Chasing Shadows Read online

  It had been twenty minutes since he and Jack had arrived. The receptionist had been surprised to see them; there had been nothing scheduled as far as she knew. Officer Camden had barely acknowledged them, sending the receptionist out on an errand, something which she had taken great offense at and not hidden from her coworker.

  "If I were you I'd think twice about accepting coffee from her for maybe a week. Best make it two weeks, just to be safe." Nate advised, with a smirk on his face.

  "He makes a good point, Dottie is known for holding grudges, as you should really know by now." Jack joined in, winking at the officer, who was startled by the action.

  "So care to share the top secret reason you insisted we left my mother's house, and the meal she had prepared for us? It wasn't just so we could see you bossing Dottie around was it?"

  At first Officer Camden had ignored them, moving pieces of paper from one side of the desk to another, though both Nate and Jack saw how the other man was struggling not to say anything.

  "It's just us here, for a friendly conversation, given the circumstances and all."

  "I hope that you're not being serious right now?" Jack stated.

  "I was given orders from a higher ranking staff member to speak with Nathan Henderson. Your presence was not then, and is not now, required."

  When pushed, the officer had insisted that there was no senior member of staff they could speak with, the sheriff was home for the evening and was not on call. He had escorted Nate and Jack to the conference room, then left them, claiming he had a file to get before the interview began.

  Nate sighed, the intentions of Joey Camden were clear. Someone, acting on behalf of his stepfather had arranged for this entertainment. No doubt there would be some questions, some vague threats, and plenty of grandstanding. If his stepfather thought that he could be intimidated by some low ranking goon with a badge then he was very much mistaken.

  In a top ten list of the worst things Charles Sinclair had done to him, this didn't even make the top one hundred. He decided to make the most of the opportunity, and just having the chance to see Jack verbally berate Camden almost made up for missing out on dinner with Ms Riley and Grace.

  Now, with time passing, the small space seemed to grow smaller, and he tried to remain calm. Jack, he knew was keeping an eye on him, but had left him to his own thoughts. No doubt the string of messages his mentor was reading were from Ms Riley, and maybe one or two from Grace.

  Even though he should have been preparing for whatever questions he would be asked, Nate couldn't help but think about Grace. If he was being honest, he hadn't really expected her to give him the chance to explain himself. She had surprised him with her ability to listen, to understand and ultimately to forgive him.

  When the power tripping policeman had interrupted their meal, she had stood up for him, when really she had only officially met Nate an hour previously. He just hoped that her courage would not be punished or used against her, in the mind games currently being played by his stepfather.

  "They have one more minute, and then we are leaving," Jack spoke, looking up from his phone.

  Nate could see that it was set to a countdown. Both heard the sudden shuffling of feet outside the door, before Officer Camden walked into the room. That answered the question about the double glass. He took a seat opposite from where they were sitting, produced a small voice recorder, then scowled in their direction.

  "Nathan Henderson, can you account for your whereabouts this past weekend?" Officer Camden spat out his question.

  "With all due respect, this is Nathaniel Henderson. If you don't even know that basic information, perhaps we can speak with someone with more knowledge." He noted the blush that swept over the policeman's face, thought whether it was from embarrassment or anger, he wasn't sure. Jack had made no attempt to hide his scorn towards Camden.

  "And before I allow Nate to answer any questions, you still haven't had the courtesy to tell us why we are really here."

  "With all due respect," Officer Camden began, "Mr Henderson here is over eighteen, and as such he is not entitled to have anyone other than legal representation here. Even if he were a minor and was entitled to have a guardian present, as you are not his parent, you still would not be allowed in the room." The officer was making no effort to hide his ire, and while it was entertaining to watch Jack smack him down verbally, it didn't bode well for the rest of the interview.

  "Jack stays, or I walk. To the best of my understanding you have no reason to keep me here. You haven't even told me what this is all about. In case you are not aware, I have class in the morning, so perhaps we can move this along." Nate was bored and fed up of whatever game the officer was playing.

  "You expect me to believe you are worried about class? You? If you were so concerned you would know that the school has been closed until Wednesday."

  "I'm still failing to see why you wanted Nate here. Get to the point or we will leave." Again he was glad to have Jack on his side, the man took no nonsense from anyone. Gramps sure had picked well when choosing the good doctor to help his grandson.

  "The school was vandalized over the weekend, Friday evening we believe, or early Saturday morning, based on the amount of damage done. The school board has been left with a costly cleaning bill so that classes can start again Wednesday morning. All students have been accounted for by reliable witnesses, all except you." Officer Camden paused, looking expectantly at Nate, almost as if he expected to hear an immediate confession.

  "How did you verify Grace's location?" He was a little surprised at the anger in Jack's voice.

  "One of her fellow students told us about her accident; we reached out to the hospital, who confirmed she had been kept in over night." The reply was flippant, as if the officer could not see what was so wrong about his actions.

  "I don't recall having any messages, missed calls, or voicemails from anyone in this department asking for permission to access Grace's records, or even asking me, as her guardian where she was." Jack paused. "In fact no one from the school has been in contact about classes being suspended."

  "What does it matter how we got the information, it was just a formality. I'm sure the school board did not want to disturb Grace when she is recovering. It's not like she would have been in school anyway. You should be focusing on what is important; the fact that we all know who the culprit is." Nate didn't know how Jack didn't lose his temper with the other man, who even now still hadn't picked up on the new edge of tension in the room.

  "Now Nate, your father tells us you were missing Friday evening, stayed out all night and only returned to the family home Saturday morning, around eleven?"

  "Officer Camden," Jack's voice was cold. "Who authorized your actions? Who is the senior officer on this case?"

  "I don't see why that is relevant to my line of questioning." The officer seemed more offended by the suggestion that he was not in charge of the investigation; clearly not understanding why his words were being met with such anger.

  "I've already told you that we don't suspect Grace of being involved. The only person we are investigating is the delinquent by your side. He is the only one you need to concentrate on. That is why I have let you stay." Now, thought Nate, Joey Camden sounded like a petulant child.

  "You forget yourself, Officer. And there will be consequences." Then Jack turned to Nate, "You are under no obligation to answer any questions, not unless you want to."

  When it looked as if Officer Camden would disagree, Jack silenced him with a single look. Damn Nate wanted to learn that for himself!

  "For the record," he began, "My father is dead, so unless you are in touch with the other side I fail to see how you spoke to him. Charles Sinclair is not now, nor ever will be my father."

  Just thinking of the conman annoyed him. "I was nowhere near the school all weekend, which I can prove should it be required in a court of law. Now I think you have wasted enough of Jack's time, and mine." He sto
od up, then looked Officer Camden directly in the eye.

  "The next time you walk into Ms Riley's house, it had better be with her express invitation and not based on lies told to you by Charles Sinclair. You do not want me as your enemy."

  "Threatening an officer of the law, not your smartest move Henderson, not when I have been recording our conversation." Really the man was his own worst enemy, who didn't deserve the polite warning Nate had given him.

  If Joey Camden was too stupid to see that he was just a pawn in his stepfather's game that was his problem. If he was willing to risk his career by breaking rules and ignoring regulations then Nate would see that he was prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

  He followed Jack out of the conference room, and down to the lobby of the building. He heard the curse that escaped his mentor, and almost joined him, when he saw who was waiting in the Sheriff's office.

  "Stay strong Nate, I'll get you out of here." Jack whispered, but he never took his eyes off the sight of his stepfather shaking hands with the local prosecutor Brad Robertson; while the sheriff; who it seemed was not at home after all, looked on.

  "Guess the boys club is still going strong,"

  "And they didn't invite me to join them?" In spite of the renewed tension he felt, he couldn't help his smile at Jack's words.

  "You haven't sold your soul yet, remember." He quipped, before winking at Dottie, who was back at her desk.

  The door of the office swung open just then, and it seemed to Nate as if Charles was looking even more like a stereotypical bad guy from an old movie. If he started to twirl an imaginary mustache it wouldn't have surprised him.

  "Why must you be a constant disappointment to your poor mother and I?" Charles spoke loudly so that no one in the vicinity wouldn't hear what he said.

  "After all we have tried to do for you, the therapy and anger management." If he was expecting a reaction, he would be left wanting. Nate was not going to cooperate.

  "And now you have dragged someone else into your lies. I am very sorry that you have had your time wasted by this attention seeker."

  Jack didn't even acknowledge the words spoken, just nodded a greeting to the sheriff, then moved towards the door. Nate followed him, not wanting to be anywhere near his stepfather.

  "You were not excused, maybe you need to stay here overnight to learn some respect." This time he did pause, turning to face the growing audience that Charles's theatrics had gathered, but it was Jack who actually spoke.

  "My client has no wish to speak with you Mr Sinclair. In future any and all communication must be made through legal channels. The same goes for you Sheriff, and your officers. Good night."

  Ignoring the reaction his words caused, Jack just nodded towards the exit. Only too happy to be done with the evening, Nate walked outside, glad that Jack's car was parked out front.

  "You know I've heard about Sinclair, from you, your Gramps and Mom, but he's so much worse than I actually imagined."

  For some reason, hearing Jack's assessment helped Nate. He sometimes wondered if he was the only person who held a low opinion of his stepfather. There seemed to be plenty of people in Silver Glade, who were only too willing to follow his schemes even when it had to be obvious that he was motivated by greed for money, power and prestige.

  "Charles won't be happy with you, you'll be on his radar," he warned. They were driving back towards Ms Riley's house. Nate was dreading the thoughts of being alone, even as much as he loved his home in the woods.

  "I'm not worried about Sinclair, he is a bully. Trust me when I say I have dealt with worse people in the past." He didn't doubt that Jack could face anything that his stepfather did or said, but he still had concerns. He just hated that Jack had to.

  "Mom wants you to stay at the house tonight. She doesn't trust Sinclair or Camden not to come after you again." Nate didn't know what to say. It would be nice not to have to make the drive, and he really didn't want to be alone.

  "I've been told to use bribery if needed. Mom has promised pancakes." Ms Riley's pancakes were legendary according to his Gramps, and Nate was very tempted.

  He didn't want to offend Ms Riley by refusing her hospitality, and the more he thought about it, the more he knew that it would not be good for him to be alone just then.

  "It would be rude to turn down such a kind offer." He said with a smile. Maybe tomorrow he could spend some time with Grace. He needed to find out what kind of new lens she wanted.

  He ignored the voice in his head that suggested he had other reasons for wanting to be in her company. Reasons that had everything to do with the memory of her hug earlier that evening, but there was no way he was ready to admit that to himself just then. Or maybe ever.

  CHAPTER TEN

  An hour had passed since Nate and Jack had left the house. Grace still could not believe what she had witnessed. True she didn't really know Officer Camden all that well, had maybe met him once or twice, but his complete lack of manners had been a total shock.

  She knew by the tension in Mimi's body as she cleaned the kitchen that she was pissed. And rightly so. The police officer had clearly ignored whatever Mimi and Jack had said to him at the front door; then he'd had the audacity to walk into the house, with no invitation or warrant.

  He had spoken to Nate as if he was some kind of common criminal, and she suspected that if he had refused to go to the police department to answer questions, Officer Camden would have taken great delight in arresting him.

  At least Nate was not alone. Knowing that Jack was with him, relieved some of her worry, but not her anger. While she might not be fully up to speed with the entire Henderson drama, that did not give any one the right to abuse their power, especially not those who were had sworn an oath to serve and protect.

  She was sure that by the time Mimi was finished, Officer Camden just might hold the record for shortest time serving with the Silver Glade Police Department. The man might be in his mid thirties but apparently he had only joined the force in the last twelve months, which seemed a tad strange to her.

  If this was how Nate was treated by those in authority; and he hadn't seemed in anyway surprised by the officer's attitude, it made her reevaluate their first meeting at school. Even having heard Nate explain his reasons; his suspicions about what people in town were willing to do to help his stepfather, it was something else to see it in person.

  There was no denying the false politeness used when Officer Camden had spoken to her earlier, nor how his manner had changed quickly when she had pressed him.

  If she were to help Nate; and Grace was determined to do just that, then she would need more information. She didn't want to invade Nate's privacy, if he wanted to share his story with her, then that was his choice. However she had already wanted to know more about the history of Silver Glade, how the newer generations of the founding families were interconnected, and what potential minefields she needed to watch out for.

  "Lovely, can you bring the cookies and sweet tea into the lounge for me please?" Mimi's words broke through her thoughts.

  "Maybe pick some music to play. You're still limited on your screen time so we can't watch a movie." The reminder of her restrictions was kindly meant, and honestly she didn't know if she would be able to focus on the plot of a film.

  "Anything in particular you want to listen to?" Grace asked.

  "Nothing too loud and busy," was the somewhat distracted response.

  Grabbing the tray, she left the room, selecting one of Mimi's classical play lists. She tried to lose herself in the familiar music. She didn't miss the way her grandmother turned the lights down lower, and was grateful for the pain medication she gave her. She was terrible at taking medication at the best of times, but at the moment she really needed something that might lessen the throb in her head.

  "You looked like you were plotting something. Do I need to work on an alibi or find somewhere to hide a body?" Mimi asked, just the hint of humor in her vo
ice.

  "Nothing premeditated I promise." Grace smiled, but it was forced. "Actually I have been meaning to ask you for another history lesson about Silver Glade. And now with the madness of this evening it seems even more important."

  "Has something happened lovely? You know if there is something you need to tell me you can. Anything at all." She heard the concern, and knew that the older woman spoke truthfully.

  "I guess I had forgotten how entangled the families in this town can be. Like Dylan and Maddie. They have such a weird relationship. I know not to automatically believe anything Dylan says," she trailed off, trying to sort out her jumbled thoughts.

  "So you know how Nate and I talked earlier, and he told me a little about himself, his family, his stepfather?" Mimi nodded in agreement. "But Mr Sinclair has only lived in Silver Glade for maybe ten years, yet has so many of the founding families on his side. And the rumors in school Thursday and Friday, especially once Nate didn't appear in class? Mimi they were horrible."

  "Lovely," there was a caution in her voice.

  "I'm not asking you to break confidences Mimi, if Nate wants to tell me anything he can, I won't invade his privacy; but can you tell me a bit more about some of the other families. Actual facts, not rumors."

  "Why is this so important?" Mimi didn't sound angry, just curious.

  "Two reasons. First, if I know a little more then I can avoid making any more social faux pas. I'm not trying to be on anyone's good side or anything, I'm just tired of the knowing looks, the judgment."

  "And the second reason?"

  "It might be nice to avoid or diffuse situations that may happen when Nate goes back to school. I know he has you and Jack fighting for him, but I'd like to do my part."

  "Oh lovely, you make me so proud," Mimi pulled her into a hug. "I can't help but feel as if you have been hiding things from Jack and I? That does not make me happy, and I want that to change." Grace moved out of Mimi's arms, trying to figure out what to say.