Unless you had no special ability like Chloe. Besides her gift with numbers (which didn’t count since it was left-brained and too ordinary), she had nothing, not even good instincts. Her ordinariness made her an anomaly in Lilithdale; her connection to Lilithdale made her an oddball to the rest of the world. The only person Chloe could intimately relate to was Marilyn of the Addams family, who was pitied for her normality.
“Can I … help you?” An attractive blonde dressed in silk and linen was leaning out of the doorway. She didn’t want to help, not by the way her gaze disdainfully took in Chloe’s pantsuit or the way her lip lifted at the sight of Chloe’s green Keds. There was nothing wrong with her Keds. Thanks to her grandma, the dyeing guru, her shoes were a perfect match to her outfit. What the blonde was really saying was Stop blocking our first-class window with your second-class self.
Just like she’d done for years, Chloe swept her gaze down the woman’s attire, pretending to find something amiss. “I can’t imagine a thing you could help me with.” Head and shoulders high, she spun around and walked away. It didn’t hurt. Not even a tiny bit.
The sun sparkled on the Porsches and BMWs parked along Fifth Avenue. Her green ’66 T-Bird didn’t stand out like a bruised knuckle. It didn’t.
A gorgeous guy was eating a sandwich on the whale’s tail of his Porsche. She smiled at his cleverness of finding a table, but he looked right through her. Men in suits and women in outfits that probably cost more than Chloe’s whole wardrobe passed her on the sidewalk. She heard snatches of conversations, this stock going up, the Heart Association’s gala that weekend, look, new Ferragamos in the window, I’m going to try them on. Not even a mention of going fishing that afternoon, good vibes, or getting their chakras cleared. What was she even doing there?
Forget the Porsches, the snooty blonde, and the frogman, she told herself. Enjoy the perfect winter day.
In Naples, winter meant the temperature barely had the decency to dip into sweater-wearing weather. It was too warm, but the snowbirds that migrated from the North to take up residence in their condos weren’t complaining.
She pulled out the list Aunt Stella had given her. Buy a bacon-scented chew toy for her session with the troubled Great Dane. Pick up plum foot cream from the Day Spa for Gisella. Then Sangeeta needed Chloe’s help at the tea house for a few hours while she went to regress to her previous lives at Aunt Lena’s Total Balance Women’s Center. Oh, and she was supposed to pick up Nita’s books so she could work on the monthly accounting.
Two hundred and fifty women now lived in Lilithdale, most having moved down once they’d packed their kids off to college. Chloe had been the only child to grow up there. Over the years the surrounding communities had taken notice of their psychic neighbors and started going for readings. While they were there, they had tea and tofu and sometimes stayed for dinner. Slowly it had become a Mecca for women seeking anything from a psychic reading to advice, from animal counseling to a bookstore specializing in women’s tomes.
While the residents welcomed visitors, they abhorred leaving town, so they always loaded Chloe with errands whenever she drove into Naples. Since their requests were accompanied by hugs, how could she resist?
Chloe’s smile faded when she remembered Gisella’s warning: “Be extra careful today. I feel something bad’s gonna happen.”
* * *
Dylan McKain met with Judge Neely late that morning. When a judge asked for a meeting in her chambers, Dylan thought it unwise to tell her that most of his clients came to his office.
Neely told him to make himself comfortable in the wood-paneled office. “We almost met two months ago. The mayor’s open house party. You did a fabulous job designing his house.”
“Thank you.” The mayor had made him the official guest of honor. Not only did Dylan hate being the center of attention — although for his firm’s sake, he’d suffer it — Wanda had manufactured her usual crisis before every important social event. People were beginning to wonder if he’d made up a wife since she never made any appearances.
“I understand you’re doing the Kraft Theater on Third Street. N Magazine said you were the sole architect. The kind of project to elevate your firm to national status.”
“It’s an exciting project. The exposure is just a bonus.”
“My husband and I are planning to build a home in Pelican Bay, and we want you personally to design it for us.”
Dylan usually had a hard time saying no to opportunities like this. But he’d made himself a promise that morning and he was going to stick with it. “I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve already had to delegate my projects to my associates because of the theater. But I have talented people who do great work.”
The judge surprised him with her pout. “But we want you.”
He smiled. “I appreciate that, but the theater is going to take all of my professional time for the next several months. If you’re not in a hurry, I’d be glad to schedule an appointment as soon as the theater requires less time.”
“Sure you can’t put in some evening hours if I pay you a bonus?”
“Afraid not. I already work too many weekends and evenings. Frankly, I need to spend more time at home.” This morning he’d eaten his bagel at the empty table and realized the sacrifice he was making. He never saw his son anymore. Teddy was still asleep when Dylan woke, and Wanda usually had him put to bed by the time he got home. Whenever he made a point to spend time with his son, Teddy was either sick or tired from playing.
Neely’s pout disappeared. “All right, I can understand that. Family should always come first. Put me on your schedule.” She gave him a wink. “I want to be first on your list.”
Dylan shook her hand. “Count on it.”
It was strange, the ache he’d gotten that morning as he’d looked at his son’s booster seat and realized he never saw Teddy sitting there. He had to make time for his son. He glanced at his Movado watch as he walked to his Mercedes. It was early, but maybe he’d stop by the house on his way back to work and have lunch with his son. He had to go right by Royal Harbor anyway.
He felt good about seeing Teddy on the spur-of-the-moment until he saw Wanda’s car in the garage. Odd that the garage door was open. He looked at her BMW and for a moment didn’t want to go inside.
She never complained about his long hours and never accused him of neglecting his family. In fact, she seemed agitated when he did decide to take a weekend morning off or come home early. He just figured he threw off her schedule — like he was doing today.
Lately she’d been acting odd, like disappearing for a few hours and not telling him where she’d been. He would have suspected an affair, but she didn’t look … satisfied. Then again, what did satisfaction look like exactly?
He pushed himself out of the car. He nearly collided with her as she barreled out the door that separated the garage and the laundry room.
Her eyes went wide with panic. “Dylan! What are you doing home? You’re not supposed to be here.”
She looked guilty, and he rethought the affair idea. “I had an appointment down at the courthouse and thought I’d stop by and see Teddy.”
“Courthouse?” She wrapped one arm around her waist and chewed the tips of her fingers.
“A judge wants me to design her house,” he said absently, taking in Wanda’s disheveled appearance and dowdy clothing. Maybe not an affair then. “What’s wrong? Where were you going in such a hurry?”
“Nothing. Nowhere. What’s with all the questions? I was going out for a walk, that’s all. And you can’t see Teddy. I just put him down for a nap.”
He checked his watch. “Already? He’s only been up a few hours.”
“He was tired.”
“You said you were going to take him to the doctor —”
“I did and there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s perfectly normal. Why don’t you go on to work? I know you’re busy with that new project. Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”
Every nerve
ending went on alert. He glanced at the door behind her, then at her hand as she tugged on his arm. The only time she ever touched him lately was when she was trying to get rid of him. And no doubt, that’s what she was after now.
He didn’t budge. “Is Camilla working today?”
“Of course. Her car’s right there, and isn’t she always here, right on time every weekday from seven to three? She’s cleaning the pool right now. Dylan, you really should get going. I don’t want you to lose this project, I know how important it is to you.”
Her face was flushed and splotchy now. Wanda wouldn’t have a lover hidden away inside, not with Camilla and Teddy there. He realized she played this game a lot, keeping him from his son. But she’d never been desperate before. He jerked his arm free and walked inside.
Instead of following him, she grabbed her car keys and walked back out to the garage. Something wasn’t right. Why was Wanda running from him? He glanced to the hallway where Teddy’s room was. A car engine started. He had to make a decision. He bolted out to the garage in time to see her back up, then gun the car around the drive. She nearly hit the fountain. Her tires squealed as she maneuvered the circle and turned onto the street. He didn’t have to think about it; he jumped into his Mercedes and followed her.
When she reached US41, she paused at the light. Her eyes widened in the rear-view mirror when she saw him. She gestured as though she were talking to someone in the car. The light turned green, and she punched the gas and made a left. Traffic was jammed up because of construction, but she managed to maneuver around the lanes. He wasn’t about to let her get away. He knew Teddy wasn’t at the house. Dylan sure as hell hoped he wasn’t in the car.
He managed to catch up to her at the Goodlette Road light. He waved her over, but she kept going. She ran the red at the Four Corners intersection, causing a ruckus of brake squeals and blaring horns. He followed her. She wouldn’t hurt Teddy. But at the moment she was acting crazy.
Wanda charged down Fifth Avenue, going way too fast for a busy shopping area filled with tourists and business people. If she was stupid enough to endanger her life, there wasn’t much he could do about that. But to endanger others … and what if Teddy was in the car?
Dylan had to drive just as crazily to keep up with her. He beeped his horn to warn people to get out of the way. Others beeped too, and pedestrians waved their arms at her recklessness. Traffic slowed her down as someone made a right turn — but only for a second. She swerved into the oncoming lane to go around.
Dylan’s heart stopped when he saw the woman herding a Muscovy duck across the street. She looked like an angel, with the sun lighting up her blond curls. She checked for traffic to the left, not even looking in their direction. The duck reached the sidewalk. Wanda wasn’t slowing down; she was looking at him.
Dylan slammed on his horn. Everything went into slow motion, including his heartbeat. The woman looked up. The expression on her face changed from disbelief to terror. A car wasn’t supposed to be coming from that direction, that’s what she was thinking. Wanda hit her brakes and swerved, but it was too late. Dylan’s body shook as the car made impact. The woman flew several yards through the air and landed on the sidewalk.
The sound of shattering glass filled the air. Everything froze, except for the sick feeling in his stomach. People on the sidewalk stared with horror on their faces. It felt like hours passed in that frozen state. Then, as though someone had released the pause button, everyone broke out of their trances. The woman was surrounded by a crowd, and only when he couldn’t see her anymore could he focus on Wanda.
Her car had gone through a plate glass window and been stopped by an interior wall. The horn wailed. He felt a sickening chill in his stomach. Then the paralysis dropped away as he pulled down a side street and propelled himself from the car. His first thought was Teddy. If he’d been in the car …
Relief washed over him when he saw the empty car seat. Wanda was drooped against the steering wheel, and her head was twisted at an angle. Her eyes stared at nothing. He started to reach in through the shattered window.
“Don’t move her!” a man behind the counter shouted, dropping the phone with a thud. “Something might be broken. I just called for help. We’d better wait.”
Something probably was broken, and beyond repair. The chill spread slowly through him. “I’m going to check her pulse.” She was still warm. She had to be alive. His finger slid against the blood on her neck. He felt nothing, not even a shallow beat. Where were the ambulances already?
“Keep an eye on her,” he told the guy in the store and walked outside. His brain was on automatic now. As he walked around to the trunk of Wanda’s car, he called Camilla on his cell phone. “Is Teddy there?”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Is Teddy there?” he asked more urgently, jamming his key into the lock of the trunk.
“No, sir, he’s not. Mrs. McKain took him out early this morning, right after you left.”
“Where did she take him?” He wrenched the lid open and breathed in relief. No Teddy. He didn’t think Wanda would put her son in the trunk, but nothing made sense right now.
“I don’t know, sir. Is something the matter?”
Dylan headed across the street. “She didn’t bring him back when she returned?”
“This will sound strange, but she pretended to have him with her. I mean, she was talking to him real loud, like she wanted me to hear. But I didn’t see him.”
“Make sure he’s not in the house. I’ll call you back.”
He approached the crowd of people surrounding the woman Wanda had hit. His heart felt leaden. This was his fault. If he hadn’t been chasing Wanda, none of this would have happened.
He could only see glimpses of her between the crowd, the beautiful woman who’d just seconds before been trying to save a duck’s life. Blood reddened those golden curls and stained her pale green pantsuit.
And then he heard someone say, “Oh, my God, she’s dead.”
A Trick of the Light – Chapter 2
Misplacing your purse or keys was one thing. Misplacing your body, well, that could be a real problem. And yet, Chloe felt the most incredible peace and light, as though she’d floated into a cloud. Warm, fuzzy sunlight surrounded her and seemed to penetrate her being, whatever that was at the moment. It was different than any other light she had ever seen, from clear sunrise-filled mornings to a crisp, moonlit winter night. It was almost … solid, or maybe more like a liquid.
She started to close her eyes and absorb the essence of this wondrous place … then she realized it. She belonged here. For the first time in her life, she fit in. Even though she wasn’t sure she actually had a mouth, she knew she was smiling.
But things started to change. The misty clouds began swirling, slowly at first, then faster. They formed a vortex of shimmering white light. Chloe could still feel the peace, joy, and acceptance, but as she looked down the circular walkway that spiraled out of view, she knew it was time to move on. No chance to say farewell to her aunts or grandma or her pets. Sadness filled her soul at the thought of never seeing them again. Time to step into Heaven. Embracing that thought, and the light that beckoned her forward, she took her first step.
Shadowy silhouettes advanced from the far end of the tunnel. She wasn’t afraid. She could hardly remember what fear was like. Even the grief was fading.
There were maybe eight people, or she guessed they were people, all walking forward to greet her. Chloe waited for them. They would guide her, she knew this.
Another silhouette emerged from behind and walked around the others with hurried movements. Her mother, maybe? Chloe’s spirit lifted at the thought.
It was a woman, but Chloe didn’t recognize her face. It had been twenty-five years since she’d last seen her mother. Still, she expected some flash of recognition.
She wondered if she looked the way this woman did, ethereal like a holograph, moving without actually walking, clothing blurred to
indistinct lines.
“I’m so sorry,” the woman said, pain etched in her face. “You must understand, I thought I was doing the right thing … at the time. I believed those voices, though now I realize it was crazy. Everything is so clear here, and … I’m so sorry. What have I done?”
Chloe wasn’t sure what the woman was sorry about. “It’s all right. I’m here now, where I belong.”
“No, you can’t stay! You’ve got to go back and save my son. Teddy needs you.”
“But …” Chloe gestured toward herself. “I can’t go back, not now.”
“They said you could. I can’t go back; it was my fault. But you can, because you’re innocent.”
Chloe looked ahead. “But they’re waiting for me. And I want to stay here.”
The woman’s desperation was a tangible thing, like the light. “I’ve done a terrible thing, and only you can make it right. My son is special … different. He needs your help. I hid him away, thinking I was protecting him … and myself. I need you to get him and take him to his father.”
Chloe was pretty sure she couldn’t go back, but this woman’s desperation touched her so deeply, she said, “All right, I’ll go back and find Teddy. Where is he?”
Other voices intruded. Just murmurs at first, then urgent words from a distant plane: “Come on, come on.” She searched for the source, but saw nothing. The silhouettes that had been coming toward her were fading into the distance. She turned back to the woman who was also fading. “Where’s Teddy?”
The woman opened her mouth. Instead of words, a siren blared.
In that instant, the pure, joyous light transformed to harsh sunlight. Electricity rocketed through her body. She was engulfed with a sense of pain and heaviness. The air around her had changed, too, and breathing became an effort. She smelled a woodsy cologne. Her cheek ached. Her chest hurt. And then a mouth came down over hers, and a gust of warm breath filled her lungs. She felt the pressure of a hand pushing in rhythm on her chest, then of a finger pressed against her throat. A hoarse male voice said, “She’s back.”
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