by V.
“He is.. .well, he was.”
“And?”
“And that means the image the attic showed me is not related to the movie in my head.”
“And?”
“That’s all. The movie and all its troubles are separate from the hunting incident.”
Exasperated, Conrad threw up his arms.
“Do you realize you’ve probably angered him even more? Didn’t you consider the risk of him going after you?”
“No, the opposite. I thought if I had something on him, he’d leave us alone.”
Conrad dropped onto the sofa shaking his head. Sarah joined him, but didn’t reach out.
“I can’t bear the look in your eyes,” she murmured. “I was sure you’d be proud of me. Don’t you realize I confirmed that the hunting incident is about Williams?”
“I do, but you put yourself in harm’s way when I specifically asked you not to.”
“I never imagined you’d feel betrayed. I overcame my fear and confirmed a psychic vision. That’s what you’ve always encouraged me to do. How’s that a betrayal?”
“If you don’t understand, I can’t explain it.”
“I’m sorry I upset you,” she said softly. “I’m frustrated doing nothing. Plus the seduction of the boy by this woman.. .I had to do something.”
“I can accept you being tied up in knots with the story, but to threaten Williams is simply not acceptable. You know better, Sarah.” He rose, crossed the room and climbed the stairs.
Sarah remained behind, tears streaking her cheeks.
Conrad’s concern was understandable, but Sheriff Williams was nothing more than a bully, and she had come too far to let a bully force her back into submission.
She leaned back on the sofa, closed her eyes, and wept.
Without regard, the movie played on.
Danny pushed a small cart through the aisles of the grocery store, stopping to consult his shopping list. He reached for a box of Trix cereal from the top shelf and when he turned back he came face to face with Andrew Foster.
The boy froze.
“What’s the matter, boy?”
Danny tried to speak, but only managed a doleful peep.
“You act like you’ve seen a ghost. They say I’m ugly, but I hope I’m not that bad.”
“Mr. Foster,” Danny managed to say. “I was—distracted. I wasn’t expecting you...I mean, well you don’t do the shopping real often, do you?
Mr. Foster laughed with his customary intensity and slapped the boy on the back. “Hell no! I’m looking for you.”
Danny lost his grip and dropped the box of cereal into his shopping cart. He held on to the cart handle for dear life, his hands trembling. “I can explain. Well, I hope I can.”
“Explain what boy? You sure you’re all right? You look ashen.”
Danny managed a smile. “I’m fine, sir.”
“Anyhow, your mom told me you were here, so I stopped on my way—”
Danny closed his eyes and prayed.
“What are you mumbling about, boy?”
“A prayer. I pray a lot. Please, do go on.” Danny broke into a cold sweat.
“A prayer? Is that what the kid of a minster does, pray in the middle of the grocery store? You’re odd. Don’t understand what my wife sees in you, but she’s told me all about you and—”
“She’s a wonderful lady, she really is. You shouldn’t blame her, it was—”
“Blame her? Hell, I’m the one to blame. I’m always so darn busy. Take this last week for instance. I’ve been in Chicago the entire time. Just got back and I’m off again tomorrow.”
Danny reached over and patted his arm. “Don’t blame yourself. Really. Things happen.”
“Nah. It’s me. It’s obvious. Anyhow, that’s where you come in.”
Danny’s nervous tremor returned and drops of perspiration formed on his forehead. He wiped the sweat off his upper lip. “Now, Mr. Foster, I’m a kid, so please don’t do anything rash.”
“Rash? Nonsense. At your age you can do about anything Mrs. Foster needs.”
“Well.. .I guess you’re right. I guess I already have, haven’t I?”
“That’s what she tells me.” Andrew glanced at his wristwatch. “Listen, I’ve got to go prepare for my trip. I’m going to be gone most of next week, and when I get back it’ll be hell for a while until I catch up. So, come to the house tomorrow at about one, and I’ll show you exactly how you should do it, before I leave.”
“Show me how to do it. Are you sure about that?”
“Hell, yeah. You’re dense aren’t you? My wife said you were a smart kid.”
“No, I get it. You’re going to show me how to—”
“Listen boy, I can’t stay here and spell it all out. Be there at one tomorrow.”
Danny leaned against the cart and nodded.
“I hope you do what she wants better than you talk. If not, there’ll be trouble.” He headed toward the door of the store, turned, and pointed his finger at Danny. “One o’clock sharp.”
“Yeah, okay. One o’clock.”
“Sorry, Sarah, Conrad’s not here,” Daniel said while he stacked cans of fruit on a shelf to one side of the store. “Didn’t he tell you?”
“He left before I woke up. I fell asleep on the sofa last night and. he didn’t wake me.”
“He should be back any minute now. He went to deliver some groceries to Mrs. Albers. She’s been laid up since she slipped and broke her hip.”
“Where’s Tom?”
“Alyana and the little ones came by to whisk him away for a quick bite. They’re down at the diner if you’d like to join them.”
“No, thanks. They should have him to themselves. Was Conrad in a good mood?”
“Same as always. Why?”
“He’s been a bit worried lately. Anyway, it’s nice to get to chat with you. How are you doing? Any recollections?”
Daniel finished his chore and joined Sarah. “No, although Doc insists that I’m on the verge. He says this cooking business is going to be the door that opens my past.”
“I don’t doubt it. Your osso buco was out of this world.”
“Thanks, but let’s not forget that you and Elisabeth were right there the entire time. It’s your mother’s recipe, anyway.”
“Daniel, c’mon admit it. Elisabeth may have helped by reading the recipe, but you were always a step ahead. Not to mention your Italian.”
“Yeah, how about that? I can speak French and Italian.”
“Yque tal elEspanol?”Sarah slid in a quick question to test his Spanish. “En efecto hablo espanol,”Daniel answered without hesitation.
“You’re a veritable United Nations. You must’ve lived in Europe.”
“You keep saying that, but it’s not likely.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not the adventurous type.”
“Speaking of adventure, does the name Amaray ring a bell?”
“Amaray.. .no, it doesn’t. Is it a town in Europe?”
The door to the store swung open, and Sheriff Williams stepped in. He caught sight of Sarah and Daniel and shot them a sarcastic smile. “Well, well, if it isn’t the witch and the gimp.”
“Sheriff,” Daniel said with an unmistakable chill in his voice, “you’re out of line.”
“Yes, I am,” Williams answered, a smirk across his lips.
“Please apologize to Mrs. Thompson.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” he said with a caustic chuckle.
“It’s all right, Daniel, if he wants to call me a witch, he can go right ahead. I don’t care.”
“I bet you’ll care if folks around here start turning their backs on you and your family.”
“And I suppose you’ll see to that,” Sarah said with a coldness that surprised even her.
“I could.”
“And I would imagine your reason for making such a threat is so that I don’t keep looking into how your father died. Am I right?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
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“That’s none of your business,” Williams snapped.
“But it could be.. .Do you remember how you followed that deer through the scope of your rifle and how your father came into view behind the deer?”
All color drained from Williams’s face. “How.” he tried to speak but his throat had closed.
Sarah smiled triumphantly. “Let’s make a deal, Sheriff. You put an earnest effort into finding out what happened to Daniel and drop this ridiculous suspicion that the two of us are up to something, and I’ll keep what I know to myself. However, if you insist on calling me a witch or threatening me and my family, I’ll dig into your past so deeply you’ll be begging me to stop.” She allowed her words to percolate for a moment before going on. “Do we have a deal?”
The sheriff’s face turned crimson with anger. “I don’t deal with witches.”
Sarah stood her ground and stared him down. “Your choice, but I suspect you’d rather I not uncover what you fear the most.”
Williams’s eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned to a small slit, but he remained silent.
“Sheriff, I have no interest in hurting you or anyone else. And people around these parts are proud of your father. I’m sure you’d like them to be as proud of you. If I do find what you fear the most, what’s to stop me from sharing it with folks?”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Why not? Isn’t that what you threatened me with?” Sarah asked.
“Listen—”
“No, you listen. All I ask is that you leave me be and that you focus your investigation on finding out who attacked Daniel. I propose a truce. We could actually work together, instead of against one another.” She allowed him to digest her words. “How about it? Do we have a deal?”
“Work together?” Williams said with a sneer. “You expect me to trust you, to give you information, to—”
“Yes. Believe it or not, Sheriff, I might be able to help. What do you say?” Williams glared at her, then at Daniel, and then back at Sarah. “I’ll get back to you.” He spun on his heels and stormed out of the store.
Sarah’s knees buckled. Daniel rushed to her side and caught her, then eased her onto a small chair by the shoe rack.
“Are you okay, Sarah?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “I can’t believe I did that. Conrad will be livid.”
“Livid? He’ll be proud.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why would Sheriff Williams call you a witch?”
Sarah looked up at Daniel and sighed. “I’ve got a bit of an intuitive gift.” Daniel plopped down on a nearby chair. “You’re a psychic?”
The store door opened and Daniel stood up. “Hey, Conrad.”
Conrad made his way toward him. “Daniel, how are things?”
Sarah stood up. “Hi, darling. I’ve been visiting with Daniel.”
Conrad smiled as he came closer to her, took her hands in his, and kissed her. “You’re ice cold, and you’re shaking. What happened?”
“Man, you should’ve seen her with Williams. She was fierce.” Daniel beamed with pride.
Conrad stared at his wife, his forehead furrowed. “Williams was here again?” “He just left, didn’t you see him?” Daniel asked.
“No. What was he after?”
Sarah started to answer, but Daniel’s excitement couldn’t be contained and he blurted out, “He threatened Sarah with telling folks she’s a witch, and she came right back at him threatening to find out how his dad died and tell everyone. A good old fashioned standoff, and she won.”
“How did she win?” Conrad was visibly troubled.
“She made a deal with him to stay out of his private life if he’d leave her alone and focus on finding out who attacked me.”
Conrad turned to his wife in amazement. “And he went for it?”
“Well, not exactly.” Daniel glanced at Sarah. “But he didn’t say no.”
“One more thing,” Sarah said shyly. “I told him I’d like to help him in the investigation.”
Conrad looked at his wife, sighed, and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. “What am I going to do about you, woman?”
“I told her you’d be proud of her.”
“Are you angry?” she asked softly.
Conrad kissed her forehead. “Since I can’t fight you, I might as well join you.”
Beaming, Sarah kissed her husband.
“C’mon, you two, you’re making me jealous. Besides, I need to ask Sarah about her psychic abilities.”
Conrad stared into Sarah’s eyes in disbelief. “Psychic abilities?”
She nodded.
“I’m gone less than an hour, and my whole world is turned upside down. What else have you done?”
“That’s it,” she said with a smile.
“Tell me all about it, Sarah,” Daniel insisted.
“Daniel, this isn’t the time or place.” Conrad interrupted. “How about you come over for dinner tonight and she can tell you then, okay?”
“I’d rather not impose again.”
“Nonsense, we’d love to have you over.” Sarah offered. “Don’t expect too much. I’ll whip up a simple beef stew. Is that okay?”
“I’d be pleased to come,” Daniel said.
“Okay, then. Time to go home, darling, you’ve created enough excitement for one day.” Conrad took Sarah by the arm and escorted her toward the door. “Daniel and I have work to do. Can you get home without getting into any more trouble?”
“I should tell Tom and Alyana what happened. They’re down at the diner and—”
“Tell you what, ask them to join us for dinner. It’s better if we’re all safely at home before we talk about this.. .although, with Williams all riled up, I’m not sure home is even safe.”
“You don’t mean—”
Conrad raised a hand. “Let’s not talk about it anymore now.” He smiled and eased her out of the store.
Sarah climbed into her car and pulled out of the parking lot.
CHAPTER 12
Alexander sat before his typewriter staring at a blank page. Smoke curled up around his eyes from the cigarette attached precariously to his lip. The floor and table were covered with the customary clutter of crumpled papers and bottles. Exasperated, he threw his chair back, strode to the open window, and gazed out into the darkness.
The front door burst open and an agitated Danny stormed in. “Mr. Foster discovered all about me. He’s going to kill me tomorrow. What do I do? Alexander, you got to help me.”
“Whoa. Calm down, calm down. How did you find out he’s going to kill you?”
“He told me.”
“He told you he’s going to kill you tomorrow? That’s decent of him.” Alexander pulled his chair back up and sat down in front of the blank page in the typewriter.
“What do I do?”
“Go for it. ‘In for a penny, in for a pound.’ You got to face him. Confront him. Defend her. Fight for your love. For your dream.”
Danny shook his head. “But I’m too young to die.”
“To love life you can’t stand on the outside looking in. You crash through, enter it, be all the way inside it, and endure it.” He paused. “Hey, that’s pretty good, I should write that down.” He then proceeded to do exactly that.
Danny stood in the middle of the room, head bowed, trying not to cry.
“How come you didn’t come by earlier?”
“My mom is back, I had to stay for dinner. I couldn’t sneak out.”
“Coward.”
“She catches every single noise in that house, so I couldn’t.”
“Chicken shit.”
Alexander’s repeated chastisements brought Danny out of his stupor. “Listen, I did it for you. If they found out I’ve been coming to visit you, your secret would be out.”
Alexander read what he’d typed, yanked the page out, crumpled it, and tossed it across the room. “Piece of crap.”
“What should I do?”
Alexander turned to Danny. “About what? Oh...right, your imminent demise. Well, what can you do? Either you run away from home and leave town, or you face Mr. Foster. Do you need seconds? I can’t be your second, sorry. My lack of commitment forbids it. Maybe Robert?”
“What do you mean seconds? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you say that he told you he’d kill you tomorrow?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what’s going to happen.”
“In a duel, right?”
The color in Danny’s face drained. “What? He didn’t say anything about a duel.”
“Then how is he going to kill you?”
Alexander stood up and walked toward the easel. Danny’s painting had progressed nicely and the resemblance had become far more evident. Alexander studied the painting, tilting his head first to the right and then to the left. Danny’s spirit was clearly evident, the eyes displayed a hint of innocent mischief, and the smile offered an open invitation to imagine his innermost secrets. Alexander smiled, proud at last of his work.
“Well, the good news is that if you die, it’ll be okay. I’ve got everything I need to finish your portrait. I’ll send it to your parents posthumously. And anonymously, of course.”
“You’re not taking this seriously.”
Back at the desk Alexander cranked a blank page into the typewriter and began to type.
Danny paced back and forth becoming more frantic with each passing moment.
“Stop pacing, you’re distracting me.”
“What’s wrong with you? I’m going to die and you don’t care. What kind of friend are you?”
Alexander turned to him. “Okay, here it is. I’ll keep it simple. You have dipped your pen into the inkwell of passion and now you must pay the piper for the pages inscribed with your elation and your folly. In other words, either you show up at the appointed time and face the consequences, whatever they may be, or you run away as far and as fast as your fleet little feet will carry you. Only you can decide what price you’re willing to pay. Okay?”
Danny stared at Alexander with a faint smile. “I get it, you mean like Wesley in Rainbow?”
“Exactly.”
“But Wesley, was a man—a young man, but a man. I’m only a kid.”
Alexander returned to his typewriter. “Kids don’t screw married women. I’ve given you Wesley, use him.”