Elizabeth gingerly accepted the box, but she hesitated to open it. Camille had no reservations and took it from her hands and unceremoniously lifted the lid. Elizabeth leaned into her for a better view. Inside was a tape reel. Camille dumped it out into her hand. The black magnetic tape was still tightly wound around the spool.
Elizabeth remembered the vintage tape recorder hidden in Webb’s room and figured this is where Olivia got it.
“Do you know what’s on this tape?” Elizabeth asked Mrs. Francis.
She shrugged in response. “I wanted to burn it, erase it all from my life, but something about the look on Olivia’s face when she gave it to me made me keep it.”
“We need to turn this over to Detective Donovan.”
“Why? So she can say my brother knew this woman all along? No.” Camille crossed her arms.
“You take it and do what you need to do,” Mrs. Francis said, overriding Camille.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“All rise,” the bailiff commanded as the judge entered the courtroom.
Elizabeth and Jackson rose in unison. ADA Wilcox barely lifted himself from his chair, apparently, fully standing was too much effort. The judge eyed him before he took his seat but said nothing.
“It seems we are back here again, on yet another defense motion requesting access to evidence in the possession of the prosecution. Why can’t the two of you just get along?”
“I apologize, Your Honor, but the prosecution is denying the defense access to important evidence—” The judge waved at Elizabeth, cutting her off, and gestured for her to take a seat.
He looked down at the papers in front of him, which Elizabeth presumed to be her motion. “Let’s see if I have this straight. The defense located a book on an abandoned property, and the defense found this by using a…let’s see here.” He adjusted his glasses and flipped the page. “A map carved into a silver brush, compact mirror, and lipstick tube, which were found in the victim’s purse. Am I with you so far?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Elizabeth replied.
“The defense also discovered a tape reel that was given to the defendant’s grandmother more than fifty years ago, but the relevance was only recently known after determining the victim’s identity. How am I doing?”
“You are correct, Your Honor.”
“The defense turned over all of this to the lead detective on the case, which is how it came into the possession of the prosecution. Is this correct?” he asked, looking at the prosecutor.
“Yes, Your Honor,” ADA Wilcox said begrudgingly.
“And now, the prosecution is denying the defense access to the very evidence that it was instrumental in discovering. Mr. Wilcox, are you looking to lose this case on appeal because from where I am sitting, you’re trampling on the Fifth Amendment.”
“Your Honor, the defense requests are frivolous. There is no indication that this evidence has any relevance to the current case.”
The judge’s only response to the prosecutor was to lower his glasses on his nose and level a glare. “Counsel’s motion is granted, as well as any other future motion filed by the defense in relation to the production of evidence, any evidence, whether the prosecution deems it relevant or not. Mr. Wilcox, have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” ADA Wilcox responded without making eye contact.
Elizabeth wanted to stick her tongue out at the prosecutor, but knew that wasn’t proper courtroom decorum and simply stood when the judge rose to depart.
“Bitch,” ADA Wilcox whispered harshly, as she passed to make her exit.
She stopped, turned, and smiled. “Yep, and it feels damn good.”
* * *
Elizabeth sat in the middle of her living room floor with papers spread about her in every direction. Within two hours of her court hearing, the prosecution courier delivered to her office copies of the pages from the book and the intel reports. It was probably a first in the history of ADA Wilcox’s career, but she was glad to see that he took the judge’s admonishment to heart. Receiving a copy of the tape reel was going to take more time due to concern over erosion of the magnetic tape, as it hadn’t been stored properly. It wasn’t simply a matter of making a copy. Restoration of the tape would be required before a copy could be made, so she contented herself with copies of the documents for the time being.
With Grace’s research and her conversation with Judge Powers, Elizabeth was reasonably certain that she ascertained what she needed from the intel reports, so she concentrated on the cryptic journal. She first attempted to decipher the text at her office, but multiple interruptions made the task futile. Interpreting the text would take patience and concentration, and she opted to bring it home because she had neither at the clinic. The soft glow of the fireplace warmed her back, and she nursed a glass of red wine that was nestled between her crossed legs. She was in her second hour of deciphering, or better said, attempted deciphering. Several letters on the first two pages were circled, and when she spelled those out, they read “BROWNS OPINION.” Beyond that, there was no rhyme or reason to the letters.
Feeling weary, she closed her eyes, but she could still see the letters. A knock at her door startled her, and she nearly toppled her wine glass standing up. She looked through the side window before she pulled the door open, and Grace stepped inside. She wondered if this was going to become a habit; she hoped so anyway.
Grace looked at the fireplace and the papers spread out on the floor in front.
“Did I interrupt…” Grace seemed to have forgotten her own question as she stared unabashedly at Elizabeth’s attire.
Elizabeth looked down, and as fate would have it, she was dressed in her “Homie” T-shirt, which came down to her thighs, just enough to cover her floral cotton underwear. “I can put on the yellow dress if you prefer.”
Grace stepped toward her and cupped her breast before ducking her head to capture Elizabeth’s mouth. The kiss was urgent and consuming. Without breaking contact, Grace moved her hand under the shirt and massaged her breast and caressed her nipple with her thumb. Elizabeth gasped at the sensation, and she felt paralyzed by the delicious currents that ran through her. Grace was completely in the lead.
When Grace’s mouth moved lower, trailing warm, languorous kisses down her neck, she breathed out, “Grace, if you’re going to pull back…oh God.” She interrupted herself when Grace’s mouth reached her collarbone. “We have to stop now. We’re passing the point of no return.”
Grace lifted her head, her lips slightly parted, with a want in her eyes beyond anything that Elizabeth had previously seen. Grace stepped back and drew her eyes down Elizabeth, and she had never felt so vulnerable. Grace turned her back, and she swallowed hard and squeezed her eyes tight, not willing to watch her walk out. This was even harder than before. No matter their previous discussions and plans to wait, she couldn’t see this as anything but a rejection.
She opened her eyes, startled by the grip on her hand and soft tug that followed. She noted Grace’s jacket and gun holster were now hanging over the chair, next to her boots. She offered no resistance when Grace led her down the hallway and to the bedroom. Standing next to the bed, Grace spoke no words as she gripped the hem of Elizabeth’s shirt and lifted it over her head, leaving Elizabeth in her underwear.
Grace ran her fingers down Elizabeth’s chest toward her stomach as her eyes trailed after them. Elizabeth’s skin trembled in their wake.
Elizabeth yanked on Grace’s form-fitting T-shirt that was tucked into her slacks, and Grace smiled before she lifted her arms to allow it to be removed. Elizabeth ducked both hands inside her bra, kneading her breasts, before she moved her hands to the back to undo the clasp and free them. Elizabeth’s hands continued down until she reached the belt. She unbuckled it and undid her pants. She tugged on them, getting them to the top of her thighs, and knelt to slide them down her legs. Grace stepped out of them. Elizabeth slid her palms up her legs and stopped at the navy blue silk underwear, mu
ch more sensuous than her own. She moved her hands to her hips and offered a wet kiss on her stomach just above the underwear line and slowly lowered her mouth, sucking as she went. As she slid off her underwear, she used her tongue to taste. Grace hissed and gripped Elizabeth’s shoulders. “I need…”
“What, baby, what do you need?” Elizabeth asked as she pushed Grace back until she sat on the bed.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Elizabeth linked her fingers with Grace as they walked toward the clinic. Grace stopped to admire the painted penis on the wall. “Nice artwork.”
“It’s growing on me.”
“I hope not too much,” Grace said with raised eyebrows, which earned her a playful slap.
When they approached the clinic, Elizabeth reluctantly released her hold of Grace’s hand to allow her to open the door, and she passed in front.
“Morning, Amy,” Elizabeth chirped.
“Morning, ladies.” Amy offered a broad smile and a wink.
She felt Grace’s hand rest on the small of her back, which turned to a slight tickle as soon as they passed the lobby, causing Elizabeth to giggle. Once in her office, Grace wrapped both arms around her and ducked her head for a kiss.
“You taste good,” Grace moaned next to her ear and allowed her hands to wander down Elizabeth’s body in exploration.
“Don’t mind me.”
Elizabeth pulled back like she was bitten and whipped her head to the side to see her mother sitting in the guest chair. “Mom, what are you doing here?” Elizabeth self-consciously straightened her shirt and walked to the other side of the desk.
“Pleasure to see you, Mrs. Campbell,” Grace said cordially, holding her ground.
Elizabeth’s mother didn’t acknowledge the greeting and instead took aim at the elephant in the room. “Tell me, Detective, what are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Jesus, Mom,” Elizabeth said. She knew this talk was coming, but not in front of Grace.
Grace’s eye contact never wavered. “Ma’am, your daughter is the most impulsive, irrational, and reckless person that I have ever met, and I’ve completely fallen in love with her.”
Elizabeth’s mother allowed a moment of silence to pass as she assessed Grace, then stood and turned to Elizabeth. “Finally, someone who understands you.” She patted Grace’s arm as she exited. “Welcome to the family.”
Elizabeth sank into BD. “Did that just happen?” Just like that, the conversation that had yet to happen with her mother was over in a matter of moments, and her mother left smiling.
“You underestimate my charms,” Grace said as she moved to the other side of the desk and leaned over her chair, putting both hands on the armrests. As she leaned in for a kiss, Elizabeth asked, “You love me?”
Grace pulled back and leaned against the desk. “Yes, Elizabeth, I am hopelessly in love with you. You’re either going to break my heart or make me the happiest woman alive.”
Elizabeth stood and inserted herself between Grace’s legs. “I like the latter.” She stroked Grace’s cheek with her thumb. “I love you, Grace.”
“Elizabeth, here is the file you were looking for,” Danny said as he walked in and casually dropped a file on the desk. “Oh, hey, Grace,” he said in acknowledgment with his customary head nod, as if their positioning was nothing out of the ordinary.
Grace smirked and pushed herself up. “I guess I should let you get to work. I’ll pick you up at three.”
Elizabeth squeezed her hand and nodded, and Grace strolled out softly whistling with her hands in her front pockets.
“So what’s at three?”
She turned to Danny, who had taken up station in the guest chair. “We’re going to meet a cryptologist.”
“Cool, will there be mummies and stuff?”
“No, Danny. A cryptologist deciphers codes. Grace gave him a copy of the book we found at Samuel’s grave. Hopefully, he can figure it out because I sure as hell can’t.”
Danny seemed to lose interest in the conversation once he realized that there were no tombs or pharaohs involved and wandered off.
Elizabeth pulled out the cryptic pages and made the futile effort of reviewing them once more. Whatever secrets it held, it was something Olivia thought to be relevant to come forward now, risking her life. She sat contemplating Olivia’s intentions and was unaware of Camille’s presence, until she tapped her hand.
“Earth to Elizabeth.”
“Sorry, I didn’t even hear you come in.” Camille was sitting in the chair opposite her.
“I could tell. Where were you?”
“I was just looking at the pages from the book and wondering why Olivia thought they’re relevant now.”
“And?”
“And nothing. I’ve got absolutely nothing.” Elizabeth leaned back and noticed Camille’s work clothes. “What brings you to these parts?”
“I just got off the night shift, and well, I just couldn’t get my mind off of this,” she said, pointing to the pages. “So I thought I’d stop by.”
“Olivia was trying to get a message to your grandmother, something to do with this book and probably the tape reel. What I don’t understand is why she gave the purse to Jackson? Why not see your grandmother?”
“Maybe she couldn’t. Maybe she was afraid that she’d be seen if she went to the apartment.”
“So she was waiting, hoping that one of you would…” Elizabeth looked at Camille’s hospital scrubs. “Jackson said that he went to the store because you were running late from work, and your grandmother didn’t want to wait. Olivia was looking for you, but she got Jackson instead.”
Camille bowed her head and remained silent.
“Camille?”
“Yes,” she said barely over a whisper.
“Camille, tell me what happened.” Elizabeth felt betrayed, but she realized that it was Jackson who was really betrayed. Camille kept her head bowed and didn’t answer. “Camille, talk to me.”
She lifted her head and tears were running down her cheeks. “It isn’t what you think.”
“Tell me.” Elizabeth was doing what she could to contain her anger.
Camille inhaled a shaky breath and looked down at her clasped hands. “She called our apartment the day before. I was the only one home. She rambled on about the knights coming back. I wanted to hang up on her, but she said she had information on my grandfather, my real grandfather. I listened because I’ve known for a while that there was something in our family history that was amiss.” She looked at Elizabeth. “When I was in nursing school, we studied blood types and we traced our own family history. My grandfather was type B and my grandmother type O. My father was A. I never said anything to my grandmother.” She looked back down, clearly, eye contact was too difficult for the next part. “I agreed to meet. Told her I’d meet her by the alley at four. It was on the way to the store, and I had to pick up my grandmother’s prescriptions, so it was a good cover. I didn’t want my grandmother or Jackson to know. I told her I would have a yellow canvas bag, that’s how she’d know it was me. My grandmother always made us take that bag. She didn’t like the plastic store bags. You know, the environment.”
Camille stopped as if she could go no further, so Elizabeth carried on. “You were late from work.”
“There was an emergency. I couldn’t leave,” she said in her defense.
“So Jackson went instead with the yellow bag.”
She nodded. “Will you tell Jackson?”
“I’m leaving that up to you.”
* * *
Grace cradled Elizabeth’s hand in her lap as she stared off at the bare gray wall in the waiting area of the industrial building that had been converted to a cryptology lab. Elizabeth had remained silent since explaining Camille’s involvement in Jackson’s meeting with Olivia. This gave Grace even more reason to dislike the woman, but she opted to remain mute on the subject for Elizabeth’s sake. She was hurt enough by Camille’s deceit, and any sharp words from Grace woul
d only compound that.
“Detective Donovan, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Grace stood to acknowledge a man approaching in a button-down checkered shirt and khaki pants, sporting a ponytail that reached past his shoulders.
“Thank you for taking the time to meet, Dr. Miles.” She introduced Elizabeth.
Grace contacted the professor at the local university after doing her due diligence in online research for experts in cryptology. She provided limited information as to the suspected origins of the book and instead wanted to hear his interpretation.
“Let’s go to the lab.”
He kept a quick pace, and Grace kept up with long strides and followed him through a nondescript door and down an equally nondescript hallway. She could hear Elizabeth’s footsteps behind her. When he came to a sudden halt, Grace had to pull up short to not collide into him, but it was too late for Elizabeth, who walked into her.
Elizabeth shrugged. “You liked it and you know it.”
Grace did what she could to keep her professional demeanor and entered the lab maintaining more of a cushion between her and the professor. The lab was wall-to-wall monitors, keyboards, and other electronic devices. Wires and cords seemed to extend in every direction. There were a few students dispersed through the room absorbed in their own projects.
The professor stopped at a station in the middle of the room and began shuffling through papers next to an oversized computer monitor. “Okay, this is what I’ve done so far.”
Grace and Elizabeth huddled around to get a better view.
“This device is a Confederate cipher disk.” He held up a picture of the brass disk with the two concentric circles. “The letters CSA on the front mean Confederate States of America. If it’s the real deal, there will be a stamp on the back ‘F. Labarre Richmond VA,’ which is the maker’s mark. There are only three original Confederate cipher disks known to exist today.” Grace recalled the very inscription on the back of the disk, but opted not to say anything. It would only be a distraction. The professor continued. “During the Civil War, messages were coded in case they were intercepted. The recipient of the message would use this device to decipher it.”
Secrets of the Last Castle Page 24
