Kate watched with a smile as Manda hurried into the hotel.
“Nanny May, I do believe that maybe you’re this angel she’s talking about. Welcome home, friend.”
***
Manda , refreshed, with a surge of energy and excitement, selected an outfit and accessories suitable for her meeting at the First National Bank with Mr. Snell, the auditor.
She glanced at her watch; she had plenty of time and there was no need to rush. A nice, warm shower and shampoo was the first order of business. She stepped into the shower expecting to relax under the warm spray of water, but the anticipation of viewing the contents of the safe deposit box gave her a feeling of excitement and urgency. Her patience became a thing of the past and her appointment felt as though it was scheduled a century from now instead of three hours. Those three hours were going to be endless.
“For God’s sake, Manda!,” she muttered, “slow down and act like a sane responsible adult instead of a child on Christmas morning.”
Finishing her shower, she dried with the luxurious towel and forced herself to slowly smooth lotion over her body; determined to quell the effect of the adrenalin surging through her bloodstream. After shrugging into the soft robe, courtesy of the hotel and wiping the condensation off of the mirror, she tackled her hair with her brush and blow dryer. She wasn’t surprised to see curls emerge instead of waves. The thought crossed her mind that the humidity was so high in the bathroom from her shower, that she wouldn’t be shocked to feel raindrops pelting her body! Chuckling at her fancy, she applied a little mascara, blush, and lipstick and topped off her ablution with a light touch of perfume.
“Now I’m ready to take on anything…after I get dressed, of course.”
Moments later she stood before the full length mirror. Grinning with satisfaction and high on confidence, she studied her reflection. She saw an attractive trim young woman with adequate, if not substantial, curves in all the right places. The jacket of her light weight navy blue suit was slightly fitted at the waist, complimenting her figure.
Underneath her jacket she wore a bright red silky camisole. Completing her stylish look was a large red enameled deco brooch pinned to her lapel.
“Not bad, Manda; not bad at all.” With a little luck, she might even cross paths with Detective Haworth while she was lookin’ good. She laughed at her wishful thinking as she slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. Manda glanced around the room to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything, then headed for the dining room for breakfast.
***
Gem felt the heat of probing fingers at the synapses of his brain the same instant as she startled in mid stride. She began to cast glances around the dining room so he quickly raised the newspaper, which he had been reading, higher in order to cover his eyes. He concentrated on placing a protective shell around himself and began to feel relief from the probing sensation but also felt fear at the realization of a weakness in his arms and hands.
He desperately wanted to rise and leave but was fearful of drawing her attention to him and increasing her awareness of him. He felt panic as he realized that he would have to stay until she left. He lowered his head and stared blindly at the newsprint before him.
***
There is that strange jolting sensation again, thought Manda. She glanced around the room in an attempt to find a possible source, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The feeling began to subside and by the time she settled herself at a small table in the corner, the memory had vanished from her mind.
“Good morning, Ms Harris,” said the waitress. “Are you ready to order ?”
“I’d like some coffee right away, but I need a moment to look over the menu. I was going to just have toast and coffee, but I suddenly feel very hungry,” Manda said with a laugh. “I’m going to have to diet if I keep gorging myself.”
“You have a lot of eating to do before you have to worry about that,” the waitress said, laughing with Manda.
“Take your time. I’ll be back in a minute or so.”
“ Thanks,” Manda said, as she opened the menu.
After her appetite was sated, the tip placed on the table, and the tab added to her bill from the hotel; she stood and began to weave her way around other tables toward the lobby. As she drew closer to the wide doorway, she was swept by a chill coursing through her body causing gooseflesh to prickle on her arms. She turned around to sweep her gaze over the dining room. Nothing.
‘Manda, stop this right now!’
With determination, she turned toward the doorway and passed into the lobby, shedding the prickles from her skin and the apprehension from her mind as she walked.
***
Gem exhaled very slowly, realizing that he had been holding his breath. He lowered the newspaper to the table with arms so leaden that he could no longer hold them up. He knew that the time had come to place distance between them until he could replenish his energy. Otherwise, he and his mission were doomed.
Chapter 38
Mr. Lanier and a woman of about 40 were waiting for her in
the lobby of the bank. They met in the center of the lobby
where Mr. Lanier introduced Manda to Ms Carol Walker,
the auditor. After a few amenities, they walked to the
counter where the bank president waited.
“ Manda, I’d like you to meet Mr. Lewis. He’ll be doing
the honors. Manda studied him as they shook hands. He was a
rugged man with craggy features. He appeared to be more
of an outdoor type than a president standing before her in
a suit and tie.
“ It’s very nice to meet you, Ms Harris. I want to offer
condolences for the passing of your aunt. She was a
delightful woman.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lewis.”
He offered Mr. Lanier coffee and indicated a chair where
the lawyer could wait.
“ Please,” he said, opening and gesturing Manda and Ms
Walker through a doorway that opened into a small foyer. He
opened a second door with a key and led Manda and Ms
Walker into a small room completely filled with lock boxes.
He produced keys from his pocket and selected one.
“ Ms Harris, take your key and insert it into the keyhole
adjacent to this one and we’ll turn our keys at the same
time.”
As they turned their keys, the lock released. Mr. Lewis
pulled the large box from it’s receptacle and carried the
box to a small room with a large table. After Manda and Ms
Walker entered behind him, he turned to leave, telling them
to take their time, closing the door to give them privacy.
Ms. Walker smiled at Manda. “ I don’t like this part of my
job, Ms Harris. I feel like’ big brother’ and you probably
feel the same about me. It is the law, though. I’m sorry.”
“ Please don’t apologize. I do feel weird though. This is
so…cloak and dagger.”
Ms. Walker laughed and nodded her head in agreement.
“ What do we do ?”
“ Just remove the items one at a time. I’ll list and
examine each one as you remove it.”
Manda lifted out what looked to be a very old journal and
placed it on the table.
The auditor rifled through the pages and laid it aside.
Manda removed the rest of the contents as directed. After
everything had been checked, Ms Walker grinned. “ I don’t
know if this is good news for you or not, but there’s
nothing here that requires taxation. If you’ll just sign
this inspection paper, my job will be over.
These items are yours. Free and clear.”
Manda signed and then thanked Ms Walker as t
hey shook
hands.
“ I want to welcome you. I knew your aunt. She was a dear,
sweet woman. I hope you’ll be happy here.”
“ Thank you, I’m sure I will.”
Manda began to put the items into her briefcase as the door
closed behind Ms Walker.
Excitement flowed through her. She couldn’t wait until she
could examine them back in her hotel room. Among the
treasure trove was a photograph album !
Exiting the little room, she had to restrain herself from
practically skipping over to Mr. Lanier-a delighted look on
her face.
“ There are photos in here; a journal too !”
“ This calls for a celebration, Manda. How about letting me
buy you an early dinner followed by gourmet coffee !”
“ Thanks for the offer, Mr Lanier, but I’m too excited to
eat. I would like to have coffee though.”
He took her to a tiny coffee shop where they spent a
pleasant hour after Manda convinced him that she suffered
no lingering effects from the day before. They both relaxed
with the knowledge that all the legalities had been
accomplished. The briefcase lay beside her on the bench of
the booth. She glanced down at it periodically to assure
herself that it hadn’t disappeared.
“ Do you have any plans yet, Manda ?”
“ Well,” ticking off on her fingers,” I have to arrange for
the staff to return, contact Mom about Dad’s family and
fill her in about everything, check out the carriage
house…I’ll probably stay there for a while, check out
everything from the lock box and – make a list of
everything else to do.” She dimpled with a grin, shaking
her head at her compulsive habit of lists. “ Then I can
move in !”
‘ Sounds like hard work, but enjoyable. Remember, call me
if you need help of any kind-and, I sincerely offer my
services to you as your lawyer.”
“ No question about it. Consider yourself my lawyer.”
“ I accept, Manda and I’m delighted.”
He reached into his suit pocket and withdrew a business
envelope, handing it to her.
“These are copies of the resumes and histories of your
security team.” He then reached into his briefcase to
produce a small book, handing that to her, as well. “ This
is a book of the training techniques used for the guard
dogs plus individual information on them. Names, signals,
etc.”
“ The head of security will go into this with more depth.”
A crease between her brows alerted Mr. Lanier to the fact
that Manda had probably temporarily forgotten, in all the
excitement, the crime that had prompted the hiring of the
guards.
“ Things will be fine, Manda,” he said with sympathy.
“ I hope the police catch him right away. Then I can really
relax.”
“ We have a good police force. Try not to worry.”
“ Mr. Lanier, thank you so much for everything you’ve done
for me. For a little while I felt that I was in a ‘ sink or
swim’ situation and I figured I’d sink. Thanks for keeping
me afloat.”
“Any time. I can tell you’re getting impatient to see what
you have there. Right ?’
“ Yes, I am. I’m sorry; I’ve really enjoyed this time with
you, but I would like to return to the hotel, if you don’t
mind.”
“ I don’t mind at all,” he said with a hearty laugh. He
watched, with thinly disguised anxiety and speculation, as
Manda left the coffee shop. After a brief moment sitting
with an intense, thoughtful expression on his face, he
stood and sauntered from the shop.
…………………………………………………………………..
This field has to be mowed very soon, she thought.
The blades of grass had grown enough to tickle her ankles
as she moved with grace down the embankment toward the
shore. She stood gazing out over the water for a moment.
This hour before darkness is so special. It feels as though
this vast earth and every living creature on it is
releasing a pent up breath of tension. The grueling day is
almost at it’s end. There will be a respite during which
taut muscles can loosen, jittery nerve endings can repose,
and mental and emotional debris from sadness, fear, anger,
and grief may gentle its stranglehold on the soul long
enough for the essence of life to renew its strength for
the next day.
She wandered over to the chaise and eased herself onto its
cushions, fitting her body into the soft contours. The
cooler air of dusk pulled the heat from her body as it had
from the cushions.
“ Ahhh..this feels so wonderful.”
It had been a hot day, but with the sun lowering behind the
trees, an occasional breath of cool air fondled her flesh.
She dozed.
When she awakened, the moon had risen above the treetops,
spreading its full skirt of silver over the surface of the
water. Light and shadow skated and leapt over the tiny
ripples of the lake.
So very lovely….
She turned her head toward a quiet rustling sound. She
smiled up at him, reaching for his hand as he reached for
hers. He knelt in the grass beside her, stroking her
hair..murmuring to her as he gently kissed her eyelids. He
framed her face with his palms and leaned over her to graze
her lips with his tongue, then settled his mouth over hers
in a long gentle kiss. He moved his hands from her face to
stroke her arms, shoulders, throat and breasts...deepening
the kiss.
Her heart swelled with love for this man of hers. She lay
awash in waves of love and passion. Placing her small hands
on either side of his face, she pushed him back from her
slightly so that she could look into his eyes…she loved his
eyes. They each smiled.
She felt a slight tug on her neck…seconds later…another.
He lowered his lips to her mouth again
She felt slight stinging sensations on her neck but her
emotions were stronger than a little discomfort.She opened
her eyes and saw the moon smiling down on them.
The sweet scent of roses filled the air and she could
envision them trailing over the white picket fence.
How odd--I didn’t know the moon is a shapeshifter, she
thought. It dimmed and brightened, dimmed and brightened as
its outline wavered and rippled. The trees on the other
side of the lake began to writhe and thrash in the sudden
onslaught of wind that caused white caps to form on the
lake She began to feel chilled and the warmth of his body
was comforting. He continued to stroke her and murmur in
her ear.
As the moon dimmed even more and began to swing and twist
back and forth across the sky, her slowing thoughts
recognized faint sounds of anguish, pity, guilt, and rage.
She began to feel a tingling
sensation as the ability to
feel surrendered to numbness. As the moon dimmed to grey
and then to black, the stars began to explode. The last
thing she saw was a glowing tear slipping down his cheek-
the last thing she felt was her body being gently lifted
and drawn upward by many gentle hands-the last sound she