Flipping on a light, David Watkins studied the bathroom with wide eyes. This whole house was far beyond anything he had ever been in. Elegant only began to touch the well appointed realms of each room. The bathroom adjoining his room was picked out in blues and whites, with masculine sailboat print wallpaper that set him at ease. A huge claw foot tub that looked like it had been conjured from a by-gone age, sat on a white tile floor facing a clear glass enclosed shower at the end of the room. Over all, the old fashioned, high-end space fit the house perfectly, and though everything was modern, it looked like it belonged in the old Victorian home.
Moments later the hot water pounding on his shoulders began to soak away, the fear, doubts, and worries of an exceptionally long day.
Chapter 6
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:31
Susan yawned, padding across the floor to the coffee maker and pushing buttons until a dark brew began to pour into the largest mug she could find.
She had been up late into the night, her mind turning over the events of the past two days. All she wanted now was to understand where the two horses her grandmother had rescued had come from, but now something darker and more dangerous filled the horizon like a wild summer storm.
“You have another one of those?” David Watkins sauntered into the kitchen in a pair of dark blue jeans and a plaid button up. “I could use about twice that much.”
Susan chuckled, rising and opening a cupboard door. “I got the biggest mug,” she teased pushing buttons again and waiting for the hot black brew to fill an only slightly smaller mug. “Gram claims she hates these things, but I see her using them sometimes.”
David took the mug from her hand touching his lips to the rim as his eyes met hers. “Ah, I may survive after all.”
“How’s the head?” Susan gestured to the table inviting the young man to join her.
“Not bad,” David replied, touching gingerly at his face. “How’s it look?”
“Not bad,” Susan’s voice was hushed as she studied his handsome face. He was a very attractive man, even with the dark bruise coloring his cheek. “Breakfast?”
“Are you cooking?” Gram walked into the kitchen, neatly dressed in a pale blue T-shirt dress, every hair in place. “That will be a treat,” the old woman smiled. “Don’t let her fool you, she can cook. She just doesn’t do it often. She’s always too busy.”
“Gram,” Susan shook her head but grinned. “I’ll throw together a couple of omelets. Anything you don’t eat?” her blue eyes turned to David’s, and a soft shiver ran through her as his eyes met hers.
“Nope, I’m not picky. I eat almost anything, even my own cooking.”
“So what are you two young people doing today?” Gram pushed her empty plate a way a short time later. “Any clues you need to track down?”
“I don’t know?” Susan replied, turning to look at David. “Do you want to go back to your place and have a look around?”
“I probably should,” the young man admitted. “We should have called the police last night but I just couldn’t deal with it.”
“We’ll head over there now,” Susan stood taking the plates and heading for the dish washer. “If you still want to call the police or make a report we can do it then.”
“I’ll have dinner ready at six tonight.” Gram grinned. “We’ll expect you to stay at least one more night while all this gets sorted out.”
“That isn’t necessary,” David began, only to stop at the hard look in the old woman’s eyes. “Yes ma’am,” he hastened.
“That’s better,” Mrs. Holmes smiled. “I knew you were a good Georgia boy at heart.”
“Is she always like that?” David asked as he climbed into the vibrant blue Jeep. “I think your grandmother scared me as much as finding my apartment sacked.”
Susan laughed. “Gram doesn’t insist on much,” she said, roaring out onto the main road. “When she does, though, everyone listens.”
David grinned grabbing the hold bar as the young woman whipped the vehicle around a turn. “Is she a good cook?”
“The best,” Susan’s bright grin and shining eyes did more to convince him of the truth than her words.
“I don’t know if I said it earlier or not, but thanks.” David watched the familiar landscape zoom by. “I’m not sure how this whole thing is going to go, but something tells me that we are getting closer to the answers we have both been seeking than we ever have been before.”
“I only hope that is a good thing,” Susan pulled into a parking spot in front of the old Alexander and shoved the Jeep into park. “I’m starting to think that someone doesn’t want us to know the truth about what happened to your grandfather.”
“Do you still have your little friend?” David asked nodding toward her waistband.
“Always.”
“You must be David,” a tall man with a round face and round belly called, striding down the hall toward the pair as they entered the old building. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“I’ve been away,” David hedged, cutting his eyes toward Susan. “I was in an accident.”
“You aren’t injured are you,” the older man asked, a look of concern skidding across his face. “Perhaps we should talk later.”
“Who are you?” Susan stepped up next to David, her elbow all but brushing his as she stared at the large older man. “Why do you want to see Mr. Watkins?”
A warm chuckle rolled off the big man’s chest, like honey from the comb. “I’m Andrew Coatins, I was the detective assigned to Mr. Watkins’ case all those years ago.”
“Oh,” Susan felt herself relax at the
