by C. B. Haight
Since there were no Armani suits available, he settled on a pair of grey slacks and a black, button-up shirt. Damn! He’d forgotten his dress shoes outside. He went through the dresser until he found a pair of socks. Sitting, he slipped them over his feet and then stood up from the chair.
Cade took a deep, temper-calming breath as he approached the bedroom door and opened it. It’s time for Act Two, he told himself. Try not to scare the pretty lady this time.
Then, he headed down the stairs like any old friend who stayed here at the estate. He was simply one of the family.
Chapter Four
Collett stumbled past the threshold of the kitchen door startling the kitchen wait staff, who were hard at work cleaning up from the night’s event. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at her with shocked and horrified expressions as they observed her horribly disheveled condition. Reacting quickly, she attempted a cover story to explain her bruises and ragged appearance.
“Help me!” She rasped, her throat still tender from the earlier assault. “I was attacked. Please…” She coughed, “Please! Get Cynda!” Adding panic to her voice was quite simple, considering this was how she was presently feeling.
A plump, gray-haired woman with softly aged skin and a concerned look in her eyes quickly bustled over to help Collett to a kitchen chair. Right away, she knew the older woman had a gentle, motherly nature to her. She enveloped Collett’s shoulder with her arm and patted her with a soft hand. The helpful woman’s touch soothed her. Collett felt the warmth and kindness in this woman wash over her like a warm blanket. Noticing the creases in the woman’s face, Collett guessed she was in her late sixties.
As Collett eased gently into her chair, she leaned on the woman for support. She did this both to play the part of a victim properly and because she realized she actually needed it at that very moment. The woman sat her down near a small, shiny wooden breakfast table nestled near the large bay window.
The kind woman seemed to be in charge. Collett determined this as she watched the plump woman turn and snap, “Well now, why are ya just standin’ there? Carey, go and fetch Mrs. Williams, hurry up now. As for the rest of you, there are chores that need doin’. Go on, get yourselves back to work.”
Every one of them moved quickly back to work at the sound of her voice. Collett liked this kind woman right away. She stroked Collett’s hair and said in a quiet voice, “Don’t worry a bit, dear. I’ll make you a cup of herbal tea, and we’ll get this all straightened out.”
The younger woman, who had rushed to fetch Cynda per the older woman’s request, came running in with a warm quilt. After she laid the quilt around Collett’s shoulders, she stood staring with curious, wide eyes. The older woman noticed her fixed gaze and shooed her away.
Collett felt a bit of guilt worrying them all so much. However, she had little choice at that moment. Just what else could she tell them? I’m sorry to bother you, but I think I might have been attacked by some sort of demon and a werewolf out in the woods? She almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of this thought.
Just then, Cynda came bursting into the room like an agitated mama bear coming to rescue her cub. Right behind her was the big papa bear with a mean and fierce scowl spread across his handsome features. They both rushed over to her side immediately.
Cynda knelt down in front of Collett, looking at her with sparkling green eyes. As Collett looked at Cynda she wondered if Cynda’s eyes sparkled more than even the greenest emeralds. As Cynda noticed Collett’s bruises and tattered dress, her normally captivating eyes filled with concern, and worse, the sparkle dimmed as she began to ask questions.
The kind, older woman who’d helped Collett set a cup of tea next to her on the table. Rederrick paced by the chair with his anger at a palpable level. A weight settled on Collett’s chest. This very reaction was one of the reasons she’d stayed so long in Colorado. This kindness, these wonderful people, they truly cared for her as a friend. They cared if she lived or died, cared if she was sad or happy. She cared for them in turn. Friends were something she so desperately wanted, but felt she couldn’t really have.
Tonight seemed to prove that. Collett knew she would have to leave. She cared if they lived or died as well, and if she stayed it could very well be the latter of the two.
“What is this all about? You were attacked here, on my property?” Rederrick’s heavy voice boomed. “Where did this happen? Tell me where is the S.O.B.? I’ll teach him to think twice about threatening my guests, on my property, on any property, for that matter.” His jaw clenched tight; his face and neck turning red from the blood rushing to his head. She knew against any man he would surely be formidable, but her attacker wasn’t just any man.
She tracked his movements with her eyes as he spoke. His angry words bit into her conscience, but she could never tell him what actually happened. She knew he would charge out there, werewolf or not, and try to help. That was something she couldn’t live with.
***
Cynda calmly stood and looked at her husband with loving, patient eyes. She took hold of his arms firmly, forcing him to look at her. “Dear, I think it best if you could hurry our last few guests along while I help Collett. I’ll determine how bad her injuries are.” She said with a reassuring tone.
Rubbing her hands up and down his arms, Cynda gave him a pointed look that said without speaking, it is time for you to go; I’ll get to the bottom of this.
Rederrick stared at his wife with a frustrated look for a moment. As he met her gaze, he relaxed and gently kissed her forehead. I’ll come back shortly and we’ll sort this out. Can I get you anything Collett?”
“No I’ll be fine, thank you,” she said meekly.
As Rederrick started toward the kitchen doorway Cynda stopped him with a quick comment, “Oh honey, make sure you check with Cade to confirm his plans for the night.”
He got the message loud and clear. What she meant was, check with Cade and see what he knows about all of this. Cynda always thought ahead.
Obediently, Rederrick left the kitchen. As he said his goodbyes to the remaining stragglers, he scanned the room for Cade; all the while thinking about what could have happened.
It seemed Cade could always find trouble quickly. However, this time it was Rederrick who had dumped the trouble right in Cade’s lap.
After her husband left, Cynda turned her attention to Collett. As she looked her over she realized whatever had happened tonight had shaken the poor girl up. Collett’s aura vibrated with fear and vulnerability. “Now, let’s see what we’ve got here.” Cynda said.
She examined Collett for any major injuries. She saw a nasty cut above her left temple, but upon looking at it closely she determined it would close up alright on its own. It wouldn’t need stitches, but it might scar. Collett’s bare feet were cut and scraped and left blood here and there on the floor, but again, nothing serious. The heavy bruising at Collett’s throat concerned Cynda most, this and the possibility of internal injuries.
“Well…” She said in a smooth tone, “Maybe we should get you to a hospital.”
“NO!” The response jumped from Collett’s lips too quickly, “I ...I mean I’ll be fine, just a bump or two... the car took most of the damage.”
Cynda looked up, “Car? What car are you talking about? You didn’t bring a car.”
Collett silently cursed her stupidity, “Well, it’s a bit complicated.” Her voice sounded unsure and gravelly due to her bruised throat. “Um…he, the man, ah, forced me into a red car from out back. He uh… made me drive it, which I did...until it skidded on the ice and ran over the embankment.”
She decided to keep her story as close to the truth as she could. That way the lies wouldn’t tangle her up too much and omitting the major details that would frighten normal people to death would keep them safe.
Her thought process paused momentarily as she reflected on why she just put herself in the abnormal people category. She didn’t have time to ponder on it much, t
hough.
Cynda urged her to continue, “Go on, sweetie, tell us what happened, we’ll worry about the car later.”
“Um…well, it gets kind of foggy after that. It all happened so fast.” Tears welled in her eyes as she recalled in her mind how close she’d come to dying tonight. She closed her eyes tight—both to stem the flow and to gain some perspective on the images jumbled in her head. Her tears flowed freely, running slowly down her cheeks until Cynda gently placed a tissue in her hand. “He felt and sounded so cold. I never got a look at him. He stayed behind me the entire time.” She said truthfully, “I ran away from him after the car fell down the embankment a little over a mile from here. I didn’t stay to see if he was alright.”
She left it at that. Omitting the rest was easy because she knew it would be the only way to protect them from getting involved in her never-ending nightmare. Collett knew Rederrick’s nature. He was a protector and he would try to save her. Cynda would befriend her and care for her while he did.
That is if they believed the truth in the first place and didn’t have her committed. It doesn’t matter, she admonished herself. Deep down she wished they would. However, she knew she could never tell them.
She would give them just enough to believe her story; enough to make sense of her appearance and the wrecked car.
Then she would disappear from their lives as soon as she could.
I’m going to have to start all over, she thought to herself. Where will I go this time? How long will I have to run?
Suddenly, she felt all the left-over adrenaline drain out of her. She felt very tired. She needed to think and configure her next move. Her foggy brain just wouldn’t compute as she wanted it to though.
“I have to go. I need to get home,” Collett mumbled. As she started to rise Cynda gently pushed her right back down to the chair.
“I don’t think so, young lady. You will stay right here.
What you need is a doctor and a bed. By the looks of that bump on your head you could very well have a concussion. Besides, we’ll have to inform the police so they can track down this criminal.”
The word police cleared some of the cobwebs from Collett’s mind. “No!” She protested too quickly, again. She calmed her voice, “Cynda, please, I just can’t deal with the police tonight. I’m tired and hurting I want…I need to get to my apartment and get some rest. I’ll go and file a report with the police tomorrow. Please, just get the limo driver to take me home? I’ll be fine, I promise,” she pleaded.
Cynda, having raised three children— two of which were girls— knew the tricks they could play with their soft eyes. She knew the tricks inlaid in the Please… do me this one little favor, voice. She also knew how to sway them the direction she wanted them to go.
So, being a smart woman, she replied with a slight hesitation— as if she were suddenly coming up with a new idea, “I’ll make you a deal. You can stay here tonight. That way, I can keep an eye on you for my peace of mind. Then we’ll see about the police tomorrow. I won’t hear of anything else.”
Cynda continued on right past the protest that started to form on Collett’s lips. “Now then, let’s see about getting you a room and a change of clothes. Jenny?” The plump woman, whom Collett had taken a liking to, came forward again, “Why don’t you see about getting Collett a bath and a few first aid supplies in my bathroom. I’ll get her a room ready and gather some clean clothes.” She finished by turning away from them and heading out of the room up the kitchen stairs.
Confused, Collett wondered, All right… what just happened here? She felt slightly shell-shocked. Have I just been coaxed into staying here tonight? The slight tug at her arm to help her out of her chair confirmed it. Once more, she’d been manipulated by Cynda Williams. The worst of it was she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why it didn’t bother her.
She looked up at Jenny with weariness pressing down on her and relented. Collett convinced herself one more night wouldn’t matter. She would get some sleep and sort out her next step in the morning. She let Jenny lead her up the stairs and down a long hallway to a large master bedroom that was Cynda and Rederrick’s.
The middle of the room held a huge, four-poster, king-sized bed with intricate designs carved into each post. She passed by a dresser that held several family pictures in varying silver frames. Glancing at one or two and seeing laughing, smiling faces in each, she felt a sad longing. They walked by a small sitting area in front of a beautiful marble fireplace. The room felt warm and welcoming. Collett envied the memories this room must hold. Her apartment held no family pictures, no pretty artwork or antique furniture. There was nothing warm about it. She lived with pure function and cost in mind. It was a lonely way to live.
They entered through a door set off to the left from the sitting area. As they walked into a huge master bathroom, Collett noticed it held an oversized, jetted tub, big enough for two. There was a separate walk-in shower with travertine tile and several showerheads. She couldn’t help but think this might be worth the overnight stay. She almost whimpered at the sight of the tub. A sudden eagerness to wash away the dirt, blood, and evil taint she still felt on her skin overwhelmed her.
Jenny bent over awkwardly and started the water in the big bathtub. After adding something to the water, she retrieved a couple of towels from the linen closet.
“All right now Miss. I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything you just buzz that intercom, there in the bedroom. There’s a room right down the hall a bit and to the left near the stairs. That’s where Mrs. Williams will be havin’ you stay. We’ll be leavin’ you some nightclothes out on the bed in there.”
Turning, she pulled out some bandages as well as a dark-blue jar then said, “Here is some ointment for your scrapes.” Setting it all down on the granite counter, Jenny softly rubbed her hand over her back like a mother would to soothe a crying infant. “It’ll be alright with a fresh bath, a soft bed, and a good night’s sleep to clear your head a bit. You’ll see.” With a smile, she left the room quietly closing the door behind her.
Collett slowly stripped away what was left of her two hundred and fifty dollar gown. She felt a small sense of loss as she laid it carefully on the bathroom counter. She ran her fingers over the cool silk. The gown was the first gift she’d received in two years. The only gift she could remember anyone giving to her. She swiped at the small tear that had escaped and made its way down her dirt covered cheek, which only smeared the dirt and blood more.
It is ruined, she thought. She realized there was no hope to save it. It felt like such a profound loss to her. She knew it was silly to feel so sentimental over a dress at this point in time, but there was much more to it than that.
Her life was in tatters too. The ruined gown reflected this perfectly. For a while she’d begun to think the running may have come to an end. For just a short time she began to hope it was over and though maybe she could have a real life.
She gave into the sobs then, letting go of all her fear and frustration from the last two years for the first time. It came out in streaming tears and quiet hiccups. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, and she sniffled as her nose began to run. After a long while, totally drained of every last tear, she slowly released a few deep, shuddering breaths to calm herself down.
It’s over, she told herself again. She had to move on now. Take it a step at a time until she got it together, and there was no time like the present to start. She roughly threw the gown in the small trash can, violently pushing it down to the bottom effectively pushing and throwing away the last of her dreams with it.
Resolved, she stepped up to the welcoming bathtub, inhaling the soft scent of lavender Jenny had added. The subtle, floral fragrance calmed her nerves a little more.
Easing herself slowly down into the steaming hot water and feeling her muscles relax one by one… Collett felt a slight sting as the water made contact with her cuts and scrapes. It only took a few seconds for her sense of pleasure to kick in. The warm
th of the water enveloped her. It washed aside almost all the aches and stings of the night. For now, it washed away the tears, sniffles, and despair. Collett eased into the water, lying back against the cool porcelain. She set her head upon the bath pillow. Her tired brain convinced her to close her red, swollen eyes for just a moment and enjoy the warmth surrounding her.
****
After the last guest left, Rederrick went in search of Cade. Swinging around the corner to head upstairs, he nearly ran over Cade, who was bounding down the wide staircase a little too quickly in search of Rederrick. Quick reflexes on both their parts kept them from colliding.
Moving back down a step, Rederrick eyed Cade and his change in clothing. “It looks like you and I need to have a little pow-wow.” His voice turned to a forceful whisper as he asked, “You want to tell me just what the hell happened tonight?”
“I will, but not here. I don’t want her to hear.” He whispered, grabbing Rederrick’s arm and urging him toward the den.
They walked across the wooden floors and past the large, handcrafted mahogany desk. They passed two comfortable, stylish, brown leather chairs flanking the desk front. The chair behind the desk was also brown leather, an expensive, Italian, suede-back on casters. Two bookshelves that matched the intricate desk sat against the wall to the left side. The shelves were packed full of a variety of law books.
Instead of stopping at the chairs to settle in, they approached the farthest wall. A collection of pictures, ranging in different shapes and sizes, hung in an organized pattern that covered the wall. Rederrick moved aside a picture of himself holding up a large fish. He pressed his thumb to the small panel behind the picture. An audible click sounded as the wall gave the slightest bit. He pushed the hidden door and they both entered the “Extra Room” as Rederrick called it. Cade, quickly pulling the vaulted door shut behind them, followed Rederrick.
