by V.
happen here. He’s big news. And the fact that he appeared out of nowhere isn’t very reassuring either.”
“What makes you so sure he’s not violent or that he won’t invite violence into our lives?”
Conrad smiled and pulled the chair out for his wife. “Because you would’ve alerted us.”
She didn’t sit down but instead turned to him. “How can you be so sure? ’m not.”
Conrad cocked his head and eyed his wife—his look implying the answer was obvious.
Sarah stared back, her eyebrows raised. “What?”
Conrad nudged her toward her chair. “C’mon, sit down.”
“No, you sit down. I’ll bring the casserole out. Answer my question.” “Darling, you sit. I’ll serve.” He gently pushed his wife down onto the chair and kissed the top of her head.
“You can’t be that certain about my abilities.”
“Oh, but I am.”
“Why?”
“Because, if there were any danger to us, you would’ve sensed it by now, and you’d be scared. But you aren’t. All these weeks you haven’t even thought about it.”
“And you have?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“No need.”
She pulled her husband toward her, and kissed his lips. “I do love you, even if you’re so frustratingly sure of yourself.. .and me.”
“Thank goodness for that. On both counts.” Conrad disappeared into the kitchen.
Sarah smiled as she served the salad.
Moments later Conrad returned with the casserole, placed it on the hotplate on the table and sat across from his wife. “I am worried about Williams, though. I don’t like his attitude at all. He’s nothing but trouble.”
“He can’t hurt us,” Sarah said nonchalantly as she cut the casserole and served it.
“He can if he decides to turn folks against Daniel and us.”
Sarah froze—holding the serving spoon in midair—paralyzed by a flood of memories.
Conrad took the spoon and gently held her hand. “What is it? What happened?”
Sarah turned to him as tears ran down her cheeks. “When I was six—” “Damn. I shouldn’t have told you. I didn’t mean to remind you of—” “All I did—”
“Yes, darling, you’ve told me.”
But Sarah couldn’t stop herself. “—was tell my friend Lindsay how sorry I was that her uncle had hurt her.”
“I get it.”
“It was her sixth birthday party. She was a month younger than me and...” Sarah’s sobs came in fierce bursts.
“Calm down, darling.”
Sarah shook her head and leaned forward. “Everyone heard me describe how he’d raped her. I didn’t understand what I was saying. Lindsay screamed that she’d said nothing—”
“Please, Sarah, you’ve told me this before, it’s—”
Sarah put her hand up as she gulped her tears down. “First they labeled me a liar and said I made it all up. Then when George went to jail and Lindsay’s mom killed herself—”
“You were a little girl. You didn’t mean to—”
“My family was shunned. Everyone said this business of ‘seeing things’ in my head was sinful, that I was possessed by the devil. Because of me we had to move away.” She turned to Conrad, a look of despair imprinted across her face. “Because of me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, of course I do. It traumatized you. You should—”
“No, that’s not it. Williams can—”
“He can’t revive that. And even if he tries to, you didn’t—”
“No, it’s not about that. It’s.” she paused.
“What?” Conrad came around the table.
“Because of me he can turn everyone against us.”
“Hush.” He wrapped his wife tightly in his arms. “Even back then, it wasn’t your fault. And Williams won’t—” he stopped and took a breath. “I will never let that happen.”
Bolstered by her husband’s determination, Sarah stared deep into his eyes. A look of utter resolve came over her. “Neither will I.”
CHAPTER 6
The moon painted streaks of white across the tranquil waters of Amaray Lake, pushing away the shadows in a secluded cove. Under the silvery hue, the nocturnal sounds of nature echoed and the sound of rustling leaves approached the shore.
A smiling Danny emerged from the nearby woods. In a flash he shed his shirt, shoes, and socks, dropped his pants and underwear and plunged naked into the lake. He broke through the surface of the cool water without a care, cavorting with abandon, enjoying the freedom of communion with nature. To catch his breath he floated belly up, scrutinizing the stars.
He allowed the gentle waves to carry him along, until an unexpected noise from behind the trees on shore startled him. He stopped and listened. When the noise came again he held his breath and stared intently into the dark forest.
To his dismay, the stranger from the Jeep emerged from the density of trees and sauntered down to the edge of the lake directly toward Daniel. He stood silently for a moment before lighting a cigarette. Only then did he address the boy.
“Hi. I’m Alexander.”
The boy remained immobile, his freedom transformed into vulnerability.
“And you’re Danny, right?”
Wondering what escape might be available to him Danny glanced at his pile of clothes and back to Alexander. With nowhere to go, he stared at the man.
Alexander ripped off his clothes and dove into the water, disappearing into the blackness. Moments later he popped up right in front of Danny, startling him and causing him to paddle fiercely away.
Alexander swam ahead, cutting off his retreat. “So you’re a nature lover, Master Danny?”
The boy glanced toward the shore, sizing up his chances of escape.
Alexander laughed. “Not to mention that gorgeous creature that kissed you at the picnic, huh? Tasty morsel, that one.”
Danny slowly eased toward the shore.
Alexander followed. “You’re wondering, ‘who the hell is this guy’? I’m wondering, ‘should I tell him, or let him sweat it?’” Alexander disappeared abruptly under the water.
Danny turned in all directions searching for the unwelcome intruder, then started toward the shore. After a few strokes, he looked around for Alexander who had been under the water an alarming length of time, but only the moon’s reflection stared back at him.
Alexander breached the water next to Danny, air bursting from his lungs in a great explosion. “Wow! Love the buzz you get when you hold your breath for a long time.” Gasping, he swam around the boy like a shark circling its prey.
Danny moved away, keeping an eye on him, determined to maintain a safe distance between them.
“Hell, I haven’t been skinny dipping in years.” Alexander laughed. “And at midnight. It’s great. What a blast. Thanks, Danny boy, what a gift.” He dove once again only to emerge moments later directly in front of him.
He grabbed his shoulders and the boy’s eyes widened.
“Right about now you’re pretty worried wondering who the hell this crazy bastard is.” Alexander smiled, released Danny and slid under the water.
Danny glanced about, certain that this lunatic was going to materialize and latch on to him. He made a fist in preparation for any needed self-defense. As the seconds ticked by he made his way toward shore using his legs and keeping his arms and fists at the ready.
Alexander reappeared a few feet from the boy and floated along belly up. Water droplets clung to the abundant hair that covered his body, made him sparkle in the moonlight like some mythological creature of the deep.
“Not to worry, my young friend. I mean you no harm. I’m a writer. Or so my agent tells me. A frustrated writer is more accurate. My publisher says I owe him for some advances and he demands that I write a fucking novel as my contract demands. I rented the log cabin up by the creek for the summer to fulfill my o
bligations. That, in a nutshell, is who I am, my young friend.”
Danny stopped, but remained on his guard.
Alexander backstroked toward him. “And you are Danny, who spies on young lovers when they make out, steps on beautiful girls when he dances, and is passionately kissed by older women. Oh, and as of now, Alexander Pit—wait.. .no need for last names. They only get in the way and drag you to the bowels of hell.”
Danny’s eyes widened in astonishment as Alexander held out his hand.
“Wait. You can’t be Alexander Pit—”
“No last names! You’re forbidden!” Alexander chuckled and swam around Danny forcing him to turn in circles to keep up.
“So, Master Danny, you’re a reader. A romantic. A dreamer. I should’ve guessed.”
“I read your book. I’ve read Rainbow of-—”
“Stop!” Alexander demanded. “Do not let me hear the title of that damn novel.”
“But—”
“No buts. I refuse to hear it.”
“Well, I’ve read.it five times. Honest I have. I saw the movie, too.”
Abruptly, Alexander stopped swimming and glared at Danny. “I hated that stupid flick.”
“It wasn’t as good as the book, but I liked it.Boy! I can’t believe this. You’re Alexander Pi—sorry. I can’t believe it.”
“Shush! Only for you I am. Nobody else.” He looked Danny squarely in the eyes. “You can’t tell anyone I’m here. Not a soul. Promise me.”
Danny held Alexander’s gaze for several moments deciding if he meant what he’d said. Clearly, he did.
“No one would believe me, anyway. You’re supposed to be dead. You died in Spain.”
“That’s right. I’m getting cold sitting here talking. Race you to shore.”
Alexander slapped Danny on the shoulder and off they went. Danny swam past Alexander with ease then waited for him to catch up. As they emerged from the lake, Alexander bent down to catch his breathe, but broke into a coughing fit.
“Are you okay?”
When his cough ceased, he finally answered. “No. I’m never okay,” Alexander sputtered. “Okay means death.” He exploded with laughter. C mon.
They picked up their clothes and marched off into the darkness.
“No, Sarah, I have no recollection of living near a lake,” Daniel answered. “Why do you ask?”
He stood behind the counter in Conrad’s store, his face still colored by lingering bruises.
Sarah smiled nonchalantly. “Just throwing things out there hoping to jar your memory.” She glanced around. “Where’s Tom?”
“He’s in the storage room. You need any more ingredients? I can get them for you.”
“No, I only wanted to thank him for getting all this ready for me,” she took the box from the counter. “You’re healing nicely, by the way.”
Now that the swelling had subsided, and the scars from the scratches on his face had almost vanished, Daniel’s good looks were becoming apparent. Somewhere around his mid to late forties, he had a professorial air about him, most likely aided by the wool pants and corduroy jacket he liked to wear, although the rimless glasses and uncombed ash-blond hair also helped.
“Doc says I’m on the mend.”
“Looks like you’ve settled in quite well.”
“Conrad and Tom have made it easy for me. Besides, I enjoy working here. All I need now is to get my memory back. Need any help carrying that stuff?”
“No, I can manage, thank you. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll start remembering soon enough. Well, I’m off. Please thank Tom for me. Until tonight.”
“Bye.”
She exited the store.
Daniel adjusted his glasses up and down, trying to focus on an inventory spreadsheet.
“We need to find you a different pair of glasses,” Tom said as he emerged from the storeroom with a slew of boxes.
“Hey, let me help you with those.” Daniel tossed his glasses onto the counter and limped toward Tom, the wound in his leg not yet fully mended.
“No need, I got it. Take it easy or you’ll only hurt yourself again.”
Daniel returned to the spreadsheet, put on his glasses, and frowned. “You’re right; these glasses aren’t quite doing the trick. Maybe something stronger will work. By the way, Sarah came by to pick up her groceries and asked me to thank you for getting it all together.”
Tall and rugged like his father, Tom had wavy black hair, intense grey eyes, and an easy, unassuming charm. He sorted the boxes on the counter by size and product. “Check in the drawer behind the counter.”
Daniel opened the drawer and pulled out a box with glasses of all shapes and sizes. “What are these for?”
Tom smiled at him as he placed items on their appropriate shelves. “Customers forget their glasses all the time, so we keep a bunch on hand to lend. Those you’re wearing are the ones Doc picked for you from this drawer. Aren’t they any good?”
“They’re okay, but I’m having trouble focusing clearly.” He sorted through the glasses trying each pair. “I’m getting dizzy with all these changes,” he chuckled.
Tom came over to Daniel and grabbed a pair. “See this little number on the side here?”
Daniel shook his head.
“Put on the glasses Doc got for you. Now do you see the number?” Daniel nodded. “The ones you’ve been wearing are 2.5, so you probably need 2.75 or higher. Look for the number and then try the glasses.”
“Thanks, Tom. Such a simple thing, and I didn’t even know to look for that little number.”
“Most folks don’t have a clue it’s there. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You do great with keeping the book ledgers, and all that math stuff.”
“Maybe,” Daniel said with a self-deprecating smile. “I have no idea what I would’ve done without you guys looking after me.”
The door chimes announced that someone had stepped into the store.
“Daniel, can you take care of that? I need to finish stacking the new merchandise.”
“Sure.” Daniel limped out from behind the counter, but didn’t get far since Sheriff Williams had already made his way to the back of the store.
“Hello, Sheriff,” Daniel said politely.
“Sir.” Williams tapped the brim of his hat, spotted Tom and repeated the gesture. “Mr. Thompson.”
“Good morning,” Tom answered and continued to work on stocking the shelves.
Williams eyed Daniel with a mocking smile. “You’re wearing too many glasses.”
Daniel realized he wore one pair of glasses and had two pairs on top of his head. “I was trying them on, looking for the right ones.” With a sheepish smile he shoved them in his pocket.
“Came to check if you’d remembered anything yet.”
“I’m afraid not. Any luck with the fingerprints or the photos for the press? Have you found out who I am?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Tom interjected from behind the counter.
“Why would you say that?” Williams asked.
“I’d say,” Tom went on, “you would’ve had a hit if he were in the FBI’s files. The fact that he isn’t tells us he’s an innocent bystander who got attacked.”
Williams’s eyes narrowed and he cocked his head. “And how come you’re so well versed about the FBI, Mr. Thompson?”
“Elisabeth told us,” Daniel interjected. “She’s up on all this investigative stuff.”
“She reads too much.” Williams stared at Daniel. “Folks around here say they’re not really happy to have you around.”
“Sheriff.” Tom came up to Daniel and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’re okay with that. Daniel is doing well and slowly getting better. Our customers will be okay with him once they get better acquainted. They trust us.
“Maybe. I suspect your stepmother is hiding something.” Williams shot a sharp look at Tom, touched his hat rim, turned on his heels, and departed as abruptly as he’d arrived.
“
That man has serious issues,” Tom said as he returned to his chores.
“I don’t like that he doubts Sarah.”
“He’s trying to frost us. Don’t fall for it.”
Daniel sighed, took the glasses out of his pocket, placed them in the drawer, and chose a pair that remained on the counter. “I’ll stick with the old pair. At least they look familiar.”
Tom glanced at Daniel. “That’s a different pair.”
“You’re kidding.” Daniel stared at them, puzzled that he couldn’t spot the difference. “I’m even disoriented in the present.”
Tom laughed and patted him on the back. “Just yanking your chain. You got the right ones. C’mon, help me put this stuff away. We need to get this done so you can get to Sarah’s French dinner on time.”
“She’s teaching Elisabeth how to cook. I’m curious how that’s going to work.”
Tom grinned. “Most likely Elisabeth is the one telling Sarah what to do and how to do it.”
CHAPTER 7
In a small clearing near Amaray Lake a rustic cabin was sheltered by trees. The Jeep sat parked to one side, partly concealed in the shadows of the forest. The lighting inside the cabin cast a golden aura upon its surroundings.
Alexander emerged from the woods, followed by Danny, their laughter echoing through the trees, their wet clothes clinging to their bodies.
Alexander leapt up the porch steps, swung open the front door, and ushered Danny in.
“Welcome to my humble abode.”
Danny glanced around and smiled.
The rustic cabin was mainly one large room with a fireplace centered in the wall opposite the front door. There were a couple of worn-out sofas pushed to one side to make room for a large easel. Tucked in one corner were the kitchen area, and two doors leading to a small bedroom and a bathroom.
The easel held a large self-portrait that captured Alexander’s intensity and zeal despite being far from finished. Paints, canvases, soiled rags, and sketching pads littered the room. A typewriter sat on the small dining table, the surface and floor swamped by crumpled sheets of paper. Beneath the table lay three unopened packages of typing paper.