by A. D. McLain
David and Nicole rode in silence for a while, and Nicole’s heartbeat slowly began to return to normal.
They passed the city limits sign and the darkness began to lighten up as city lights came into view. Only then did David realize how fast he’d been driving. He lifted his foot off the gas and brought the car down to a more reasonable speed. He suspected they should be safe now they were back in town. Still, he kept a sharp eye on all the mirrors.
“At least each time they try to kill me, they do it in a new and interesting way,” Nicole said, trying to break the tension.
At first, she didn’t think David was going to respond, but he finally smiled. “At least you won’t get bored.”
They both laughed, but it was a hollow sound in the car. “What time is your brother’s flight arriving?”
Nicole glanced at her watch. “About an hour.”
David nodded. “Good, I’ll drive you to the airport.”
She shook her head. “That isn’t necessary.”
“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer. I don’t want anyone to hurt you.”
Nicole couldn’t think of any response. “All right.” As he turned the car in the direction of the airport, she let herself wonder why he cared so much about what happened to her.
12
Things had gone relatively well, Nicole mused. Billy and David had hit it off, in fact, they got along so well, she wondered if there really was something to the introspective tone she’d noticed David take during their conversation at the fair. It was something Billy and he had in common because Billy never talked to her either. They were both so frustrating, and they were both overprotective, too. Billy had understandably been worried when he learned what had happened since she took the pictures, and David only left the apartment after Billy promised he would keep an eye on her.
Just what she needed; someone else keeping an eye on her.
She sighed and stared out at the stars through the balcony doors.
“You’re having the nightmares again, aren’t you?” Billy questioned. He was sitting on the arm of the couch, rummaging through his bag.
She studied his reflection in the glass doors. “You always could tell when I was having them.”
He shrugged. “I’m your brother.”
She glanced over at him and raised an eyebrow. “Mom and Dad never knew.” She could remember sneaking into Billy’s room when she’d been woken by the nightmare. She’d stopped sneaking in there as she’d gotten older, better able to deal with them on her own, but he’d always been able to tell when she’d suffered through one.
“Mom and Dad weren’t as observant as I was.”
Nicole smiled weakly. “You always told me what an observant lot writers are.”
He grinned. “Yeah, that’s true.” His eyes grew serious before he spoke again. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s the same nightmare as always.” She turned back to the glass doors, clutching the pendant between her fingers. “I thought they were over. I hadn’t had one in years and then they suddenly started up again for no apparent reason, just as intense as ever. I get the feeling there’s something I’m supposed to be seeing, something I’m missing. It’s right there, on the edges of my mind, and then it’s gone. I think the only way the nightmares are ever going to stop now is if I can figure it out.”
Billy put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out. You’re good at that.” He smiled. “Remember when you figured out what was happening to everyone’s lunches?”
Nicole thought back with a smile. She’d been in third grade when kids in the neighborhood started losing their school lunches. No one had known what was happening to them, they’d just disappear from the playground. It was Nicole who discovered a local dog had been stealing and burying them. “It’s only because I noticed the smell.”
“And modest too.” Billy yawned loudly. “I think we could both use some sleep. Can we talk about this more tomorrow?”
“Okay, I’ll grab you a pillow and blanket for the couch, since you’re determined you’re staying here tonight.” She laughed and jabbed Billy in the side.
“You bet I’m staying here tonight.” Billy smiled. “Besides, you can’t fool me, you’re glad I said I’m staying. You just don’t want to admit it.”
Nicole tilted her chin defiantly. “I was doing just fine without you, Billy. Besides, I have a wolf to protect me.”
Billy’s eyebrows rose. “What wolf?”
“Oh, there’s a wolf that’s been hanging around. He’s been coming up onto my balcony each night.”
“Have you called animal control?”
“Nicole laughed.,“No, I let him in.”
“Inside the apartment? A wild animal?”
“Billy, he saved my life. When I took the pictures, he kept me from getting hurt and led me home. This isn’t some ordinary animal.” Nicole sat down beside him. “Besides, I’ve been letting him in every night. He stays through the night and leaves every morning. I don’t have anything to fear from him.”
“What about me? He doesn’t know me from Adam. What if he thinks I don’t belong here?”
“I don’t think there will be a problem. You’re so likable.” She pinched both his cheeks and chuckled. “Don’t worry. It only causes wrinkles.”
Billy watched Nicole thoughtfully. “You’ve changed,” he said at last.
“Have I?” she asked. She thought for a moment, realizing that she did feel different. “Maybe I’m becoming who I was supposed to be all along.”
“See? That’s what I’m talking about. Your entire life, it’s been as if you were searching for the answer to some mysterious question. Now, it seems like you’ve found it.”
Nicole considered Billy’s words. “No, I haven’t found it yet. But I think I’m closer than I’ve ever been before.” She smiled and laughed. “At least, now I almost know what the question is.” She got to her feet. “Good night,” she said.
“Good night.”
Right before she drifted off to sleep, it occurred to her that David had managed to avoid her questions tonight, again.
Nicole pushed a branch out of her way as she ran through the forest. She could see the wolf running up ahead. When it glanced over its shoulder, she saw its blue-green eyes shining brightly in the darkness. The wolf wasn’t very far ahead of her now – or was he?
Just when she thought she was about to catch up to him, she saw him again, even farther in front of her than he’d been only a moment before. Then she lost sight of him and she stumbled to a halt. Hearing his howl, she started running again, although she couldn’t see past five feet in front of her.
Guided by the howl of the wolf she ran between the trees, ducking one way, then the other.
The howling stopped abruptly again. Not knowing which way to go, she came to a stop again.
A twig snapped behind her and she turned quickly. Standing directly behind her was David, his blue-green eyes seemingly glowing with an inner light.
The shrill beeping of the alarm clock roused Nicole. She slowly dug her way out from under the pillows and sheets. When she forced her eyes open, she discovered Billy leaning over her alarm clock, trying to shut the noise off. He finally succeeded.
“Your alarm clock went off,” he said, stating the obvious.
She collapsed back onto the mound of pillows. “I must have accidentally turned it on when I put my glasses up last night.”
The bed sunk under Billy’s weight when he sat down beside her. “So, this is the time you usually get up?” he asked.
“Unlike you, who never sleeps.”
“Hey, I have a lot of work to do,” he replied defensively. “What about you? Have you decided what career you’re interested in?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to do something with the SES, but I don’t know about a long-term career. Maybe… I don’t know. Look, I refuse to answer any questions until that clock is showing
double digits.”
Billy held up his hands. “Okay, okay, I can take a hint. If I can’t get back to sleep, I’ll raid the fridge.” He walked over to the door, then turned back to Nicole. “You know,” he said, “I was thinking—”
“Don’t strain yourself.”
Billy ignored her and continued. “You’d make a good writer.”
“Yeah, there’s a shortage of good doorstops in the world,” she muttered.
“No, really. All you’d have to do is write about your life. Of course, you’d have to sell it as fiction. No one would believe it was true.”
“Yeah, whatever. Talk to me when I’ve got more than one eye open.”
Billy closed the door and walked back over to the couch. He smiled to himself when he started straightening it up. “At least this visit won’t be boring.”
A shadow crossed his features. Even this visit couldn’t make him forget his troubles for long. Work was a lot more stressful than it had been in the past and nothing had been going right lately. Maybe he only needed a chance to regroup. A vacation could do him good. He’d hoped talking to Nicole might help him and his sister, but she obviously had far too much going on in her own life right now. He couldn’t put his problems on her, as well. He’d have to handle this on his own.
Nicole woke up to the smell of something burning. Reluctantly, she climbed out of bed and opened the bedroom door. Looking over at the stove, she found Billy frantically stirring something in a frying pan. “What are you doing?” she asked, coughing on the smoke that filled her apartment.
“Cooking breakfast.”
Nicole stared at him incredulously. “But you cook worse than I do.”
“Practice makes perfect,” he smiled.
“Well,” she said, dropping down onto the couch, “I suppose if I survived some of your earlier cooking experiments, I can survive whatever it is you’ve tried this time. You must have improved a little.” Sniffing the air, she screwed up her nose. “I hope.”
“Oh, ye of little faith.” He gathered the food and joined her in the living room.
“If you woke up to what I’m smelling, you’d be a little short on faith, too.” Light streamed in from the balcony doors, reflecting off a glass vase and sending color dancing across the walls. She watched them for a moment before glancing back at the balcony. “Did the wolf show up?”
“Yeah, I saw him. You know, it was funny, he looked in the direction of your room first, then he turned and looked at me for a second and then he left.”
“I guess he decided I was in good hands,” Nicole mused. “He obviously didn’t smell your cooking.”
Billy smiled and shook his head. “You know, your life is a lot more interesting than I remember it being.”
“Maybe if you visited more often, you’d know exactly how interesting my life is. I guarantee you’d never suffer from writer’s block again.”
Billy shrugged, handing Nicole a plate of food which included hash browns, toast, and two sausage links. The toast was the only thing that wasn’t burned. “You know, I don’t really write anymore. I never even finished that book I was working on. I’ve been too busy with my research.”
Nicole laid a hand on Billy’s arm. “Are you happy?”
“Yeah, of course I’m happy. As happy as anyone ever is, I suppose,” he responded. “I love my work. I actually get paid to study ancient literature. What could be better than that?” He attempted a grin, but it was more of a grimace. He escaped to the kitchen, putting some pans in the sink. By the time he returned with his own plate of charred victuals, he’d regained his composure.
Nicole studied his face. Whatever emotion he’d been feeling a few seconds ago was no longer evident. “I want to let you know I’m glad you’re here. I’ve really missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” His expression softened again.
“I’d like you to tell me what’s going on with you. I want to help.”
“I’m fine. I’m just a little stressed. Eat your food.”
Nicole wrinkled her nose, poking her fork around on the plate. Billy couldn’t help laughing at her pained expression.
Maybe it was stress bothering Billy, but she suspected it was more than that. It wouldn’t do any good to press the point right now though. Better to change the subject “I think I’d like to sell the house.”
Billy nearly choked. “What? Why? You love that place.” He always assumed Nicole would end up living there. Billy was established with a good job and Nicole still had friends in this town.
“I know, but it’s too big for me, and I can’t afford to keep it. I have enough bills to keep up with. My financial aid only just covers everything for this place.”
Billy suppressed a shudder of shame. He hadn’t thought of what the house was costing her. The mortgage was paid, but there was still property taxes, insurance, and utilities. “Then I’ll take it.” The words fell out of Billy’s mouth before he’d had a chance to think about them, and he immediately wished he could take them back. What did he need with that old house? Why should it matter what happened to it? It was just a house. He should let her sell it and keep the money for school.
“Are you sure you want it?”
He wasn’t sure. He wasn’t sure about anything right now, but he just couldn’t let it go. No matter how little sense it made, he couldn’t let himself think about the alternative. “Yeah, I’ll take it.”
“Does that mean you’ll be visiting more often, since you’ll have a place here?”
“Maybe.” He grinned. Every time they talked over the past few years Nicole tried to talk him into coming back to Connecticut. Now it looked like he was doing the job for her. He hoped he knew what he was getting himself into.
The aggravated muttering grew louder. Six none-too-happy people sat around the long meeting table, complaining about an unscheduled Sunday meeting.
Rodney came into the boardroom and sat at the head of the table, his bright yellow and orange shirt in stark contrast to the dull gray and brown worn by those seated around him. He lifted his feet onto the table, cleared his throat loudly, and the grumbling slowly died down. “I know everyone has other places they’d rather be right now. Unfortunately, we have some business which needs to be taken care of. We have got to get rid of anything which might prove detrimental to this company’s image. In case you didn’t realize, I’m going to trial soon.”
Before he could say anything more, there was a knock at the door and the secretary stuck her head into the room. “Mr. Steagel, you have a call.”
“Tell them I’m busy.”
“It’s the president, Mr. George Steagel, sir.
Rodney took his feet off the table and stood up. “I’ll take it in my office.”
He hurried into the adjoining room and pushed the ‘on’ button on the side of the video screen. George Steagel immediately appeared. Unlike his nephew, the older Steagel was dressed in a pinstriped suit. His hair was clipped short and his appearance was absolutely pristine. He didn’t look happy.
“Uncle George,” Rodney stammered. “This is such a surprise. I wasn’t expecting—”
“Save it, Rodney. I’ve heard all about your latest legal problems.”
“It’s just a misunderstanding.”
“For your sake, you’d better be telling the truth, because I’m not going to help you this time. I’m tired of bailing you out every time you get into trouble. This time, you’re on your own.”
13
“Never mind. I’ll be back by tomorrow.” Billy hung up the phone with an aggravated sigh. Calling the airport, he booked the next flight home.
“Leaving so soon?”
Billy turned to find Nicole standing behind him. “Yeah, there’s a problem at work I need to handle.”
“You haven’t even told me why you showed up to begin with.”
“What, a guy can’t visit his sister without a reason?”
Nicole raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
&nb
sp; “You’re right,” he said, the smile disappearing from his face. “I haven’t been known to do it in the past.” He suffered a surge of guilt. “I wanted to see how you are. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Are you sure that’s all there is to it?”
“Yeah, it is…well, I have been a little stressed lately, but there’s no sense in going into that now. You’ve got enough to worry about right now.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry about my problems.”
She didn’t like Billy’s glib response, but she knew there’d be no convincing him to talk about his problems when there was so much going on in her life. “Just promise you’ll talk to me when everything here blows over.”
“You’ve got it.” He gathered his belongings, and with one last glance, he was gone.
“Well, that was strange.” Nicole straightened the room up out of habit. “I wish I knew what was bothering you,” she muttered to the empty room. She shook her head in annoyance. She’d just have to figure out what was wrong with Billy later. Picking up her car keys and books, she left for school.
He watched from the shadows as the boy, Billy, got ready to board his plane. A smile played across his lips. A brother. This could be useful, especially if Artemis was unable to deliver on some of his promises. He made a mental note of where the boy was traveling to, picking that information, along with a few other choice tidbits, easily from his mind.
He contemplated his next move while other travelers bustled about the crowded airport, completely oblivious to his presence. A woman drew her sweater a little tighter around her shoulders when she walked by, a shiver rippling through her body. His smile broadened.
The smile quickly dissipated when he smelled the presence of a nearby dog. Glancing over, he saw a Seeing Eye dog, leading a man through the lobby. The dog paused, sniffing the air around it, unable to pinpoint the cause of its unease, but it obviously knew something or someone it didn’t like was nearby. It began to bark, a low, growling woof. He narrowed his eyes and sent a low, telepathic growl in the direction of the dog’s mind. Instantly, the dog grew quiet, searching wildly in all directions. He sent one last growl and was immediately rewarded by a startled whimper from the dog. He grinned when the dog hastily led his master away from the area.