Clue and The Shrine of the Widowed Bride (Clue Taylor Book 1)

by Wendie Nordgren

  “I just woke up.”

  “I have been instructed to wait.”

  I heard the loud crack and roll of thunder and decided to invite Tadashi Shimizu to wait inside. Cautiously, I opened the front door just as the sky dropped, and fat rain bounced against the sidewalk. I recognized him. “I’m gonna need a minute. Do you want to wait inside?”

  He nodded, and I moved aside to let him enter. Tadashi’s eyes never left me, and the look he gave me reminded me of the way that Eris Station’s Chief Engineer used to look at Momma after he got his credits for the month.

  “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”

  Unsettled, I raced up the stairs closing the door to my room behind me. Being looked at like an annoying brat, I was used to. I wondered at what game Tadashi Shimizu was playing. Perhaps he was attempting to seduce his way into my basement. Quickly, I used my waste unit, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. Then, remembering Momma’s rules on personal grooming, I picked up my brush and began dragging it through my hair. It surprised me when my brush passed through my hair smoothly without snagging and yanking at tangles. Touching my hair, it felt silky and soft. Checking it in the mirror, I determined that the color appeared to be a little richer and promised myself to stick with the new shampoo. Overall, I was having a good hair day even with the rain. All of the sleep had done me some good. My skin even seemed clear and soft this morning.

  I pulled on a pair of jeans, an orange and blue long-sleeved plaid shirt, and went in search of my shoes and jacket finding them on the kitchen floor. Tadashi took my jacket and held it open for me to put on.

  “Thanks.”

  Smiling seductively, he said, “My pleasure.” He strode out into the rain and held open a transport door for me shutting it after I was seated.

  Once he had climbed into the driver’s seat, I asked, “So, what’s this about?”

  He began driving along Honjo Street and then turned onto Willow. Apparently, Tadashi had decided to take the long way. “This can be about whatever you would like,” Tadashi said as he parked at the curb somewhere on Willow and took my hand in his.

  The raindrops evaporated against the transport’s windshield as soon as they struck it. Tadashi’s eyes were trained on mine as he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. Even though I knew him to either be teasing me or attempting to use me for some purpose, my stomach fluttered and my heart raced.

  “You, Miss Forester, are the most beautiful creature I have beheld.”

  A loud crash of thunder made me jump. The sidewalks were empty, and people seemed to crowd inside of stores as they waited for the rain to end.

  “Mr. Shimizu, why don’t you cut the crap and tell me the truth? What do you want from me?”

  Tadashi’s arms darted forward. His right went between the seat and my back, and his left hand wound into my hair as he leaned forward and brushed his lips to mine gently at first and then with more passion. With my heart pounding from unfamiliar excitement, I gasped which Tadashi took as an invitation to touch his tongue to mine. I jumped in surprise and then moaned as he deepened the kiss. The place between my legs began to ache, and in confusion, I pushed at his chest. A fiercely possessive look had commandeered his face.

  “One day, you will be my wife,” he said as he reluctantly released me and drove down an alley behind the Wisteria Hotel and into a parking basement beneath it.

  I didn’t trust myself to speak. Tadashi Shimizu couldn’t possible know that he had just been my first kiss. Momma and her colleagues hadn’t let anyone near me on Eris Station, and I hadn’t socialized while studying and working in Hyperion.

  Tadashi opened his door, got out of the transport, came around to my door, opened it, and held his hand out to me. Placing my somewhat clammy hand in his, I allowed him to pull me from my seat. As soon as he closed my door, a previously unnoticed individual drove the transport away to park it, and Tadashi led me into a lift. He tapped a button halting our upward progress and sealing us inside. Then, his lips descended to mine as he pushed my back against the wall. From my knees down, it was as though my atoms had scattered. Tadashi held me tightly to his chest.

  When his lips left mine, he had the look of a triumphant conqueror. Once I was able to feel my feet and knees, I discovered I had knotted my hands into the front of his shirt. Releasing my grasp, I attempted to smooth the fabric, but felt his warmth and hard muscular chest beneath my palms which set my cheeks aflame.

  With glittering eyes, Tadashi pressed a button, and the lift doors opened with a soft ting of sound. My thoughts and feelings were a whirlpool as he laced his fingers with mine leading me through the small crowd of people who were chatting in the hotel lobby. I concentrated on the pale green carpet with its design of light purple petals apparently scattering in a breeze, the decorative tables of dark wood, and the golden vases full of fresh flowers that graced them.

  Lord Tanaka was seated at what I now assumed to be his private table with Dorian standing at his back. Dorian’s eyes locked onto Tadashi’s hand that was joined with mine and then met his gaze. Releasing my fingers, Tadashi pulled out a chair for me across from Lord Tanaka. As I sat, I noticed Lord Tanaka as he stared at Tadashi for a moment in apparent anger before focusing on my lips and then raising his cup to his own.

  “Your spirits seem improved, Miss Forester,” Lord Tanaka said. A waiter poured me a cup of coffee. He remained silent until the server had left. “Have the occurrences you described ended?”

  It was difficult to concentrate with Tadashi standing behind me. I sipped the coffee, cleared my throat, and said, “Um, yes. I think things are fine now.” Thunder crashed outside, and people seated at other tables gave exclamations of delight and surprise. “People in town seem to be enjoying the storm.”

  Lord Tanaka gave me a secretive smile. “We have longed for rain. The farmers needed this. Rain is often cause for celebration in Scorpius. Since there was no rain forecasted for weeks, this storm is considered to be a welcomed gift.”

  The waiter returned placing plates in front of each of us. The food smelled good but looked really weird. White ball-like things were atop a bed of wilted green leaves with a light sauce over them. “Um, what is this?” I had expected scrambled eggs and muffins.

  “It is seaweed and scallops. You will like it,” Lord Tanaka said as he began to eat. Picking up my fork, I copied his actions. “You seem rested, Miss Forester. Are you enjoying Scorpius?”

  “Yes. Living planet-side is an adventure.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and returned it to his lap. I continued. “I’ve met some nice people, too.”

  “You should use care when meeting new people on Cassini. They are not always what they appear.”

  I thought the same might be true of the wildlife. “Did you grow up here?” I asked.

  “I have lived here for many years. We were among the first settlers here.” Thunder rumbled causing vibrations to travel up through the floor that made the dangling light fixture above us move the tiniest bit and casting a shine upon Lord Tanaka’s black hair. I thought the water along the beach must surely be churning about. “What are you thinking?”

  Glancing up at him, I said, “I got to walk on the beach yesterday and saw lots of pretty shells. Will the storm wash more things up?”

  Lord Tanaka narrowed his eyes at me, leaned back in his chair, and folded his hands on his lap. I began to worry that collecting shells had broken a law or something. “You visited the beach, and now we have rain. What happened while you were there?”

  Scared that I was in trouble, I said, “Nothing much.”

  He stared at me. “Your hair looks darker, richer. Your skin has turned soft and pale since last I saw you. Tell me. I know you hide something from me.”

  I tossed my napkin on the table. “I didn’t do anything.”

  Raising his voice, he said, “I did not suggest you had erred. However, there is much you do not understand, and it is my duty to protect you. For me to do so, you must trust me.
”

  Sighing angrily, I said, “You’re protecting me now, the daughter of a thief and a whore?”

  Losing his temper, Lord Tanaka practically growled out, “Did anything unusual occur?”

  Frowning at him and crossing my arms over my chest, I said, “I found pretty rocks and shells. I washed them, dried them, and put them on my table. Oh, there was the lady.” I remembered the woman who had appeared to become more stunningly gorgeous as I watched.

  “The lady?”

  I nodded. “She was beautiful. Perfect. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as her. She let me keep the big spiral shell.”

  “Can you describe her to me?”

  “She had hair a shade of blue I’ve never seen, skin like sand and sunshine, and a voice like the wind.”

  “What did she say to you?”

  I shrugged. “I offered her the shell thinking she’d seen it first. She said something about how I could have it with her blessing.”

  “Then, what happened?”

  I shrugged. “I was sitting in the water getting wet. I don’t know.”

  Lord Tanaka rubbed his hand over his eyes. “So, basically, you made an offering to an ocean spirit, gazed worshipfully upon her beauty, and received her blessing which apparently took the form of enhancing your beauty since you complimented her own. Then, she gave us rain in return for the nourishment she drew from your spirit energy.” My eyes widened in fear. “Don’t worry. It replenished as you slept. At least you attracted a benevolent entity this time.”

  Glancing behind me at Tadashi Shimizu, I asked, “Could she have made Tadashi, um, like me?”

  Dorian laughed. Lord Tanaka turned his head and smirked at Dorian before returning his attention to the man behind me. “I do not believe ocean spirits are capable of time travel,” Lord Tanaka stated.

  “What?”

  Tadashi turned my chair around, bent down, and lifted my chin with his index finger. “I am under no enchantments,” he said as he stared deeply into my eyes. “Furthermore, I have liked you since the day I heard you telling Lenox to fuck off.”

  Feeling a blush creeping up my neck, I asked, “How could you have heard that?”

  A loud collective “Oh!” came from the lobby, and Dorian chuckled as he walked past us to check on the commotion. Tadashi lifted my chair and turned me back around to face an amused Lord Tanaka.

  “The storm has gained strength. Should it continue, the water reservoirs will be filled by morning.”

  Alarmed, I asked, “Will it rain like this until tomorrow?”

  “Hopefully,” Dorian answered as he returned.

  “Nothing will be accomplished today,” Lord Tanaka stated. I tilted my head at him. “Only the foolhardy venture out in storms, and I am sure that you have noticed that Scorpius and the surrounding areas, much of Cassini in fact, lacks vid-screen communication due to electromagnetic planetary fluctuations. In fact, even the simplest camera seldom functions here.”

  I grunted softly. “That must have been what Winks liked about it.”

  “Indeed,” Dorian said under his breath.

  “I have a question. What happened to Winks? A Mr. Nixon contacted me in Hyperion and told me my uncle had died leaving me an apartment here. I guess Winks was my father, though. I’d like to know what happened. I think his ashes should be with Momma and me.”

  The faces of both Dorian and Lord Tanaka had become unreadable. “That might be difficult. Mr. Taylor was assumed dead after disappearing over a year ago. His remains were never found.”

  The blood drained from my face. “Do you mean to tell me that my father is out there somewhere alone, just laying someplace?” Poor Winks.

  Lord Tanaka rose from his seat. “I believe your father got over his head with the wrong people. I know he would not want for you to be involved. You will remain here at the Wisteria until the storm breaks.” With that, he strode over to a group of businessmen and began shaking hands.

  “I don’t have to stay here,” I grumbled to myself as I stood and walked into the lobby with Tadashi at my side.

  The staff had placed portable evaporators to either side of the hotel’s main entrance doors. Frowning, I watched as a branch complete with a few green leaves still attached flew through the air down the middle of Tortoise Street. I turned my head to watch its journey toward Honjo Street. Tadashi’s strong warm fingers linked with mine.

  “So, why can’t you drive me home?”

  Tadashi tugged gently on my hand pulling me away from the door and into the lift. “All basement levels remain sealed during storms to prevent flooding. It is a necessary precaution since we are so close to the ocean. Come,” he said with a small smile as he stepped from the lift and into an opulent room of arched windows, golden walls, polished wood floors, red couches, and large floor vases filled with artfully arranged cherry branches. “We can watch the storm from here. The Wisteria is the tallest building on the block. If not for the rain, you would be able to see a portion of the ocean from here.” Tadashi sat on a plump red couch pulling me down to sit beside him.

  “The other day when you scared Cosmo off, how did you manage it? He doesn’t seem to be one to scare easily.” Tadashi moved to sit closer to me, and I didn’t know how to react. Sensing my uncertainty, he smiled.

  “Let’s just say that when Lord Tanaka wishes for something to be done, I handle it and ask no questions.” He put an arm, corded with wiry strength, around me.

  “Oh, so you’re his enforcer, right?”

  Tadashi chuckled. “You are so delicate and beautiful that I forget you grew up around a criminal element. However, where an enforcer operates outside of the law for a boss, I, on the other hand, serve an honorable and ancient family. In another time and on another planet, I would be referred to as a samurai as would Dorian in service to Lord Tanaka. Enough of me. I want to know your plans.”

  The rain had formed a grey sheet over the windows. “I don’t know. Momma wanted me to come here and go to school. I just finished my first year of investigator course work. Unfortunately, I ran out of credits and was trying to figure out what to do when I got the call about Winks.”

  “There is plenty of time for you to figure out what you want to do.” I felt Tadashi sniffing behind my ear.

  “Um, well, I didn’t meet the deadline for enrollment for classes at my college for this year. I’ve been doing a few odd jobs for Mrs. Stone until I find a steady job.” Lightening flashed and thunder boomed making me flinch. “I’ve never seen a storm like this.”

  Tadashi stood and brought me up with him. “Perhaps being so near the windows is unwise.” Holding my hand, he led me from the main room and down a hall. Opening a door, he led me into a private apartment. Rather than couches, large stuffed cushion were arranged around the room. All manner of weapons lined the walls. Through a door, a saw a small bedroom. “The bathroom is through there should you need it.” Tadashi gestured for me to have a seat on one of the cushions and then sprawled across from me. “Do you have feelings for anyone from Eris Space Station or Hyperion?” he asked quietly.

  “Me? No!” My answer earned me a smile.

  Next, Tadashi wanted to know all about my life on the station. The storm continued to rage outside. Tadashi began telling me about his childhood as he arranged pillows together in what resembled a large nest. I awoke sometime later with Tadashi around my back and his arms around me. Sleeping curled up with Tadashi was a lot different from sleeping with Momma.

  I yawned, stretched, and carefully rolled to my back to find Tadashi watching me with a tender but possessive expression on his handsome face. “Sorry. Something about the sound of the rain and your voice must have lulled me to sleep.”

  Looking toward his bedroom, I disengaged myself from the pillows and wandered into his bathroom. When I came back, Tadashi was saying, “I’m on my way,” into his wall intercom. “Make yourself at home. Something requires my attention.” Then, he left.

  Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to wande
r down to the lobby and look around for a snack. I made it into the lift without incident, but when I stepped out into the lobby, I noticed a small crowd of men had gathered near the main entrance. Being nosy, I went to check it out. Two men were out on the sidewalk in the rain having a heated argument. Intrigued, I squeezed past a rotund man just in time to see Cosmo and Tadashi coming to blows.

  “What are they fighting about?” I asked the man nearest me.

  “A woman who just moved to town. They both want her.”

  Thinking that they must be fighting about me, but also worried I was being conceited and that they could be fighting over some other girl, I went out into the rain. The wind made it difficult to walk, but I made it to them. “Tadashi! Cosmo! Stop it!” Putting myself between them got me an elbow to the face. Suddenly, I found myself upside down and thrown over the shoulder of someone who carried me back inside of the hotel. I saw Tadashi aiming a spinning back kick at Cosmo’s head before the crowd of male spectators hid them from view. “Put me down.”

  Dorian carried me into a bar off to the right of the lobby. As he placed me on my feet, he said, “Do not come between men who are fighting.” To the man behind the counter, he said, “Ice.”

  The bartender secured some crushed ice into a hand towel and gave it to me. I held it to my throbbing right cheek. It quickly made me cold which went well with the dampness of my clothes from the rain. I sneezed. The bartender put a cup of tea in front of me.

  “Thanks.” I put the ice down on the bar and warmed my hands on the cup. “Aren’t you going to stop them?”

  Dorian turned his dark brown eyes to me. “No. I will get you a towel,” Dorian said as he walked back to the lobby.

  Pissed that Tadashi and Dorian were fighting over me like I was some kind of non-sentient prize, I spotted an exit door in the back right corner of the bar. When the bartender went to wait on a customer, I slipped through the door finding myself in a dark alley. The rain had washed it clean, and rivulets of water ran past and down a drain. Staying as close to the side of the building as I could to avoid the downpour, I made my way to a street. From the foggy lighted windows and the above the door signs of the restaurants, I knew I was on Cherry Street. Running would be a mistake on the wet sidewalks in the rain, so I satisfied myself with a fast walk.