The Joining Tree

by Claire Fogel

  She shook her head, muttering, “Those knives again.

  “Cara, we’ll talk about your knives later.” She hesitated. “What you did to me was a kind of hypnosis, wasn’t it?”

  I glanced over at her. “Yeah, you could call it that. It seemed to help you. So I tried to do the same thing with Joey. I wasn’t sure I succeeded, but he let go of me and got in his SUV and left town. Maybe it helped.”

  We were almost out of town and it occurred to me that I didn’t know where I was going. “Randi, where’s the turn-off for your condo? I’ve never been here before.”

  She gave me directions and I pulled up in front of a large complex that looked really plush.

  “Wow, this place is beautiful.”

  She directed me to visitor parking. When we got out of my car, I couldn’t believe how luxurious the complex was. I saw tennis courts in the distance.

  Randi saw me staring at everything and chuckled. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour. This complex is really nice.”

  We walked around the huge Olympic-size pool. The tables and chairs were all covered for the winter, as was the pool, but I could see that this whole entertainment area probably looked like a tropical resort during the summer.

  Each condo was a separate cottage, with a small landscaped backyard and individual patio. Randi’s condo was farthest from the main gate. It actually backed up to the southern edge of Blackthorne Forest. Despite the trees that had dropped their leaves, this part of the woods was full of evergreens, which always reminded me of Christmas trees.

  “Your condo has a great view of the forest. It’s really beautiful out here.”

  “Yeah, it is. I do love living here. It’s like having my very own luxury apartment.” She chuckled. “My father is here so rarely, I’m not sure he’s ever really seen the whole place.”

  We walked across her condo’s patio and entered through the back door. Inside was modern, sleek, with lots of chrome and glass.

  She invited me to sit down on the cinnamon-colored suede couch, and I sunk into the most comfortable couch I’d ever had the pleasure of sitting on. Laughing at the surprised expression on my face, she said, “It’s hard to get out of so you might as well relax and enjoy it. Should I make coffee?”

  “Yes, please. Coffee would be great.”

  I could see into the stainless steel and chrome kitchen from where I was sitting. It wasn’t big, but it seemed very well equipped.

  “Do you cook?”

  She smiled. “I’m learning. Someone told me that if I could read a cookbook, I could learn to cook. However, I’ve found there’s a little more to it than that. I’ve had as many inedible disasters as I’ve had successes, but I’m getting there.”

  “Tell me more about your phone call from Joey. You said he apologized.”

  She walked back into the living room and handed me a cup of coffee, joining me on the wrap-around couch.

  “There’s not much more to tell. He said he was staying close to home, that he wasn’t seeing Nick anymore, which was a surprise. He used to idolize that guy. I was afraid he’d want to see me again, but he just wanted to tell me he was sorry about the way he’d treated me and said he hoped I was happier back in Thornewood.” She chuckled. “But he did say he thought my ‘little friend’ was kind of scary.”

  I burst out laughing. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but scary? That’s a first.”

  It was quiet for a minute or two as we drank our coffee. But I sensed there was more she wanted to talk about. It was so peaceful and so comfortable in her father’s home, it was easier than usual to talk about the things I usually kept to myself. And I felt I could trust Randi.

  “Cara, I’ve been dying to ask you this. Why do you carry knives? And where did you learn to throw them so accurately? I heard what happened at school months ago when that drive-by aimed a gun at Amy.”

  I told her about the kidnapping last spring and how I’d spent the summer learning self-defense skills.

  “I’d made up my mind that I’d never be a victim again, and that no matter how many bodyguards I had, in the final analysis I would always have to depend on myself. And that was exactly what happened in October when Gaynes tried to kidnap me again. He’s in jail now, but I still carry my knives because I feel safer with them.”

  She looked impressed. “You’re carrying knives now?”

  “Yep.”

  “Who taught you these skills? I’d like to learn myself. Even though Joey’s apologized, as long as Nick Romanov is still on the loose, I don’t feel safe.”

  “Uh, well, most of the men who work for my father have these skills. They use them working in the forest year round. My dad asked them to train me. Kevin trained with me too; he’s a fantastic archer. It was a lot of work, but we did it together so we had fun with it too.”

  “When I met your father, I was practically speechless. He’s so big, and so handsome, a real leading man type, you know?”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, I do know, and you’re right. Dad’s been great. I think he understands me better than my mother does.”

  “Cara, I hope I’m not out of line, but your dad is . . . uh, different. Almost like he comes from another world. Maybe it’s because he spends so much time in the forest. I don’t know; he’s just different.” She looked me in the eye. “And so are you.”

  If she only knew. Time to change the subject.

  “Randi, you said there was something else you wanted to talk to me about.”

  “Yes, and it’s difficult.” She frowned, as though she was trying to decide how to say whatever it was.

  “It’s about Sean.”

  Oh, crap.

  “I know you broke up last June, but you’ve spent so much time together all year, it seemed as though you were back together. At least, everyone thought so. I hope you won’t be mad. Sean called me Sunday, which was a complete surprise. We haven’t really talked in more than a year. It seemed as though he just wanted to chat, nothing special, just friendly conversation. We talked for at least a half hour, about all kinds of things, school, college, basketball, baseball, and so on. Then he thanked me for listening and said good night.”

  I nodded. Sean had always loved long talks on the phone.

  “Randi, I think I told you that Sean was not my boyfriend, that we were just friends.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I remember.”

  I took a deep breath. “He wanted more than friendship. I told him, more than once, that I couldn’t make that kind of commitment. Last Friday after the game we talked about all of that. I haven’t been spending much time with him the past month, and he wanted to know why. I told him I want to concentrate on Art, not on relationships, and I told him I thought he should be dating other girls.”

  Randi looked surprised. “Ooh. So that’s what happened.”

  I nodded. “I think the world of Sean. He’s a great guy and he’s been a great friend. I do care about him. But I can’t give him what he wants, and I want him to be happy. I really do.”

  “Cara, I knew something had changed, but I didn’t know what. I’ve always liked Sean. Of course, everyone does. What’s not to like, you know? If he ever asks me out, I’d like to say yes. But I wanted to talk to you first. I hope you know that I won’t do anything to hurt you. You’ve been such a good friend, even though we didn’t start out that way.” She gave me a rueful smile.

  And, of course, I knew what she meant. She’d tried to brain me with a baseball bat a year ago. A lot had changed since then.

  “Randi, if he asks you out, you should go. You won’t be hurting me and I think you’d be good for Sean.” It hurt to say it, but I knew it was the truth.

  I looked out the window toward the woods. It was getting dark.

  “I’d better get home now. Thanks for the coffee. And for the tour. This place is fantastic!”

  She smiled and nodded. “We’ll have to do another sleep-over soon. The last one was fun. I’ll walk you out to your car.”

  We put o
n our parkas and left through the back door. I loved being so close to the forest. “You should spend more time on the patio when the weather gets warm. The forest is such a special place. I’ve always loved it.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It generates a kind of peaceful energy. Maybe that’s what I’ve sensed in your dad and you. You’ve done most of your artwork there, haven’t you?”

  I nodded.

  “The pictures at your house that your mom has framed are wonderful. You have so much talent.”

  We’d reached the parking area and were talking about my trip to Barrett when a dark figure ran out from behind one of the parked cars and grabbed me around the waist.

  I felt something cold against my neck. His voice was angry. “I’ve been hoping to run into you again. I’ve got your knife right here.” He held me with one strong arm while he pressed a knife to my throat with the other hand.

  Randi gasped. “Nick, let her go. I swear I’ll call the cops.”

  I was barely breathing. The knife pricked my skin and I felt blood trickling down my neck. I couldn’t reach any of my knives. I was sure he was going to cut my throat.

  He laughed. “By the time the cops get out here, I’ll be long gone. But before then, I’ll make her pay. She ruined my right hand; it’s not good for much now. And Joey won’t work with me anymore, not since she talked to him. She’s a menace. I just want to cut her up a little, leave her with some scars she’ll have to live with, like I have to live with this useless hand.”

  Randi lurched forward suddenly and grabbed the arm holding the knife, pulling it away from my neck. I yanked myself away from him and pulled a knife out of my boot, but before I could throw it, I heard him grunt and saw him slowly fall forward until he landed face down on the ground.

  Randi gasped. There was an arrow sticking out of his back. The forest was behind him but I didn’t see anyone out there; it was too dark.

  I bent down and pressed my fingers to his throat. “He has a pulse. We have to get help.”

  Randi nodded, still looking shocked.

  I pulled out my phone and called the Chief, who arrived in minutes, an ambulance right behind him. When the EMT’s had Nick secured in the ambulance, Chief O’Donnell walked over to Randi and me and just looked from one of us to the other for about thirty seconds.

  Finally, he asked me, “Where’d the arrow come from, Cara?”

  “From the woods. But it was too dark to see anyone there.”

  He nodded slowly. “Do you think it was one of your father’s men?”

  “Probably. They’re all good with a bow and arrow.”

  “And you didn’t see anyone?” he asked.

  “No, I didn’t, but whoever it was probably saved my life. Nick wanted to cut my throat. He was holding me so tightly, I couldn’t reach either of my knives. If Randi hadn’t pulled his arm away from my throat, I’m sure he would have cut me.”

  “How did he know you were here? Do you think he followed you?”

  I shrugged. “He must have, Chief. This is the first time I’ve driven Randi home.”

  Turning to Randi, he asked, “Has Nick been here before?”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Of course not. I haven’t seen him since I moved out of Greenville. He’s no friend of mine.” She sounded insulted.

  “All right, calm down. I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m glad he’s in our custody now, but I’d still like to know who shot him. Cara, will your father be home tonight?”

  “I think so.”

  He nodded. “Okay, please let him know I need to see him. By the way, do you need medical attention? I see blood on your neck.”

  I reached up to feel it, but the blood had already dried. “It’s not much more than a scratch, Chief. All I need is a band-aid.”

  “Okay, I have to go back to the station now.” Looking over at Randi, he asked, “Are you all right, Miranda?”

  “A strong cup of coffee and I’ll be fine, Chief. My dad will be home tomorrow.”

  He said good night to us and walked back to his cruiser.

  I took Randi’s arm. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re shaking a little.”

  She just shook her head. “I’ll be fine. You should get home now.”

  “Randi, why don’t you come home with me? I don’t want you to be alone tonight. Besides, it’s spaghetti night at our house, Kevin will be coming over, and I want you with us. Since your dad won’t be home until tomorrow, you can stay over. It’ll be fun.”

  She smiled for the first time since Nick appeared. “That really sounds good. Thanks. Let’s go back inside so I can throw a few things in a bag and then we can leave.”

  Helping Randi pack a few things for overnight allowed me to avoid thinking of what my parents were going to say when I told them what had happened. I also remembered to wash off the blood on my neck and put a sheer band-aid over it.

  Yep, disaster magnet. Still in perfect working order.

  When we walked into my house, the delicious aroma of Mom’s meat sauce hit us in the face, or nose, immediately.

  Randi moaned. “Does your house always smell so good?”

  I laughed. “Only when Mom’s making spaghetti sauce. She uses Italian sausage and beef in her sauce. And lots of garlic, of course.”

  Kevin was already in the kitchen, doing my usual job, chopping veggies for salad.

  “Well, short stuff, you decide to show up now that I’ve done all the work for you.” He snorted and I had to tickle him.

  “Stop it, please stop,” he wailed. “You know how I hate to be tickled.”

  “Yeah, and you know how I hate to be heckled.”

  Randi stood in the door to the kitchen, smiling at us.

  “Mom, I invited Randi to join us for dinner, and to stay over tonight. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  My mother, standing in front of the stove, wooden spoon in hand, turned and said hi to Randi. “Welcome back, Randi. Of course you can join us tonight. There’s always plenty to eat on spaghetti night.”

  Kevin added, “That’s actually true every night, Mrs. B. Dinner time at my house, all you can smell is pine cleaner and Comet.”

  Randi started giggling and I had to join in. Kevin wasn’t kidding.

  She said, “Your mom doesn’t cook, Kev?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. She’s always working. But she’s really good at ordering take out and delivery.” He chuckled. “I have my best meals right here.”

  My father came in the back door smiling, obviously pleased to find the kitchen full of people. “Hello everyone! Alicia, dinner smells incredible. How soon can we eat?”

  Mom laughed. “Just as soon as everyone hangs their coats up, and Cara sets the table.”

  Dad grabbed my coat and Randi’s, along with his own, hung them all on hooks by the front door, kissed Mom on his way back, and I set the table quickly.

  Mom served the spaghetti covered in thick meat sauce, put a bowl of salad and some fresh Italian bread on the table, and we all sat down for dinner. I was glad everyone would be well fed and content before I had to explain to my parents what had gone down this afternoon. Randi and I exchanged glances. She knew exactly what I was thinking. But we weren’t about to let that spoil spaghetti night.

  When we were finished eating, I picked up the bottle of wine on the counter and refilled Mom’s and Dad’s glasses. I wanted them as relaxed as possible.

  Dad said, “Thanks, sweetheart,” but Mom gave me a suspicious look.

  “Cara, should we be bracing ourselves for some unpleasant news?”

  Of course, that was when the doorbell rang.

  I attempted a reassuring smile as I went to the front door to let the Chief in.

  As he came in the front door, I asked, “Would you like coffee or wine, Chief?”

  He looked down at me and asked, “Have you told them what happened?”

  “Uh, no. We just finished eating. I was planning on bringing it up after dinner.”

  He shook his hea
d. “Well, at least we won’t be ruining anyone’s appetite. Make mine coffee, black.”

  Half an hour later, we had filled in my parents, calmed them down, and the Chief had assured them that Nick Romanov was in the hospital, under police guard, in serious condition, but was expected to recover. At that time, he’d be charged with selling drugs and with the assault on me.

  My father looked the most upset. He knew the arrow must have been shot by one of his men, but no one had reported it to him, which he said was surprising.

  “I’ll be meeting with all of my men tomorrow, Tom. I’ll get to the bottom of it then. I hope you’re not planning on charging one of them for trying to protect my daughter.”

  “No, Brian, there won’t be any charges. I’ll handle the paperwork the way I always do when anyone from Elvenwood is involved.” He rolled his eyes.

  That was when I realized how much fancy footwork the Chief always had to do when one of us was involved in any trouble. We’d written first-person reports and signed affidavits a few times, but we’d never had to go to court to testify against anyone. And that was all thanks to Chief O’Donnell.

  My father nodded. “Thanks, Tom. I’ll be in touch after I’ve spoken to my men.”

  The Chief finished his coffee and said good night. As I walked him to the door, he smiled and said, “I’m glad you weren’t hurt this time, Cara.”

  Kevin was talking to Randi when I got back in the kitchen. “You’re the hero this time, Randi. You took a real chance grabbing his arm when there was a knife in his hand.”

  She shrugged. “I wasn’t thinking. I just wanted to get that knife away from Cara’s throat. I feel so responsible, you know? If I hadn’t been dating Joey, Nick would never have met Cara, and none of this would have happened.” She put her head down, closing her eyes for a few seconds.

  My dad shook his head. “Randi, you can’t be blamed for any of this. Nick and Joey were responsible for their actions. Kevin’s right. You took a big chance when you tried to help Cara. Alicia and I are grateful.”

  Randi looked at me. “You have no idea how much I owe Cara. I’ve never had a friend like her before.” She reached out and squeezed my hand.