Walker Spirit

by Bernadette Marie

  * * *

  Audrey parked the big, beat-up red pickup truck right in front of the door to her salon. She wanted to be able to see it. It was only seven o’clock in the morning, but she didn’t want to go home. No, she was going to lock herself into the salon and finish everything up. It was time to get back to work. It was time to get back to normal.

  By seven-thirty, there was a knock at the door. Black Sabbath let out a roaring bark, which had her spinning quickly around, only to see Phillip standing at the door in his uniform.

  She hushed the dog and gave him a gentle pat. But he followed right on her heels as she walked to the door and opened it.

  “Got yourself a new dog?” Phillip asked, as he took off his hat and made eye contact with the dog.

  “He’s Gregory’s dog.” She took hold of Black Sabbath’s collar loosely, just to keep a hand on him. “Black Sabbath, this is Officer Smythe.”

  Phillip waited another moment before putting his hand out for the dog to give it a sniff. And then he petted him. “Nice dog.”

  “He seems to like me just fine.”

  “Can I come in, sit and talk with you?”

  “Of course,” Audrey said as she stepped back and let him pass before she locked the door again. “I have coffee in the back room. Would you like some?”

  “I’d like that a lot,” Phillip said with a nod, and he followed her to the back of the store, with the dog still at her heels.

  Audrey poured each of them a cup as Phillip sat down at the small table. Black Sabbath wandered to him, and Phillip rubbed his head. “I miss my dog. I thought of getting another. I’m just not home enough.”

  “This is the first chance I’ve ever had to be around a dog. You know how it was, we didn’t have one at home.”

  She set a mug of coffee in front of him, and then sat across from him with a mug of her own.

  There was silence between them, the kind that only old friends could have. But then he leaned in. “Tell me what happened last night.”

  Audrey thought about the turn of events. How much did she want to tell him? Did he already know?

  “Gregory and Black Sabbath stayed the night,” she said, but she heard the hitch in her voice when she did so. “And I don’t want a lecture about it. I’m a grown woman.”

  Phillip sat back in his chair and crossed his knee over the other. “Of all people, I’m not going to be the one to give you a lecture on it. Leave that to your sisters and Lydia.”

  “They don’t know about it yet. So I would appreciate if you didn’t say anything.”

  A smile formed on his lips. “Might be just the kind of thing to tell Lydia to get her to talk to me.” Audrey bore a stare into him, but he only laughed. “Now, Audrey, you know I’m only fooling.”

  Phillip uncrossed his long legs and leaned back in over the table, folding his hand around his coffee mug. “So you and Gregory and the dog were at your house. About one or two o’clock, you heard a noise as if somebody was trying to get into your house, correct?”

  “Yes. It woke us up. And of course the dog...”

  “One the most useful reasons to have a dog.”

  She’d have to agree. Perhaps if Black Sabbath and his owner ever left her, she’d have to consider getting herself a dog. “Honestly, I think perhaps the dog scared whoever it was away.”

  “So this sound you heard, was it breaking glass, somebody ramming the door, what was it?”

  “The patio furniture had been turned upside down, Phillip. It was as if someone tried to run over it. Or use it to break the window.” Though that had been the first time she considered that, and it scared the hell out of her.

  “You didn’t think to call the police last night?”

  “There wasn’t any real damage. Just a chair and a table over. And we left. I should get some credit for getting out of there.”

  He let out a hum and then took out his cell phone. He typed some notes in and then tucked it back into his pocket.

  “I’m going to drive by your house. Why don’t you give me a key and let me go in and look around.”

  “I don’t think it’s a big deal,” she said, as she rose and walked over to her purse to get her keys.

  “Or did you forget Lydia saw somebody take pictures of your salon?”

  Audrey held the keys tightly in her hand. Perhaps there was a correlation. She turned around and gave Phillip the keys.

  “Do you think I’m in danger?”

  “I arrested one of my own deputies for stalking your sister. He burned down your cousin’s house and shot him. I question everything.” Phillip stood and tucked her keys into his pocket. “You’re involved with a very famous man, Audrey. He’s got some history. Do you know that?”

  “I’ve done a little research. He hasn’t done anything bad.”

  “He’s been a little careless with people,” Phillip noted.

  “I’m fine, Phillip. I’m not going to let anything happen to me.”

  “Now, none of us are going to let anything happen to you.” He turned and walked back through the salon to the front door, and Audrey and the dog followed. “Keep this door locked,” he said. “Lydia knows to be watching out for you. I’m guessing my presence here will have Pearl set off as well.”

  “It’s awfully early for Pearl to be at work,” Audrey argued as she unlocked the front door.

  That smirk of a smile that would cross Phillip’s lips when he was happy to tell you that you were wrong, formed. And just then Pearl hurried down the sidewalk to the front door of the salon.

  “What’s going on,” Pearl said hurriedly.

  Phillip gave a small tip of the hat toward Pearl and continued to smile. “I’ll let your sister tell you what’s going on. Audrey, I’ll be in touch.”

  Pearl’s wide eyes set on Audrey. “He’ll be in touch why? What happened to you? What did Gregory do?”

  “Why do you assume Gregory did anything?” she asked, as the dog came back to her.

  Pearl acknowledged the dog and then moved her gaze back to her sister. “That was official business. Not just Phillip hanging around trying to catch sight of Lydia. What happened?”

  Audrey let out a defeated sigh. “I have some coffee in the back. Come have a cup. I’ll tell you what happened.”

  23

  Pearl only sat there staring at Audrey after she had told her the story. “This is like Bethany all over again. What is it with psychopaths wanting to hurt people in the movie industry?”

  “I don’t think this is anything like Bethany. Fine, maybe somebody was trying to get a picture of him. He’s extremely famous,” she said but was sure she was saying it to herself to remind herself. “I don’t think anyone will hurt me.”

  “You have no idea what somebody would do.” Pearl held up her hand as if to examine her manicure. “Why do you have the dog?”

  “There are too many people on that movie set. This is nicer don’t you think?”

  “Nicer for who? The dog, or you?”

  “I think it’s a win-win for both of us,” she said as she heard tapping at the front door.

  Pearl stood from her chair. “You’re not open. You’re not expecting customers. Who is that woman?” She asked as they both looked toward the door.

  “That would be my new employee, Nichole. I wasn’t expecting her.” Or was she? She couldn’t even remember now.

  Both women and the dog moved to the door. Audrey unlocked the door and opened it to Nichole whose arms were full of supplies.

  “I know this is presumptuous,” Nichole said. “But I saw that you were here. And I’ve been driving around with the stuff in the back of my car for two weeks. I was thinking if it’s okay with you, can I set up a station, or put it in storage?”

  Audrey smiled. “I was going to put you in that station by the window.” She pointed. “The station is ready. I’m waiting for the mats to arrive today and then will put the chairs in. So go ahead, move your stuff in.”

  “Thank you,” she said as she
looked at Pearl. “I’m Nichole. I’d shake your hand if mine weren’t so full.”

  “I’m Pearl. Audrey’s sister, and I own the bridal boutique next door.”

  “That’s great. I sense family is strong here.”

  “Very strong,” Pearl said as she reached for Audrey’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

  Nichole looked back at Audrey. “Thanks for taking a chance on me. You won’t regret it, either,” she said with certainty.

  Audrey was sure it was going to be just fine. She’d only met this woman once, but she did like her.

  As Nichole moved past them over to the station, Pearl adjusted the bracelets on her arm. “I’m here ‘til 7 o’clock tonight. Don’t you leave without telling me you did so. I’m going to tell Lydia what happened, and Gia too. I want everyone to be aware that somebody could be around here. But we’ll all stick together. Just like we always have.”

  “I appreciate it, but don’t think I can’t take care of me.”

  “Who knows that better than me?” Pearl looked down at the dog. “I’m going to send Tyson to get some dog food and a bed. I think the dog would appreciate it.”

  Audrey looked down at Black Sabbath. “He’s already so spoiled. If you do that he’ll think he’s a king.”

  “I’ll bet he already thinks that,” she said scanning a look over Audrey. “Lock the door. Tell Nichole what went on. It’s not fair to her to not know.”

  Audrey gave her a nod and let her out the door. She locked it behind her and went over to Nichole who was meticulously setting up her station.

  “I’m hoping to quietly open next week, maybe Wednesday. I’m ready to get my clients out of my kitchen,” she said with a chuckle.

  “I understand that. I’ll be ready for next Wednesday then. Are you going to do a grand opening?”

  “I’m sure Lydia wouldn’t let me open a new store without a grand opening. She loves to plan parties.”

  “Lydia, she’s the one that owns the building and the reception hall at the end?”

  “She owns it with my sister Pearl, and her brother Tyson, Pearl’s husband.”

  “I was right,” she said with a giggle. “Family is strong, isn’t it?”

  Audrey picked up the frame off the station which held a picture of Nichole’s children. “It is strong. Pearl, and Bethany who works at the flower shop, and I are as close as three sisters could be. We have two brothers, Todd and Jake, and we’re close to them too.”

  “I think that’s pretty wonderful. That’s what I hope for my kids. That they’ll grow up together and be lifelong friends.”

  Audrey replaced the picture and smiled at Nichole. It was too early to get into family dynamics. Sure, she was close to her siblings now, but it wasn’t always that way. The boys had their life, and she and Pearl had theirs. Then there was Bethany, poor Bethany. Perhaps the best thing that ever happened to her was her coming to Georgia. At least they all understood the necessity of family, and that probably saved Bethany’s life.

  “So my sister wants me to make sure I tell you about some things going on around here.”

  Nichole stopped what she was doing, and leaned a hip against the station. “That’s quite a serious tone. What’s going on?”

  “I just want you to be aware. I don’t think there’s any danger,” she said, and then filled Nichole in on the happenings.

  * * *

  The lack of sleep was wearing on Gregory. The director must’ve noticed too, as he sent him to his trailer to get some rest. As if he was going to be able to, Gregory thought, as he pulled out his laptop and set it on the kitchen table.

  He had about thirty minutes before somebody would come for him, he unzipped the coat that read Lieutenant Price and hung it over the back of his chair. When he opened his laptop, he realized it had been a while since he’d been on it.

  The screen that came up was the information page for the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. He cringed. In fact, the very thought of that trip made him nauseous. He guessed perhaps it was fate. Had he not taken that stupid trip, he wouldn’t have gone back to grovel to Kent, and he wouldn’t have met Audrey. Audrey had been the best thing to happen to him in a very long time. Something about her made him want to be normal. He loved every aspect of his job, except the fact that his head had gotten too big, just like too many Hollywood types. Well, that was for him to change.

  Gregory typed Audrey’s name into the search engine and waited. The normal things came up, a set of reviews for her hairstyling services, she was listed as part of the Walker family who owned the Walker Ranch, and buried at the bottom was a news article about Bethany Waterbury having a stalker who kidnapped her, shot her cousin, and set his house on fire.

  Gregory sat back and let out a breath. That had to have been horrific. That went far beyond fangirls in his dressing room.

  Did the person on her porch have anything to do with the stalker of Bethany’s? Or was the same story playing out again?

  He closed the laptop and looked at his watch. He’d corner Kent and ask him about that. He figured it wasn’t going to be too long before the entire Walker family knew what happened at her house last night. He grabbed Lieutenant Price’s jacket and slipped it back on. He wasn’t going to let last night’s incident get between them. He wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her either.

  As he tucked the laptop back in the drawer, the door to his trailer opened.

  “They’re ready for you,” Pepper Dawson’s voice echoed through the trailer before she stepped in.

  “I’m on my way inside.” He started for the door when she closed it behind her. “Did you need something?”

  “You’ve been avoiding me since you got to Georgia. I don’t like that.”

  “You didn’t tell me you would be on this film.”

  “It took some string pulling, but I managed to get a position. I thought after Las Vegas you would want me here.”

  “Things are different here. I need to get inside. I’m guessing you can see your way out.”

  He didn’t want to leave her in his trailer. In fact, he wanted her as far from his personal space as he could get. The woman wasn’t right in the head. That came out quickly enough once he’d spent time with her in Las Vegas. One more reason to be regretting the whole trip.

  Gregory walked as fast as he could to the building. He turned back once more to look at the trailer. However, she had yet to leave. He mentioned it to the security guard waiting at the door.

  “Send someone over there, will ya? She should’ve followed me out.”

  The security guard agreed and began to call for help.

  As Gregory walked to the set, he wondered if it could have been Pepper that climbed onto Audrey’s balcony. He wouldn’t put it past her. He’d mention it to Audrey. Not the part about Las Vegas, but about her being so unstable. Maybe Audrey could tell her friend Phillip about it. She seemed to trust him.

  A few moments later, all of that was forgotten. Gregory was thrust into the cockpit of his trusty spaceship, General Logan at his side. He could immerse himself into the character easily, which was a credit to him. Too many other co-stars of Sherri Post couldn’t do that.

  The rest of the world was forgotten, and that was why he was an actor.

  24

  It had become the ritual over the past two weeks, one night at Audrey’s house, the next night in the hotel. Audrey would cook dinner on the nights that Gregory slept there. Room service was called upon on the nights that she stayed at the hotel. She couldn’t reason that one was better than the other. She liked having him nearby. And she certainly liked the attention the hotel staff gave them.

  She and Nichole had managed to put the entire salon together so that they could begin taking appointments. And just as she had assumed, Lydia had been standing right there during her break, with a notebook, ready to plan a party. So, they began to plan a party.

  By the time Lydia had left, catering had been planned with Susan, her cousin’s wife, her aunt had been contacted abou
t invitations, and Bethany had been commissioned to make flower arrangements. She wasn’t sure her salon could hold the number of people Lydia wanted to invite. But then, as it was pointed out, it would be a good opportunity for people to see the reception hall. Lydia was always thinking business, Audrey mused.

  Black Sabbath spent his days with her, sleeping on the bed that Tyson had brought him, and she and the dog were happy.

  The car they sent for Gregory showed up every morning at six AM, and it brought him back home around ten at night. There wasn’t much time for socializing. He seemed to understand the necessity for a good night sleep. She could respect that. But even with him sleeping in her bed every night, she missed him.

  It seemed as if they went from being two strangers getting to know each other, to two roommates who shared a bed. She didn’t mind really, but it had moved much faster than she’d anticipated.

  There hadn’t been anybody climbing up her balcony. Though the day after it had happened, Gregory had sent her a text and said he wanted to talk about it. Somewhere in their busy schedule, they had forgotten to have that talk.

  She’d gotten used to people whispering behind her back in public places. She knew the sign of a lifted cell phone to take a picture. However, since nobody bothered her, she wasn’t going to worry about it. If she was going to date one of the most famous actors around, there was going to be some publicity whether it was wanted or not.

  On a night when Gregory was working even later than usual, she had sat outside her sister’s house drinking wine and Bethany had told her it was all part of the job. Kent was a celebrity in his own right, though he could fly under the radar, but it took him a while to adjust when people found out that Bethany Waterbury was in Georgia and they wanted her picture. Soon the hype died down. Now, they were just a married couple going through life.