Athena Force: Books 1-6

by Justine Davis, Amy J. Fetzer, Katherine Garbera, Meredith Fletcher, Catherine Mann

  A door slammed and the squeal of tires punctuated the realization that whoever had been following her would get away.

  Kayla skidded to a stop. Frustration pounded in her veins. She stared after the fleeing vehicle. Small. Black. Two doors. Couldn’t make out the license plate.

  Dammit.

  She stomped her foot and wheeled around to head back to where she’d parked her Jeep.

  That definitely hadn’t been Hadden. She knew his vehicle. Knew him. And though she hadn’t been able to discern whether the person was male or female, her every instinct had told her it definitely wasn’t Hadden.

  One of his cronies maybe? He worked here in Tucson. Lived maybe thirty minutes from the cemetery.

  But why would he have someone tailing her here of all places?

  Maybe it was someone who knew the Cassandras had taken out the Cipher. Or hell, for all she knew it could be someone commissioned by Athena Academy. But she wasn’t prepared to believe that yet, any more than she was ready to go along with the idea that Marshall Carrington was a bad guy. Confused, hurting, desperate even, but no way a bad guy.

  Time to give Marshall some credit. He was convinced that Rainy and David Gracelyn were involved. Kayla was certain that wasn’t true, but there could have been something between them. Maybe Rainy had shared some aspect of her troubles with him. He could have useful information.

  Only one way to find out.

  She drove out of the cemetery and headed for Phoenix. She would have just enough time to drop by David Gracelyn’s office before making the long drive back to Athens to pick up her daughter after choir. All she had to do was call Gracelyn’s secretary and make sure he was in. She wouldn’t make an appointment or give him any forewarning.

  She needed him off balance. A mere cop would need the element of surprise when going up against an assistant attorney general and his Harvard law degree.

  The idea was to get off-the-cuff, unprepared responses. Any advance warning of her arrival would have him mulling over what she might want. Considering his family played a major role in the support and funding of Athena Academy, he likely already knew about Kayla’s investigation. There was no doubt that he knew how Marshall felt about him.

  That put him in the category of hostile witness. And yet she couldn’t imagine that David Gracelyn would ever in a million years hurt Rainy. The Gracelyns had all loved Rainy. Allison Gracelyn, David’s sister, had been one of Rainy’s closest friends. But Kayla needed to know once and for all where he and Rainy had stood prior to her death. The exact nature of their relationship.

  Even the suggestion of an affair would cast a whole new light on the matter…as well as a completely new focus on the husband. Adultery was one of the primary motivating factors for when men and women killed their spouses.

  She couldn’t see Marshall doing such a thing, much less having the contacts to call in an assassin like the Cipher.

  But, a cop’s job was to turn over every single rock, no matter how small and unlikely that rock looked to the naked eye.

  By the time she arrived at David Gracelyn’s office in Phoenix, Kayla’s tension level had reached the breaking point. Between Marshall’s unexpected reaction—she didn’t even want to think about the kiss—and the chase in the cemetery, she felt ready to snap. Rather than giving her time to calm down, the long ride had agitated her further.

  She got out of her Jeep, determination urging her on. She wasn’t leaving Gracelyn’s office until she had the truth.

  Chapter 7

  Kayla didn’t have to wait to see David Gracelyn. Not only was he in, he was glad she’d come. The receptionist showed Kayla to his elegant office.

  Assistant attorney generals had it made, she decided upon entering his distinguished digs.

  “It’s good to see you, Kayla. Please, sit.” He gestured to a brocade wing-back chair that flanked his desk. “Would you like coffee? Water, perhaps?”

  His smile was pleasant and reached his eyes. Tall, with brown hair and eyes, David wasn’t so much handsome because of his good looks. It was the whole package—the air of confidence and elegance. The mark of a Gracelyn.

  Despite his smile, there was a solemn quality about him that spoke of deep pain. She wondered about that, Marshall’s accusations filtering through her mind.

  She declined his offer of refreshments. “Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Gracelyn.” Though she’d known him for a long time, his position prompted her to address him formally.

  She thrust out her hand. He shook it briskly and scolded, “You know better than to call me mister. We’ve known each other far too long for that kind of formality.”

  They had known each other for many years—that was true—but that didn’t make them close. The Gracelyns ran in more aristocratic circles. Kayla’s family personified the term working middle-class, their love of the simpler ways flavored with Navajo influence. Had it not been for Athena Academy her path likely would never have crossed his.

  David was a kind man, a good ten years Kayla’s senior. Allison, his sister, had been a senior at Athena Academy when Kayla started in seventh grade. Allison had been Rainy’s best non-Cassandra friend. Her parents were among Arizona’s elite. David, her only sibling, had always gone out of his way to make those in his company feel relaxed and welcome. Allison, on the other hand, came off a bit haughtier, less touchable. Still, Rainy had cherished her, so she couldn’t be as snobbish as Kayla at times thought.

  David’s pleasant expression abruptly cluttered with concern. “Is this visit about Rainy? When I heard you were here I thought it might be police business, but…” His words trailed off as if he wasn’t quite sure how to finish the statement.

  Instinct told Kayla that Marshall was right, at least to some degree. This man had clearly been in love with Rainy.

  “I have some questions for you, if that’s all right.” She settled into the chair he’d indicated. “About Rainy,” she clarified.

  He resumed his seat and braced his forearms on the gleaming mahogany desk that stood between them. “Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can.” He blinked, glanced away for a moment. “Allison told me that there was some uncertainty as to the circumstances surrounding Rainy’s death. I’m not sure I understand, but…” His gaze met hers once more. “Surely you can’t be thinking foul play.”

  Kayla studied his reactions closely. “I’m afraid I do.”

  His head moved side to side, the despair he felt mounting visibly. “I just can’t believe anyone would want to harm her. Not Rainy. I’ve no doubt that she had a few enemies. Most attorneys do…but Rainy didn’t have those kind of enemies.”

  Kayla moistened her lips and took a deep breath. Rather than comment on his suggestion, she dove in headfirst with the real reason she’d come. “Marshall is convinced that you and Rainy were having an affair.”

  The announcement took him aback. “That’s just not true.”

  Maybe not, but Kayla felt her own conviction slipping. Mincing words wouldn’t help. “Pardon me for saying so but even I get the distinct impression that you had very deep feelings for her.”

  He stiffened, ever so slightly. “She and my sister were the closest of friends. Our families—”

  “David.” Kayla didn’t see the point in allowing him to dig that hole. “This isn’t about Allison, this is about you and Rainy. I know a man in love when I see one. You loved her.”

  Silence seemed to suck all the air out of the room for several seconds. Kayla resisted the urge to shift in her chair. Her presence might not be welcome after this.

  “It’s true.” He leaned back into the supple leather of his chair. “I’ve been in love with her for years.” A faraway look claimed his features as he went on, “We fell hard for each other shortly after my mother’s death.”

  Kayla’s heart slammed hard against her sternum. Could she have been so wrong about this? She just couldn’t believe Rainy would have cheated on Marshall.

  “But it didn’t work out,” he a
dded, a keen sadness in his voice. “We were both too young and foolish to recognize what was best for us.”

  As relieved as she was to learn their relationship had ended long ago, that didn’t give her all she wanted to know. “So you and Rainy hadn’t been involved since,” Kayla pressed. She needed more recent history. The pain she’d seen in his eyes when she first entered his office was far deeper than that suffered from a lost love so very long ago. David had been in love with Rainy. Still was.

  “Last year,” he confessed, “we worked on a trial together.” He stared down at his hands as if the right words would somehow fall within his grasp. “We spent a lot of time together…talked.” He let go a weary breath. “I fell in love with her all over again. I think she felt strongly about me as well.”

  Disappointment speared Kayla all over again. She didn’t want to hear this about her dear friend. Rainy was too strong to be weak where her marriage was concerned. She’d always been the strong one. Always. This just didn’t fit. And yet, Kayla had to hear it all.

  “But,” he continued, “Rainy loved Marshall.” David’s watery gaze fastened on Kayla’s. “Though her marriage was less than idyllic, she would not cheat on her husband.”

  Extreme relief bloomed in Kayla’s chest. She should have known better than to doubt Rainy. A frown nagged at her brow as she processed the rest of what David said. “What do you mean her marriage was less than idyllic?”

  He took a few moments to gather his thoughts or to choose his words carefully before he answered. “She wanted children desperately.”

  That much Kayla had learned.

  “Marshall didn’t seem to care one way or the other.” David lifted his hands in a gesture of uncertainty or indifference. “He wanted a child if that’s what would make Rainy happy but he didn’t want to bother with the extreme measures. When she didn’t conceive, he wanted to move on. To forget about it. Rainy was intensely disappointed. I think the whole situation put a strain on their marriage.”

  David leaned forward, clasped his hands together on his desk. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward Marshall. Maybe I should. But he didn’t steal Rainy from me, he merely took what I foolishly let go.” The true depth of his regret showed in his listless eyes.

  It hurt just a little that Rainy would share these intimate details with David and not her friends. Did Allison know? Kayla had known Rainy wanted children, but not this. An ache churned through her at the idea of how her friend must have agonized over the situation. Kayla’d had no idea. Even Marshall hadn’t indicated that things between him and Rainy had digressed to this point. But then, why would he?

  “Had she confronted Marshall about this?” It felt like a betrayal to Marshall to ask, but she had to. The cop in Kayla could not do otherwise.

  David shook his head. “I don’t think so. At least, if she did, she didn’t mention it to me.”

  Kayla’s instincts went on point. “Do you recall her seeming upset or acting any differently than usual?” Her heart thumped hard. How long had Rainy known? What steps had she taken before invoking the promise?

  “Those last few months…especially over the summer…” He hesitated, clearly grappling to maintain his composure. “She always seemed preoccupied. Distant. I thought maybe she’d begun to feel guilty about our time together though it was completely innocent.”

  Maybe on Rainy’s side, but on David’s it had gone way beyond friendship. He’d fallen hard for Rainy…again.

  “The last couple of times I saw her, she was upset. She wouldn’t talk about it.”

  A weight settled on Kayla’s chest. Rainy had been upset because she’d discovered the truth. Maybe weeks before asking for help. She’d known what someone had done to her all those years ago. Kayla had to look away from David then. He’d loved her, maybe as much or more than Marshall had. All this time Kayla had thought Marshall was the perfect husband. How could he have been indifferent to Rainy’s needs…to her distraction those last weeks of her life?

  Or was it easier for Kayla to take that position considering what Hadden had told her and now, with this new evidence? Did it make her less guilty for enjoying Marshall’s kiss for a second? Something was wrong.

  No. She couldn’t judge Marshall so harshly just yet.

  But was that her objectivity speaking…or the woman in her? She would be lying to herself if she claimed not to have been affected by his kiss…his touch.

  Christ, she was losing all objectivity here.

  “Thank you for your time, David.” She stood, certain she couldn’t listen to any more of his heartrending stories about Rainy. Obviously there was nothing of benefit to her investigation that she could learn from his personal torment.

  Had Rainy secretly loved him? Would she have gone to David if Marshall hadn’t been in the way? Had Marshall suspected as much? The rage Kayla had witnessed today was so unlike the man she’d known all these years.

  Some aspects of Rainy’s final days she might not ever understand.

  Her grandmother would say that there were some things a mere human didn’t need to know. Maybe this love triangle was one of those things. But if the information would help her bring down the ones responsible…help her find Rainy’s child…

  Kayla drove back to Athens, her heart floundering in her chest. Maybe she wasn’t objective enough to conduct this investigation properly. She could talk to Jim, let him help. Or Hadden.

  She dismissed both possibilities.

  She owed it to Rainy to do this one personally. The promise. She couldn’t back out on that promise now. No matter how hard the going got.

  Rainy was counting on her. Rainy’s child or children had to be found. The motivation behind this evil legacy had to be uncovered, those behind it brought to justice.

  Kayla had to do her part. Alex and the others had already done theirs.

  Her cell phone vibrated, reminding her that she’d set it on silent vibrate before going into David Gracelyn’s office.

  “Ryan.”

  “Mom, where are you?”

  For an instant panic gripped Kayla’s heart. “What’s wrong?” She glanced at the clock. 6:15. Had she made a mistake about the time to pick up her daughter at choir practice? Had something happened?

  “Nothing, Mom,” Jazz said, relieving her mother’s mushrooming anxiety with the simple statement. “My friend Lexi wants to know if I can spend the night with her so we can study for the science test tomorrow.”

  “Jazz.” Her daughter knew how much she hated last-minute sleepovers like this. They always put someone involved at a disadvantage. The girl was probably standing right beside Jazz, listening, hoping.

  “It was her mom’s idea,” Jazz put in quickly. “Honest. She said she’d make homemade pizza and everything. No TV, just studying.”

  Kayla hoped her lack of cooking skills wasn’t the motivation behind her daughter’s mention of homemade pizza. Mary had taken to the cooking skills their mother and grandmother had taught. Kayla was just hopeless. But she could outweave her sister any day of the week. She just didn’t have time for any hobbies lately.

  “Please, Mom.” Jazz evidently took her silence for hesitation.

  Granted, Kayla could use the time to try and track down Betsy Stone. The woman apparently never went home, and certainly never responded to her messages.

  Kayla caved, just like she always did. “All right, but this had better be the last time you give me short notice like this.”

  Her daughter’s squeals of delight were sufficient justification. The echoing peals of joy were no doubt from Lexi, who had been listening. Oh, well. Anything to make the kid happy.

  Kayla tucked her phone back into her pocket and took the turn that led to Athena Academy. Like Christine, Betsy resided in one of the staff bungalows on school property. Not that she was ever there. It was late but Kayla intended to check her house as well as the infirmary for any sign of the elusive woman.

  Maybe Kayla would just wait outside the nurse’s house all ni
ght. After all, her daughter would be with a friend. She had no reason to go home.

  That thought depressed her. The little house she and Jazz called home would be empty, too quiet and too lonesome. If Kayla turned on the television or her favorite CD she could make some noise, but she’d still be alone.

  Not even a whole bottle of wine would chase that empty feeling away.

  Peter Hadden’s image traipsed through her mind before she could stop it.

  She rolled her eyes and made a scoffing sound. What was wrong with her lately? She was only twenty-nine. It wasn’t like she was an old maid, not by today’s standards. Maybe it was Rainy’s death, her missing offspring. Or Marshall’s desperate loneliness.

  Suddenly and with complete certainty, Kayla knew that she didn’t want to end up that way.

  Alone.

  Annoyed at herself for launching the pity fest, she drove to the infirmary. The place looked utterly deserted. When classes were in session, the infirmary was open 24/7, but with most students gone for the holidays, hours were limited now.

  Instead of climbing back into her Jeep she opted for walking to Nurse Stone’s bungalow. It was smaller and several houses away from Christine’s place. The principal’s lights were on. Kayla considered dropping by to talk with her but decided to give Christine some time to come to terms with her own confession before she intruded. She felt certain emotions would still be tender. Christine had been harboring that dark secret for a long time.

  Kayla knocked on Nurse Stone’s door but didn’t get a response. The house was silent and dark.

  Not to be deterred, Kayla took a seat on the top step leading to the bungalow’s porch. She would wait all night if necessary. Betsy Stone had put her off long enough. She’d claimed on the two other occasions when Kayla had interviewed her that she knew nothing, but she had to. There was no way around it.

  Christine stated that Betsy had had an affair with Dr. Bradford. Cleo Patra, the surrogate who had carried a baby that could possibly be Rainy’s child, also claimed that a Nurse Stone had worked with Dr. Reagan during her pregnancy. The description matched Betsy Stone. No way could the elusive nurse lie her way out of this. Kayla had the proof she needed now to push her harder.