. As far as I know, there aren’t any more pirates raiding the shores of South Carolina.”

  “Doesn’t mean we don’t keep with tradition. Besides, it’s a good workout and you never know when we must protect the flock. Are you ready to join us?”

  Savannah looked over at Reverend Winston. He had to be joking, but then Tamika pulled out a giant cutlass, and it wasn’t funny anymore. She and Lydia began to battle in earnest as the little girl picked up a dagger, slid what looked like a piece of cork on the tip, and then began thrusting at a self-defense dummy.

  “I can see you’re surprised, but we take our role of protectors seriously. Lacy just turned ten two weeks ago. That’s the age they’re allowed to start training. It’s a rite of passage here,” the reverend explained as he saw Savannah watching the little girl.

  Savannah took a deep breath and nodded. “Tell me what to do.”

  “Lacy,” Reverend Winston called out. The little girl immediately put her dagger to her side and approached.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Today you have a new partner. Meet Miss Savannah.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Miss Savannah,” the little girl said, looking up at her.

  “You too.” Savannah couldn’t help but smile back at her.

  “Would you please get Miss Savannah a beginner’s dagger?”

  “Yes, sir. Come with me, Miss Savannah. I took the one with the pink handle, but there’s a really pretty one with a green handle that you’ll love.”

  And with that the little girl reached over and took Savannah by the hand. She led Savannah to the far wall and slid open the large door. That was when Savannah learned that the church did, in fact, have an armory.

  Five minutes later, Tinsley, Harper, and Ellery joined the class. Tinsley and Harper each wielded something large and mean looking while Ellery had a blue-handled dagger. Ellery, Savannah, Lacy, and another girl from Lacy’s fourth-grade class were working with Reverend Winston on the proper way to use a dagger.

  “Good, Ellery,” the reverend praised. “Next week you can advance to throwing the dagger. You’ll be up to boarding pikes in no time.”

  Meanwhile, Savannah was having a ten year old rolling her eyes at her. “Not like that, Miss Savannah,” Lacy said with all the annoyance of a tween. “Don’t be scared of it. The dagger is an extension of your hand. Use it like you would use a fork or a pen.”

  Savannah was having issues learning how to properly thrust with the blade. It didn’t help that two ten-year-old girls were snickering at her.

  “Don’t grip it so hard,” Ellery whispered. “It’ll just tire your hand muscles. Like Lacy said, hold it with the same pressure as you hold a pen.”

  Savannah relaxed her grip and found it easier to maneuver the blade in the pattern Reverend Winston was teaching them. After thirty more minutes, class was called and those fierce warriors went back to senior citizens, grandmothers talking about grandbabies, kids talking about school, and adults talking about their jobs.

  “It’s surreal, right?” Tinsley asked as she showed Savannah the clean-up process.

  “I thought it was a self-defense class,” she said stupidly.

  Tinsley smiled and nodded. “It is and it isn’t. I took this class when I was a kid. After I left for college, I didn’t come back until I was attacked in my home. Now I do this once a week and I also take a self-defense class in Charleston. You’re welcome to come with me.”

  “I’d like that, thank you.” Savannah took a deep breath and focused on herself for a moment. “I do feel more confident.”

  “Knowing how to protect yourself and others gives you that feeling. I’m glad you came.”

  “Savannah,” Reverend Winston called out. “Good class. Usually you put your weapons back, but I’d like you to take yours home and practice. I have a feeling by next week’s class you’ll feel a lot more comfortable.”

  “Thank you. I enjoyed the class a lot.” Savannah slipped the safely sheathed dagger into her purse.

  Harper soon joined them, and together they walked outside.

  “I’ve been thinking,” Harper said as they crossed the street and headed to her bar together. “Do you think your ex could be behind this?”

  “Penn?” Savannah thought about it as she’d been doing for days. “I thought about it, but I don’t know why he would. He took almost all the money in the divorce. As per the judge’s order, we both changed our wills and I never had life insurance. It’s not like there’s anything to gain. He didn’t want this house, so I don’t see him paying someone to kill me in order to get it. Actually, he wouldn’t even get it, and he knows that. It’s part of my new will and will go to my estate.”

  “Could he just be mad that you left him?” Tinsley asked.

  “He never really cared if I went back to him.”

  “Then why would someone want you dead?” Harper asked the million-dollar question or at least the twenty-thousand-dollar question.

  “I wish I knew. Hopefully, Kale will find something out.”

  Ridge looked over the work they’d completed on Savannah’s kitchen and knew it was back on track now. The guys were doing great work and they’d even come in Saturday morning. They wanted to get a jump-start on the work that fell behind after the police had shut down the property for a couple days.

  Ridge looked at his watch and saw that it was already four in the afternoon. “Okay, guys. That’s good for today. Go home and spend some time with your families. I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning.”

  Granger pulled up to the driveway as the guys were pulling out. Ridge walked over to his SUV as he got out. “So, I got this email from the phone company.”

  “Imagine that. I guess they complied with the order.”

  Granger’s eyebrow rose, but he didn’t comment. “There wasn’t that much on the phone. Just a picture of Savannah and her address. I thought to ask Savannah if she knew who took this picture of her. It might give us a lead.”

  “Another lead may pop up at anytime, too,” Ridge said cryptically.

  “Until it does, I’m going to do my police work so I have enough evidence to put the person in jail for life,” Granger told him before looking back to the house. “Is Savannah here?”

  Ridge shook his head. “She texted me this morning that she’s at the bar hanging out with Harper and Tinsley after the weapons class. That was five hours ago. I haven’t heard otherwise, so I’m guessing she’s still there.”

  “Can you find out?” Granger asked as he put away the paper printout of the email he’d received from Kale . . . um, the phone company.

  “Sure.” Ridge sent her a text that Granger was looking for her and a minute later, he had his answer. “She’s helping Harper serve drinks at the bar. She said it’s packed there.”

  “That’s right. It’s the big game between Clemson and South Carolina.” Granger paused and shook his head. “That’s how stressed I am. I can’t believe I forgot this holiday even as I drove down a packed street.”

  “It’s because they changed rivals weekend from just after Thanksgiving to now. I still can’t believe they did that,” Ridge grumbled about the biggest football contr
oversy to hit the state in years.

  “Shoot, parking is going to be a nightmare.”

  “I’ll meet you there.” Granger got into his SUV and backed out of the driveway. Ridge looked at his watch. Four ten. The game started at six. It was tailgating time. Ridge ran home and grabbed his South Carolina T-shirt and then drove past Harper’s house, but her driveway was already full so he went to Gavin’s and parked.

  Ridge walked as quickly as he could the couple of blocks to downtown. There were no spaces available as cars lined both sides of the road. Golf carts were parked on the sidewalk next to at least ten bikes and two riding lawn mowers. Ridge shook his head. He was surprised someone hadn’t come on horseback.

  Ridge pushed open the front door and was immediately assaulted by the noise. The room was clearly divided. Clemson fans on one side with all their purple and orange and South Carolina fans with their garnet and white on the other side. People were yelling taunts at each other across the room as the pregame show aired on the large televisions across the bar.

  Harper was behind the bar, pushing out drinks as fast as possible while Tinsley delivered them. Both Harper and Tinsley were in South Carolina jerseys as some customers high-fived them while others dared to boo them. When they booed, their drinks suddenly went to another table.

  “It’s packed.” Ridged nodded in response to Granger who had just come in behind him.

  “I don’t see Savannah.” Ridge had to yell to be heard over the noise.

  “There’s your family. They have a table on the South Carolina side. Maybe they know where she is.”

  Ridge and Granger began to push their way through the crowd to the table where Trent, Ryker, Gavin, and Ellery sat with Edie Greene Wecker, their childhood friend who was now a widow.

  “You brought the traitors,” Trent said with a sly grin to Ridge as he finally pushed his way to the table.

  “Huh?” Ridge asked as Trent nodded to Granger. It was then that Ridge turned to see Granger in a deep purple Clemson T-shirt. When he looked back at Trent, who was looking across the room. Ridge followed his gaze and there was Savannah looking every bit the Clemson cheerleader. She was in a denim miniskirt with the same purple Clemson T-shirt that Granger had on, but it was tied in a knot at her waist, exposing a strip of her smooth skin across her belly. Her high ponytail had orange ribbons tied around it.