Chapter 9

Ellie walked outside onto the landing of the garage apartment. Sunrise was minutes away and the sky was streaked with lines of pink and gold. Already she could hear voices coming from the direction of the barn.

Lily and Clint would be tending to the horses, as would Cam. He’d left the pillow and wadded blanket on the couch and had she not already been awake, she would not have known that he had dressed and left an hour ago.

It was strange living here on the Marsh ranch. She’d been here nearly three weeks. In that time, she’d healed. Well, for the most part. She could get up and down the stairs by herself, yesterday she’d gone for a short run, and while her time wasn’t great, she hadn’t suffered any great pain from it, just the normal soreness you have when you haven’t used muscles in a while.

She knew it was time for her to go home and despite being thrilled to be with Cam whenever he wasn’t working, it didn’t feel like home to her. She felt like a guest, albeit a very pampered one, but still a guest.

And then there was the problem of the admitted feelings between her and Cam. They’d indulged in a few make-out sessions, but he hadn’t pressed for more. He said she needed to heal, and she was grateful for that. But it didn’t stop her from wanting him and wanting something as bad as she wanted him and not be able to satisfy the need was making her cranky.

And then there was the mystery she had to solve. She’d spent the last three weeks thinking about it, looking at the images on her tablet, remembering the house they’d found hidden on the property and remembering the dreams she’d had of her father and grandmother.

There was more to Michael Whitehorse that she’d imagined, and she needed to get inside that house and find answers. The answers just had to be there.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Cam called up to her from the foot of the stairs. “Didn’t expect to see you up so early.”

“I like watching the sunrise,” she said, appreciating the view of him climbing the stairs much more than watching the sky.

“I like seeing you standing there waiting for me,” he said as he mounted the landing in front of her.

She smiled up at him. “I could make you some breakfast.”

“I ate at the main house, and I’ve got to get ready for work.”

“Oh, okay.”

“But I could do with a cup of coffee when I get out of the shower.”

“I’ll put on a pot,” she offered.

Cam gave her a soft kiss then opened the door and held it for her to enter. “Give me ten minutes.”

“It’ll be waiting for you.”

She watched him head for the bathroom then busied herself tidying up the couch. She’d tried to convince him to let her sleep on the couch, but he wouldn’t have any part of it. One night she’d talked him into sharing the bed, but things got heated between them and when he rolled over on top of her, she’d cried out from the pressure on her ribs. That had ended any talk of sharing the bed, even just for sleep.

Ellie finished straightening up and on impulse went into the bedroom. She pulled her battered suitcase from the closet. Despite Cam offering to make space in the bureau she’d insisted on living out of her suitcase. Hurriedly she dressed, crammed her nightshirt into the suitcase then lifted it up and carried it to set beside the kitchen door.

She put on a small pot of coffee, packed up her tablet and when she heard the bathroom door open, she poured two cups of coffee and put them on the table. A couple of minutes passed before Cam walked in.

His eyes went straight to the suitcase beside the door. “Going somewhere?”

“Yes. Home.”

“I don’t think—”

“I know you don’t think it’s a good idea, but I need to go, Cam.”

“It’s not safe, Ellie. You know that.”

“I agree. But I’m not going to that house. I’m going to the other one.”

He rounded the table to her. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean what if someone goes looking for you?”

“What’re the chances of that? Or that they’d find the house? I need to go there, Cam. I need answers.”

“To what?”

“You know what. To who my father was and why that place is even there.”

“Well, fine but can you wait till I get off work and then I’ll take you. And I’ll stay there with you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask.”

Ellie looked up at him for a long moment. “Cam I can’t keep disrupting your life like this.”

“Wait till I get off work and I’ll take you. Please?”

“Fine.” She agreed. How could she do otherwise? He’d been nothing but kind to her, taking care of her and giving up his bed to her.

“Thanks.” He gave her a kiss and a gentle hug then snagged one of the cups of coffee. “I shouldn’t be late. I get off at four.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

“I know you’re getting tired of sitting around,” he said. “Getting restless means you’re healing and that’s a good thing. And it’s just today.”

“I know.” She moved to him and looped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

He drew her closer and this time the kiss was not quite so chaste. In fact, it was getting downright heated when his phone rang. “Clint” he said just before he answered. “Yeah? Yeah, sure. I’ll tell her. Okay.”

“He and Lily are headed into town if you want to go. It’ll be mid-morning when they’re ready.”

“That might be nice,” she commented.

“Probably do you some good to get out of here for a while. Okay, I gotta go. See you this afternoon.”

She watched him leave and took a seat at the table. Nothing to do now but wait for Lily and Clint to get ready to head for town. With a sigh, she picked up the cooling coffee.

As seemed to be the case of late with so much time on her hands, her mind turned to the mystery of her father. She’d learned from talking with Clint and Lily that no one seemed to know how Michael Whitehorse had died, or what had happened to his body.

Ellie had not received any information from the attorney who contacted her about her inheritance and when she tried to call his office, the number had been disconnected. She found that both strange and troubling. There were too many questions and no answers when it came to her father.

And this mystery was starting to feel a bit ominous. She’d been threatened and attacked because she inherited his property. That should make her willing to sell out and high tail it back to the Carolinas.

Instead, it was making her more determined to get to the truth.

Whatever that was.

*****

Simon Dansforth stood on the patio of his palatial home, looking out over the Olympic sized pool and the lavish landscaping that stretched for more than five acres. He was not at all pleased with the lack of progress being made in obtaining Michael Whitehorse’s property.

He turned his head to look at the west wing of the mansion. As expected, the drape at one of the windows fell back into place. Dansforth knew that his “guest” watched from the window, looking for an avenue of escape.

She would not find one. He’d acquired his guest more than two years ago. She’d shown up at the Whitehorse place. His Watchers had notified him immediately. Whatever happened between her and Whitehorse, the visit had obviously not ended on a happy note. She left crying.

And was taken into custody before she hit the county line. Since that time, she had not left the suite in the west wing. In all that time, she had given him nothing of use.

An idea occurred to him, and he went back inside, wound his way through the massive house and to the door of her suite. Two armed guards stood guard on either side of the door. Both nodded in deference to him as he keyed in the passcode and opened the door.

“Good afternoon.” He greeted the woman who stood on the other side of the room.

She did not return his greeting. Not that it mattered. He took a seat in one of the leather wing chairs.

“It has been too long since we last spoke,” he said. “In fact, I do not believe we’ve had a chance to chat since your relative arrived.”

She didn’t respond but he saw the change in her expression. “I don’t believe you’ve met her. Elana Whitehorse.”

There. He saw the surprise in her eyes and then the way tension had her posture straightening. “She’s quite lovely. The resemblance to her father is remarkable. Same odd blue eyes and dark hair but she’s smaller in stature than most of your kind. I wonder why? Was the blood that diluted by her mother? She and Michael were, after all, from different…clans, is that the correct term?”

Again, no response, other that her watching him warily. He smiled and stood. “If there is anything you’d like to tell me, now would be a most opportune moment. It seems that Elana suffered injury from a recent break-in. While she is, by all reports, healing, it would be a shame to see another unfortunate incident occur.”

“If you hurt her, you will die.”

Those were the first words she’d uttered in more than a year. Simon did not fear that she would do him bodily harm. After all, she was under constant video surveillance, with armed guards around her night and day. No, she would prove no threat physically. But she was Whitehorse and that did send a niggle of unease through him.

They were, after all, not quite human and who knows what powers they would possess if their family’s abilities were returned to them.

This was why he had to ensure that Elana Whitehorse was under his control. If there was power to be exploited, it was power he fully intended to control.

Without another word, he turned and left. Perhaps it was time to make alterations in his plan. Thus far, threats and bodily harm had netted him nothing. Perhaps it was as Bedelia had said, “the best knife is buttered.”

Time for him to butter his knife and trap Elana Whitehorse into giving him what he wanted.

*****

Ellie got out of the truck and waited for Lily to slide out. “Clint and I have some things to take care of at the bank and then we’re headed to the tack shop down the street.” She pointed. “There, two blocks down. After that, he’s got a couple of things to pick up at the hardware store and then…” she looked at Clint as he rounded the truck to them. “Lunch?”

“Sure,” he said with a smile.

“So, you want to tag along or just wander around town?” Lily asked.

“I think I’ll wander. I’ve never been here and it’s pretty. Maybe I’ll look around some of the shops.”

“Cool. I’ll call when we’re done, and we’ll meet…let’s see. How about Dolly’s?” She looked to Clint.

“Good by me.”

Lily put her hand on Ellie’s shoulder and turned her. “See the building on the next corner, across the street? Dolly’s is just on the other side, around the corner.”

“Okay,” Ellie agreed. “Go do what you need to do. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I know.” Lily said with a smile then took Clint’s hand.

Ellie watched them walk away then stood for a moment, looking up and down the street. A sign for an antique shop half a block down caught her eye.

There were not many people on the sidewalk but the few she saw smiled in passing. She opened the door of the shop and heard the tinging of a bell. Ellie looked up to see the tiny bell mounted on an arm on the top of the door.

“Hello there,” a man voice sounded behind her.

Ellie turned in the direction of the voice. “Hi.” She greeted the short, elderly man with a fringe of white hair ringing his head.

“I’m Sam Jones, the owner. Are you looking for something in particular?”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Jones and no, just browsing while I wait to meet some friends for lunch.”

“Then take your time and enjoy. If I can help you, I’ll be up front here.”

“Thanks.”

It didn’t take long to make the entire circuit of the store. Ellie checked her phone. Nothing. She wandered over to where Mr. Jones sat on a high stool behind a long glass case.

Inside it was jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, pins, and even hair clips. Ellie wasn’t much into that sort of thing but looked from one end to the other. It wasn’t until she reached the end that she saw it. Through the glass, she could see a painting leaning against the wall behind the case.

“Excuse me. Mr. Jones?”

He got off his stool. “Something I can show you?”

“That painting. The one of the white horse. Is it for sale?”

He walked over to pick up the painting and place it on the top of the display case. “It’s lovely, isn’t it? But not for sale. Well, it was on consignment. But the owner died and—”

“I know. Michael Whitehorse. He was my father.”

The look on Mr. Jones’ face told her he didn’t believe her. She dug into her bag and pulled out her identification and the letter from the attorney that was still in its original envelope.

“See?” She put the items on the display case beside the painting. “I really am his daughter and I really want to buy this painting.”

Mr. Jones looked at her identification and then picked up the envelope. “May I?”

“Sure.”

He withdrew the letter, read it, and then returned it to the envelope. “Looks like you really are Mike’s daughter. And that being the case, I can’t sell you the painting.”

“But—”

“Because it’s already yours, Ms. Whitehorse. Like I said, I was going to sell it on consignment but then when Mike died…well, I just took it down off the wall and…and I guess I just left it there because I didn’t know what else to do with it.”

Ellie put her identification and the letter from the attorney back into her bag. “Thank you so much. This means so much…thank you.” She picked up the painting and just then her phone rang.

She tucked the painting under one arm and answered her phone. “Hey Lily. Yeah, I’m at the antique store. I’ll meet you there.”

Ellie looked at Mr. Jones again. “Thank you so much.”

“My pleasure.”

Ellie hurried from the shop and made her way to the café. Lily and Clint were already at a table waiting.

“What’cha got?” Lily asked as Ellie approached.

“It’s one of my father’s paintings.” Ellie set down her shoulder bag and popped the painting on the empty chair at the table. “Mr. Jones at the antique store down the street had it. He said my father had given it to him to sell on consignment and when my father died, he took it down and didn’t know what to do with it. Anyway, he gave it to me. Wasn’t that nice?”

“He’s a nice man,” Lily agreed.

Ellie took a seat and noticed that Clint was staring at the painting. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She asked.

“Yeah, but what’s that?” He pointed at the painting. “In the horse’s mane. It’s like a jewel or something is attached to the mane. See?”

“You’re right!” Ellie exclaimed as she looked. Sure enough, a small teardrop shape looked like it had been attached to a strand of the mane. It glowed with a beautiful aqua light.

“Any of the others have that?” Lily asked.

“No. None. Wonder why he added that?”

“Why do artists do anything?” Clint asked, earning a chuckle from Lily.

Just then, the server arrived to take their order. Ellie kind of zoned out on the conversation after that. She was caught up in looking at the painting. It was hard to tell but she thought she detected a line running through the image.

She squinted her eyes, trying to follow the almost imperceptible line. It seemed to end at the jewel. What did that signify?

“Hey! Earth to Ellie.” Lily’s voice drew her attention.

“Oh, sorry. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Just asking if you were done?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s hit it.” Clint said.

“Ok. Hey, stop.” Ellie put her hand on his arm to stay him as he reached for the check. “Let me do that. Please?”

“I got it.”

“I know and I appreciate it but please at least let me do this small thing. You all have been so kind and…please?”

“Okay, sure. Thanks, Ellie.”

“Want me to carry the painting?” Lily asked.

“Yes, thanks. I’ll pay and meet you outside.”

Clint and Lily were waiting for her when she exited the café. Together they walked back to where Clint had parked the truck. Ellie climbed into the back seat, placing the painting beside her.

She listened with half an ear to the conversation on the drive back to Marsh ranch. She was thinking about how photographing the painting and adding its line to the map. And taking a closer look at the photos to see if the tiny jewel showed up in any of them.

Ellie thanked Lily and Clint when they arrived, climbed out of the truck, and hurried to the garage apartment. She placed the painting in front of the largest window and snapped several shots. That done, she popped out the memory card and plugged it into her tablet.

It took only a little bit of time to play with the colors to get the line to become visible but once that was done it only took a few minutes to isolate the lines from the painting and add it to the large file with all of the map pieces. Once in place, she studied it. Unlike the rest of the lines, this one did not connect at both ends. In fact, it dead-ended.

What did it mean?

An idea occurred to her. She created a complete copy of the map and used it as an overlay on top of the property map she’d drawn.

Excitement flared. Ellie jumped up and paced back and forth, glancing every few seconds at the tablet. This was a clue, a clue she needed to follow. “Oh my god!” It hit her. She knew where the new clue led.

Ellie grabbed her bag and tablet and ran out of the apartment. Lily was standing outside the barn.

“Can I borrow your truck?” Ellie asked.

“Uh, sure, I guess. Or I can drive you.”

“No, I appreciate it, but I just need to run a quick errand.”

“Lily reached in her pocket but as she withdrew the key, she hesitated. “Maybe I should drive you. Cam said it was important that you not go anywhere alone.”

“I’ll be fine. Please, Lily. Trust me.”

“Okay, just don’t make me sorry. Cam will kick my ass if—”

“It will be fine. Thank you!” Ellie grabbed the keys and headed for the truck.

It was not a long drive from the Marsh ranch to her place. She parked in front of the old house, jumped out and turned on her tablet to look at the image she’d created by combining the lines from the paintings with a map of the property.

She knew where to go. Ellie stuck her phone and the keys to the truck in her pocket and locked her shoulder bag and tablet in the truck.

She didn’t bother going in the house. Instead, she headed around the side and walked through the back yard. She knew where she was going.

*****

“What do you mean she’s not there?” Cam asked into the phone. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.” Lily answered. “She said she needed to run an errand and borrowed the truck.”

“And didn’t say what the errand was or where she was going?”

“No. We got back from town. Oh! She found one of her father’s paintings at Jones’ Antiques. When we got home, she went straight to the apartment with the painting. An hour later, she said she needed to run and errand and wanted to borrow the truck. That’s all I know.”

“Shit. Oh, thanks Lily. Talk to you later.”

Cam ended the call and punched up Ellie’s number. It went straight to voice mail.

“Hey, it’s Cam. Call me?”

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the monitor on his desk. Where would she have gone?

Hold on. She found another painting.

Cam got up from his desk and hurried to his Lieutenant’s office. “I need to duck out for a couple of hours. Family stuff.”

“What’s on your plate?”

“Nothing at the moment. I’ll mark it off my personal time.”

“Fine.”

Cam hurried outside to his truck. He was betting that Ellie headed for her dad’s place. He just hoped she didn’t find anyone there when she arrived.

*****

Ellie stopped at the stream. This had to be the place the line on the map led to. But what was here? She looked up and down the stream, and across it. Nothing caught her eye.

But there had to be something. She sat down beside the stream and stared into the water. The crystals sticking up from the sand glimmered in the water. Her eyes moved, noting the different shapes and sizes of the crystals and the way they were scattered along the bottom of the stream.

Suddenly her eyes jerked back to a spot she’d just moved over. What was that? It was dark and not at all like the other crystals. Ellie jumped up, tossed her phone and keys on the ground, and stepped into the stream. At that point it was shallow, so she was little more than knee deep at the center point.

She knelt down, heedless of the cold water that rose about her as she reached down toward the bottom. It felt like the edge of something—a corner. She plunged in both hands, leaning forward, and soaking the front of her body as her fingers dug at the sand and dirt around the object.

It took a couple of minutes, but she was able to free it. A small box that looked like it had been carved from onyx or some other dark stone. She waded back to the shore and sat down.

The top of the box had an ornate design engraved into it. She didn’t recognize the pattern, but could discern that it was woven around the letter W. How did it open? There were no hinges. She turned it over and around. There was an almost imperceptible line, a space where the bottom and top half met.

Try as she might, she couldn’t pull the two halves apart. She sat there for a good half hour trying before she gave up. She gathered up her keys and phone and headed back toward the house. Maybe she could use a knife and pry the top up.

Just as she reached the edge of the back yard, she heard the sound of a vehicle. Her heart gave a funny lurch and her stomach knotted. Ellie hurried to the back of the house, eased to the other side and then down the opposite side of the house so she could peer around the corner at the driveway.

Cam’s truck stopped, turned off and after a moment, he got out. He started for the door, and she called out to him.

“Cam?” She rounded the corner and started toward him.

“Ellie? What the hell. You’re wet. Are you—”

“I’m fine. I found something Cam. I found a painting in town at—”

“Lily told me.” He interrupted.

“Oh, okay, so I shot it and added the image to the map, and it led to a dead end. Not to the house but somewhere else so I—”

“Borrowed Lily’s truck and came here by yourself. Nice, Ellie. After being attacked and beat all to hell, you leave and come here by yourself.”

Ellie stepped back, surprised by the tone of his voice and the anger on his face. “I told Lily I—”

“That you had an errand to run. You lied. This? This isn’t an errand. It’s coming back to a place where you were almost killed.”

“I’m sorry. I just needed—”

“You could have waited.” His voice had grown increasingly louder and angrier. “You could have called me and told me, and I’d have brought you when I got off work. You could have asked Lily or Clint to come with you. You could have told the fucking truth!”

“I’m sorry.” She reached out to touch him, but he jerked away. “Cam, I’m sorry. I…you’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I…I just had to do this.”

“Why?”

“Why? How can you ask that? You know why. And I found something, Cam. Look.”

She held out the box. He gave her a hateful look then glanced down at the box and before his eyes could move back to hers, he looked down again. “That’s not something you find just lying around the woods.”

“I know. And I didn’t. It was in the stream. Right where the map led.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that—”

“I know!” Ellie yelled and at the surprised look from Cam, softened her voice. “Look, I know and I’m sorry, but-but let’s set that aside for a moment please?”

“Fine,” he said in a somewhat begrudging tone. “So, let’s see this box? Have you opened it?”

She handed it to him. “I tried but I couldn’t. Maybe you can open it.”

The box looked a lot smaller in his big hands. He gripped it top and bottom and pulled. Nothing happened. Cam turned it over and looked at every side. “Hey, look here. On the bottom. There’s a hole.”

Ellie looked at it. Sure enough in one of the bottom corners was a small hole. “What do you think it is?”

“A keyhole?”

Ellie pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight on it. She pointed the light at the hole. “I can’t see anything that looks like a place to insert a key.”

“Well maybe we just need something small to stick in there and press. Maybe it’s a latch or something inside that releases.”

“I don’t think I have anything. Unless there’s something in Lily’s truck.”

“Check the glove compartment. I’ll check my truck.” Cam handed her the box and went to his truck.

Ellie set the box on the hood of the truck and searched the cab. She didn’t find anything. “Nothing, you?” She asked as Cam walked back over to her.

“A toothpick?” He held out his hand.

Ellie shrugged. “Worth a try.”

She picked up the box and turned it over. Cam inserted the toothpick and pressed. Nothing happened. Just then, a big grasshopper landed on Ellie’s chest. “Oh ugh, get it off!” She turned her head to one side with a grimace. “Get it off!”

Cam flicked the bug away with a thump of his finger and then she felt a tug on her necklace. “Ellie. What about this?”

“My necklace?”

“The bell. It’s about the same size.”

“Here.” She handed him the box then reached behind her neck to unclasp the necklace. She gripped the top of the tiny bell and guided it to the hole.

A yelp of surprise accompanied the sudden jump she made when the bell suddenly sucked right down into the hole along with a half of inch of chain. She hung onto the chain and looked up at Cam. “That was a little freaky. What now?”

He shrugged. “Try pulling it out.”

She did and felt the chain stick. She tugged a little harder and not only did the chain release, but they both heard a soft click. Clint turned the box right side up and lifted off the top.

Ellie gasped as the contents were revealed. Inside was a bed of material that looked like velvet but felt spongy. And embedded in a tiny depression was the jewel from the painting. She touched it and it flared with a tiny light.

“Did you see that?” She looked up at Cam.

“Yeah.”

“This was in the painting I got from Mr. Jones at the antique store. It was tied to the horse’s mane.”

“But what is it?”

“I don’t know.” She lifted the tiny gem from the depression and held it up her thumb and index finger. “It looks like water or something with some kind of blue…I don’t even know what to call that.”

“Stuff?”

She smiled at him. “Good a word as any. But still…what is it”

Cam was staring at the gem and continued to for a long time. Finally, his eyes moved to hers. “Your necklace. It looks like it would fit into the bell.”

Ellie looked at him in surprise then positioned the narrow point of the teardrop shaped gem at the opening of the bell. She squeaked in shock when the two abruptly locked together.

“Now that was freaky.” Cam said.

“No kidding.”

“Now what?”

She shrugged. “Now I put it back on. Here, help me.”

As she held the gem in her hand, he fastened the chain around her neck. She looked down at the gem. It was dancing with little sparks of light. “Look, isn’t that odd. Wonder what makes it do that?”

As she looked up at Cam, she released the gem. The moment it touched her skin, a current ran through her. It was so strong, her arms flew out wide, her head threw back, and her entire body vibrated. She couldn’t control her own body. Couldn’t speak, move, or even see what was around her. She was immobile in an endless sea of aqua light that pulsed around her.

The flare of light and energy blast that exploded when the gem touched Ellie’s chest propelled Cam backward. He tried to reach for her, but it was like there was a force preventing him from touching her.

She was standing there, bent backwards with arms spread and head back like she was about to embrace the sky.

“Ellie? Ellie!” He shouted. “Ellie!”

What the hell was he supposed to do? Just as he thought it, the light disappeared and she literally dropped to the ground, her head down. He knelt down beside her and put one hand under her chin to tilt her head up. “Ellie?”

She opened her eyes and Cam’s heart thumped. Her eyes were awash with the same light as the gem. “Ellie? Are you okay honey?”

Ellie smiled up at him. “I feel…I feel fine. No, better than fine. I feel wonderful. What was that Cam? That light.”

“Can you stand?”

“Of course, I can.”

“Okay, then let’s get up. There’s something you need to see.”

She let him take her hands and pull her to her feet. He guided her to the truck and turned the rear-view mirror. She looked and her hands flew to her face. “Oh my god. My eyes. They’re…no it’s fading.”

Within moments, the lights were gone. She turned to Cam. “Okay, color me silly, but I have to ask. Is this real? I mean, am I still in the hospital, having some strange anesthesia dream?”

“No, it’s real. Weird as hell but real.”

“What happened?””

“I don’t know, honey. I wish I did. I wish I knew who to ask.”

“That’s it!” She grabbed his hand and started pulling him in the direction of the side yard. “The house. The answer has to be there.”

“Good day.” The voice had Ellie and Cam both stopping in surprise.

A tall gray-haired man in an expensive suit stepped from around the back of Cam’s truck, followed by two other men, the same two men who had been there before. There was a long black limo parked behind the truck, and two additional men positioned on either side of it.

“Those are the men!” Ellie pointed at the two with the older gentlemen. “The ones who attacked me.”

“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” the elderly man said. “Please, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Simon Dansforth, and I am your grandfather.”

He could have said he was an alien, and the affect would have been the same. Complete disbelief.

“That’s a load of crap.”

“Oh, I think not, Elana. Your grandmother, Bedelia, was my fiancée. We planned to be married, before it became apparent that she was with child. But her family intervened. They would disown her if she married outside of her race.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Cam asked.

Dansforth shrugged. “Her people are clannish. Purity of their race is very important to them. They forbade the marriage and Bedelia acquiesced to their wishes. She left me. Had our child and then that same child saw her exiled from the family she gave all to honor.”

“I don’t understand.” Ellie said.

“Your mother. My daughter. She mated with a Whitehorse.”

“So?”

“They were cast from the family.”

Ellie shook her head. “Look, I don’t know you or who you think you are, but you’re not my grandfather and I want you off my land.”

“I am here simply to extend the hand of…family or friendship if you will, my dear. I know it cannot be the life you would choose, living in this squalid place. I will, today, buy this land from you for one million dollars; tax free and you can go wherever you choose.”

“No.”

“No? You would say no to a million dollars for this?” He spread his arms and turning slightly one way and then the other.

“Yes.”

Dansforth shook his head. “Very well. I apologize for the intrusion. I merely felt that as family it was my duty to try and help.”

“No help needed thanks.”

“Of course.” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and withdrew a slim case. From it, he took a card. “Here. Should you change your mind, or perhaps want to find out more about family. My private number.”

Ellie accepted the card. “Don’t hold your breath.”

“Yes, of course. Your father’s daughter. Very well. Good day, Elana.”

Ellie watched him turn and leave, followed by the men she’d recognized as the ones who had attacked her. She waited until the car pulled away then turned to look at Cam.

“Those were the men. I swear to you, it was them.”

“Do you know who that was?” He asked. “Simon Dansforth is probably the richest man in the state, one of the richest in the county. And he says he’s your grandfather? Who’s Bedelia?”

“I don’t care who he is. And Bedelia is Grannie.”

“Ok, so who is your grandfather? Did you know him?”

“No. She…she never married.”

Cam stared at her for a few long moments. “So…so what if he wasn’t lying. What if he is your grandfather? And what was that stuff about her people?”

Ellie blew out her breath. “My mother’s family was Gypsy or something. I never really got the full story. But he was right about one thing. Apparently, they were very clannish. My grandmother was exiled from the family for a while after my mother was born, but she mended fences with them—at least partially. And my father was…I think he was Gypsy too, but not of the same clan. From what little I know my mother’s clan didn’t like his and when she married him, her clan exiled her and my grandmother.”

“Pretty harsh.” Cam replied.

“Yeah, life can be that way. But forget that. I want to go to the house. Now. Will you come with me?”

“Yes.”

Ellie started forward then stopped. “I’m sorry, Cam. For all of this. I know I’ve been a burden and I don’t want to be. I’d completely understand if you walked away.”

Cam could move surprisingly fast for a big man. He had her in his arms in two seconds flat, hugging her tightly. “Walking is the last thing on my mind, honey. At least walking away. I told you, Ellie. I love you and I don’t say that lightly. Whatever this is, I’m in it with you. And I’ll go to the house with you, but right now, I really think we should check out Dansforth and those men with him.

“I got pictures of two of them with my phone. If I can upload them to the department, I might be able to run them through the system and get an ID.”

“You did that? I didn’t see you do it?”

“Your attention was elsewhere.”

“Still protecting me from the snakes?”

“You better believe it. Look, I know you’re eager, but can we please wait until tomorrow to go to the house? I’ll take a day off work if you want. But we need to check these guys out, and we need to check out Danforth’s story.”

“He has to be lying, Cam.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. But we have to try to figure it out. For your sake, ok?”

Ellie didn’t want to put off going to the house until morning, but she also didn’t want to say no to Cam. He was too important to her.

“Ok.”

“Yes?” He gave her a smile.

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” He gave a soft kiss. “We’ll figure all this out, honey. I promise.”

Ellie smiled up at him, wishing she felt half as confident as he sounded.

*****

Dansforth stared out of the window of the limousine, oblivious to the passing scenery. Elana Whitehorse was definitely her father’s daughter. But there was something of Bedelia in her as well. The family resemblance was pronounced.

He had not expected her to accept his offer and so was not annoyed by her refusal. Today had been nothing more than an introduction. Despite her best efforts, she would replay his words to her over and again, and doubt would seep in. Could he be her grandfather?

That doubt would turn to curiosity and curiosity would lead her to him.

But in the off chance that he was wrong, he would cover all bets.

“I want half a dozen men on that property within the hour. Any sign of Elana Whitehorse, and I want to be notified immediately.”

“Twenty-four-seven? The man seated beside him asked.

“Yes.”

The man looked at the two men across from him. “As soon as we get back, pick four of your best men. Have someone drive you. We don’t want vehicles that would alert anyone to your presence. Take whatever provisions you need. I’ll send replacements in the morning.”

The two men nodded and Dansforth smiled. It might not be today, but one day Whitehorse’s land would be his. The land and whatever treasure it held would belong to him. And then Elana Whitehorse and all of her kind could rot in hell, right along with that bitch Bedelia who’d broken his heart.

It was, after all, what they deserved.