Amanda Stevens - The Abandoned

As the detective’s gaze collided with hers, Ree was reminded of something her grandmother had said about Amelia Gray: She has the kind of eyes that can see right down into your soul.

That described this man’s gaze perfectly.

Shuddering, she glanced away as he strode across the office and sat down behind the desk. “I understand you have information regarding Jared Tisdale’s murder.” His voice was rich and deep, and he spoke with the sensual cadence of the native Charlestonian.

“I have information about Jared Tisdale,” Ree clarified. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with his murder.”

Devlin pushed a recorder toward the edge of the desk. His hands were very graceful, she noticed. His fingers long and elegant—

“If you have no objection…”

She did, actually, but was too intimidated to say so. “No, it’s fine.” It was all she could do not to fidget under the man’s relentless scrutiny.

“State your name, address and occupation,” he said.

She started to speak when the door swung open and a man—another detective, she assumed—stuck his head in the office. “You’re needed outside.”

Devlin scowled. “I’m in the middle of something.”

“This can’t wait.”

He shot Ree an apologetic look and stood. “Sorry. This shouldn’t take along.”

She nodded and sat twiddling her thumbs for a few minutes until she grew restless and stood. Going to the door, she glanced out over the rows of desks and cubicles. She could see Devlin’s profile through a glass panel in an office across the room. Another man stood with his back to the glass as the detective who’d come for Devlin faced him. They appeared to be in the middle of a very tense conversation. Devlin seemed little more than a bystander, though Ree had a feeling that when he spoke, the other two would listen.

The third man turned suddenly, and Ree stepped back, her heart thudding. It was Dr. Farrante.

This was not good. This was not at all good.

Clutching the strap of her messenger bag, she eased back to the door.

“Can I help you?” A female officer walking by had caught Ree staring out over the squad room.

She cleared her throat. “I’m looking for the ladies’ room.”

The officer angled her head. “Back that way. Take a left.”

“Thanks.”

Ree kept walking, right on past the restroom, through the lobby, down the stairs and never once did she look back until she hit the parking lot. And only then when she heard someone call out her name.

It was Hayden. He’d just gotten out of his car and was striding toward her. Relief washed over her and without thinking, she launched herself into his arms. He must have been caught completely by surprise, but he pulled her close without hesitation.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Ree pushed away just enough to glance over her shoulder. “I need to get out of here.”

Nine out of ten men would have wasted time with more questions, but Hayden merely said, “My car’s right over here.”

“What about mine?”

“We’ll pick it up later. Come on.”

A moment later, they sped out of the parking lot and wheeled onto the street.

Hayden glanced at her. “Sorry I’m late, by the way. I got stuck in a meeting with the partners. No cell phones allowed so I couldn’t even text you.”

“That’s okay.” It hit Ree then why he looked so different. He was wearing a suit. This was the attorney-to-be Hayden. The buttoned-down, conventional Hayden. “You look nice,” she said, a rather inane observation considering her predicament.

“Thanks.” He loosened his tie and tossed it aside. Then he unbuttoned his collar. “Now I can breathe.”

She found herself wondering about that subtext.

“So what happened back there, Ree? You’re as white as a ghost.” He grimaced. “Sorry, bad joke.”

She told him about Dr. Farrante.

He heard her out, then shrugged. “You know, it’s possible he was there for the same reason as you.”

“I thought about that. But there was something very strange about that meeting. I had the distinct impression they all knew one another. And they were so intense . I could practically smell the conspiracy.”

“Through the glass and all the way across the squad room? That’s potent.” He sounded amused.

“Make fun all you want, but I’m very good with body language. It’s one of my strengths.”

“I’m sure it is. And I’m not making fun. Just playing devil’s advocate. What would those two detectives have to gain by conspiring with Nicholas Farrante?”

“Maybe he’s bribing them. Or maybe they work for the Order of the Coffin and the Claw.”

He swerved sharply to miss a squirrel.

“It’s a secret society like the Skull and Bone Society at Yale,” she told him.

“Yes, I’ve heard of it.” He kept his gaze focused on the road. “Most people assume it’s an urban legend. And anyway, what does it have to do with Farrante?”

“I think he’s a member. I heard him tell Tisdale that he wouldn’t dare go against the wishes of the Order.”

“Interesting,” Hayden mused. “Did he say anything else?”

“About the Order? No, but I did some research last night,” Ree said. “It’s been around since before the Civil War. They recruit from only the most prominent families in Charleston and they’ve always had members in positions of power in government, business and academia. Evidently, they were once a force to be reckoned with in this city.”

“Not to sound elitist, but it doesn’t seem like a police detective would meet that criteria,” Hayden said.

“Oh, but Devlin would. He’s no run of the mill cop. He’s not a run of the mill anything. The way he speaks, dresses, carries himself…he’s from money. Old money. I’d swear on it.”

Hayden shot her look. “He seems to have made quite an impression. Should I be jealous?”

“No, he’s not my type,” Ree said with a shiver. “And if he has anything to do with the Order of the Coffin and the Claw, he’s really not my type.”

“Good to know,” Hayden muttered.

Ree stared out the window at the passing scenery. The morning was bright and sunny, but she focused on a bank of storm clouds in the distance. “I can’t believe this is happening. This time yesterday, my biggest worry was finishing my thesis so that I can graduate, find a job and start digging myself out of debt. Now I’m a material witness in a murder investigation. And for all I know, the cops could be looking for me right this very moment.”

“Try to relax. We’ll figure something out.”

“Easy for you to say.” She sighed. “Sorry. You’ve been great. I’m just on edge.”

“That’s understandable. Maybe it would help if we go somewhere quiet and talk it through. When do you have class?”

“Not until this afternoon. But I have a meeting with Amelia Gray at ten.”

“Who’s she?”

Ree tucked a strand of hair behind one hear. “Didn’t I tell you about her? She’s the cemetery restorer that Tisdale mentioned. We grew up in the same town so I contacted her. I thought she might be able to tell me something about Oak Grove.”

“Good thinking. Mind if I tag along?”

Ree turned to find him staring at her intently. His gaze unsettled her because she couldn’t quite read him yet. “Don’t you have to get back to the office?”

He grinned. “They’re used to my disappearances. They’ll just think I’ve gone off somewhere to study for the bar.”

“And how long have you been going off somewhere to study for the bar?” she asked lightly.

“Since December. Circumstances kept me from taking the exam in February so now I’ll have to wait until July. Leaves me plenty of time for the odd side project.”