by Pamela Fryer
* * *
Fat, turbulent clouds sat low on the ocean, capturing the setting sun’s rays magnificently. Darkness fell fast in the fall, August remembered. But from where?
A few glimpses of that stunning sunset were all she had on her half-hour break, as the evening rush was almost as busy as the lunch. And then the incredible sunset was gone, nothing left but purple edges distantly visible through the darkness.
These past few days working at the Mirthful Mermaid had left her bone weary, but it felt good. For the first time in almost three weeks, her entire day hadn’t been spent frustrated by her inability to remember. Things came to her naturally, like how to tip a mug to keep the beer from foaming, how to fill the dishwashing tray, and even how to work the old ACME cash register. Somewhere, she’d done these things before. If she could remember this, why couldn’t she remember her own name?
“It’s ten to eleven,” Gran Millie said. She slipped a loose lock of hair behind August’s ear. “Why don’t you call it quits? We’re nearly empty.”
August glanced at the dining room. A group at a table in the center was paying their bill, and the only patron at the bar was a flirty old fellow she suspected was sweet on Gran Millie.
“I’m waiting for Geoffrey to come back. Derek says he’s going to pick him up again.”
Derek emerged from the kitchen with a clean tray of glasses. He slipped them under the counter and retrieved the tray August had filled with dirty mugs.
“I thought you were biking home,” Gran Millie said.
He looked up. “Aw, Gran, it isn’t safe riding out on the highway at night. I heard some girl got hit out there and broke her arm.” He grinned. “Besides, I kind of put it in G’s head to come back and visit August, so I’m betting I won’t have to.”
“That’s the third night this week he’s picked you up.” His grandmother rolled her eyes. “You’re incorrigible.” She swatted at him with her towel as Derek headed back to the kitchen.
She turned back to August, grinning. “I’ll take that wager. We’ll see my other grandson, then.”
August laughed. “Hope so.”
Gran Millie took her under one arm. August’s face bloomed with heat. She sensed something important coming.
“My grandson has it bad for you.”
Her heart gave a little jump. “Well, you know what, Gran Millie? I’ve got it pretty bad for him, too.”
“Hmmm?” She peered at August. “I sense a ‘but’ coming.”
“I hope there isn’t one.” The excitement that had just filled her heart turned to anxiety. She had tried not to let herself fall in love with him, but in the end she’d had no control over it. In a way, she was glad. It was a beautiful feeling, loving Geoffrey.
Gran Millie moved away and started transferring the clean glasses from the dishwashing tray onto the shelf below the bar. “I want you to know that I’m very fond of you, and whatever happens, I’m glad you brought Geoffrey happiness. He’s been so miserable for the last year...”
“I’m glad, too.” Was that a tear the older woman was trying to hide from her? “Why don’t you let me unload those glasses, Gran Millie?”
“Naw, I’ve got it.” She turned her head away and gave a quick dab at her eye. “You can take out that bag of garbage, though. The cans are right out the side door at the end of the alley.”
She knew where they were, having done it before. August grabbed the small plastic bundle by the twisted neck and headed to the side door. It opened before she reached it as Jose, the busboy, came in from a cigarette break.
He held the door open for her. “Want me to get that?”
She smiled. “I got it. Mmmm, fresh sea air.”
The cans were near the mouth of the alley. A single lamp high up at the corner of the building lit the narrow passageway in dingy light.
Cold wind slipped through her clothes like ominous, roving fingers. Suddenly, August wished she had given the bag to Jose. It was only eleven, but it seemed this part of town rolled up its sidewalks early. Other than the Mirthful Mermaid, the row of buildings possessed shops that closed at eight during the week.
She walked slowly toward the end of the alley in growing uneasiness. Not a single car passed on the road. August set the bag down, removed the lid, and then hefted the bag inside.
She was holding the lid again when a sound behind her made her start. She whirled around in time to see an orange tabby cat go over the fence separating them from the next building.
August let out a fast breath. She was jumpy, that was all. She fitted the lid back on the can tightly, so raccoons couldn’t get in.
A glint of light from the street caught her attention. She looked up. The breath froze in her throat as a dark silhouette moved toward her.
A woman...holding a knife.
Chapter Eighteen
August backed away, transfixed by the long blade. She tripped over something and spun around awkwardly. Losing her balance, she spiraled toward the ground.
Her good hand landed on something solid—a stack of wooden crates—and just as quickly she regained her balance. She shoved forward and sent the crates toppling behind her.
“Shit!” a voice behind her hissed. Her pursuer crashed into the crates. She heard one scrape against the pavement, followed by another crash.
“Help!” August screamed. She reached the door. It was locked! It had been open just a few minutes ago—
She pulled on the knob, but it wouldn’t budge. The figure was moving over the pile, holding the knife out in front of her body. August pounded on the door.
“Help me! Somebody open the door!”
Her attacker kept coming. August pounded harder. Her throat burned from screaming, but in her terror, she couldn’t even hear her own voice.
The door burst open, nearly knocking her over.
“Christ, August—”
She flew into Derek’s arms, turning to glance behind her as the door slammed shut. “There’s someone in the alley with a knife!”
* * *
The first thing Geoffrey saw was August, in Derek’s arms. He choked on his own tongue.
His brother sidled around her and reached for the restaurant’s side door.
She grabbed for his arm, fumbled, and ended up with only a handful of his damp apron. “Don’t go out there!”
“What is it—what’s going on?” Gran Millie crossed the empty dining room.
August turned around and saw him. She rushed over and threw herself into his arms. “Geoffrey! I’m so glad you’re here.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, not sure what to make of the situation.
Derek stood in the doorway, peering into the alley. He came back in and let the door shut behind him. “There’s no one there.”
August wrenched free. “I am not imagining this!”
Gran Millie turned and ran back to the bar. “I’m calling Mike.”
“The empty produce crates fell over,” Derek said. “Are you sure that’s not what scared you?”
Geoffrey gently turned her around. “What did you see?”
August was pale and shaking. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
“Someone was out there! She cursed at me.”
“She?”
“It was a woman’s voice...at least I think so.” She pressed her hand to her forehead. “I knocked over the crates and she ran into them. My God, she would have gotten me if I hadn’t knocked them over—”
Geoffrey pulled her close. “Shhh. It’s all right, you’re okay.”
She melted against him and pressed her face to his chest. “I saw a knife. There was someone out there with a knife!”
He looked toward the bar at the sound of his grandmother hanging up the phone.
“Mike’s on his way.”
Had he been out of his mind to consider laying a trap for this stalker? Geoffrey leaned back and held August at arm’s length. “Now will you come back up to the house?”
She sniffled and lo
oked at him for a long second before shaking her head. “I don’t feel safer there. She knows about the house, too.”
He guided her to a table and after easing her into a chair, pulled another close and sat beside her.
“Then where? Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”
She smiled even as she started crying all over again. “You’re so wonderful.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “Looks like the trap plan backfired.”
He took her hand and grasped it in both of his. “This has gone too far. We need to start treating this situation as dangerous.”
Flashing blue and red lights filled the empty restaurant as the sheriff pulled up at the front of the windows.
August blew out a long breath. “You’re right. We’ll ask Mike what he thinks we should do. I’ll do whatever he suggests.”
Gran Millie unlocked the front door to let Mike in. They all converged in the center of the room and August recounted the incident. Geoffrey’s heart kicked into high gear as he heard her terrifying story.
He’d almost lost her tonight. It made him sick to his stomach. Had he really thought twice about proposing? He knew now, his life would never be the same without her.
Mike checked the immediate area and sent an all-points bulletin to Newport’s sixteen other units to look out for a red-haired woman on foot, or driving a car with out-of-state plates.
“There isn’t much more we can do,” he said. Geoffrey noted the uneasiness in his eyes when his brother-in-law’s gaze fell on him. “I can’t say one place is safer than the other to spend the night, but whatever you choose, August shouldn’t be alone. Just let me know what you decide and I’ll have a patrol make a few passes throughout the night.”
Still holding his hand, she gave his fingers a squeeze. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Here?” Geoffrey asked.
Derek snorted. “As if you’d have to ask him twice.”
August whirled around. “Do you try to get on his last nerve, or does it just come naturally?”
His sneer faded away. “Sorry. I get itchy when I’m nervous.”
Her shoulders sagged. “No, I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“He knows I don’t mean it personally.” Derek raised his hand and offered his brother a high-five, which Geoffrey reluctantly accepted. “Don’t you, bro?”
“Sure.”
Mike flipped his notepad open. “August, do you have any idea who this red-headed woman is?”
She shook her head. “I wish I did.” Her voice trembled as she fought tears everyone could see coming. “I’m not even sure she has red hair. I couldn’t see anything but a dark silhouette tonight, and Geoffrey says the woman he saw at the banquet had black hair.”
“That could have been anyone,” he said before Mike could question him. “I have no reason to think she didn’t belong, other than her casual clothes.”
When August shot him a look, he reached for her hand.
“I’m sorry, but there really was nothing to indicate that woman was there because of you.”
Her shoulders dropped. “I know what I saw tonight. And I know someone was in the house.”
“How tall would you say this person is? Was she thin, or heavyset? Is there anything about this person that jars a memory?”
“Taller than me, that was all I could tell.” August shook her head at his list of questions. “I keep wracking my brain, but things only slip farther away when I try too hard.”
Mike sighed heavily. “When we first met, you told me you wanted to remember your past before I made inquiries. I think now the situation warrants a full investigation.” Mike wore his rigid policeman’s face. “With your permission, of course,” he added in a slightly gentler tone.
She nodded. “Do I have to sign papers or something?”
“Not at all.” Mike smiled, and Geoffrey was immensely grateful for his brother-in-law’s courtesy. “My assistant is back from vacation tomorrow. I’ll put her on it first thing.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, rubbing her arm above her cast as if she had a chill.
“I think this will be for the best,” Geoffrey said. “If we find out who you are, we can investigate your closest relations. We’ll find this mystery woman before she can get any closer.” Saying it made him feel better, even though the idea of finding her old life, and watching her return to it, filled him with a strange, dark envy.
“Yeah, you’ll be all right, August,” Derek said, trying to be agreeable for once. “Come back to the house tonight and we’ll stay up all night and keep watch. Play a game of Parcheesi, or something.”
Though his brother sounded like an idiot, Geoffrey was even grateful to Derek for his attempt to cheer her up.
“We have to work tomorrow.” When she looked up at Geoffrey, her eyes were wide and watery, betraying the fear she tried to keep hidden. “What if she’s up at the house now? She could be breaking in at this very moment.”
“I’ll go with you,” Mike volunteered. “I’ll do a check of the house before anyone goes inside.”
“And of course we’ll set the alarm,” Geoffrey promised. “If anyone tries to break in, the siren will wake up the whole neighborhood.”
“And alert us.” Mike put on his hat. “Millie, I’d like you to be especially careful, too. Lock up, set the alarm, and don’t go out again.”
“What for?” Gran Millie fairly shrieked. “It isn’t me this nutcase is after. No crazy woman with a knife is going to make me a prisoner in my own home.”
Mike grinned. “You’ll be here alone tonight, and you’re frail, helpless, and senile.”
“Watch it, buddy.” She frowned and slowly swiveled to August, keeping her narrowed eye on the sheriff as long as possible. “What do you say, kiddo? You going home with these two capable protectors?”
“All right. I’ll go to the house.” The tension slid out of her shoulders. “I feel safer already, knowing there are two strong men keeping watch over me.”
Mike started toward the door. “All right then. Geoffrey, you’ll follow me.”
“This is cool!” Derek sang happily. “I get a ride home.”
* * *
By the time they arrived at the beach house, August regretted her decision. She told herself it was only for one night, or two, until Sheriff Mike found out who she was. He’d assured her no one from her past would learn about her until she’d been given all the information, and she would be allowed to make her own decision on how to proceed.
But what if they didn’t find anything? How long could she go on living with Geoffrey? What if she was hundreds of miles from home? What if she’d been on the run for years? What if she didn’t have any family or friends?
There was nothing wrong with accepting his charity, but still August wanted independence. She’d tasted it this week, working at the Mirthful Mermaid. These were the first days that hadn’t been filled with desperate, frustrating attempts to reach into the mud clogging her memory. Maybe it was because she’d taken her mind off it altogether, but the bartender’s job at the Mirthful Mermaid was fast-paced and fun. Millie’s regulars were a rowdy bunch, and they weren’t stingy tippers, either.
Mike gave the all-clear, and they filed into the kitchen.
“Anyone up for microwave popcorn?” Derek asked.
“Not me. I ate leftover meatballs at the Mermaid,” August said wearily. She wanted a hot bath, and then to disappear under the covers. “Besides, the kernels get stuck in my teeth, and flossing with one hand is hard enough as it is.”
“I’ve got to get back on duty,” Mike said. “Geoffrey, August—I’ll be in touch tomorrow morning.”
They closed the door behind him. With every light blazing in the house, August felt somewhat safer.
“How ’bout you, bro?”
“I want to talk to August for a minute.”
“Geez, what a bunch of party poopers. Well, I’m going to nuke some up.”
August�
�s uneasiness grew as she followed Geoffrey down the hall to his room. It was upstairs from the room she’d been using, and at the opposite end of the house.
Was he going to suggest they share a room tonight? The hotel had been one thing, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about sleeping in the same room in his house, stalker or not.
Once inside the masculinely decorated room, he took her hand and urged her to sit on the edge of the bed.
“I know you had a terrifying experience tonight and this probably isn’t the best time...”
He took a deep breath. She could tell he was trying to put something difficult into words. Her heart kicked up its speed with a mixture of excitement and worry.
“But I realize how close I came to losing you tonight, and it scared the hell out of me.”
Her sweet, humble Geoffrey. A tinge of pink had crept into his cheeks. His eyes were soft velvet under a row of thick lashes that swept down as he glanced to the floor for a long minute.
“I knew almost since the beginning that I loved you—”
“Shhh.” She put a finger to his lips. “Geoffrey, I love you, too.”
It felt wonderful saying so. She smiled even as new tears burned.
“To hear you say that is the greatest thing I could have hoped for. I would say that I can’t live without you, but I know I could lose you to your past. I’m okay with that. Because more than anything, I want you to have the life you deserve. I know you didn’t just fall out of the sky. You’re going to find your family, your friends—”
“Let’s not worry about what we don’t know.”
“I need to.” He took her good hand and grasped her fingers. “What I can’t bear to lose you to is a senseless tragedy like the one that took Christina. After she died, I wished I had done more to help her.” His eyes misted over but he continued to smile warmly and tenderly. “I realize now I have the perfect opportunity to do something, and I can’t pass it up.”
He produced a small velvet box. August caught her breath.
Geoffrey slipped to his knee on the floor. “I love you, August. I would be honored if you would be my wife.”
He flipped open the lid. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen. Shimmery starbursts exploded around it as her eyes blurred with tears. She stared, thunderstruck, unable to find words.