by C. J. Carson
“Do you know who she was?”
“No. She rang for service at the desk and then just disappeared before the police could get there.”
“Please look at me. Do you recognize me at all?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Paco was sitting beside me. He took my hand in his. “Allie, what’s going on?”
I got up and paced the floor, shaking my head. “Brace yourself, everyone, because what I am going to say is really going to be the craziest thing I have told you so far.”
I had everyone’s undivided attention for sure.
“That woman that helped save Tanis? It was me, or at least I think it was me.”
Everyone in the room looked at me like I was crazy.
“I know I sound irrational. Here’s the thing, I didn’t save her seven years ago, I saved her last night, or at least, I think it was last night. The strangest thing is, I thought it was a dream.”
I continued pacing the floor. “Let’s sort this out a bit. I could swear that yesterday her photo was on the wall as a victim, yet here she is in this room today and the picture is not there. Seven years ago, this woman claims to have been attacked and describes a scene I lived out in a dream last night. As I think back on it now, the lobby in my dream was very different from the one in the Summit today. Paco, what do you think is going on here?”
He looked perplexed. “I believe this is one of the many mysteries of your gifts, my dear. Although your grandfather was keenly aware it was a possibility, it is becoming increasingly clear that you are endowed with many more gifts than anyone could have imagined. I am also beginning to understand why someone is so intent on stalking you. They must have great envy of your many gifts.”
The tears welling up in my eyes were distorting my vision. I wiped them away. “I am so grateful that since I don’t have my grandfather any longer, he was wise enough to send you to me.”
“Dakota and I will be here with you every step of the way. Discovering your gifts is the easy part. Learning how and when to use them is another story altogether. That will require you to trust your instincts. You will need to listen to your gut, follow your heart, and stop depending so much on the reasoning of your mind that you have learned to depend on. Don’t get me wrong, a level and reasoning head is indeed important, but it is still second to your instincts.”
I walked back over to the table. “Well, I think it’s time to get down to business then.”
We spent the next hour looking at the photographs with Paco and Tanis. Tanis didn’t see anyone that resembled her attacker. Paco found a man in the photos that bore a striking resemblance to one of the tribe members, however, he didn’t recognize any of them.
As the day went on, we continued to look for clues in the boxes of files. We collected several notes found at different crime scenes and put them with the others on the wall. By the end of the day, we had gotten through all the material.
As I got up to grab a bottled water from the table, Jake spoke up. “Something has been bothering me, and I don’t think anyone has mentioned it. If the box that Allie has is invaluable to this guy, why didn’t he trash her place looking for it when he was there? If he went through her home as he wrote in his note, wouldn’t he have found it and taken it?”
Payne stood up. “That’s true, but I think we would all agree that he has been so sporadic that nothing adds up except the fact that he is consistently inconsistent! He has been very busy running us down several rabbit holes and really, we haven’t learned much more. Honestly, I think we have sorted out as much about this guy as we can for today.”
“You got that right, but maybe that is the problem. Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way.”
Payne looked at Jake. “What other way is there?”
“I don’t know, but there has to be something here we are missing. With all this information, we still can’t see any clear patterns.”
Once again, Carl was the one who called the day. “I think we have accomplished a great deal. We have gotten through all the files and placed them up on the boards in a systematic order. I say we go home and start fresh in the morning. Maybe, if we take a break and come back to look at these materials with fresh eyes, in a broader view, something will seem clearer.”
I stood in the middle of the room to scan all the information on the walls. “I have to say I agree, but could we meet a little later tomorrow? Maybe in the afternoon?”
Payne walked to the whiteboard. “That’s fine, maybe at two o’clock.” Turning to me, he continued. “I would also like to suggest that you find a safe place to put that box. If it is something he wants, well, let’s just say we are lucky he hasn’t gotten his hand on it yet.”
Moving to the box, Dakota volunteered. “I have a safe room in my penthouse. There is a large safe in it, and I can keep it in there if everyone agrees. What do you think, Payne?”
“That would be perfect if Allie agrees. I also think that I would like Carl and me to get started again in the morning, but as I said, I don’t think we need anyone else here until two o’clock. I think I would just have Jake and Allie stop by tomorrow. George, Dakota, and the rest of the group can meet with us next week unless we need something sooner. How does next Monday at one-thirty sound? I also want to stress the importance that anything said or discovered in this room needs to stay in this room. Please, stay vigilant and call the station if you see or experience anything out of the ordinary.”
George hugged me. “Okay, that sounds good. You know where to find me if you need anything else.”
Chapter 33
WHEN I ENTERED THE APARTMENT, I knew Claudia was painting because she was playing her favorite music from Enya on the stereo. I guess certain music got her in a zone, or whatever that meant. Unfortunately, the aroma of a delicious meal was not wafting from the kitchen today.
“Claudia, I’m home!”
“Hi, Allie, I’m in the studio.”
As I made my way to her door, she stopped me. “Don’t come in. I’m not ready for you to see this work of art.”
“Are you almost done for the day? I’m starving. I can call to have something delivered for our dinner.”
“No, I already took care of it. There are two grilled chicken salads all ready for us and I set the table. I also made some fresh homemade iced tea with lemon. You could just pull them out of the fridge and pour the tea and I’ll be right out.”
As we sat at the table, I looked at Claudia. “I sure could get used to this. Having my dinner ready when I get home, two nights in a row! You are really spoiling me.”
“You know what, Allie? I can’t even begin to tell you how inspired I am in our new digs. I have so much energy and creativity. It’s like someone gave me a vitality shot in the arm! I used to feel like there were never enough hours in the day, but now, I get so much accomplished and it always seems with time to spare.”
“I’m really glad. I wish I had more time to spend here. I have to say, we are making some amazing progress at the station. I met a woman today that I may have saved last night.”
“What? Last night? But you were here last night. What the heck are you talking about?”
“I know; I am so tired of hashing all this over in my mind. I don’t know if I can stand to tell the story again, but the bottom line is there was another out-of-body experience where I traveled to a time when someone was attacking her and I saved her.”
“You traveled to a time or a place?”
“A time. Same place, but a different time. Well, the same location, but a different place. Apparently, the Summit used to be a hotel. Remember when I told you I think to get ahead of this guy I need to go on the offense? I think that might be possible soon, but if he has these so-called gifts, too, he may see or hear me coming.”
“If you’re talking about seeing or hearing you in his mind, I don’t have an answer for that, but, Allie, think back. Remember when yo
ur grandfather used to take us to the reservation to hunt? What he taught us may prove invaluable in this case. You and I got so skilled, we could get within ten yards of a deer and they would never see or hear us coming. Remember? The movements he taught us, the breathing techniques, and, most of all, the importance of patience. Gosh, what I wouldn’t give to be back there learning from him again. It was incredible.”
“You’re right! We got really good at going undetected by our prey. If I can somehow block his ability for him to sense me coming, I can definitely get to him physically. I was talking to Josh earlier today, and he invited us to come over this evening to work on self-defense techniques. What do you think, are you up to it?”
“I am all in!”
“Okay, let’s call him and see if the offer still stands. If it does, we could head over right after we eat dinner, but first I have a little surprise for you.”
“Oh really, and what would that be?”
I snickered. “Watch!”
Placing my hand flat on the island, I said, “Watch carefully now,” and as I raised my hand off the counter, pointing it in the direction of the holder, the napkins swirled up like a mini-tornado and floated to the floor.
“You did it! You’ve been practicing.”
“Well, not really, but you’re going to laugh at me.”
“Oh, come on, Al, tell me!”
“This is crazy, but today after lunch at the police station, I went to the restroom. When I was in there, I spotted a stack of paper towels on the counter. I thought about our conversation last night and my curiosity got the better of me, so I tried to see if I could move them.”
“And you could?”
“No, not at first, but after a couple of tries, I waved my hand in frustration and the stack spiraled up and onto the floor. I was hooked. I stayed there about ten minutes more, just making things move. Crazy, huh?”
“Did you tell anyone else?”
“No, and I don’t plan to. Let’s keep this between us for now.”
Josh was available for the evening, so we finished dinner and headed over to the dojo with Charles, who insisted on driving us there and back, even though he had just gotten off his shift. When we arrived, Josh was in the lobby waiting for us.
“Hey, you two! Are you ready to get to work?”
“Oh, we are more than ready! Allie wants to go on the offense; she is ready to go after this guy.”
He turned to me. “I thought we were working on self-defense? What do you mean ‘go after him’?”
“Look, Josh, I can’t just sit and wait for him to strike when I least expect it. I need to throw him off of his own game and put him on the defense. He believes I am a threat to him for some reason. Whether or not I am, I think it’s time to turn the tables so he can be the one looking around every corner like I have had to.”
“Have you had this conversation with Payne?”
“Not exactly. I plan to talk to him tomorrow.”
We all followed Claudia into the studio as she summoned us. “Okay, there is no time like the present! Let’s get to it!”
Josh asked us each to take a mat. “If you’re serious about this, and Payne is on board, the first thing we will need to do is have you both in better physical shape. You are going to work harder than you ever dreamed imaginable. Each morning, you will need to take a run, starting at one mile and building up to five miles. This will help improve your heart rate and breathing and aid you in building stamina. Every other evening, we will meet here for three hours and work on strength building and defense moves. It would also be helpful if you have time at home to work together on the techniques you learn here. The self-defense moves you learn need to become instinctive, and it should be as natural as breathing. If you can agree to this regimen, I say let’s get started.”
Claudia turned to me. “You can probably run a few miles, right?”
“Yes, but I will start at a mile with you and we will work on this together. We can jog at the park near the Summit. Once around the path is about a mile.” I turned to Josh. “I say we’re in!”
“Okay, you two, let’s talk about what to do if someone attacks you from the rear. Your assailant could come at you many ways, but tonight, we will work on a technique to break out of a chokehold from behind. A defense for this type of attack always needs to be so embedded in your mind that you do it instinctively. You may not see or hear it coming, and your response should be instantaneous.”
We practiced it over and over until he was confident, and we could work on it correctly at home. It was approaching ten o’clock when he called it a night.
“I think that is enough for tonight. Tomorrow, we will work on that move and we will add two more. Do you think you could be here about six?”
“I thought we were going to meet every other night?”
“Yes, Allie, but to get started, I want to meet again tomorrow. I want to make sure you are working on the things you learned today correctly and give you some more moves to work on. Then we’ll do it every other day. So, what do you say, tomorrow at six?”
I responded before Claudia could say anything. “That might not work for me. We aren’t meeting at the station until mid-afternoon tomorrow, and I expect to work later than usual.”
“What about tomorrow morning? Allie and I could go jogging about seven and be here by nine.”
I burst out laughing. “You? Jogging at seven? Really, Claudia? You’re lucky to be up by then.”
“I will be up and ready to go with bells on, you just wait and see!”
Josh smiled. “Well, nine it is then!”
We arrived back at our apartment at about ten-thirty.
“It’s been a really long day. I’m going to turn in.”
“All right. I have a few more things to do in the studio and I think I will do the same. We do have an early start tomorrow.”
After a quick shower, I climbed into bed. The events of the last few days kept whirling through my head. Once I fell asleep, I was out like a light. There were no dreams, no out-of-body experiences, no waking up thirsty, or any sleep interruptions at all.
Chapter 34
CLAUDIA WOKE ME UP AT SIX o’clock the next morning, ripping me out of my sound sleep by pulling back the covers and her piercing voice. “Wake up, sleepyhead. We have to go jogging. I have coffee on and I made some yogurt and fruit for us.”
I pulled my sheet up over my head. “No! Please, I am sleeping so well. I think I could have slept until noon!”
“Come on, Allie, we have a commitment with Josh and we promised we would start jogging this morning. I have been up for forty-five minutes already.”
I threw the sheet off and glared at Claudia. “Forty-five minutes? Are you kidding me? Coffee and breakfast and you are ready to go? Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”
Standing tall with her nose in the air, she turned. “I am the new and improved version. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It’s just freaking amazing, but just not this morning!”
And then, there it was, that pleading face she always used to get her way.
“Okay, you can turn off the charm. I’m getting up.”
Spinning around, she moved out of the room like a proud peacock. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Getting up, I saw that Claudia had placed a neatly folded set of jogging clothes and my sneakers in the armchair next to my bed. What the heck was going on? She was turning into a superwoman, being up so early, making meals, and even ahead of me getting her day started. I chuckled, thinking I could get used to this new friend.
I found Claudia sitting at the table waiting for me. We sat and talked for forty-five minutes over coffee and our lite breakfast. We agreed to have a drama-free meal with no conversation about all the things happening around us. It was so nice just to have a normal conversation about anything and everything except that.
I looked at my watch, it was seven-fifteen. “What do you say we head out for our run?”
“Sure thing. Do you think we should let Charles know that we are going?”
“Yes, we probably should.”
When I called down to the lobby, Charles answered the phone. “Good morning, Allie, how are you?”
“Good morning. Feeling great today! Claudia and I will be going over to the park to run this morning. We just thought we should let you know.”
“I’m glad you did. I have strict orders that the two of you are to not go anywhere without an escort, starting today. Could you give me a few minutes to get Antonio on the line? I know he must be on his way here. He is assigned to you today and will have to accompany you. I just want to make sure he is prepared to take a jog.”
“I guess so. We have another appointment at nine for a self-defense class, and we need to get this run in before we go.”
“I’m sure that will be fine. Let me get in touch with him and let him know your plans. Oh wait, he just walked in. You can speak to him directly.”
Antonio took the phone. “Good morning, Allie. I know you aren’t aware, but late last night, Payne decided you needed to have an escort at all times.”