by N. A. Cash
I sat on the floor and cradled her head to my lap. I held her hand and stroked her thinning hair. “It’s me, Mam. It’s me.”
Just then, I heard thumps of footsteps. Valdez burst through the door. At first, he stood frozen in place, shock on his face as he surveyed the scene before him. I looked up at him, my face wet from crying. He slowly knelt down beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder. He glanced from me, to Mam, and back at me.
I focused all of my attention on her, continuing to stroke her head. “She’s alive,” I whispered.
“We have to get her out of here,” he said.
“She’s not well. I’m not sure we should move her.”
He squeezed my shoulder gently. “We have to,” he insisted. “Karma, you have to trust me. It’s not safe here. Not now.”
Recognizing her was right, I relented.
Valdez effortlessly lifted Mam in his arms as if she weighed no more than a young child. I followed, closing the door securely behind us. He moved smoothly up the stairs to the main floor. Before he entered the shell of a kitchen, he stopped and looked back at me. “Karma, we may need some cover leaving here,” he said. “I heard the sound of engines as I walked outside. They might be coming in through the entrance as we speak.”
Immediately, I knew what he meant. I closed my eyes and focused intently, imagined a thick fog rolling in covering the house, the grounds, and the surrounding road. When I opened my eyes, a thick grey haze covered us. I lifted a hand and made a small swooping motion to clear the path directly in the front of us. I continued clearing the path as we rushed from the house.
As when we made a beeline for the SUV, I heard men shouting in confusion through the thick fog. I shuddered at the thought of being so close to men that imagined had come to kill us all. I remained close to Valdez as he eased Mam in the back seat. I sat in the back with her, propping her head in my lap and holding her weakened hand in mine.
Valdez jumped behind the wheel and started the engine. The car woke with a purr. I closed my eyes and focused, making the fog thicker to drown out any sounds of tires on grass and gravel, clearing a small path so only Valdez could see in the front of us. I could also no longer hear the shouts of the men pawing around in the fog surrounding us. Valdez drove slowly down the path I’d cut through the fog, eventually arriving at the main road. We drove slowly, just in case there were others waiting for us. After I guessed we were a safe distance away, I dispatched the fog from around us. Valdez hit the gas, and we sped away to safety.
“Who were they?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “I searched around the house once and didn’t see anyone. I was about to do another pass through the trees when I heard you scream. As I was coming to you…that’s when I first heard the engines, like they were moving slowly down the path. I heard gun shots too, like they were firing into the air. I guess they didn’t expect anyone to be at the house.”
“You think that they were coming there for us?” I asked nervously.
“I’m not sure,” he answered. He glanced briefly over his shoulder at Mam and me. “How is she?”
I studied Mam and watched her chest slowly rise and fall. Her breathing looked steady but still weak. “She looks okay, she’s breathing. Do you think we should take her to the hospital?”
Valdez shook his head no. “Probably not,” he said thoughtfully. “Two reasons. One, Owen is possibly still there. He might not be a threat, but we don’t know who may be hanging around to see if you come back…”
I nodded in agreement; that made sense.
“…and two, she’s been missing for a long time. The hospital will have too many questions that we can’t answer just yet. It’s probably be best to take her back to your father’s house and have Dean look after her until she gets stronger. We can ask her questions to see what she knows.”
I nodded again. My eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “Thank you,” I said.
He gave me a wry smile. “Anytime.”
We rode the rest of the way in silence.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
As we pulled up to Pap’s house, Dean immediately opened the door. When he saw us, he turned and called for Pap. The car came to a sudden stop, tires crunching on the gravel in the front of the door. Before Valdez could get out, Pap threw the rear car door open. Shock blanketed his handsome face as he saw Mam lying in my lap. It took him a few moments to compose himself. Valdez suddenly appeared at Pap’s side. Pap shook his head as if to clear it.
“Dean!” he called over his shoulder. “Prepare the med room.”
Dean promptly disappeared into the house. Valdez reached in and eased Mam out with my help. He lifted her easily and carried her into the house. Pap stared after them. As much as pained him, he tore his gaze away, then helped me out of the car. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he hugged me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” he sighed into my hat.
I buried my head into his chest, my tears spilling down unabated. “We had company, Pap. I don’t know who they were. And Mam…she was just lying there.”
Pap rocked me in his arms, as I imagined he did when I was a baby. My daddy held me and soothed me until I stopped crying. I finally looked up at him, my eyes raw. With gentle fingers, he wiped my tear-stained cheeks. “We’ll take good care of her,” he promised.
When we entered the house, I saw no trace of Valdez, nor Dean. I wanted to see to Mam but I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea just yet. Pap, sensing my uncertainty and hesitation, turned towards me.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and take a shower, honey,” he suggested. “Change your clothes and then come down for something to eat.”
I looked down. I was covered in soot and dirt, my black clothing white with ash and cinders. I felt grimy. “Okay,” I said. “But I’d like to see her before I go up.”
Pap took my hand and led me through one of the doors underneath the right staircase. It blended in so well with the paint that it was hard to notice unless one looked for it. He pressed on a spot three quarters of the way up on the door. It sprang open.
We walked down a well-lit corridor with paintings, from varied art periods by artists whose work I’d never seen before. There was another white door at the end of the hallway—this one with a gold handle. Pap opened the door, and we entered light green room awash in fluorescent light. Mam, looking as weak and frail as ever, lay on a solitary bed in the center of the room. An IV drip infused clear liquid into her arm. Dean bustled around her, making notes on a clipboard.
I walked slowly over to her bed and placed my hand on Mam’s forehead, which felt cool to the touch. I looked up at Dean. “She going to be okay?”
Dean stopped writing and answered. “She is. I’m giving her an IV with much needed nutrients. Among other things, she’s quite dehydrated. We’ll get her hydrated, and then see what other tests we could run.”
I looked curiously at him. “Don’t tell me you’re a doctor too!”
He smiled coyly. “Did a few years as a hospital intern when I first started out. Actually, I studied medicine in college. Wanted to be a doctor for most of my life.”
I just shook my head, in awe. “You never cease to amaze me, Dean.”
“I hope I won’t, Miss Patel.”
I turned to Pap. “I’m going upstairs now.”
He kissed my forehead. “Okay, hon, I’ll meet you in the dining room in a bit.”
I left the med room and headed up the left staircase. The house was quiet, as if no one else were around. I searched for Valdez, needing to see him for comfort, but couldn’t find him. Disappointment and a rush of loneliness flooded me.
Once in my room, I quickly showered, washed my hair, and changed into a white sundress with daisies printed on it. I let my hair hang loose to dry and wore simple white pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. I slipped my feet into a pair of flat white slippers and headed downstairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, my heart thumped violently as I saw Valdez standin
g and waiting. Relief and an urge to rush downstairs to hug him came upon me but I felt rooted to the spot. He seemed frozen as he stared up at me and flashed me that familiar smile. Move, Karma. I held onto the railing to keep my balance as I forced my feet to begin moving. He looked amazing in his button-down white shirt, opened at the top, plain light green crop pants, and tan boat shoes. “You clean up nicely,” I teased.
Before I reached the last step, he held out one tanned hand towards me. “Madam. Your father insists that I accompany you to lunch.” He winked.
I smiled as I took his hand, my pulse racing. His body felt so warm. We walked hand in hand to the dining room, and he ushered me inside. Pap sat at the table reading a newspaper. I sat next to my father on one side of the table; Valdez sat at the opposite side.
Pap smiled. “How are you feeling? Better?”
I saw Valdez staring back at me. Happiness bubbled inside of me, and I beamed at him. He looked transfixed for a moment and his face smiled back. Better indeed. “I am better,” I assured my father. “Thank you.”
“So,” said Pap, his tone teasing. “You two seem to be getting along fine.”
I bent my head as my face reddened. I then glanced briefly at Valdez. “We’re okay,” I said.
Valdez only nodded and looked down at his side of the table.
“That’s great,” Pap said. “I was hoping so, since you two will be working together on our next mission.”
I stared at Pap, completely flummoxed. “Next mission?!” I hooted.
Pap took my hand. “Your mom woke up while you were getting dressed.”
My eyes widened; I covered my mouth in shock. I stood up to go to her, but Pap gripped my hand and held it firmly. “She was only awake for about a minute or two, and even then, she only kept saying two words over and over,” he said.
I abruptly sat back down. “What did she say?” I asked, my curiosity overriding my annoyance at being kept from Mam.
Pap let go of my hand. He looked confused. “It sounded like ‘Vern’. And ‘island’.”
I tilted my head to one side. “‘Vern’ and ‘island’?” I echoed. “What does that mean?”
Pap sat back in his chair and tented his fingers over his flat stomach. “I am guessing—and it’s only a guess until she wakes up and feels well enough to talk—that she was saying Vern is still alive…on their home island.”
“Sandy Island?” I asked incredulously. More questions spilled out of my head unchecked. “But how? When? Does that mean Mam was there also? But I thought they were here? What’s going on?”
Pap just shook his head. “I don’t know, Karma. Like I said, I could only assume that it’s what she meant. We have to wait until she wakes and regains her strength before we can ask her. Either way, the possibility is there, which means…” Pap paused dramatically, the twinkle in his eyes returning “…that we’re going to need help.”
I looked at him, so confused—until the door swung open and, to my complete surprise, the familiar entered. “Aunt Shugs!” I cried.
I rushed over to her, threw my arms around her, and held on for dear life. She dropped her purse and squeezed me back with those plump arms. “Hi, honey!” she laughed. “I missed you so much!”
I stared at her, tears raining down on my face. “How are you here?”
She squeezed me again, and then said, “I’m not the only one!”
The door opened wider, and I squealed. I must be dreaming!
“Cicely! Dr. Dune!” I ran over to squeeze her also. Cicely picked me up and swung me around. I forgot how strong she could be. When I got to Dr. Dune, I extended a hand, decided against it, and hugged him instead. He stood there, temporarily shocked, but eventually, he hugged me back. I stepped back, eying him from head to toe. He definitely looked better than the last time I saw him. “How are you doing?” I asked.
“Oh, I’m okay. I’ve actually never felt or been better in my life.”
He and Cicely smiled conspiratorially. Beaming, Cicely held out her left hand, showing me a thin gold band on her ring finger. I covered my mouth to hide the shock. “No, we’re not married,” she giggled. “It is a promise ring, however. It’s been too little time for us to have taken that step but, for some reason, we feel like we’ve known each other forever.” She smiled and dropped her voice to a whisper. “We’re soul mates.”
Dr. Dune blushed deep red as he clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the floor. Again, I hugged them both. “Well, that’s absolutely great. I’m happy for you both,” I said.
Pap gave Aunt Shugs and Cicely a peck on the cheek each, then shook Dr. Dune’s hand. He then called for Dean, who appeared immediately in the kitchen doorway. “We’re ready for lunch, Dean,” he said.
Aunt Shugs tugged at Pap’s arm. In a low voice, she whispered, “I want to see her, Alex.”
Pap looked as if he was going to resist the request, but sighed in resignation. He interrupted Dean from going back into the kitchen to get the food. Aunt Shugs sized him up. Instantly, she turned on the charm, smiling coquettishly. “Well, who is this fine specimen?”
Dean blushed, struggling to keep a straight face. Pap hooted. “This is Dean, my chef, butler, medic, designer, mechanic, but most of all, one of my dearest friends.”
I raised an eyebrow. He’s a mechanic too? He gave me a stern look but I could see delight in his eyes.
Aunt Shugs sidled up to Dean. “Well, hello, handsome.” She outstretched a hand. Dean hesitated at first, then shook it.
“Dean, can you take her to see Stormie?" Pap asked.
“It would be my pleasure sir,” Dean said.
Aunt Shugs linked arms with his and they disappeared through the door.
“Come, sit and eat with us.” Pap said turning to the other guests.
Cicely and Dr. Dune approached the table but paused when Valdez stood to face them. I stood next to him. “Valdez, this is my best friend, Cicely, and a more recent friend, Dr. Maxwell Dune.”
Valdez outstretched his hand and shook theirs in turn. Cicely’s eyes widened as she stared at me. Out of Valdez’s line of sight, she mouthed, “Is he yours?”
I blushed and shook my head no. As Cicely and I moved towards my side of the table, she squeezed my arm. “Not yet,” she giggled.
I laughed out loud, which caused the men to look in our direction with curiosity. We sat and kept our heads bowed, trying to control our laughter Dr. Dune took a seat next to Valdez.
As if on cue, Dean’s crew of maids came with platters of sandwiches, freshly cut fruit and veggies, soup, and pitchers of fresh strawberry lemonade and ice tea. Pap felt the need to say grace—nothing high church, but just expressing thanks for having his home filled with good people. We then dug into the food.
Throughout lunch, the conversation was light and filled with laughter. I looked around the table and thought it felt good to laugh and have them all there with me. Aunt Shugs had returned somewhere in the middle and spent the time recounting funny stories of her business and over her life. Everyone roared with laughter. I snuck glances at Valdez. He looked younger when he laughed, making his violet eyes brighten. I noticed how straight his teeth were, as well as the slight dimple in his left cheek. I felt the familiar sensation of warmth fill my chest when he turned, caught me staring at him. He winked at me, then turned back to Dr. Dune, who telling a joke, mimicking several different accents. We all laughed out loud at the punch line. Pap reached out at that moment and squeezed my hand. Even though many of our questions remained unanswered, I believed that in the end, everything was going to be okay.
CHAPTER FORTY
Deep in the pantry, one of Dean’s maids stood in the darkness, squeezing her cell phone in her hand. She was weighing her options. She knew that if she made the call, it would put an eventual end to the happiness in the house. Goodness knows, happiness was needed in this house, she thought.
She reflected on how much the atmosphere changed since Peyton brought his daughter home and allowed
that handsome young fellow to stay here. He had spent much of his days, before that, lurking around the house, sadness seeming to sap his very strength day by day. She knew he had another child and heard snippets of the whispered conversation with Dean when he returned from the hospital. She had heard something about him being “sent away” and wondered what that meant. She knew that Mr. Peyton could have a temper, and she never wanted to be the one to cross him.
On the other hand, she knew her old boss had an even worse temper. She knew that if she didn’t make the call, he could make her family disappear without a trace. She thought about her mother lying in bed with type 2 diabetes…how she needed the treatment that her old boss currently paid for, in exchange for her spying at the Peyton mansion. Mr. Peyton had been nothing but kind to her and she knew that if she told him, he would get her help for her mother’s illness. However, that would involve her telling him about what she had been doing at the house so far and that might provoke his anger even more. She didn’t exactly know what his specific gift was, but she didn’t think she was ready to find out. I might as well stick with what I know, she thought.
She pressed the star button, which autodialed the number of her old employer. The phone rang once, then he picked up on the other end. “They’re all here,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder. “So is a woman.”
She listened to the voice on the other end, its angry tone causing her stomach to clench. “I’m not sure yet who she is, but she’s weak.”
She listened some more, nodded, and said, “Yes, I will.” She then hung up, paused to compose herself, and then went back into the kitchen to continue her prep of dessert for Mr. Peyton and his guests.
Over two thousand miles away, in a small cottage on the rugged northwestern coast of Washington state, a man hovered over a wrinkled figure laying on a padded table. The man cut quite a dashing figure in his tailored tan suit and shiny brown shoes. Hair gel held his thick brown hair, sprinkled with silver strands, firmly in place, any potential stray hairs tamed. He stood in a plain white room, staring at the figure on the bed with a look of contempt, as a number of doctors and scientists moved around him, each covered in green scrubs. The frail figure on the bed didn’t move…didn’t even breathe.