Chapter Twenty-Eight

Another week passes and I hear nothing from Gavin, not that I expected to. More like I hoped to, but I've given him no reason to try to contact me. I haven't reached out to him, but I almost have about a million times.

I miss him and am desperate to see him again. So desperate that I just showed up at the coffee shop where he always hangs out. When I walk in, I see him sitting at one of the tables in the back. I want to run over and kiss him like I used to when we were dating but I can't do that anymore, so I get in line and sneak glances his way.

Someone sits down across from him. A girl. And he's smiling at her.

My heart sinks, a dull pain overtaking my chest. He's moved on. It's only been a couple weeks and he's already moved on. He said he loved me. So how could he be over me already?

The girl turns to get something from her purse, allowing me to see her face. My heart sinks even more. It's Jacklyn. Gavin's with Jacklyn now. I shouldn't be surprised. She probably went after him as soon as she found out he wasn't dating me anymore. But why would he go out with her this soon? Couldn't he at least wait a few more weeks?

Jacklyn leans over and says something to him. She's so close to him they could kiss. I feel like they're about to and there's no way I can watch that.

I race out of the coffee shop and get into my car. I drive with no destination in mind and end up stopping at a park. It's fall and the leaves have changed into a beautiful display of oranges and reds. I find it calming and so I find a picnic table and sit there, doing everything possible not to cry. Because I shouldn't cry. I told Gavin it was over. He's allowed to move on with someone else.

My phone rings and I glance at it to see who's calling. It's a number I don't recognize.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Kate, it's Henry."

Henry? Why is he calling me?

"Gavin's grandfather," he says.

"Yes, sorry, I'm just surprised you're calling. How'd you get my number?"

"I took it from Gavin's phone when he was here last week."

"Um, okay." I still don't know why he's calling but he sounds angry so I say,  "Is something wrong?"

"Yes." He huffs. "I'm tired of my damn grandson moping around. That's what's wrong. I can't stand to be around that boy these days."

He's not moping around. He has a new girlfriend. But I don't tell his grandfather that.

"I want to talk to you," he says. "In person."

"Right now?"

"If you could, yes. It won't take long."

"Are you at your house?"

"No, I'm at the cabin. I'm heading home but I thought I'd stop by your place on my way back."

"I could meet you at the cabin. I was taking a drive and ended up not that far from there. I could leave right now. Be there in a few minutes."

"Then I'll see you soon." He hangs up.

Why does he want to see me? Is he going to try to get me back together with Gavin? If so, it's not going to work.

I wonder if Henry knows whatever it is Niles is involved in. Should I ask? I know I shouldn't but I really want to. Carol was right. My inquisitive mind doesn't give up. I have to have answers.

At the cabin, I find Henry sitting outside on a lawn chair. Another one is set up beside it. Both are facing the lake.

"Have a seat," he says. I sit down and he opens the cooler that's next to him. "Would you like a soda?"

"No, thanks."

He takes one for himself and pops open the can. "So...about my grandson."

"Before you start, I need to tell you that Gavin and I aren't getting back together. We just aren't right for each other. We're too different. And I don't know if he told you, but he has a new girlfriend."

"She's not his girlfriend," he scoffs.

"He told you that?"

"No. I don't even know what girl you're talking about but it doesn't matter who she is. Gavin's in love with you, not her. And now that you two aren't together, it's like he's become someone else. He's quiet, hardly ever smiles, can't pay attention." He waves his hand at me. "You don't look so great yourself."

"I don't?" I glance down at my clothes.

"I'm not talking about your appearance. I'm talking about how you come across. Last time I saw you, you were all smiles and now you look just like Gavin. Sullen. No smile. Shoulders sunk."

I straighten my shoulders. "I'm just tired." I smile. "See? All smiles."

"Pardon my language but that's a crock of shit." He coughs, then takes a gulp of his soda. He sets the can on the ground. "I don't care what your differences are. You two belong together. I could tell the first time I saw you two together."

How could he possibly tell that back then? Is he making this up?

"Gavin has only brought one other girl to my house for dinner, and that was after he'd dated her for over a year." He must be talking about Leighton. Gavin hasn't mentioned having any other serious girlfriends. "He brought you to my cookout after knowing you for just a week. That right there should tell you something. That boy loves you, and probably has since the time he laid eyes on you."

"I don't think so."

"You and Gavin remind me of Niles and Celeste when they were younger." Henry chuckles. "Except Niles was so nervous around Celeste. Always trying to impress her. Gavin's more relaxed around you."

"How did Niles meet Celeste?"

"He used to park cars at parties for the rich. It was when he was going to law school. He needed extra cash and those people tipped well. They tipped so well it nearly paid for his tuition. Anyway, he met Celeste when he was parking her Mercedes. I think she was looking to anger her mother so she asked him out, knowing her mother would never approve. Surprisingly..." he eyes me, "despite their different backgrounds, they fell in love. And the rest is history." He picks up his soda can. "Her mother still hates Niles. He doesn't care. He hates the old bat so the feeling's mutual."

"Do you like Celeste?"

"No. Never have. She's the typical snobby rich person but Niles loves her so I pretend to like her, which isn't hard because I rarely see her. But I do give her credit for putting up with Niles all these years."

"What do you mean?"

"He's difficult to live with. Demanding. Always wanting more. Nothing's ever good enough. I didn't raise him that way. He got that way when he went to college. He started hanging out with some rich kids from New York and got jealous and wanted what they had. So he went to law school, thinking that would make him rich, and it did, but his wealth really came from marrying Celeste." He takes a drink of his soda.

"Why'd he go into politics?"

"Same reason he wanted to be rich. He got to know some powerful people and wanted some of that power himself. He got it by being governor and now he's hoping for even more power by becoming a senator." He turns to me. "Enough about Niles. We're here to talk about you and Gavin. You need to get back together with that boy so the two of you can go back to being the happy, smiling kids who came to my cookout that day."

"I'm sorry, but it's not going to happen. We've both moved on."

"You have a boyfriend?"

"Well, no, but Gavin is dating Jacklyn and—"

"Don't give me that horseshit." He sets his soda down hard on the ground. "He is not interested in whoever this girl is. He wants you and only you. I know my grandson better than anyone. Better than his own parents. And I know you're the only girl for him. So stop making excuses and do what'll make you both happy."

Henry doesn't understand, and never will because he can't know the truth, which brings my thoughts back to Niles.

"So going back to your son," I say, "you said he doesn't like guns, right?"

"That's an odd question. Why are you asking?"

"I just wondered. His campaign ads don't seem to talk about it as much anymore. But he's still against them, right?"

"He hates them. He's a pacifist. Thinks people should talk out their differences rather than fight." He picks up his soda and takes a swig. "But I'll tell you what...you get some guy with a gun pointed at your face, all the talking in the world ain't gonna save ya." 

Niles is good at keeping secrets, even from his own family, because he definitely knows how to use a gun. When he killed that man, he didn't hesitate. His hand wasn't shaking. It was like he'd done it many times before.

"You think Niles will win the election?" I ask.

He looks at me, his brow cocked. "Why do you keep asking about Niles? You should be asking about Gavin, not his father."

"The election is almost here. I just wondered what you thought."

"A couple months ago I'd say he didn't have a chance but lately he's been rising in the polls. I think he might actually win."

"Do you want him to?"

"I know it's what he wants so in that respect I'm happy for him, but having all that power won't be good for him. It'll make his ego even bigger and that's the last thing he needs." His phone dings with a text. He checks it and smiles. "It's Katrina. We have a date later. I need to get home and change." He stands up. "I'll walk you to your car." He offers me his hands and helps me up from my chair.

"Have fun on your date," I tell him when we get to my car.

"Talk to Gavin." He opens the door for me. "Work things out. You'll both be happier together than apart."

Not responding to his comment, I get in the car. "Bye, Henry."

"Just think about it." He shuts my door and returns to the cabin.

***

Back at my apartment, I almost call Gavin. Again. I keep doing this. My hand hovers over his number and I almost press it and call him. I should just delete his number so I'm not tempted to call him. But I can't do it. Having it there means he's somehow still with me. Connected to me.

Maybe Henry is right and Gavin isn't really dating Jacklyn. I can't imagine him dating her, but then again, I can't imagine him dating anyone other than me. I don't even want to think about it.

I scroll through my phone and call my dad to check in.

"Hey, Dad," I say when he answers. "I'm just seeing how you're doing."

"Good. I was just finishing dinner."

"Oh. Should I call back later?"

"No, I'm done." I hear the clanking of his plate as he sets it in the sink. "I was just about to call you. I wanted to let you know I've been following Niles."

"Why?"

"Because I want to know who he's associating with. And I thought maybe if I follow him, I can catch him doing something. If I get video of it, maybe I could take him down."

"What do you mean 'take him down'?"

"Get him arrested. Put him in jail where he belongs."

"He won't go to jail if the cops are protecting him."

"If I get video of him doing something illegal and leak it to the press, law enforcement would have no choice but to arrest him. And if he ended up getting the charges dropped, the video could still hurt his campaign. It may prevent him from getting elected."

"Dad, this is risky. Why would you do this?"

"Because I don't like seeing criminals going free. And I'm not going to let that man continue to threaten my daughter."

"He isn't threatening me anymore. He hasn't even talked to me since that time he called."

"That doesn't mean he won't come after you again. Or me. Or your mother. I want that man out of our lives."

I don't want my dad doing this but I know I can't talk him out of it. He's stubborn. If he wants to do something, he will.

"So have you found anything so far?"

"No, although I did see him go to a very exclusive private country club."

"That doesn't mean anything. Niles is rich. I'm sure he can afford it."

"He can afford it but this club is invitation only. The members are all from old money. Blue bloods. Which Niles is not."

"Maybe he was just invited to have lunch there. Or do a campaign event."

"I checked his schedule online. He didn't have any campaign events that day."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying this might be our proof that he's involved with people who can cover up his crimes. People who have the power and money to do it."

"But why would they do that for him?"

"They want to get him elected. He probably told them he'll make certain things happen if he gets in the Senate."

"Do you know who else was at the country club that day?"

"Unfortunately I wasn't allowed past the gate and they have underground parking so I couldn't get any plate numbers to run. But I did see Pearce Kensington outside making a phone call."

Pearce Kensington. The man who talked to me in the kitchen. The man with the sweet little girl. He couldn't be involved in this.

"That doesn't prove anything," I say with conviction.

"I didn't say it did," he says. "Is there a reason you're defending Pearce Kensington?"

"I just think he's a nice guy. I've met him at parties and he's always been nice to me."

"Just because someone seems nice doesn't mean they are. I thought I taught you that a long time ago."

"You did, but this guy seems genuine. Like he's not just faking being nice."

"Don't fall for it. People can fake being genuine. Pearce Kensington is no angel. I've been suspicious of him for years. Now going back to Niles, he was in the country club for about an hour and then left. I followed him for a few miles until I realized he was just going back to his house."

"You really think you'll catch him doing something?"

"I'm not sure, but it's worth a shot."

"This is dangerous. I don't like you doing this."

"Having a killer running around is even more dangerous. And God forbid if he becomes a senator. Kate, I have to go. I have another call coming in."

"Okay. Be careful. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Kate," Megan says as she opens my door. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

"Could you go to the store and get more ink for the printer? I'm on deadline for a story and we're all out of ink."

Megan can't proofread her stories on the computer. She has to print them out.

"Yeah, I can do it." I grab my keys and phone.

"Thanks. You're a lifesaver."

It's dark when I go out to my car. A cold chill runs through me from the feeling that someone may be watching me. I've had that feeling ever since the night of the shooting.

The office supply store is ten minutes away, just a few miles past Moorhurst. As I pass the college, I think of Gavin and wonder if he's spending his evening with Jacklyn. Or maybe he's with some other girl.

When I reach the store, I find the front parking lot has been ripped out and I have to park around back. It's really dark and I hesitate to get out of my car. And of course, I forgot my pepper spray. It fell out of my purse last night and rolled under my bed and I never went and got it.

I quickly get out of my car, one key held between my fingers with the sharp pointy edge aimed out, ready to jam into someone's eyes if they even try to attack me.

"Kate," I hear a voice say. It's a man's voice. And he's right behind me.