Page 5 of Unmasked

“My family and I have brunch at the country club each Wednesday and Sunday at eleven o’clock.”

Mason jotted it down. “Anything else?”

“I don't have a job yet,” she admitted, “so I don't go anywhere specific on a daily basis. I really only go into town if I need something.”

The fact that she was a 30-year-old woman, jobless, living at home with her parents sent a hot spear of shame through her. Mason seemed to take it in stride, though.

“Sounds good. Is there anything else you need?”

She shook her head. “I don't think so. I’d just like to find whoever is doing this and get him—or her—to stop. I can't begin to understand why he’s sending me photographs.”

“We’ll find them,” Mason assured her. “It’s just a matter of narrowing down a motive and finding them at the right place and time.”

He seemed so confident that she couldn’t find it in herself to doubt him. “I really appreciate it,” she said as she stood. “What do I owe you for today?”

“Nothing. Consultation is free,” Mason said as he opened the door for her. “If you haven’t already, I’ll have you fill out a contact form and we’ll touch base about future payment and everything soon.”

“Perfect.” She slung her purse over her shoulder and preceded him into the hallway. She snuck a glance toward Knox’s office as she turned, but his door was closed. She swallowed down the disappointment that crept up her throat and quickly turned her focus back to Mason.

“I’ll give you my number so you can reach me directly,” he said as they fell into step together. “Like I said, give me as much of your schedule as possible. The more surveillance I can do ahead of time, the quicker we can find your photographer.”

Vivi's dark eyes settled on her as she stepped into the lobby, and she could practically feel the unease and resentment emanating from Vivi's petite form in waves. Had Knox told her what happened? She couldn't be sure. Vivi had been so young then, and she was the only one who truly knew what happened. Even Knox only knew half the story.

Mason headed behind the reception desk and tipped his head Vivi’s way. “Get her registered, would you, Virginia?”

She blinked, caught off guard by the use of Vivi’s full name. She remembered Knox telling her once that his parents had traveled frequently with a friend’s band and had named Knox and Vivi after cities where the band had played—and quite possibly where they’d been conceived.

He wasn’t quite sure, and she seriously doubted the elder Castillos—God rest their souls—did either. Though they had been nice enough from what she remembered, they were both flaky and unstable, preferring a good party to spending time with their own children.

She offered Vivi a little smile as she stepped up to the desk. Vivi reluctantly slid a clipboard with a registration form across the counter, looking very much like she'd rather throw it in the trash. She didn't blame her. She knew her actions back then had hurt both of them. She'd done what she thought was best at the time, and she couldn't take it back even if she wanted to.

She took a minute to fill out the form before passing it back to Vivi. “Anything else?”

Vivi had remained silent up to this point, and she shook her head, forcing a tight smile to her lips. “That's all.”

She was almost overwhelmed with the urge to apologize to Vivi, to tell her she was sorry for everything she'd done. She didn't know what had happened to Vivi after she and Knox split up. She'd heard that Vivi went to live with a family friend while Knox was in the Marines, but she never knew of anyone close to them.

She opened her mouth, then immediately closed it again. Now wasn’t the time or place. Once they got over the shock of seeing her again, she’d apologize. And—if they’d let her—finally tell them the truth of that awful summer.

Swallowing down the remorse that clutched at her throat, she turned her gaze to Mason. “So, I’ll just let you know if I need to go anywhere, then?”

He nodded and gestured toward the form she’d just completed as he pulled his phone from his back pocket and handed it to Vivi. “Yep. I’ll send you a message so you’ve got my number.” Her fingers flew across the screen, presumably entering her contact info into his phone before passing it back to him.

Almost immediately, her phone vibrated within her purse, and she pulled it out to check the alert. Sure enough, a text message appeared on the screen from an unknown number. She recited it back to him, and Mason tipped his head as he stowed his phone away again. “As I said earlier, let me know when you need to go somewhere, so we can catch him in action.”

“Sounds good. Thank you again.” She turned to Vivi, nervous butterflies battering her insides as she met Vivi’s wary gaze. “It was good to see you.”

Something flitted across Vivi's dark eyes before she gave a little nod. “Same. Have a good day.”

The dismissal was clear, but it was more than she could ask for. She headed out to her car and made her way home. Instead of parking in the garage, she left the car out front and entered through the front door. As she turned to make her way toward the western wing of the house, her parents’ maid, Letitia, appeared in the doorway of the sitting room, a bright smile on her face.

“Good morning, Ms. Everleigh.”

“Hi, Lettie.”

She knew her mother would reprimand her for her familiarity, but she didn’t care. Lettie was the only person in her family who seemed to ever care about her wellbeing. She’d allowed her to sneak into the kitchen on multiple occasions when she was young, especially after school when they were the only ones at home. She’d taught her how to bake, how to cook, how to stay sane in a home full of pretentious façades.

Lettie stepped toward the antique sideboard and picked up an envelope, then extended it to her. “This came for you, miss.”