“Bogie, as in Humphrey Bogart?” Jaslene asked.
“My Bogie is a gent.” Skylar rubbed the horse’s nose.
Outside the stable, Jaslene mounted her paint, hoping she wasn’t too rusty to ride with a pro.
“So what’s your story, Jaslene?” Skylar asked as they started toward the other buildings.
“What do you want to know?”
“Cal’s helping you with the disappearance of your friend. I know you’re a geologist and come from a good family. But what about you? What are you looking for in life? I don’t see a ring. You never married?”
“My husband died.”
“Oh. Cal didn’t tell me. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.” No one had ever asked her what she was looking for in life. Before college the big question had been what would she do. She hadn’t planned marriage, only her education. She’d always figured the rest would just happen.
Now that Ryan was dead, what did she want for her future? “I always did want a family,” she said aloud.
“So did Cal.”
Jaslene already knew that. Did it matter anymore, though? Could he ever open himself up enough to trust again?
“You asked what I’m looking for in my future. Well, I can tell you one thing. It isn’t to be with a man who can never trust me.”
Skylar rode for a while without comment. Then at last she said, “Then it looks like Cal will have to learn how to trust again.”
Jaslene would not hold on to hope for that.
“You know, Cal’s withdrawal from this family started long before he married that woman and moved to Chesterville,” Skylar said.
Why did Jaslene get the feeling Skylar was trying to convince her not to give up on Cal?
“It began when our grandfather died. Cal never really related to Dad, as I’m sure you’ve seen. Corbin...well, Corbin is just Corbin, but me and Mom never butted heads with Cal. Looking back, I guess we didn’t talk much to each other, either. Cal drifted off on his own more and more. He joined the rangers and that was it. No more Cal. It hurt Mom the most. She never understood why he left and never came back.”
“Cal said she had the same attitude as his dad and brother. He didn’t really say that about you, though.”
“I feel like I hardly know my brother now. How could he possibly know me?”
That was so sad.
“That doesn’t seem fair. Do you think he really meant to abandon your mother?”
“I don’t think he thought of it that way. He needed to escape his grief and that led to him alienating himself from anyone who wasn’t his grandfather. No one compared to him in Cal’s eyes. He loved him that much.”
That made sense. “I heard him talking with his dad this morning. They made amends. At least, the beginnings of it.”
Skylar nodded and looked ahead as she rode her beautiful horse. “And now he’s talking to Mom. I doubt either one of them will have a dry eye.”
That wasn’t a bad thing. Cal needed to overcome the baggage of his past. Before talking to Skylar, she would have said there was no way she would wait for him. But now...
* * *
Cal had a lot on his mind after his talk with his mom. He also had a call with a detective he used to work with, who told him Riley had been spotted in town but had gotten away. It would have been nice to have him captured before he and Jaslene returned.
He sat in the family room waiting for Jaslene to finish washing up after her day with Skylar. The cook was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. He could hear her clanking around in there and smelled something delicious in the oven.
His mother had accurately assessed that he’d held a lot against his father after his grandfather died. He’d felt disconnected from his family, like he didn’t fit in, which had led him to conclude all they cared about was wealth. He still believed that called to his father and brother, but he’d been wrong to extend that label to his mother and sister. His mother had artfully enlightened him during their talk.
Most of what she’d said he’d already known, deep down. His wife had been an excuse to move away from Texas and his family. Hell, he may have even married her in haste to accomplish just that. His marriage had been wrong from the beginning. He had wanted a family, but he probably shouldn’t have rushed into a commitment.
His mother had reminded him of an argument he and his father had, the one right before he’d proposed to his ex-wife.
His father had confronted him on how much he’d withdrawn after Grandfather died. For months he’d avoided spending time with his family, didn’t return calls. He’d gone home for the holidays and that’s when his father had ushered him into the library.
You never appreciated him, Cal had yelled once the heated conversation had escalated.
All you ever cared about is this. He’d shoved his hands up to indicate the elaborate room.
That’s always been your problem, Cal. You care too little about making a good living. You think I do this for myself but you’re wrong. I do this to provide security for my family.
It’s too excessive. We don’t need all of this.
His father had pointed in his face, growing angrier as he always did when Cal spoke his mind. I believe in working hard. You should learn from my example.
I don’t need to be a millionaire, and you should learn from my example.
What do you want me to do? Give all my money away to those who don’t pay their own way?
That had dug deep into his soul. No, he’d all but spat. I don’t expect you to ever change. I expect you to be a greedy bastard until the day you die. You’ve poisoned this family. Cal had stormed out of the library and left without saying goodbye to anyone.
His brother had relished the rift between Cal and their father, now being the favored son.
After being home for such a short time and talking with his dad, he realized things had changed. Newman had changed. He still enjoyed a rich lifestyle but he seemed more open-minded now. Maybe Francesca had done that. She must have talked with Newman about how he treated Cal.
Hearing Jaslene come down the stairs, he stood and left the family room. Seeing her in a jean skirt with a soft white three-quarter-sleeved top, boots, and freshly washed and shiny hair, he stopped in the entry of the dining room and just took in the vision of her. She smiled, making his growing feelings for her more difficult to bear. He felt like he was being carried along, toward a certain and painful end. He wished they were already back in Chesterville so he could delve back into the case.
“Is your mother joining us?”
“I don’t know.” Skylar said she’d come back for dinner and his father had asked if they’d be here tonight. He had often said he’d be home for dinner but rarely ever had.
Seeing the cook had set the table, he took Jaslene’s hand. “Come on. Let’s have some wine before Dad and Skylar get here.” He led her into the family room, where a bar and pool table took up one side, a large television screen and seating area the other. Behind the bar, a wine cellar with glass panels halfway up promised a fine selection.
When he brought out a bottle, Jaslene said, “Just water for me.”
He poured her filtered water over ice and put it on the bar, lifting his glass of wine for a sip.
“How did your talk with your mother go?”
His thoughts were still too raw to get into that right now. “It went well.”
He saw her register his reluctance. “Are you going to come and see your family more often?”
“Yes.”
She sat on a stool, putting down the water. “I like Skylar. She’s not what I expected.”
“You expected more of the same as my father?” He strolled around the bar and came to stand next to her.
“Based on what you told me, yes.”
“She was never the reason I stayed aw
ay.”
“I know.” She ran her forefinger down his chest with a sly grin. “I’m glad you finally realize that.”
He felt shallow for allowing the death of his grandfather to do that to people he had no intention of hurting. And he still wasn’t sure he would become close to his family again. Visits, sure, but he didn’t want to be the only one trying. He wouldn’t compromise himself to accommodate them and he just didn’t see them getting along as a result. His brother needed to feel superior and his father had been the same, up until his mother had to go to the hospital. Would that last? Had his father really had a life-altering epiphany?
If he showed up on time for dinner, that would be a first step.
“Maybe this trip will give you new insight into what family is supposed to be.”
He recoiled, an involuntary, defensive reaction he’d grown accustomed to. He’d grown accustomed to his strict thoughts on women and what they would do to his hopes. He’d figured the right woman would have to prove her trustworthiness. After all, he thought he’d had a family with his ex-wife. After she betrayed him he’d realized he’d never been shown what that kind of family should be. He didn’t feel he had that with his own, not back then. Now...that remained to be seen.
“Maybe it’s giving you some insight,” he said.
He became annoyed because her past heartbreak gave her equal reason not to trust. Did she expect him to be the first to open up in whatever this was going on between them? She seemed to want him to soften toward his family so that he’d soften his defenses toward her. What if he did and she ended up being the one to run?
No thanks. “Shall we go to the dining room?”
She stood from the stool, leaving her half-finished water.
The front door opened and he heard Skylar’s loud “Whoa. Dang, it’s cold out there for Texas.”
“Wimp,” Cal teased.
“It’s just a little bit colder in West Virginia this time of year.”
“It’s the South here.”
Skylar stepped toward them with a smile. “Hey, I don’t like cold. I’m a Texan for a reason.”
“Global warming is your friend.”
She laughed and leaned in for a hug. “I’m so glad you decided to come home.” Leaning back she added, “And I love your girlfriend. I think you should marry her.” She bent a knee as she tippy-toed to kiss his cheek.
Cal looked at Jaslene, who feigned nonchalance.
“I forgot how much I adore you,” he said to Skylar.
Skylar looked around, seemingly oblivious to Cal’s sarcasm. “I thought Dad was joining us. I would have stayed home otherwise.”
“I stayed to see if he would, too.” Cal ignored how Jaslene eyed him, as though he should have more faith in his family.
Skylar laughed. “He’s mellowed out since you stopped coming around. His only fault was working too much, but I do think that’s about to change.” They went into the dining room, where the table was almost ready.
“He’s also getting older,” Skylar said, sitting on the end of the long side of the table. “He might even retire.”
“Has he told you that?” Cal sat beside Jaslene and opposite his sister. He had a hard time believing his father would ever retire.
“No.”
The cook put a salad on the table. The salmon next to it smelled delicious but the baked potatoes were nothing spectacular. This was all healthy.
“Is Mom coming down for dinner?” he asked the cook.
“Yes, sir.”
He wasn’t used to being called “sir” in the last few years. “I’ll go and get her.” He started to rise.
“No need. Her home nurse will bring her. She’s on her way now.” The cook left the dining area as Cal sat back down on his chair.
His father appeared in the dining room. He must have entered through the garage.
“Look who made it!” Skylar exclaimed, voicing how Cal felt.
His father had actually made it home for dinner. He watched him remove his jacket and hang it over the back of a chair, taking the seat next to his daughter.
“Of course I did.” Newman smiled over at Cal, who turned when he heard his mother enter.
“I can walk on my own.” His mother tried to shrug off the help of the nurse. “I had a minor stroke, not a major one. I can talk, can’t I?”
“I’ve got her from here,” he said. “Go and enjoy the rest of your night.”
Cal had never seen his dad so friendly with employees. The nurse thanked him and left with a spreading smile.
“How are you feeling, Mother?” Cal asked. “You seem to have your strength back.”
“I never lost my strength. I’m glad to see you’re still here.” Francesca checked out the meal. “I’m famished. This looks like stroke victim food.”
“Low sodium and heart healthy,” Newman said. “Doctor’s orders.”
She grimaced and reached for the utensil on the salmon platter. Newman brushed her hand away and scooped up a filet for her.
Cal waited for Skylar and Jaslene to begin filling their plates, content to watch his father dote on his mother. Although she sent Newman an annoyed look, Cal could tell her eyes also conveyed love. He was glad he’d come on this trip. How it would change his future relations with his family, he didn’t feel like examining just yet. For now, he’d just enjoy being with them without any conflict. He’d also enjoy Jaslene being with him, though he was reluctant to admit she felt like part of the family, too.
She was about to take her first bite when her eyes connected with his and softened with affection. He wasn’t sure if she sensed how he felt, but he had a pretty good idea she did.
Growing uncomfortable over the warm connection building in this moment, he finished filling his plate. As he picked up his fork and took a bite of salmon, he caught Skylar watching him with her sharp eyes, eyes that twinkled with approval.
“Newman said you plan to go home tomorrow, Cal,” Francesca said.
Cal nodded. “We fly back in the morning.” They had been gone three days and it felt much longer than that. What would they go back to and how far would he have to go to protect Jaslene?
Chapter 10
After picking up Rapunzel, Jaslene and Cal returned to his house. She had just finished unpacking and was ready to relax with a cup of tea when the doorbell rang. Still in the jeans and black sweater she’d worn on the flight home, she walked in stockinged feet downstairs. Cal had opened the door to allow a woman inside. In a warm winter jacket and blue-gray pants that looked like they went with a uniform, the woman pushed back the hood of the jacket to reveal brown hair in a ponytail. Her brown eyes and the set of her mouth were tense. Whatever had brought her here must have her anxious: it must be about Payton.
“Jaslene, this is Bonita Lawrence. She’s a nurse for Dr. Benjamin.”
A shock wave zapped her before she quickly recovered and realized this could mean a big break in the case.
“Was a nurse for Dr. Benjamin,” the woman corrected. “I got your address from the police station. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
“Not at all. Why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable and talk?” Cal said. “Can I take your jacket?”
While Cal took it to a new coatrack in the entry and hung it up, Jaslene led the woman into the living room and then went to the kitchen to get some refreshments. When she returned to the living room, Cal had engaged Bonita in casual talk, which evidently did little to calm her.
Jaslene put down the water.
Bonita looked up at her. “Do you have anything stronger?”
She obviously needed something to take the edge off. Jaslene grew hopeful that she’d reveal something to move the case forward.
“Whiskey?”
“With a splash of soda, if you have it.”
Cal went to a cab
inet and opened it to reveal a small bar. He prepared the drink.
“How long did you work for Dr. Benjamin?” Jaslene asked.
“Many years.”
She only seemed capable of short responses right now. Cal returned and handed Bonita the drink. She took it and drank a long sip without any trace of a grimace, then cradled the glass in her hands.
“I heard you came by and talked to Dr. Benjamin about Payton Everett and he said he never had an affair with her.”
“Yes,” Cal said.
Jaslene could tell he didn’t push because, like her, he sensed this could be significant.
“He did have an affair with her. Payton came in a few times and I was her nurse. We talked. She said she was going to lunch with him after her appointment and he was taking the afternoon off so they could spend some time together. I followed them to a hotel and took pictures in case I ever needed it. Turns out I was too scared to use it, but now...”
Jaslene glanced at Cal at this but he remained focused on the woman. He took a photo from her. It was Dr. Benjamin and Payton going into a hotel.
“His receptionist said she made reservations for that day and many others. He must have met Payton on many occasions.”
“What day was that? Do you remember?”
“Yes. It was a week before she was reported missing.”
That meant Payton had been seeing him right up until she disappeared.
“Why are you telling us this now?” Cal asked.
“He fired me a few days ago. I never did like him. Something about him bothered me, like you couldn’t trust a single thing he said. He came across as friendly and charming, but he’d often make promises he never kept. I asked for a raise three times and he agreed but I never did get one. He was nice to patients but if they were poor or not very smart, he’d talk about them after they left. His having an affair with a patient bothered me, too. Doctors aren’t supposed to do that sort of thing. He didn’t seem to care what anyone thought. In fact, he acted like he could do whatever he wanted and no one could stop him.”
Jaslene had gotten the same impression about Dr. Benjamin. She indicated her uniform. “It looks like you’re still working.”
Cold Case Manhunt Page 12
