Chapter 269

When we arrived at the restaurant that evening, Gray’s wasn’t as full as usual, but there was still a crowd eager to enjoy Chef Gray’s delicious recipes.

Our reserved table near the artificial waterfall was ready, and the hostess seated us immediately.

Like the carpeting and silk wallpaper, the waterfall was new. Before the attack, Mr. Gray had made many new improvements to the decor and added skilled staff.

“This seems like a nice place,” Penny said. It was obvious that she was nervous, but I could understand her discomfort.

“Wait until you taste the food,” William told her. “It’s fantastic. And I want you to meet Amy and her boyfriend, Justin, as soon as they return to Denhurst.”

“They want to return before the new term starts at the city college,” I said. “Amy and Justin are enrolled there.”

“I thought she was applying at the same colleges as you,” William said. “Did she change her mind to be with Justin? With his family connections, he could get into any school he wants.”

I kept my voice lowered. “Even though Amy had better grades than me, they all rejected her almost immediately after receiving her application.”

“That happens to many Betas and Omegas,” Penny said. “I scored in the top ten percent of my aptitude tests, but none of the good colleges want me.”

“Amy is a hybrid,” William told her.

Penny shrugged. “That’s not much better in many Alphas' eyes. Most Alphas aren’t like you three.”

The table grew silent, and I thought it was a good time to ask about Penny’s mother.

“Penny, tell us about your family,” I said. “Are they from Hayburg?”

“No,” she replied. “I was born there, but my mom and dad are from Denhurst. They moved because Dad received a good job offer as a factory foreman in Hayburg. He was a footman here, and my mom was a maid.”

“What’s your mom and dad’s names?” I asked while trying not to appear too interested.

But Penny didn’t mind talking about her family. “My dad is Clint Carter,” she replied. “He still works in the same factory in Hayburg. Mom took her maiden name back after their divorce last year, so she’s Tina Fuller again.”

“My mother mentioned hiring a new maid named Tina Fuller a few months ago,” Victor said.

“Oh, that’s right.” Penny blushed again. “Your mom is Lana Klein. She is my mother’s employer.”

“Mom says she’s nice and an excellent worker,” Victor said.

The table was quiet again. Even though Victor tried to put her at ease, poor Penny was embarrassed to discover her mother was Victor‘s parents’ maid.

I was sure I could fix it.

“Penny, did you know I used to work here?” I said.

“You did?” Penny’s light blue eyes widened.

“That’s right. We met here,” Victor added.

“But I thought you were from a rich Alpha family,” Penny shook her head in disbelief. “Your father is Alex Wilson. Why would you work as a waitress?”

I told her my story. Living away from Denhurst, she hadn’t heard it before. She laughed and cringed when I told her how Victor and I met.

“You threw up on him!” she repeated for the second time. “I would have died of embarrassment.”

Victor snorted. “Yeah, and you should have seen her face when I showed up at her adoptive parent’s house and told her I was her fiancé.”

Our table erupted in laughter.

I grinned, remembering that day. “It’s funny now, but I wasn’t okay about it back then.”

“Daisy has changed a great deal since that time,” William said. “She was a shy introvert and kept to herself and her friend Amy.”

“But she still had a temper,” Victor said with a grin. “She let me know from the beginning that she wasn’t going to marry me. I had to try hard to win her affections.”

Our conversation was interrupted when our waiter brought our meals and placed them in front of us.

“Everything looks and smells so delicious,” Penny said. She squeezed William's hand. “I’m glad you brought me here tonight.”

As we dug into our meals, I decided that I had to meet Penny’s mother. I would drop by Lana’s and ask if I could meet her.

Lana knew all about my investigation. I could tell her why I wanted to meet her new maid, Tina Fuller.

But I would have to be careful not to let William find out that I was investigating Penny’s mother as a murder and attempted murder suspect. It could cause William’s feelings to be hurt or make Penny think I was jealous of her relationship with him.

William was happy. I wanted him to stay that way.

My thoughts drifted to Andrew. I must have another conversation with him as soon as I could. He insisted he loved Deirdre, but how many of the household staff did he have an affair with back then?

Was it possible that he tricked Deirdre into loving him with promises of love and a future together, but he got rid of her because he didn’t want to settle down and raise a baby?

It’s been done before. I saw a movie based on a real murderer who had a similar motive. The male killed his mate and their unborn child. And that couple had been married!

I tried to make small talk as we ate our dinner, but my mind wouldn’t stop chewing on all the new information I’d received today.

If Andrew had killed Deirdre, he belonged in prison. But who was the other red wolf?

Amy said one of them was female. Was it Martha or Pat?

Andrew being one of the red wolves made sense when I thought of how they mauled Mr. Gray and left Amy unhurt.

The more I thought about it, the more I had to know if Andrew had been lying about his love for Deirdre. She was the mother of his child. Was he her killer?

When our waiter stopped at our table to inquire about dessert, we ordered the chocolate soufflé. But there was something I wanted more than sweets.

Before the waiter left, I asked if Andrew Archer was in the restaurant this evening.

“He’s in the kitchen office doing paperwork,” the waiter told me. “Do you want him to come out to speak to you?”

“No,” I said. “I’ll go back and find him.”

The waiter nodded. “Very good, Miss Wilson.”

He walked away from our table and returned to the kitchen. I was sure the waiter would tell Andrew I wanted to speak to him, and I wanted it to be a surprise.

“I hope you all don’t mind, but I must speak to Andrew,” I said.

“We don’t mind,” William said.

Victor nodded his agreement.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I said and got up from the table.

I went to the kitchen, where the sous chef and his assistants greeted me politely. Then, I went past the large pantry to the kitchen office door near the walk-in freezer.

The lights were on, but no one was inside the small office.

I returned to the kitchen and inquired as to Andrew’s whereabouts.

“You just missed him,” the sous chef said. “He went out the back door a second before you entered the kitchen. He drives a red Nissan. If it’s parked in the alley somewhere, he’s still here.”

“Maybe I can catch him,” I said and hurried out the back door. “He owns a red Nissan,” I mumbled. “That’s interesting.”

Now I had to find him. I was determined to discuss Penny’s mother with him. And it would be hard for me to get to sleep tonight without the truth about his feelings for Deirdre.

There was no red Nisson in sight, but Mr. Gray’s old pickup was parked in its usual spot near the kitchen door. I looked up at the Gray’s apartment windows and felt a rush of sadness. It felt so dark and empty.

Even though they were enjoying themselves at the beach, it was sad that my friends had to leave their lives behind because of rogue wolves trying to hide their crimes.

I didn’t see Andrew anywhere or his car. Maybe it was further up the alley. The kitchen staff liked to keep the space around the kitchen door open for deliveries.

Making my way to the alley, I looked both ways, trying to spot Andrew’s car.

It wasn’t there. But before I could return to the kitchen, a fierce snarl from the shadows made my hair stand on end.

I froze where I stood as two low forms slunk out of the shadows and surrounded me.

It was the red wolves, and I could feel their hatred and desire to kill thick in the air.