“Says he was looking for his father. This is dated a month ago, but no information after that.”
Micha looked up. “So he didn’t know who his dad was. Must’ve meant Holly kept it from him.”
“Or he could’ve been conceived in a one-night stand kind of thing, and she didn’t know the guy,” Ava said. “I mean if she did know, she didn’t strike me as the kind of person who wouldn’t tell her son who his father was.”
“Unless the father was trouble and she was protecting Layne.”
“Yeah, I could see her not wanting him to know the guy in that case.” Micha got out his camera and snapped pictures of the pages in the file. “His login and password for the site are written on the folder. When we get back, we can check out his account to see if he’s uploaded his DNA to the ancestry site and had any matches.”
“Do you think the father could be involved somehow?”
“Could be, but it’s a long shot. I can’t see a motive.”
“Yeah, surely he wouldn’t expect any of the inheritance when he’s been an absent father. Nor would he care that Layne only got half.”
“Still, I’d like to find out who he is and if he’s in the picture, if we can.” Micha finished taking photos. “I’ll also send the DNA report to Sierra right now to compare to their results.”
He concentrated on his phone, tapping away, then pocketed it and took the file back to the cabinet.
She sat down behind the desk and opened the top drawer. “Bingo. A contact list for his LARPing group members.”
She ran down the list. “Jamal’s on here, but I don’t see any other names I recognize.”
“Take a picture of it, and we’ll have Colin put them into his search criteria.”
“Their specialties are listed next to their names.” A cold chill washed over her, and she looked up. “Jamal’s specialty is medieval weapons.”
“Makes sense with his prints on the catapult.” Micha rested his arms on the open drawer and held her gaze. “What does Layne specialize in?”
She turned the page and located his name. “Oh, my goodness. Wow! Tracking and stalking.”
She looked up to see Micha’s jaw tighten. “Then that makes him a worthy adversary who we need to take seriously if we want to keep you safe.”
Her gut cramped, and she looked back at the page to confirm she hadn’t made a mistake and read someone else’s specialty. But there it was in black and white in the grid pattern that made it impossible to read wrong.
Holly’s son specialized in tracking and stalking, the top two skills also employed by the person who was trying to end her life.
15
Four hours later as they approached Ava’s cabin, the rain let up, giving her a clear look at the small log building nestled in a grove of tall evergreens. She’d been eager to arrive for the entire drive. Not only to see the cabin but also to check for DNA matches on Layne’s ancestry account.
She removed her seatbelt and scooted ahead to look between the seats. Colin sat behind the wheel, and Micha had taken shotgun, but for once she didn’t look at Micha. Only had eyes for the cabin. How she loved this place. Her cousin had lovingly built and cared for this property. He was ten years older than Ava, an attorney who worked hard and played hard. He’d never married, and he spent all of his free time here.
Nothing had changed since she’d last stayed here. At least what she could see in the dark. But Danny always kept the logs freshly treated with a cinnamon color stain and the slate black metal roof in good condition. A flagstone path led up to the red front door, the path lined with hostas and other shade-loving plants. Of course, Danny always had a welcoming light on outside, but that was impossible without the electricity being turned on.
Micha leaned forward to stare out the front window. “Nice place.”
“I have very fond memories of staying here with my cousin.” Maybe until the end, but then dying was a part of living, too, and she, more than others, knew that.
“I hope this situation doesn’t ruin that for you,” Micha said.
She’d thought of the same thing. “Guess it depends on what ends up happening here.”
Micha turned to look at her. “If I have my way, nothing bad will occur. Layne might be skilled in stalking, but we can track his vehicle and be forewarned if he comes here. Still, it’s possible he could figure out we placed a tracker and remove it, so we won’t rely only on that and let our guard down where he’s concerned.”
“Do you think he killed Jamal?” she asked.
Micha worked the muscles in his jaw. “I honestly don’t know, but I’m leaning in his direction after hearing about his specialties.”
