He stared at me and shook his head as if my question had startled him. “What?”
I raised a hand, wishing I hadn’t gone there. “Never mind.”
“Wait, I think I can speak on this for a moment.”
“Really?” I had no hope that he actually had an answer for me.
He nodded. “Sure. In the book of Matthew, it says that not a single sparrow will fall to the ground outside of our Father’s care. In Luke, it says not one of them is forgotten by God. I’d say that God cares an awful lot about His creations, even the feathered ones.”
I chewed on his words for a moment. “Those are comforting Scriptures,” I conceded.
“In fact, the Bible often compares Jesus to a shepherd who’d give His life for His sheep.”
“The Good Shepherd. That’s definitely admirable.” I squeezed my lips together a moment. I knew how people usually reacted when I asked questions like this. But I really wanted to know, even if it made me sound like a seven-year-old. “Do you think animals go to heaven?”
After all, how could God be loving if animals didn’t reunite with their owners in heaven?
He cringed before relaxing his shoulders again. “I can’t say for sure. But I do know that in Revelation 6, it’s mentioned that there are horses in heaven. In fact, later on in Revelation 19, it says there will be enough horses for a vast army to ride.”
“Really?” Hope pricked inside me. Maybe God was a loving God. Maybe He was at least worth considering.
He nodded. “God didn’t even permit the eating of meat back in the Garden of Eden—not even for the animals. Instead, He gave them every green plant for food. It wasn’t until Noah that he granted people that permission.”
“I never realized that.” I shook my head, trying to let everything sink in. “Look, I get what you’re saying—about everything from animals to the way life should be lived. I feel like I do live my life for a greater purpose than myself. I live it to save animals. That’s why it’s so weird that I’m thinking about putting a person over my life’s mission.”
“It doesn’t have to be one or the other. I’m sure Jesus loves it that you love His creations so much.”
I hated to admit it, but the pastor seemed pretty wise.
The ideals that the pastor presented did have their appeal. But I wasn’t about to drop to my knees and convert. No, I was the thought out type who took my time making big life decisions.
At least, I had been. Maybe I needed to mix things up more.
I had noticed that Gabby seemed awfully content since she’d changed her life. At times, I thought that would be nice. I thought it would be nice to not put so much of my hopes—and on the other end of the spectrum, my worries—in the things happening in this life.
At once, I wondered what my parents would think if they knew I was even considering embracing religion. They were intellectuals, business-minded, success-oriented, and non-emotive. I wondered what it would be like to have a Heavenly Father who loved me just as I was. I still couldn’t get the image of my own father out of my mind, though.
Demanding. Exacting. Disapproving.
I stood, not sure what exactly my “confessional” had accomplished. At least I’d gotten a few things off my chest. “I guess I can take my cats back.”
“They can stay here, if you want.”
I blinked in surprise. Had I heard him correctly? “Really?”
“Of course. If that will help you out.” He offered an easy grin.
Now, why couldn’t Chad say stuff like that? And why did I put these expectations on him? I should accept him, just like I wanted to be accepted.
The pastor shifted again. “Look, Sierra. I don’t want to step into something where I’m not welcome. I can say this, though. Chad wants to help you. He felt terrible when he had to bring your cats here, and he made me promise to look out for them. He said the cats were important to you.”
My heart welled with appreciation. “I appreciate your time, Pastor.”
“Any time you want to talk, Sierra. Any time.”
It was then that an idea hit. A pretty brilliant idea, if I did say so myself. But it would take some planning. “Pastor Randy, I do have one more favor, if you’re up for it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”
I sat down and explained my idea to him.
Then I realized my cats couldn’t stay here. At least, not tonight. Thankfully, I had a plan for where I could take them for the evening. I only hoped my gut instinct was right.
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning, I was all set to meet with this Brandon guy. I’d written up a spiel, and I was meeting with Pastor Shaggy early so we could go over it.
The pastor hadn’t been one hundred percent behind this. Not even fifty percent behind it, truth be told. He’d said I should let the authorities handle it. He’d also said he had a problem with using a cover story. Something about it being untruthful.
I’d promised him I’d think of a way to make it work and keep it honest.
Then I’d gotten home and thought about ways to make it honest, but come up with nothing.
That meant that my meeting this morning would be interesting, to say the least.
I was supposed to meet Brandon at an area called Waterside. It was a shopping and dining area located on the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk. A seawall with benches overlooking boats and a passenger ferry and an old battleship-turned-museum stretched beside the water there.
First, I was going to meet the pastor inside the food court area so we could go over everything. I arrived early and tried not to pace as I waited.
But the pieces were starting to come together and form a clear picture in my mind now.
I’d done an Internet search last night and discovered that Sage’s late husband had been one of the initial investors in BioCare. Thyme had said Ernest was allergic to cats, so I pictured him investing in the company in an effort to make the love of his life happy and to be able to get a cat. When they got the cat, they realized the whole thing was a scam. They went to confront Brandon, but he’d disappeared.
When Ernest died and the trial was finally over, Sage put all of her energy into tracking Brandon down. Maybe that’s why she’d set up that nonprofit of her own. She wanted to burn the man who’d taken advantage of her husband. Besides, Sage had said Ernest sustained stress in the days before he died. Could it have been over a bad investment in BioCare? I thought it was a good theory.
My guess was that Brandon knew she was on to him and didn’t want his company to be destroyed. When he had the right opportunity, he’d killed her.
I still wasn’t sure about what “information” exactly he was looking for. I figured it was the dirt Sage had collected on him, but I didn’t know where that was. I’d have to cross that bridge later.
I was fairly certain that Brandon Channel wasn’t his real name. I could only find mentions of him in the past four years, and there were never any pictures. That was a red flag right there. Most entrepreneurs were more than willing to plaster their pictures everywhere possible.
Now, if I could just nail down who exactly Brandon Channel was, I could turn his name over to the police. I would have done my duty.
Better yet, my cats would be safe.
I was putting my bets on Thyme as the culprit, though. She made the most sense. But I also wondered if she was working with someone. She almost had to be. After all, a man had threatened me in my car. I was certain of it.
As I waited, I opened my purse and saw some remaining glass shards there. I took out my wallet, jammed it under my arm, and stuffed the shock collar—still in my purse from that meeting earlier this week—into one jean pocket and my lip balm and keys into the other. Then I shook my purse out over a trashcan.
I’d just put my wallet back in when I heard someone approaching. I squinted at the face I saw. It wasn’t Pastor Randy. It was . . .
“Chad?” Not only was he here, but he was wearin
g a suit and a tie, and he’d shaved and combed his hair. “What are you doing here?”
“Randy sent me.” Chad frowned.
“Why would he do that?” I stuffed my keys back into my purse and pulled it onto my shoulder.
“He said he couldn’t sleep last night and wasn’t comfortable doing this. Yet, he also said if he didn’t come, you’d come alone and then possibly die.”
“He told you what I was doing?” Outrage burst through me like a tiger bounding after its prey. “Isn’t that a breach of something? Don’t pastors have to keep your secrets?”
“Maybe you’re thinking of priests? I don’t know. But my apartment was broken into yesterday.”
My heart sped until it was a dull thud in my ears. “What? Why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. But, probably for your cats. I figured Randy was right and you shouldn’t be here alone. So here I am.” He slapped his hands against his hips, as if he had no choice in coming.
“You’re going to help me?” I clarified.
“That’s right. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No. It’s just that we don’t have a lot of time. I’ve got to brief you.” I straightened his collar. “You dressed up. That’s good. You clean up nicely.”
“I’m uncomfortable with this, on more than one level.”
I remembered my conversation with the pastor and my revelations about myself. I had to make things right with Chad. I had to own up to my own weaknesses, something I’d never been good at doing. But, for the sake of our relationship, it had to be done.
However, this wasn’t the time or place.
“I appreciate you,” I started.
And I’m sorry. The words wouldn’t dislodge themselves from my throat. Later, I told myself.
I licked my lips instead. “Whoever’s behind this obviously recognizes me. I can’t take the chance. They’ll run as soon as they spot me.”
“So, what am I supposed to tell this guy?” He smoothed his tie.
“That you’re the grandson of Ivy Livingston. She’s not feeling well and can’t make it, but she desperately wants this cat.”
“And when he asks where the $25,000 is?”
“First, you read the contract. You need to have issues with it. Serious issues.”
“Okay.”
“Then say that in good conscience you can’t sign it, not when you consider the amount of money you have to pay. You need a money back guarantee.”
“I can handle that much.”
“And whatever you do, don’t look over here. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. Understand?”
“Of course.”
I patted him on the back, only it turned out to be more like a shove. “Knock ‘em dead.”
“Great choice of words.”
I turned his phone on, dialed my number, and slid it into his pocket. “A trick I learned from Gabby.” I hit MUTE on my own phone so nothing would be amplified, coming from his pocket. “This way I can hear everything that’s being said.”
I pulled my hat down low and found a seat behind a huge potted plant, so I could still keep my eye on Chad. He, in the meantime, found a seat on a bench.
Now, I just had to wait.
Chad looked uncomfortable—probably more because of the suit than the situation.
My heart lurched as I watched him. I loved him, I realized again. I didn’t think I’d ever believe those words. But, if our time apart had proven anything, it was that I felt strongly for him.
I needed to stop being so prideful and let him know.
Except, I couldn’t do that now.
Chad couldn’t hear me, but I could hear him. He was mumbling something under his breath, and he looked back at me.
I offered him a smile.
Which must have confused him, because he scrunched his eyebrows together. “We’ve got to talk sometime, Sierra,” he muttered. I understood him this time.
I couldn’t read him, though. Talk about making this break up final? Probably. I’d most likely pushed him too far. I’d ruined the best relationship to ever happen to me.
Before I could think about it anymore, I saw someone familiar in the distance.
Andre? What was he doing here? Was he behind this?
He walked toward Chad’s bench. I bristled, waiting to see what he’d do. He got closer and closer.
But he kept going.
My gaze swerved to the far side of the shopping area. His lab was around here somewhere, wasn’t it? What were the chances he was here for his lunch break?
I wasn’t sure, but I was on edge.
The last thing I wanted was to pull Chad into a dangerous situation. I’d already ruined his couch and nearly had him kicked out of his apartment.
But when I looked up, Andre had spotted me. He was headed my way.
I had to make a choice: Fight or flight.
Chapter Eighteen
“Are you following me?” Andre demanded.
I could see the veins at his neck bulging.
This wasn’t good.
I made sure I remained hidden behind the tree. Despite however scary Andre appeared right now, I would not blow this whole operation. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“You just so happen to be here today?” His nostrils flared.
“I’m actually waiting for someone else.” I decided to turn the tables on him. “Maybe the question should be: What are you doing here?”
“I walk here every day on my lunch break.”
“A likely excuse.”
His jaw dropped. “What are you implying?”
“I’m implying that I’m investigating the murder of Anise Wentworth, and you’re on my list.”
He glared down at me. “I was on Anise’s side. I was trying to help her nail the criminals who were ripping people off.”
“And who would that be?”
He looked away for a minute, his jaw locking in place. I didn’t think he was going to tell me. But then he turned back toward me. “I never got his real name. He went by Brandon Channel. He could be anyone.”
“Why’d you want to help her?” I looked back at Chad and saw that he was still alone and waiting. Good. I didn’t want to miss anything.
“Because this Brandon Channel took the findings I produced for him on this hypoallergenic cat, and he twisted my words. He made it sound like I endorsed his company. Do you know what that does to my professional reputation? I’m the laughing stock among my colleagues. Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.”
“I agree.”
“I contacted him and asked him to remove my endorsement from his site. He didn’t respond. I hired a lawyer. My lawyer couldn’t track him down. So my endorsement remains on this man’s website.”
“How did Sage—I mean, Anise—play into all of this?”
“She thought this man was scamming people and she wanted to bust him.”
“Did she say why?”
“She only hinted at it. My impression is that this man had scammed her husband out of a good deal of money. There may have been more to the story than that. I mean, from what I understand, her husband was loaded. Yes, it’s a shame that he lost a five million dollar investment. But was it reason enough that she should make it her life’s work to nail this guy?” He shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you.”
Another theory began to swirl in my mind. I wondered if it could be correct. I needed more time to chew on it.
I glanced at Chad again. He was still alone.
Andre leaned toward me. “If you do find this guy, give me a minute alone with him. Please.”
Brandon Channel was fifteen minutes late. Chad was getting antsy. I was getting antsy.
But we still waited. This was my only chance at catching this guy and saving Freckles. I had to use every ounce of my patience.
Finally, I saw someone else approaching Chad with a cat carrier in hand.
But it wasn’t a man. It was . . . Kyla?
I had
n’t seen this one coming.
“Excuse me, are you with BioCare?” Chad asked. He stood and eyed the cat carrier.
Kyla paused. “I am. But you don’t fit the description of who I’m looking for.”
“Ivy Livingston?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m her grandson. She wasn’t feeling great this morning and asked me to come in her place.”
Chad sounded very convincing. I was impressed.
I quickly thought back. Had Kyla and Chad met? I didn’t think so. Chad had only been to my work once or twice to pick me up for lunch. I didn’t think they’d ever seen each other.
Despite that, panic began to rise in me.
“And you are?” Chad asked.
“My name is Kyla.” She extended her hand. She’d used her real name. Surprising.
“I was expecting a man.”
“Is that right? Well, I’m hoping you were expecting a great new companion.” She raised the carrier. “Because I’ve got just the cat for you.”
“Oh, what a cute little kitty.” I knew Chad well enough to hear the false excitement in his voice. He did like animals but he wasn’t the gushing type. From the distance, I could see him stick his finger inside the carrier. He was trying to look interested. I had to give him credit for that. “I think he’ll be perfect for Grandma Ivy. She’s a total cat freak, but she hasn’t been able to have one as a pet.”
“I know. Isn’t that terrible when allergies hold you back from something you love?”
“Yeah, I mean, Grandma Ivy has a cat calendar. Cat placemats. Stuffed animal cats. She even has a cat attitude, you know what I mean? Superior and lofty. I think if she had to choose between her family and cats, she’d choose her cats.”
Oh. My. Goodness. Chad was talking about me! The nerve of him.
“I think our company and this little cat will be a great fit with your grandmother then,” Kyla continued.
“The thing about my grandma is that I’ll always love her, even if she is crazy about her furry friends. Even if she thinks she understands me but doesn’t. Grandma Ivy is also intelligent and loyal and cuddly. Kind of like cats.”
The Sierra Files Box Set: Books 1-3: Plus a bonus Christmas novella! Page 13
