W.L. Knightly's Blog, page 10

Strong In Faith is now LIVE!

Strong In Faith is LIVE!

With their grand opening days away, Anna and Whit are approached to investigate a church where the pastor’s cult-like manipulations have affected many, including his own family.

As they get closer to the truth, things turn deadly, putting them on a path they never expected to find the killer before he hurts someone else.

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Read Chapter 1 of Strong In Faith

APPLE BOOKS AMAZON NOOK GOOGLE KOBO Chapter 1Whit

Whit sat across from Anna in their Columbus office kitchen while the TV played softly in the background.��

���I wonder if they���ll repeat our interview?��� she said. ���They said they would run it twice, but I didn���t know if they���d save it for the evening or late news.���

The local station had already played their interview during the morning news program. It had been Anna���s idea to get their business out there. Now that they had everything set to officially open up for business, they had to let people know they were there to help.

���I���m sure we���ll have our hands full after the word gets out,��� he said. ���Let���s just hope it���s some interesting cases. If I have to spy on too many cheating lovers, I might have to go back to teaching.���

Anna grinned at him over her fountain drink. ���Well, that���s the beauty of it. We can take whatever cases we want.��� She had been working hard on getting her certifications and permits, but Whit still had to take the lead until she completed them.

With a few cases behind them, Whit was more than ready for her to be able to divide the workload and work her own cases as well. Not that he minded working with her one on one, but with both of them able to wrangle cases, they could take on twice the work, and that meant more money in his pocket.

Anna, whose pockets were already heavily padded, had done so much already and surprised him with the office lease when they returned home from Mississippi. She had secured the building the day she flew out to join him, and they immediately went to work getting moved in and set up after returning home.��

With her mother busy with his pal, Bill Roberts, they had the time to get set up without any interference, and just under a month later, they were ready to take on clients full time. Their interview on the local news was the kickstart they needed.

���I think it was a brilliant idea,��� he said. ���And you look amazing on camera.���

Anna nodded deeply as if taking a bow. ���Thank you. I also ran a few ads and put us in the local directory. We should get some attention on Monday.���

A knock sounded on the door.��

���Or sooner,��� said Whit making a face. He got up and peeked around the corner to find a tall man standing outside their door.

The stranger had a reasonably handsome face and was only about thirty if Whit had to guess.��

���Are you expecting anyone?��� he asked her, hoping the young man wasn���t there to see her.

���Nope, we got the last delivery we were expecting yesterday. Other than tidying up today, we���re ready to go.��� She came over from the table where they had eaten lunch together, just like the old days at the Thatcher building.

Whit walked over as the man knocked again and unlocked the door. ���May I help you?���

���You���re Whit Filmore, aren���t you?��� The man raked his hand through his hair and glanced over his shoulder.

���The one and only.���

���Thank God for that,��� said Anna with a chuckle, stepping up to greet him. ���Hi, I���m Anna Upton. Come on in.���

���Thanks.��� The man seemed relieved to be getting off of the busy street.

���What can we help you with?��� asked Anna.

���I���m Alex Baron.��� He offered his hand to Anna and shook Whit���s as well.

���Anna Upton.���

���I know. I saw your interview this morning. I was hoping I could get your help. I have a friend who is missing. She���s my wife���s friend actually. We know her from our old church, and she���s just up and disappeared. We haven���t heard from her since Monday morning. She���s not home and hasn���t been when my wife has stopped by.���

���Have you filed a missing person���s report?��� Whit needed to know if the police had their own case open on the matter.

The man shrugged. ���No, I, um, I saw the ad that ran early this morning and thought you might be able to help us in a more discreet way.���

���Why the discretion?��� asked Anna. ���Most people want their missing friends to get attention. The more people who know, the more likely they are to find them.���

���Yes, but it���s just that I���m pretty sure there���s something bad going on. She might be in danger, and I don���t really want my family dragged into anything.���

���That���s reasonable.��� Anna looked at Whit, and he could tell by her deep expression, she was already worried for the young girl.

���And if I have to get the police involved?��� Whit needed him to know it might be a possibility.

���Look, do whatever you have to. Just don���t involve us.��� His attitude was a little short for Whit���s taste, but he felt the man was sincere enough that it was only a sign of his frustration.��

The guy scrubbed his face with his hands. ���Sorry. My wife and I just want to be careful about it. I���d love to explain more, but I thought I���d see if I should even bother first.���

���We���re listening,��� said Anna, offering him a seat in their lobby. She had gone through the trouble of buying matching furniture and had been excited about using it.

The man sat in the closest chair. ���Thanks. It���s just, my wife, Eliza, and Valerie are really close friends. So much that my wife asked her to go to our church, but we���ve recently left due to some incidents, and now that Valerie is missing, we���re worried something might have happened to her.���

���You mean someone at the church could have something to do with her disappearance?���

He nodded. ���It���s possible. Considering everything else happening in that place. My wife could explain things better. She wasn���t feeling well today, or I would have brought her down.���

���Do you think Valerie could have decided to leave town?��� Whit asked.

Anna glanced at him, and he knew exactly what she was thinking. But this wasn���t a case of missing people like they had in Mississippi or even Texas. This wasn���t a family reaching out. It was a man who didn���t think it was important enough to call the police. ���I���m not saying that���s what happened, but I just need to know what you���ve considered.���

���As I said, my wife is her best friend. They���ve gotten close, and according to her, Valerie doesn���t have any family she could have gone to visit. Eliza is really worried. She���s pregnant and due in a few months, so I hate to see her sick over this. Losing the church family was bad enough. She���s one of the only friends my wife had left. So, I promised her we���d look into it. We just feel responsible, having gotten her involved in that awful place.���

���You make it sound pretty bad,��� said Anna.

���You have no idea.��� He looked down at his feet and shook his head. ���I���d rather know if you���re interested before I go into it. I know you weren���t planning on being here until Monday. Forgive me for coming down today, but we just didn���t know if this could wait.���

���We understand your situation, Mr. Baron.��� Anna glanced at Whit. ���Could we perhaps meet with your wife today and get a little more of the information?���

���Today is a bad day, but I���d love to have you over to the house for dinner tomorrow if that���s okay? We could tell you everything. I think you���ll see why we���re worried.���

Whit was about to open his mouth to suggest he bring his wife by the office, but Anna spoke up before he could. ���We���d love that,��� she said with a smile. ���What time?���

���How about seven?��� said Baron. ���I hope you love a good pot roast. It���s my wife���s favorite to make.���

Anna chuckled. ���That sounds great, but she doesn���t really have to cook.���

���No, she loves cooking. She says it���s her true calling.���

Anna chuckled. ���Well, I know we both have a calling to eat. If you just give me your address, we���ll see you then.���

The man looked relieved. ���Oh, thank you. You don���t know what this means to us. We live just outside of town.��� He told them the address and Anna wrote it down. ���My wife will be so happy to meet you both.���

���No problem,��� said Whit, showing the man to the door.

A moment later after Mr. Baron left the office, Whit turned to Anna. ���What are you thinking?���

���What?��� she asked.

���I wanted to see Emily this weekend. Did it ever occur to you that I wanted to enjoy the last three days of my vacation?���

Anna gave him a pointed look. ���Vacation? Is that what this is? Because I���m pretty sure we���re opening a business here. And I���m sorry about Emily but you can still see her on Sunday. We can���t really afford at this point to turn anyone away. Besides, the sooner we get this case out of the way, the better, right?���

She had a point. ���Right.���

���And what if this girl is really in trouble? She has no family, and she���s just disappeared. And what���s with the church? Aren���t you curious? Just a little?���

Whit walked to the kitchenette and sat down as Anna followed.

���Whit, what���s wrong?���

���Some church-going people don���t really like me. They see me and my lectures as being sinful. They don���t like the subjects I talk about and think I spread falsehoods like I���m some kind of false prophet. You wouldn���t believe the hate mail I���ve gotten from people who claim to be devout Christians.���

���Not all Christians are like that. But what if there is a problem in that church? You could help a lot of people by exposing them.���

���Or I could stir a hornets��� nest that is going to backfire on our business before we���ve even gotten it off the ground. It���s one thing to be known for my lectures and another to be considered the type of man who bullies churches. We are taking this man���s word for what happened. It���s like picking a side right off the bat.���

���We have to hear him out.���

���I agree, which is why I didn���t say anything, but I need you to know. There might not be a case here. These women are friends, sure, but all friendships have problems. What if this is just a matter of Valerie ghosting them? Maybe she doesn���t see the friendship as strong as they do. They could be the very people she���s trying to get away from. Especially if they left the church and she didn���t.���

Anna nodded. ���That all sounds possible. And I agree, we have to make sure this is something we want to work on. But what can it hurt to go to dinner and hear them out?���

���It���s not ideal, for one. I can honestly say I���ve never taken a case over pot roast around the client���s dinner table.���

���Well, there���s a first time for everything. Anyway, you���re going. I���m not going alone.���

He shook his head. ���Oh no, you���re not going alone, for sure. I love a good pot roast.�����

He would also love her company. Working on the office over the past few weeks had been great for a change of pace and made him feel like things had finally gone back to the way they were before her mother had gotten in the way. He was glad to see they still made a good team after everything they had gone through.

He often thought of kissing her, the way he���d cupped her face and leaned in closer. How she could miss the adoration in his eyes every time he looked at her was beyond him. It further led him to believe that she didn���t feel the same way he did.��

Even though it wasn���t the way he wished things could be, he would take what he could get. ��

���Whit?��� she said, bringing his head around. ���Are you okay? I said it���s a date. But you were daydreaming. Don���t tell me you���re thinking about the case already.���

Whit nodded. ���Something like that.�����

Starting a new adventure with her was going to be worth it.

Dare To Be Wise is live!

DARE TO BE WISE IS LIVE!

Just when Whit Filmore thought he and Anna Upton would finally start their investigation business without any obstacles, a new missing person case comes his way, kicking things off with a bang. But when Anna is too busy to join him right away, his head start takes him to a Mississippi town where obstacles are the least of his worries.

On a mission to find the client���s missing son, Whit will uncover secrets long hidden. Have the locals been missing something that���s been right under their noses all along? Or are things never what they seem?

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Read Chapter 1 of Dare To Be Wise

APPLE BOOKS AMAZON NOOK GOOGLE KOBO Chapter 1Whit

As Whit Filmore sipped his drink near a cold marble pillar, he scanned the room, hoping to find Anna. But with the music swelling, echoing off the vaulted ceilings and chandeliers, he had a feeling the overload of her senses had sent her into hiding.

Not only had her mother recovered her money, but she had already found an excuse to spend it.

Maybe Anna was hiding inside the cake, which stood nearly six feet on the grand table in the center of the room? Or perhaps behind the large sprays of flowers and white marble columns? It was all too much for Anna’s tastes. That was for certain. 

Before he could continue his search, he heard a familiar voice behind him. “Whitney!”

Whit spun around to see Bill Roberts, Chief of Police, had cleaned up much better than he had when he went to their high school prom wearing a tuxedo shirt and a pair of chinos.

“Bill, I didn’t expect to see you here.” He followed the man’s gaze where it landed on Anna’s mother, Jenna. Whit had seen that look in his friend’s eyes before when it was directed at the head cheerleader back many moons ago.

Bill grinned ear to ear. “Ms. Upton invited me. I think she wanted to thank me for helping out with that last case of yours.”

“That was weeks ago.”

“Well, who am I to turn down free food and booze? Where is the guest of honor anyway? I wanted to tell Anna happy birthday and that I put her applications through. It’s just a matter of time before she’s official.”

“Thanks for that. I’m sure she’d thank you too. Honestly, she’s probably catching a bit of air. This isn’t her thing when it’s not in her honor, and especially when it is.”

“Well, her mom sure went all out. Seems a shame to let it all go to waste. I guess I should go and thank Jenna for the invitation. I’ll see you around.” Bill walked away and didn’t make it far before Jenna found him. She locked her arm in his, and the two looked at each other adoringly as they began to talk. 

Whit tried not to think about the fact that his friend had that lovelorn look in his eyes or that he was the same age as him. Instead, he took another drink and hurried off to find Anna.

Whit went to the back of the room and through a side door, which led to the patio. As the music ebbed behind him, he spotted movement through a tall plant and found Anna standing near the railing.

She looked up at the sky. The moonlight never looked as beautiful as it did upon her face.

“Ah, here you are,” he said, getting her attention. “I thought I was going to have to send out a search party.”

She glanced over his shoulder as if to see if he was alone. “Don’t tell my mother where I am. I just needed a break from all of that.”

“She’s not looking for you yet. And you might have just been bought some time. She’s busy talking with Chief Roberts.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “The two of them have been talking a lot lately. I’m pretty sure they see each other, and she just doesn’t want me to know.”

“Well, he wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Are you ever going to go in and welcome your guests? Maybe cut that huge cake?”

“I wouldn’t know where to start,” she said. “Did you know that half of that thing is styrofoam? My mom just wanted a grand appearance. That’s the only reason she did this party in the first place.”

She wasn’t happy with the party or her mother. 

“She just wanted to make it special, I’m sure.” Whit didn’t think he’d see the day he defended Jenna Upton’s intentions, but here they were.

But Anna wasn’t buying it. The look she gave him said so. “This party is more about her getting her money back than me graduating and having a birthday. Besides, all of that was two weeks ago. It’s way too much, a little too late.”

“It’s still a reason to celebrate.” It wasn’t as bad as she was making it out to be.

“A reason to celebrate, yes. With a small cake, a few friends, sure. But this? This is awful. I don’t know but five people in that entire place. A trip to Peyton’s Faire would have been more welcome. Why she would think I would want fancy flowers and all of this nonsense is beyond me. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows me.”

“Well, can’t you just entertain it for one night?” he asked. “It’s only a couple more hours to endure. And I’m sure whatever part of the cake is not styrofoam is delicious.”

Anna smiled, giving Whit a sideward look. “You just want my cake. And here I thought you really came out to check on me.”

“Both can be true. But you need to look on the bright side, Anna. Your mother hasn’t been so overbearing lately, and she’s not going to stand in our way with our company.”

Anna shook her head. “She’s already getting close with the chief. For all, we know she’s planning to put a wrench in things when we start working cases. If he turns into a roadblock instead of an ally, it could still hurt us.”

“Or maybe he will endear her to us even more?”

“I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. But when I’m right, you can buy my lunch for another month.”

Whit chuckled. “Anna, you’re stalling. You know it’s only a matter of time before you have to go in there and face the music, so you might as well prepare for it.”

Her shoulders sagged a bit. “I know. I just wanted a moment to myself. With everything going on with my studies, graduation, and buying my house, it’s been crazy. I guess I really just wanted a nice, relaxing vacation instead of all of this.”

Whit’s phone rang in his pocket. “We’ll have time for a vacation soon enough.” He looked at his phone and didn’t recognize the number. “Sorry. I’ll tell them I’ll call them back.”

Anna waved away the notion. “It’s no bother to me if it buys me more time from having to go back in there.” She turned back to the railing and looked up to the sky.

Whit put his phone to his ear. “Whit Filmore speaking.”

“Professor Filmore, I’m Crystal Delaney.” The woman’s tone was soft, but as if it were aged with plenty of wine of cigarettes, and he detected a southern drawl as she continued. “My son is missing. And I was wondering if you could help me.”

He glanced at Anna, who was still content to be away from her party. With his interest piqued, he needed more information. Whit wondered if the police had already been notified. “How long has he been missing?”

The question perked Anna’s ears, and she turned to lean against the railing, giving him more of her attention.

“It’s only just over a week now,” said the woman. “But long enough to know that I’m not getting any help here locally.”

“Where do you live?” The more they spoke, the more he was certain she didn’t live in Ohio.

“I’m in Northern Mississippi, in a little town called Mason.”

Whit wasn’t sure he wanted to go to Mississippi. It wasn’t a good time for another long trip out of town, and he had hoped to work on cases a little closer to home. “How old is your son?” From the tone of her voice, he must have been an adult.

“He’s twenty-three. I’m aware that makes this less urgent for some, but I’m sick with worry. I’m hoping to hire you to look into it if you’re interested.”

How could Whit tell her he wasn’t? “I’d have to discuss my rates,” he said, hoping to call her at a more convenient time.

“I’ll spare no expense. I’ll purchase you a ticket tonight if you can be here as soon as possible.”

Whit didn’t like being rushed into anything. “The thing is, I no longer work alone. I have a partner. And the earliest I could make it is tomorrow.”

“That would be fine. And the more, the merrier, Mr. Filmore. I just want you to find my son and bring him home to me. My gut is telling me he’s in grave danger.”

Whit didn’t think she was going to take no for an answer, especially if she had gone through the trouble of contacting him. But he wasn’t sure Anna would be on board or if she would want him to go away on a solo mission. “Could you give me a moment to talk to my partner, and I’ll call you back?”

“Yes, sir. But please know, I’m begging for your help. I trust you. And with the way things are, I don’t know where else I’ll turn.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Whit, unsure what that meant. “I’ll let you know by morning.”

“Thank you.” The woman ended the call, and Whit could already see the look in Anna’s eyes.

“I can’t go,” she said before he even said a word. “I have too much going on with the house and moving. It sounds like they’d need you right away.”

Whit didn’t want to do it alone but knew it might come down to it. “She’s desperate to find her son. I don’t know the situation, but I feel like I should at least go down there and offer some kind of help.”

“Whit, are you sure you’re ready to jump back into this? You’re still healing. And there’s Emily to consider.”

The concern she had for him warmed his heart, but he was fine. “Emily is on vacation with her mother, remember? She’ll be gone two weeks at least. I’m healed. I told you it was nothing but a flesh wound. I don’t even have stitches anymore.”

“In your shoulder, yes, it was a flesh wound. But I’m talking about your hip. It hit the bone.”

He shook his head to disagree. “It grazed the bone, and I took those stitches out yesterday. It’s fine as long as it’s not raining.”

“You think this is funny. Like it’s all a game. You can’t just take your stitches out and call it a day. You should go back to the doctor and have it checked.”

“I did have it checked. And he said I could take the stitches out on my own. I’ve done it before. It’s not a big deal.”

“Whit, I’m serious.”

“I am too, Anna. This might just be what we need, to get away for a while, put our heads back into our work. Come on. You just said you needed a vacation.”

“Yeah, on a sunny beach or a meditation spa somewhere in a yurt or something.”

“It’s part of the job.” 

She had a faraway look in her eyes. “You go without me. I can’t leave with the new house closing or while all of my things are being packed up and readied to move.”

“Fine, I’ll go alone. I’ll figure out if there is anything worth doing, and if so, you can come out to join me if you can.”

“I’m sorry.” 

It wasn’t the attitude he’d expected. “It’s fine. As long as this isn’t about what happened before.”

“What happened?” Her cheeks flushed.

“Yeah, you know, with Dylan. I know you have struggled with that.”

“Oh,” she said, seeming surprised as she waved that off. “That. I’m fine. It was hard at first, knowing I had taken someone else’s life, but I’m in counseling, and it’s going fine. I know it was what I had to do at that moment. And I’d do it again.”

He wasn’t sure she believed her own words, but it was better than the crippling guilt that had hold of her that first week. She had buried herself under a pile of covers and refused to get up. Her mother even called him to coax her out to eat. “Okay, as long as you’re good. I don’t want to leave you here with your mother if you need me.”

She took a deep breath and lifted her chin to meet his eyes. “I’m perfect. And I guess you’re right. I should get in there and cut that cake.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” He could tell something was eating at her. It was as if she had something to say but couldn’t say it. And he wondered how long it would take to get over what had happened with her mother’s blackmailers.

She sighed. “Well, I guess it’s time to see if this is my party or hers. I asked for chocolate. She prefers vanilla.”

He waited for her to lead the way as she marched back into the party. As she entered the crowd, he stayed close behind.

Her mother was on the dance floor with Bill, and the two were having such a good time, they didn’t even notice Anna until she tapped her mother on the shoulder. 

“Oh, Anna, dear. I wondered where you were hiding.” Her mother looked at Whit and her smile faded. Whit could tell the woman still didn’t like whatever she thought was happening between them, but at least she didn’t lose her smile completely. “You should cut your cake.”

Anna nodded. “That’s what I was thinking.”

“Perfect! But not until we’ve all sang Happy Birthday.” Her mother’s smile was bigger than Whit had ever seen.

But Anna’s face was masked with a look of horror. “No, please. I don’t want you to.”

“Nonsense,” Jenna scoffed. “It’s not every day my daughter turns twenty-three.” She glanced at Whit as if to tell him she was still too young and then picked up a glass from the table and tapped it.

Anna’s face paled as her mother continued to rouse the crowd, who began to sing. She leaned in close to Whit. “How soon do we leave?”  

Whit gave her a sympathetic look as she picked up the knife and cut it into her vanilla cake.

Read Chapter 1 of Truth Conquers All

APPLE BOOKS AMAZON NOOK GOOGLE KOBO Chapter 1Whit

Professor Whit Filmore stood outside the boardroom at the university waiting for proceedings of his fate to begin. He looked out to the Thatcher Building where his office had been for the past six years. With all of the complaints Anna’s mother, Jenna Upton, had brought against him, the scar it would leave on his honorable teaching career would be hard to fade.

Despite he and Anna solving the rapist case and all of the other attention and charity he had given the university, the members of the university board had no intention of letting anyone blemish the school’s reputation. To them, it didn’t matter how much he had given, including proceeds from one of his books, as well as his participation in fundraising events. Not when it came to an accusation of sexual misconduct.

It didn’t even matter how much evidence they lacked.

All of a sudden, the doors opened behind him, and Jenna Upton strutted into the building with her entourage, four men and one stern-faced woman, none of whom seemed to know how misfortunate they were to know her.

Jenna’s red dress and tall red heels weren’t the only things that made her look like the devil’s mistress. The scowl she gave Whit was delivered with a burning hatred as she and her team swaggered toward the boardroom. Two of the men accompanying her opened the doors and she walked in ahead of them like she was their queen.

Whit was determined not to let it rattle him. The truth would come out. It always did.

After they made their show, Professor Weston, a man Whit at one time thought he could count on, stood in the doorway. His white hair was sleek, his suit impeccably crisp, but his mouth was twisted in a scowl of disgust. “They’re ready for you.” The man barely looked Whit in the eyes as if even speaking to him had been a task too great.

“Well, Weston, what are my chances?” Whit didn’t expect an answer, nor did he require one. He just liked to fuck with people now and then. “Go on, Duke. Blink twice if I’m out. I can take it.” He knew that all decisions had been made, and the man must already know exactly what they were going to do since they were bringing him and Jenna in together.

But Duke Weston kept a stoic expression as he led Whit back into the boardroom. The university board members sat at the oval table, where Jenna had taken a seat amongst them. Her team stood behind her as a show of solidarity and because there weren’t enough chairs.

As Whit walked over to the seat across from her, the mood in the room suddenly changed. Jenna glared at him with a gleam in her eyes as if she were happy to see him in such an outnumbered situation. She had certainly done her best over the past two weeks to get the best of him. But Whit wasn’t going down without a fight.

He exchanged glances with the three men and two women at the table before him, along with Dean Proctor.

Proctor didn’t look his usual charming self and kept his expressions unreadable. “Mr. Whitmore, as you know, with accusations such as these against you and your own admittance that they are factual, we cannot let you complete the year as long as Miss Anna Upton is still a student.”

“I did no such thing,” he said before clearing his throat.

Dean Proctor looked confused. “I beg your pardon. Are you now trying to deny the accusations against you?”

“Yes and no. You said I have admitted the accusations are factual. I have not. I explained the truth to you, and yet, you ignored it. In fact, there is more evidence that nothing happened, including your statement from Miss Anna Upton. I was told you had her statement, but I’m sure you’ve also chosen to ignore it.”

“Just for clarification, you did admit that you and Miss Upton had shared a motel room in Dallas. In fact, Miss Upton admitted that as well.”

“Of course, we did. It was the only room available when we got there, and it had two beds, which we occupied separately. I’m sure if you’d like to speak with Anna, she can clarify everything for you if you still don’t get the picture. We have never had any romantic intentions for each other, and the trip was purely professional.”

“We’ve already spoken to Miss Upton enough on the matter,” said Professor Higgins, whose plump, sausage-like fingers tapped her notepad. She looked up at him with her crooked lipstick and powder-caked cheeks. “She is not the one at fault here.”

Whit knew the woman hated him. She had always had a problem with him since he had gotten a book deal. “She told you nothing happened, didn’t she? And in fact, she hasn’t ever formed a complaint against me. So why are we still here?”

Mrs. Higgins’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Filmore, you fail to see the level of inappropriateness concerning your suspension. It doesn’t look good for a professor of your caliber to fraternize with your students, no matter their age or willingness. Parents such as Mrs. Upton, a well-respected attorney, have a valid concern when someone who is supposed to be a mentor takes advantage. Or when they see something even approaching the appearance of impropriety.”

Boy, Jenna was good. She had said something to make them shake in their boots, but with the whole Me Too movement, it wasn’t a tough thing to do. “I can assure you I have never taken advantage of Miss Upton. And I have no intention of ever doing so. I’m shaping her future.”

“He’s ruining it,” Jenna mumbled.

“It might not be the future her mother wants for her, but is it right that I should be the one she takes that frustration out on? The real problem is between Ms. Upton and her daughter, not me and Anna.”

“Is it not true,” continued Mrs. Higgins, “that you convinced Miss Upton not to go to school, and in fact, you have kept her out of her classes and put her behind in her studies more than once this year for special work purposes?”

“I would call it more of an independent study opportunity. Anna has a bright future ahead in law enforcement. And what she truly desires for her future is to be a detective. I’ve let her go along on a few of my cases as my assistant, which she has been hired to be, to give her a little field experience. I find that learning by example is important.”

“I’m curious, Mr. Filmore. Have you given your other students that same attention?” Dr. Finch had been quiet so far, but Whit was prepared for his question.

“Anna is special,” said Whit, drawing a few looks from the others in the room. “She’s got a strong knack for solving crimes that most of her peers don’t, and I’m just helping her find her way. She’s actually very passionate about becoming a detective.” As soon as he used the word passionate, he wished he’d chosen another word, especially when Jenna gave him a hard look.

She leaned forward and pounded her fist against the table. “Only because you have filled her head with nonsensical stories about intuition and meditation. You’re seducing her mind and filling her head with daydreams. You’ve extinguished every bit of convincing I’ve done in my daughter’s best interest in becoming a lawyer, a career that she would surely have a leg up for her future, and turned her against all sensible thinking.”

Dean Proctor gave her a stiff look. “Mrs. Upton, we’ve heard your side of things, and we’ve asked you not to address Mr. Filmore directly during this meeting. If you continue with outbursts, I’m afraid we will have to ask you to leave.”

“Honestly, I think it should be allowed,” said Professor Higgins.

Whit rolled his eyes. “You would, Martha, especially after Ms. Upton got your daughter a huge settlement on her most recent divorce. Is that why you’re here to make sure I’m properly raked over the coals, or do you just love a good wiener roast?”

The woman’s mouth gaped. “I beg your pardon. This is nothing personal, and my daughter’s marital issues are not on trial here.”

“Oh? Is this a trial? I wasn’t aware. I thought we were having a nice discussion about my friendship with Jenna Upton’s adult daughter, who happens to be employed as my assistant on top of being my student aid.”

Proctor cleared his throat and wiped his forehead. “Let’s get back to that, shall we?”

Whit could feel his frustration growing. “I’m only suggesting her influence on a few of the board members might make things unfair. This is a witch hunt, and you know it.”

“And I might agree with you if we didn’t have other complaints from concerned parents,” Mr. Proctor said as Mrs. Higgins marked something down on her notepad.

She glanced up at him with a smug expression. “We have several signed statements from disapproving parents.”

“Well, I can swear on my own child that I haven’t spent the night with anyone else’s daughters.”

Dr. Finch chuckled until Martha Higgins pegged him with a furious scowl. “You’re a disgusting man,” she said with a sharp tongue. “That type of humor and lack of respect might be allowed in your fantasy forums, but it is not going to be tolerated here today, sir.”

Proctor rapped his fist on the table. “It’s the current situation they had the most trouble with. Let’s not blow this out of proportion or turn the discussion vile, but yes, there have been other parents calling to express their outrage that you were allowed to take a student to another state and share a room with her without any repercussions. With her being your assistant, some of them feel as though you might form a habit of using your power of mentorship to lure other young girls.”

“Lure young girls? As I already said, Anna is not a young girl. She is a young woman and perfectly capable of going on a business trip with her boss. And the only reason you have any other complaints is that they were solicited by Ms. Upton. Perhaps I should ask some of you to consider my loyalty to the school if you cannot believe I am a man of good intentions. I have proved it many times over during my time here.”

Dean Proctor sighed. “I’m afraid our university can’t afford the scandal that often follows your good intentions, Mr. Filmore.”

“No, but you certainly benefitted from Anna and me finding that rapist at your request. And I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t drawn so much attention to the criminology department, you wouldn’t have half of the students’ interest.”

“That might be true,” said Dean Proctor. “Which is why we wanted to have a fair and impartial discussion now that we have reached some decisions for both you and Anna Upton.”

“Without her present?” said Whit, shaking his head at the unfairness of it all. “I can’t wait to hear them.”

Dean Proctor cocked an eyebrow as he put on his glasses and read over the paper on the table before him. “It is our decision to allow you to continue your place within the criminology department as long as you do not return until after Anna Upton’s graduation. I hear she’s graduating in a short time, so we have taken that into consideration as well.”

Whit realized that they had already worked with Jenna behind his back. “You mean I’m not to have any contact with her?”

“It’s preferred,” said her mother, giving him a grin of satisfaction. “Any contact with her won’t bode well for your future here.”

“But,” interrupted Dean Proctor, “we’re not going to put such strict limitations that are not within our power, considering Miss Upton’s age of consent. But I do hope you understand that your behavior is under scrutiny. If we see anything inappropriate going on or if more complaints are filed against you for similar behavior or anything that could be misconstrued as such, we’ll be forced to take action and remove you from your position.”

“I see,” Whit said with a breathy laugh, despite the lack of humor.

“Your suspension will carry through the summer, and we feel this is a fair and minimal punishment, of which Ms. Upton agreed. I think it’s most generous.” Proctor gave Jenna a kind look.

“Oh, yeah, she’s generous,” mumbled Whit.

Proctor continued as if he didn’t hear it. “If you decide to return in the fall, which we would welcome at that time, you will do so with the understanding that you are unable to hire or work closely with any female assistants or aides who are students and under the age of twenty-six years old.”

Whit couldn’t believe they were going to put such restrictions on him. They were treating him as if he were a criminal of the worst kind. As if he were some pedophile who had molested a young student.

Mrs. Higgins gave Dean Proctor a curt look. “That’s not everything we agreed on.”

Whit wanted to sink in his seat from exhaustion but kept his head held high as the dean continued. “You will also remain on probation for no less than two years. At which time, we will reevaluate your behavior. But I would strongly recommend you show us you’ve learned from your missteps.”

“Seriously? Are you going to put me on probation and keep me under a microscope? I can’t imagine how eager that will make me about coming to work. I suppose I’m to ignore every female student who speaks to me. Perhaps I should pretend they do not exist?”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” said Mrs. Higgins. “If teaching is your true passion as you’ve claimed it is in your lectures, I’m sure these small precautions will not be a problem.”

Jenna spoke up. “I thought it was the best compromise considering I could have asked for your job. You should be thanking me for agreeing to give you a second chance.”

“I’m sorry,” said Proctor. “But we have to make sure our parents are as comfortable as the students. They are the ones who are paying tuition.”

Whit belly-laughed at the insinuation. “For someone who claims to know what’s going on, you don’t even know that Anna pays her own tuition,” he said. “I’m sure if you looked into things, you’d see Anna is more than capable of taking care of herself, and her mother only hinders her. You might care to know the only person your beloved divorce attorney didn’t get a good settlement for was herself. Perhaps that is what makes her such a bitter woman, eager to fight tooth and nail against anyone who might come between her and her daughter’s money.”

There was a pause of silence as Jenna stared a hole through him. He had really pushed her to the edge, but it wasn’t enough for him.

Before he could deliver another word, Proctor cleared his throat. “I think we’ve said all that needs to be said, Mr. Filmore. I’ll need your decision as soon as possible.”

Whit wasn’t going to give them an answer. Instead, he just shrugged it off. “I’ll think about it.” Why convenience them at all when they had done so little to defend him?

“Very well then,” said Proctor. “As long as we understand what the stipulations are, I think that’s all for today. Do you gentlemen or Mrs. Higgins have anything further to add?”

No one said a word. But all looked very pleased with the outcome.

Whit rose to his feet. “I trust you have put Professor Morgan as my replacement?” The man had been doing the job while he was busy solving cases, so it was the most logical choice.

Dean Proctor nodded. “Yes, of course. At least until we hear what you’re going to do. I’d like to know something in a few days if you don’t mind.”

Whit threw a glance at Jenna and shook his head when she held her chin up high. If she wasn’t a woman, he might have felt the urge to punch her in her teeth. Instead, without a word or looking back, he left the room.

He ducked into the nearest bathroom and went to the sink, where he stood to catch his breath. His anger was trying to get the best of him, and he needed to calm down before he marched back in and told them to take his job and stick it up their collective asses. He looked up in the mirror and studied his reflection.

That was that. His teaching days were over as far as he was concerned. He was not even able to defend himself against Jenna and her poison. He was the kook, the crazy man on TV who talked about UFOs and aliens and the power of intuition and energy.

The last thing the university needed was a scandal, and with Jenna around, he’d certainly be a good target. No sense in things getting worse. He couldn’t do that to Anna. She had a big future ahead, and if everything that happened with the rapist taught him anything, it was that she was more than capable of becoming a great detective.

He just wished he’d been there sooner to help her with Hector. Maybe he was bad for her, after all?

But then he thought of Jenna and knew no one was worse for Anna than her mother.

He washed his hands and splashed a bit of cold water on his face to calm down. By the time he went back to the hallway, he could see the dean walking with the other professors out the door, but they had left someone behind. Jenna stood alone by the doors, and for a moment, Whit thought she was waiting on him.

None of her entourage was around, but she had one hand to her ear holding her phone. “I told you I would send it! Stop bothering me! It’s not a good time!”

Whit approached slowly, so as not to startle her, as she continued to raise her voice. “I’ve already sent you enough! When will you stop? Hello? Hello?” She looked at the phone and gripped it tightly in her palm as she let out a growl of frustration. “Dammit!”

She must have realized her voice had gotten louder because she spun around to see if she was alone. Upon meeting Whit’s face, she sneered. “What the hell are you looking at?”

Whit decided that was too easy and walked past her and headed to the Thatcher building.

He wasn’t sure what was troubling the woman, but he was fairly sure she was having a worse morning than he was.

Read Chapter 1 of Mind Drives Matter

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On the morning after arriving home from Texas, Whit Filmore wasted no time going to see his daughter. He had dropped Anna off at her apartment around three in the morning, and even though he’d only had a few hours of sleep, he couldn’t wait for his breakfast date.

He was just up the road from his ex’s house when his phone went off. Seeing her name made him smile as he answered. “I’m almost there. I told you I was on the way.”

“Mom says she needs my help today. That it’s a bad idea to go anywhere this early with you.”

He’d had a feeling Olivia would try to put a wrench in their plans. She usually had some excuse for why Emily should stay home when it was his time with her. “You can help her when you get back. I haven’t seen you. Besides, tell her I’ve had my coffee. I won’t growl at her if she doesn’t growl at me.”

“She says that it’s your fault you haven’t seen me.” He could tell by the monotone of Emily’s voice that she wasn’t happy with her mother.

“Oh, does she? Well, I’ll have to talk to her then, won’t I?”

“I don’t want to be in the middle of anything. I’ll just stay and help her, and we’ll go out later.”

Whit hated that Olivia could manipulate their kid that way. “Emily, do you want to go to breakfast?” He slowed the car to turn into her street. “Because I’ll be there in about two seconds, and I’m not in the mood to turn around.”

“Yeah, I want to go. But I have to live with her. I was going to talk you into taking me to Griddles.”

“Griddles, huh? Sounds good. I’m pulling in now. Get ready.” He hung up the phone and parked. He took a deep breath and let it out. “I won’t bite her head off. She probably tastes horrible anyway.” He got out of the car and went to the door.

Olivia answered. Whit still couldn’t deny she was beautiful, even though he knew the ugliness inside her. Her green eyes scrutinized him as she looked down her nose. “Last weekend was your weekend. This is officially my time with our daughter.”

“I was away at work. And you know we’ve made a deal.”

“Your work is a whole other problem.” She rolled her eyes as if the very idea of it embarrassed her. “What kind of lectures are you giving this week? Bigfoot’s love child?”

“I don’t know, are you available to be a visual aide?” He couldn’t resist the urge to be childish when she was around, and he pulled his lips in tight to avoid anything further.

Olivia stared through him. “Funny.”

“Nothing about this is funny. Especially since we agreed now that she’s older, she gets to decide when she wants to see me. You could pull this shit when she was ten, but not now.”

“Well, legally, I don’t have to let her go.”

“Yeah, I get it, Olivia. You like to be in control. I’m pretty sure that’s why you can’t keep a boyfriend. But do you really want to throw your weight around and make her resent you?”

“She doesn’t resent me. And for your information, I’ve met someone new.”

Whit had expected that sultry profile photo to rake someone in quick. “Let’s hope this one has a job and no record. Those child-support checks I send you are supposed to be for our daughter.”

“You’re an ass.” She turned and smiled at Emily, who had come out to greet him.

“Nice one, Olivia,” he said as he realized his daughter heard her mother’s comment.

“I’m ready, Dad.” Emily rolled her eyes as she breezed past her mother to walk out past him.

“I’ll have her home later.”

Olivia curled her lip, but Whit turned around before she could say anything else.

He caught up to Emily at the car and opened her door for her. Once he was around the car and in the driver’s seat, she was putting on her seatbelt.

“How was your trip to Texas?”

“It was okay. I got the job done. I’m glad I’m back here where I’m close to you, though. I hope you realize I don’t like being away. It’s just what I have to do to support you.”

“I know.”

“So, your mom is seeing someone new?” It was a question he felt he asked much too often.

“Yeah.”

“So, what’s his name?”

She smiled. “Mom said you’d ask that. She told me you run background checks on all of her boyfriends. She thinks you run them off. Do you?”

“I’m pretty sure the only person running them off is her, and besides, I have to make sure who she’s bringing around you. So, yeah, I check to see if they have a clean record.”

“Well, this guy is really nice. He has a job, and Mom seems happy.”

Whit sure didn’t feel that from his encounter with her. “If you say so. What do you think of him? Have you met?”

“Yes, I had met him briefly when he came to pick Mom up for a dinner date. He’s okay.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“So you won’t be upset if I don’t tell you his name?” She wore a sly grin, and he shook his head.

“I don’t get upset with you, kiddo. I just worry. So you keep that name to yourself as long as you want. But all I ask is that you’ll tell me if any of those men ever yell at you or hurt you in any way.”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Because I’ll take care of it. I’m always here for you. And even if your mother doesn’t know it, I’d never let anything bad happen to her either.”

“I know, Dad. Mom says you get jealous.”

“Of her and her boyfriends? Never.” He would stay mad if that was the case. There was a short time in his life when he really thought he loved that woman, but now, he couldn’t even imagine it. 

The only thing she ever did for him was to give him his daughter. He sometimes thought she only got knocked up to get support. The pregnancy had come as a surprise, but it was the best thing that ever happened to him.

He drove her across town to Griddles, where they served fancy pancakes and the best bacon a man ever tasted.

They went inside and were seated right away, although the table was a bit uneven. “I hate a table that wobbles,” she said, grabbing the sugar packets from the table.

“Ah, don’t use that,” he said. “I got it.” He showed her a wad of napkins from the dispenser on the table. “This should do just fine and less waste.”

“Mom always uses sugar packets.”

“I remember. So, how’s school?” he asked once the table was stable.

“It’s okay. We had to write a book report in English class, and I have a science project coming up. They said we’ll dissect a frog by the end of the year. I’m really not looking forward to that.”

Whit smiled as she scrunched up her nose, but her next comment came as a surprise.

“I don’t see how you do your job. I wouldn’t want to see a dead body.”

“Well, there’s a big difference in seeing a body and dissecting one. That’s why I’m not a doctor, I suppose. But maybe we shouldn’t talk about that kind of thing.” He wondered where she had gotten the notion.

“Morticians work with the dead.”

“Yes. They do.” He gave her a sideward look, wondering if the question was more than just dealing with her own mortality or if there was a bigger reason.

“It’s kind of creepy, isn’t it?”

“Well, it depends on how you look at it. They do us all a great service. Someone has to tend to the dead. Show them respect and keep their dignity at that time.”

“So, it’s really not a bad job to have then?”

“Are you planning on becoming one?”

“No,” she said with a casual shrug. “Just curious. Mom knows a mortician.”

Whit could tell by her tone there was more to say on that subject, but he didn’t press on as the waiter walked up and took their order.

Later, as Whit felt his stomach reach its full capacity from his plate of chocolate-chip pancakes, Emily sat back and held her tummy.

“Oh, man,” she said. “I always overdo it here. But it’s so good.”

“Yeah, me too.” His phone rang as the waiter brought the check. “One second,” he said to his daughter. He hated to take it but knew it was better than putting it off. “Whit Filmore speaking.”

The woman, on the other end, seemed surprised. “Oh, Mr. Filmore, hello. I wasn’t sure if this was a direct line or your office.”

“I have my calls forwarded on the weekend. And you are?”

“I’m Tessa James. I’m from the Truth, Crime, and Justice Network. I was hoping you’re not too busy.”

“I’m having breakfast with my daughter.”

“That’s sweet,” she said. “I’m sure she’ll be excited when she hears why I’ve called her daddy.”

“I’m curious why you have as well.”

The woman chuckled. “We wanted to extend an offer to you. We’re starting a new true-crime series, and we want you to host it. You would have an on-camera role as well as lending your voice. It’s really a great opportunity, and you were my first pick.”

He was flattered but also taken aback. “A hosting gig on television?” He hadn’t really expected to do much more TV. He wasn’t much for a spotlight on himself as much as he preferred to shed light on things most didn’t understand.

He watched as his daughter’s eyes lit up.

On the phone, Tessa continued. “That’s right, sir. We’re hoping to work out the specifics if you’re interested and work up a contract, but I needed to know if you’d be interested.”

“How much time do I have to decide?”

“I’ll send over some notes, and you can take a look, but I’ll need to pass the offer off to someone else by the end of next week. I’m really hoping I don’t have to, though. You’re just what we’re looking for, and we’re ready to make a sweet deal.”

“Wow, two weeks? That sure gives me some time to think.” Most of his offers came and went much faster.

“Well, to be honest, sir, I didn’t think I’d reach you so easily.”

“I’m a simple man,” he said. “Send me more information, and I’ll be in touch, Tessa.”

“Thank you, sir. I sure will. It’s so good to talk to you. Enjoy your morning.”

When Whit ended the call, he felt a little kick under the table. “Did you say, television host?”

“Don’t get too excited,” he said, seeing the look in her eyes. “It’s a lot to think over. I just got back home, and I have a lot of people who depend on me at the university for their education.”

“You also have a lot of other fans out there who would love to see you on a show.” As his biggest fan, she hadn’t missed the attention he had gotten for the Johnson case, and she knew about his lectures and even asked to read his series when she turned thirteen.

“I’m pretty sure I’d be more of a narrator than anything, but I told her I’d think it over.”

“Oh, please take it. It is so exciting!” She practically bounced in her seat. “Mom even said you should do more television.”

He bet she did. She probably hoped she could take him back to court for more child support too. “I’m going to think it over. I know it sounds exciting to be on television, but there’s a lot to it. A lot to consider. So, why don’t you do me a favor and not mention this to your mom just yet? If it happens, we’ll tell her but only then.”

“Fine, I won’t.” She pushed her plate aside as he threw down his credit card. “Can we go to the mall?” She looked up at him with her puppy eyes.

“We can do anything you want to do. It’s your day. Where do you want to go?”

“To the Beauty Boudoir. They’re having a sale on eyeshadow.” She gave him a hopeful look.

“Eyeshadow? Since when do you wear makeup?”

“I have on a little right now, thank you very much. And Mom said I could move past lip gloss and mascara when you say it’s okay.”

“Honey, you don’t need that stuff. You’re too young. Your skin is flawless, and makeup only introduces your skin to clogged pores and bacteria.”

She deflated a little, her shoulders sinking. “But I’m almost fifteen, and all of the other girls get to wear makeup.”

“They might, but they don’t need it either. Trust me. You’re so beautiful. Embrace your natural beauty.”

“Mom is a natural beauty, and she says makeup accentuates it.”

“What she means is, she’s got a few laugh lines that Botox can’t fix.”

“Dad!” She gave him a scolding look but couldn’t stop laughing.

“I’ll take you to the Beauty Boudoir, but you’re going to call your mother first, and if she agrees, I’ll buy you some eyeshadow.”

Emily smiled. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.” She fell into him and hugged him tight as they stood from the table.

“I don’t know. I’m still against it. But if it’s what you want, fine. But no loud colors and nothing too heavy. You need to start slow.”

“Awesome! Mom said you had to approve.”

“Well, that’s a first.” He had a feeling Olivia expected him to say no. She was really good at making him the bad guy. 

As they got in the car, Emily settled into the seat beside him. “Morticians work with makeup, too,” she said. “At least I heard they did.”

Whit smiled. “That’s right. They do.” He was pretty sure her mother was dating a mortician. Now he’d just have to figure out which one. He’d add that to the list of his things to do now that he was back in town.

Dead On Time is Live!

DEAD ON TIME is live!

Professor Whit Filmore thought he���d left his life as a detective behind to focus on teaching, but after a personal realization changed his life, he discovered his heightened senses help him pick up on clues that others can���t.

Together with his assistant Anna, an empath who is barely scratching the surface of her own talents, Whit travels to Aldridge, a small town in Texas, at the request of an old acquaintance in the FBI. Two girls have gone missing from opposite sides of town, and no one is cooperating. With so many obstacles, can Whit use his keen senses to find the girls in time?��

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Chapter 1
Whit

It was just after noon when Whit Filmore sat at his desk with his lunch and scrolled through the Happy Hearts dating app.

���Looking for a date?��� asked Anna, who walked into his office. Usually a bright and cheerful girl, she was his class assistant, working her way to her Master���s in criminology.

But with her long blonde hair looking flat as a board and deep circles under her eyes, she seemed as if another long night of studies had taken their toll.

���How do you know I���m on the dating site?��� he asked, giving her a sideward look. ���Are you psychic now?���

���You don���t have to be a psychic to be a good detective, Professor. You left the computer on while you went out to get your lunch. I saw it. Frankly, I think it���s about time you get another woman in your life. Maybe she can pick up your dry cleaning instead of me.��� She gestured to the suit hanging on the curtain rod behind him.

���Thanks, but no, thanks. Olivia is dating again, not me. You know, she must be setting some kind of a record. Maybe she���s trying to get into the Guinness book.��� The longest relationship his ex-wife ever had was theirs. Only a couple of her boyfriends lasted more than a few weeks.

���Boyfriend number five hundred and fifty-two didn���t work out, I assume?���

���No, and let���s just hope the next one is safe to be around my daughter. As soon as I have boyfriend number five hundred and fifty-three���s name, I���ll have you do another background check.���

Anna sighed. ���I swear, it doesn���t make sense how a woman like your wife gets custody of your daughter when you are a hundred times more qualified to be a parent. She doesn���t even want a kid. She just wants your money so she can party.���

���Tell me how you really feel about her.���

���Sorry if I���m out of line, but she uses poor judgment. I know what it���s like growing up with a divorced mother who was hellbent on taking my father to the cleaners. Her viciousness is what put him in an early grave. But at least my mother fought tooth and nail to make something of herself, even if it was at my expense. I just hate it for your daughter.���

���Imagine how I feel. But don���t worry. She���ll keep it up, and I���ll get Emily back. She���s nearly fifteen, and we both agreed she could make up her own mind then.���

���She could have done that at twelve.��� Anna had a good point.

���Her mother still had her claws in too tight at that point, and I knew she would go through certain changes her mother would be better equipped to handle, even though she still failed miserably at that. But I think she���s going to lose her grip soon enough. I just hope it doesn���t take something horrible to make Emily want to come live with me.��� He���d already explained to Anna a million times why he didn���t like the men in and out of his wife���s home. His daughter was nearly fifteen, just the right age for someone to take advantage.

���I know you wish it was different, but Emily is a smart girl. She���ll call you if she needs help.���

���I know you���re right, but I can���t help but worry about her. She���s growing up so fast and nearly at that age when she will probably start to hate both of her parents.���

Anna waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes. ���She���d never get that way with you. She���s a daddy���s girl.��� ��

���Good thing. Look at this. Olivia���s profile photo shows more cleavage than her face.���

���That���s how it���s done nowadays,��� said Anna with a shrug. ���The downward angle gets the whole package.���

Whit nearly spat his food back into its container but choked it down instead. ���I can���t deny that���s a good strategy, and at least she���s putting the breasts I paid for to use. But I���m worried about what kind of message it sends our daughter and what kind of man it���s going to attract.���

There were a few men he���d run off after finding out they had a record, and one had even been in trouble for abuse of a minor. If Olivia wasn���t going to police what was going on, he had no choice but to take responsibility for his daughter���s safety.

���I can���t believe you���re worried more about your ex-wife���s profile photo than you are about your next lecture. Did you decide which topic you���re going with?���

Whit pushed his lunch aside. The next lecture was all he had been thinking about, and the ex-wife was only a distraction from him not being able to make up his mind. ���I���ll schedule something soon, but frankly, I���m enjoying the time off to focus on teaching. I don���t know what the best direction will be. And after the whole alien abduction thing was met with criticism, maybe I should rethink my approach.��� His phone vibrated quietly in his pocket. ���Besides, I feel as if the phone could ring at any moment with another opportunity.���

It was then the vibrating turned into a ring that grew with intensity.

���Are you sure you���re not a psychic?��� asked Anna.

He knew she was only kidding, despite her own gifts. The girl was sensitive and a very strong empath like him. Both wanted nothing to do with the word psychic. Not only was it inaccurate, but it painted a certain unflattering picture.��

He shrugged and gave her a playful grin. ���I felt it vibrating in my pocket.��� He took the phone out and glanced at the screen. ���Shit. Never mind. You answer it.�����

He held the phone out, and she leaned in to see who it was.

Anna shook her head and backed away from his desk. ���No thank you, Professor. You get to deal with him on your own this time. I don���t like the vibes he gives me.��� She left the room, picking up the pace a bit the closer she got to the door.

���Chicken!��� Leave it to Special Agent Kevin Birch to turn Anna off. He hadn���t done much for Whit over the years either.

Whit answered the phone and eased back in his chair. ���How can I help you, Agent Birch?�����

���Professor Filmore, it���s good to talk to you. You know, it���s not often I get to talk to a superstar. I saw your last interview on the national news. How���s life treating you since that upsurge of publicity? Are you still riding the waves of fame?���

Birch was never going to let Whit forget he was the one who put him on the case that made him so popular.

Whit had helped him find a missing boy, a toddler whose father was a basketball superstar.

���Things are good, but I���m all done with interviews for now. And honestly, I like it much better now that things have gone back to normal. Which has me wondering what you want.���

���Hey, now is that any way to tell me you missed me?���

���I can���t say I���ve missed you at all.��� He had known the man since he went to the police academy and didn���t like him much back then either.

���Well, you���re going to be glad I called. There���s another case I need your help with. You never know what it might do for your reputation.���

Whit didn���t need a reputation makeover. He was just fine with who he was. ���Which case is it?���

He heard the man shuffling through papers. ���Probably not one you���ve heard of this time. It���s down near Kilgore and fairly new. There���s a nineteen-year-old girl missing. I���ve been down there for a month, and I���m not sure what to make of it. She seems like the party-girl type, rich and spoiled. The father is a real dick. We butted heads a few times, and I had the feeling he wasn���t happy we got involved.���

���That doesn���t make a lot of sense. You���d think he���d be really happy the case was getting attention.���

���Oh, he likes attention, but I���m not sure this is the right kind. That���s what made me think of you.���

Whit wasn���t sure if he should take that as an insult or a compliment, but one thing was clear. ���You don���t want to deal with him, and you���re pushing him off on me? What makes you think I want to deal with a man like that? If I want attitude, I���ve got a whole room full of young adults at my disposal daily.���

���Come on, Whit. I need you to give it a crack. I felt things were getting a bit too hostile and figured backing off was the right thing for me. If I send you in, maybe they���ll see a fresh pair of eyes on it and act differently. Maybe it will shift something. I don���t know. It���s worth a try to find her. Help a man out.���

Whit didn���t care about helping Birch, but he empathized with the family and put himself in their shoes. If anything ever happened to his daughter, he wouldn���t know what to do with himself. Maybe it would just take a little bit of understanding to get the job done. Something Kevin Birch often struggled with.

���Are you going to be there?��� Whit asked Birch. ���Or am I flying solo?���

���It���s probably best I don���t go back just yet. I need to let things cool off. But I���ll be around if you need me to be.���

While he hated to admit it, Whit knew he had to go. Some poor girl was lost, and he thought he really could help find her. ���Fine. I guess I can go down and take a look. But I���m bringing an assistant along, and I want the same pay as last time.���

���Fine,��� said Birch. ���You bring whoever you want, even if it���s that cute little assistant, but you���re paying for her room and board. Or will you be sharing a room?��� He had been a dick about his assistant ever since the last time he came to Whit���s office. He immediately said something to offend her, and Anna, being Anna, had put him in his place.

���It���s not like that,��� said Whit. ���It���s strictly professional. I���m almost old enough to be her father.���

���Wouldn���t stop most men,��� Birch said with a chuckle.

���Well, I���m not most men. You should know that better than anyone. Anyway, about Anna, I���ll need you to send her the details so we can make travel arrangements for tomorrow.���

He could hear the groan on the other end of the line. ���I really hoped you could get down there as soon as possible. Maybe fly into Dallas today?���

���No deal, but I���ll drive there myself, leaving immediately, but only if you pay for my gas and my assistant���s expenses. I could be there first thing in the morning at the earliest.���

���Okay. But I prefer the old days when you didn���t try to bargain with me.���

���That���s what happens when you rise to fame. You become harder to work with and more expensive. Be lucky I didn���t ask for a raise.���

���Yeah, yeah. Don���t trip over your ego, Filmore. Just get your ass down to Texas and find that missing girl.���

Whit smiled. He had wanted to take his Falcon out on the road for a while, and with him not having to pay for gas, it made the idea much sweeter. ���Where exactly are you sending us?���

���Aldridge,��� he said. ���Aldridge, Texas.�����

���Sounds like a nice place.���

���I���ve been to better,��� he said. ���Pack some light clothing and bring your bug spray. You can thank me later.���

Whit could already tell this wasn���t going to be a glamorous trip, but he really didn���t really care about that. It was the thrill of solving a case and helping a family that made it worth the trouble. ���Thanks for the advice. We���ll leave today, and we should be there in the morning.�����

���I���ll send you the directions,��� said Kevin. ���Are you sure you don���t want to fly?���

���Oh, trust me. I���m going to fly. From one gas station to the next.��� He laughed as he hung up the phone. ���Anna!�����

She stuck her head around the door. ���Where is he sending you now?���

���Aldridge, Texas,��� he said. ���It���s a missing person case. And you���re going with me.���

She stepped into the doorway and folded her arms. ���Can we get a rental?���

���What���s the point of souping up a car if I have no intention of driving it? Besides, the Feds are paying for the gas, and I���ll be in a whole lot better company if I drive my own car.���

���Sounds like fourteen hours of fun,��� she said, looking at her phone.

���My driving isn���t that bad.���

Anna gave him a pointed look. ���Yeah. I���ll bring the Red Vines and a mild sedative.���

Whit got up from his desk. ���We���ll have to grab them on the way. We leave ASAP.���

���What about your next class?��� she asked, looking at her phone again. ���It starts in fifteen minutes.���

���I���ll call Dean Proctor and explain everything, but this is why I have Professor Morgan on speed dial. He loves filling in when I have a lecture. He���ll really like an extended opportunity to teach.���

���I���ll shuffle some things around, but you do realize I have other professors who may not like me dropping everything to follow you down south.���

So far, they had understood when he needed her help, and he didn���t see why this would be any different. ���I���ll talk to them. I���m sure they���ll help you out again. Besides, this is bigger and better.���

She didn���t look so sure of it. ���Okay, but if I don���t graduate, I���m coming after you.���

���You won���t fail. You may have to catch up, but think of the experience. It���s a real missing person���s case. Aren���t you excited?��� He tried to liven up his tone, despite the fact that he was leaving much more than his class behind. He would have to go even longer without seeing Emily.

Anna took a deep breath, stepped out of her shoes to plant her feet on the cold floor, and closed her eyes. She often did this type of spontaneous meditation, so Whit was used to it. He waited a moment, and she finally shook out her hands and opened her eyes. ���Okay, you���re right. This isn���t a bad thing. It���s an experience of a lifetime. Thank you, Professor, for pointing that out.���

Whit laughed. ���That���s the spirit.���

As Anna left the office to get ready, he walked over to the window with his phone. He dialed his daughter���s number and waited for her to answer. With any luck, he���d be back soon, and they���d get to spend some time together. He just hoped she wouldn���t need him while he was gone.

A Savage Presence is LIVE!

A Savage Presence is now LIVE! Enjoy the final installment in The Vip Club series.

Now that Connor Cohen is dead, Silas Cohen is free to live the life he wants. But there are still two men in the way.

When Enzo Juarez tries to make a new deal with Fiona, her good intentions get the best of her and she unexpectedly puts Silas in danger.

Can Alex’s connections save them this time? All bets are off when it’s every man for themselves in this series’ finale.

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Read Chapter 1 of A Savage Presence

Chapter 1
Fiona

Alex stood in the bathroom doorway, glaring at Fiona with angry eyes. “I said, what the hell are you doing?” He walked in and grabbed the metal box from her hands.

She scrambled back against the side of the tub, cowering from him. “I found it under the sink,” she said, blurting the first thing that came to mind. “I was looking for hand soap and noticed the bottom of the sink was crooked. I tried to fix it but found that instead.” 

Everything happened so fast. One minute, he had been in bed asleep, and the next, he was coming through the door. She thought maybe she could make him believe she stumbled upon the box on accident. It wasn’t a lie. She had found it by chance. He didn’t need to know she was looking for it.

But the gleam in his eyes told her he knew better. “Is this what you were looking for earlier when you showed up? When my landlord let you in? Did you think I wouldn’t put it together, Fiona? I knew something didn’t add up.”

That stupid running toilet had given her away. “What are you talking about?” Her eyes shifted to the floor and back at him. “I wasn’t in here earlier. I had just come because I wanted to make sure you weren’t with Honey, like I told you.”

He put the box back in the space and moved the board back in its place to cover it up. “You’re a horrible liar, Fiona. I knew you were up to something the minute I drove up and found you here. You thought I’d have a nice, long night with Honey, and you’d have time to snoop around. And before you lie again, let me remind you all I have to do is ask the motel manager.”

The old man would give her up in a heartbeat.

Alex stared through her. “My only question is, what the hell are you looking for?” He put the cleaners in their place and shut the door. “Well?”

Fiona knew there was no need to deny it. “I was looking for answers. I don’t trust you’ve been completely honest with me about what’s going on.” She rose to sit on the side of the tub, making sure to move slowly and with every intention of finding a way around him and out of the bathroom. If she could get out of there, she was going to run.

Alex huffed. “Obviously. You’ve been acting weird all night. Starting with showing up at the club with Juarez.” He gave her an accusing look that cut deep.

But she wasn’t going to go through that discussion again. “Don’t start! That’s not what this is about!” She had assumed the sex would have cured his stupid jealous tendencies. She got up and made a move for the door.

Alex turned and quickly trapped her against the wall, caging her in with his arms. Fiona winced away from him, which was something she never thought she’d do. “Why don’t you tell me what it’s about then?”

She tried to steady her breathing with a sigh. Alex wanted answers, but he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. She may as well confess. “There are papers in that box with Attorney Jonas Holbrook’s name on them. You just happened to have business with him, and I’m not supposed to think it has something to do with my father?” 

The look in his eyes grew colder. He shook his head and sighed. “So, you did manage to sneak a peek? I guess I can’t trust you either.”

“Just a small peek, enough to see the folder with Holbrook’s name on it. If I had time to open it, I wouldn’t be asking you questions. You’re doing business with him for my father, aren’t you?”

He stepped away but stayed between her and the door. “Fiona, remember way back when you first called me and how I told you to leave it alone?”

“Yes, and I’ve already told you I’m not going to do that. So, stop leaving me out in the cold.”

He put his hands on the bathroom counter and met her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. “You were just in my bed, Fiona, and it was hardly cold. I’ve let myself get too close to you already, and look how that’s gone.”

“Yeah, you’ve done a poor job of staying away, and look where we’ve ended up.” Fiona had a clear shot at getting out and running away, but she wanted answers. “The same way you can read me, I can read you. You’re not telling me everything. Do you think I can’t hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes?”

He turned and raised his hand to rake his hair back. “Because you don’t need to know everything. Or maybe I do it to keep you safe. Not that it ever occurs to you that’s important to me. You don’t consider my feelings when you make stupid moves.”

She was about to go out on a very narrow limb and hoped that doing so wouldn’t be pushing him too far. “Is that why you killed Rick? To keep me safe? Was it because he kept following me or because he told me the truth about you and everyone else?” 

She had just accused him of murder. Her head felt a bit light while she waited on his response.

Alex sighed, and finally, after a frustrated growl of disapproval, he responded. “He wasn’t your friend, Fiona. He was your stalker. And as I’ve already said, he had a lot of enemies. It could have been any number of them! And yet, you accuse me?” He pounded his fist beside her.

“So, it wasn’t suicide as I thought. You lied when you said that. Don’t deny it now.” She could see the look in his eyes, and he didn’t like that he’d just admitted it was murder. “Did you kill him?”

His shoulders slumped, and he walked through the door to the bathroom and back to his small room. “No, I didn’t. But yes, I lied to you about suicide. It wasn’t suicide, okay? You caught me. I lied to you, Fiona. Does that make you happy? Does it make you feel safe to be at work knowing that?”

He had told a lie to make her feel safer at her office. She followed him back to the room. “You can’t just keep lying to protect me, Alex. You have to be honest with me.”

“Like you’re honest with me? You came here to snoop around in my personal, hidden, and private lockbox. You wouldn’t like me doing the same, not for any reason.”

He was right about that, and maybe she had crossed the line, but if he had been honest with her, she wouldn’t have felt the need to.

“What business do you have with Holbrook? And does it pertain to my father in any way?” She just needed to know. If he explained, she could go back to those warm, fuzzy feelings with him.

But he was long past warm and fuzzy, by the set of his jaw. “It’s not your business. He’s my attorney, Fiona. I don’t have to tell you why or what it pertains to. I did suggest your father use Holbrook. But I can assure you, that’s the only common denominator. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong before you lose your pretty head.”

She reached for her shoes, quickly sitting down to pull one on. “I think you’re lying. I don’t think I’ll ever believe anything that comes out of your mouth.”

Alex gave a half-hearted chuckle. “Yeah, you will. You don’t like believing me, and you hate that deep down, you trust me to do what’s best for you, but you know it’s the truth.” He snatched her shoe out of her hands. “Where are you going? It’s late. You’re upset. You shouldn’t be driving.”

She snatched it back and quickly put it on. “This place is way too crowded at the moment. I’m going home. You were right, Alex. I should have listened to you from the start. The way you protected me, the way you denied even working on my father’s case, and how you were so quick to push me away. I should have known that you were already involved from the start.”

“You’re right. Maybe you should go. You just don’t get it.”

The only thing she didn’t get was why it had to be a secret. “Show me! Show me the papers and what they say. Show me you’re not involved.” Fiona didn’t understand why he couldn’t prove her wrong. Because she knew she was right. He just didn’t want to admit it.

“Do you really want the truth, Fiona? Because I don’t think you do. You don’t want to see the fucking papers. You don’t want to know what’s really going on, and thank God you didn’t really get a good look at them before I caught you.”

“I knew you weren’t going to show me,” she said. “So, look who doesn’t trust who now.”

Alex folded his arms in front of him. “Well, then I guess we have suspicions in common.”

“I guess we do. And tonight was a mistake, by the way.”

“I can’t argue with you there, sweetheart.” His voice was smug, and she hated it when he talked to her in that tone.

“Good! It won’t happen again.” Not that he would care either way.

He rolled his eyes as if that was a load of nonsense. “Yeah, sure. I’ll see you later. I’ll keep the bed warm for you.” 

His nonchalant attitude pissed her off even more. “I’m serious. We’re done, Alex! And yes, I want to trust you. I do. I used to dream we’d escape all of this together, leave this life behind us. But I know it’s not possible. Maybe if we were different people in a different time, it could work. But all I can do is move on and get away from all of this crime and death because I know I’m never going to be with you.”

His eyes lit with that realization. “Good, you can get the fuck out!” Alex went to the door and threw it open. “Go home, Fiona. And do me a favor, would you? Forget where I live.”

“With pleasure. At least on my own, I know I’m with someone I can trust.” She walked out the door. “I should have known I was a fool to ask for your help. You only ever want to help when it benefits you.”

“Yeah? Well, I feel the same way. So don’t call me!” He slammed the door behind her, causing her back to stiffen.

She turned and looked at it with tears in her eyes. It was the worst fight they’d ever had. And it was so final she really did feel all alone in the world.

Alex had always given her the belief that in spite of everything, he would always be there for her, but now it was back to the dark times, the way it had been when Jack first tore them apart. Even worse now. This ending was their choice.

When she got to the car, she opened the door and quickly got in, looking back up to the room where Alex now stood outside leaning against the rail.

He looked down at her with the same hard look he’d given her when she’d accused him of murder. She wiped her eyes and tried hard not to let any more come. Crying for him was not going to do any good. She could cry all of the tears in the world, and it wasn’t going to change who he was.

At least Alex still cared enough to make sure she got out of there okay, though it didn’t make it any less final. It wasn’t as if he had run down and begged her to stay. They were done. For once and finally.

She started the car and quickly drove away. If she couldn’t get answers from him, perhaps she’d get them from Holbrook. Like her father had always taught her, it never hurt to ask. She just hoped he would give her the answers she deserved.

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