Sunset Over Misty Lake

by Margaret Standafer

  “We could hit the gym,” Cassie said. “That was a huge dinner.”

  “So you can show us all up again?” Frank teased.

  “No, not that I did, but just to move a little after eating so much.”

  “Walking is moving,” Shauna said. “How about a walk along the strip? It will be dark before long, we can see it all lit up.”

  “But we stay away from Mystique,” Jake cautioned.

  “Of course,” Shauna said. “Joe? What do you think?”

  “I think I need to call Karen. You guys go ahead.”

  “We’re not going without you and leaving you, as you said, staring at the walls. You call Karen, Riles can call Susan,” Shauna checked her watch, “and I’ll make a call to the studio. We should all be ready to go in a half hour, or so? The McCabes take Las Vegas!” she said with a fist in the air.

  Joe was going to refuse but decided against it. He knew they wouldn’t leave him alone so if he didn’t go walk the strip with them, they’d probably all crowd into his room.

  He drew in a deep breath. “Fine,” he said on his exhale. “Fine.” Joe pushed back his chair and stood. “I’m going to call Karen. See you downstairs in thirty.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CORT HAD WRAPPED up his call and his business for the night, so all seven of them hit the strip. The sun was nothing but a faint orange glow on the horizon, but the dropping sun didn’t seem to equal a dropping temperature. Joe was sweating after a block.

  “How’d the call go with Karen,” Riley asked.

  “It wasn’t great. She was pretty ticked when I told her I went to see Joshua.”

  “She wasn’t the only one. Did she get over it by the end of the call?”

  “Unclear. We talked about fifteen minutes, I kept that bit of information until the end, then Evan started to cry, and she needed to go before we finished discussing it. I’d like to think she’ll get over it before we talk again.”

  “She will. You do know she’s pretty damn amazing, don’t you?”

  “I do. Sometimes I still wonder what she’s doing with me.”

  “We all wonder that.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “Well, look at her and then look at you.”

  “Point taken.”

  “Seriously, though, she’ll be okay. She’s just worried. It’s hard for her not being here.”

  “I know. I keep thinking I should try to work it out with Mom and Dad to stay with the kids and get Karen here, but then about five seconds later I think that would be the worst possible thing. I’m afraid it would be harder for her to be here than it is for her to be at home. At home, she worries and wonders what’s happening. Here, she’d worry and see what’s happening. If things don’t go well, if it turns out we can’t make a real case against Joshua, I’d rather tell her that over the phone.”

  “She’s tougher than you give her credit for.”

  “I know she’s tough, she’s proven that time and again, but why make her relive everything? It still might happen she needs to come to testify or to give a statement, but I’d rather wait and see if it’s necessary. For now, I think distance is best.”

  “Since it doesn’t seem there’s much for any of us to do right now, I don’t suppose it makes sense to add another person to the mix.”

  “It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Logically, I knew nothing would happen overnight, but I guess in this case, I’m not logical. Part of me thought we’d show up and everything would be resolved.”

  “Yeah. Karen was right about that too, you know. She told us we were rushing here without a purpose, probably for no reason. We’re not great at listening.”

  “We’ll accomplish our goal, one way or another. Jake’s going to convince Bud there’s something to investigate. Dave’s going to come through with more details that further convince Bud. It’s going to work out. It has to.”

  “It will. We’ll see to it.”

  Frank slowed his pace and joined Joe and Riley.

  “What are you two old ladies gossiping about?”

  “Mostly you,” Riley said, “and your astonishing sense of style. Those are some sweet pants you’ve got there. I can’t decide if my favorite part is the variety of pastel stripes or just how wonderfully tight they are.”

  “For me, it’s the extra-long pockets running down the fronts of your thighs. They go nearly to your knees. What are you supposed to keep in there, a golf club?” Joe laughed at his own joke.

  “Funny, guys, funny stuff.”

  “Where did you get them? They’re horrible,” Riley said.

  Frank lowered his voice. “Some friend of Cassie’s from her modeling days decided she’s a fashion designer. She’s sending her stuff to people she knows, trying to get feedback and, I guess, some traction. What in the heck am I supposed to tell Cassie? You’re right. They’re horrible. I’d never wear something like this.”

  “Yet, here you are, wearing them. In public,” Riley said.

  “I promised Cassie I’d give them a try. I’m hoping with all the other weird stuff around here, no one notices.”

  “Maybe if you stay in the dark…” Joe said.

  Before Frank could respond, Shauna came bouncing toward them, holding her phone in front of her. She didn’t stop bouncing as she talked to them. Her eyes danced and her words came fast and furious.

  “How about going on rides? Listen to this. The Stratosphere has one called Insanity that dangles you nine hundred feet up in the air and then spins you around. Another one, called X-Scream, catapults you out off the edge of the building, and there’s another one called Big Shot that blasts you a hundred and sixty feet straight up. There’s also Sky Jump where you actually jump off the building, but there’s no way I’m doing that.”

  “Are you sure you’re tall enough for all of them,” Riley teased.

  Shauna rolled her eyes.

  Shauna had always loved amusement parks. Every summer when they’d been kids and the family would make their annual trip, she’d spend the week before hanging on the swing set in the back yard, willing herself to stretch just a little more so she’d be tall enough for all the rides. Once she was, there was no keeping her off any of them.

  “Sounds like it’s right up your alley,” Joe said. “I’m game. Karen gets sick on rides, so we don’t do them. What do you guys think?” he asked, turning to Frank and Riley.

  “Sure,” Riley said, “although Red’s going to be bummed she missed it.”

  “What did Cassie say?” Frank asked Shauna. “I don’t even know if she likes rides.”

  “She’s in.” Shauna peeked over her shoulder. “Cort’s the one who’s not crazy about the idea. He didn’t want to admit it, but I think he’s a little scared.”

  “Ha! This I’ve got to see,” Riley said. “Lead the way.”

  They opted for cabs since they were a few miles from their destination. Purchasing tickets and making their way to the top of the tower was easier than Joe expected. The crowd was light, the wait was short, the view was incredible, and Cort was silent.

  “Come check out the view, Cort, it’s amazing.” Riley said.

  Joe heard the teasing in Riley’s voice but based on the expression on Cort’s face, guessed he heard none of it. Cort stayed as far from the edge as he could get and while Joe watched, Cort looked only straight ahead, never up, never down. He was pale, and if Joe wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of a tremor in the hand that clenched a railing. Since Joe had never seen Cort when he wasn’t completely in control, the sight was intriguing, almost more so than Las Vegas at night from a thousand feet.

  “Which one first?” Frank called. “We need to get in line.”

  Cassie led the way to one of the rides. Frank, Riley, and Jake followed.

  Joe detoured to join Cort before getting in line. “What do you think, Cort? Yea or nay?”

  Before Cort could answer, Shauna popped up behind him and threw her arms around his neck. “Come on, ride with me.”

&
nbsp; Cort looked miserable, Joe thought, miserable and conflicted. “Why don’t you go on without me? I’ll wait here and take some pictures.”

  “But it won’t be fun without you,” Shauna said.

  “I’ll ride with you, Shauna,” Joe said. “We’re an even number if Cort doesn’t ride. It’s always easier with an even number.”

  “But…” Shauna looked from Joe to Cort. “Don’t you want to try, Cort? Maybe just one of them? I watched that one a minute ago.” Shauna pointed to the ride where the rest of the group was now waiting in line. “It looks fun, not really that scary.”

  “I’m not…” Cort cleared his throat. “It’s not that I think it’s scary,” Cort said, “I just…” He sucked in air. “Fine,” he said as he blew the air back out. “Sure. Let’s go.”

  “Really?” Shauna smiled at him and was bouncing on her toes again. “You’re sure? Wait. No, you’re not. I shouldn’t have pressured you. If you’d rather not, that’s fine.”

  Cort still hadn’t moved from his spot. Joe edged in front of him and whispered to Shauna as he passed her. “I wouldn’t give him too many opportunities to change his mind.”

  Joe watched Cort as they stood in line. He resolutely kept his back to the ride, choosing instead to face the solid, white wall of the Stratosphere tower. Shauna was apparently regretting cajoling Cort into riding with her as she whispered to him, suggesting they get out of line and go get a drink instead.

  Riley seized the opportunity to harass Cort. “I hear it’s almost a thousand feet up in the air and over fifty feet away from the side of the building. Should be fun when we get turned upside down. That will be quite the view of the city, won’t it?”

  Shauna shot him a nasty look. Cort stayed silent. Riley didn’t give up.

  “Listen to those screams! I think one guy started to cry.”

  “Shut up, Riley,” Shauna said. “Cort, let’s get that drink.” She took his hand and pulled, but Cort stayed put.

  “After the ride,” he told Shauna.

  “We don’t have to do this.” The tables turned and Shauna was the one looking miserable. “I’m so sorry. Let’s go.”

  Cort smiled at her. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. Look, it’s our turn.”

  Cort took Shauna’s hand and led her onto the ride. He didn’t look confident, Joe thought, so much as stoic. Joe watched Cort take one quick glance over the fence barricading the ride, then turn his focus back to Shauna as he settled her into her seat. When he sat next to her, he looked green.

  “Whoo hoo! This is going to be awesome!” Riley shouted as the gates dropped and the ride began to inch out over the bustling city. “Hey Cort, you know kids do this.”

  Joe took a moment to scan the dazzling scene below him. Lights spread out in all directions, a yellow glow dominating, but pink, blue, and green neon splashes catching his attention, the biggest coming from the all-green MGM resort. He could make out the flow of traffic, crawling along the strip, but zipping along nicely farther away from the center of activity.

  Just as the ride began to move, Joe heard the thwack and whoosh of a helicopter and spied it a few hundred feet behind them. When it flew closer, the occupants waved and toasted with glasses of champagne, clearly enjoying their chosen mode of transport for a nighttime view of the city.

  The ride operator began her instructions and encouraged them to throw their arms in the air. Joe did so, albeit tentatively. He wasn’t afraid, exactly, but it was a bit unnerving dangling hundreds of feet above acres of concrete.

  Next to him, Jake mumbled something about safety regulations and kept his hands on the bar. Cassie and Frank linked their hands and flung them high. Shauna kept one hand on the bar and the other over Cort’s. Cort attempted a smile at Shauna but looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. Riley thrust both hands high and whooped like a cowboy.

  Right before he shrieked like a little girl.

  “Stop! No! Aaahhh!”

  He twisted wildly in this seat, the hands that a moment ago were stretched skyward now alternately swatting at the air around him and brushing and scraping viciously over his skin and hair.

  “Go back! Get the ride back!”

  Cort opened his eyes at the ruckus. “Hey Riley, you know kids do this.”

  A chorus of laughter erupted but Riley seemed unaware. He threw himself back and forth in the seat, as far as the safety harness would let him. His head twisted from one side to the other at a dizzying speed. He shouted over the ride operator’s voice.

  “Get me off! Hurry! Get me off of here!”

  “Sir, you need to sit still, or I’ll have to stop the ride.”

  “Stop the ride! For the love of God, stop the ride!”

  Apparently she decided the situation wasn’t likely to improve because Joe felt himself slowly move back toward the platform. When the ride came to a stop, Riley grappled with the restraints and once he was free, bolted from his seat.

  “What is wrong with him?” Frank asked.

  “No idea,” Joe answered. “Some sort of panic attack? I’ve never known him to be afraid of rides.”

  “Well, that wasn’t so bad,” Cort said. “I hardly had to scream at all.”

  Riley continued to twitch and squirm, reaching his arms over his shoulders and slapping his back. His eyes were wild.

  “Riles, settle down. What is it?” Shauna tried to catch hold of Riley’s arm, but he jerked and twisted away from her.

  “Spider!” Riley hissed. “Huge. Is it still on me? It’s still on me, I know it is. Get it off.” He brushed his hands over every part of his body he could reach.

  There was a moment of stunned silence as they all watched him. Then they erupted with such raucous laughs, hoots, and hollers that people stopped what they were doing to look.

  Jake caught his breath first. “A spider? Really? All that for a little spider?”

  Riley’s squirming and slapping slowed. He took a few deep breaths, shaky at first, and regained a bit of composure.

  “It was not a little spider. It was a very big spider, a very big, hairy spider. Probably poisonous,” he added with a shudder and one more brush over his shoulder.

  “She had to stop the ride, Riles. She had to stop the ride because you saw a spider and screamed so loudly, they probably heard you at the other end of the strip.” Jake was laughing again by the time he finished.

  Riley straightened and turned his narrowed eyes on Jake. “Funny, is it? I’d like to see what would have happened if there’d been a snake in your seat.” A grin stretched wide across Riley’s face and he started to chant,

  “Jakey, Jakey’s, afraid of snakies,

  acts like such a tough guy,

  but put a snake in his birthday cake,

  and Jakey’s sure to cry.”

  “Not funny when I was ten, not funny now.”

  “Guess maybe we’re all afraid of something,” Riley said. “Snakes, heights, all kinds of things.”

  “To be clear,” Cort said, “it’s heights only when there’s not a solid barrier between me and all that space. Top floor of a building behind a window, inside an airplane, even a balcony where I don’t have to get close to the edge, that’s all fine. Outside, with nothing there? No barrier? Not my favorite.”

  “Needles,” Frank said as some of the color drained from his face. “Needles scare the daylights out of me.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Cassie said. “Makes you even sweeter and cuter.” She leaned over and kissed him.

  “Oh, gag,” Riley said. “What about you, Ms. President of the Frank Fan Club? What scares you? That you’ll wake up one day and realize Frank’s not all that cute?”

  “I can’t be afraid of something that will never happen.” She grinned at Riley.

  “What, then?” Riley asked.

  Cassie’s face clouded and her voice was soft. “Nightmares. Afraid they’ll start again.”

  Frank pulled her close and glared at Riley.

  “Sorry,” Riley mumbled.
“Really, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. They’re just nightmares, they’re not real, I know that, and even if they do come back, I’ve got Frank now. Nothing to be afraid of any longer.”

  “Seriously, gag,” Riley said.

  “Leave the newlyweds alone, Riley. They’re sweet. And you’re just jealous because you’re afraid Susan would never say those things about you,” Shauna teased.

  “Red would have plenty to say about me—”

  Shauna threw her head back and laughed. “She’d have plenty to say, that’s for sure.”

  “Okay, loudmouth, tell us what scares you.”

  “No.”

  “Come on, we’re all playing,” Riley said.

  Shauna looked around the group, shifting from one foot to the other. “Fine. Failing, that’s what scares me. I’m afraid Anchored will fail, I’m afraid I’ll fail at my job with Mackenzie, and I’m afraid if I don’t fail, it’s only because I’m marrying one of the owners so they feel like they can’t fire me.” Her voice quavered with her last words.

  “Oh. Um, I’m sure you won’t fail.” Riley’s eyes pleaded with Cort.

  “Of course, you won’t fail. You’re doing a remarkable job, you know that. My father and Robert are thrilled with what you’ve done so far and expect it to only continue. Not that there will be a reason to fire you, but I promise if you’re not doing your job, I will personally be the one to hand you your walking papers.” Cort winked at Shauna and she grinned in return. “And let me add something to my list of fears: Handing Shauna her walking papers.”

  “Can’t say as though I blame you there,” Joe said. “Hey, if we’re not riding tonight, how about getting a drink as long as we’re up here? The bar’s inside.”

  “Not so fast,” Riley said. “You haven’t told us what scares you. You were quick to laugh at the rest of us. Fess up.”

  “Let’s just get that drink.”

  They formed a wall, effectively blocking Joe’s route to the door.

  “I don’t think you’re going anywhere just yet,” Jake said.

  “I’d really rather not get into it.”

  “And I’d really rather not ever eat Brussels sprouts again as long as I live, but Red keeps making them. You can’t always get what you want.”