So it seems,” Tango said, tension and concern in his voice. “Hawk, listen. Don’t get crazy, man. It could just be another piece of . . .”
“Yeah, I know, I know. But don’t you get it? So many times, up to this point, no one was able to crack this mystery, to piece it all together. If the story had ended without these latest developments it would be nothing. Nothing more than an ever growing list of strange coincidences. But now it’s different because I have been able to tie it together. I’ve tied it to them. And Kate is involved here. I mean, her disappearance.”
“You don’t really think her disappearance is part of this.”
“Yes, I do. She must be.”
“Listen, I understand your passion—no—your obsession for this, but how many times . . .”
“Tango,” Hawk cut in, “. . . I’m going into those tunnels. I know the entire package is there. Kate’s gone missing is tied to it. The last time anybody saw her was at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.”
“No, the last time you saw her was at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. She could be anywhere, Hawk.”
“No, I don’t think so. That notepad, it had all the key words. I told you.”
“Yeah, well, I have to give you that one. It is all strangely amazing.”
“Right. So listen, I’m going to pack my gear and go back down there. I’ll call when I get in. If you don’t hear from me in the next 24-hours, that will mean I’ve made it through.”
“Oh, man, you’re nuts. You can’t really believe that you’re just going to take off in another time zone. How the hell?”
“Never mind. It’s my trip and I’ll get back . . . somehow.” The brief silence told Tango he meant what he said.
“Hey, man, I got to do it. It’s my ticket to fame and fortune.”
“I hope you live to enjoy it.”
“I plan to.”
* * *
It was after 2:30 A.M. as Hawk circled the block for the fifth time. The high he had experienced after his visit with Laura was beginning to wear off. Tango’s words of caution rang in his ears. Maybe he was right, but deep down Tango knew he couldn’t let it go. Not when he was this close. He realized he was arguing with himself and shook his head. “This is insane,” he muttered. What he didn’t realize was he had come to a slow stop alongside Carl’s house and sat staring at the front door. His mind was in a daze of ideas and fatigue. Suddenly, the loud blast of a horn jolted him to awareness. Quickly, he looked in the rear-view mirror and blinked, recognizing the champagne Mercedes. “Shit! Shit!” He exclaimed, quickly shifting gears, the Jeep lurching forward, picking up speed as the adrenaline instantly invaded every cell of his body. He turned right at the end of the block and turned right again. Coming to a screeching halt on the other side by the curb, grabbing his camera, he jumped out and loped down to the fence.
He could see them, but they couldn’t see him. He started focusing and refocusing the lenses as he watched them one at a time meet and talk. Then one leaned down and opened what appeared to be an old storm door that one after the other entered, finally closing the door with a soft click in the quiet night.
“Son of a bitch! I knew it. It had to be tied to the hotel.” He turned quickly, heading back to his Jeep. He yanked open the door, carefully resting his camera on the seat. He reached for his cellphone and first dialed Tango with an update and then finally calling Laura. He was two hours late calling her, but he knew now what he had to do.
She picked up the phone immediately on the first ring.
“Laura, it’s Hawk.”
“Oh, thank God. I’ve been so worried. I can’t sleep. I still haven’t heard anything. Did you find out anything yet?”
Static on the phone interrupted his reply.
“Hawk, Hawk, are you there?”
“Yeah. Sorry. Batteries must be running low. Is it better now?”
“Yes, any news about Kate?”
“I think I finally figured out where she went.”
“Went? What do you mean?” Laura asked, exasperation and tension in her voice.
“It’s complicated, but . . .” more static on the lines interrupted Hawk. “Damn it!” he shook the phone. “Sorry, Laura.”
“It’s okay. I can hear you now. Where is she?”
“Listen, don’t worry. I figured it out. I’m going to get her back for you. If I’m gone for . . .” This time the static increased and went on for several seconds.
“Laura? Laura?”
“Hawk?” And then the phone went dead.
Angry, he muttered, “Damn it! Piece of shit.” He threw the cellphone onto the floor of the Jeep. “All right,” he said to himself, “I can handle this. Laura is just going to have to trust me. There is too much at stake for me to screw this up.” He would get to 1939, find Kate and get back with the scandal of the century. Nervous, he realized he really needed a cigarette, but didn’t have time and stuffed the cigarette packet into a pocket. He grabbed his camera gear and locked the Jeep with his heartbeat thundering. He had waited his whole life for this. As he approached the storm door entrance, his last thought was, Let the adventure begin.
PART TWO
LOS ANGELES
1939
CHAPTER IX
Kate’s first conscious thought was that something was definitely odd, as though her skin felt unfamiliar. Her battered senses struggled to clear away the fuzzies and to define why she felt so different, so exhausted. The air smelled mildly of antiseptic. The sheets against her skin were slightly rough in texture. She attempted to open her eyes, but failed. What is going on? She wondered. She began to panic as her brain pushed against limbs that were heavy, aching and immune to her commands for movement. She tried to understand how and why she was in this state. A small sigh managed to escape her dry lips. Even that required so much effort. It was like having a body hangover. At least her sense of humor hadn’t deserted her. It was a beginning.
Determined, she attempted the milestone of a deep breath. It was a beginning. Next was to open her eyes. At this point, Kate was ready to bargain with God, when, almost effortlessly, her eyes fluttered open. Blurry at first, but within moments, images began to come into focus, along with a jolt to her memory. As Kate’s vision cleared, it was the image of Jack Baldwin dozing beside her bed on a simple wooden chair that ignited her sluggish memory banks. Kate blinked as memories returned, slowly at first, then increasing in speed. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a whisper came out. For a moment, she was speechless, her mind working through the overwhelming significance that she definitely wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Her shocked eyes took in the simple white iron bed, the classic pale green hospital walls. However, it was the glaring absence of modern technology that really made her heartbeat quicken. Frantic, she looked around for anything: a TV, a monitor, but only a single IV pole beside the bed looked familiar. To her left, sunlight came through windows placed so high she couldn’t see beyond them. “Okay,” she reasoned with herself, she wouldn’t panic. It was probably another part of the underground facility she just hadn’t seen yet. Her eyes traveled back to Jack, noticing that his clothing was different. He wore suspendered gray trousers, a white shirt with a loosened necktie, but it was the Fedora-style hat precariously perched over his eyes as he dozed that made her smile despite her panic. The feeling of coming out of a long sleep began to ease as she realized, as shocking as it was, she must have fainted as she tripped on the floor cables by the Silver Screen. That would explain why she felt so strange. She refused to believe the possibility that she was no longer in 1999.
She attempted to pull herself to a more upright position, but a whimper of pain escaped her lips. The sound roused Jack; the movement caused his hat to hit the floor. Kate knew the second Jack’s brown eyes met her astonished green ones she was in deep trouble. She felt a distinct sense of fear rising in her that things could possibly be worse than she had ori
ginally thought. Not that her pride would allow Jack even a hint of this. No way. As she attempted to push back her aching shoulders
and lift her chin, she took a deep breath and braced herself for the worst.
Jack took his time picking up the hat, dusting it with deliberate slowness. Finally, after an eternity to Kate, Jack said, “Well, sleeping beauty, so nice of you to join us in 1939.” His tone and the intensity of his gaze spoke volumes.
Jack waited and watched Kate’s reaction, slightly amused that she was momentarily speechless. It didn’t last long. He watched her moss green eyes, quick to show emotion, and just as quick to attempt to hide her inner turmoil.
Despite the fact that her head was still spinning from his words, Kate gave an outraged sigh close to exploding into frustrated hysterics, “1939! Are you crazy? Don’t try to play games. I . . .” The strain of the energy it took to produce her anger made Kate hesitate as she watched Jack arch an eyebrow and fold his arms defensively across his chest.
“Anyway,” Kate continued, “. . . you can’t be serious. This is just another room you and your Array buddies have.”
Jack sat forward in his chair, touched the brim of his hat, and replied, “I’m dead serious. You have caused a lot of people a great deal of aggravation and . . .”
“Oh, no you don’t.” She stopped, suddenly realizing he wouldn’t lie to her, not about this. The reality startlingly hit her like ice water in the face. She was in 1939. A wave of panic turned her stomach. It was one thing to dream about it, entirely another to actually do it.
“Listen, Jack,” Kate began again, “. . . I don’t know. I mean . . .” She knew she was babbling, but couldn’t help it. It was Jack’s fault. He made her nervous.
“Don’t even tell me you don’t know what you did. A bit late for that, Kate.”
Angered, she glared at him, her fear translating to fury. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Baldwin, King of The Array, Thief in time.” Kate had to stop. She took a deep breath for strength. This was harder than she thought. She was not used to being physically weak, but then, up until now, she had never traveled through time.
Kate watched Jack’s jaw line tighten, certain that he was not thrilled that he had to come and collect her here. There was a long moment of silence as their gazes locked in combat.
“Kate, I don’t have time for all your drama. This is serious business and . . .”
“Drama! I’ll give you drama! Listen to me; I want to go home. I want to go home now. I didn’t do this on purpose. It was an accident.” Well, sort of, Kate reflected to herself. She watched a subtle twinkle rise in his eyes along with frustration. How could he just sit there acting so damn calm, making her feel like a child?
His brown eyes studied her a moment longer, then he said, “I’m sorry, Dorothy. I’m fresh out of red shoes.”
“Very funny,” Kate snapped. “Who the hell do you think you are?” Not pausing to let him answer, she continued to rave. “What right do you have to keep me here? How dare you?” Kate gasped, “Do you take me for an empty-headed woman who would just go along with the great Jack Baldwin?” For the briefest of moments, Kate thought she would faint from the physical exhaustion of her anger.
“Which one of these questions would you like me to answer first?” Jack asked.
“You are completely impossible,” Kate fumed.
Jack, ignoring her remark, said, “First, you know exactly who I am and what I do. I have every right, considering our current situation. And no, I would never be so unaware to term you empty-headed. However, the term stubborn comes to mind. Potentially dangerous, absolutely.”
“You haven’t a clue about danger,” Kate fired back.
“Really?”
“Really.” The tension crackled in the air. “Damn it,” Kate muttered. “You can’t . . . I mean, my behavior isn’t your business.”
“Wrong, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.”
“Fine then, Miss Clifton.”
“That’s better.”
“No, it’s not,” Jack said frustrated. “We have to find a way to get along for the next three weeks.”
Kate nearly choked. “Three weeks?” Kate spouted out. “No way! Listen, you get me back to my time, and you’ll never see me again.” But deep down, Kate was already changing her mind about leaving just yet.
Jack winked at Kate just to provoke her and said, “An intriguing, refreshing idea, but I can’t do it.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Kate knew she was nearly pouting, but she didn’t care. The man made her crazy.
“Are we done with our tirade so we can-”
“Tirade!” Kate exploded.
Jack watched the fireworks in those compelling eyes, but matched them with a cool shade of brown. “Don’t tempt me, Kate. Now, I think we should slow down and regroup. We have a lot to discuss.” He watched her swallow a lump of anger and pride.
Before Kate could respond, Jack added, “Your body has been through hell, if you haven’t noticed.”
Kate looked at Jack, not liking the ease with which he was able to interpret her feelings and thoughts. Gritting her teeth in pride, she said, “Oh, I don’t know what you mean. Piece of cake here.”
Jack shook his head, “If you say so, Kate.”
“I say so.” To Kate’s complete relief, a doctor in a lab coat and a nurse dressed in traditional uniform entered the room, relieving her from the enormous energy it took to verbally spar with Jack. She sank into the pillows, feeling like she had just run the 10K twice. This time travel business was a killer. Next time she would take the bus.
“Good morning, young lady. I’m Dr. Hendricks. How are you feeling today?”
Kate’s eyes momentarily slid to Jack who was watching all of this with complete nonchalance. He looked as though he didn’t care a hoot for all of her pain and discomfort. She wanted to throw a pillow at him, but as she desperately needed their comfort for her aching body, she turned her attention to Dr. Hendricks.
“Truthfully, doctor, I’m exhausted. I ache to my bones. Everything takes so much physical energy.”
“Not surprising. That’s what happens when we get caught in a time machine unprepared.”
Kate had to smile at his kind, matter-of-fact tone. Central casting would have loved him. The kindly doctor who still made house calls. His white hair and gray-blue eyes instantly made Kate feel safe and secure. “Well, doctor, how long do I have to stand in the corner for bad behavior?”
Dr. Hendricks’ eyes twinkled as a soft chuckle escaped him. He looked over her head at Jack and said, “So much like her mother, so charming.”
“What?” Kate said. “You knew my mother?”
“Of course, dear. I take care of everyone that travels to this time. I was so sorry to hear of her passing, Kate. We were all so very fond of her here.”
Kate felt that all too familiar lump of sadness in her heart. “Thank you, Dr. Hendricks. That’s so kind of you.”
He nodded, continuing to check her pulse and breathing and making notes on her chart.
The nurse moved to a wall cabinet, reaching for a syringe.
“Now, young lady, you must make me a promise. Don’t try to be a hero. This journey has been exceedingly hard on your body. It needs lots of rest.”
“What is a lot?”
“Let me see. You have been asleep over 48-hours.”
“Two days?” Kate asked, amazed.
“Yes, but due to your overall good health, in another day or so you should be back to your normal strength.” Dr. Hendricks nodded then, as the nurse gave Kate a shot in her arm.
“This should help you sleep and heal. As I said, this is a big adjustment. I am certain Jack will explain more of this when you are up to it.”
Kate didn’t dare look in Jack’s direction at that remark. “Thank you, doctor,
” Kate hesitated. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for any trouble I may have caused.”
“No trouble, my dear. I’m only concerned that you regain your full health so you can enjoy your time with us.”
Jack stood and the doctor nodded to him as he and the nurse exited the room. As the door closed, Jack returned to Kate’s bedside.
The shot had already begun to work. She was feeling so very relaxed, almost sleepy. For a moment as Jack looked down at her, a crushing wave of loneliness descended over her. The reality that she was so far away from her friends and life, so many little things she had taken for granted. Now, here she was in 1939. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed Jack. So maybe she could convince herself she should try to be civil to him. Well, maybe.
It was becoming more difficult to think clearly, when Jack said, “Kate, the sleep will help enormously. Trust me, it definitely gets better.”
“Yeah, sure, since when are you . . .” Her mouth wasn’t working properly. She was having trouble concentrating. She tried again, “Since when are you, are you the doc?” She repeated. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment. She opened them seconds later, but there were two of Jack, too many for her, and she closed her eyes again.
Jack watched her, remembering Sherman’s warnings, realizing they had been the understatement of his life. However, ever quick to size up an opportunity, Jack recognized a moment, brief as it might be, one he could use to his advantage. The identity of Kate’s father had worried him for some time. Maybe in her sleepy state he could coax it out of her. He knew he was a heel to use her physical weakness like this, but he was equally aware that once she was back to all cylinders, it would be hell getting it out of her.
“Kate, it was nice what Dr. Hendricks said about your mom,” Jack began.
“Um, yeah. Kind man. Like him.”
“Yes, he is. But you know you never told me about your father.” Jack crossed his fingers. Summoning super human strength, Kate mumbled, “Shh, secret. Big secret. Can’t tell.” However, a revealing sleepy smile spread over her face as she murmured.
The Silver Screen Page 7