Of That Day and Hour: A psychological thriller

by Anthony O'Brien

  “All of the time.”

  With breakfast and banter over, they clear the table and wash up. Eve appears to have become a woman obsessed; she’s checking twice that everything’s switched off.

  “Are we done?”

  “I’m just checking this.”

  “You’ve already checked once, it’ll be fine.”

  “It’s called peace of mind.”

  “It’s called obsession. Come on, otherwise we’ll never get out of here.”

  “In a rush now, are we?”

  “Behave.”

  With the front door locked they walk down the steps and over to the car. It rumbles into life, then barks, blowing dust up behind them. They drive up the old track. For protection Eve’s attached a small silver crucifix, one that had belonged to her grandma, to the rear view mirror. It swings to and fro via its rosary beads. Once they reach the highway Eve puts her foot down.

  Jeff looks back towards the house. He’s unsure if he’s witnessing an atmospheric refraction due to the heating of air over the ground, but the ranch appears to shimmer, and then disappears.

  “Look at the house.”

  Yet the very moment Eve does, the ranch instantly reappears; all is as it should be.

  “What am I looking at?”

  “Nothing; must have been an illusion.”

  “What must have been?”

  “Well, the house didn’t appear to be there.” He sighs, he knows he’s going to sound nuts. “As soon as you looked it reappeared.”

  “The desert can do strange things to a man.” She loves teasing him.

  “Behave yourself.”

  “It’s quantum physics.”

  “No it’s not.” Jeff chuckles to himself.

  “The house wasn’t there until I looked, then it was. All matter and thus energy is schizophrenic, and only comes into a solid existence when an observer observes it.”

  “Yes, but I was observing it wasn’t I?”

  “You don’t count.”

  “What’s this, pick on me day?”

  “Like I said, the desert does funny things to a man.”

  They continue to drive onward through the plains. The Camaro takes everything in good stride, even though the morning heat increases steadily by the hour.

  “What time is it?”

  “Midday.”

  “We’ll pull over here and get some food and gas. This is the last station for a while.”

  Near a cluster of trees stands the white timber built gas station. A red painted stripe stretches round the lower quarter of the building, and neatly matches the red sign above the apex. It reads, ‘Gas, oil and fuel.’ On the old baked concrete pad sit the red and blue pumps.

  “This looks authentic.” Jeff adores folk history, and rustic buildings.

  “You mean old.” Eve can’t grasp where his nostalgia for the past comes from.

  She drives in and draws up alongside one of the pumps, then steps out to fill up. Jeff meanwhile is trying to place the gas station. It feels familiar to him. He shrugs the feeling off, but can’t shake off the accompanying unease. Another car pulls alongside. Jeff has an immediate knowing. Four males in an open top car, all of them muscular, bare chested under leather vests. This car’s no mid-life crisis for the driver; it’s vintage, unrestored, and all eyes turn to Eve.

  “Shit.”

  Jeff smells trouble. He tries his best not to make eye contact with them. This has to be one of his worst nightmares. Eve on the other hand doesn’t fluster; she’s spent every day of her life with men staring and mentally undressing her. In fact most of the time she takes it as a compliment paid, but not when they stare like dogs in front of her partner. She places the nozzle back and calmly puts the filler cap on, before walking into the building. Wolf whistles soil the air behind her.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.” The attendant shows concern. “I hope those boys aren’t bothering you?”

  “I can handle them.” Eve’s confident; no man will intimidate her!

  She walks to the fridge, opens it up, and reaches in. She walks back to the counter with two bottles of pop and sandwiches.

  “Gas and these please.”

  “That’ll be sixty two dollars.”

  Eve hands the money over with a smile; there’s no eye contact, the assistant can’t keep his eyes off her breasts. Taking her goods from the counter Eve turns and walks back out. Now all she has to do is get past these creeps. One is standing by the pump, whilst the other three men get out of the car, and head in her direction. She’s makes no eye contact with them. Meanwhile Jeff has one hand on the door handle; he’s no idea what he can do, but he would be out of the car the instant anyone touches her. Thankfully all the men do is stare and comment as they pass.

  “Sexy lady.”

  “Hey, she don’t want you, she needs a real man.”

  “And that’s you?”

  Eve ignores the comments and walks back to the car. With relief, she steps back in and hands the goods over to Jeff.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  “For a moment I thought there was going to be trouble.”

  “They're full of shit.” She’s angry. “Don’t give them a second thought.”

  “I was ready for them.” Bravado maybe, but Jeff knows he would have got out of the car.

  “You did the right thing, honey.” They pick up I-70 just before the busy suburban skyline of Kansas City. The car’s now covered in dust, it’s been a long drive, nearly ten hours. They could have taken the interstate most of the way, but Eve prefers the back routes.

  “Are we nearly there?”

  “Yeah, it’s not far now.”

  “Have you been here before?”

  “I’ve been on this road a few times. Kansas City, just the name reminds me of the Wizard of Oz.”

  “You could say we’re off to see the wizard.”

  “Well he’d best not be full of shit like Dorothy’s.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Two lions cast in regal stone sit on their pedestals and flank the high wrought iron gates, bathing in the surrounding tropical greenery. The hot tires of the Camaro roll on cool cobblestone and halt outside these perimeter defenses. A security camera records their every move.

  “Wow, is this it?” Eve’s impressed.

  “It’s the correct address.” Jeff’s face distorts at Eve’s enthusiasm.

  “He’s worth millions!”

  “I guess.”

  “Jealous?” She knows he is.

  “No!”

  “I’m only teasing.” Eve playfully touches his shoulder. “Don’t get so defensive.”

  “I’m not.” Jeff diverts Eve away from his jealousy. “The intercom, honey.”

  “I can see it.”

  “Its okay, the gates are opening.”

  The electric gates open and Eve drives forwards onto the beautifully landscaped driveway. The surrounding trees arch around and cradle them. This makes them both feel like tycoons; they really ought to be chauffeured in by limousine. Intermittent rays of sunlight glisten like diamonds; toying with the leaves, and their ever on-going subconscious banter. Jeff feels that it’s in these magical moments that the human spirit has found inspiration, and has been driven forward by this glimmering notion of hope.

  The driveway opens out, into a spectacular courtyard enhanced by a glorious fountain surrounded by prairie bloom and perennial flowers. The American Queen Anne style house is impressive; beautifully ornate, but calm in its palette of browns, white and grey. The complex architecture is comfortably cradled within the landscape, with picturesque elm and oak trees, shrubs and woody vines. Eve drives alongside a large black SUV and stops. For a moment there’s only silence.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “It is.” Jeff concedes only to himself that Marcus has done well.

  “Is that him walking towards us?”

  “Yeah.” Jeff’s emotions are uncertain, in this strange moment of anticipation. “That’s
him.”

  After all these years, Jeff can see that Marcus's distinctive and recognizable walk is still familiar to him. The face of youth he recognizes from a distance ages as Marcus walks closer. Both men greet and shake hands with a firm grip.

  “Welcome to my home.” Marcus smiles with awkward relief. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Likewise.” Jeff finds himself unexpectedly but reservedly pleased to see Marcus. “I would like to introduce Eve.” His hands gesture towards her. “Eve, this is Marcus.”

  “Welcome, Eve.” The misdemeanor of the past constrains Marcus; he tactfully shakes hands with Eve, without leaning forward to kiss her. “It’s good to meet you.”

  “Thank you.” He appears charming. “It’s good to meet you too.”

  “Sarah’s waiting for us at the entrance.” Marcus indicates that they should start walking towards the house. “She’s very excited to have female company for the weekend, not that I lock her up of course.” Marcus’s hands stretch out and rock up and down, emulating scales. “It’s just that our socializing evolves around work.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

  “How was the journey?”

  “Enjoyable. Eve insisted on driving so I had chance to look around.”

  “Well it’s not just cows and cornfields; KCK is one of the best cities in the world.” Marcus reinforces his love for the area. “When I’m done, I intend to be firmly planted in this soil.”

  Sarah stands by the front door. She can see that Marcus has jumped the first hurdle. He’s been awfully tense for the last twenty four hours, constantly pacing round the house for most of the day. She walks out of the entrance to the house to greet them.

  “This is Sarah, my beautiful wife.” Marcus speaks with pride.

  “Hi.” Sarah projects a warm and welcoming smile.

  Jeff follows Marcus’s lead in the introduction stakes and shakes Sarah’s hand. “It’s good to meet you.” Sarah leans forward and kisses Jeff on the cheek. He appears flustered, so she breaks away and turns to Eve.

  “And you must be Eve?”

  “Yes.” Eve’s relieved; her first impressions are good.

  The girls give each other a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The boys walk in front towards the entrance to the house. Eve loves Sarah’s cool red streaks that flow through her hair, complementing her pale skin and slim body. Jeff had better keep his eyes firmly off!

  “I love the color of your hair.”

  “Thank you.” Sarah smiles. “I couldn’t help noticing your lip piercing; I’d love one, but did it hurt?”

  “It’s no big deal; you’d be fine.”

  “Do they numb it first?” Sarah knows underneath it all she’s a wimp.

  “No, it’s just a scratch and it’s over.” Eve stretches her arm out towards the house. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you.” Sarah understands just how lucky they are. “We’re privileged to be able to live here, although we do have to make sacrifices to maintain the property.”

  “I’m sure you do, but standing here I would say it’s worth it.”

  “Yes, we’re happy here.”

  “It’s nice to see them both together, isn’t it?” Eve probes, she wants to know how Sarah feels about the boys' reunion.

  “It is.” Sarah has a question of her own. “Do you know Marcus?”

  “No, I’m only going from what Jeff’s told me.”

  “To be honest, he only mentioned Jeff to me last week. Apparently he’s missed him all these years, and has only just and uncomfortably confessed to me about what happened back then. Did Jeff discuss it with you?”

  “Yeah...he told me.”

  “Marcus isn't that kind of guy, Eve.” Sarah’s picked up on Eve’s doubt. “I’ve never known him to play around. Give him a chance and he’ll prove his worth.”

  “I’m sure he will.” Eve realizes Sarah’s picked up on her concerns, and lightens up with a smile.

  Inside they are greeted by a spectacular entrance hall, with a lush curved stairway, ethnic tapestries, and a large oil-on-canvas painting. This demands observation through sheer size alone, bullying the beholder into looking. The abstract work represents a mother cradled over the infant in her arms, the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The tree of life arches up around her back, whilst the branches and leaves shade them. Multi-colored lines of browns, reds and purples signify abstract soil, and blue zigzags create rivers with multi-colored fish swimming in them.

  “It’s a beautiful painting.” Eve stands in awe.

  “Yes.” Sarah smiles, it’s one of her own paintings, but she doesn’t like to boast. “The tree of life; Mother Nature and our place within. I like to think it captures the essence of humanity.”

  “It does.”

  “Are you both coming?” Marcus and Jeff are waiting for them.

  “Yes, darling. I’ll give you a tour of the house later, Eve. Would you like a coffee?”

  “Oh yes please.”

  “Did I hear coffee?” Marcus smiles to Sarah.

  “Yes.”

  “Would you be a darling?”

  “Of course.” She turns and smiles to Eve. “Go through and I’ll join you in a minute.”

  They walk along a hallway as wide as Eve’s living room. The floor is sanded, stained and varnished, and lined with Indian floor rugs. On a handmade oak table stands two carved African figures, softly illuminated by a hand painted red and gold lamp. Two blue ethnic vases sit underneath the table, nestling besides a wicker basket. Everything around them has a spiritual feel. The vibes are that of a house at peace with itself, and as they walk into the living room, it’s evident there’s been no expense spared.

  “Wow.” Eve’s expectation is rewarded. “I love this room.”

  “You’re a lucky man.” Jeff’s suitably impressed.

  The room is big, light and airy. The outer wall feels like it’s made entirely out of glass, covered by beautiful white lace drapes that filter the light into an elegant glowing aura. The wood floor has a Greek gold border pattern, and what must be the largest mansion sized rug they’ve ever seen. Two large brown leather sofas sit, alongside the upholstered single armchairs that are pushed together, surrounding a coffee table on three sides. The furniture faces the window and the larger than life white marble Venus de Milo statue that presides over the room.

  “Make yourselves at home.” Marcus gestures towards the seating.

  “Thank you.”

  Jeff and Eve sit down and make themselves comfortable. The distressed leather is beautifully soft to the touch.

  “It’s good to see you again, Jeff.” Marcus reinforces his message. “I’m genuinely pleased you could make it.”

  “Yes.” Jeff has an aura of sadness. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Too long.” Marcus wishes to deflect Jeff away from old history. “But let’s not dwell in past mistakes, I believe we have plenty of ground to cover.” He spots Sarah, which is the perfect distraction. “Here’s Sarah with coffee.” He has a beaming smile. ”She’s good to me, you know.”

  “I can see that.” Jeff smiles towards her as Sarah places the tray on the table.

  “Do you take sugar, Jeff?”

  “No thanks.”

  “Eve?”

  “I’m sweet enough.” Eve flashes a smile. She adores the surroundings and now that Sarah’s here she can ask. “How old is the house?”

  “Marcus.” She turns back to Eve. “It’s more his thing.”

  “It was completed in 1886.” Marcus sounds pompous, although he doesn’t realize he comes across as such. “We take pride in being privileged caretakers who are just passing through, and would like to think we can give the place the same care and attention as our predecessors did.”

  “Well, we try our best.” Sarah tries to relax the tone.

  “It must cost a fortune to run?” Jeff’s curious.

  “You can see it as either a money pit or an investment. We h
ave to put our money into something, and it might as well be something we both love.”

  “I can see the attraction.” The conversation’s flowing and Eve’s inquisitive. “How long have you been together?”

  “Fifteen years.” Marcus speaks with pride.

  “Do you have any children?”

  “We’re not blessed, and you?”

  “I haven’t personally.” Eve looks to Jeff to see what he says.

  “I have two daughters.” Jeff has a twinge of guilt, and shame.

  “I do recall Jack saying you were married years ago.” His eyes look up as he tries to recollect the conversation, then back to Jeff. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.”

  “Don’t be.” Jeff smiles and looks to Eve. “If it did I wouldn’t have the pleasure of Eve’s company.”

  “He has to say that.” She feels herself flush, loving the admiration.

  “Would you like children, Eve?”

  “In the future, perhaps.” She deflects the question away from her secret yearning for children. “And yourselves?”

  “Who knows, for now we’re both content as we are.” Marcus reinforces and questions his belief by turning to Sarah. “Aren’t we darling?”

  “Yes, we live for our work.” The prospect of diapers, crying babies, and the loneliness of being isolated from Marcus for most of the day, whilst he’s at work, isn’t appealing to Sarah. She's wise enough to know that, during the day at least, the task of nursing a baby would fall to her.

  “Do you both investigate the paranormal?” A leading question, Jeff knows, but it’s why he’s here.

  “We do.”

  “Have you found any definitive proof?”

  “Oh yes.” Marcus looks serious. “You wouldn’t be here otherwise. We’ll do everything we can to help.”

  “Thank you.” Relief colors Jeff's voice.

  “You have to understand our research is government funded, the public are not aware and we’re not permitted to release any findings.”

  “And if we did we’d only be discredited.” For the first time, Sarah appears firm and business like.

  “Yes, or worse disappear.” Marcus raises his hands. “Not that I’m in the business to create conspiracy theories.”

  “I understand. Anything you share with us will be in the strictest confidence.” The conversation lightens again.