Free Matt by R. C. Ryan Page B

agree, I suppose it could be your refuge, but only until the trial ends. And the way the trial is going, that could be within another week or so.”
    “Or months.”
    At his daughter’s words he nodded. “Or months. But I believe it’ll be more like weeks. Could you handle another week or two in the Montana wilderness?”
    Hearing the plea in Elliott Kettering’s tone, Matt lifted a hand to halt Vanessa’s protest. “Since my grandmother was the one you’ve come to Montana to interview, it could be the perfect excuse to spend some time with her.” He winked at Gracie, who was listening as intently as the rest of the family. “If you’re lucky, you might even get invited along on one of her photo treks into the hills tracking her precious herds of mustangs.”
    At that, Vanessa’s eyes widened.
    They could all see the wheels turning in her mind.
    Her father leaned closer to the camera. “What do you say, Nessa? Are you willing to stay in Montana until the trial is over?”
    “I guess I have no choice. I can stay here and do what I love, or be stuck in a safe house somewhere, pacing the floor.”
    Elliott gave a long, deep sigh. “Thank you, my sweet Nessa.”
    “Will we be able to talk again?”
    The police captain shook his head. “The less contact your father has with you, the safer you are.”
    His next words were directed at the Malloy family. “I hope you understand that it’s my duty to have all of you thoroughly investigated. If there are any skeletons, this would be the time to reveal them before my investigators uncover them.”
    Matt spoke for all of them. “You’re welcome to do your job, Captain.”
    Elliott Kettering continued drinking in the image of his daughter on the phone’s FaceTime, as though memorizing every feature. “I can’t tell you what this means to me, Mr. Malloy.”
    “It’s Matt. And I’m happy to be of service, Mr. Kettering.”
    “It’s Elliott. I know I’m asking a great deal. This will be an intrusion on your family’s privacy. But all of you will have a worried father’s eternal gratitude.”
    The police captain’s face filled the screen. “Sheriff Graystoke, your number has been programmed into the cell phone for Miss Kettering. Vanessa, I can’t stress enough just how serious this threat is. If you sense any danger, or even something that doesn’t seem quite right, just turn on that phone and your location will be instantly relayed to your father and to our police headquarters. Even if you don’t have time to call, we’ll see this as a message from you. I’m going to disengage now. Say your good-byes quickly.”
    Elliott’s voice was deep with passion. “I love you, Nessa.”
    Vanessa gave a long, deep sigh before saying the thing she’d said to her father since she was a teen. “I love you more, Dad.”
    As the two lawmen quietly took their leave of the family, the image disappeared, and the line went dead.
    While Nessa sat with her chin in her hands, trying to digest all that she’d just heard, the Malloy family moved to the far side of the room, gathering around a fireplace surrounded by comfortable sofas and chairs, talking in low tones, giving her the privacy she deserved.
      
    Grace sat by the fire, allowing the men to carry on a muted conversation while she studied the young woman alone at the table. Vanessa Kettering was obviously distraught by the news she’d just received, and struggling to make sense of it. But to her credit, she hadn’t dissolved in tears or allowed herself to be overcome by fear. Instead she was sitting as still as a statue, her only movement a finger going around and around the rim of her empty cup. Probably mimicking a quick mind mulling every little nuance of the words so recently spoken.
    Grace turned to her father. “Do you remember that movie you directed with that British actress? The one who showed up late every morning, keeping an entire cast and crew waiting?”
    Nelson frowned. “Hillary Burnside.