“Here, catch the keys. The truck’s where it always is.” Andy winked at his niece as she walked out the door.
Katherine slowed down when she turned onto Shenandoah Road. What if he’s there? But when she turned on her bright lights and got a clear view of the house, she could tell it was deserted. The barn was burned to the ground. John’s room was back there! Oh God…
Katherine turned around as fast as she could and drove quickly back to town. She made a stop at Clyde’s to pick up a few things for tomorrow’s big feast. She decided she would bake the pies.
But her mind wasn’t on the pies, the feast, or anything other than finding out if John Williams was okay.
Daniel sat on a sofa in his room at the mansion, wondering if the investigator who specialized in missing persons and background checks was getting any leads. Then it occurred to him that tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Surely her uncle would have had contact by now. Reaching for his phone, he felt his chest begin to tighten. What if she’s there? What do I say?
Katherine was asked to do some karaoke since there were so many people in the bar. It always got folks to drink more, and that made her uncle very happy. Once the crowd saw her walk over to the machines and turn them on, they went wild. Her strawberry blonde curls were a little untamed, as Katherine played with her hair when she was worried or nervous.
She picked out a beautiful love song, the same one she sang to John that night. She wasn’t sure if she could sing it ever again. But at least if she closed her eyes while she sang, she could picture his face. Katherine started to sing with every ounce of her soul. But in her mind, all she saw was John dancing slowly and groping Emily. She kept her eyes open for the rest of the song.
Daniel dialed the number.
“Thanks for calling The Corral, Andy speaking.”
He heard loud music in the background. It certainly wasn’t the jukebox. Daniel could recognize that voice anyplace! He closed his eyes so tightly they were hurting him.
“Hello?”
Daniel hung up the phone and sprinted through the mansion.
“Carl, where’s my father?”
“He’s retired for the evening, Daniel.”
“Call for the jet! I have to get to Tennessee! Tell my father when he wakes up. Please hurry! I’ll take my car to the plane!” Daniel was running as fast as he could down the steps while yelling over his shoulder.
He bolted out the door and climbed in the Lamborghini. This was the first time in what seemed like ages that he was grateful for the car. Squealing his tires, he fled his father’s estate. Driving fast, and even recklessly at times, Daniel knew he had to get to Prairie while she was still there.
All Daniel did was hurry quickly just to find himself waiting for the jet. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket. “Carl, where’s the jet?!”
“Daniel, I’ve been trying to phone you. The jet is getting some maintenance done. It won’t be available until Monday. Your father cleared it. We didn’t expect anyone to travel this weekend, it’s a holiday.”
“I’ve got to catch a plane then! I’m going to the airport.”
Daniel drove quickly to the airport, not even caring that his car would be parked in a regular lot. He bolted toward the ticket counter. There were people everywhere, and what he didn’t need was to have to wait in line. There were several people in front of him. After forty-five minutes, it was his turn.
“I need a flight to Nashville, Tennessee.”
“I’m sorry, Sir, all the flights have been booked. It happens on holiday weekends. I can get you on a plane this Monday.”
“No! I need one tonight!” Daniel felt his blood pressure rising.
“I can put you on standby, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.” The young blonde woman laughed and winked. Daniel wanted to shake her.
“Thanks anyway.” He walked slowly back to his car, feeling totally defeated. She was right at the tip of my fingers! Damn!
Chapter 10
Katherine heard her door open up on Thursday morning while she stood in the little kitchen making pies.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Katherine!”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Uncle Andy.” She turned around and gave him a big hug.
“This place smells heavenly!”
“Good, I hope they taste like they smell.” Smell. John’s smell. What a bastard. I shouldn’t have said I was sorry for calling him a pig. Even though the thoughts of John and Emily haunted her mind, she couldn’t help herself. She needed as much information as she could get so she wouldn’t dwell on John and could enjoy her holiday with her uncle and friends. “Can I ask you something about that fire at the Montoose Farm?”