AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“When she realized that, she turned to blackmail.”
“You’re certain she’s not connected to Jason Kemp?” I start pacing again. Money seems like a logical motivation. But I can’t escape the fact that it feels too easy.
“Did he give you any reason to suspect a connection before you attacked him?” Margaret asks.
“No,” I admit grudgingly. I spent an hour on the phone with Margaret yesterday discussing the fact that I cannot lose my temper and hit people in public. I look like a “jealous fool” in her opinion. Although by the end of our talk, she admitted that many in New York might view it as proof of my love for Kayla. The fact that we raced off to the country hours later also contributed to that storyline.
“Where is Kayla now?” Margaret asks.
“She’s in the house. I came out to the barn to start thinking about repairs. We have contractors coming by tomorrow. I want to make use of our time here.”
“Are you thinking of getting married there?” Margaret asks.
“No,” I say quickly.
“I wasn’t insinuating that you would run off to the courthouse. But the barn might make a nice venue.”
“It will take months, maybe longer to fix it up.” I glance toward the rafters. “The roof looks ready to collapse.”
“And you’re standing inside?”
“Yes, I’m risking my life to have this conversation.”
“I’m glad to see your sarcasm is thriving in the country air,” she responds. “I suggest that you leave the barn, find your fiancée, and visit a few potential wedding venues. It will distract the press from your crazy ex. It might also give you time to ask Kayla if she told her ex-husband about your past.”
Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that conversation.
“She wouldn’t do that,” I say firmly. But Margaret’s right. I don’t need a private investigator snooping for a potential connection between Mr. Mistake and Alexandra when I haven’t asked Kayla one simple question—did you divulge my deepest, darkest secret to the asshole you married?
“Ask her,” Margaret says again, speaking slowly this time as if I didn’t understand the words the first few times around.
“I will.”
Margaret’s silent a moment and I wonder if she’s moved on. Then she says, “There’s one more thing that we uncovered while researching the people from your past.”
I close my eyes and prepare for the worst. If it turns out my former foster mother is somehow connected to all of this … I’ll drive to Vermont and confront Liz Masters myself. Hell, I’ve been dying to have a face-to-face with her since she left prison. But I’ve kept that temptation in check. I don’t want anyone seeing us together. As far as the world knows, Gavin Black has never met the women tried and convicted for abusing Terrance Montgomery.
“What have you uncovered?” I demand, opening my eyes and inhaling the hay-scented air.
“Sophia Galanos died last year of an apparent overdoes in Greece.”
“Good riddance,” I snap. “I just wish the woman spent the rest of her days in jail.”
“Gavin,” Margaret chides.
I know it’s not a nice or charitable wish. Mrs. Galanos had kids of her own. They’re probably grown now, and grieving their mother’s death. And there’s no doubt her family would have suffered if the justice system had ruled in my favor and tossed Sofia Galanos in prison. But it would have been the right thing to do.
“She was guilty,” I say. “Sophia Galanos deserved to lose a lot more than her license to run an adoption racket after the way she turned a blind eye to my situation.”
“I’m giving you the facts, Gavin. She’s no longer alive and thus unconnected to the current situation.”
“And Liz Masters?” I spit out the words. Margaret has followed up every lead. She probably knows what Liz had for breakfast.
“Still living with her sister in Vermont. We were not able to find a connection to Alexandra,” Margaret says in a matter-of-fact tone. “Now go find Kayla. And please give her my best.”
I walk across the manicured lawn separating the dilapidated barn from my home. The 1800s farmhouse rests on the top of a hill and offers stunning views of the Hudson River. Not that I spent much time here enjoying the rustic scenery. I bought the damn place so I would have a place for Kayla to escape to if she needed it. And then I purchased the neighboring property when she was ready to leave. I liked the fact that the a
djoining properties mirrored the set-up from when we were kids.
