Dancing Ladies

by Marilyn Gardiner

  "He needs something else to think about. Something good to erase last night's memory. Basketball ought to do it."

  "Well—"

  "Basketball is big in Illinois. Seven is most definitely not too young to begin shooting hoops. Okay with you?"

  "Sure. I guess. If you think it's important."

  "It's important that he get the chance to see if he likes the game, and it's important that we fill his head with stuff to look forward to. The future. Good stuff."

  She nodded. “Okay."

  Kate shivered. She couldn't seem to get warm enough. Early as it was the sky was overcast and the underbellies of dark clouds were full of rain.

  Cass pulled a jacket from behind the seat and handed it to her.

  "Thanks.” She draped it across her chest and huddled against the door.

  "You need to sleep all day. I'll tuck you in and—"

  "How did he get in last night?” Her voice was wooden and strained. “I had everything locked up tight. I checked your locks and they were solid. So how did he get in?"

  "We know how he got in. He was proud enough of his planning to brag about it. Walked right in the back door yesterday when you were out front getting the mail. He unlatched the pantry window and walked back out the door, bold as a brass bull. He could have gotten in any time he wanted after that."

  She was silent, thinking how easy she'd made it for him. He'd done everything the sneaky way, however, when she'd been expecting him to barrel in and confront her at the top of his lungs for all the neighborhood to hear. Or accost her in a crowded place and humiliate her in front of a host of people. Huey had always liked an audience. Her stomach was queasy. He'd been that close to Max.

  "Has Max talked about it? How much did he see?"

  "He heard it first from upstairs, and called me on your cell phone. He didn't know who was down there. Just that someone was hurting you. Babe had already charged downstairs, barking for all he was worth. Max had to come downstairs to unlock the door, but I made him promise, no matter what, to go back upstairs until I came to get him."

  He hesitated. “I don't think he actually saw much. When he slipped down the stairs to unlock the front door, you both were out of his sight around the corner of the room, and he ran back up again just like I told him. He heard me coming in and that's when he sneaked back to hang over the banister. He knows Huey hurt you, that's why you were in the hospital, but I don't think he actually saw him hitting you."

  She released a long breath. “I guess it could have been worse."

  "It was damn well bad enough!"

  Unexpectedly, her eyes puddled up. “If you hadn't come..."

  "Yeah, well, I did. You have a kid that thinks on his feet, thank God. He called me first thing.” He covered her hand where it lay on her leg with one of his big ones, and squeezed. “You're okay. Max is okay. And now I know that, I'm okay too. It's over."

  Wordlessly, she nodded. Then, “Thanks, Cass. I guess that makes you the hero of the hour. After last night ... I was so afraid Huey would get to Max."

  "Don't feel much like a hero. I was scared spitless that he'd killed you. I was more terrified than heroic. I've been sitting here all day trying to forget how it felt when I thought you were bad hurt. I'm not likely to ever forget it."

  "And,” he went on, “I'm taking the day off and sitting with you, just to make sure you stay in bed and rest without interruption."

  "But—"

  "Max is fine with the Junes."

  Kate sagged back into the seat, suddenly weary clear through to the bone. “All right,” she said. “After I talk to Max on the phone."

  Somehow, another invisible change in their relationship had occurred. Maybe it was just that her perception of what they meant to each other had become clear. All her uncertainties seemed to have drained away. The silence between them was different. They'd crossed some barrier when she wasn't aware of it. It was as if she had found a piece of ground within herself to plant seeds of trust and hope. Kate couldn't imagine how she would feel the change so profoundly if he didn't also. She felt linked to him in a way she didn't understand, yet didn't question. Her life suddenly seemed to include him in an integral way, and she was through wondering.

  As if in support of what she was thinking, he glanced over at her. She saw an intensity of emotion that shook her. He didn't touch her, but she was comforted.

  * * * *

  Kate shot upright from the depths of an exhausted, deep sleep in a sudden panicked explosion of fear. For one blind moment she didn't know where she was or what was the matter, and then rational thought asserted itself.

  It was the dream again. Twin tombstones, entwined concrete hands, the blackest of all black nights with a howling wind blowing her hair into wild tangles and her gown like sails billowing on the ocean. And her name. Katey. Katey-did. Oh, Katey.

  Kate sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. The dates. Oh God, the dates. She had been looking at her own tombstone with the date of her death already inscribed. That date was today. She was shaking, her breath coming in short, shuddering gasps. Her head fell forward onto her knees and she forced herself to inhale slowly. It was only a dream. No one could foresee his or her own death. It was just a dream.

  She could call Cass. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that he was downstairs as he'd promised. She could open her mouth and call and he'd be there in a minute to put his arms around her and offer comfort. But she didn't. This was between her and Leah.

  However, Leah hadn't been in the room. Leah had only been in her dream. And there was no voice at the moment calling her name. Kate could feel that Leah was not anywhere near.

  She filled both hands with fistfuls of hair and squeezed against her skull, as if the pressure would drive Leah from her mind. She hadn't slept well in weeks. Between double-checking the windows and being acutely aware of every strange noise in the house, between the no-answer phone calls, Huey, and anticipating Leah's appearances, she was so tired she felt bruised with weariness. Maybe she ought to have a security system installed. Although, she couldn't imagine that would truly be protection against someone who had been dead for ten years.

  It was the not-knowing, the living on the edge of horror, that was wearing her down. And then there had been the anxiety about Huey. Where he was, what he would do, when he would make himself known. At least she could stop worrying about that. Huey wasn't going to surprise her again, at least not in the near future.

  From the thin light coming in the window, it was impossible to guess the time. At least it wasn't raining again. Yet.

  Slowly she untangled her feet from the sheets and stood up. Her skin was clammy with sweat. What sleep she'd had would have to be enough. She'd shower first and then go down and find Cass. Together they'd go pick up Max. One thing at a time. One hour at a time. And Cass was there, she was sure, right down the stairs.

  And he was, indeed, just where she thought he would be. He sat on the back porch, elbows on his knees, nursing a cup of coffee between his big hands. He stood when she rounded the door.

  "Up already? It's barely noon. Couldn't you—"

  She waved him into silence. “I'm awake. It's okay. Any more of that coffee?"

  "Sure. I'll get you a cup,” he said, moving toward the kitchen.

  She raised her voice. “You cleaned up the mess from last night. I saw as I came through the house. You didn't have to do that."

  "Sure I did.” His voice trailed back from the kitchen, then he reappeared with her coffee in hand. “Had to put in the time some way. That fancy lamp is a dead soldier, I'm afraid. The table it was on, though, is repairable. I'll take care of things."

  Kate looked down into her lap. “You're being too good to me. I can handle it on my own."

  "I know, but let me do it, anyway. Okay? I want to.” He cleared his throat around what sounded like an obstruction. “It's just as well you're up. We're expecting a visitor. Spence called from his office and said something was worrying him and he nee
ded to talk to you. I didn't want to disturb you, but told him to come on over. Said he needed another set of brain cells to sort through a puzzle.” He shook his head. “Do you know what he's talking about?"

  "No. Is that all he said? Is it something about Mom and Dad's estate, do you think?"

  "I doubt he'd want me present if it's something confidential. He wouldn't do that. Not Spence."

  "You're right. Spence wouldn't betray a confidence. But I can't imagine what kind of puzzle he's talking about."

  "We'll know soon enough.” He sat across from her, leaned back in his chair and gestured toward the lake. “This is a nice place to let the world go by, isn't it? The porch and the view."

  Kate sipped her coffee. “I've always liked it. Almost every morning I have my first cup of caffeine out here. And sometimes the last one too, at night. It's always peaceful. Except when it's storming.” Although she didn't say it aloud, the thought occurred to her that it hadn't been peaceful with Huey banging on the screen door last night, either. Everything in her tightened at the memory. She might never feel the same about the back porch ever again.

  "Yeah, well, another storm's on the way. Forecast isn't good. A solid bank of thunderstorms is bearing down on us. By late afternoon we'll have more weather warnings up."

  A small silence built while they both looked at the lake, so high now that it lapped at her mother's bed of exotic lilies. The dock was completely under water, not even a shadow was visible. Cass nodded at the far bank. “What about the levee? Just how strong is it, do you think?"

  Kate raised her eyebrows. “It's never broken. After the Mississippi flooded in ‘93 and so many of the levees gave way, this one was examined. As far as I know it was considered safe back then. Mom and Dad never worried."

  "Probably okay then. But this is a record-breaking spring and summer as far as rainfall is concerned. I'd feel better if you weren't so close. How about coming to my house for a few days?"

  "Cass.” She gave him a patient look. “We've been through that. I appreciate your concern, but I can't. And you know the reasons. We'll be okay here."

  "What about Bree, then? She has room and I know she'd love to have you."

  "You've forgotten Babe. Bree isn't allowed pets in her apartment."

  "Babe can camp out with Ruby June. They would take him. Come on, put my mind at rest."

  "I'm not convinced there's any danger. Have you walked up on the levee to look at it?"

  "No, but I intend to do that. Today."

  "I won't take chances with Max. Believe me, I wouldn't do that."

  He nodded. “Your call. But I'm going on record as not liking it."

  Kate nodded back. “Noted."

  Cass put down his cup. “About the kid. How do your custody papers read, Kate? Does Huey have a legal right to see Max?"

  Kate frowned. This was her biggest fear. “I'm afraid so. At the time it didn't seem to matter. He was gone. I hadn't heard a word in months and stupidly thought it would continue like that."

  "We need to correct that. How would you feel about consulting with my former wife and maybe going back to court?"

  She heaved a sigh. “Yes. I need to do something to protect Max in the future."

  "Right. I'll call her.” He got to his feet and looked out toward the levee. “Let's hike up there later and take a look. You feel like it?"

  "I'm okay. And I'd like to see what the other side of the levee looks like, too."

  True, the lake, on this side of the levee, usually silent and passively lovely, was not itself. Right now the wind whipped little white caps to ride on the waves, and the body of water itself seemed to be growing. The shoreline was disappearing fast. Her mother's prized lily bed was in imminent danger. The taller, scarlet Sphinx double Asiatic lilies stood proud and tall, but the shorter varieties, the pink and white Turk's Caps, the orange and cream Tigers and dangling red Pumilums could almost be imagined cowering in the face of possible drowning. Kate frowned. She'd hate to lose the lily bed, but the bulbs were deep in the ground and would not be harmed if they were flooded out. They would come back next year.

  Would she be here to see them? Kate wrapped her arms around her ribs and shuddered. Today was the date on the tombstone. The day of her supposed death in the nightmare. Last night Huey could have made that dream come true very easily. Mentally, she shook off the frightening thought. Thanks to Cass she'd survived. The prediction, if that was what it was, had been averted. Temporarily, at least. She closed her eyes in a silent prayer of thanksgiving. Maybe Max would have a mother, and she would have a future, after all.

  And her future included orchids. Lots of them.

  "I missed the orchid show!” she said, remembering suddenly that it was today. “And I'd been looking forward to it for months."

  Cass glanced at his watch. “I guess there's still time if you feel up to it."

  "No. You have to be there before noon or all the best ones are gone. Damn! There's one called My Hero, no pun intended, that I wanted to photograph. Maybe buy one if it wasn't too expensive. It's a mericlone phalaenopsis. Has huge, luscious white blossoms with red lips. Really spectacular. I am considering using it as a model for my next project. And thanks to Huey I've missed my chance!"

  "Is there something else you could use?"

  "Yes.” She was hugely disappointed. “And I can paint from pictures, too, although photographs are better. The optimum is, of course, the live plant itself. And I wanted to see a blooming Sharry Baby, too. They're supposed to be fabulous."

  The doorbell chimed and Cass got to his feet. “Ah! That'll be Spence."

  The lawyer came in with the air of a man distracted and frazzled. He shook his head at the offer of coffee. “Already drunk more than my quota for the day,” he said. “But I'm glad you're awake, Kate. I think we may have a problem."

  He seated himself at the table, folded his hands on top and took a deep breath. “I've given this a lot of thought and I hope what I'm going to say isn't a breach of professional ethics. Under the circumstances I think not. You know,” he nodded at Kate, “that you've had an offer on the house. Several of them, in fact."

  "Well yes, but I don't want to sell."

  "I know. I'm not going to name names, but the same person has been back a number of times wanting me to try and talk you into it. He's upped the ante far more than the market value. In fact, he named a figure that, well ... it astonished me. Kate, he really wants this house. Wants it badly."

  "Why?” Cass spoke. “Why does he want it so badly?"

  "My question exactly. He won't say. He was in a few days ago, again, pushing me hard, and I had to agree to present the offer to you. But after he left I got to thinking and made a few phone calls. Called in a couple of markers. I discovered something not widely known yet. It isn't necessarily an official secret, but certain people would just as soon it didn't get out. Eventually, there will be public hearings and so forth, but—scuttlebutt has it that in the not too distant future, because the lay of the land, Kate's property will possibly be part of what the state will need to acquire for the building of a major highway."

  Kate frowned. “My land? I'm going to lose my land? My house? Everything?” She sat up straight. “To a highway?"

  "There are natural obstacles to be considered, of course, and the road itself might not come through your land directly, but would only be part of the purchase. Also, there's the possibility your acreage will be adjacent to whatever is built and be valuable as maybe a park or commercial establishment. The house is solid and certainly big enough to be considered for a B&B."

  Kate was appalled. “But, can they do that? Just take my land even if I don't want to sell?"

  Spence nodded. “If you won't sell at what they consider to be a reasonable price, they could condemn it, yes.” He grinned wryly. “In the name of progress, they can do almost anything. Remember though, this isn't something that's going to happen tomorrow. It'll be a couple of years. The state hasn't even begun to buy up propert
y yet. But for someone who intends to get rich from it, there is a time crunch. My guess is that this guy is thinking to buy from you cheap and then hope to make a killing on the property by developing it for commercial purposes. I'd be willing to bet the farm on it.” He sat back in his chair and waited.

  Cass responded first. “A highway. Why haven't I heard about it? When did this all start?"

  "What? His first offer? As near as I can tell, he approached Kate's dad before he died. Then afterward, I know for a fact that he talked to Kate's mom. She came in and consulted with me about what the property might be worth. We had it appraised. All he said at the time was that he'd loved this house since he was a kid and thought maybe it would be too much for a widow by herself, and offered to take it off her hands. He sounded as if he was doing her a favor."

  "Because of the highway. Unless he's so rich he has money to burn, he wouldn't make such a generous offer just because he's liked the house all his life. Even if he honestly thought he was helping her."

  "My feeling exactly. Why? That's why I went hunting for answers."

  Cass narrowed his eyes. “Is he capable of intimidation? Would he, for instance, try to frighten Kate into selling the house?"

  "Frighten her?"

  "There've been some strange things happening around here recently. Anonymous phone calls, a car parked out front much of the time that drives off when she goes to the door, someone trying to frighten her inside the house. Apparitions. Stuff. Could it be him?"

  Spence spread his hands. “I guess it's possible. But as far as I know, he's never operated outside the law.” He frowned. “Apparitions?"

  Kate waved a dismissive hand. “I want to talk to him."

  "Oh, I don't know if that's a good idea. He's rough as a cob, but he's capable of turning on the personality when needed. With him, you never know. He'd either charm you into putty or chew you up."

  "I want to talk to him,” Kate insisted. “Can you set it up?"

  "You're sure you want to do this? Cass?"

  "Positive,” Kate answered without waiting for Cass's response. “It's my call, and I want to get to the bottom of this. I've been frightened long enough."