Chasing Shadows Read online

  Entering the necessary code to the safe, he took the envelope that his grandfather had left with Ms Riley from his book bag. The letter Gramps had left for him, had been enlightening in some ways. He felt as if he understood more of what his grandfather had been thinking. He would do his best to complete the tasks left to him, even if there were some that would be more challenging.

  He took some time to figure out where he should begin his investigation, creating lists and slowly he saw some kind of pattern emerge. It was still too muddled in his head and he wondered if maybe a fresh pair of eyes might help. His grandfather had told him that he could trust Jack and Ms Riley, and he knew that both would give him honest answers. He could wait a few days though.

  Charles was sure to make another move, and Nate knew that he would not solve anything quickly. That was why Gramps had wanted him to spend senior year here. The problems of the town had taken years to create, and he could not expect to undo everything in just a few days.

  These were not problems that could be solved by throwing money at them. People needed to start taking responsibility for their actions. Based on the contents of the letter from his grandfather, the younger generation were already showing signs that they had become as corrupt at their elders.

  He wasn't sure if the town could be saved from those who were harming it, but he had to try. Locking the envelope in the safe, Nate booted up his computer and began planning the next stage of his campaign.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Trying to hide a wince from her doctor, Grace couldn't wait for this assessment to be done. The light that had been shone in her eyes hadn't been fun, but there seemed to be only a small amount of lingering pain from her injuries.

  So long as she was careful when she brushed her hair and slept on her left side, the stitches caused little trouble. Doctor March assured her that she was healing as well as could be expected, but to tell someone if she had any issues with her vision or had any kind of pain in her head.

  She couldn't help but notice that the usually friendly Dr March had been a bit subdued, which for some reason made her feel anxious.

  "Before you go Grace, I have a few more questions for you." At her quizzical look, the doctor continued. "I read the notes sent over from the hospital and there are some concerns."

  "Is something wrong? Did the scans show a problem?" She asked, trying to contain the panic she felt.

  "Nothing like that Grace. Can you tell me if there have been any problems at home?"

  "Problems at home?" She knew she must look as confused as she felt at the questions. "I don't understand what you are asking."

  "Have you, or Jack been under any extra pressure? I know that moving can sometimes cause extra stress." Grace was really confused now.

  "Moving where? Who is moving?" She paused, "You can't be talking about stress from when we moved here? It's been four years. I'm not going to lie you have lost me here." Was the doctor trying to test her memory or something similar, she wondered.

  "Grace, your injuries are not consistent with what you told the doctors at the hospital." Dr March paused, and she knew that the doctor hadn't missed the guilty look that briefly flashed across her patient's face.

  "You need to know that this is a safe space. If someone in your life is hurting you, someone who is under an extreme amount of pressure and not acting themselves, you need to speak up. Get them the help they need. Keep yourself safe."

  "Are we really having this conversation? You can't possibly be suggesting that Jack hurt me? Because that is insane. You know him. You work in the same building as him." She felt her anger rise as she defended her guardian.

  "I'm going to go now. Before either one of us say something we shouldn't."

  "Wait Grace, I didn't mean to upset you. But you need to know, the hospital," she didn't let the doctor finish speaking.

  "All I want to know right now is when I can go back to school. I have exams and assessments."

  "Ms Andrews, you need to let me finish," the doctor's voice was stern, with the slightest hint of impatience, but she'd heard enough. Grabbing her purse, and without saying another word, she walked out of the doctor's office.

  Her heart was racing and she was doing her best to hold back her tears so that Mimi, who had brought her to the appointment wouldn't see.

  Thankful that the door to the stairwell was hidden from the waiting room, Grace slipped through the exit, and took a seat on the top step. She needed to calm down before she went back to Mimi.

  How dare Doctor March even ask those questions. Jack, would never ever hurt her. Or anyone else for that matter. She could count on one hand the number of times he had ever raised his voice, and each time it was justified.

  She understood that doctors have a duty of care for their patients, but in this case her doctor knew her guardian, therefore as far as Grace was concerned, Dr March could have easily eased the concerns of the hospital.

  Yes Jack was under a bit of pressure, his case load had increased this past year, but it had never had any negative effect on their home life. She always knew his schedule, and if it changed he was quick to update her.

  The worst thing was that the real culprit was getting away with her actions, and Grace was sure that if it ever came to light that Maddie was the one responsible for her injuries, the whole incident would be forgotten about.

  She was uncertain if she should tell Jack about the questions. She hated the thoughts of upsetting him, and truthfully she was still not over seeing him so frightened as he had been at the hospital.

  She hated keeping secrets from him, and while she very rarely mentioned Maddie's campaign of hate; often downplaying things, this was something she was reluctant to tell him. On the other hand, she felt as if he had a right to know what others were thinking, since it was about him.

  Not wanting to have the conversation over the phone, she decided that they would talk over supper and she would explain everything then; including the altercation with Maddie.

  She was done protecting the other girl, not when Jack's good name was in danger. Feeling a little better having made that decision, she made her way back to the waiting room, where Mimi was.

  "Grace, where did you disappear to? Doctor March said you forgot your information for school and your new prescription," Mimi said. "You look tired, lovely."

  "I could do with a power nap," she replied. "Have we time to drop in and see Jack?" Even as she asked, Grace already knew the answer, which Mimi confirmed.

  "Sorry lovely, he is fully booked this afternoon, but he is going to join us for supper. He mentioned rescheduling a meeting with a math tutor?" Grace tried to hide her grimace.

  As she had suspected her latest calculus paper had not been good, she had been hopelessly muddled and had just about scraped a pass. Her GPA was really going to suffer unless the teacher agreed to give her a chance to earn extra credit.

  On their return to Mimi's house, she had been sent to lie down in the lounge, with the promise of cookies and sweet tea if she made an actual effort to sleep. Mimi sure knew how to bribe a girl! To her surprise she actually found herself growing sleepy, waking with a start when the front door closed. Someone, she suspected her grandmother, had covered her with one of the many throws on the sofa.

  There was a lovely smell of sandalwood and something else on the fleece, that somehow added to the comforting feel it gave her. She could hear voices in the kitchen but she felt so cosy where she was, that she decided to rest her eyes again before venturing in to see who was visiting.

  "Grace, it's time to wake up." She heard Jack as if from a distance, and it took her a little while to sit up. She blinked at the change in light from when she had first returned to the house.

  "I didn't mean to sleep so long. Didn't want Mimi to have to do all the work."

  "You need your rest," Jack said, speaking softly. "Mom said you were tired after seeing the doctor?" She just nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. />
  Just seeing the concern on his face made her more determined to tell the truth about Maddie. But before she could say anything there was a knock on the front door. Grace heard Mimi answer it, heard hushed voices and then footsteps moved towards the kitchen.

  "So here's the thing," Grace froze at the hesitance in Jack's voice, had someone already been to ask their insulting questions. "Remember when I told you I knew someone who could help you with your math? I had asked him to meet you Friday evening, only you were out of commission?" She couldn't help rolling her eyes at Jack's words.

  "Well, Mimi and I asked him to join us for supper tonight. So that you can get to know one another, and see if you think he might be able to help you." He paused and seemed to be considering his words.

  "The thing is, it seems as if you have already met, before either of you knew who the other was, and I hear it didn't go well."

  "I'm confused, and not exactly feeling one hundred per cent, so can you please be less cryptic?" She ignored the grin on Jack's face, while thinking over his words.

  "It's not that creepy intern you had earlier this year? The one who really wanted to date you?" Now it was Grace's turn to laugh at his confusion.

  "Who Sarah? Why would you say that? She is way too young for me."

  "Oh for goodness sake." Mimi must have entered the room at some point during their conversation. Grace could just about make out a shadow behind her, but with the lighting couldn't see the person's face.

  "Grace, this is Nate. He is the grandson of one of my oldest friends. Nate, this is Grace, my adopted granddaughter, and not a paparazzi." It was only when Mimi step aside that she could put a face to the name.

  "You?" Was the universe playing some kind of joke at her expense. "No I don't think so. I'm sorry but no."

  "Please Grace, just give me a chance to explain. Just hear me out and if you are still unhappy then I'll leave." His words gave her pause. He sounded genuinely sorry, and she hadn't missed the sadness in his voice.

  "Have you told Jack and Mimi what you did?" She wondered if she had been too harsh with her question.

  "I have. That is why they wanted to give me this chance to speak with you. But I would understand if you don't want to listen to me. Not when I didn't even try to listen to you on Friday."

  "Is this something you can explain in five minutes or would cookies and sweet tea help?" He looked so confused at her apparent change in mood.

  "It's a little close to supper for snacks now, lovely, but why don't you two visit for a time, and we can have cookies for dessert?" Mimi suggested before walking towards the kitchen.

  "Would either of you like me to stay?" Jack asked. Nate shrugged his shoulders as his reply, while Grace made shooing motions with her hands, so he followed his mother to the kitchen.

  "So," they both began at the same time.

  "May I speak first please?" Nate asked, taking a breath when Grace nodded in the affirmative.

  "I'm not sure what you might have heard about me, and I'm not saying that this in any way excuses my behavior but," he paused as he searched for the right words.

  "I've heard some of the rumors, and if even the smallest fraction of them are true I can understand your anger. Even if you were mistaken in your assumption about me, and why I was there, having your picture taken without permission, on your first day back, I get it." She spoke quickly, before continuing, "I wasn't trying to take your picture I promise, and I hate that you have had to deal with all the lies and small minded people here."

  "Has Jack told you anything about me? Or Ms Riley?" Nate asked, lowering his voice.

  "I didn't know you knew either of them until Mimi introduced us. Jack told me on Thursday he might have found a tutor; and by the way you'd better be good because calculus is evil, but no, Jack never said how you had met."

  "I like math, it's simple, you just need to learn the rules. I would like to help you. That is if you can forgive me for being a jerk to you." He smiled hopefully at her.

  "You might be sorry you agreed to be my tutor when you see my last paper. It is not pretty," She joked. "And I really need my camera back."

  "About that," his voice trailed off for a minute.

  "Please tell me you didn't throw away my camera," she could only whisper, so afraid that the keepsake from her father was now lost to her.

  "Your camera is safe, it's actually in the kitchen with Ms Riley, but I broke the lens; it was an accident, but I don't know enough about lenses to replace it. But I will, replace it I mean."

  "Thank you for returning the camera. There is no rush on getting a new lens, I have others."

  "Grace," Nate began to speak, seeming to get stuck on the words he wanted to say. "Do you think it's possible we can start over. It would be nice to know that there is at least one friendly person at school." She couldn't help the surprised look on her face.

  "It's all in the past Nate, but as insane as this sounds, I don't think that being friendly with me is going to help you. I'm not popular, in fact most people don't even know me. And that's fine, really."

  "Honestly I'm not sure if being seen to be my friend is any better for you. I want to get through this year, and have no time for any of the hierarchy nonsense in school. If you would rather people don't know we know each other that's fine with me."

  He looked so resigned to being rejected that before Grace knew what she was doing, she had stood from her seat and was hugging him. Stepping back only when he gasped.

  "I'm so so sorry. Talk about ignoring personal boundaries. I have no intention of ignoring you. I mean you are going to save my calculus grade so the least I can do is say hello in the hallways at school!" She tried for some levity. Nate blinked, then smiled.

  "Supper is ready," Mimi called from the kitchen.

  "Thanks again Grace, your forgiveness, well it means more than you know."

  "Kiddo, everything okay in here?" Grace nodded in agreement, then headed towards the kitchen and the meal that Mimi had prepared for them. She noticed that Jack and Nate walked slowly, chatting for a few minutes, the relieved look on Nate's face making her smile.

  She would never ask, but it would seem as if Nate was one of Jack's clients. Once they were all settled at the table, Mimi began a conversation about some new show she had discovered, and they were all laughing at her description of the characters and all their antics.

  About half way through the meal, the doorbell rang, and though she complained about the disturbance, Mimi went to see who was there. A few minutes later she called for Jack, and both Nate and Grace looked puzzled by the hushed voices they could hear.

  "Good evening Miss Grace." She was surprised when Officer Camden walked into the kitchen and so didn't reply. The officer didn't seem to care, as his attention had turned to Nate, who she noted seemed unconcerned.

  "Nate Henderson, you need to come with me." These words were greeted by outrage from Mimi and Jack, although her new tutor just looked bored, or at least gave that appearance.

  "Whatever you want will have to wait. Ms Riley has been kind enough to invite me to supper, and you are interrupting our meal." She watched as Mimi moved closer to Nate, offering her unspoken support to him.

  "You really don't want to cause a scene do you Henderson? That would be unwise." It was the hint of malice that made her speak up, hoping to prevent any escalation.

  "What exactly is the problem Officer Camden?"

  "With respect Miss Grace, this does not concern you." The condescending tone was a mistake,

  "Unless my grandmother invited you into her house," Mimi shook her head to show that she hadn't, "then you have no reason to be here, no cause."

  "Still hiding behind others I see Nate." She was stunned by the taunt, and hated the look of resignation on his face. She watched as he stood, thanked Mimi for the meal and apologized for the interruption. Grace struggled to contain her temper, speaking before she realized what she was doing.

  "You
know that you don't have to go. You have rights, even if this so called officer of the law is willing to ignore them."

  "Young lady, I would advise you to stay out of matters that do not concern you. The sooner you learn to obey your elders the better." Grace wanted to take the smug look off his face, only staying quiet when Jack shook his head.

  Her guardian, Mimi and Nate all seemed to have some kind of silent conversation before Jack spoke,

  "Nate and I will meet you at the station to discuss whatever matter is so important you had to interrupt our night." It seemed as if Officer Camden was going to argue but thought better of it. He turned, walking out of the house, slamming the front door behind him. Grace couldn't believe what had just happened.

  "Hey Kiddo, can you stay here while I go with Nate." She nodded in the affirmative.

  "Grace," she looked up to see that Nate was standing in front of her. "Thank you for speaking up for me just then." Acting impulsively she pulled him into a brief hug, wanting to give him some kind of comfort.

  "You better get going," she said quietly.

  "Everything is going to be fine. Jack is going to kick some legal ass." He sounded so certain that she believed him, although she still felt helpless as a few minutes later she heard Jack's car drive away.

  "Don't worry lovely, by the time Jack is done with him, young Joey Camden will wish he picked a different side." As much as Grace wanted to agree with Mimi, she couldn't help but feel as if this was just the beginning.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The conference room, on the second floor of the Silver Glade Police Department building, was like an icebox. Either the air conditioning system was broken, or someone was attempting to make Nate feel uncomfortable. There was no covering or shade on the sole light fixture, which resulted in a strange glow in the room.

  He wasn't sure if there was anyone watching from outside, the double sided glass would keep any observers hidden from sight, but he was willing to make an educated guess as to who might be there watching.