by Yirak, Laura
“And that blue dress with the tartan sashes. I had so much fun doing that,” Cara said.
“I have such fond memories of it too.” Judy looked over at the castle longingly. “I used to take walks there with your father.”
The two of them got very hushed.
After a period of silence, Cara turned to look right at her mother and spoke softly, “I thought you said it was just one night.”
“I know. That’s what I tell everyone if they ask.”
“Mum, I want to know the truth.”
“I don’t know if you’re ready.” Judy turned away.
“I must know Mum. You can’t deny me the truth.”
“But what if the truth is too painful?”
“Not knowing has caused us so much pain already. Mum please.”
Judy sat and thought it over, “I just don’t know if I can bring myself to tell you the one thing that I have never told anyone. Your father doesn’t even know.”
“What?” Cara was confused and growing very impatient. She raised her voice, “He doesn’t even know I exist?”
“I couldn’t tell him. I just couldn’t do it. Oh Cara please don’t make me do this.”
“Mum, please, I’m begging you. Just tell me please.” Cara took Judy’s hand, “I can’t go on like this not knowing. I just can’t.”
Judy paused and just said it. “Your father is Jimmy Worth……My cousin.”
Cara swallowed hard, “You mean…..”
“Yes….. My cousin. We fell in love when we were teenagers. We kept it secret for years. I broke things off with him when I found out I was pregnant with you. I broke his young heart as well as mine. He left town after. He said he couldn’t bear to see me.”
“Where is he now?” Cara asked in shock.
“He moved back here a few years ago with his wife. They live on the other side of town.”
“He’s here?”
“Yes.”
“I must see him.”
“Oh no, please. I’m not ready for that. Just give me time Cara.”
“I don’t want to tell him, I just want to meet him. I promise, I won’t say anything, not yet.”
“Oh God no, please don’t. I couldn’t even tell my priest.”
“Well I haven’t told my priest everything either, some things you just keep to yourself. Maybe that means we’re bad Catholics.”
“Maybe.”
“Mum?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
“Aye.”
Mitsy rubbed up against Patrick’s leg making her little cat sounds.
“Shoo!” Patrick whispered motioning the cat away, but the stubborn cat was staying, it was her house after all. “Shoo!”
The door creaked slightly as Patrick slowly pushed it open. He stopped as it did.
The plum satin bed was perfectly made with absolutely no signs of life. Patrick opened the door all the way. This young and beautiful woman he was so in love with had so many secrets he thought.
“Where is she?”
All of her clothes lined up perfectly in the closet. Patrick ran his hands through all the different fabrics. The smell of her was faint. Her bathroom was immaculate. Patrick was reminded of the empty unlived feeling he had every time he was in Alesta’s kitchen.
“She doesn’t live here?”
There was a light coat of dust over her furniture and he noticed vacuum lines in the plush carpet, like no one had walked on it in weeks. He hadn’t noticed any of these things the other night. Then he remembered the smell of lavender and it hit him.
“She IS down there.” Patrick smiled.
Whatever secret Alesta held would be his soon. All those nights he had looked from his bedroom window over to hers and she might have not even been there.
“Wow!”
Mitsy jumped up on the bed as if all knowing and just purred, tail whipping softly upon the satin.
“Mitsy, I think I need a tour. Would you give us one?” Patrick asked.
But Mitsy ignored the request and Patrick closed the door behind him to Alesta’s secret world.
The front desk was empty. No one had been answering the phones and Allister stood there looking around and listening.
“Hello?” Allister stated, bored.
The door jingled behind him, “Allister!”
“Finally, someone works here.”
“Oh, very sorry,” Patrick apologized. “What can I do for you?”
“Dinner? What time is it being served tonight?”
“In an hour about.”
“Right, well add me onto the list.”
“Will do Allister.” Patrick shuffled some papers around as if to look busy and Allister went back from where he came.
Patrick was completely distracted and tried to focus for a few minutes on some receipts, orders and such. Then he stepped into the kitchen to prepare dinner. The large fridge was getting a bit empty and it was too late to order from Cannon’s Market. He settled on making a Shepherd’s Pie.
The ground beef was frozen, but it cooked up quickly. With some carrots and onions added, he boiled the peeled potatoes and layered the two into a pan. It was only thirty minutes more in the oven and Allister, he hoped would be satisfied. There was plenty of bread left, so Patrick cut up a loaf and put it into a basket, all the while he just watched the clock and waited. Exactly an hour had past but there was no sign of his dinner guest.
Alesta came down the stairs, creaky old stairs, in her fresh blue jeans and black button up shirt. She felt refreshed and full after a visit with the old Allister, but decided she was bored with the taste of him. She could hear Patrick moving around in the Great Hall. His step was firm and familiar.
“Patrick! Good evening.”
“Hello!” Patrick was happy to see her.
“Something smells good.”
“Yes, my pie, but Allister hasn’t arrived for it yet and he sounded quite impatient about dinner earlier,” Patrick said as he continued to set the table.
“Maybe he decided to take a nap or something.” Alesta pictured Allister sleeping where she had left him.
“Yeah well, in the mean time, I guess I’ll wrap it up and put it in the fridge.”
“Good idea,” Alesta said, knowing it would be a while before Allister woke up. “How was your exam?”
“I think it went well. I studied a lot for it. I’ve just been feeling so tired lately,” Patrick said.
“Well there is a reason for that,” Alesta said.
“So not to change the subject so quickly but Judy seemed a bit shaken when I spoke to her earlier, but she wouldn’t tell me why.” Patrick inquired without trying to sound worried.
“Oh, well, there was an abduction at the hospital last night.”
“Really, who?” Patrick was surprised.
“Another baby.” Alesta tried to not sound upset.
“Another one? But why would that involve you?”
“I had an encounter with the abductor.” Alesta said while Patrick listened intently, “I chased after him and he hit me. I passed out and everyone was looking for me for hours.”
Patrick’s heart jumped, “Alesta!” Without letting her respond, Patrick pulled Alesta into him and gave her a hug.
The two just stood there quiet and Alesta leaned her head on his shoulder. All the words Patrick wanted to say but couldn’t. They let go reluctantly.
“I’m fine. I called in sick for my next few shifts. Mary, the Matron suggested it. You know the media and all swarming around the hospital.”
“That’s smart.” Patrick was pleased Alesta was going to be around. “You should take it easy. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll get you some pie.”
“Oh no, I’m not hungry Patrick. I need to go out anyways. I have an errand to take care of.”
“Sure.” Patrick was disappointed but didn’t show it.
“I won’t be long though. We can visit more as soon as I get back.”
“Of cours
e, don’t worry. I’m here for you.” Patrick took her hand.
“Thank you Patrick.” Alesta looked into his kind and wanting eyes. “Thank you so much.”
The police station was almost empty and the nightshift patrols had already left. Alesta had parked the car far from the station and was waiting invisibly for someone to come out the front door of the large grey building. She didn’t want any odd footage being recorded on their security cameras. Doors opening by them selves might draw too much attention.
Patience was one of her strong suits and after quite a while Alesta followed in behind an older officer. He didn’t notice a thing, which was good. She wasn’t sure where to go and just decided to follow the officer who made his way past the main desk to a set of elevators.
They both watched as the lift came to their level and they both got in. The officer looked around as if he had noticed something and stopped the elevator door to look out. After seeing that there was nothing there, he pressed five. The button lit up.
His phone beeped as they both ascended.
“Officer Riley,” he answered.
A male voice responded on speaker, “Yes, where are you?”
“Uh, back at the station.”
“What the hell are you doing there? We need you out here, everything’s going to bloody hell.”
“I’ll be back ASAP.”
“Hurry it up Riley.”
Officer Riley hung up, “Fuck!”
“Alesta wanted to start laughing but held back. The door opened and they both stepped out into a large dimly lit office. There were desks all over with the odd officer sitting. Only the glow of their computer screens showed their tired and strained faces.
One office was lit at the back. She knew it was the Constable’s. Through the glass he sat concentrating on whatever it was Constables do. Luckily his door was open. Alesta stepped in simply observing him. He was reading several documents peering down through his dark brown reading glasses while sipping on a cup of dark coffee.
A fax beeped in. He ignored it. Alesta stepped over to the busily printing machine and watched as the cover sheet printed. It was addressed to the Constable with the title reading Blood Test Results with the word “URGENT” in big bold letters. Alesta’s heart sunk. It was too late to retrieve the sample of her blood. If only vampires could walk in daylight. She sighed.
The Constable looked up hearing the sigh.
“Hello?” he called and stepped out of his office looking around, “Hey, did one of you come in here?”
The other officers replied, “Naw.”
The Constable stepped back in and this time closed the door. The fax machine light blinked green as it continued to print. He picked up the cover page reading it and eagerly picking up the rest as they worked there way out.
“What?” The Constable scratched his head as he read out loud, “Sample contaminated. Multiple blood types in sample…….hmmmm…..That’s odd,” he said sitting down again.
The Constable picked up the phone and pressed a quick dial button, “Uh hello there, can you put me through to DNA. Thanks.” He waited patiently as they connected him, after a very long minute, “Yes. You just sent me over a fax……yes the St. Michael’s sample…..there are multiple blood types? How is this possible?”
He tapped his pen on the counter as he listened to the lab tech explain in a nervous doesn’t-want-his-head-ripped-off tone of voice. Alesta could hear every word as the tech cautiously explained that the sample must have been contaminated either at the crime scene or at the lab. The lab tech took an unconscious long breath after finishing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” The Constable sounded pissed. “We use the utmost care when collecting our samples. The error is on your end I assure you and anyways you’ve reported that there are four types, how could that even be possible? Bloody idiots. I want the original sample run again…….I know that. I don’t care how much it costs. Do it.” He slapped the phone back down on the receiver.
Alesta watched as the Constable then pulled out the yellow pages and angrily flipped to H. The advertisements went on for pages in the hotel section, but the McKenzie Manor House wasn’t listed. It was on to B. The add was small, with the same print as Alesta had on her sign and her signature thistle. The Constable dialed and Alesta just listened amusingly as Patrick answered with his usual intro.
“Yes may I speak with Alesta please?” The Constable asked controlling himself well, the person on the other line wouldn’t have been able to tell his real mood.
“She’s not in at the moment, may I take a message?” Patrick responded sounding very professional.
“This is Constable Queen. Tell her that she needs to call me as soon as she gets back.”
“Will do, do you have a preferred number?”
“I think she has my card, but my number is 32984, extension 28.”
“Right, thanks. I will let her know.”
“Thank you.” The Constable hung up and took another gulp of coffee this time finishing it up and slapping it back down on the counter as well, while making a huffing sound.
The files on his desk piled high; he pulled one off the top and stuck the blood report into it. The day had been a long one and it was time to go home. Constable Queen turned off his computer then the lights and locked his office door slamming it.
The phone rang loudly. Allister stirred and grumped as he slowly leaned over the bed to answer his cell.
“Yes.”
“Hello, Mr. Abernethy?’
“Yes.”
“This is Fay, Lachlan’s secretary.”
Allister sat bolt up in bed and looked up at the clock.
“You’re late,” she said accusingly.
“Oh my, I am. I lost track of the time. I will be over as soon as I can.”
“Well actually, Lachlan isn’t here yet anyways, but he may be back at any time.”
“Yes, I’ll be right over.” Allister hung up.
He hurried around his room, tossing his old suit on the floor and frantically searching through hangers looking for a fresh one. He pulled it on and after a quick check in the mirror, noticed he needed to shave. His salt and pepper five o’clock shadow was looking more like the lawn that hadn’t been mowed in a week. A quickie with the electric shaver, a rinse with mint mouth wash and it was out the door. Allister didn’t even stop as he hurried out the front of the Manor, but then realized he had forgotten to call a taxi. Maybe he was expecting some kind of magic.
He turned right around and went back in, “Patrick, call me a taxi.”
“Sure right away Mr. Abernethy, nothing to eat then?”
“Later, there’s time for that later.” Allister took a seat.
Patrick called the taxi and popped back into the kitchen. A few moments later and he stood before Allister with a plate of warm Shepherd’s pie.
“You might as well eat. The taxi won’t be here for another ten minutes.”
“Thank you.” Allister finally took a slow breath and then ate like he was a starving homeless man, but it was also nervousness. It wasn’t like him to be late. In fact as he gulped down every bite, he thought back and couldn’t even remember ever being late to any client’s appointment ever.
The cab, thank goodness, arrived sooner than expected and Allister was back out the door again, quickly getting in and trapping his tie in the door. He opened the door back up and pulled it out.
“Take me to Glasgow,” Allister ordered forgetting his manners.
A second car pulled into the driveway slowly as the taxi pulled away and it didn’t sound like Alesta’s Beetle.
Patrick waited intently.
The door jingled open and a tall, athletic man stood, wearing a long black coat, black pants with shiny black shoes and black shirt. He looked around the entry way, came in further, and then settled his eyes upon Patrick.
Patrick wasn’t aware of any funerals, he thought, chuckling inside. The man looked at him as if he knew exactly what he was think
ing and smiled in return with a movie star smile.
“Welcome!” Patrick said.
The man said nothing.
“What can I do for you?”
The man stood at the counter looking around, “Everything looks the same.”
“Oh, you’ve stayed with us before?” Patrick asked, with no recollection of seeing the man in the past.
“You could say that. I’m here to see Alesta. I’m an old friend.”
“Everyone is looking for her tonight. She’s not in.” Patrick noticed a light accent but wasn’t sure from where.
“Well I’ll wait.”
“Would you like to book a room?” Patrick clicked on the reservation screen on the computer as he asked.
“There will be no need. She already invited me.” The man said as smooth and as an aged cognac.
“She never mentioned it.” Patrick was starting to be become slightly irritated.
“I’m just here early. She invited me to her birthday ball.”
“Yes, the birthday ball, a large event. I sent out the invites last month and you are?”
“I’m sure I wasn’t on the list. I got a personal invite from her.”
“Well I’m Patrick.” He extended his hand out for a shake, “Nice to meet you.”
The man shook his hand firmly; it was very warm, almost hot. He did not mention his name in return. Patrick assumed that it was on purpose and let it be. He was an odd character as it was.
“She should be back any time. In the mean time you are welcome to sit in the living room, tea?”
“No, no, but thank you. I think I will just look around.”
“Sure.” Patrick motioned with his hand, “I assume you know your way?”
“Yes.” The man said as he escaped.
It was another hour before Alesta finally came home.
“Patrick! I’m finally done. Do we have another guest? There’s a very nice Ferrari parked out in front.”
“Ferrari aye? Figures. No. He says he’s an old friend.”
“Really, who?” Alesta asked.
“He didn’t say, but he’s around somewhere and Constable Queen called. He wants you to call him as soon as possible.”