The Ghosts of a Centaur: Centaur Agency, #2

By A.S. McGowan

Stella left one life behind for another. Finding happiness in a new world, Stella never thought anything could destroy her new life. Until a package arrived containing a severed head. The threat was clear and the stakes were high. Leaving her new life behind, Stella hoped her choice would protect her loved ones.                          

 

Now twelve years later, someone had discovered Stella's identity. People she loves are starting to die at the hands of a very cold and calculated killer. Forced out of hiding, Stella moves fast to protect her family. Can the Centaur Agency discover the identity of the killer in time? Or will Stella lose everyone she has ever loved?

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.S. McGowan
• Release date: Mar 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9798201239169

Book preview

Chapter 1

July 2001

Stella put the last cupcake topper on the pink frosted, cupcake she was holding. Putting the cupcake down next to the other nineteen, she stood and placed the crystal serving tray on the kitchen island. Stepping back, she glanced around and admired the newly remodeled kitchen. She loved the way Analise’s mother had decorated the kitchen years ago, but she had to admit the changes Analise made were refreshing. The white walls, white cabinets, and stainless steel appliances gave the room a modern look. Analise had topped it all off with trimming the room in red, then added a red accent wall to the side of the room where the French doors led out onto the deck. Pulling herself back from her musings, she left the kitchen and headed upstairs to get ready for the baby shower. If she hurried, she could be done before any of the guests arrived.

She finished her shower in no time. Sitting at her vanity, she brushed out her shoulder length brown hair. At forty-four years old, she was still an attractive woman. She knew this yet her age was starting to show with the small lines now accentuating her brown eyes. She never thought of herself as a vain person; in fact, she had been raised to avoid anything that resembled vanity. Despite this, she always took care to apply just the right amount of makeup to reduce the appearance of those pesky fine lines. Hearing the knock at the door, she ran the brush through her hair one last time.

Opening the door, she was grateful to see that it was Analise’s three friends from San Antonio and not the ladies from the country club. She was not ready to deal with those women just yet. In fact, she had thought seriously about not inviting them. However, for Analise’s sake, she invited them. Ushering the three women into the house, she pointed toward the living room.

You can set the gifts right over there on that table.  With the high back chair, right there, Analise can sit and someone can hand her the gifts. Stella told them.

That sounds like a wonderful idea. How is she holding up? Elle asked.

She probably looks like a beached whale by now, Meredith offered.

She is holding up really good. In fact, she has barely gained any weight. First pregnancy and all it is expected that she would stay small longer, Stella told them.

By the way, where is she? Suzy asked as she unloaded her arms of the gifts she was carrying.

Matt took her and the baby into town for lunch. That allowed me to finish everything up and hopefully all the guests to arrive before they get back.

I was not too shocked when she told me that she wanted to adopt that baby. I remember how she acted after I told her the baby’s momma died during surgery. We sure do miss her at the hospital, Elle said.

Analise adores that little boy. Matt sure did jump right into fatherhood with that baby. To watch the two of them, you would never know the little boy was not biologically their own, Stella said as she straightened the food on the buffet table.

At some point, little Matthew and the new baby will look like twins. After all, they will only be around eight or nine months apart. It will be sweet because they will have each other to play with. There is an upside to twins, Suzy commented. Her hand went to her stomach.

Stella did not miss the other woman’s tone or actions. You’re pregnant!

How did you know? I was waiting to tell anyone...

The other two women began to talk at once. Stella was caught up in the moment and even hugged the other woman. Suzy was a good person, and Stella wanted her to have the happiness she deserved. The knock at the door pulled her away from the other women. In no time, all the guests had arrived and were conversing while waiting for their guest of honor.

Noise from the doorway had Stella looking, she spotted Matt and Analise coming into the room. Smiling she made her way over to them. The guest of honor has arrived.

Stella, look at all this. Everything looks perfect. Analise hugged her.

Pulling back from the hug, Stella moved out and took the little boy from Matt. As they made their way into the room for Analise and Matt to greet the guests, Stella snuggled the little boy close. Kissing his cheeks, she placed him into his baby swing. A press of the button and the baby was content to swing away while the grown-ups visited.

The baby shower went along smoothly as they played various baby shower games. During this time the ladies all made quick work of the appetizers on the buffet table. Stella had always found that when she set up food for any party, there was never very much left over. It was an ego boost to know that everyone enjoyed her food so much.

When it was time to open the gifts, Stella had Analise sit in the chair by the gift table. Stella had offered to let Matt hand the gifts to his wife. Matt, however, declined and was happy to sit away from the women and just observe. So, Stella stood next to Analise and passed her the gifts one at a time. The gifts Analise had received so far were lovely items fit for any little baby princess. Everyone had gone all out on their gift shopping and appeared to be having a good time today. Even baby Matthew sat contently in his baby swing. Handing another gift bag to Analise, Stella found her mind wandering. To another time, to another baby shower.

Emma, open this one, Lacey said. She held up a small box neatly wrapped in baby blue wrapping paper.

If I know you, Lacey, this is going to be good, Emma said. Opening the box, Emma pulled out a pair of white high-top baby shoes.

For when he is old enough to start walking. You want his ankles supported, Lacey told her.

These are really nice, Lacey. Thank you. Holding the tiny pair of shoes in her hand, she was fascinated with the craftsmanship. Feeling a sharp thump, she rubbed her stomach where her unborn son had just kicked her.

The other women present agreed that Lacey was right. She needed to make sure that her son’s ankles were supported. Always make sure he has high-tops on when he is walking. Lacey passed Emma another gift. Inside, Emma found baby socks and one piece body suits.

It was hard to imagine that the tiny human life inside her, would be small enough to wear any of these outfits. In reality,she knew babies were very small, but the one growing inside her felt huge. She was anxious to meet her tiny son and in a few short weeks, he would make his grand entrance into the world. That thought scared her. Ever since she announced she was pregnant she had been bombarded with all sorts of horror stories related to childbirth. No one really was offering her any sound advice on what to do, just telling her how painful it was and how messy it can get.

Stella was pulled away from her musings by the sounds of baby Matthew crying. Before she could get to the little boy, his daddy grabbed him up. Matt settled down in one of the chairs to feed Matthew. Stella started to hand another gift to Analise.

Really Analise, why do you insist on doing this. You really need to hire a nanny, Nancy Peters said.

Matt and I both agreed that we would raise our children hands on. No nannies, Analise informed her.

Well I understand the raising of your children hands-on, but Analise, seriously that is not your child. That is some ethnic charity case. So, hire the nanny and let her tend that boy.

Mrs. Peters, that boy is not a charity case. He is my son. Her voice remained calm.

I honestly think she just needs to send him back to Mexico where he belongs, Grace Jenkins said.

He was born in the United States, he is a U.S. citizen, Stella informed the women.

Only because that woman had the nerve to sneak into the country and drop him here, Grace Jenkins said.

Why are you even in here? Nancy Peters asked. I mean, this is a baby shower for Analise. The hired help really should not be attending the party, Analise. It is poor form. Didn’t your mother teach you anything?

So, true. I never allowed the hired help to attend the party as if they were a guest, Connie McDonald piped up from where she sat. Standing, she moved over next to her friends.

Stella is not hired help. She is like a mother to me. So of course, she would be here. Analise struggled to stand up.

Your mother allowed you too much freedom in how you associated with the housekeeper. Seriously, she should have taught you better. Nancy Peters began smoothing her hair into place.

My mother taught me just fine. This is my baby shower, and I want my son and Stella here with me.

Well I can tell you right now Analise, that boy will grow up and kill Matt and you. Poor Stella here is the hired help and would probably end up getting the blame, Grace Jenkins continued.

Get out of my house! Right now! Analise moved to stand in front of the three former friends of her mother.

Why I have never in my life! Nancy Peters huffed.

Yes, I know that you have probably never ever anything in your life. So, take your never ever butt out of my house!

Analise, you can consider yourself unwelcome at the country club. I will personally see you and Matt are removed from the membership, Nancy Peters touted. With that, all three women marched out of the room.

Oh my, what have I done? Analise turned to face Stella.

Stella smiled at her. You did what any mother would have done when someone insulted their child. Stella turned when she heard Analise’s three best friends begin to laugh. Looking over at Matt, she saw him smiling at his wife. There was even a bemused expression on Savannah’s face. If she were lucky, she would never have to deal with any more of those snobbish country club women again. With Analise’s outburst, she felt luck was surely on her side.

***

After the party, Stella settled down into one of the chairs and propped her feet up. All in all, she had to admit it was a very nice baby shower. Even with Analise finally having enough of those snobs to stand up and say something. She was proud of the young woman. Many people saw the soft sweet Analise who was so much like her mother had been. Stella however, knew that Analise was also very much her father’s daughter. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

The sound of breaking glass and Matt’s screams had her jerking right up in her seat. Jumping up, she ran towards the kitchen. Stunned, she watched Matt in the far corner of the kitchen behind the table, with Analise standing by the counter, plate in hand. Before she could grasp what, she was seeing, Analise threw the plate at Matt. The kitchen was in chaos. Matt was screaming, Analise was reaching for another plate. Moving quickly, she grabbed Analise’s arm before she could throw another plate.

Matt, you need to leave, Stella told him.

She is nuts. One second she is all happy the next, she is throwing plates at me. He made a quick exit from the kitchen.

Looking at the young woman, she watched her burst into tears. Stella wrapped her arms around her and just held her. When it