by Noelle Hart
*
Detective Crane sat at his desk perusing the security camera disks from the coffee shop in Colwood. They clearly showed the comings and goings of Drew Hammond twice that day and once the day before. One of the cameras covered the parking lot outside and there was no sign of Hammond driving in. In all instances he'd approached on foot.
That meant he'd been staying nearby, and Crane had sent a team of investigators out immediately to sweep the area, concentrating on motels. A half hour ago a team member had called in. Someone matching Hammond's appearance had been staying at the Starry, Starry Night but had disappeared, leaving an unpaid bill after using a stolen credit card.
Hammond had a knack for evasion., but it was Will Delaney's overzealous attitude that had cost them his capture. Delaney had been lucky, although his fighting instincts had saved him more than luck ever could. Who knows what might have happened if that other patron hadn't come into the washroom just then. Hammond might have been carving yet another notch into his belt while leaving Kylie and Max devastated.
It was exactly what Hammond craved, wasn't it?
In his office, Crane swiveled in his chair and stared vacantly out the window at the parking lot. Ocher autumn leaves tumbled in the crisp afternoon breeze reminding him that Hallowe'en would soon be upon them. What sort of trick or treat did Hammond have in mind, he wondered morosely.
He picked up his cell and punched in a number.
“Mrs. Hammond, how are you this afternoon?”
Olivia braced herself for yet another report about her son's latest calamity. “Well enough, Detective. What can I do for you?”
“I'm wondering, as a child, did Drew enjoy Hallowe'en?”
“Well yes, just like any other child.” She sounded defensive even to herself and tried to modulate her tone. “You might as well know right now that he preferred the more macabre disguises.”
“Mrs. Hammond, Drew attacked Will Delaney today at a coffee shop out in Colwood. Drew got away and Delaney's fine, but I thought you should know.”
Silence prevailed for a full ten seconds. Then, quietly, “Oh my God. How will this end?”
Her sorrow cut through the phone connection, straight to his heart. He might be a professional, but he was also human.
“Hopefully with no more lives lost,” he told her.
*
Outside the greenhouses, Kylie hit end on her cell phone and pocketed it. She was shaking. The phone call she'd just received did more to chill her than the crisp autumn air.
Drew had almost killed Will.
She let that sink in. Will had jokingly told her his male parts had recovered but she'd detected the underlying simmering fury.
Margie came out of her office with a sheaf of papers in her arms, headed Kylie's way. “I'm so looking forward to the grand opening on Saturday night,” she gushed. “The invitation said glamor so I got new shoes to go with my new cocktail dress. I've never worn three inch heels before so don't be surprised if you have to pick me up off the floor a few times and... oh my gosh, here I am blabbering on about stupid shoes and look at you! You've just seen another ghost, haven't you?”
“He attacked Will.” It came out flat and to the point.
Margie's eyes grew huge. “Oh! Is he alright?”
“He's fine, but Drew got away. Crawled out from under his rock and back again. I've been fantasizing about him having some kind of mental epiphany and turning himself in. Or disappearing.”
“Like that you'll spend your life on pins and needles.”
Margie was right. Better that he surface and be captured than never to know if he was lurking nearby. “It'll be okay, Margie. You'll do just fine in those shoes.”
*
Sporting a Rastafarian wig with the requisite knitted cap, Drew imagined kicking Will Delaney in the ribs and sent a large stone skittering into the ocean where the incoming tide lapped against the rocky shore.
The sky overhead was a whitewashed, pale gray, the sun a vague, waning disc on the horizon drawing distant clouds like bed covers over the day. A few stars winked on as shadows deepened and crawled like creeping fingers across the log strewn beach, casting a surreal aura over Drew that had a young couple approaching veering in a wide arc around him.
Inwardly he laughed. They were wise to pay heed to their instincts and stay out of his space.
His thoughts returned to that morning's escapade. He pictured the razor slashing through firm, vulnerable flesh, blood splattering with bright red droplets on the walls and floor. He imagined Will Delaney lying on the floor in shock as his life's blood seeped out.
It gave him a rush.
Imagery only went so far. He lusted for the real thing, and if anyone had been watching they would have witnessed his eyes flutter as his mind whirled with it.
A seagull cried overhead and he came out of his trance.
He'd lost his straight razor that morning, but now he fingered in his pocket the blade of a new hunting knife he'd recently acquired. It was virgin, and he intended to break it in. Today.
Now.
His gaze fell upon the young couple making their way along the logs away from him. They were obviously high on each other but even more important, on marijuana, as Drew's keen sense of smell had detected when they'd passed by. That suited him fine. It would make them complacent and slow to react.
It was just the sort of thing he needed right now, a little recreational foreplay before the main event of Kylie Lambert and now, why not, Will Delaney too. Doing him first in front of Kylie would be the ultimate high, and the anticipation made his blood sing through his veins.
Practice makes perfect.
Drew turned in the direction of the couple and set himself an easy pace to catch up with them.
* * * *
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Saturday night's gala was coming up fast with Hallowe'en falling mid week just before.
The waitresses at the Village Diner dressed up in black and orange outfits that matched the foil wrapped chocolates they would be handing out to the miniature goblins, action heroes, vampires, and grisly movie characters who roamed the Village streets. Cries of “trick or treat” could be heard as they paused in the doorway where Eileen dropped the specially wrapped chocolates into their bags.
Will and Kylie came down from the office and went to the kitchen. While Kylie helped Millie with her outfit, Will had a word with Lyle and Kim.
“See table five?” They peered out the pass-through at a couple seated at a corner table perusing the menu. “Those are Crane's people. They'll be here all night keeping an eye on things. We're feeding them on the house so have Jolene take their table and draw out their meal all evening.”
Kim gave a two finger salute. “Gotcha.”
Lyle grunted. “Crane thinks Hammond's going to come right in our front door and pull off a Jason in a hockey mask?”
“Maybe a Freddy Kruger,” said Kim as he slashed a head of red cabbage to demonstrate.
Will shuddered, his imagination a little too vivid for comfort. Absently he ran a hand over his privates.
Lyle caught the move out of the corner of his eye but let it lie. Instead, “Where are you taking Kylie tonight?”
“A place we've both been needing to go for a while now,” Will told him. “I'll have my cell handy so if you need me, call.”
Kylie came out from the back room hustling Millie onto the diner floor. The restaurant was already hopping.
“Ready?” he asked her.
“As ready as I'll ever be. Where are we going?”
Will grinned and winked at her as they went out to the Jeep. “To a love nest.”
Pleasantly puzzled, Kylie sat back and prepared to enjoy whatever the evening might bring.
He took her to her parent's house in Gordon Head.
On their street he slowed, looking for the address he'd been given by Rita that morning. By now Kylie knew what he was up to and directed him into the right driveway.
Thei
rs was a two story fairytale cottage painted the color of Kylie's eyes when she was aroused, Will decided, a deep bluish purple with white trim. A wraparound porch welcomed visitors with wooden tubs of Maiden Grass waving like little white flags in the chilly night air.
“Looks like Mom's prepped the yard for winter,” Kylie commented.
Will turned off the motor. “What, no what-are-we-doing-here?”
“It's fairly easy to guess that my parents put you up to this.”
“They want to get to know their future son-in-law better.”
“I should of thought of this myself but I've been a little preoccupied lately.”
Rita opened the front door as they approached.
“Welcome to our humble abode.” She spread her arms and Kylie walked into them, felt herself enveloped in warmth. “I'm guessing Will's in for a grilling tonight?” Kylie murmured in her ear.
Rita pulled back and beamed. “Quite literally. Your father's out back on his grill as we speak.” She turned to Will and gave him a quick, welcoming squeeze.
Kylie dashed through to the house to the rear patio while Rita gave Will a slower tour. The house was a craftsman with wood built-ins and eclectic décor that gave a cozy and welcoming feel. A glass paned door led out to a patio where Joe, in his “don't expect miracles” apron, stood at a sizzling grill.
Pumping Will's hand, Joe declared, “We're not eating out here; we'll freeze our asses off. I'm almost done. Why don't you all go back inside and grab a drink from the bar.”
“Alright.” Rita put an arm around Kylie and in they went, while Will lingered.
Joe was astute. “Something on your mind, Will?”
Gathering his coat and his nerve around him, Will stared up at the star sprinkled night sky with a half moon flashing in and out of foreboding Hallowe'en clouds. The doorbell rang inside and a chorus of “trick or treat” could be heard, then Rita and Kylie's delighted laughter as the little ones crowded the front doorway.
“Don't think you'll find the answer to your question up there,” Joe prompted.
Will brought his gaze eye to eye with Joe. “Well sir...”
Joe waved his tongs. “I'll have none of that. It's Joe, and that's Rita inside, alright?”
Will nodded. “Okay. Well, Joe, I know this may seem a little rushed, this whole getting married thing, and I really wanted to do things the right way...”
Joe flipped a sizzling steak and fire flared.
“The thing is, I'd planned on asking you, sir... I mean, Joe, for Kylie's hand in marriage. I realize you hardly know me, and with all this crazy stuff going on, Kylie's world has been turned upside down, and yours too, never mind my kid Max...”
“Son,” Joe interrupted, “you're rambling. You had me at wanting to do things the right way.” Exactingly, Joe turned foil wrapped potatoes baking amongst the red-hot coals. “Kylie told us what she tried to pull on you. How she tried to cut you off when all you've done is be there for her this whole time. She felt ashamed for doing that. She explained how you proposed to keep her from running off even though you'd meant to do it at a more appropriate time.” He pointed his tongs at Will. “You're a man after my own heart, Will Delaney. Any man whose son went through the hell he was put through and still sticks with my daughter, well, frankly I think you'll make one helluva son in law. Welcome aboard, Will. You have my blessing. We're happy to have you.”
Joe held out his hand and they performed another manly shake.
Will hadn't known how important this would be. A weight just dropped right off. “Thank you, Joe. It means a lot.”
They loaded the food onto a tray and went inside to discuss wedding plans. The conversation flowed between their businesses and their aspirations, with Oreo keeping them amused with her puppy antics. No one strayed onto morose subjects, everyone deliberately keeping things light. Will enjoyed their company and any doubts he'd harbored about fitting into the Lambert clan eased off in spades. His own parents would fly up from Uruguay a week before the wedding, as would Jolene and Lyle's family members. They'd get to know each other in a whirlwind of engagement party, garment fittings, special outings and the inevitable bachelor and bachelorette parties just before the main event.
It was bittersweet for Kylie. She longed to allow herself this life changing thrill of time honored traditions and ceremonies, but a shadow lurked in the parameters of the plans for the festivities.
At the door Rita pulled her aside while the men did their male bonding back slapping thing.
“Kylie, sweetheart, you mustn't allow Drew the kind of power you're giving him. He's ruling your head. I can tell.”
“He's inside my head no matter how much I try to evict him.”
“That's what he wants, to control you from afar, to keep you on the edge of your seat. Try to shake it off. See that car parked there? Those are Crane's operatives and they do rounds every fifteen minutes. One stays and the other goes on foot.”
Kylie didn't remind her that Stacie Hoyle had been executed that way, but Rita read her mind. “They keep strict communication open between them the whole time, which is something Stacie Hoyle didn't do. A mistake that cost her her life.”
Kylie hugged her fiercely. “I love you, Mom. Arm your alarm.”
Later that evening in Will's bed, Kylie asked him what he'd been discussing so earnestly with her father on the patio.
“He gave me his blessing to marry you.” He watched her eyes roll. “It's a guy thing. I've got old fashioned values.”
She laughed and wiggled her eyebrows. “I'm surprised you've had your way with me before the wedding.”
“I'm not that old fashioned.”
Lying in the crux of his arm, Kylie realized that his values were firmly developed, making him unwaveringly loyal and trustworthy. It was a powerful package, and she had hit the lottery.
“I guess there's one more male we need to get a blessing from,” she said.
His arms tightened around her. “Yeah, and he might not be as complying as your father was.”
“Guess I'm the one on tender hooks now, aren't I?”
“I'm thinking you have an edge, considering you saved his life and all.”
“Yeah. But that could go either way, couldn't it? He might associate me with fear and decide he'd rather not have me for a... wow, a step Mom.” She marveled for a second, her thoughts derailed. “I'm going to be a step Mom. You do get that I'm in love with Max too, don't you?”
“Guess we'll have to share you. If he can handle it, so can I.”
*
“Amazingly enough,” Ethan Crane told Will and Lyle in the office over the Village diner, “we have no reports of foul play last night other than the usual Hallowe'en pranks. That doesn't mean we're going to let down our guard. Mr. Delaney, no vigilante stuff. Got it?”
Will grimaced. “Yeah, but if he comes anywhere near Kylie and I'm there, I won't hesitate to do what I have to do. You got that?”
About to speak, Crane's cell phone went off and he answered.
“Easy boy,” said Lyle quietly. “Listen to the man. He's only trying to keep your rebellious ass alive.”
“There's got to be a way to corner him. Kylie's on the edge of her sanity. It's wearing her thin.”
“Literally so. Jolene says the seamstress had to take Kylie's wedding dress down a whole size. Don't tell me you haven't noticed.”
“I've noticed. She's a walking skeleton. Can't eat, her sleep is shallow and fraught with nightmares. With her ankle still on the mend she hasn't had the luxury of a run to burn off the tension.”
They watched as Crane's body went on full alert. Speaking in police codes he growled out orders, then testily stabbed end on his phone.
“Damn. The department up in Nanaimo has a double murder. They think it's the same M.O. as Hammond. I'm headed up there now.”
Will tensed. “Why do they think it's Hammond?”
“I can't give you details. If it turns out to be true, we know where he spent Hal
lowe'en.”
*
Kylie got off work early and with police escort went to Will's house for dinner and a night of video calls.
Will kept Crane's possible news to himself. She was edgy enough without adding this latest ingredient to the mix. He tried to fatten her up with a creamy linguine Alfredo. Lyle had provided a vanilla bean mousse. Hell, she still had a healthy sexual appetite, so he'd save it for later and smear the stuff on himself if need be.
The first video call went out to Will's parents in Uruguay, Nina and Mortimer Delaney. Nina's bubbly personality complimented Morty's less intense enthusiasm as they expounded upon their upcoming visit to their old digs. Finally Kylie left the room so as to give Will some private time with his parents.
“Son,” said Morty, “she's a doll. It's a shame all this bad stuff is happening. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.”
“You two being here will be all we need Dad,” Will assured him. “She's a trooper. Anyone else might have broken down by now, but she's got balls. Pardon the expression Mom.”
Nina laughed. “She proved it when she went after Max. Just for that I love her. She'll make you a fine life companion, Will.”
“Don't I know it.”
When they completed their call, Will put one in for Max in Vancouver. Julia and Tom came on first. “You're getting married before we are,” said Julia. “What's the rush?”
“No one wants to wait. Will you be here? We're renting rooms in the Empress Hotel for all out of town guests except my parents. They'll be staying here with me.”
“Ooh, the Empress. That's a yes, Will. Max doesn't know about this yet. Let me go get him.”
While she was gone, Will asked Tom, “How's he doing? Any signs of trauma?”
Jovial socially, a formidable law opponent professionally, Tom gave Will a candid reply. “He's doing incredibly well for a kid who came close to having his life ended before it really began. You've done a good job with him. I hope you won't begrudge me my time with him too. I want us to be friends, but if you fill his head with bullshit about me, that won't happen. You're not that kind of guy, are you Will?”