As much as she had enjoyed San Francisco, Maggie felt relieved to be leaving. She felt safer to be away from the strange coincidences that had plagued her. She wondered if Allie was feeling upset about Ed.
As though her daughter was reading her mind, Allie said, “Ed had tears in his eyes when we said good-bye. We both felt very sad.”
Maggie thought about love and friendship, that friendship is not to be undervalued.
Allie continued, “But we’ll be friends wherever we are. Having a good friend is the best of all. We’ll miss each other, but we won’t lose one another.” She turned to look at Maggie, squinting in the sunlight. “You know what? I’m feeling happier. I think I’m beginning to feel really good. It feels as if something shifted inside me during the last few hours. I almost feel like celebrating.”
They stopped at a tiny roadhouse overlooking the sea and sipped tea and ate enormous slabs of blackberry pie. Back in the car and southward. The sun’s rays were lengthening. “Do you want to stop in Monterey or Carmel or what?” Asked Maggie picking up the travel club guidebook.
Allie thought for a moment, “I don’t know. How about you? Right now I feel as if I could drive for hours.”
“The light is wonderful. I’m not tired yet either. But I don’t want to miss any of the scenery. How about driving until dark or until we get tired, whichever comes first?”
“Perfect!”
They hurried past Monterey, purred past Carmel and into Big Sur. The air was like champagne and the whole world seemed enchanted. Maggie loved driving with the top down even if it was beginning to feel cool. They added extra sweaters and pulled their hats tighter around their ears. The surf could be heard from time to time below. A few birds still chirped over their heads and the air was perfumed with eucalyptus, pine and sage. Spectacular cliffs and curves above a dramatically blue Pacific. Each curve brought a vista more beautiful than the last. As the sun dropped lower in the sky the light became more golden, then rosy. Even though the scenery was beyond compare, Maggie was beginning to feel concern because they had come miles without seeing a motel or lodge.
Just before the sun was ready to hit the water, they found a small redwood lodge perched high on a cliff above the surf. They wheeled in, paid the rather stiff rate, deciding that the view was beyond price. The only restaurant for miles around was a tiny drive-in that was just closing. The lodge proprietor arranged for it to stay open until they got there. While the food was being prepared they strolled to the cliff’s edge and watched the sun drop into the water and send golden and fuchsia rays arcing across the sky like the fingers of a huge and beneficent hand. The air cooled and quieted, but it still held delicious woodsy scents.
A whistle from the drive-in reminded them their food was ready. As they walked back to the restaurant a small green car rolled in. The proprietor would have to stay open for at least one more customer. Dinner was at the rustic table on their own terrace with the sound of waves below. The last bits of light faded as the last morsels of food disappeared. Allie covered a huge yawn. Maggie echoed it, “It’s been a wonderful day and sleep is going to be even more wonderful.”
Allie yawned again. “Yes, indeed. Do you want to bathe first or shall I?”
***
Morning dawned cool and misty. Wanting to be closer to the spectacular scenery, they decided to follow a trail to the bottom of the cliff where the waves were pounding. At the edge of the cliff behind the drive-in there was a small gate in the protective fence with a “Dangerous Trail. Hike at your own risk.” sign on it.
Maggie and Allie looked at one another. Being of one mind, without speaking, they opened the gate and started down the trail. They were not going to miss the experience of walking down that trail on this beautiful, dreamy morning.
The steep cliff side was covered with eucalyptus trees, sage, scrub oak and scrub pine. The narrow trail picked its way downward over rocks, at first between trees and, as they dropped lower, among the scrub growth. Allie and Maggie walked steadily down following a series of tight switchbacks. The trail itself was a tiny shelf carved from the sides of the steep cliff. At this early hour they were the only hikers. Far below the waves were crashing on the rocks sending lacy plumes of foam high into the air. Above them were the lodge and the restaurant. But here they were completely alone.
Allie’s eyes grew more blue and excited. “Isn’t this just great, Mom? I feel suspended between two realities. Kind of eerie, but great!”
“It’s magic! I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Maggie answered. They stopped to rest on a big rock beside the trail. “Look at that tree below us. It looks as if it is surrounding the trail.” They started down again. As they approached they could see that the tree had grown out and down so that it formed a leafy tunnel over the trail. They snapped pictures of one another in the tunnel.
The trail ended in a tangle of boulders and small scrubby growth. Beyond and a little lower were huge, shiny wet, black boulders and enormous geysers of sea spray. At this level they were unable to talk. Even their shouts were drowned by the noise of the surf pounding on the rocks. They turned and started back up the trail.
Looking up, Maggie shouted, “Look Allie, I think someone’s coming down. Look. Near the tunnel?”
They both looked toward the distinctive clump of green that housed the leafy tunnel. But they saw nothing. “Maybe some of the other guests are as ambitious as we are,” Allie called back.
The climb up the trail was punctuated with several rest stops. About half way up they exchanged smiles with a young man and woman on their way down. Honeymooners.
When they arrived at the top, they realized they were very hungry. The drive-in was not open, but coffee was being served in the lodge lobby. The proprietor asked, “Did your friend find you? I told him I thought you must have taken the trail.”
“What friend?” Allie asked in surprise.
“Who?” Maggie asked simultaneously.
“Are you sure he was looking for us?”
“When?” The questions popped out all at once.
The proprietor, a pleasant middle-aged woman with reddish hair worn drawn back from her face looked confused, “I hope I didn’t do anything wrong. It was a man. He said he missed you back in Carmel and that you said you’d meet him here. He seemed nice and he asked for you by name. I thought it was okay.”
“We certainly weren’t expecting anyone. We didn’t even know where we would stop last night until we saw your lodge.” Allie was looking very stern. “Did this man give you his name? Where is he now?”
The woman answered nervously, “Well, no, he didn’t give me his name. He was pretty ordinary looking. Sort of medium height, brown hair, kind of quiet, serious. You know, sort of bookish looking. He looked tired like he’d gotten up early to drive down.” She was looking worried. “I thought he started down the trail, but his car is gone now so I guess he must have just left.”
Maggie forced a little smile. “I’m sure you meant well. Interesting that he knew our names. Maybe he is someone we know. Did you happen to notice what type of car he was driving?”
The woman frowned, “I’m not sure. It was sort of little and green.” She seemed relieved to be able to furnish some information that was helpful.
Maggie smiled again, “If he comes back, please tell him you don’t know anything. It’s upsetting to have someone we can’t place ask about us.” She was surprised that her voice was steady and that she seemed to be capable of a lucid thought process. With a nod she turned and she and Allie left.
They returned to their room and packed as fast as they could, throwing their things in the bags. They simply wanted to get away as soon as possible. Piling their possessions in the car, they started down the road.
Allie checked the rearview mirror. “Whew! That was weird! Who d’you think that guy could be? Do you have any idea? Spooky, too! I keep wanting to look over my shoulder!”
Maggie looked at Allie with more spirit than Allie had se
en in the last day or so. “It really is scary. I can’t imagine who it was or what’s going on. Even so, I feel a little relieved. At least, now I know something’s going on and I’m not imagining it.”
With a glance at Maggie, Allie asked, “You think this incident is connected somehow with that other stuff?”
Maggie nodded, “I certainly do! I can’t tell you how disconcerting it’s been to doubt my perceptions and myself. At least this is something someone else saw.”
Allie took her eyes from the road to ask, “Well, what’re we going to do now?
“I can’t think of anything except to continue as we’d planned and to keep our eyes open. If, for some reason, we’re being watched or followed or whatever, then we need to know who and why. Right now I can’t think of a way to find that out.” Maggie made a funny little face.
“I can’t either.”
They were passing through a particularly beautiful but deserted area. “Let’s enjoy the drive. The scenery still is wonderful and the air smells good. I just realized we missed our breakfast back there. Are you hungry?” Maggie asked.
Allie nodded vehemently, “Starving. I hope we find civilization soon. Check the map. See what’s coming up.”
“Okay.” Maggie pulled the map from the door pocket, folded it to the right spot and squinted down at it. “San Simeon should be coming up soon. The Hearst Castle is there. D’you think they’ll have a restaurant? Is it a town as well?”
“We’ll know soon. I just saw a sign. Only three miles.”
They rounded a curve and came down a slope. On their left, far away, high on a hill they saw a stone castle-like building. On their right was a stone wall with huge eucalyptus trees behind it.
Allie slowed the car and swung it to the right and they were on a shaded narrow road winding between stone walls and huge trees. Ahead on their right were old stucco buildings and beyond them, the ocean. At the corner where the road made a sharp left turn heading back to the highway, was an old stone building with tables outside. “Bingo! I think we’ve found food!”
They were the only customers on the stone terrace, under ancient trees. As they wolfed down eggs, potatoes and toast, small birds flew down and picked crumbs from the stone terrace. Across the street the brilliant blue of the Pacific blinked between the big trees. Maggie thought it surprising that they could have had such a disquieting morning and still find themselves hungry.
Reading her mind, Allie said, “It was the hike. It’s almost eleven. We’ve been up a long time with nothing to eat.”
They sipped their tea and discussed their next move. Should they see the Castle? They were right here.
“You know,” Maggie said, “I think I’d rather wait and see it another time when we can really focus on it. I don’t know about you, but I’d have a hard time taking it in, considering what I’m having a hard time not thinking about!”
Allie agreed with this oblique statement and they decided to drive on south.
Maggie leaned back in her chair, “This is a charming spot. Very peaceful. The air is perfect. Smell the eucalyptus. Listen to the birds. Look at the ocean. Let’s promise ourselves to come back for a couple of days soon.” They sat for a while soaking in the peace of the place.
Back on the highway Allie broke the silence, “Isn’t it strange? That man came right to the lodge and asked for us and yet, so far, we haven’t seen anyone following us. Back in San Simeon we were the only people around. There were no other travelers there. If anyone was following us surely we’d have noticed them.”
Maggie agreed, “It has a hit-and-run feeling. In a way, that makes it even scarier because there is nothing we can grab hold of. There is no way we can defend ourselves. We really don’t even know if we should be afraid.”
At Morro Bay with its picturesque rock sitting like a huge thumb in the middle of the bay they left the coast and turned toward San Luis Obispo. They found themselves looking for small green cars and staring at each one that passed.
“Oh, my gosh!” Maggie gasped, “Do you remember that green car in San Francisco? You know, when I wanted the photo on top of that hill. You stopped the car suddenly and a green car tooted and passed us. Remember? That guy went ahead and then he stopped at the side of the street. I thought he looked sort of familiar. I’ve just remembered. I think he may have been the man who sat behind me on the plane. He looked tired. On the plane, I mean.”
Allie’s head jerked around, “Mom, are you sure? If that’s so then this whole thing is becoming even more mysterious.” Allie paused, “If it’s possible.”
“I think so.” Maggie frowned, thinking about the man on the plane. “Yes, I’m pretty sure it was him.”
Allie wrinkled her brow. “I keep trying to think of some logical explanation for all of this. D’you have any ideas?”
“Let’s see. Maybe there’s a big oil deal pending. Maybe they think we know someone who could help them put it through.”
“Them who?’
“I don’t know. Them.”
“How about, the Foucets want you to be the Godmother for their first child?”
“Maybe they’re making a movie of Scherezade and they’ve spotted you for the title role.”
“Wrong color hair!”
“Great music!”
“Maybe I’m an Arabian princess, long lost, of course! An heiress! And . . ..”
They spent the next hour letting their imaginations run and postulating possible scenarios. At the end their stories became so wild and silly that they burst out laughing. “Well, whatever’s going on I hope we find out soon. The suspense is too much.”
“I don’t think that guy meant to hurt us,” Allie sounded serious. “He had a chance when we were alone on the trail.” She frowned. “Do you think he’s the man we saw by the tunnel?”
Maggie nodded. “I hadn’t thought of it, but it’s possible.”
As they merged into the heavy traffic of Route 101, they realized their quiet drive was over. There were many cars to examine now, even many green cars. A heavy black sedan pulled up close behind them. So close that Allie thought it intended to pass, but then it fell back a few car lengths and remained there matching the speed of the white convertible.
Maggie noticed the big car also. Neither of them mentioned it. It remained there, somehow ominous and yet doing nothing out of the ordinary. Both breathed a sigh of relief when they took an off ramp in Santa Barbara and the big black car sailed right on by. “Whew,” came simultaneously from both of them. They looked at one another and laughed.
The Miata wound around the curves of the PCH nearing home. The floppy hats came off as they approached Malibu. The sun was much too low to warrant them. Long fingers of light slanted across the highway and into the car giving a warm glow to everything it touched.
The turn-off and then up the narrow streets, along the switchbacks and home. Home, just in time to see the sun drop into the ocean and the light change from gold to a brilliant rose. Stiffly they unloaded the car and dumped their things in Allie’s bedroom.
Maggie stretched her arms above her head, “How about a walk? Just a little one. I feel stiff after our ride and a little exercise helps clear the mind.”
“Sounds good to me. We’ve had quite a day. It seems like three weeks since we hiked this morning.” Allie picked up sweaters and off they went.
The hills were alive with the sunset’s red light. From the trail above the house they looked down across the rooftops of the neighborhood to the coast highway and the Pacific. Here and there they could catch glimpses of the neighborhood streets winding up the hillside through the area. Silently they watched the top of a small green automobile as it climbed steadily upward.
Without a word they scrambled down to a street and started through the twilight toward their house. The evening was quiet and they could hear the sounds of the Pacific far below. As usual the streets were lined with parked cars, but oddly enough there was no green car anywhere. As they turned the last corner headi
ng for home they passed a florist’s van parked at the curb. “Think we’re getting flowers?” Allie asked.
Querulously Maggie asked, “That car was green, wasn’t it?”
Allie said grimly, “Oh yes, it was green. I don’t know how it disappeared. It must have been one of the neighbors who put it in their garage. There are a lot of cars in this neighborhood. I don’t pay that much attention to them. I don’t recall a green one up here, but certainly there could be one that belongs here that I just don’t remember.”
Sitting on the deck, sipping herb tea and watching the last traces of red fade from the western sky they discussed the adventures of the day. Allie leaned back, “You know, I certainly am puzzled by what’s happened today, but I can’t feel very frightened about it. We’ve not been threatened in any way. Aside from that man’s looking for us this morning, nothing unusual has happened. That green car. How many cars do you suppose there are in Los Angeles? How many green ones? If we get upset every time we see a green car, we could be shrink customers in no time.” A pause, then, “No offense, Mom.”
Maggie nodded. “You have a point. I think something out of the ordinary is happening. But as you say, we’ve not been threatened in the least. Maybe we’re on the edge of some occurrence that seems strange because we don’t know the whole story. It may be a tempest in a teapot. At any rate, I don’t intend to let it spoil my visit with you. I came to be with you and to have fun and as far as I’m concerned that’s the next order of business.”
A breeze came up and as they watched, clouds drifted across the moon. Allie shivered and pulled her sweater tighter. “Sounds good to me. It looks like it could rain. Unusual for this time of year. Hope we don’t lose our good weather.”
“Me too. Let’s call it a day.”
As she lay in bed, Maggie listened to the first light raindrops falling outside, sniffed the clean smell of the new rain drifting in the open window. The gentle rain brought intensified scents of trees and blossoms. Like living in an herb garden Maggie thought. The events of the day floated through her awareness softly, a kaleidoscope of the places and people, sounds and scents. She remembered stepping off the precipice to begin their hike to the rocks below, breakfast under the trees at San Simeon. What would tomorrow bring?
Maggie's Image (Maggie McGill Mysteries Book 1) Page 3