“Nexus points. You remember how there are some points in time that aren’t vulnerable, but others are?”
Jack nodded.
“Yes. Well, one of those is occurring here, and its effects drastically influence the future.”
Jack’s head was starting to swim a little. “Maybe you better dumb it down for me.”
“Something is about to happen — here, now, that Hawkins cannot allow. If it happens, it will mean the end of their plan to control the Council.”
Jack felt a bead of sweat trickle down his neck and tried to shake off the feeling of dread it carried as it slid down his spine. “And that something is?”
Travers took a breath and met Jack’s eyes. “The birth of Charlotte Cross.”
Jack stepped back as if the words had physically hit him. “What?”
“At some point in the future. Charlotte Cross will bring down Hawkins and the rest. In order to stop that from happening, they plan to make sure she will never be born at all.”
Jack’s heart tightened in his chest. Simon and Elizabeth were family. Charlotte was like his own child. There was no way in hell he was going to let anything happen to them, to any of them.
He reached for his cell phone, but there was no signal. “Dammit. Is Elizabeth all right? Cross must be out of his mind.”
“They’re fine. For now.”
“What do you mean for now?”
“We have two days, before …”
“Before Elizabeth is killed?” Jack said the words, but they felt foreign. “How do you know? How can you possibly know?”
“I have a reliable source.”
How many times had Jack heard that before?
“Where are they? Are they safe?”
Travers hesitated and Jack’s stomach tightened.
“They don’t know.”
Jack took a stride toward him. “Why the hell not?”
Travers held up both hands in front of him. “Please, hear me out.”
Jack felt ill, but he nodded. He shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Talk. Fast.”
“Hawkins and the others must have considered killing Elizabeth or Simon at some point in the past but thought better of it.”
Travers’ calm was driving Jack crazy. How could he sit there so calmly and say things like that? “Thought better of it?”
“Yes, well, killing either of them prematurely would keep Charlotte from being born, but it would also change time, alter the timeline of the Council and possibly of Hawkins and the others themselves. Fortunately for them, not us,” he added quickly, “one of those nexus points I mentioned is approaching.”
He sat up a little straighter. “And they’re going to kill Elizabeth and her unborn child.”
“No,” Jack said. “No, they’re not. Because we’re not going to let them.”
Travers’ expression was grim. The Council was powerful. More powerful than Jack wanted to consider, but there had to be a way.
“They can go on the run.”
“They’ll be found.”
Jack paced back and forth. With the resources the Council had, Travers was right. “We have to do something.”
“And we will. We are.”
Jack turned to face him.
Travers’ expression grew even darker if that were possible. “Things have already been set in motion. All we can do now is hope we’re right.”
~~~
“To us.” Elizabeth raised her water glass. “And our amazing baby-making skills.”
Simon chuckled but arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure want to make a toast with water again? After …?”
Elizabeth winced. “Oh. Not with this. Not taking any chances with this.”
Simon approved of her caution and signaled for the waiter. They’d decided to go to Bouchon to celebrate. It was a treat. Since they’d gotten back, they’d turned into serious homebodies. It felt good to get dressed up while her clothes still fit.
The waiter appeared at their table. Simon’s hand went reflexively to the wine list but then retreated.
“Go ahead,” Elizabeth said. “I don’t mind. I can enjoy a pinot vicariously.”
Simon studied the list quickly. “Lambrays.”
“2011?” The waiter asked. Simon nodded and the waiter turned to her.
She grinned in anticipation. She’d been craving one of these for days. “I would like a strawberry daiquiri. Virgin. And it will be the only virgin at this table, because,” she added, pointing with both index fingers toward her stomach, “knocked up.”
The waiter smiled, unsure how to respond to that; Simon nearly choked on his water. The waiter took the wine list and left to put in their order.
“I’m sorry.”
He coughed a few more times and shook his head. “Elizabeth.”
She could tell he was amused, though, embarrassed, but amused. They’d both been on cloud nine since the appointment this morning.
“I think I’m giddy,” she said.
“I know the feeling.”
“You’ve never been giddy a day in your life.”
“Well,” he said, “I think I’m approaching it.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “I don’t think I could possibly be any happier than I am at this moment.”
“We should go out more often.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.” His eyes shifted away from her and a frown came to his face. “There’s a reason we don’t. And it’s coming this way.”
Elizabeth turned to see for herself. From the look on his face, she’d been expecting Freddy Kruger, but it was just Adele Johnson and Cissy Chedway from the university.
“Oh, my gosh,” Cissy said, in her usual singsong voice. “What are you doing here?” She stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes. “Eating dinner of course. But I mean what are the odds?”
The odds were apparently pretty good. The few times they had gone out to eat or run errands they’d invariably run into someone they knew, usually from the university. Despite Simon’s best efforts to keep their personal life private, everyone they knew in Santa Barbara had heard about their news and couldn’t wait to say something. And they all said the same thing.
Two more staff members stopped by soon after Adele and Cissy left.
“Is there no escape?” Simon asked through his forced smile and wave as Merriweather and Gilroy finally left them in peace.
“Well, funny you should mention that,” Elizabeth said. “How would you like to escape? Just a week.”
His eyes narrowed, but she could see the amused and curious smile in them. “What have you been up to?”
“Just planning a super-secret getaway for just the two of us. Before we become just the three of us.”
“I think I love you,” he said.
Elizabeth laughed. “I know it’s kind of spur of the moment, but couples do take little vacations before the baby comes sometimes. They call them babymoons.”
“They could call it a trip to the moon, for all I care. If it gets me away from well-meaning busybodies and lets me be alone with you, I’d go to the ends of the earth.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Lucky for us, we don’t have to go quite that far.”
Chapter Seven
THE MOUNTAIN CABIN WAS more of an enormous house than cabin. Situated up a long drive, it was still just a short walk from town. It gave them the privacy they needed without traveling into the boonies to get it. That was one of the things Elizabeth loved about California. Desert, beach, mountains, whatever she wanted, it was always just a few hours away.
The house was two stories with a large master bedroom on the second floor. As soon as they arrived, Elizabeth started to unpack. Even though they were only staying a week, it was a habit she’d developed as a child when she traveled with her father, the charming, itinerate Texas gambler. Wherever they were, no matter how shabby, if her clothes were in the closet and not in her suitcase, it was home.
She unzipped her enormous bag and fl
ipped it open. How did things get wrinkled so quickly? They were only two hours from home.
She tossed the offending blouse onto the bed and dug into the bag for her toiletries and vitamins. She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips, staring down at the bag. She was sure she’d put her prenatal vitamins in there. She looked again, but they didn’t magically appear.
Simon, Guardian of Calcium and Folic Acid, would not be pleased. He oversaw her intake of vitamins like it was his job.
“Poo.”
“Hmm?” Simon asked as he came into the room.
“I forgot—”
Elizabeth’s cell phone rang and she held up a finger as she answered it.
“Hey, kid,” Jack said on the other end. “The painters are here and they brought … um … Slipper Satin. Is that right?”
Jack had promised to keep an eye on Project Nursery for them while they were away. Elizabeth covered the mouthpiece. “Slipper Satin?”
Simon’s mouth pursed in disapproval.
Elizabeth put the phone on speaker.
Simon came closer. “I called Alejandro last week and told him we wanted Calming Cream with Gray Mist and Simply White wainscoting. Really, if they can’t keep that straight, I hate to see what they’ll do with the room.”
“Cream, gray, white. Got it.”
“Calming Cream—”
“I got it. I got it. Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine.”
Simon frowned. “Very well. Thank you,” he said and gestured for her to take it off speakerphone and continue.
“Lord Cross has spoken,” Jack said before she could.
Elizabeth snorted.
Simon played along and looked affronted. “Forgive me for wanting the best for our child.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “Speaking of … I kind of forgot my vitamins.”
Simon rolled his eyes, but she waved his annoyance away and focused on Jack.
“I guess I left them in the kitchen. Do you see them?”
She heard Jack moving around. “Big blue bottle?”
She sighed. “That’s them. I’ll stop at the store down the road and pick up a bottle.”
Simon looked startled. “Over-the-counter? You read the same report on those that I did. Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll go back and get yours. The ones the doctor provided.”
Jack must have heard him. “Naw, you two are on vacation. I’ll bring ‘em up. Painters will have to come back tomorrow, so I’m free.”
“Don’t be silly,” Elizabeth said. “Flintstones will work in a pinch. Haven’t had those since I was a kid. You don’t have to bother.”
She could feel him shrugging through the phone. “I’ve literally got nothing else to do. Days was pre-empted so … why not? Beautiful day for a drive. Besides, what kind of uncle would I be if I condoned the use of over the counter prenatal vitamins?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Jack was as good as his word and arrived less than two hours later.
“You made good time,” Elizabeth said as she greeted him at the door.
“No traffic.” He held out the vitamins and then peered inside. “Nice.”
She stepped aside for him to come in. Simon appeared in the doorway from the kitchen.
“That was fast.”
Elizabeth led him inside. “I was just about to invite Jack to stay for dinner.”
To the surprise of them both, Simon didn’t put up his usual fuss.
“It’s the least we can do. There is, however, one problem. We don’t have any food.”
Jack chuckled and jerked his thumb behind him. “I passed a market, just down the way. We could walk down, pick something up.”
Simon agreed and looked to Elizabeth. “You want to come? Be a nice walk.”
She shook her head. “There’s clawfoot tub upstairs with my name on it.”
“All right,” he said and kissed her cheek.
“See you soon, kid,” Jack said and then lingered for a moment, gave her one of his winning smiles and followed Simon out.
~~~
The mountain air was crisp and fresh and, Simon realized, growing colder. It would be the perfect night for a fire. And once Wells left, other things.
His eyes shifted over to Jack, who was kicking a rock ahead of him like a child and a tin can.
Wells was out of sorts. He seemed anxious and that was not his natural state. The cause of it was his business and none of Simon’s, of course, but Wells had been a good friend to them and, as a man literally out of time, he didn’t have many friends. Simon nearly laughed. Many male friends that was. Women were never in short supply.
Wells checked his watch and rolled his shoulders.
Simon clenched his jaw. He really didn’t like interfering in other people’s lives. Time travel notwithstanding. But ….
He struggled with what to say. Simon had had friends, of course, but since college, he’d never really let anyone in, or cared enough to be let in with the exception of Elizabeth. However, Wells had shown time and again that he was the sort of man worthy of their friendship. And, from the look on his face, maybe in need of it.
Simon felt uncomfortable but pushed ahead.
“Everything all right?”
“Hmmm?” Jack was miles away. “Oh, yeah. Fine.”
Simon nodded once. “Good.”
Maybe he’d misread the situation. They continued on their walk in silence. Simon smiled to himself. He’d get points for asking and wouldn’t have to endure any personal conversation.
“There is this woman,” Jack said. “Renee.”
Or not.
“Is there?” Simon asked.
Jack turned around and walked backward. “She’s got a face like Rita Hayworth. Legs like Grable and a …” He hesitated and let his hands float in midair in front of his chest.
“I know what you mean,” Simon said.
“Like Jane Russell.”
Simon had heard a few of the names, but he wasn’t as up on his classic films as Elizabeth. “That’s good?”
Jack laughed. “Good? Brother,” he said, turning back and clapping Simon on the shoulder, “that’s great.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Jack ran his hand through his hair. “She keeps talking about our future.”
Simon could see how that would be disconcerting, especially for a man like Wells, who was well and truly committed to playing the field. It didn’t seem like an insurmountable problem, though. Not for Jack.
“Why not let her down easy? You do it with all of the others who come in and out of your life and apartment like they’re going through a revolving door.”
Jack tried to look affronted. “There haven’t been that many.”
“Robin, Tonja, Jenifer with one n, Jennifer with two n’s—“
Jack held up his hands. “All right, all right.”
“You didn’t seem to have any problem moving on from any of them. Why is this any different?”
Jack shook his head. “I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger, ya know? There’s just something about her that keeps pulling me back in.”
“Well,” Simon said and raised his eyebrows. “Jane Russell.”
Jack laughed.
“When you find the right woman, you’ll know,” Simon said. “You certainly won’t be asking me for advice.”
“I don’t know. You managed to land Elizabeth. I don’t know if I’ll ever get that lucky, though.”
Simon smiled. No one would ever be as lucky as he was.
“Meh,” Jack said, throwing his hands up. “No point in worrying, right?”
“Right.”
Jack shrugged and shifted the grocery bag from his left to his right arm and checked his watch. Again. Simon had noticed him looking at it in the market.
“Are we keeping you from something?”
Jack shook his head. “No, I was just ….” He glanced over at Simon. “Tryi
ng to get rid of me already?”
Simon laughed. “No, you’re welcome to stay.” For an hour or so, he added silently. He was more than ready to be alone with his wife.
They rounded a bend in the dirt drive, and the house appeared before them. Elizabeth stood near the window in the second-floor bedroom and caught sight of them. She pushed the filmy curtain aside and waved.
Simon waved back. She smiled and let the curtain fall over the window.
“I hope she’s got the grill—”
The rest of Jack’s sentence was lost in the deafening roar of an explosion.
A huge red and orange fireball erupted from the house. It billowed out from the center in a rage, engulfing everything in its path. The shockwave came a split second later and knocked them both backward onto the ground.
Simon’s ears were ringing as he tried to shake off the effects of the concussion. Dazed and not sure what had just happened, he managed to get to his feet and look at the house. What little was left of it. Shards of wood and burning embers rained down around them in some sort of apocalyptic storm.
He stood there, stunned, unable to process what his eyes were seeing. Then it hit him with a force more powerful than the explosion.
“Elizabeth.”
His heart in his throat, he ran toward the fire, but Jack grabbed his arm.
Simon struggled against him. Why the hell wouldn’t he let him go? Elizabeth needed him. She was in there somewhere, and he had to get to her.
Simon tried to escape his grasp, but Jack wrapped his arms around him even more tightly.
“Let go of me. Elizabeth!”
She was alive. She had to be alive.
Jack wouldn’t let go, but somehow Simon escaped his hold and ran toward the front of the house. He stumbled to a stop at the edge of the burning remnants. The house was gone.
And Elizabeth was gone with it.
Chapter Eight
DESPERATE BEYOND THOUGHT, SIMON stepped into the flaming rubble. The heat threatened to overwhelm him, but he ignored the pain. She needed him. He would find her.
“Elizabeth!”
Revolution in Time (Out of Time #10) Page 6