“How about you, Anika? Have you decided?” asked Mom.
“I’m majoring in hotel management.”
I got a few raised eyebrows at that. Probably because they couldn’t imagine me tying myself to one location and a job that requires a lot of my time, when we don’t need the money, and Miles’ schedule varies by the day because of all of the businesses that we own.
“It’s something that’s interested Anika ever since she began working as estate manager for Grandma Polly,” said Miles. “She’s very talented. She made a big difference in the estate while she was there.”
“I’m not majoring in this so that I can manage an actual hotel,” I said. “I’ll find a way to use what I learn in other ways.”
“There are plenty of opportunities amongst the businesses that we own,” Miles added. “I’m sure what she learns will be useful in overseeing a number of them. We’ll be able to work together, which appeals to both of us.”
My family approved of that, and moved on.
We had cheesecake for dessert, which I did not make. Breadsticks were enough of a challenge for one company meal! Afterward, we showed our family around the apartment, although we skipped our bedroom, where the allergy factories were sleeping.
We had a great visit, and it was so fun having my family over. After they left though, I dropped to the couch, exhausted.
Miles let the cats out and they examined every inch of the apartment, trying to figure out what went on out here in their absence.
“Being hostess is hard work when you don’t have Jenny doing all the cooking,” I commented.
“It was fun having your family over, though.”
“Yeah, it was,” I said, getting back up. “I want to get the kitchen cleaned up so I can relax, otherwise I’ll keep thinking about how that job’s waiting for me.”
Miles helped, and it didn’t take long before we were done.
We both crashed on the couch, Miles watching “the game” on TV, while I leafed through a large booklet.
“You don’t need to do that right now,” said Miles. “Why are you working, instead of relaxing?”
“This isn’t work,” I said. “This is fun.”
A lot more than watching “the game,” whatever that was.
“Maybe that’s why you’re so good at it,” said Miles.
It really was fun to see the different design proposals for re-decorating the Cedar Oaks hotel that we owned. The building, like all of those in Cedar Oaks, was historically accurate on the outside. So why not take some of the excess furniture in the storage rooms of the castle, and make it historically accurate on the inside as well? So that’s what we decided to do. I loved the wallpaper samples and paint colors and fabrics for bedding and curtains that the designers selected. I spent over an hour looking at the pages in the book.
“Let’s not do any of these,” I said suddenly.
“You don’t like any of them?” Miles asked in surprise.
“I love all of them. So let’s not do the entire hotel in any of these, let’s use them all. Each room can have a theme, and a name. The furniture won’t be the same, anyway, so why make the rest of it that way.”
“I love that. It will give the whole place character. It’ll be worth the extra expense,” smiled Miles. “You are really talented, Anika. Marrying you was a good business decision.”
I smiled back. I love that he values my opinion.
“You know what would be fun?” I said.
“What’s that?” asked Miles, once again tearing his attention away from the TV, and the two teams chasing each other around, fighting over a football.
“After college Jenny can be head chef, Xander can be in charge of outdoor activities, I’m sure we’ll need a computer guy for something, and whatever Annette decides to major in, we could probably find a place for her too. I’ll manage, and you’ll help me—and, buy the place. Or maybe use a wing of the estate for an upscale hotel, like we’ve talked about before.”
“You’ve got it all planned out,” Miles smiled. “Sort of. That does sound fun though, working with our friends.”
“But not nearly as fun as being married to my best friend,” I said, putting aside the book of designs and curling up against Miles as he put his arm around me, and kissed me.
“Anika Riley Bannerman, I couldn’t agree more.”
Chapter 3
Miles and I were walking on campus, enjoying the scent of the fresh cut grass, and the warmth of the sun on our shoulders. We had Chip and Trixie with us today, and they were having a good time exploring this new territory.
“It feels good to be back,” I said.
“It does, it feels great to know all of the craziness we experienced last year is behind us,” agreed Miles.
“Isn’t that the truth! No more apprehension at the sight of grassy knolls,” I said, and Miles laughed.
“That is probably the strangest thing that happened last year.”
“No kidding! I do miss that we won’t have nearly as many classes together, though. I rather hate that, actually.”
“Yeah. Me too,” agreed Miles. “But last year I would have preferred that, if it meant already being married to you.”
“Okay, you’ve got me there. This is better.”
“No, Trix. There’s a leash law, remember? I’ve only told you about a million times,” Miles said in response to a look from Trixie. “Because dog parks are completely different, dogs are supposed to be free to run there, dog parks exist for that purpose.”
Trixie gave him another look.
“Have you forgotten already that I took you two for a run this morning?”
“I’m so glad no one is around,” I said.
Miles laughed.
“Good point, dear. Trix, save it. You can complain all you want when we get home.”
“Or, if you can behave yourself and be patient, maybe we’ll take you by the dog park on the way home instead,” I suggested.
Both dogs understood that, and showed enthusiasm by smiling and bouncing up and down a few times.
“You know… you hear people say that you should give these high energy dogs a lot of exercise,” said Miles. “But have you noticed what that’s accomplishing?”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“They’re only building up their endurance, and their energy is increasing.”
I laughed. That did seem to be the case.
“Would you like to get something to drink? We could take it with us to the dog park,” I said.
“Sure. What did you have in mind?”
“I hate to admit it, but… it’s too hot for a latte, and I don’t like them iced. How about smoothies instead? I read there’s a new shop in the Student Center.”
We were walking right next to the building, as I pointed that out.
“Sounds good. One of us will need to stay outside with the dogs, though,” Miles said.
“I’ll go in and get our drinks, and be right back,” I said. I kissed him, then ran up the broad steps and into the building.
It was positively frigid inside, compared to the warm outdoors. I rubbed my arms as I stood back to look at the menu board, on which was listed half a zillion different smoothie options. This was more than a little overwhelming!
Strawberry would probably be safe. I wasn’t sure about some of the crazy combinations they offered.
There was no one in line, but as I took a step forward to order, an extreme Red Alert feeling and sense of darkness nearly overwhelmed me. I stopped immediately, which is all that kept me from running right into the person that cut me off, and who now blocked my path. I took a step back.
It was Professor Mead.
“Well hello again, Audrey! We were never properly introduced the last time we met.” He smiled, that intense unwavering gaze of his making me feel as uncomfortable as the darkness surrounding him.
I gave him a level look, determined that he wouldn’t see how disconcerted I felt.
“Do
n’t feel too badly about it. I didn’t introduce myself to any of the other random strangers in the restaurant that night, either.”
I turned and walked straight back outside, where Miles was waiting.
“What?” he asked, noting my pallor, probably, and the fact that I was starting to shake.
“Let’s go by Sonic on the way to the dog park, there’s a plan,” I said. I tucked my hand in his arm and pulled, encouraging him to walk directly to the parking lot.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or leave me in suspense?” he asked.
I told Miles what happened on the way to our vehicle.
He looked concerned and as if he was processing what I said, until I told him how I responded. Then he laughed.
“I’m surprised he didn’t get at least a paper cut from that sharp wit of yours,” he said, as he opened the back of the SUV so the dogs could hop in, and I smiled too.
“Well, he needs to get the point and give up.”
Miles opened my door for me, then moved to the driver’s side and got in also.
“If he has any sense of pride, he ought to,” said Miles. “I can’t imagine what guy would dare come back for more punishment. I’m sure glad you liked me. If I had that reception from you, I would have found a corner of the castle to hole up in, until you were gone.”
I laughed. And laughed. That was funny.
“Of course you weren’t very friendly at first,” Miles continued, “but, you thought I was someone else. And, I was desperate after going all those years with no one to talk to…”
I couldn’t stand to imagine how lonely he’d been. Judging by the laughter that he couldn’t quite keep out of his hazel eyes, he knew that, and had an ulterior motive in saying it. I leaned over in my seat so I could hug and kiss him, anyway. Trixie finally complained, her sharp bark reminding us why we got in the vehicle in the first place.
“Alright Trix, we’re going,” said Miles, kissing me one last time before I fastened my seatbelt. He turned the key in the ignition, and pulled the vehicle out of the parking lot and onto the road, in the direction of Sonic, and the dog park.
“Well I’m glad I wasn’t harder on you than I was. I can’t bear the thought of you and me both still being alone.”
“Me too,” Miles said softly, squeezing my hand. “Now tell me more about the darkness, and what you felt when you saw Mead both at dinner, and again today.”
I told him everything I could remember.
“Was there anything else? Anything to help you understand what it means?”
“Nothing that I can think of,” I said. “Only that it’s like what I sensed, felt, and saw when I looked at George Frank, Bea Cochran, and Alfred.”
“What about Bill the jerk? Did you have that same sense?”
“I had a definite Red Alert feeling, but the darkness was different. It was a feeling, not something that I could see.”
“Hm. So… I wonder what it means then. Let’s think about this.”
Miles pulled in to Sonic, and we were occupied for several minutes placing our order. We waited to talk further until after it arrived, mindful of the open window. This conversation, like so many that we had, didn’t need other ears listening in.
“Okay, so,” said Miles, once we were on our way again. “What do Alfred, Bea, and George have in common, but Bill doesn’t? All are criminal, have hurt people, and all intended at one point or another to harm you… but only Alfred, Bea, and George, are murderers.”
We thought about that.
“Okay. So then perhaps this is it. I mean… it wouldn’t be a family thing, surely. If it is, so help me, I’m going to track down every single person that could possibly be related to the Bannermans, and lock them up somewhere!” I said, so ready to be done with that whole ‘I want your inheritance and I’ll kill for it’ scenario.
“No, that can’t be it. In spite of their claims, Alfred and George Frank weren’t related to the Bannermans, remember? Bea wasn’t either.”
“Oh. Right.”
We reached the dog park and conversation ceased, as we let the dogs out, and found a bench where we could sit and enjoy our drinks.
“My best guess is that what you’re feeling is a sense of evil surrounding people who have committed murder,” said Miles.
I thought about that in silence for a while.
“Then if that’s correct, the stronger the sense of darkness, the more heinous the crime?” I asked.
“That, and—or—it increases along with the number of victims.”
“I’d sure hate to be having this conversation in the dark around a campfire,” I commented.
Miles already had his arm around me, and pulled me closer. “It’s not a pleasant subject, that’s for sure. I don’t like it either. And believe me, I’ll be wracking my brain for another explanation. But right now, that’s all I can come up with.”
At least the dogs were having fun. They’d made friends with a yellow Lab, and were running and having a blast wrestling and playing with Chip’s Frisbee.
I sighed and put my head on Miles’ shoulder.
“So do I need to accept that life is never going to be boring?” I said.
Miles kissed the top of my head. “There’s always hope. But it sure doesn’t look like it.”
I sighed.
“You’re going to ask if I still intend to take the class.”
Miles didn’t answer right away.
“I was going to wait until we got home, so I could feel frustrated with you and try to argue sense into you in the privacy of our apartment, instead of here at the dog park.”
I laughed, although I knew he wasn’t trying to be funny.
“If my theory is correct, Anika… with this guy’s interest in you thrown in, and his reputation which we need to research more by the way, I feel extremely uncomfortable about you being anywhere near him. Even in a crowded classroom with Xander to watch over you.”
“I don’t like it either, Miles, but I do want to get this class over with. And… what if there’s a mystery that I’m supposed to solve? What if I can feel these things for a reason?”
“Fine dear, you leave me no choice,” said Miles firmly. He wrapped both arms around me, and squeezed. “I’ll just have to confine you to the apartment, order that ankle monitor, hire a security team to guard you, and put a force field around you.”
I laughed, and was glad he chose to lighten what I expected to be a very tense conversation. Miles continued.
“I could buy an island… we may have one or two already, come to think of it. Put in a fortified wall, add a moat…”
“You’ve really thought this out,” I said.
“You have no idea,” said Miles.
We were silent for a while, watching the dogs and thinking our separate thoughts.
“What are you really thinking, Anika?” asked Miles, loosening his grip so he could turn and face me. “This is about a lot more than not wanting to take a class over the summer break.”
We looked at each other for a few seconds before I answered. I took a deep breath.
“I feel like I’m supposed to. I know that sounds crazy. But I do. There’s something dark here, and I don’t like that, and I know you don’t… but it’s there. Maybe there’s a way for me to fix that. I was so sure I could find proof and free you, and I did. This is that same sort of feeling, that there’s something for me to do.”
I gave Miles time to consider that, before continuing.
“If your theory is correct, then this guy is a murderer. There’s a victim or victims who’ve had no justice. There may be more victims yet to come if what this guy’s done, doesn’t come to light.”
Miles groaned and rubbed his forehead.
“Why can’t you just be a normal wife, and do normal wife things?”
“Look who’s talking! Mr. Superhero husband.”
“Yeah, but my powers are cool,” Miles said, a teasing light in his eyes.
“Yeah, they are
,” I agreed.
As I looked at him wistfully, wishing I could make him understand, his expression softened.
“I can’t say your sensitivity to this darkness is exactly cool… but you do have an ability there. I don’t want to admit it, I really don’t, but I know you have it for a reason. I’d like to say that reason is to warn you to stay completely away from it. I’m serious about that island, I’m sure we have one somewhere. Wouldn’t you like to go live there?”
I laughed softly in response. That actually was very tempting.
Miles brushed his fingers through my hair.
“On Friday I said you had good instincts, and not to question them. This isn’t at all what I had in mind, but… I can see you feel very strongly about this. I don’t think this is something you want to do, but something you feel you have to.”
I nodded.
“Then… I’ll help you research and gain as much information as we can, that way. I’m not sure what you can learn from attending this guy’s class, but… I guess we’ll find out. I also want to talk to Xander and tell him about these feelings you get, and the darkness you see. I want him on the same page. And I’m going to have another look at my schedule, and see what I can do. Unlike you, dear, I have no problem taking classes during the summer.”
I hugged Miles.
“Thank you… for understanding.”
It was a huge relief to me that he did. I wouldn’t go against him, but I wouldn’t feel good about going against what I felt I needed to do, either. I was very thankful that I wouldn’t have to.
“Always,” Miles said softly. “Just promise me… you’ll be careful. You’ll have your pepper spray and your cell phone at the ready at all times. And you’ll take no risks no matter what information you may think you would gain by it.”
I nodded, and he moved so he could look into my eyes.
“You promise?”
“I do.”
“Okay, then.” Miles sighed, and hugged me again. “And when this is all over, let’s go visit that island for a few years and try our hands at boredom, shall we?”
“Deal,” I said, and sealed it with a kiss.
~***~
I frowned.
“I can’t believe this! There aren’t any?”
Darkness Falls Page 5