Powers

by Elaine Waldron

after I went with Paul and Judy to get Bebe. Remember seeing it on the news the following morning.”

  “And?” Grady said, looking at her curiously.

  In that instant she made her decision and knew there was no going back. I’m so sorry Paul! “It couldn’t have been Dorian.”

  “And why do you say that?” Brooks asked, glancing at Grady and then back to Amber.

  “…I know this will hurt Paul. But I see no choice in letting it out. I’ve already hurt him enough.” She made herself look straight at Grady, lying was something she wasn’t accustomed to, but she had to protect Dorian. “Because Dorian spent the night here… with me.”

  Both men stared at her for a moment, more stunned than surprised by her admission. “Well!” Brooks breathed out, turning slightly red and then talking to Grady. “Guess that changes everything.”

  Grady was definitely disappointed in her. And he didn’t have to say so. He’d obviously had a very high opinion of her, now she’d just popped his balloon. His eyes showed it all.

  “Okay, Amber. Guess I thought you and Paul had something solid going. But…on the other hand, we don’t want the wrong man, either. Thanks for coming out in the open about it…That took guts.” The two men shared glances again, neither one knew quite what to think now.

  Grady turned back to Amber. “I know it’s none of my business, but does Paul know about Dorian? Forgive me…but Paul’s one of my best friends and I have to ask.”

  “Yes! He does. I’m sorry you’re disappointed in me, Grady. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’d probably feel the same. But I just recently realized that Dorian and I have something really special...Paul is a wonderful man. I never meant or wanted to hurt him. It just kinda happened.”

  Grady wiped his hand across his face. He seemed to feel a little better with her explanation, but she knew he’d never think as highly of her as he had.

  Brooks spoke up then, “Well…This is awkward. I guess that’s all we need to know, Amber. Thanks for talking to us. Looks like we’ll have to search elsewhere for any leads. I’m sure there are a number of men who could fit Dorian’s description.” He nodded slightly. “You have a good day.”

  Grady just raised his hand slightly and dropped it down. He was really bummed out about Amber’s admission. He really cared about Paul.

  “Hope I was of some help,” was all Amber could think to say as she let Star in, as he had just run up, and closed her door behind them. She had lied about that night. She had slept with Dorian, just not then. The rest was all true.

  Paul was secretly hoping that his perceptions of Lodovico were founded. Not that he really wanted the man to be a killer, but part of him wouldn’t have been unhappy if he had been one of the men the witness thought she had seen. But when he saw Grady’s face, as he came strolling in the door shortly after noon, he knew that that was not the case. He could tell by Grady’s hesitation that he didn’t want to tell him.

  “Out with it Grady. I’m a grown man. I can see something’s eating at you. Just what did Amber say?”

  He looked off and then back to Paul. “She said it couldn’t be Lodovico.”

  “Why not?” he asked, giving his friend a probing look. He knew he probably wasn’t going to like the answer.

  Grady turned sad eyes up to his long-time friend. “Lodovico stayed the night with her…He can’t be our guy!”

  “Oh!” He was afraid it was something like that. It just really hurt to actually hear it.

  “I didn’t want to be the one to tell you.”

  Paul fought back the tears pooling in his eyes. His voice was raspy when he spoke. “I wanted to know, Grady. She’d already told me that she’d been seeing Dorian.”

  “That’s what she said. At least, she had the decency to do that.”

  “It wasn’t until after Judy pushed her, though.”

  “I see…She was probably just waiting for the right time to tell you.”

  “She said she wasn’t sure which one of us she wanted to be with. According to her, that’s why Dorian went to Europe. So she could think with a clearer head.”

  “Well.” Grady raised his head. “I guess that says something for him. Though I’m still not sure I like the guy.”

  “I know I don’t!” Paul assured. “But then I have personal reasons for despising the cocky little sonovabitch!”

  “He did save her life! From what I saw of that cougar…she had to have been impressed. He has to be really strong. And though he’s muscular, he still has a lean frame, doesn’t look that powerful… Just a nice sized man.”

  “Can we skip the description of his physique? Kind of a sore spot with me right now.”

  “Sorry, Paul…Just trying to figure things out verbally. I still don’t see how he could have killed that big cat…Even with Amber’s witnessing it…took a stretch of my imagination to believe it…even for a man bigger than him, slamming into a cat that big in mid-air and knocking it to the ground! Then snapping its neck like it was a freakin’ cracker!”

  “Maybe he’s into martial arts? They can do some pretty impressive stuff. Was always amazed by movies I’ve seen of Bruce Lee.”

  “Martial arts did cross my mind. Maybe I’ll ask him when he gets back…if he’s had training.”

  “Personally, I hope he never comes back.”

  Grady snickered. “I don’t blame you for being pissed, Paul. I’m pretty upset with it myself. You deserve better! Much better! We were all taken in by Amber.”

  “You know, Grady. Though I’m really hurt, I don’t believe she wanted to hurt me. I think…hard as is for me to take…that it just happened…like she said. I can’t hate her for that. Just wish I’d known sooner.”

  “And you’re in love with her and want to believe in her.”

  “I won’t deny that. I’m still in a state of shock. I had no idea, Grady that she was seeing anyone else. Especially that Lodovico. Guess I was blinded by my feelings for her. He seemed to be around…a lot! Of course, I’m glad he happened to be close when that cougar tried to attack her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be…around.”

  “Actually, she was close to his cabin. Right on his property line.”

  “Say what? I just assumed it was close to her place.”

  “Never thought to tell you until now.”

  “Wonder what she was doing there?”

  “Either visiting or looking for him.” An eyebrow went up.

  Paul blew out air. “I knew I didn’t like him for a reason. Must be my sixth sense working overtime. I think…maybe something deep inside me knew. I just didn’t want to see it!”

  Grady laid a fatherly hand on his shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up over it, Paul. If she really is a good person, time will tell. None of us know her really all that well. We just thought we did.”

  The store phone rang.

  “My cue to go,” Grady said. “Call me if you need me…or just want to talk.”

  “Thanks, Grady! That means a lot.”

  Grady walked out and Paul answered the phone. It was Klaus calling in for Sally. It seemed she still had the flu and was too sick to work. Paul thanked him for calling and hung up. But now it looked as though he’d have to work unto closing time, as Judy had already left to go see some new friends. “Dammit!” And right now, the last thing he wanted to do was phone Amber and ask her to come in. He went over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned back against the counter.

  Around ten, just before closing time, business picked up considerably. Paul was running this way and that, getting things for customers and trying to get them all checked out, too. He was right in the middle of checking out a black lady when he noticed Amber walking in the door. For a moment he forgot what he was doing, just stared unbelieving that she was there.

  “You okay?” the black woman asked. “You look like you seen a ghost.”

  He squint his eyes and opened them again. “Sorry…Just things are kind of hectic right now.”


  “I’ll say…where’s that Sally that’s usually here?”

  “She’s sick…Guess I can’t complain…yesterday and today are the first times she’s missed in three years.”

  “Guess her timing wasn’t all that good, though,” the woman said with a friendly chuckle. “I don’t envy you.” She took her bag of groceries and wished Paul luck and walked off. An elderly man stepped up then.

  Amber moved up alongside the man and spoke to Paul, “Sally still sick?”

  Paul merely nodded and didn’t look her way.

  “Where’s Judy?”

  “She’s not here!” he said with a cutting edge.

  She ignored the anger in his tone. “You should have called me.”

  “Got it under control.”

  The man spoke up. “Don’t look that way to me.”

  Paul looked up, there were at least seven people waiting in line and more in the store.

  “Paul…I’m here. At least let me help until the crowd abates.”

  “Yeah…I want to get outta here tonight,” one woman yelled impatiently.

  With a heavy sigh, Paul halfhearted gave in. “Okay…Amber…Would you please open up the other register?”

  “I’d love to, Paul.” She reached for the key by the register where he was working and opened up the other one. Half the crowd moved over and joined a line there.

  In fifteen minutes, the crowd was gone, and there was only one person shopping in the store.

  Paul glanced over to Amber, who was closing up her register. “I guess I should thank you.”

  “Is that a question? Or a statement?”

  “A statement.”

  “Paul…I understand your anger