Chapter Twenty-One

"Hey, beautiful," Gavin says when I answer the phone Saturday morning. "When are you coming over?"

He asks because I usually go over to his dorm on Saturdays and hang out while he studies, then we go to lunch and after that we come back to my apartment. It's become our routine but today I don't feel like it.

I'm avoiding him, which I've done since I saw his father kill that man. It's been three days now. I told Gavin I've been sick. He still wanted to see me but I wouldn't let him, saying I didn't want him to catch whatever I had. But then last night he showed up here and could tell I wasn't sick. I told him I'd rested all day and was feeling much better. He asked if he could stay over but I told him I wanted to wash my sheets first to get rid of any germs. He accepted the excuse but now he really wants to see me.

"I'm just going to stay here today," I tell him. "I have to clean and do laundry. Go to the store."

"You're choosing cleaning and laundry over me?" he says, pretending to be hurt. "After not seeing me for days?"

"I know. I'm a terrible girlfriend. But I need to get this stuff done. I wasn't able to do anything when I was sick."

"What if I came over and helped you?"

"It's sweet of you to offer but I'd rather do it myself. Besides, if you were here, I doubt we'd get much done."

"So how much time do you need?"

"Probably the whole day. It's gonna take me awhile. I'm moving slowly today. I didn't sleep well last night."

It's true, but it wasn't just last night. I haven't slept well in days. Not since that night. I toss and turn, unable to stop thinking about what happened. At some point, I drift off, but then have nightmares of Niles trying to kill me. Instead of a gun, he uses his hands and tries to choke me. I wake up sweating and gasping for breath.

"You didn't sleep because I wasn't there," Gavin says with a smile in his voice. "I told you I should've slept over."

"Then I would've had even less sleep."

"But it's quality sleep, so you'd need fewer hours."

"How do you know it's quality sleep?"

"Because after we have sex, you're all relaxed and sleepy and fall right to sleep in my arms."

"That doesn't mean it's quality sleep."

"Then how do you explain how we have the energy to do it several times a night? And then wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go?"

"Okay, maybe that's true, but I still need some time alone today to get stuff done."

"So we'll meet up for dinner?"

What do I do? I want to see him but I feel like if I'm around him, I'll blurt out what I saw that night. I'm not someone who keeps secrets in a relationship. I like to be open and honest. So I don't know how I can keep this from him. And this isn't just any secret. It's huge. The biggest secret I've ever had to keep. Gavin's father is a killer. I saw it with my own eyes. His father even admitted it. How do you keep a secret like that from the guy you're in love with?

If I told Gavin the truth, which I considered doing about a million times, he may not even believe me. Actually, I doubt that he would. Gavin worships his dad. He thinks his dad can do no wrong. So I can't imagine him ever believing his dad is capable of killing a man. He'd probably get mad at me for even suggesting it's possible. That's why his dad made that comment about my relationship with Gavin ending if I told him the truth.

"Kate?" Gavin's voice startles me from my thoughts. "Dinner?"

"I can't. I have to work tonight."

"Shit, I forgot about that. So we can't see each other today?"

"Probably not. But we could go to dinner tomorrow night."

He's quiet, then says in a serious tone, "What's going on?"

"Nothing." My heart's thumping, my stomach twisting, as I try to hold myself back from telling him the truth. It's only been a few days and it's already killing me to keep this a secret from him. Or anyone.

"Something's wrong," he says.

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just busy."

"You wouldn't let me stay over last night and now you won't let me see you today? There's something wrong."

"Gavin, really. There's nothing wrong. I just have a lot to do and then I have to work tonight."

"Kate, stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Stop lying to me. This isn't us. We don't keep secrets from each other."

My heart pounds harder, the words hovering at the edge of my tongue, dying to be spoken.

"Kate. Say something."

"I don't have anything to say. I told you—"

"I'm coming over."

"Wait—what? No. You can't come over. It's not a good time."

"What do you mean it's not a good time? What the hell's going on over there? Is there a..." I hear him blow out a breath. "Is some guy over there? Your ex?"

"What? No! Of course not. You know I'd never cheat on you."

"Then tell me what's going on."

"Gavin, you can't react this way whenever I want some time alone. You can't just assume the worst. We spend a lot of time together, more than most couples, and I love that about us, but sometimes I need some time to just get stuff done. And today is one of those times. It has nothing to do with us or our relationship."

"You sure?" he asks, sounding unconvinced.

"Yes. I love you, and I want to see you, just not right now." I lighten my tone. "Besides, a little time apart might be good for us. You know the saying...absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

"My heart is already fond of you. More than fond. I don't think it's possible to get any fonder."

"I feel the same about you, but I still need to get stuff done today. And I'm sure you do too."

"I am a little behind on the stuff I need to do for my dad's website."

"Then today will be a work day. And tomorrow night we'll go for dinner."

"Why don't I just skip watching the game with the guys tomorrow and we'll meet up earlier, like maybe around noon."

"I don't want you missing out on your guy time. And actually, I'd kind of like some girl time with Megan. I haven't spent much time with her since you and I started dating."

He doesn't respond.

"Gavin?"

"I still feel like something's going on here." He pauses. "You'd tell me if there was, right?"

"Of course." My stomach knots and my tight chest feels even tighter.

"I don't want there to ever be secrets between us."

"I agree," I quickly say, hoping he can't hear how fast I'm breathing.

"So I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, I'll call you before I leave for work."

"I love you."

"Love you too."

I end the call and take some deep breaths, trying to relax, but my stress only intensifies as I think about tomorrow, when I'll have to face Gavin and pretend everything's fine.

For some reason, I was able to hide this better right after it happened. Was it because I was in shock? Not believing what I saw was real? That's probably it, but now reality has set in and I know for a fact I saw Niles kill a man.

My phone rings and I jump from the sound of it. I'm so on edge. I have to find a way to calm down, or everyone, not just Gavin, will suspect something's wrong.

Checking my phone, I see it's my dad calling.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hi, honey. I was just checking in. How's your week going?"

"Fine." I said it too fast. I sound nervous. Damn.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I was just in the middle of something."

"Oh. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's okay. I'm just trying to get some cleaning done before work tonight."

"It's only ten in the morning." He chuckles. "How much cleaning you plan on doing? Unless things have changed, you were never much of a cleaner. Remember how bad your room used to look?"

"Yeah. It was pretty bad." Normally I'd laugh about how bad it was but I can't bring myself to fake a laugh.

"What's wrong?"

My dad can tell I'm not myself. I expected he would. He's trained to notice nuances in people, signs that hint the person might be lying.

I shouldn't be talking to him right now. He'll ask too many questions.

"Dad, this isn't a good time. Could I call you later this week?"

"Did you break up with Gavin?"

"What?"

"Is that why you sound so serious? Did you two break up?"

"No. We're still dating. Things are going great." I raise my voice, trying to sound happy but it comes out sounding fake. I'm so bad at this. I need to learn to be a better liar. And I need to learn fast.

"Kate, I know something's wrong. Just tell me what it is."

I hear a click on the phone. A short but distinct clicking noise.

"What was that?" I ask.

"What was what?"

"Didn't you hear that noise?"

"What noise?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Honey, I'm starting to worry. I know us being estranged for two years may mean you're not ready to open up to me just yet but I hope you know you can tell me anything."

"I know."

"So you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired so I don't sound like myself."

"Have you been working a lot?"

"Actually, no. I took a few days off because I wasn't feeling well. But I'm better now."

"Did you have the flu?"

He asks way too many questions. I race to find answers he'll believe.

"It was just a cold, but like I said, I'm better now."

"Have you had to cater any more events for Gavin's father?"

I freeze. Why is he asking me that? Does he know something? He can't. There's no way he'd know what happened that night.

"I did an event there last week. A cocktail party."

"Isn't that kind of awkward? Working for your boyfriend's parents?"

"Yeah, which is why I told Carol I don't want to work at any more of their parties."

"I'm sure they have a lot of events planned with the election coming up."

"At least one a week, sometimes two."

I'm feeling sick just talking about this. I need to change the subject.

"His parents better have treated you well," my dad says. "I know how those rich people like to boss around the help. They better not have done that to you. And if they do, don't put up with it."

If he only knew. Niles didn't just boss me around. He threatened me. Threatened to hurt my family.

The phone clicks again.

"Did you hear it that time?" I ask.

"Hear what?"

"Forget it," I say, not wanting to alarm him. "It's just my phone cutting out. Bad signal."

I hear another click. What the hell is that noise? What if it's him? What if Niles is listening in on my phone calls? I've seen that in movies but wasn't sure if it could actually happen. I mean, I know it can, but wouldn't the person have to get your phone and do something to it? My dad would know the answer to that but if I ask him he'll know something's up.

"Dad, I really need to get going. I have a lot to do before I go to work."

"Why are you working a Saturday? I thought you had weekends off."

"Not all the time. Tonight I'm working to make up for not working the Bishop dinner on Thursday. Anyway, I'll call you later."

"Be safe."

"I will."

He always tells me to be safe. It's the cop in him, always worried something bad will happen. And now it has, but I can't tell him, or anyone else. And I can't do anything about it except try to pretend it didn't happen. Like that's even possible.

***

That night at work my attention is still on Niles and what he did. I'm so distracted I cut my finger when I was slicing lemons. It was just a small cut but hurt like hell when the lemon juice seeped into it.

"Kate, bring out more champagne," Carol says as she races past me. "There's a group of ladies out there that can't seem to get enough."

I know which ladies she's talking about. They're older women, all very elegantly dressed in designer gowns, wearing pearls and diamonds and other jewels. One of them is Mr. Kensington's mother. I've seen her at other parties. I think her name is Eleanor.

Holding my tray of champagne, I approach the group of ladies. They're standing off to the side of the living room near a large window that looks out over the back of the estate. It's dark out but the lights from the house are enough for me to see the pool and the patio. It reminds me of the Bishop mansion with the pool and a pathway that leads to a pool house.

I left that bag of ice at the pool house. What happened to it? Who took it? And how did this person get rid of both the body and the ice in just a few minutes?

"No thank you, dear," a woman says.

I quickly snap out of my daze and see Eleanor Kensington next to me.

"I'd like one," the woman across from me says. She's probably around 70, rail thin, wearing a sleeveless black gown. Her skinny arms remind me of spindles on a chair. Long and straight. No shape other than the small knobs of her elbow bones.

She takes a glass of champagne and leaves her empty one on my tray, almost dropping it. She seems a little tipsy, or maybe she's drunk. Being that thin, it probably doesn't take much to get her drunk.

"What's your name, dear?" she asks, sipping her drink.

The other ladies in the group clear their throats. It's a reminder to the skinny lady not to ask the help any personal questions. I've worked enough of these parties to know this by now. And to know I should give a brief answer to be polite, then continue on with my job.

"It's Kate." I hold out my tray. "Would anyone else like a glass?"

Two ladies take one, the rest just set their empty glasses on my tray.

"Kate," skinny lady says, her head tilting to the side. "I believe my grandson is dating a Kate."

I just nod and smile, then turn to walk away.

"Wait," I hear the skinny lady say.

I turn around. "Yes?"

"Are you seeing someone?" Her eyes travel up and down me, then return to my face. "A young man?"

"Helen," Eleanor says in a scolding tone.

"It's simply a question, Eleanor." Helen keeps her eyes on me as she says it. "So?"

I swallow. "Um, yes. I'm seeing someone."

"He doesn't happen to go to Moorhurst, does he?"

How does she know that? Or is she just guessing?

"Yes," I answer. "He's a senior at Moorhurst."

Her thin red lips rise up on each side just the tiniest bit as she assesses me again. First my uniform, then my shoes, then up to my hair.

"Do you need anything else?" I ask, addressing all the women.

"No," Eleanor says harshly. "Move along, please."

Relieved to be dismissed, I walk away but then hear Helen's voice again. This time she's talking to her friends, not me.

"She's dating my grandson," she says with a huff, clearly not happy about it.

That's Gavin's grandmother? Niles' mother is dead which means Helen is Celeste's mother. No wonder she looked familiar. I hadn't seen her at a party before and yet I felt like I knew her from somewhere. But it wasn't her I knew. It was her daughter. The two of them look very similar.

Carol has warned us not to eavesdrop but I think Helen purposely said that just now so I'd overhear.

Do I say something? Or just ignore it and move on?

A young woman comes up to me and takes a glass of champagne, then motions her friend to get one. As I wait for her, my back to Helen, I continue to listen in.

"I wouldn't worry," one of the women says. "I'm sure it's just a phase he's going through. Has to get it out of his system before he settles down with someone who's actually suited to him."

"Eleanor's grandson didn't get it out of his system," I hear another woman say.

They're talking about Garret Kensington. I don't know the whole story but apparently he used to date this girl who grew up poor without a dad and with a mom who had drug problems. Definitely not the type of girl a guy like Garret should date. I've heard rumors he took off and married her but I don't know if that's true.

The other women gasp at the Garret comment and I hear Eleanor say in a calm voice, "It's unbecoming of you, Francine, to speak of such matters in public, or at all, especially at my son's house. Perhaps you've had too much to drink and should head home." She said that last part like an order, not a suggestion.

"Eleanor, I didn't mean—"

"Don't be so sensitive," Helen says. "You're not the only one this has happened to. Look at me. Stuck with Niles as a son-in-law."

"At least Niles turned out to be a success," a woman says.

"Not on his own," she mutters. "He'd be nothing without—"

"That's enough!" Eleanor scolds.

Why is she mad? Helen was putting down Niles, so why would Eleanor care? Or is that not the reason why she got angry?

She interrupted Helen just as she was saying something. What was she saying? Something about how Niles would be nothing without...and then she didn't finish.

"If you'll excuse me, ladies," Helen says, "I believe I'll take my conversation elsewhere."

Out of the side of my eye, I see her black dress swishing by as she walks away.

"So," Eleanor says, "we should get working on the symphony fundraiser. I'd like us to have our first meeting next week." She continues on and I move away, knowing I shouldn't still be standing here. The only reason I am is because people keep coming up to me to set their empty glasses on my tray.

My tray is now full so I make my way back to the kitchen. It's been a long night and I'm hoping the party will end soon, but I doubt that it will. There are still a lot of people mingling about.

I can't believe Gavin's grandmother is here. Did he know she'd be here? I'm sure he didn't. He would've told me.

Since we started dating, he's said very little about her, and what he did say wasn't very positive. I get the feeling he doesn't like her that much. I can see why. She wasn't very nice. Actually she wasn't nice at all, with her rude comments about how Gavin is just using me to get girls like me out of his system. And then the way she looked at me in such a condescending manner. She made it very clear she doesn't approve of me. I wonder if she's told Gavin that.

"Pardon me," I hear a deep voice say from behind me. I'm standing by the long granite island, loading dirty glasses into the crates we use to take them back to the rental place. We rent all the glasses and plates, unless the homeowner specifically states we're to use theirs instead.

I turn back and see Pearce Kensington trying to open the freezer. I'm right behind it and he's having trouble opening the door.

"Sorry about that," I say, scooting down a little. "Do you need something? I can get whatever it is and bring it out to you."

"No, I'm fine, but thank you." He closes the fridge. He's really tall. At least 6'5. I have to strain my neck just to look up at his face. He has a nice face and really blue eyes. He's hot for a guy in his forties.

"We meet again," he says, smiling.

I smile back. "Yes, I think you've been at several of the parties I've worked at."

"How do you like the job?" He folds his arms over his chest and leans back slightly.

I shrug. "It's okay."

Why is he in here? And why is he talking to me? He should get whatever he needs and leave. Clients almost never talk to the help.

"Would you rather be doing something else?" he asks as if he's truly interested. Why would he care? He doesn't even know me.

"I'd like to have my own restaurant. But that's a ways off."

"It doesn't have to be. There are plenty of ways to achieve your goals sooner rather than later."

I smile at him. "You would know that better than anyone. You're the most successful businessman in America."

"Perhaps not the most successful but yes, I've had success."

"Any advice you could share?"

He pauses and his eyes go to mine, his smile gone. "Success in business is based on discretion."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Sometimes you come across information that could prove to be beneficial. When you're presented with this information, you need to keep it confidential. Doing so will benefit you in ways you may not realize until much later."

I have no idea what he's talking about, but I don't want to say that and sound stupid.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" He says it in an almost threatening tone, causing a chill to run down my spine.

Suddenly, my mind returns to the other night. The man at the door to the patio, calling Niles' name. The big tall man with the deep voice.

It was him. It was Pearce. I can't say for sure but now that I see him, and hear him talking, I'm almost certain it was him.

Does he know what happened? But how could he? It was dark, and from where he was standing, he wouldn't have seen the body. But what if Niles told him about it? What if Pearce is the one who had it cleaned up?

He just made that comment about keeping things confidential. Was he referring to me? Was he warning me to keep quiet? If so, then he definitely knows what Niles did. And he knows I saw it.

"Kate," he says. "Do you understand?"

I gulp. "Yes."

"Good." He looks at me and smiles. "I'll let you get back to work."

"Daddy!" A little girl with long blond hair wearing pajamas runs into the kitchen. "Did you get my ice cream?"

He picks her up. "I wasn't sure what kind you wanted."

"Chocolate," she says, then kisses his cheek. She's darling. I knew he had a daughter but I've never seen her before.

"This is my daughter, Lilly," he says to me.

I smile at her. "Hi. I like your pajamas." They're pink and have little white tiaras printed all over them.

"They're my princess pajamas," she says, beaming. "Who are you?"

"I'm Kate. I'm helping with the party."

"You want ice cream?" she asks, all excited, like she really wants me to have some.

"Sorry, I can't have any when I'm working. But thanks for asking."

I've met plenty of rich kids working this job but none have ever offered me anything. Instead they order me to get them stuff, just like their parents do. Pearce has never ordered me around, at this, or any other party, which explains why his daughter's not like that.

He talks to her. "Are you truly hungry or are you only asking for ice cream so I'll sit with you while you eat?"

"So you'll sit with me." She hugs him, her head on his shoulder. It's too cute.

"Then let's skip the ice cream. I'll go read you a story instead. Would you like that?"

She lifts her head and nods really fast.

He smiles as he sets her down. "Let's go to your room." He takes her hand.

She waves at me. "Bye, Kate!"

"Bye, sweetie." I wave back. She's so adorable. Someday when I have kids I want one just like her.

"Thanks for your help tonight," Pearce says to me. "You're doing a great job."

"Thanks."

It couldn't have been Pearce at the door that night. He seems too nice, and he's a good dad. He's not someone who would cover up a murder.

But then why did he make those comments? Like he was warning me to keep quiet?