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“Yes. It is. Isn’t it?” She didn’t think it was a coincidence at all. He’d probably made the call about the kids to lure her here. “Thanks for keeping me from falling.”
“Not a problem.” He frowned. “I noticed your reaction to one of our portraits last night. It took a little digging, but I eventually uncovered that our esteemed Gavin Garrison has fallen in love with a legacy.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t be coy, dear. It doesn’t become you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t know my father was involved in your organization until I saw the portrait last night. I don’t consider myself a legacy of the Continental Alliance.”
“Yet, you seem to know our name.”
“My uncle had a book. It is now in my possession.”
“Good. Good. Your Uncle Richard, I believe. A good man. His disappearance was a real tragedy.” Something about the way he said the words made her certain he was behind her uncle’s disappearing act.
“Yes. It was.”
“Due to your legacy status, I’d like to offer you a position on our board. Get you back in the club, so to speak. You don’t have to give me your answer now, just think on it. I’ll be in touch soon.”
GraysonpulledtheBroncoonto the private drive leading to the Ricketts Estate. His body language was closed off, tense.
“What’s your problem, Gray?”
“You should’ve run it by me before agreeing to this meeting.”
“Maybe, but Cate is my priority. I want to keep Mason Kennedy close until we get her home.”
“What if we’re wrong? What if this creep has nothing to do with Cate?” Gray backed into a parking spot near the door. “All we have on him is Emmaline’s cell phone. It wasn’t even found on this property.”
“Doesn’t it all seem a bit too coincidental, Gray? One of his minions tries to recruit you to a fraternity all those years ago. Now Cate gets dragged into a sorority only to go missing, then out of the blue, we get invitations to come a party here. Seems far-fetched to me. The only way all this happens is if he’s toying with us.”
“And you played right into his hand by agreeing to this meeting.”
“Maybe you’re right, but we’re here now. Let’s make the most of our time with the adversary.”
Mason stepped out onto the wide front porch. “Greetings, gentleman.” He glanced down at his Rolex. “Right on time, I see. Punctuality is one of those indispensable qualities that so few exhibit these days.”
They followed the man down the hall with the portraits to a set of double doors that led into a room set-up with a large conference table. “Welcome to the boardroom for the Continental Alliance.”
“We read about the CA. Wasn’t it disbanded back in the late twentieth century?” Gray asked.
“Ah. That is what we wanted people to think.”
“Why?”
“There was quite a bit of pressure at the time. Conspiracy theories spouting everything from racism and lobbying concerns all the way to accusing us of being part of the antichrist’s network to usher in the end times. You can see why discretion became the better part of valor in this case.”
“How much truth was there to the rumors?” Gavin dropped into a chair and put his feet on the table.
Mason narrowed his eyes, but didn’t comment on the move. “We’re not working for the devil if that’s what you’re asking.” Gavin had his doubts.
“But?”
“I must admit we do lobby congress on behalf of our members. We’re an organization of like-minded people interested in preserving our freedoms and values. Membership is most often passed down through familial lines, but we do make occasional exceptions.”
“And what is it you want with us?”
“Your business acumen, connections, and financial resources.”
