Page 69 of Ambush

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Tupelo Grove University was showing its age and lack of funding. Blake noted the overgrown landscaping and weedy walkways. The massive tupelo trees in the quad needed limbs removed. He parked in the lot on Oak Lane. Only a few students were out and about.

He and Paradise got out of his truck, and he pointed out a gator sunning itself by the pond in the greenbelt. “There’s Boo Radley.”

She gasped and a delighted chuckle emerged. “He’s still here? He’s grown a lot.”

“He’s an icon around the school, and I think the students feed him even though they’re not supposed to.” He examined her face.“You got a little sun yesterday out fishing. I’m going to cook up our fish for dinner tonight.”

He pointed out the administrative building to Paradise and steered her that direction with a light touch on her elbow. They entered the wide hall with its soaring ceilings and followed the signs to the CFO’s office. A young woman in her early twenties greeted them. “May I help you?”

“We’re supposed to meet Savannah Webster here to chat with her sister. I’m her cousin, Blake Lawson.” While she and Hez weren’t remarried yet, it wouldn’t be long.

The secretary nodded. “I’ll let them know you’re here.” Her sneakers squeaked on the marble floor as she went to the tall door to Jess’s office and vanished inside.

Seconds later, the door opened and Savannah exited with a welcoming smile. “Blake, you made it. Come on in. Ms. Legare has a few minutes before her first meeting of the day, and I was about to clue her in to the issue.”

Jess’s secretary exited behind Savannah and stood out of the way for them to enter the office. Blake knew Jess and Savannah’s family ties ran deep at TGU. Jess rose from behind the desk. She wore a green sleeveless dress that contrasted with her blonde hair and deepened the flecks of green in her hazel eyes. Piles of paperwork covered her big desk and a window overlooked a green space with park benches under towering live oak trees.

Blake shook her hand. “This is the park’s vet, Paradise Alden.”

Jess indicated for them to have a seat in the chairs facing her desk. Savannah perched on the corner of the desk since there were only two seats.

“Welcome to TGU,” Jess said. Her curiosity about their visit hung in the air.

“I’ll try not to delay you, but I wondered if you could help us.I’m sure you know about the constant barrage of attacks at The Sanctuary.”

“Oh yes. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with it.”

“We had a new wrinkle over the weekend.” He told her about Nicole Grant and her claim she was working on a school project. “Her storycouldbe true, but it seemed a little too convenient.”

Jess frowned. “And if it was for a school project, she should have contacted you or your mother and asked permission. We certainly wouldn’t condone her taking coal or digging on your property without authorization.”

“Have you heard whether there might be a project like that in your geology department?”

“Hang on, let me see what classes she’s taking. I can direct you to her professor.” She jiggled the mouse on her desk and leaned toward her computer screen. After a few moments of study, Jess leaned back in her chair. “We don’t have a student named Nicole Grant. We have no Grants at all and no Nicoles. I checked in case she gave a false name.”

“I had a feeling her story was bogus.”

Savannah hopped off the edge of the desk and came around and hugged him. “You’ve been so good to Hez, and I’m grateful.”

“He’s like a brother instead of a cousin. I’m glad to see things are going so well for both of you.” He released her.

She turned to Paradise and hugged her too. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other, Paradise. I’ll walk the two of you out.” Savannah waggled her fingers at her sister. “Thanks, Jess.”

He and Paradise added their fervent thanks as well, and moments later the two of them stepped out into the sun as Savannah headed back to her office.

“I like her so much,” Paradise said.

“She’s great. I’ll tell you more about their story sometime.They’ve traveled some rough roads together and made it to the other side.” He walked with her back past the greenbelt toward his truck. “I’ll shoot Hez that plate number and see what he can discover about Nicole Grant.”

He opened the truck door for Paradise, and she slid in. He shut the door and noticed a man watching them. He climbed under the wheel of his truck. “See that guy across the pond? Do you recognize him? The tree shadows are hiding his face, so it’s more his shape that’s familiar.”

Paradise stared through the windshield at the figure who continued to watch them. “Let’s go find out.” She hopped out of the truck and started that way.

Blake followed and stepped in front of her. “Let me go first. He could have a weapon.”

“I don’t think he’s dangerous. He’s not running and doesn’t seem to mind that we’ve seen him.”

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