by Lakes, Lynde
Spying would be easy. Darli and Greg trusted him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the sharp pain that shot through his skull and into his eyes. He would offer to take the boxes with their personal things in his car, packing his Honda so full that Keiko would have to ride with Greg and Darli.
He needed time to sort through their things. To explain his delay, he would blame a flat tire. He also needed help with the search to minimize the lag. He glanced out the kitchen window. Satisfied that Keiko hadn’t returned from the apartment’s community laundry room, he made his call. “Fox,” he said in a hushed tone, “we’ll rendezvous at nine tomorrow morning in the alley behind Chang’s place.”
Mario closed his eyes. “Dear God, let me still have Keiko’s love when this is over.”
****
Darli wondered if pouring rain on moving day was a bad omen. It definitely made the process of moving into their new home more troublesome and chaotic. Everything had to be wrapped in rain-proof covers. Keiko and Mario helped until about eleven—then they finally left. Darli look around and sighed. “Mind staying up a little longer? I can’t bear to get up in the morning to this mess.”
Cortz looked around. “Not at all. I’m too keyed up to sleep anyway.”
“Moving day high?”
“More like friend overload,” he said.
“Humph,” Darli snorted. “How can you say that? The clutter would be even worse if Mario and Keiko hadn’t pitched in today.”
Cortz sent her a doubtful look. “But Mario unpacked boxes I’d clearly marked private, and he didn’t seem in any hurry to leave—and he asked countless prying questions.”
“Since Keiko and I are as close as sisters, he probably felt like family and figured the word private was only meant to keep the movers out. And as far as the questions go, maybe he just wants to get to know you better.”
“Do you believe that?” Again, he met her gaze with those doubtful eyes.
Suddenly she wasn’t sure what she believed. A concerned shiver slipped down her spine. “Now that you mention it, asking all those questions is out of character for him. He’s always been too wrapped up in Keiko to be interested in anyone else.”
“Did you tell Mario that I was recently released from a mental institution?”
“Of course not. It hurts me that you had to ask. I didn’t even tell Keiko.”
A pulse throbbed along Cortz’s jaw line. “Somehow he knows about it. He wanted the details.”
“Now you’ve really got me worried. I thought perhaps I was imagining it, but I have noticed a change in him. It started around the time the Navy promoted him to a new job….a position that requires a security clearance.”
Cortz’s eyes clouded and he grew silent, thoughtful.
Darli paced, then decided what had to be done. “I’ll confront Mario and get whatever is going on out into the open.”
“No! That might jeopardize your friendship with Keiko. Besides, a Navy man involved in security won’t tell you zip.” The glints of ruby lights in his eyes darkened. After a moment, they lightened again. “What are we talking about them for?” A new energy came into his voice. “This is our first night in our new home. Let’s enjoy it.”
Darli wished she could shift gears as quickly as Cortz. A haze of uneasiness lingered, but he was right. They couldn’t do anything about Mario tonight.
She stifled a yawn.
“Tired?” Cortz asked in his deep, unworldly seductive tone.
“A little. But it’s a good tired. We accomplished a lot today.”
“Let me get the lights,” Cortz said. “We’ve done enough down here for one day.” He was right, she thought. By midnight, they had arranged most of their large items and pictures. After he turned out the last light, he slipped his arm around her. They walked slowly up the stairs with their arms loosely around each other’s waist.
When they reached the top of the staircase, Cortz scooped her into his arms.
Caught off guard, she squealed.
He laughed, heading for the master bedroom. “I’ll carry you the rest of the way,” he whispered against her ear, his breath warm. “I want to conserve your energy for more important things.”
“What things?” she asked, feigning innocence.
“I’ll show you,” Cortz said, lowering her to the bed.
Shimmering moonlight and a sliver of hallway light brought brilliance to the darkness, and the open drapes allowed a ginger-scented breeze to filter in.
Darli lay motionless, anticipating his touch. She remembered the last time they made love—his eyes glinting wildly in passion, his vibrating fingers, his vibrating lips, his hot, moist vibrating penis. Oh, God, she wanted it all again. And again. For a lifetime.
He sat down next to her and began unbuttoning her blouse slowly, one button at a time. The ruby glow in his unwavering gaze and the tantalizing brush of magic fingers on her flesh sent blood racing through her veins, and a pulsing to her core. He slowly folded her blouse back and unsnapped the front-opening bra. Her excitement shot to celestial heights, making it difficult to lie still.
His quivering fingers traced a design across her exposed skin. Then, cupping both breasts in his hands, he lingeringly let his creative fingers fondle and kiss them. “I never get tired of looking at you, touching you, wanting you,” he whispered.
The ragged desire in his voice was too much. Her nipples hardened. Yanking on his shirt, she said, breathlessly, “This has got to go! It all has to go. Now.”
Frantically, they kicked clothes aside. Then, he drew her into his arms. She cuddled into his hard, muscular body. He cradled her and when his searching, clever lips met hers, she closed her eyes. Pulling him closer, she dug her fingers into his flesh. His kisses ignited her blood. Their arms and legs entangled as they lost themselves in probing-tongue, devouring kisses.
She wanted to tell him how dear he was to her, how she admired him, and how thankful she was for his love. But the words failed to form and she responded with her body.
His hands roamed over her, part of the time massaging, and part of the time teasing with a tingling touch that drove her wild. Her grasp on his back tightened as he held himself above her. He caressed her breasts. “Love these,” he murmured, “soft, smooth.” She moaned when his lips followed the circular trail his hands had traced.
She reveled in his tenderness, his adoration, and appreciated how he took the time for her pleasure to build. And it did…beyond what she thought she could stand. Her body strained against him. Her hands groped for his narrow hips. Thoughts left her head…she could only feel. “Now,” she begged in a breathy whisper, feeling tense, like a tightly coiled spring.
Cortz deepened her pleasure with powerful thrusts. She met his pace, undulating wildly, hurling herself faster and faster. She dissolved into pulses of throbbing current, as intense sensations vibrated through her writhing body.
“Don’t stop!” she said, delirious with ecstasy.
“Darli! My sweet E—” He cut himself off, his voice breathless, joyous. His ruby eyes glowed like jeweled suns. Together they soared higher, extending their exquisite release.
Afterwards, they lay silently for a few seconds, Cortz heavily weighted against her breast. They gasped for air…their lungs burning, their chests rising and falling, a thin glistening dampness clinging between them.
When Cortz caught his breath, he lay silently beside her, holding her against him and stroking her hair.
“How did you like your housewarming gift?”
“It’s perfect,” Darli said. “Something I can always use.”
Even in the darkness, Darli saw the glints of love in his eyes. He gazed down at her, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. He bent and feathered a quick kiss across her lips. “I love you,” he said, drawing her closer.
Darli lay awhile, wrapped in Cortz’s arms. “Our life is so good,” she said drowsily. “I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find it’s a dream. I’m afraid—” But there was n
o pointing in saying more. Cortz’s breathing had taken on a deep, even rhythm. She wondered what endearing name he was about to say before he cut himself off. What could start with “e”? His everything? She laughed. If he were really an alien, maybe he was about to call her his Earth angel.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Darli walked through the living room of her new Hawaiian home, her pace slow and thoughtful. When she pulled the cord, the sheers underneath the heavy draperies danced lithely across the rods. Her eyes took in the panoramic ocean view, but her mind was on her news.
She stepped out onto the varnished deck, stretched her arms above her head and inhaled the salt air. Life was good. Who could ask for more? Cortz was her husband, she lived in paradise, she had work she loved, and now today her obstetrician told her she was going to have a baby. She shook her head and hugged herself. Imagine, their baby…hers and Cortz’s.
Darli laughed—she couldn’t stop calling him Cortz. The name had always suited him better than Greg. And he preferred it when they were alone. She stared out at the water. Everything was perfect!
The ringing phone interrupted her thoughts, and she stepped inside to answer it.
“Darli, I’m glad you’re home. This is Dr. Helen Steina.”
“What a surprise!” Darli smiled. “Greg will be sorry he missed your call. I guess you received my card saying we moved?”
“Yes, congratulations,” the psychiatrist said. “But I’m afraid this isn’t a social call.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It may be. Mona called me a couple days ago. I’ve been trying to decide whether to bother you or not.”
Darli tensed, recalling the strange conversation she’d had with Mona only a week ago. Mona had asked if Greg was there. When Darli had told her he was at work, Mona had asked if she was certain of that. The conversation had ended quickly after she’d assured Mona that she’d left him at the office less than half an hour before.
“I don’t know how to tell you this,” the doctor said, “but Mona asked me how sure I was that Greg was really Greg.”
“What?” Darli’s body stiffened. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither did I, at first. It was a strange question, especially since Mona introduced Greg to me as her brother.”
Darli’s knees went weak. She pulled the telephone cord with her and sank into the deep cushions of the couch.
Dr. Steina was silent for a moment, then in a monotone she continued, “Greg showed up at Mona’s house this week.”
“That’s impossible,” Darli said. “He never left Oahu.”
“The man told Mona he was Greg,” Dr. Steina said. “He was thinner and more weathered than Greg, so Mona wasn’t convinced. But he knew about everything—the business, their childhood, the explosion and the loss of Greg’s wife and twin sons. Now, Mona doesn’t know what to think.”
“But Greg is here,” Darli insisted, gripping the receiver with trembling hands. “I had lunch with him just two hours ago.”
“The thing that bothered Mona most,” Dr. Steina said, “was the fact that your Greg claimed to be from another planet. I told her it wasn’t unusual for patients to say such things during treatment, particularly Greg. He handled pain by escaping into a fantasy world.”
“Yes. Mona knew that…we all knew it. This is ridiculous.” Darli felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. “There must be a way to prove who the real Greg is—fingerprints, DNA tests…”
“The man told Mona he had to do something before he submitted to all that.”
“Sounds suspicious,” Darli said. “If he were the real Greg, he’d go to any lengths to prove it.”
“Mentally disturbed people don’t always act rationally.”
Darli thought back to when she’d first met Cortz. Minutes after the meteor had sunk into the sea, he appeared in a metallic diving suit, but he didn’t speak. Later, his precise speech, odd ways of expressing himself, and strange behavior all contributed to her willingness to believe he was a space alien. Then she discovered he wasn’t an alien—he was mentally ill. After that, she’d refused to consider that there was any truth to the alien story, even though many things pointed to it, even his out-of-this-world lovemaking and glowing ruby eyes.
“Darli, are you all right?” Dr. Steina asked.
“Yes…yes. Fine. This is just so absurd.”
“Well, Greg will get a chance to clear it all up. The police will contact him soon. Mona must have called them because they were here with a court order to take his file. They said they had questions and would contact the Honolulu police to pick him up.”
“Thanks for the warning. I know you went out on a limb for us.”
“You two are special to me. And Greg went through so much before. I didn’t know how he would take this. But if you prepare him, it should be all right.”
Darli wished she had prepared herself—the signs were there. She touched her unnoticeably rounded belly and imagined she felt a tiny heartbeat. Now it was too late.
“It isn’t just Greg I’m worried about,” Dr. Steina said. “If by some chance he isn’t the real Greg, you might be in danger.”
“But, he is Greg, Doctor. You know him. He’s the gentlest man in the world. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I don’t know who that other man is, or where he came from, but Greg is here with me.” With effort, Darli kept her voice even and strong. “I can’t believe Mona didn’t discuss this with us before bringing in the police. That other man is the impostor.” Darli’s heartbeat quickened at her lie.
“Whatever you do, be careful. Remember Greg has been through more mental trauma and confusion than any one person should have to handle in a lifetime. If he snaps…well, anything could happen.”
“I could never believe he’s dangerous.”
“Believe me, if cornered, he could be.”
“Not my Greg. I’d stake my life on it.”
“You may be doing just that. Remember, I’m here if you need me.”
After hanging up the phone, Darli stared out the window, her mind numb. She fixed her gaze on the rolling waves without seeing them. She should do something—but what?
A piercing ring cut through Darli’s foggy mind. She brushed a wisp of hair back from her face and slowly lifted the telephone receiver. “Hello,” she said, forcing a crispness into her voice.
“The police were here looking for Greg,” Cortz’s new secretary said. “They have your home address. I thought you should know.”
“Thanks, Gretchen. Don’t worry. It’s just a little mix up. We’ll straighten it out. I’ll call you in the morning.”
A rush of adrenaline pumped through Darli’s veins. Cortz would arrive any minute…and so would the police. She had to talk to Cortz first! Darli paced the floor. Alerted by the sound of a car in the driveway, she quickly locked the sliding glass door and ran through the house to the utility room. Her powerful yank on the door that led to the garage caused Cortz to almost fall into her arms.
“Anxious little stargazer, aren’t you?” he asked, smiling. His body heat failed to comfort her as he drew her close.
She twisted out of his hold. “We have to go…now!”
“Where?” His brown eyes clouded, the ruby flecks of light dimmed.
“Don’t ask questions.” She applied pressure to his shoulder with a firm hand, hoping to turn him around. He didn’t budge.
“Let me change clothes first,” he said.
“I said now.” She glared at him.
Cortz’s smile faded. “What’s the matter?”
“We’ll talk on the way.”
He wrinkled his brow. “On the way where?”
Darli narrowed her eyes, then whipped around and strode out the door toward the car. She heard his rapid footsteps behind her.
“You drive,” she called to him as she slid into the passenger side of the yellow Volkswagen. When she’d taught him to drive her stick shift, she’d thought it was strange that he’d never driven one. Another clue she
’d ignored.
Due to the usual heavy evening traffic, it took Cortz about two minutes to ease out of the driveway onto Kalanianaole Highway. He headed toward Honolulu. “Where are we going?”
“Stop at Kawaikui Beach Park. We can talk there.”
“What’s wrong with the beach behind our house? Are you tired of it already?”
She gave him a sharp look. “Don’t you dare joke now, Cortz.”
He looked hurt as if she’d slapped him, but nevertheless he pulled into the park. She jumped out of the car before he turned off the ignition.
“What’s wrong?” he yelled after her.
Darli heard the car door slam. Without looking back, she knew he was following her toward the deserted, sandy strip of beach. She paused before reaching the water. A few feet away the low tide gently sucked on the shoreline as if all was right in the world. But it wasn’t! She plunked down on the sand next to the remains of a sandcastle and pounded it with her fist.
“What is this all about?” Cortz asked. He stared down at her with serious eyes that disclosed nothing. His imposing frame blocked out the round of red setting sun.
Darli captured and held Cortz’s gaze with hers. “I want the truth…Are you really Gregory Harris?”
The flecks of ruby in his eyes took on a fiery brightness, as if tiny specks of the sun had crumbled off into them. He crouched beside her. “Darli…I—”
“Just answer my question…no lies.” Her throat felt tight.
“This isn’t like you,” he said in a pained tone.
Darli glared at him. “At least you know who I am…and if it’s like me or not, but I don’t have the same advantage.”
“If you would just tell me what’s going on.”
He tried to take her in his arms, but she moved out of reach. “Will that change the truth?”
“When I told you the truth before you wouldn’t believe me.”