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Sam: Shouldn’t you be there with her?
Emily: I could use a break from wedding planning.
Sam: What time?
Emily: How’s ten?
Sam: Kind of late in the day to start a hike.
Emily: I know, but I’ve got to make sure my mom is fed before I skip out on her.
Sam: 10:00 a.m. tomorrow at Wade’s house. See you then.
Sam stuffed the phone back in her pocket and frowned. Emily was so busy with her wedding, she rarely had time for hikes anymore. When Emily reconnected with her high school sweetheart, it felt like Sam lost her best friend. Maybe after the wedding things would return to normal. Or better yet, she’d meet someone to share her own life. Doubtful, but hope was all she had.
Her radio crackled to life. Dispatch letting them know about another drone call near the northwestern corner of the park. The flying machines were a nuisance. Flown by visitors who either didn’t know the rules prohibiting them or simply didn’t care. She tossed her backpack on the passenger seat and set off down past the park office and out to Route 487. She parked along the side of the road and hiked down a little to investigate the reported disturbance. Twenty-five minutes later, she approached posted signs along the fence of a private property that bordered the park. The fence had a few places that appeared to be in disrepair and on the verge of collapse. A person could kick it down, which meant a bear could easily tear through it. If she remembered correctly, it was the property that housed the Ricketts Estate. The building and property had a storied history. Much mystery and intrigue surrounded the place, but she dismissed it as nothing more than the unwarranted rumors that often surrounded historical buildings, but she would love to explore the place sometime.
She still hadn’t encountered the expected drone, but voices carried on the wind.
“…too risky…has to be the last one.”
“No choice… must protect...”
Sounded ominous, but it wasn’t park business. She dug her binoculars from her bag and aimed them in the direction of the voices. On the wide front porch of the historic manor house stood a large man with his huge arms crossed over his chest staring at another guy leaning against the porch railing.
A buzzing overhead reminded her what she was there for. Work awaited. She focused on the drone and tried to make out any markings that might identify its owner. Nothing. The drone flew over the bordering estate. Could it belong to them or was spying on them? Her overactive imagination getting the better of her. It was off state property, so it wasn’t her problem now.
Masonwavedawaythespicy aroma from the nearby food trucks. The very concept struck him as inherently plebeian. They required a certain entrepreneurial spirit which he could admire, but there could be no culinary significance in the fare produced in a mobile kitchen.
He turned his attention to the magnificent structure standing before him. It was an impressive blend of Victorian and Gothic architecture that had captivated the imagination of students for more than one hundred and thirty years. He watched as Cate Garrison disappeared into the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
More than a decade earlier, he’d attempted to recruit her brother, Grayson, but he’d been skeptical and resistant. They hadn’t bothered with Gavin. The boy seemed determined to get himself killed with the Army, so wooing him seemed a waste of time. He’d met Cate on several occasions. She was a good girl. Not hard-edged like her brothers. Perhaps a touch naive. He had no doubt that she’d recognize an exclusive opportunity when the offer came. A glance at his watch assured him that Miss Garrison would receive her invitation any minute now. If she had the sense of a fruit fly, she’d accept without hesitation, but he had a backup plan in place in case she failed to be intrigued.
His phone buzzed with confirmation. She’d received her letter. An invite to pledge the Zeta Gamma Xi sorority. Pledging a sorority was commonplace activity. It wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. Yet, they were offering Cate the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. All of their members were wealthy and influential, but none compared to the wealth of the Garrison family. With access to their resources and connections, they’d be unstoppable.
Chapter Two
Gavinadmiredthesnowdusted mountains as he cruised down the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The day before the mercury hit sixty-five in New York, but overnight the temperature had dipped into the low thirties. He took exit 95 and headed toward Lake Harmony. When he reached Lake Drive, he slowed his Range Rover and pulled into Wade’s driveway, parked, and slipped from the vehicle. The wind whipped through his lightweight jacket, and he pulled his ball cap lower on his head to keep it secure. Before he could ring the bell, the door swung open to reveal Emily and Ruger. Gavin bent down to greet his former battle buddy. The German Shepherd nuzzled his neck in return.
Emily smiled. “Wade’s in his man-cave. Sam and I are going hiking in a bit.”
“Thanks. I’ll head downstairs.”
Gavin descended the stairs into the newly renovated basement. He admired the understated elegance of Wade’s sanctuary. A large wooden desk stood in one corner. It held a laptop and stack of books, including Wade’s large study Bible which was lay open. The walls were a taupe color that complemented the dark wood of the floors. Just past Wade’s office area was a rec room of sorts with a pool table and a dart board.
“It’s about time you show up.” Wade handed him a pool cue.
“I’m right on time.”
“If you’re not early you’re late. I would think you’d have that down pat since it was drilled into us in boot camp.”
“I wasn’t expecting the snow.”
“Spring in the northern part of the Mid-Atlantic region. Predictably unpredictable.”
“Aren’t you just full of wisdom this morning?” Gavin’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Let’s play. I need a distraction.”
