“A job in the middle of a war zone,” Shawn said. “Something you said you were tired of.”
“I said that when I had other options. I’m a reporter who specializes in debunking haunted houses. I can’t do that anymore. Not since Whispering Pines. I wasn’t expecting this offer, but I won’t be foolish enough to pass on it.”
“Fine.” Shawn wasn’t really listening to what Faith was trying to tell her. “Go, then. It isn’t like we’re living together or anything.”
Faith reached out for her and Shawn jerked away.
Shawn felt Faith’s pain for just a moment, and then the scene changed. Faith was standing aboard an aircraft carrier talking with a gorgeous woman in a naval uniform.
“Trust me, Lieutenant, I understand perfectly what you’re offering,” Faith said in a dry tone. “As I said before, I have someone waiting for me back home.”
Shawn could feel the rush of sadness Faith was trying to hide, and again the scene changed. Now Faith was dressed in a khaki vest, standing by a tank and looking at a crumpled newspaper photo with Shawn’s picture. A sudden blast jerked Faith out of her thoughts.
“That was close.” She stuffed the picture back into one of her vest pockets. “Get the camera ready.”
“No,” Faith said into the small video telephone. “I’ll pass on Iraq. I need to go home.”
The image shifted once again.
“This is Faith Charles reporting live from—” Faith addressed the camera and then the image blurred and Faith was gripping the receiver of a payphone.
“Althea, I know you know where she is,” Faith said. “I just want to talk to her.” The sounds of city traffic drowned out Faith’s voice. “Fine. I’ll do it!” Faith barked. “Now please, tell me where Shawn is.”
The scene shifted, and Shawn saw Faith talking to a young woman. Delia St. James.
“What I want, what I’m asking for, is that you and Dr. Williams return to Whispering Pines,” Delia pleaded.
“Not a chance in hell,” Faith said.
Shawn’s eyes flew open as the garbled images continued to assault her. She could see Faith with soldiers, Faith staring at a crumpled picture of Shawn, and then a confusing array of images that slowly slipped away. Shawn looked around in confusion until she realized that she was lying in Faith’s arms.
She carefully removed herself from Faith’s embrace and slipped out of bed. “Sometimes being a psychic sucks,” she grumbled, trying to understand what she had seen as she slept in Faith’s arms.
“She couldn’t just dream about sex like she always does,” Shawn muttered in a bitter tone, shaking her head and stumbling into the bathroom.
Once Shawn had showered and dressed, she quietly slipped from the hotel room and made her way to the coffee shop, knowing that Faith would be craving caffeine when she woke up. Shawn bought two large cups of coffee and a bag of doughnuts and then headed back towards her room. She was pleased when Faith emerged from the bathroom dressed in appropriate attire.
“Here.” She thrust the large cup of coffee at Faith. She felt a jolt as their fingers brushed and then a disturbing image filled her mind.
“You jerk!” she suddenly shouted.
“What?” Faith asked.
“You weren’t even going to tell me.” Shawn shoved the bag of doughnuts into Faith’s body. “Why did you answer the telephone?” she ranted on. Faith grimaced while Shawn rushed over to the telephone and began to dial.
“It rang and woke me up,” Faith said. “I answered it out of reflex. I was half asleep. Believe me, talking to your new girlfriend wasn’t my idea of a fun way to wake up. You know, she wasn’t very pleasant.”
“I wonder why.” Shawn listened to the phone ringing. “She must have been thrilled when she called my hotel room this morning and another woman answered.”
Shawn was about to go off on a tirade when Deb’s voice greeted her. “Hi, honey. You called?” Shawn asked in an innocent tone.
“Shawn, what’s going on?” Deb asked. “I called you first thing this morning, and a woman answered the phone and said you had just stepped out.”
“One of my colleagues crashed here last night,” Shawn said in an effort to placate her lover. She reasoned that it wasn’t really a lie. Still, she felt a pang of guilt stabbing at her as she listened to Deb wishing her a good morning.
“I miss you, too,” Shawn said.
Faith grunted. “I’m going to be sick.”
Shawn hurled a pillow at her as she tried to listen to Deb.
“Ouch!” Faith shouted when the pillow struck her in the head. Faith raised the pillow, preparing to throw it back at Shawn, but Shawn’s icy glare halted her movements.
Shawn continued to chat with Deb as Faith rummaged through the bag of doughnuts.
“What, no chocolate frosted?” Faith asked loudly.
“Deb, sweetie, can you hold for just a moment?” Shawn said in a sweet tone before she covered the receiver. “Stop it! Check the bottom of the bag and stop pouting. I need to finish this call, and then I have a shoot to finish. Just eat something, drink your coffee, and if you behave, you can go with me. But I don’t want to hear one peep out of you until I hang up. Understood?”
“Fine, Miss Bossy,” Faith said with a pout. “Hey, are those my socks?”
Shawn looked down at her feet and realized that Faith was right. “Damn it,” she muttered bitterly.
She returned her attention to the call while frantically removing her shoes and socks. She tossed the socks in question at Faith, smacking her in the head. Faith looked at her with narrowed eyes. Knowing she was in for a squabble, Shawn wrapped up her telephone call.
“We really need to clean out our wardrobe.” Shawn dug out a clean pair of socks. “Seems like our stuff got mixed together.”
“We spent almost every waking moment together,” Faith said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Most of my stuff is in storage back in Massachusetts.”
“Why are you thinking of going back?” Shawn asked.
“To Massachusetts? For starters, my stuff is there.”
“Whispering Pines.” Shawn yanked on a clean pair of socks.
“I’m not,” Faith said. “I did meet the owner, and I told her no. Wait, did you sneak a peek inside my head while I was sleeping?”
“It was an accident,” Shawn said. “And yes, you are thinking about it.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter.” Faith shrugged. “I’ve already accepted another assignment. Althea talked me into being the lead on her next project. It was the only way I could get her to tell me where you were.”
“Hammond Castle?” Shawn stared at her.
“Yeah, how did you...” Faith’s words drifted off and a bright smile formed on her lips. “You’re on the team? This is great!”
“No, it isn’t,” Shawn said weakly. “This is a freaking disaster.”
“You say tomato,” Faith quipped.
“Please, stop,” Shawn pleaded helplessly.
Chapter 19
Stewart, Massachusetts
1912
Catherine shifted her body and felt a weight pressing against her. Her eyes fluttered open. She looked down and found her naked breast covered in a blanket of soft auburn hair. She traced Anna’s creamy white shoulders with the tips of her fingers. Now I’ve really done it, haven’t I? In all the years I’ve pursued my perversion, sleeping with one of my brother’s wives was never among my transgressions, she berated herself. Of course, the other wives were pasty prigs, like their husbands. Anna is a breath of fresh air. She’s the light in this dark world, and now I’ve ruined everything between us.
“Troubling thoughts,” Anna’s sweet voice interrupted her inner turmoil. “Please don’t tell me you regret the love we shared?”
“Never,” Catherine honestly answered the pleading look in her young lover’s eyes. “The only regret I possess at this moment is that you belong to another,” she added, in hopes that Anna would understand her fears.
“I never belonged to him,” Anna said. “I was sold to him for a handful of coins. He may rule my life, but my heart has never been his. It’s yours, and yours alone.”
“Do you understand what you’re saying?” Catherine asked in a slow, careful tone.
“Yes.” Anna snuggled closer to Catherine. “I’m yours, if you want me.”
“Of course I want you,” Catherine said quickly.
“There were others before me?” Anna asked shyly, as she rested her chin on Catherine’s chest.
“Yes, my love.” Catherine frowned. She took a moment to collect her thoughts while running her fingers through Anna’s long, auburn hair. “In my travels, I was granted the luxury of exploring my true self. I stayed away from what my family considered to be my home for as long as I could. I thought I had discovered my heart and my true home in Paris. I stayed there until my money ran out, and I limped my way back here with an empty purse and a broken heart.”
“Ah.” Anna sighed heavily, tracing Catherine’s face with her fingers. “The depth of her love was equal to the depth of your purse.”
“Hmm.” Catherine filled her hands with Anna’s hair. “I was a fool.”
“No,” Anna said. “She was the fool. You, my love, are a treasure that should be worshiped.”
“Worshiped?” Catherine laughed. Her body tingled where Anna’s naked body brushed against her. “Surely you jest?”
“Never.” Anna poked Catherine playfully. She lifted her body slightly above Catherine’s. “You have freed me. Unlocked my heart with a simple smile.” Anna emphasized her point by placing Catherine’s hand against her rapidly beating heart. “I was drawn to you the first time I heard your voice. From the very beginning, my heart knew that I belonged in your arms. It just took my head time to catch up.”
Catherine could feel her own weary heart soaring as her fingers caressed Anna’s soft skin. “This is far too dangerous,” she whispered, her touch drifting to the swell of Anna’s breasts. “We shouldn’t even speak of such things.”
“Hush.” Anna cupped Catherine’s face with her hand. “I know, and yes, I understand the danger. For today we have each other, and tomorrow he could return. We will tread carefully, as though we’re crossing a pond during the winter thaw.”
“If we fall, we fall together,” Catherine vowed.
Her gaze drifted to Anna’s breasts that were swaying dangerously close to her lips. “Now, how shall we spend this rainy day, my dear Anna?” She flicked her tongue across one of Anna’s nipples. She was pleased by Anna’s sharp intake of breath. “Shall I show you how much I love you?”
“Yes,” Anna whimpered.
Their days passed merrily, both of them being careful around others. Catherine had never experienced such joy. Eagerly they prepared for Richard’s return for the coming holiday. The only cloud lingering over them was that with the changing seasons, Horatio’s return was nearing.
“I wish we knew when Horatio would arrive,” Catherine said one evening as she held Anna in her arms.
“God forgive me, I wish he would never return,” Anna whispered against Catherine’s flesh. “If only his beloved sea would claim him. I’m a horrible person.”
“No, you aren’t,” Catherine said. “He’s not worthy of you. I fear his return will bring out my ire.”
“I need to show you something.” Anna slipped from Catherine’s embrace. She put on her robe before continuing the conversation. “He often returns when it’s dark. He must not find us together.”
“I almost wish he would. That would certainly wipe his smug look off of his face,” Catherine said with disdain.
She climbed off of the bed and donned her dressing gown. “Yet, I understand that we must be careful for the sake of your child. Now what is it you wish to share with me, other than your heart, my love?”
Catherine was filled with curiosity as Anna crossed the room and placed her palm on the wall, pressing against it. A small section of the wall opened. “What is that?” Catherine crossed the room to join Anna.
“No one but me is aware of this,” Anna said. With a smile, she opened the panel and revealed a dark entryway. “It must have been constructed with the servants in mind. If you follow the stairs all the way up, it opens into your room. If you descend to the bottom, it opens in the back of the kitchen near the pantry.”
“A servants’ entrance?” Catherine was astonished. “But why does no one else know of its existence?”
“I think it was constructed in error,” Anna said. “I can’t really be certain. If the captain were aware of it, he would force the servants to use it so he wouldn’t need to see them. There’s another exit just down the hall that opens by the linen closet. I discovered it not long after we arrived and the captain had set off on a voyage.”
“If he knew, he would most certainly use it to spy on you,” Catherine readily agreed. She couldn’t help thinking it was truly a wondrous discovery. Anna closed the door, and Catherine looked at the wall, amazed that, even knowing the doorway was there, she couldn’t see the seams.
“It’s a true stroke of luck that I’m housed in what was probably meant to be the maid’s chamber. We need to keep our clothing nearby so we can dress quickly.”
“When he returns, flee,” Anna said. “Don’t look back, no matter what you hear.”
“I can’t promise you that. I won’t endure him mistreating you.”
“You must.” She took Catherine by the hand and guided her back to the bed. “Now take me to bed, my love.”
Almost a week later, in the middle of the night, they heard him. Catherine did as Anna had pleaded with her to do. She fled up the back stairwell. She felt like a lowly coward as she listened to her brother berating Anna.
The next morning she felt sick. All it took was one look into Anna’s tired eyes to set her off. Anna cut off the tirade she was about to release by holding up her hand and giving Catherine a pleading look. Since the captain’s return, the only thing that kept Catherine from striking her brother down was the secret passageway that Anna would use whenever she could. They stole a few hours together in the safety of Catherine’s tiny room, losing themselves in one another’s embrace.
Chapter 20
New York City
2005
“Oh yes, baby!” Deb cried out as Shawn pleasured her. Their bodies rocked wildly; Shawn straddled her lover, riding her urgently until Deb cried out one last time before collapsing against the mattress.
“I missed you,” Deb whispered happily. Shawn felt sick, fighting against the pangs of guilt that were tearing at her heart.
“I missed you, too,” she said, not understanding why she couldn’t just relax and enjoy their reunion. “I’m sorry I won’t be home long.”
“Another job?” Deb sighed. “Why don’t you take some time off?”
“I can’t do that. I’m in demand now. That could change at any time, and the jobs won’t be as good. I could end up reading cards for Miss Cleo. Or whoever has taken her place after the police shut her down.”
“Right.” Deb chuckled. “Come here, baby, let me make you feel as good as I do.”
Shawn allowed Deb to lower her down onto the bed. One thing that had first sparked her interest in Deb was that she didn’t believe in psychics. It was nice for Shawn not to have to deal with the constant do-you-know-what-I’m-thinking crap for a while.
Deb caressed her body while Shawn tried desperately to feel something from her ministrations. There had been a time, when their relationship was new, that Deb could make Shawn scream out with the slightest touch. But now Shawn was lost in guilty images as Faith clouded her mind and her mood.
The guilt was strangling her. Finally, she did what every woman did at least once in her life: faked it. She cried out and arched her body, wailing to the heavens like it was the second coming. She hated pretending that she had climaxed, but she knew if she didn’t, Deb would keep trying to pleasure her. Deb was a perfectionist. She would finish the job whether S
hawn wanted her to or not.
Deb had more than her share of foibles. Topping the list was that she didn’t take Shawn seriously. Many times, when she spoke of Shawn’s work, Deb made it sound like Shawn didn’t work for a living. Deb was often very controlling. Shawn hadn’t taken stock of her relationship before that moment. Still, listing Deb’s numerous faults did nothing to abate the guilt Shawn felt. The problems in their relationship didn’t excuse her thinking about her ex while she was making love to Deb.
“I’m a jerk,” Shawn muttered repeatedly under her breath as she made her way down to the baggage claim area at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
Chapter 21
Danvers, Massachusetts
2005
A young man named Myron met her at the hotel. He was an intern for the production company that was funding the shoot at Hammond Castle. He helped Shawn unload her luggage and took her equipment inside.
“I’m really looking forward to this,” Myron said as they rode the elevator up to her room. “You’ll be sharing your room.”
“No problem.” Shawn shrugged. “That happens all the time. Who’s sharing with me?”
“Ms. Charles. She checked in yesterday.”
“Son of a…” her biting comment trailed off as the elevator doors opened. “I can’t believe it.” She stumbled slightly. She collected herself and followed Myron down the hallway.
“Here’s your keycard.” He handed her the thin plastic card after he opened the door for her. He helped her load her things into the room. Shawn scanned the room nervously for Faith. Thankfully, she was nowhere to be seen.
“If you need anything, I’m on the floor below,” he said. The hair on the back of Shawn’s neck began to prickle.
“Thank you, Myron.” She fought the butterflies that were fluttering about her stomach. She took a deep breath before turning around. She wasn’t the least bit surprised to find Faith leaning in the doorway.
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