Chapter Seven

Rebecca stepped off the plane, and waved to Charles who stood somberly by the limousine. He didn't wave back, but walked to the back and opened the trunk for their bags.

Morgan whistled, "I'll give you credit for the best ride." He said as admired the sleek, black car.

Rebecca smiled, "I have a very efficient staff and one motto when you come to Magnolia Ridge, Agent Morgan."

Derrick grinned, "What's that?"

"Nothing but the best," David replied as he stepped into the limo.

Emily adjusted her bag, and said to no one, "What's his problem?"

Rebecca glanced at Aaron, whose mouth was drawn in a pencil thin line. Aaron wasn't overly fond of rude.

Rebecca placed her hand on his arm, and leaned closer to him, "Aaron, this is hard for him."

She felt the warmth of his hand as he covered hers, "No, I don't suppose it is." He whispered before helping her into the car.

The ride to Magnolia Ridge was mostly quiet except for the ooohhh's and ahhhs of Emily and JJ as they passed by plantation homes that had been renovated.

"These homes' are beautiful," Emily sighed.

"Humph", Derrick growled.

"Who peed in your cereal this morning?" Emily asked, punching him playfully in the arm.

"Come on, Emily. Who do you think built the original homes?"

"What do you mean?" JJ asked.

"I mean – slaves. Black men and women, s-l-a-v-e-s."

Aaron gave Rebecca a quick nod.

"You might be interested to know Agent Morgan that the home to your right is Coal Manor. Own by Captain Benjamin Colton."

Morgan glanced at the home, "Yeah?"

"Captain Colton was a doctor in Confederate Army."

"So?"

Reid spoke next, "He was a black doctor in the Confederate Army. He returned from the war and began to build a series of plantation style homes for wounded soldiers."

"He built all these homes?" Morgan asked; his interest piqued.

Rebecca nodded, "Yes. He built them for black and white soldiers."

Morgan nodded, "Okay, so he was a cool dude."

Rebecca smiled, "A very cool dude. He started a school for anyone with the desire to learn to read and write. Neither race, nor age mattered to Dr. Colton. And since most of those who'd fought in the war had little to no education, Captain Colton opened his school to everyone. You only had to want an education."

"It's why this area is known as Colton County." Reid smiled.

Morgan glanced out the window and back at Rebecca. "He didn't judge people."

Rebecca smiled as she shook her head, "No Derrick, he didn't."

Rebecca looked up and caught Aaron's smile before he buried himself in a file.

She decided, since David was so distant, to continue explaining about the town and its people.

"Most everyone knows everyone else here. It's a small town, mostly retiree's. However, we do get a lot of hikers during the early spring."

"Hikers?" JJ asked, "But it's so rugged. You'd have to be in great shape to climb these hills."

Rebecca laughed, "Oh after a couple of months you get in shape pretty quick. But the hikers we get are hard core. They come in the spring determined to climb the Appalachian Trail."

"Determined?" Emily asked.

"The Appalachian Trail is over two-thousand miles; over four million people come to enjoy the trail each year. Most come for the scenery, some for the nature, and others just to enjoy the beauty of the mountains."

"And one to kill."

All eyes turned to David Rossi.

"Yes," Rebecca sighed.

"This time he won't stop until he has what he wants." David looked out the window. His remark was for the group but Rebecca felt it chill her to the bone.

"What does he want?" Morgan asked.

Rebecca stiffened.

"Me."