by Jac Simensen
Della lifted Janna from the stroller. “I think I’m gonna laugh,” she whispered to the baby. “Or maybe I’m supposed to cry?”
Nila tilted the phone away from her ear. “You said you didn’t see anything?”
“What?” Della asked.
“Mum in the lift—the image from the ring.”
“Not a thing.”
“But you saw the ring flashing—didn’t you?”
“Nila, I didn’t see a thing. Just you holding out your left hand and telling me that you saw Mum trapped in Nick’s lift. That’s it.”
“But I saw her! I saw her lying on the floor of the lift—it wasn’t an illusion. Stella and Dennis found her trapped in the lift, didn’t they? It wasn’t my imagination—the image was as clear as day.”
“It’s what our dad told us: you’ve inherited our grandmother’s powers—her powers and her ring. That’s why you knew Mum was in trouble.”
The phone in Nila’s hand crackled. “Nila, Nila, are you there?”
“Mum!” Nila and Della cried out in unison. “Are you okay?”
~*~
Della came into the lounge from the bedroom. “The babies are clean. It took a while to get their hair unstuck. I put the pram under the shower—there’s ice cream all over the seat and straps.”
Nila was sprawled on the couch. She sat up and smiled. “They had a good time—that’s what matters. You checked their nappies?”
“Mmm hmm. The pull-ups were sticky on the outside, but the girls were dry. They’ve caught on to potty training very quickly. Is that normal for their age?”
“Not really; they’re ahead of schedule. It was the same with feeding themselves. I’m sure they’re unusually intelligent—unfortunately I can’t take any credit for that. Are they back in their cribs?”
“Lying on their backs but not looking sleepy.” Della plopped onto the carpet at Nila’s feet in an approximation of a yoga position. “Okay, like I was saying—we need to contact our dad to see if he can help explain the ring and your visions.”
“I don’t expect that’s a good idea; I think Mum wouldn’t approve. Besides, I don’t have any contact numbers for Dad.”
“I do. He gave me his card before he left, and I gave him my email address. Dad promised he’d send pictures of his sons—our half-brothers—and of Morowa, his wife. I’m anxious to see what they all look like. Just because he and Mum had a nasty break-up shouldn’t mean that I can’t have any contact with him. I mean, there’s no need for our mum to know—is there?”
Nila held out her left hand and twisted the orange-diamond ring. “I’m so confused. This ring isn’t uncomfortable on my finger, or too tight, and yet it won’t come off. When it started pulsing and contracting, it was as if it was announcing an incoming telephone call—a cry for help from Mum. You really didn’t see a thing?”
Della shook her head. “And neither did the waitress, when she was trying to help remove the ring. You’re the only one who saw the image of Mum in the lift. It’s you, Nila—like Dad said, you’ve inherited our grandmother’s white-witch powers and somehow that ring is connected with those powers. We have to talk with—”
Nila’s ringing phone interrupted Della. Nila removed the phone from the pocket of the hotel bathrobe.
“It’s Gordy!” she told Della and pushed talk.
“Hey, you! Where are you?”
Gordy’s voice was flat and subdued. “Tampa. The hotel. I think I got the flu. I’m achy, feverish, and have been erupting at both ends ever since I checked in.”
“Gordy, you need a doctor. Call the front desk and see if the hotel has a doctor on call.”
Gordon sneezed. “I already called Axel Quigley and he’s faxed a prescription to the CVS here—the pharmacy is in the same complex as the hotel.”
“What are you gonna do about the bar exam? Can you get them to reschedule because you’re sick?”
“No—no way. I got some Imodium from the lobby shop; it should start working on the bottom end soon. I’ll go down to the drugstore when we finish talking. If Axel’s medications can control the nausea and vomiting and I can get some sleep tonight, I think I can do the exam.”
“You said yourself that the exam isn’t a matter of life and death. Why don’t you rest and then drive home when you feel up to it? You can do the exam another time—right?”
“I think I can do it tomorrow. The thing is, it may take an extra day before I’m able to drive the six hours to Miami to get you and the girls.”
“Not a problem. There’s a car-hire desk here in the hotel. I’ll hire a car and drive the three of us home. Better still, I’ll drive up to Tampa tomorrow, drop off the car, and then drive all of us home in the Lincoln when you’re well enough for the trip. I’m sure I can work it out with your hotel to put us all up for an extra night or two.”
“No—I don’t want you to cancel your plans with Della. It’s her last full day and I know she’s really looking forward to the special dinner with you, Mary, and Milt. Here’s what I think we should do: I’ll try to make it through the exam tomorrow and then I’ll spend the night here in the hotel. You and Della check out the beach scene and then have the dinner you planned. You reserve a rental for Thursday, drop Della off at the airport, and then drive yourself and the twins home. I’m sure I’ll be able to get home by Thursday night. If there’s any change to my condition, I’ll call you and we’ll re-strategize. We better communicate by text for the next day—if I can fall asleep, I’d rather not be woken up by a phone call.”
“If that’s what you want,” Nila agreed reluctantly.
“Gotta run, literally—call you tomorrow.”
“Take care of yourself. We love you,” Nila called into the dead phone line.
~*~
Gordon set his iPhone on the bedside table and rolled into the center of the king-size bed. He pushed up onto one arm and grinned. “You think she bought the story?”
Devon nodded as she turned from the window. The afternoon sun that was streaming into her bedroom accented the white triangle the micro-bikini had left on her tanned lower belly.
“Oh, yes. How could she possibly question such a pathetic story?” She pressed her knees into the side of the mattress, arched her back, and pulled her brown hair back into a short ponytail.
“Nila’s such a pretty, innocent thing; she’ll make a lovely addition to our little family,” Devon said.
27
Deputy Sheriff McGill was holding a large Styrofoam cup in one hand, with a ‘Little Debbie’ packaged cake balanced on the lid. He bent down and opened the door of the squad car with his free hand just as Nila pulled the rented Nissan SUV into an adjacent parking space. She waved through the open window.
“Mick—how lovely to see you. Now I know I’m safely home.”
“You’re just getting back from Miami?”
“I am.” She turned her head toward the child seats in the back. “These two urchins screamed and shouted the whole trip—never slept ’til we came to the toll bridge. They’re zonked out now. I’ve got a raging headache—I hope Kopel’s has some aspirin.”
“I know they have Aleve and Excedrin.”
Nila opened the door and stepped out.
“Mick, I realize that you’re on duty, but could I possibly impose on our friendship and ask you to keep an eye on the twins while I run in for something for my headache and a bottle of water? I never leave them on their own in a car, but I’d rather not wake them up and restart the howls—they’re teething, you see. Won’t be a tick!”
“No problem—I’m on coffee break. I’ll just have my coffee next to the car while you go in. This a rental?”
“Yes, it is. I got it at the hotel. Gordy drove the Lincoln up to Tampa for the bar exam. He got the flu or something and wasn’t able to come pick us up. He should be back home tonight or tomorrow morning.”
The deputy shook his head. “No, he’s already back. I passed the Lincoln about a half hour ago down by Aracetti’s loung
e. He had a passenger—nobody I recognized. But I’m sure it was Mr. Hale driving.”
“That’s strange—I haven’t been able to talk with him today. No phones allowed in the examination room.”
“I’m positive it was Mr. Hale in the Lincoln.”
Nila frowned. “I’ll be right back. Can I get you anything?”
“No, thanks—I’ve got my coffee. You know about the storm, right?”
“Just what I heard on the radio. I’ve never been in a hurricane, but the radio said it wasn’t going to be serious.”
“It’s just a tropical depression right now. Could become a tropical storm later. It’s predicted to run up the coast tonight and come ashore around the Tampa Bay Area tomorrow. It’ll probably get pretty windy around here later this afternoon and evening. Nothing to worry about, but best you plan on staying home tonight. There are likely to be branches down on the roads, and possible intermittent power outages. You’ve got flashlights and batteries?”
“There’s an emergency generator. Gordy said it will go on by itself if the electrics go off. Maybe I should buy some milk. You don’t mind waiting an extra minute?”
“No problem—there was nobody in the store just now.”
“Thanks. Be right back.”
~*~
Beverly was bent down stocking shelves, out of Nila’s view.
“Hello, anyone here?” Nila called out to the empty store.
“I’m back here. Be right with you as soon as I can straighten up. Oh, it’s you, Nila—didn’t hear you come in. That door buzzer died this morning. Just like me, nothing works the way it used to do. Mr. Hale forget something?”
“Sorry—forget something? I don’t know what you mean.”
“Mr. Hale was in about one. Bought some food and milk—in case the storm gets worse than anticipated, he said. Your new neighbor, Miss Devon, was with him; she stocked up on wine.”
“So he is back,” Nila said, more to herself than Beverly.
Beverly noticed the surprise on Nila’s face. “‘He’s back,’ you said. Back from where?”
“It’s nothing, really. Gordy was in Tampa and I wasn’t expecting him until later. Must have gotten away sooner than he anticipated. Do you have something for a splitting headache—aspirin, perhaps?”
“We don’t carry aspirin. People don’t want aspirin anymore—they hear about these painkillers on TV and that’s all they want. Aleve is pretty good. You can take two right away and then another before bed if that headache hasn’t gone away by then. I take it when my arthritis flares up.”
“I’ll take the Aleve—and a small bottle of water, as well.”
“Water’s next to you in the cold case. I hope there’s nothing wrong with Mr. Hale.”
Nila placed the water bottle on the counter and stared into Beverly’s face. “He’s fine. Don’t give it another thought.”
Beverly silently returned Nila’s change and nodded.
As she walked down the ramp to the parked cars, Nila struggled with the cap on the bottle of Aleve. “These pill bottles are too clever by half,” she blurted in frustration.
“Your phone’s ringing,” Deputy McGill called out.
Nila quickly pulled open the SUV door, tossed the Aleve and water bottle onto the seat, and retrieved her cell phone from the console. She saw Gordon’s number on the screen and quickly pressed talk.
“Hey, you! Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”
“Things got all changed around,” Gordon replied in a quiet tone. “There was some kinda security incident in the building where the bar exam was scheduled. The officials evacuated the place and the exam had to be postponed. Don’t know yet when it will be rescheduled.”
“You’re okay? Feeling better?”
“The prescription that Axel faxed to the pharmacy in Tampa worked great. Fixed me up in just a few hours. I slept well. I’m feeling a little weak, probably from the terminal diarrhea, but otherwise all right.”
“So, no one was hurt in the building?”
“I don’t think so; not that I could see. There were lots of cop cars, ambulances, and fire engines, but no smoke or signs of a fire or explosion and no obvious casualties. I never got into the building. Hung out in front for half an hour with some others who were scheduled for the exam until a woman with a bullhorn shouted out for us to go home and check our email for further instructions.”
Nila turned from the SUV and looked at the deputy.
“Gordy’s okay,” she mouthed to the deputy. “Where are you now?” she asked Gordy.
“I drove back home this morning. Tried to call your cell but you didn’t pick up.”
Nila grinned. “Not surprising. After I dropped Della at the airport, the twins were cross that she’d left them and decided to scream and fuss the whole journey across Alligator Alley. I tried to drown out the screams, turned my Adele CD up full volume, and sang along at the top of my lungs. Never heard the phone. Why didn’t you leave a message?”
“I must have been more disoriented than I realized.”
“I see. Are you at home now?”
“Actually, I’m at the marina. I’m trying to get some propane in case we need the emergency electric generator. Where are the three of you?”
“At Kopel’s—Mick’s here too.”
“Mick? Why’s Mick with you?”
“He’s on duty and stopped at Kopel’s for his coffee break.”
“Oh. Don’t bother getting any food, Nila. I stopped by earlier and stocked up for a few days—just in case this storm gets worse than predicted.”
Nila forced a chuckle. “I know. Guess who told me?”
“Beverly, no doubt. She probably also told you that Devon was with me. Her car is being serviced and she wanted to get some food in.”
“More like getting some wine in, right? Beverly doesn’t keep secrets. I’m leaving now—we should be home in ten minutes.”
“I just have to finish loading the propane—be there soon.”
“Okay. Can’t wait to see you. I love you,” she said into a dead line. Nila placed her phone back in the SUV’s console and retrieved her water and pill bottles from the car seat. “Do you mind?” she asked the deputy as she handed him the miniature pill bottle.
“You have to push these tabs together—it’s a safety thing.” He handed the bottle back to Nila. “Mr. Hale’s okay, he said?”
As she swallowed the pills, she nodded. “Gordy said that there was some kind of security incident at the place where he was supposed to take the bar exam this morning. Lots of police cars and fire engines. They sent everyone home. Guess they’ll have to reschedule.”
“This was in Tampa, right?”
“Yes, Tampa—but I don’t know where. Gordy didn’t know anything more about what had happened.”
“Haven’t heard anything on the highway-patrol radio. Probably a false alarm. I’ll give you a call if I find out anything important.”
Nila slid into the SUV and closed the door. “Thanks for watching the twins, Mick. I better get ’em home before they wake up and start howling.”
~*~
Gordon set his cell phone on the sunroom table. “Nila stopped at Kopel’s. She knows that I’m on the island. She’ll be arriving at the cottage in a few minutes.”
Devon shrugged. “So, we’ll just have to speed up the plan. You told her you were here?”
“I told her I was at Clifford’s Marina, getting propane for the emergency generator.”
“Good—that’ll buy us some time. Let her get the babies settled before you go over. She’ll probably give them something to eat and then put ’em to bed. They’ll likely be tired from the car trip.”
“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow? She might be too tired for sex this afternoon.”
“Nila hasn’t seen you for days. You know she won’t be too tired. You’ve got the suppository?”
He pulled a tiny plastic bag from the side pocket of his jeans. “Right here.”
/> “Okay. Immediately after you insert the capsule, she’ll experience about fifteen minutes of intense sexual arousal, followed by an extended orgasm. Then she’ll close her eyes and be zonked out for about half an hour. That’s when Hattie and I will come into the bedroom and mark her.”
Gordon scowled. “It won’t hurt her?”
Devon laughed. It was more a cackle than a laugh. “You should know. It didn’t hurt when I marked you, did it?”
He shrugged. “I don’t remember.”
“Right—and neither will she.”
28
When Nila pulled the rental car into the driveway that the beach cottage shared with the big house, the palms on either side of the drive were swaying in unison. She noticed that the high clouds were moving rapidly.
“Juice box,” Janna called out. “Juice box!”
Nila looked into the rearview mirror. “Okay, so somebody’s awake.” Julie was wiggling in her car seat. “Make that two somebodies. We’re home! I’ll have you out in a minute.”
Julie joined in the chant. “Juice box!”
“Okay, okay. I hope Daddy remembered to pick up some juice boxes. I’m pretty sure we were all out.”
Nila pulled the SUV up to the kitchen door and then lifted each girl from her car seat. “I’m amazed you’re dry,” she said to Janna as she checked her pull-up.
“Potty,” Janna responded. “Go potty.”
Nila led the girls to the door and began to rummage in her purse for the key when she noticed that the security alert was glowing green. “Odd—not locked,” she said aloud. Since the confrontation with Maggie, both she and Gordon always set the new security system whenever they left the house. She pushed open the door and the girls trotted directly to the nursery bathroom. Nila removed Janna’s pull-up and Janna immediately squatted into the wood-and-plastic potty chair next to the toilet. When she turned to help Julie, Nila was surprised to see that Julie had already tugged her pull-up down to her ankles.