by Clare Revell
Adeline shrugged. “We both tried. According to him, church is for fruitcakes.”
“Really?” Mark grinned. “Maybe we should start serving that instead of biscuits with the tea and coffee after the service. Oh, and unless you want to start the gossip mill running full pelt, Nate, I’d let go of her hand before you go in. Too many little old ladies who love to spread the good news, if you get my drift.”
Nate laughed and led Adeline and Vianne inside the building. “Was that a roundabout way of giving me his blessing to date you?”
“Yes. Mark is a man of few words unless he’s displeased.”
“Then I shall do my utmost not to displease him.”
“That’s probably a good move, considering what he does for a living.”
Nate nodded in agreement. “He could probably teach my self-defense class better than I can. And out-shoot me.”
****
Tuesday afternoon, Adeline looked up as the light flashed and the door opened.
A tall man stood there, long dreadlocks pulled back into a ponytail and a bandana tied over his head. Baggy trousers, waistcoat, and floppy sleeved shirt all in bright, clashing colors, meant it could only be one person. Susie’s boyfriend, Storm.
Ben brushed past her as he backed away. Adeline glanced down, wondering what the problem was. He was a people dog and had never reacted like that before.
Not having time to worry over that, Adeline turned her attention to the man. “Can I help you?”
“I’ve come to pick up Susie.”
Agent Debone rose. “I’ll get her.” He moved to the interior door and opened it.
Adeline studied the man.
He paced the floor, sweat lining his brow. His smile, even when Susie came into the room, never reached his eyes. He held out a hand to her. “Let’s go.”
Susie angled herself so Adeline could see her. “Have you met Dr. A? She runs the place here.”
Taking a deep breath, the man held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Storm.”
“Adeline.” The instant his hand touched hers, Adeline’s vision blurred. Dark black energy shot into her, chilling her to the core. Her legs wobbled, but she was unable to move, his gaze hypnotizing her. Sheer evil shone from the dark eyes, yet she couldn’t look away.
“Pleasure to meet you.” His voice penetrated her mind.
She could hear him in her head almost as if she weren’t deaf. God help me. As she prayed, the darkness lifted enough for her to feel Vianne tugging at her sleeve.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“I can call Uncle Nate if you’re not feeling well.”
Does Nate realize how astute this child is? “I’m all right.” She let go of Storm’s hand and glanced at Susie. “Have fun, and I’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning.”
Adeline headed to the ladies room on wobbly legs. Her stomach roiled, and her head pounded. She shut the door and collapsed against it, and then closed her eyes tight. Why had she reacted like that? She’d never been overwhelmed when meeting someone. It was as if evil oozed from his every pore.
She washed her hands with water as hot as she could bear, desperate to rid herself of every trace of him. Glancing into the mirror she could still see his eyes, drilling into her. She should text Susie, warn her. But say what? Your boyfriend gives me the creeps? Maybe just a general warning to be extra vigilant.
She shivered, and headed back to her office. Pulling her cardigan off the back of the door, she slid into it, cold despite the heat of the day.
A red mist descended rapidly over her, and she staggered forwards into her desk. Her arm knocked the lamp sideways sending a dozen things crashing to the floor. She gasped for breath, as through the crimson veil, strong hands clamped tightly around her neck.
A masked face leaned over her. The glittering eyes bored into her, holding her gaze even as her vision dimmed. Her hands rose to her throat, trying to push him off. “Please…”
His lips moved. “You’re safe now, my love. No one can harm you now. You’re free.”
Rasping breaths, harder to breathe, then everything faded in slow motion.
Ben licked her face, and she opened her eyes to find herself lying on the floor.
Vianne sat holding her hand, and Agent Debone had the phone clamped to one ear, his lips moving rapidly.
Adeline struggled to sit up. “What happened?”
“You blacked out,” Agent Debone said. He put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. “Ben barked and almost broke the door down to get our attention. I assume it was another one?”
Adeline nodded. “He called her ‘my love.’ He knew her.”
“Was there anything else? Carpet under her, or grass?”
Adeline closed her eyes for a moment, trying to think. “No, I saw it as if I were her.”
“OK, then. What was above him?”
“I don’t know. His face was right in mine. Balaclava, dark eyes, and thick lips. There was something blue.” She worried her bottom lip, trying to think. “There was blue around him.”
“OK.” He turned back to the phone.
Vianne touched her arm, and Adeline turned. “Are you all right, Adeline? Uncle Nate prays with me when I have a bad dream. It helps. Would you like me to do that for you?”
Tears filled Adeline’s eyes. A huge lump choked her, and she nodded, beyond words.
Vianne grasped both her hands. “Dear, Lord Jesus. Please look after Adeline. She’s very scared right now because of the nasty dream she just had. Put Your arms around her, hug her, and remind her just how much You love her. Thank you. Amen.”
Adeline smiled at the simplicity of the prayer. “Thank you. That was lovely.”
“It’s the one Uncle Nate uses for me. It always works. Then he does this.” She hugged Adeline tightly.
Adeline hugged her back.
After a moment, Vianne pulled back. “I redid my list of people for Uncle Nate to marry. You’re top of it now.”
“Oh, am I?”
Vianne nodded. “Sure are. He likes you a lot. He prays for you all the time.”
“And you know this how?”
She shrugged. “I hear him when he doesn’t think I’m still awake. He tells Jesus he loves you very much and is waiting for the right time to tell you. Do you like him too? Uncle Nate, that is. I already know you love Jesus.”
“Yes, I do like Uncle Nate. Very much.”
“Cool.” Vianne smiled. “So, are you all right now?”
“I’m better.”
Agent Debone touched her arm. “I need to get the both of you home, now.”
“I’ll lock up. But first I want to ring Susie.”
“She’s gone out with the creepy boyfriend,” Vianne told her.
“I forgot to tell her something. I’ll call and tell her.” She stood and shakily reached for the phone. She dialed Susie’s mobile, but it went straight to voice mail. “Susie, call me when you get this. It’s important.”
She put the phone down and grabbed Ben’s lead. “Come on, then. Let’s go home.”
****
Adeline didn’t feel like cooking, so she ordered pizza to be delivered.
Vianne went to bed at eight under protest, but with the condition Uncle Nate went up as soon as he got in.
Adeline was about to go to bed when the front door opened at ten. She looked at the tired man standing in the doorway. “Nate?”
He shut the door and turned to her. “Come and sit down.”
“I don’t want to sit.”
Grief and something else radiated from him. “I think you should.” He took her arm and gently led her into the lounge. He sat beside her, not releasing her hand. “The officers on watch in Olive Grove caught someone dumping a body just after six. Three hours after Agent Debone rang. I’m really sorry, Adeline. It was Susie.”
Adeline doubled over as if she’d been punched in the gut. Tears poured down her face. “No….” Please, not Su
sie, too. Be with her family. She may have infuriated me at times, but she didn’t deserve this. None of them did.
Nate gently raised her face. “It wasn’t her boyfriend. It was a much older bloke. He must have had his hair cut recently as it was incredibly short. But he matched the CCTV pictures, and the ones you took of the Prime Minister’s visit.”
“So it’s him…the Herbalist?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Adeline, it’s over. We’ve got him.” His arms wrapped around her, and his cologne flooded her senses. Safe, she clung to him, tears of grief mixing with tears of relief.
12
Over the next ten days, life slowly reverted to normal. There were no more nightmares or visions.
The doll hospital closed for a few days to hold services both for Jasmine and Susie. Adeline returned to work after the funerals, still taking Vianne every day, as school holidays hadn’t finished.
Mrs. Avon, the new receptionist, was a sweet old lady in her sixties. Past normal retirement age, the neat, white-haired lady needed something to fill her days after her husband died. A real blessing and grandmother figure, she was great with the kids. Adeline thanked God several times a day for bringing Mrs. Avon in at just the right time.
With Nate’s help, Adeline repainted and re-carpeted the hall, landing, and stairs in her home. A pale lilac paint complimented the cream carpet. The whole house smelled of paint, but she moved home regardless. As much as she loved being at Nate’s and spending each evening alone with him, she needed time in her own space to evaluate the way things had changed between them.
As each day passed, holding hands and exchanging burning kisses outside her bedroom door, made it harder and harder to say goodnight. The temptation to go further than they should wasn’t fair on either of them. Moving back to her home gave them the space they needed.
“Have you got everything?” Nate let go of the bag handles and closed the trunk of the car.
“I have.” Adeline let Ben jump on the back seat next to Vianne and shut the door, before getting in the front. “Are you really paintballing at work tomorrow?”
Nate fastened his seat belt and started the engine. He checked over his shoulder and pulled away from the curb. “Yup. They call it team bonding—but in this case, I think it’s more to unwind and let off steam. The last bonding exercise we had to go on was an overnighter. We went out to the Chilterns and set up camp. There were four in my group, and none of us had put a tent up for years and these weren’t even tents, more like tarps to cover us. Eventually we managed and after we’d eaten, we settled down to sleep. Some hours later, Peter Jones, the Chief Inspector woke up and then roused everyone else. He looked over at Dane, and said, “Sarge, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”
Nate put the car into first gear as he approached the traffic lights. “Dane replied, “I see millions of stars, sir.” The DCI looked askance at him, and demanded, “What does that tell you?” Well, Dane’s a bit of a know-it-all, so he takes this as a chance to show up the rest of us. He took a deep breath and replied, “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies, and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, it is evident the Lord is all-powerful, and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, sir?””
“He didn’t…”
“Oh, he did. There was total silence for a moment, then the DCI gave him the most withering look you’ve ever seen. He cleared his throat and replied as dryly as he could, “Actually, Sergeant, it means that someone has stolen our tent.”
Adeline laughed. “You made that up.”
Nate shook his head. “No, it really happened. Tell you, Dane’s never, ever lived it down.”
“I bet he didn’t. So was it really stolen?”
“No. Six of the other blokes played a practical joke and took it down as we slept.” Nate parked the car, and then went around to open the door for her. “Here we are. I’ll carry your bags.”
“I can manage.”
“Just let me do the macho thing for once.”
Adeline winked at him. “I’m sure you’ll love that.” She ran her gaze over his biceps. “Does this mean you’re going to flex your muscles as well?”
Nate laughed and immediately struck a strong man pose.
Adeline felt his muscles. “He needs to practice,” she said glancing back at Vianne. “Will you make sure he does?”
“Yes…” Vianne doubled over with laughter.
Nate pouted, and then planted a light kiss on Adeline’s lips while Vianne wasn’t looking.
She kissed him back. “I’m teasing.”
“I know. And she’ll make sure I practice now, you do realize that?”
“Good. You need it.” She let Ben out of the car. She smiled at Vianne. “Are you still coming in to work with me tomorrow?”
“Sure I am. This is the best summer holidays ever.”
Adeline gave her a thumbs-up. “See you tomorrow.”
She followed Nate up the path and unlocked the door.
Ben ran in ahead, his tail wagging. “He’s checking to make sure that everything’s as he left it.”
“He seems pleased to be home, too.” Nate gripped her hand tightly. “Will you be all right?”
“We’ll be fine.”
He hugged her. “Then I’ll see you in the morning when I drop Vianne off. Mrs. Avon offered to babysit sometime so we can go out on our own.”
“Mrs. Avon wants to come on our dates?”
“I mean Vianne.”
“I know that. That would be good. But sometimes we should take her as well.”
“Vianne or Mrs. Avon?” Nate kissed her goodbye.
“Both,” she laughed. She waved as he headed to the car.
Ben appeared demanding food.
She picked up her bags and shut the door.
****
Three days later, Adeline walked across the park, holding Nate’s hand. He’d been quiet all evening, and she guessed he had something on his mind. They reached the brow of the hill and moved over to the bench. The rosy hue of the setting sun lit the sky as they sat down.
Vianne ran across the grass in front of them, throwing a stick to Ben.
Adeline put her hands on her lap and looked out over the park. “It’s beautiful.”
Nate’s eyes sparkled in the orange light. “I can’t believe you’ve never sat and watched the sunset here before.”
“No. I never had the chance, and besides the park’s not safe after dark.”
He squeezed her hand, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek, his intent gaze triggering a response she wasn’t prepared for. “This time it is.”
“Of course. I have a police officer to protect me.”
“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of Ben looking after you and you protecting me. You can ward off any potential threats by hitting them with your handbag. Or you simply head-butt them.”
“And have you arrest me for assault?”
He clicked his fingers. “Darn. I guess I’d have to. In that case, don’t hit them. We’ll just run away instead.”
The sky flamed red and orange as the sunset deepened, reflecting in his eyes.
She rubbed her arms, and he touched her face to get her attention. “Are you cold? We can walk a bit more if you’d like. Head back to the car slowly.”
“Sure.”
Nate pulled her upright and slid his hand into hers. “Vianne, we’re walking. Come on.”
She obediently ran over to him. “Where are we going?”
“We’re heading back to the car.”
“But I wanted to play on the swings. You said it was safe, ‘cos the bad man is locked up.”
“I did, but it’s getting late now.”
She pouted. “Fine.”
“You can go on ahead with Ben, just put him back on the leash. And stay where I can see you.”
Vianne did as she was told and walked off, muttering.
Nate shook his head. “Kids.”
“She’ll get over it. You’ve got warm hands, unlike mine.”
“You know what they say, cold hands, warm heart. Does that make me cold-hearted?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. You couldn’t be cold-hearted if you tried.”
The last vestiges of the sunset faded as he led her back across the park to the car. “Is that a dare?”
“It can be if you want.”
“No, it’s fine. It was Pete who took dares, I was the sensible one, apparently. But, I could get used to this.”
“Used to what?”
He unlocked the car. “Being with you. We missed you. I missed you. The house isn’t the same without you in it.”
“I’ve missed you, too. But you know why I had to go. It’s not right that we live together, even if we have separate rooms. I’m not just thinking of your reputation, either. The temptation is just too much.”
“I know.”
“Besides, I like this dating thing. It’s nice.”
Nate grinned and opened the door for her. “It is. If I can get a sitter for tomorrow night, would you like dinner? I found somewhere that accepts service dogs.”
“I’d like that.”
“Cool—dress smart.”
They drove for a while before Vianne poked her.
Adeline pulled down the sun visor to read the child’s lips.
“My watch pinged. It’s bath time.”
“Your watch did what?” It looked like ‘ponged’, but that made no sense.
Vianne showed her. “It pings when it’s bath time.”
“Then we should get you home. We have to work in the morning.”
Vianne bounced up and down in the car seat. “Yay. It’s Wednesday and pay day.”
“Pay day?” Nate looked askance at Adeline. “You pay her?”
“Sure I do. Would you prefer I used child exploitation and didn’t pay her?”
“Not really. So how much an hour do you get paid, pumpkin?”
