by Claire Fogel
Amy and Kevin both said they’d be here in the morning. After we exchanged tighter than usual hugs, Amy left with Neal, and Kevin left with Patrick. When I opened the front door, there was already a patrol car parked in front of our house, and I was sure the police were parked in front of Amy’s house and Kevin’s house as well. Chief O’Donnell hadn’t wasted any time.
By the time I got back into the kitchen, my father had returned, and Mom was pouring two glasses of wine. I decided to make a pot of Kathleen’s tea. I’d probably need a gallon of it. Mom glanced at me, looking worried. My father still hadn’t said much.
Finally, he looked up at us. “Alicia, I hope you won’t mind, but I’ll be spending my nights here for the time being.”
Mom nodded. “I think Cara and I will both feel safer if you’re here.” He picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. Mom poured him another glass.
I poured myself a cup of the calming herbal tea and another one for my mother. I’d just thought of someone else who might be at risk.
“Dad, do you think Sean’s safe? Gaynes had him beat up last spring. Even though Sean’s not my boyfriend now, he’s still a friend.”
My father nodded slowly. “You’re right. We can’t ignore the possible threat to Sean and his family. Please call him and ask him to join us in the morning. Don’t tell him too much tonight. Just say we’ve had news of Gaynes and you think he should be here.” He squeezed my hand.
“Okay. I’ll go call him now.”
Sean sounded surprised when he answered his phone. “Hey, Cara. Is everything okay?”
“Uh, not really. Can you come over for brunch in the morning?”
“Well, sure. I’m always available for your Mom’s Sunday brunch. What’s really going on?”
“It’s not exactly a social occasion. We have news about Gaynes and thought you should hear it too since you were involved with the attacks last spring. My Dad wants us all together because we have some plans to make.”
“Sounds serious. Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” A total lie. “We’re all fine.” Another lie. “My Dad is meeting with Chief O’Donnell early tomorrow morning. He’ll come back in time for brunch and fill us in. Come over around ten, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll be there.”
We said good night and hung up. Hearing his familiar warm voice had been comforting for the few minutes we were on the phone. But the knots in my stomach were becoming painful cramps.
Mom looked at my father. “Brian, are you going to be all right?” She looked worried.
He started running his hands through his long hair, the way he always did when he was frustrated. Finally, his voice low, he practically growled, “I will see Donald Gaynes wiped off the face of the earth if it’s the last thing I ever do.”
Mom put her hand over my father’s clenched fist. “Brian, between your men and the police force, I’m confident that Gaynes and any of the criminals working for him will be arrested very quickly. You and Tommy O’Donnell work well together. I have faith in both of you and I’m sure his men and yours will keep all of us well protected.” She patted his hand and he looked at her with so much love in his eyes, I almost felt I should leave the room.
He turned to me and spoke softly. “I love you and your mother more than you will ever know. I will do everything in my power to see that neither of you suffer any further harm. You have my word.”
He stood. “I need to speak to the men I’ve called to my camp, but I hesitate to leave you for even a short time.”
“Dad, there’s a police car parked in front of our house already, and there are two officers inside it. We’ll be fine.” For his sake, I knew it was important to appear confident.
My father closed his eyes for a few seconds, and nodded. “Ryan and Gabriel are on their way to the house now. If all my men were telepathic, I wouldn’t have to leave.”
Five minutes later, there was a knock at the back door. My father opened the door to Ryan and Gabe. “Ryan, I want you inside the house with Cara and her mother. Gabe, I want you guarding the area behind the house. I’ll return as quickly as possible.”
Ryan came in and Mom handed him a cup of coffee. He smiled his thanks. I watched Gabe through the window as he ran through the yard with my father, stopping in Mom’s garden, where he had a good view of both the yard and back of the house. It was too dark to see my father as he disappeared into the trees.
Standing just inside the back door, Ryan asked, “What was it that set off the alarm this time?”
I told him about the threatening message Amy received. It was the first time I’d ever seen Ryan truly shocked. He muttered, “The man’s a lunatic.”
Mom poured more tea for the two of us. “Cara, when your father returns, I think we should turn in for the night. We’ll be up early in the morning. I think my brain needs to shut down for a while.” She’d been so calm until now, but the tension was beginning to show.
“We’re on the same page, Mom. I think my brain has already shut down.” But then my brain reminded me that I hadn’t sung to Rowenna today. “Actually, some fresh air would be good. When Dad gets back, I’d like to spend a few minutes out on the porch.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, I need to breathe in the forest for a few minutes. It always calms me.” It would also make a certain dragon happy.
“If your father approves. But just for a few minutes, dear. It’s late.”
Dad returned about ten minutes later, looking calmer and more in control. “There are currently fifty men in camp, all skilled in weapons and all aware what we’re up against.”
“Brian, you look much better now. I’m going up to bed so I’ll say good night, but Cara wants a few minutes out on the porch, if you think it’s safe.”
“I’ll be up in a little while, Alicia. I’ll sit outside with Cara. Ryan, there are chairs on the front porch. I’d like you stationed in one tonight. I think your night vision is better than that of the police out there. I’ll station Gabriel on the back porch when we come in. If anything stirs, use your whistle.”
When Ryan left for the front porch, my father and I went out to sit on the back porch.
Once we were seated outside, my father asked, “Was there something you needed to speak to me about, dear?”
“Not really. I just need to let Rowenna know I haven’t forgotten about her.”
Finally a smile. He chuckled. “Sing her song. I’ll enjoy hearing it too.”
So I did, but very softly. And once again, I heard the sound of large wings overhead, felt the shimmer of magic, and knew Rowenna had heard her song. But instead of flying back to her mountain, her rough voice in my mind asked, Cara, why are so many Elves in the woods near your mother’s house?
I gave her a brief summary of the threats Amy had received, and explained that the Thornewood police would be working with us. I could hear her wings as she circled overhead.
I will protect you, your friends, and the Elves. I will burn evil humans when I find them. This Dragon will be in the sky over Thornewood every night.
I wasn’t sure the police would understand, but what could I say?
“Thank you, Rowenna. Please be careful.”
Always careful, Cara. Good night.
My father had heard everything Rowenna had said, and as she flew away, he actually started to chuckle.
“Well, I guess we should consider Rowenna our secret weapon. But I think I’d better tell Chief O’Donnell about her. After all, he’s a Halfling. He understands the Elven world, but I’m afraid Rowenna may come as quite a shock.” His soft laughter continued until we went into the house.
Getting some sleep that night was a lost cause. I could hear my father prowling around the house for hours, until I finally heard my mother’s soft voice. “Brian, get some rest now. It’s only a few hours until dawn.” After that, I heard no more footsteps.
The next time I opened my eyes, the sky was light so I got up and took a long sh
ower. I closed my eyes under the warm water and just concentrated on breathing. By the time I dried off, I felt calmer. If that’s what meditation involved, I was all for it.
It was September, but the weather was still hot so I threw on shorts, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. It was too hot for boots, but I’d had a lightweight leather holster made while I was in Elvenwood. It fit comfortably around my waist and held two of my knives, one at each hip. Wherever I went, my knives were going too.
When I got downstairs, Mom was already in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. Dad was sitting at the table drinking coffee and watching Mom.
“Good morning.” I bent down to hug my father and moved to the breakfast bar to hug Mom. She was beating eggs with cheese, onions and milk, ready to pour into two already baked piecrusts. “Mom, you must have started cooking before the sun was up.”
She smiled. “No, I haven’t been in the kitchen that long, dear. But I think we’ll have a full house this morning, and I want to have enough for everyone to eat. I’ll grill sausages too and there’s already a pan of cornbread in the oven.” No wonder the kitchen smelled so good.
My father shook his head, looking guilty. “I’m afraid I kept both of you awake last night. Forgive me.”
He was unusually quiet this morning. I hoped a lot of the things he was worrying about would be resolved in this morning’s meeting.
He looked at the clock, finished his coffee, and stood. “It’s time for me to meet Chief O’Donnell. Harry will be here to pick me up any minute. I’ll wait on the front porch. I think the police left at dawn, but my men are stationed all around this house, so no one who doesn’t belong here will get anywhere near the house. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed Mom on the cheek, gave me a quick hug, and left through the front door.
Mom watched him stride through the door with a worried look. “I think your father will feel more like himself after he and the Chief make their plans, and your father can speak to your friends and his men with some definite ideas for dealing with all those threats. I think he’s found the extent of these new threats overwhelming.”
I could relate. “You don’t seem overwhelmed. How come?”
“Well, the police are on board and the entire police force will be working with your father and his men, although I don’t think anyone but Tommy O’Donnell knows who your father and his men really are. Nevertheless, that’s a very large number of people who will be taking care of Amy and her family, Kevin and his mother, and us, probably Sean and his family as well. I don’t know how many people Gaynes has on his payroll, but they’re badly outnumbered and probably don’t realize it.”
Pushing away from the table, her coffee cup slipped out of her hands and shattered on the hardwood floor. My mother was more nervous than she wanted me to know. Naturally, she wouldn’t admit it.
“Sit down, Mom. I’ll sweep this up.” She wouldn’t meet my eyes as she sat down again. I got the broom out and swept up the broken china.
I decided that a large pot of Kathleen’s calming tea was what we needed. My only plan for the day was to remain calm. Maybe that would reassure my friends.
Mom sat down and had a cup of tea with me. At nine o’clock she put both quiches in the oven and took out the cornbread. The sausages were on the griddle, ready to cook. She went to the pantry and brought out a large bag of oranges, dropping it in my lap.
“Here, honey, make yourself useful.” I set up the juicer on the bar and started making orange juice. That kept me occupied until I heard Kevin’s familiar knock on the door.
Kevin came in the door, still looking almost as nervous as he had last night. Patrick was right behind him. “I’m going back to keep an eye on your house, Kev. Your mother’s home, isn’t she?” Kevin nodded. “I’ll come back here when she leaves the house.” He slapped Kevin on the shoulder and ran back down the steps.
As soon as Kevin was inside and the door was closed, he put his arms around me, resting his face on top of my head.
“You didn’t get much sleep last night either, did you?”
He let go of me and snorted. “Did the bags under my eyes give me away?”
I grimaced. “We have matching bags this morning.” I led him into the kitchen where he went straight to Mom and hugged her.
“How are you feeling today, Mrs. C?”
“I’m fine, Kevin. I think by the time you leave here, you’ll be feeling a lot better too. The Thornewood police force and Brian’s men will have this situation under control quickly. They won’t let any one of us get hurt. Try to relax, dear. Have some of Cara’s tea.”
“I think I’m going to need some strong coffee just to stay awake, Mrs. C.” Mom poured him a cup and Kevin joined me at the breakfast bar while I continued squeezing oranges.
“There was a police car around the corner last night, keeping an eye on our house,” Kevin said. “Naturally, my mother went straight to the officers and demanded to know what they were doing there.” He sighed. “Fortunately, they told her they’d had a report of a prowler in the neighborhood. We’ll all be better off if we can keep her out of this.”
He was right. Betty Sinclair would only make matters worse if she knew about the threats.
Next to arrive were Amy and Sean. He smiled but looked curious. I brought them into the kitchen where Amy got another comforting hug from Mom, and Sean got a nervous smile.
“Amy, want to try this calming tea for a change?”
“No, thanks. I really need coffee this morning. You probably didn’t get much sleep either, did you?”
“No, but I did some meditation in the shower this morning, and I feel a little calmer now.”
Amy looked surprised. “Meditation?”
“Yeah. I want to learn more about it, but it’s something that would help all of us relax.”
Sean wore a blank expression. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”
I handed him a cup of tea and said to Amy, “You’d better show him the message. Sean was involved in the last round of attacks, so we decided we couldn’t leave him in the dark.”
Amy nodded, took her tablet out of her bag, logged on to her Facebook page and handed the tablet to Sean. “Read this.”
His face changed as he read the frightening threats from Gaynes. Finally, he handed the tablet back to Amy and looked at us. “This is worse than last spring. He’s the one who set the fire in the bakery, isn’t he?”
Amy said, “Well, either him or someone who’s working for him. The Chief doesn’t think Gaynes is back; he believes he’s still somewhere in Canada.”
“Chief O’Donnell posted patrol cars in front of our houses last night. I’m sure my Dad will ask that one be posted at your house too. He already has fifty Elves stationed at his camp. I think there will be cops and Elves everywhere, starting today.”
Sean raised one eyebrow. “And Tuesday we’ll be back in school.”
Mom reminded him, “You all got accustomed to having bodyguards in school last spring. This shouldn’t be any more difficult than that was. I seem to remember your bodyguards enjoyed themselves tremendously. And so did all of you.”
I thought, yeah, until the storm.
When my father returned an hour later, he held his shoulders straighter and his head higher. Mom handed him a cup of coffee and he sat down with us.
Mom said, “I’m sure everyone is hungry, Brian, so we can talk after we eat.” She smiled. “You look a lot better than you did when you left.”
My father nodded. “Chief O’Donnell and I have made plans that will ensure everyone’s safety. I’ll explain everything after we’ve eaten.”
Mom cut slices of quiche for everyone, put a basket of corn muffins on the table, and began grilling sausages. “Help yourselves.”
After everyone had eaten and coffee and tea had been placed on the table, my father began. “Chief O’Donnell is throwing the entire weight of the Thornewood Police Dept. into our plans. He’s also sending copies of that threat Amy received to
every police department, nationwide, as well as Canada. But he said he wished he had a picture of Gaynes. Apparently, the man has always been careful not to be photographed. His drivers license picture must have been taken when he was sixteen, and it’s not very good.”
Kevin looked at me. “Gavin said the picture of Gaynes you painted on your target was accurate. You could take a picture of your target for the Chief.”
My father added, “We’ll walk over to your practice area later and you can take a picture. I know the Chief will be delighted to have any kind of picture of Gaynes the way he looks today.
“There will be a police car parked in front of each house every night. That includes your house, Sean. You weren’t mentioned specifically in these latest threats, but we’re not taking any chances. In addition, there will be more police cars patrolling Thornewood than usual. The police will be patrolling on foot as well. Special attention will be paid to any unfamiliar faces and cars seen in town, and Chief O’Donnell has cancelled all vacations until further notice.
“That brings us to the threat to your vehicles. The Chief has a list of your cars and license plate numbers. They’ll be subject to frequent checks for explosives, wherever they’re parked, at home, at school, downtown, anywhere. Anyone who wants to plant a bomb will need to be invisible because there will be eyes on our homes and vehicles 24/7. Of course, the police will be keeping eyes on all of you as well. They won’t interfere unless they suspect something is wrong. If any one of you is stopped by a policeman, don’t be alarmed. He will simply be making sure that you’re all right.
“As for my men, other than your bodyguards, most of my Elves will be working undercover, guarding your homes day and night. You probably won’t see them, but they’ll be there. And they’ll be armed. They won’t step in unless they think you need help. Since you all have those little phones, Chief O’Donnell asked that you all put him on something called ‘speed dial.’ He wants you to call any time you see or hear anything suspicious, no matter how small.” I needed to give my father a crash course in cell phones.