by Imogen Rose
“Kevin’s leaving tonight, so there is a get-together at Morgana’s house. It’s more than just a social event, apparently Simla is coming. We don’t know what that’s all about, but I think we should go.”
“Sounds like fun, not sure about the Simla bit, though. Are you coming home first or shall I meet you over there?”
“I’ll ride over with Larry. See you over there. Drive carefully, Rup.”
She turned to Larry. “Shall we drive over?” Larry had brought his Bentley, so it was a luxurious drive over to Morgana’s house. They were followed as expected. Larry grabbed a case of Champagne from the trunk and made his way up the steps behind Olivia. The door opened before Olivia’s finger touched the bell and a little dog flung itself on her.
“Down, Misty! So sorry, Ollie. My sister really needs to train her better,” Morena said, flinging her arms around Olivia. “You look great,” she said, pulling Olivia through so Larry could get in. “Great Maharani, is it new?” Morena asked, admiring Olivia’s new clutch. “I knew you would eventually become a croc fan!”
“You look pretty amazing yourself,” Olivia said, as she hugged her friend.
“Hey, Larry. You brought bubbly? Great! Park it in the wine refrigerator. So, Ollie, what’s new?” Morena continued.
“You tell me, Morena! I’m a bit confused. Why didn’t you tell me you had a sister?”
“You never asked,” she laughed. “We were always too busy shopping. Speaking of which, when did you get the croc?”
Olivia nodded happily, as she rubbed the leather of her new Maharani clutch. “It’s new, about a month ago. Don’t change the subject,” she smiled. “Your sister–tell me everything.”
“Well, you’ve already met her, but I guess you didn’t have a chance to talk shop. You’ll like her. She’s just like me apart from the whole small-dog obsession. But you like that, don’t you? You’ll probably like her more than you like me!” she said, as she pulled Olivia into the kitchen.
It was busy–a flurry of activity, making it difficult to focus on anyone in particular. Inez was there, cutting pita bread into wedges. Kevin was standing by a big bowl, dipping tortillas into it and chomping down. Constance was frying up something on the large stove in the corner and Morgana was bending over, concentrating on placing cucumber pieces perfectly onto her sliced brie. Grayson was helping Larry place the Champagne bottles into the cooler and Javier was standing about looking confused.
“Hey, Morgana. Come here for a sec. Javier can take over whatever you’re doing,” Morena cheekily added. Morgana lifted her head slowly and walked over to us.
“Nice to see you again, Olivia?” she smiled.
Olivia nodded and extended her hand. She was surprised at the soft touch of Morgana’s hand as she shook it gently. “Nice to see you too. You’re Morena’s sister?”
“Big sister, yes. I mean we are twins, though I was born first,” she added.
Morena laughed.
“You look identical,” Olivia said, looking at them in awe. Not just identical but breathtakingly so. One of them on her own would never fail to turn heads, but the two of them together–wow, what showstoppers. “So is it just the two of you or do you have other siblings?”
“Oh, Grayson is our brother, our older brother,” Morgana replied surprised, looking at her sister.
Morena shrugged. “Olivia is not really the type to accept the likes of us, I mean Wanderers. So I didn’t really bring it up or try to explain it. I just avoided the whole issue,” she explained.
“So, you didn’t know about us?” Morgana said astonished. “When did you find out?”
“Just recently. I mean I was just recently told about Wanderers,” Olivia replied carefully, not wanting to offend.
“What she means is that she was told, but she thinks it’s all hocus pocus,” Morena laughed.
Morgana looked confused. “You don’t believe we exist?”
Olivia shrugged noncommittally.
“We brought your kids back to you. How else do you think they got back here?” Morgana queried.
“I bet she thinks we have a portal in the basement,” Morena smiled.
Olivia smiled back, thinking of a way to change the subject. She really didn’t want to get into this. Of course they had found some means to traverse the dimensions, if not through a portal, then using some other kind of mechanism. They did work at the SETI, after all. Thankfully, Inez and the others joined them in the lounge. They brought all the food and drink with them. Rupert and Lars arrived in time for the first bottle of Champagne to be opened. Rupert went right up to Olivia and put his arms around her as he made himself comfortable next to her. She lay her head down against his shoulder, feeling perfectly at peace.
Larry got up to speak, Champagne in hand, to make a toast. “First of all, let’s toast the safe return of our children,” he said, and lifted up his flute. “Morena, Morgana and Lars, thank you for bringing the kids back. We owe a special thanks to David as well. Inez, please pass on our gratitude.”
Inez nodded and patted Kevin’s knee. “We’re very proud of him.”
“You should be,” Larry said. “He’s an amazing kid.” He turned to Kevin as he sat back down on his seat. “Kevin, are you sure that you should head back? I’m really uncomfortable about it.”
Kevin nodded. “I can’t hide out here forever. My life is back there.”
“You could start a new life here, Kevin,” Inez interrupted.
“No, I don’t want to. I like my set-up there. Much as I miss having David around, I have accepted and grown used to it. I need to go back. I like my work, I like working on my projects back at Ames.”
Inez nodded unhappily.
“We need to know that you’re going to be safe. After all, Inez just managed to rescue you from Raj Sen. What’s to say that he’s not waiting at your house for you?” Javier said.
“Well, we have come up with a plan,” Morena said. “I’m going back home as well. I’ll take Kevin to my place and he can hang out there until he knows it’s safe to head home. Does that sound logical?”
Javier nodded. “You’re both going to have to be very careful. Kevin, you must take every precaution, especially when you head back to work. Okay?”
Kevin nodded. He didn’t need to be warned. He had no intention of putting himself in harm’s way–he’d had enough of that.
“Are we all in agreement to let Kevin head back home and that Morena will transport him?” Javier asked, looking around the room. He was slightly amused to see Olivia nodding although he was sure it was just an automatic response to seeing everyone else do so. He was well aware of her total disbelief in them.
Olivia had stopped listening. She had drifted off, thinking about Arizona. She had to figure out how the switch had happened. It seemed fairly clear that Gertrude had somehow stimulated it. How could a dog transfer over a whole persona? Granted, Gertrude had only known Arizona as a Stevens, but she had been at Arizona’s side for the last five years. Could a bond between a human and an animal be so strong that this could occur? It seemed like transference of the very essence of that being. It seemed as nonsensical as this whole Wanderer thing.
She was startled into the present by the sound of the doorbell ringing. She saw Erica come in to the lounge with Simla hovering behind her.
“Nice to see you both, Erica and Simla. Please sit down for a moment. Help yourself to food,” Morgana offered.
Erica floated over to Grayson and sat down next to him. Simla plunked herself down next to her mother with a scowl on her face. In response to Grayson’s questioning look, Erica touched her thumb to his and let him absorb her thoughts. He looked over to her with concern and put his arms around her.
“Erica, you wanted to talk to us,” Inez said, looking gently over at Simla and her mother. They had been through a lot. What Raj had pulled could not be easy for either of them. They deserved to be treated with kindness at this time.
Erica nodded. “It’s not really me.
It’s Simla who wants to talk to you. I’m very upset about what she is about to say and I want you to know that I don’t condone any of it.”
Inez was surprised and looked over at Simla. She looked fragile but defiant. “Simla?”
“I hate all of you,” she spluttered, hesitantly at first but then suddenly forceful. “Every one of you in this room. I hate you. You’ve taken my dad from me and I want him back. I want Mom to transport him back right now,” she demanded, and then sat back looking sullen.
Inez was taken aback. She’d been unaware that Simla had known anything about her dad’s whereabouts. “Back from where, Simla?” she asked.
“Don’t play stupid games with me!” Simla shouted rudely.
“Mind your tongue,” Erica said sternly. “Inez is our leader. You do not ever speak to anyone like that!”
“Simla, you may go. Erica, please remove her. If and when you are ready to be respectful, we’ll consider hearing from you again,” Inez said, dismissing them.
Simla got up and started walking toward the door. Then she turned around and stared at Inez insolently. “You are going to be very, very sorry. If you don’t get my dad back here within twenty-four hours, you are going to be sorry.” She then marched off with Erica running after her, throwing apologetic glances over her shoulder.
“Grayson, go with Erica. Support her the best you can,” Inez commanded.
Grayson was already on his feet and rushed off.
“So, what was that all about?” Olivia asked.
“I don’t know,” Inez replied. “She obviously knows that Raj went through the portal. I wonder if she was involved in any way?”
“She did tell the feds that she helped her dad get into Ames. Agent Adams didn’t think she was involved any further that that,” Larry offered. “That’s from what she told me. I’m sure the feds are not forthcoming with all the information they have. My guess is that they’re concentrating their efforts on Sophie. We need start looking into her background, too.”
“Well, whatever the feds know or think they know, Simla must know that Raj went through the portal. She must know that he is still there, which seems to indicate that they had some kind of arrangement about the time he would be back. She must know what went on.”
“I’ll get Agent Adams on the phone and ask her to question Simla again,” Larry said, getting his phone out of his pocket.
“No, don’t do that, Larry,” Javier interrupted. “Simla can’t be trusted to keep our secret. We need to find out what went on from her. Can her mother read her?” he asked, looking at Inez.
Inez shook her head. “No, her thoughts seem closed to us.”
“I don’t understand,” Olivia said. “Read?”
“Wanderers can often read each other during physical contact. We normally use our thumbs,” Inez replied.
Olivia bit down on her lips, feeling her teeth pierce her lips until she could taste the blood. She needed to keep herself from talking and inadvertently saying something rude. Thumbs? She could feel Rupert squeezing her hands tightly, trying to keep her from saying anything. She had to just shut up and not ask any more questions.
Rupert thankfully spoke up. “Well, we can’t bring Raj back, can we? He’s too dangerous. Question is, is he as dangerous even there? Will he be able to access the portal eventually and create havoc?”
“Simla said that we would be very sorry if we didn’t bring him back. Whatever could she have meant?” Morgana mused. “What could she do? Or what could he do?”
“Apart from going to the feds and telling them about the portal, what could she do?” Larry said. “And if she does that, it’s likely that the feds will take control of the portal, which is not something that would be in Raj’s benefit. So, I don’t think she would do that.”
“Maybe she’s planning to reveal us,” Constance suggested.
Larry shook his head. “I’m sure she’s smart enough to know that they won’t believe her. Sheesh, even Ollie doesn’t believe,” he said.
Olivia steadfastly kept to her resolve not to utter another word. She looked down at her hand hoping that her thumb wouldn’t inadvertently migrate toward Rupert’s. What a thought!
“You know, it’s probably just a teenage fit,” Constance said. “Of course she wants her dad back; it’s only natural. I bet she’s just throwing empty threats at us. We’ll have Grayson keep an eye on things.”
Inez nodded, not entirely convinced. However, there wasn’t much they could do. They certainly were not bringing Raj back. Even Erica wouldn’t want that. Grayson would have to keep an eye on the situation.
It was almost two in the morning; Olivia looked over to Rupert and whispered, “Hon, we should go.”
He nodded and pulled her up. They said their goodbyes and left.
“Wow, that was some evening,” Olivia said, before she put her helmet on and climbed onto Rupert’s bike.
He kissed her. “Let’s make the next date night a movie night, just the two of us,” he smiled.
~
Morena watched Olivia ride off with Rupert. “They’ve got to be the most perfect couple I’ve ever met,” she whispered.
“Yes,” Morgana agreed and hugged her sister close. “I’m going to miss you, you know.”
I know, big sis,” she replied, kissing Morgana gently on her cheek. “I think it’s time.”
“Ready, Kevin?” Morena asked gently, as she extended her hand.
“Yes. Morgana. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you all. Inez, I’ll see you soon. Tell David that I’ll see him as soon as I’m sure it is safe. Kiss him for me.”
Inez nodded and they all waved as Morena faded along with Kevin.
Kevin felt the familiar pushing sensation when he closed his eyes to be transported. He felt the comfortable warmth of pure peace. He arrived in Morena’s hallway feeling slightly elated. The feeling faded quickly when Morena let go of his hand. It was replaced by a feeling of desolation and fear. He trembled.
“Kevin? Are you okay?” Morena asked with concern.
“I just have a very bad feeling,” he replied. “Almost like a sense of doom. I don’t know why.”
“Well, you are safe here and you can stay with me for as long as you want,” Morena comforted. “Raj Sen knows nothing about me. There’s no way he could.”
Kevin looked around. The house was quiet and he was fairly certain that they were alone. He couldn’t hide out here forever, but he was safe for now.
“Let’s get you some hot chocolate and then you should get some rest. I’m heading to work tomorrow. What are you planning to do?” Morena asked. “It’s Friday, you could call in sick and then you’ll have the weekend to work things out.”
Kevin nodded. He was too tired to think. Sleep was what he needed the most of now. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the lavender-scented pillow in Morena’s guest bedroom.
He woke ten hours later, after a dreamless sleep. It was already one in the afternoon. Kevin was alone in the house. He sauntered down to the kitchen to make some coffee, and found a note from Morena by a basket of fresh bagels. It was brief, just asking him to help himself to anything he wanted and that she’d be back around seven. She’d scribbled down the pass code to her computer and left it on the kitchen counter for him. He made himself a strong cup of coffee and opened the refrigerator to find some cream. He smiled at the selection of coffee creamers that Morena had stocked–hazelnut, caramel macchiato, French vanilla. He stopped at the French vanilla and added a splash to his coffee before turning on the computer. He logged into the Ames system to check his email first. There were over three hundred unread messages. Kevin’s eyes skimmed down the list and stopped suddenly. He looked at the sender again–Raj Sen. He clicked at it with trepidation.
I am at your house and I am watching Ames. I need to talk to you, contact me.
Well, that was short and to the point. He would ignore it for now. Although Raj would possibly be able to figure out that he had opened it, he hoped th
at Morena’s computer was untraceable. He considered calling her, but resisted. Even though the computer was most probably untraceable, he couldn’t say the same for the phone. Best to be safe.
Kevin looked out the window. It was a beautiful day and he longed to go outside, but his fear wouldn’t allow him to. What exactly was he fearful of? What, if anything, would Raj Sen do now that the children were gone–gone to a different dimension? Of course Raj didn’t know that yet. For all he knew, Kevin was still hiding the children, his leverage, somewhere. That would make Raj desperate. Perhaps he should just email Raj and let him know that the children had been transported back. Maybe the futility of the situation would force Raj to abandon his scheme.
Kevin started tapping the note on the computer, but hesitated over the send button. He should discuss this with Morena first; not do anything hasty. He saved the draft and clicked through his other messages. Most of them were from his boss asking him to contact her. He had missed a presentation yesterday and his monthly report hadn’t been submitted. Donna, his boss, left him to get on with his projects on his own. She was easy to work for, but liked to get her reports on time. A sick feeling came over Kevin as he read the last email from her.
Kevin, I popped around to your house to get your report. I am waiting with Raj Sen. Please contact me asap. Donna
Kevin felt like he was going to be sick. Now what? He could hardly call the police. Or should he? He needed to contact Morena. Email–he would email her.
Morena arrived back at the house half an hour later. Kevin had downed three cups of coffee while waiting and was totally strung out by the time she got back. He started rambling incoherently, but stopped as soon as Morena touched his hand. An instant feeling of calm came over him and he nodded at Morena gratefully.
