Silent Killer

Chapter Thirty-five

Almost everyone in Dunmore had shown up during the visitation hours at the Baptist church on the day of Charity Harper’s funeral. The funeral itself had been a private event attended only by Charity’s family and a handful of close friends. Cathy had stayed at Seth’s side during the service and afterward had taken him home, where Jack had been waiting for them. No one, not even John Earl and Ruth Ann, had blamed Jack, but Cathy knew better than anyone how he agonized over having had to kill Charity in order to save two other lives. What had transpired that afternoon in the church basement had brought Seth and Jack together in a way only a shared tragedy could have. They had bonded as comrades, as Cathy’s protectors, and the trauma they had shared had helped speed up the healing process for all three of them

Two months later, the Harpers, along with their foster daughter, Missy Hovater, moved away from Dunmore. John Earl had been assigned to a church in Louisiana. No one ever mentioned that Charity had accused her grandmother of having set her husband on fire all those years ago. Somehow, in the grand scheme of things, it really didn’t seem all that important. Ruth Ann had told Lorie that the family’s only hope of ever having any chance at a somewhat normal life was to move as far away from Dunmore as possible.

For several weeks, Seth had nursed a broken heart over Missy’s departure, but by Thanksgiving he was dating Bracey Carter, the girl he’d taken to the Homecoming Dance in October. Cathy was thankful that her son’s feelings for Missy had been little more than a teenage crush.

Although she had longed for Seth to live with her his junior year in high school, he had opted to live with J.B. and Mona until next summer.

“Granddad and Nana need me more than you do right now,” he had told her. “Besides, you and Jack need time to work things out before you have me underfoot all the time.”

The holidays-Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s-came and went. Jack moved in with Cathy permanently on New Year’s Eve. On Valentine’s Day, he proposed. They set their wedding date for mid-March during Seth’s spring break and moved into Jack’s big, newly renovated Victorian home.

Maleah hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, and God knew she wished she could walk away and pretend she’d never seen Griff and Yvette Meng talking quietly on the patio. Their conversation was none of her business.

But why had they waited until Nic had driven into Knoxville for the day to meet? For the past several months, Nic’s marriage had taken a turn for the better, ever since Griff had confided to her about his frequent trips to Europe.

“I can’t really explain everything,” Nic had told Maleah. “But it seems that someone from Griff’s past-the past he shares with Sanders and Yvette-has resurfaced and is posing a threat to them and to me and Barbara Jean. To anyone close to Griff.”

She had wanted to question Nic further, but hadn’t. If Nic was satisfied with Griff’s explanation, who was she to doubt him?

Maleah paused near the open patio doors and pressed herself against the wall to hide herself from view.

“It is not possible,” Yvette said, her dark, almond-shaped eyes wide with concern. “Malcolm York is dead. We killed him. Whoever this man is, he is not York.”

“I agree,” Griff replied as he put his arm around Yvette’s slender shoulders. “But he’s been seen more than once by those who knew York, and they swear the man is his twin.”

Yvette grasped the lapels of Griff’s sport coat. “You have to find him, whoever he is. Use whatever means necessary. Take Meredith with you. Go back to France. I cannot relive that nightmare. Do you hear me, Griffin? I will not!”

Griff shook her gently, then wrapped her in his arms and held her. “I have to be totally honest with Nic.”

Yvette jerked her head up and stared at Griff. “You cannot. She will not understand. If she knows…She will never forgive you. You will lose her.”

“If I continue lying to her, I’ll lose her anyway.”

“Then tell her, but not yet. Wait as long as possible. Buy yourself some time.” Yvette caressed Griff’s cheek. “Without Nicole, you cannot be happy, and you deserve to be happy always.”

Maleah heard the hum of Barbara Jean’s wheelchair. She eased away from the wall and walked across the room, all the while wondering if she should tell Nic about what she’d heard.

How could she tell her best friend, who was just now getting her marriage back on track, that her husband was still keeping secrets from her?

Cathy stood in front of the cheval mirror and studied her reflection. She had chosen a simple, white silk and satin dress with a rounded neckline, a fitted waist and a billowing skirt that skimmed the floor. Today was the happiest day of her life. The early springtime weather had cooperated by giving her a warm, sunny day with the trees budding, flowers blooming and birds singing.

Lorie knocked on the door and stuck her head in. “Ready?”

“Ready.” Cathy held up her bouquet of white roses.

Lorie disappeared, and the door opened wide. Seth stood there in his black tuxedo, looking every inch the handsome young man he was. She walked over to him and took his arm. They smiled at each other.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“A little,” she admitted. “I’ve waited a lifetime for this day.” She reached out and caressed Seth’s cheek. “I love Jack with all my heart.”

“He feels the same way about you.” Seth grinned. “I know because he told me he did. And I told him he’d better take good care of you or he’d have to answer to me.”

Cathy laughed. “What did he say to that?”

“He made me a promise. He said that he’d spend the rest of his life doing everything possible to make you happy.”

The organ music began, signaling them that it was time for the wedding to start. Seth led her down the hall and to the doors opening into the Methodist church sanctuary. She watched as Lorie, wearing a spring green silk dress and carrying a yellow rose bouquet, walked down the aisle right behind Jack’s sister, Maleah, who wore a spring pink dress and carried pink roses.

When the wedding march sounded, everyone in the church rose to their feet as Seth led her down the aisle. Jack waited at the altar, Mike Birkett at his side. Jack stepped forward and took Cathy’s hand.

Seth gave Jack a pat on the back and then kissed Cathy’s cheek. “I’m really glad my parents are finally getting married,” he whispered so softly that only the three of them could hear. “I love you guys, you know.”

“We love you,” Cathy told him.

Seth took his place on the first-row pew, and during the ceremony, when Patsy Floyd asked, “Who gives this woman to be married?” Seth replied, “I do.”