DRAGONJULS' Storybook
~ All Our Tomorrows ~
J M Dragon
Part Eight
© February 2001
e-mail: jmdragon1@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: See
Part One
Chapter Sixteen
Jace sat watching the bobbing sailboats on the horizon at least that’s the way it looked to her.
Grace was sipping orange juice, basking in the sun that beat down upon them even within the shade of the balcony. She was wearing shorts and a loose fitting cotton blouse that looked eminently comfortable.
“I could get used to this Jace.” Grace remarked idly as she twirled the glass of ice-cold juice in her hands, feeling the moisture on the outside as the cold of the glass was subjected to the heat of the late morning sunlight.
“Yes you could Grace. It’s like the perfect holiday destination, a beautiful place to stay, spectacular views, with the calmness of the sea around you. A place depicting peace, wouldn’t you agree?” Jace said wistfully as her eyes scanned the area around them.
“Yep, I certainly would. It’s a very good holiday destination I’d say.” Grace smiled at the blonde, who had a far away look in her eyes. That could only mean she was thinking about Catherine and the kids.
Jace looked around her absorbing all the facets of the building. To her eye, the natural surroundings felt as if this was coming home! Strange really, but she did. The place called to the very depths of her soul. She had to talk to Catherine about this to find out what her reaction had been to the villa.
“You sound preoccupied.” Grace said a little louder as she saw the concentration on her friend’s face.
“I’m sorry Grace!” Jace quickly retorted as her mind focused on her friend.
Before Grace could ask what the problem was, Lukas Dimitrie and Sara Rogers walked into the balcony area. Both women glanced up at them, smiling.
“I see you have rested well.” Sara said with a happy lilt to her voice, sitting down next to Grace in the chair that was free. Lukas looked around for something to sit on, pulling up a wrought iron chair from the bistro table and sat next to Jace.
“Yes we are. Thank you Sara. Is Constantia going to join us?” Jace asked the pleasant English woman, rewarded with a sunny smile at her question.
“Constantia will be along shortly. We are waiting for another to join our little party. She will be here very soon.” Sara spoke with a conspiratorial wink.
Grace laughed softly at the woman’s expression. “Sara, are we in the middle of a James Bond movie?”
Sara turned to the woman at her side and saw the merriment reflected there. If only it was a movie. Serious eyes reflected back at Grace as she shook her head.
“My dear, how I wish that were so.” The words expressed with a low sigh.
“What’s wrong Sara?” Grace asked with sympathy. The woman looked upset and grace was feeling somewhat responsible.
Lukas replied on her behalf. “Sara is worried about Constantia, as I am too. We are worried for her safety. When she arrives with our other guest, all will be revealed.”
“Her safety? So there is danger here?” Jace spoke up, her eyes taking on a sparkle as she looked at the man at her side with a puzzled frown.
“To Constantia we believe yes, but to no one else, so you have no need to worry.” Lukas said with confidence.
Jace looked over at Grace who raised her eyebrows at the last comment from the man. He didn’t know what they knew obviously.
“There is a detective and a friend of ours that Catherine personally sent, on the Island. I think we need to have them here as well.” Jace said decisively. She was sure that was what Catherine would do!
Lukas turned to the blonde American at his side. She was beautiful in an understated way. He knew from Constantia that this was the ‘wife’ of her niece. He had been surprised, wondering how she lived with the niece of his godmother. She had seemed such a dour person, very focused, not a person to love easily.
“Would that be detective Kelsey and a Mr. Thompson?” Lukas replied, pleased when the blonde looked surprised.
“He had contacted us requesting a meeting early this morning. They did not arrive.” His tone was mildly scathing at the apparent disregard to an appointment.
Grace looked at Sara who was wringing her hands looking pensive. Then, she jumped up announcing she would bring tea and coffee. It made Grace smile inwardly at the action, guess all housekeepers did the same thing. Had not she on numerous occasions done the same when Catherine had been difficult or a situation presented itself that was not easy to explain.
Sara did not give anyone a chance to answer, leaving the balcony immediately. Lukas shrugged his shoulders. “The English think tea is the answer to everything.”
Jace had to laugh as did Grace, both turning to each other as they did so. “Believe me Mr. Dimitrie, it is in our household.” Jace said as her laughter bubbled, recalling the numerous times it soothed her partner.
“You are an advocate of tea?” Lukas asked, surprised at the American. He had always thought they preferred coffee.
“When you live with a member of the…Xianthos family for any length of time, you realise that tea is something you never run out of. I take it that Constantia did not take up that particular trait when she lived in England?” Jace smiled at the man, her face alive with interest.
Lukas stood up from his chair striding over to the balcony leaning upon it and smiled at the blue sea before him. They were alike, it would seem.
“Alas, I live with two women who require that particular beverage, for yes Constantia does indulge the traditional English tea drinking. Believe me, when it is a true afternoon tea session you are loathe to disturb them!” Dimitrie spoke with quiet affection and indulgence.
Both women heard the inflection warming to the man. Perhaps he was not as stuffy as he appeared, merely cautious, which wasn’t a bad thing. With the sound of his voice on that last conversation, it was clear to anyone that he loved both women.
“Then Lukas, it appears you have joined this exclusive club called, ‘we might not understand the tea drinking, but we love the people who do!’ Will that about sum it up?” Jace’s voice held an indulgent tone as she quietly said the words.
“I like that. Yes, it is an exclusive club. He answered absently. It wouldn’t be the same around here if that didn’t happen.
The inner door opened as Constantia Xianthos wheeled her chair inside, followed by a pretty woman who looked Greek.
“Ah, I see we are all present, except for…Sara. Where is Sara?” Constantia asked quickly.
“Making tea.” All three announced. Constantia chuckled at the chorus.
“I see. Well, that is wonderful. Tea is very good for this situation.” Constantia remarked as she wheeled forward settling herself next to the bistro table. The others could only smile as they waited for the return of Sara, with that wonderful beverage called tea!
* * * * * * * * * * The car was travelling too slowly for Catherine as she drummed her fingers on the dashboard. Couldn’t the woman drive any faster? now wasn’t the time to keep to the speed limit!
“Can’t you go any faster?” She finally asked irritated as her fingers drummed even faster on the plastic of the fascia.
Serena rolled her eyes at the comment. She was certainly aggravated by the fingers tapping out a drum roll, pretty certain that Rita Tuscany in the seat behind her was equally annoyed. But, what did you say in the circumstances?
“I’m already driving twenty miles over the current speed limit. What would it gain if we were stopped by the cops now?” Serena patiently pointed out.
Catherine sighed heavily, her eyes gazing at the dark sky and seeing the first tinges of the darkness becoming lighter as the sunrise beckoned.
“How far do we have to go now?” Catherine’s fingers ceased the absent fingering of the ears of the soft toy dog Blacky.
“Another half hour. We should arrive there by five a.m. …” Serena glanced at the profile of the woman at her side and saw a brief scowl appear on her face. Seeing the look, she put her foot down a little more. What the hell did it matter if she got another ticket!
Rita had watched the brief exchange and once again found tears close as she saw the instinctive tender touch of long tapered fingers over the dog. Then, they started gently smoothing down the chequered dress on the rag doll. It was handmade, looking as if it had been through lots of adventures, if the worn look was anything to go by.
“Ms. Devonshire, does the rag doll have a name?” Rita asked softly, stunned when ice blue eyes she could barely see in the gloom pierced hers immediately at the question.
Catherine was about to ignore the question, when she considered it carefully. A memory flooded her of that very question being asked at home, in the early days when Jace came home to them.
“Lisa does she have a name?” Jace asked as she watched the child arrange the rag doll on a small chair opposite Blacky ready for a tea party.
Lisa looked up with clear blue eyes that reminded Jace of the colour of the sky on a beautiful sunny day, just like today in fact. Smiling the redhead shook her head. “No Jace she doesn’t.”
The child then went back to pouring a fictional cup of tea or coffee into the small cups.
“Didn’t you want to name her when your mother gave her to you?” Jace persisted it was rather unusual for a child not to name this type of possession, especially one that the child adored.
“I was too young to name her Jace, I was only a baby.” Lisa said with a half smile of indulgence to the adult towering over her. Sometimes adults didn’t understand these things very well.
Jace could only nod her head stroking her chin at the comment. “What about when you were old enough to name her?”
Lisa looked at Jace frowning; she had explained the situation hadn’t she. “She was called rag doll by then Jace, she wouldn’t have liked to have her name changed, would you?”
Jace laughed softly as she considered the child’s logic; surprisingly enough it was quite logical.
“No, no I wouldn’t Lisa, thank you for explaining that to me.” Jace said quietly and was rewarded with a smile from the girl.
“Would you like to join us for tea, Jace?” Lisa asked her pointing to the empty space on the floor between the rag doll and Blacky.
Jace smiled indulgently at the child sadly shaking her head, “sorry Lisa but if I went down on the floor I’d never get up.” Jace patted her protruding stomach she was now eight months pregnant it would have been difficult.
“That’s not a problem Catherine can help you up can’t you?” Lisa said, glancing at the doorway.
“Yes I can.” Catherine said softly rewarded for her offer as Lisa rushed over to tug her further into the room.
“You had better sit with us too then Catherine.” Lisa smugly replied as she dragged a bemused woman across the floor to the party.
Catherine smiled as she recalled Jace struggling to sit down, helped by Lisa. It had been even funnier when she and Lisa had gone to Jace’s aid after the tea party.
“No, no Rita she doesn’t have a name or rather her name is simply, rag doll.” Catherine replied, gazing down at the small object in her hand. Soon now, they would all be reunited!
* * * * * * * * * * Fatama Spiros had watched her daughter leave the villa before breakfast. She had taken her motorcycle. Why a daughter of hers needed such a monstrous machine was beyond her, but then again, Althea was no longer the obedient child she had brought up. It was as the foreigner said, “her daughter was working with the other side.” A friend of hers had inadvertently mentioned she had seen Althea being escorted to the villa gates by Lukas Dimitrie. They had looked very friendly.
Clauser was right that they needed to eliminate all those who would not go along with the plans to kill Constantia Xianthos. Even if it happened to include her daughter, it was just a casualty of the situation. As in any war, there are innocents who will die.
Now where was Clauser? She had promised to have news, even indicated it would be good news too!
George too, had been absent this morning. He had not been home according to Sofia the maid. His bed remained tidy. He really must settle down, marry the daughter of her old friend Maria Samos. She had a good background. Being the only daughter of the Samos family, her dowry would be substantial. Her father was after all, the only lawyer on the Island. Perhaps she was a little plain for George’s usual taste, but he only ever seemed to go for the blonde foreigners that would not be a suitable match. A foreigner… no, not suitable at all!
The door to the breakfast area opened as Sally Clauser walked in confidently. It was as if she owned the villa when she was only an invited guest, tolerated at the very best.
“Miss Clauser, I expected you earlier.” Fatama spoke with a stern inflection. She did not like to be kept waiting.
The visitor deposited herself demurely in the chair opposite the older woman and picked up a slice of melon that was part of the breakfast leavings.
Fatama watched her with dislike. The woman had no manners!
“Ah, but I had business to attend to Fatama. It was good business, too. Something that has been a thorn in my side for too long, shall we say.” Clauser smiled wickedly at the old woman. She knew that Fatama hated to be kept waiting. Certainly, she would not care for her taking the melon without asking. That was one of the reason’s she’d delayed her visit and for the hell of it, ate the melon. She could murder a coffee. She had to stop herself from laughing at the words in her head, how very appropriate.
“Did this business have anything to do with our plans?” Fatama had seen the mad gleam light up in her eyes. She was evil. There was no other word for her.
Sally Clauser looked directly into the dark eyes of the Greek. They were a well-matched pair for the plans to kill off the Xianthos seed. Pity she hadn’t thought of it two years ago. Then she would still be running UCP, but without the watchful eye of Catherine Devonshire. That expression made her laugh as well as she thought about the pun, must be a good day for her today.
“As it happens, yes it did have a little to do with our plans, but in a positive way. Guess who’s on the Island now?” Clauser asked the woman, closely scrutinising her expression as she merely inclined her head for her to continue.
“None other than Jace Warriorson, the lover of Catherine Warriorson, the niece of Constantia.” Clauser smirked at the look of complete distaste that comment had on the old woman.
“I do not agree with such an association. It is as well that she‘s here. We can remove her from the picture, too.” Fatama spoke decisively. That was not a relationship! That was an abomination of what the Lord had decreed!
“That can be arranged. How about a coffee? It’s been thirsty work already today. Now that we have them all together, I think today is the day. What do you think?”
“I will summon coffee for you. There is one other thing though.” Fatama resigned herself to advising this woman of her daughter’s duplicity.
“Yep, what’s that?” as she selected a Danish pastry from the plate on the table.
“My daughter has gone over to the enemy.” Fatama stated calmly.
Clauser looked at the old woman. she really didn’t give a damn about her kid, did she? ‘Great, the more the merrier in the scheme of things, always wanted to personally enjoy the demise of the enemy.’
“Always knew it! Never mind, just another addition to
our target practice. Works for me.” Smiling broadly as she munched on the pastry as
Fatama called for fresh coffee.
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Seventeen
The visitor, who was leaning against their car looking over the scene with a knowledgeable eye, astounded Colin. The visitor was obviously used to making assessments of the terrain they were in.
Colin walked over to the visitor, clearing his voice fractionally to draw attention to his presence.
“I never expected to see you again at the ranch?” Colin stated bluntly. There was no reason to be polite.
“No. No I guess you wouldn’t, but here I am!” The visitor waived a hand to accentuate the situation, watching a brief frown pass over the craggy face of the foreman at the ranch. Guess it would have been too good to expect Jace to come herself.
“You wanted to speak to Jace? Security advised me.” Colin spoke quietly as he saw the unwanted visitor smile wryly.
“Yes, I did. Is she around?” Colin was amazed at the thick skin of some people. This one here must have the hide of a Rhino!
“No, she’s away on business.” Colin retorted and watched the faint look of disappointment cross the visitor’s face.
He looked down at the ground, before casting his eyes upwards, then quickly back to the man two feet away in the gloom of the darkening skies. It was too important to just accept that statement. “When will she be back? It’s important I speak with her!”
Colin heard a note of desperation in the voice, giving a puzzled glance. “What about Catherine?”
That startled the visitor, who looked over his shoulder as if his employer would be there right behind him. A look of fear filled the eyes as well.
“Catherine wouldn’t listen to me, although Jace might.” The tone was clearly uneasy, causing the visitor to glance around nervously.
“As it happens, Catherine is away also. Maybe it’s your lucky day. Will I do to pass on a message to Jace? She will be calling home in an hour or so.” Colin asked, slowly watching the emotions flitter across the visitor’s face.
The skies darkened even more, threatening a downpour of rain that had been forecast earlier that day, but hadn’t transpired. Now, it looked like it was going to come down with a vengeance.
“Yes, I guess you can, but you need to tell her immediately, I’ve kept this information too long to myself. I think it could be important to her… no, both of them!”
“Then you’d better get in my vehicle. Leave yours here at the gates. Security will keep an eye on it for you. We can talk over a coffee. Maybe the rain will have passed by the time we have finished.” Colin smiled briefly. If it was news that would shed any light on the disappearance of Lisa, he was willing to listen to anyone, even someone who was not welcome here anymore!
“Thanks Colin.” The visitor said softly, following him to the Land rover and climbing in beside him.
“It had better be good Danni or Catherine will have my hide for letting you on the property again!” Colin stated decisively as he put the car in gear, speeding off towards the ranch buildings.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jace clutched the railing of the balcony as she thought about the facts that had been related to her and Grace over the last hour. She couldn’t believe that something this barbaric was happening in this day and age! For God sakes, it was a new millennium. Still, people held grudges that went back centuries. But for what reason exactly?
One of the maids arrived at that moment to say that there was a stranger at the gate.
“Lukas, would you deal with that for me please?” Constantia asked her godson softly. She was disturbed at the sudden movement from her niece’s partner.
“Yes, of course Constantia.” Lukas quickly retired from the room to go over to the gatehouse and the stranger.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” A whisper heard by the remaining women in the balcony area.
Grace looked worried. Catherine had made her promise that should there be any chance, however remote, that Jace could be in any danger that they had to leave immediately, regardless of how it might look to her aunt. She had agreed, primarily because she thought that it would not be a problem. Jesus, how wrong could you be in the circumstances? She should have known! Having heard the pain behind her friend’s words, she now was sorely tempted to do just that! However, she could not. Jace, she was certain, would not leave now. No, they had to help whatever it cost. One day Catherine and Colin would understand, they had to!
Sara gave Jace’s back a look of understanding, for she herself had felt hurt and angry over the situation that had materialised with Consty and the Spiros family.
Althea Spiros looked at the faces of the women in the room and swallowed hard. For some reason, this American felt the situation keenly. She was surprised. It was generally known that these people had only arrived on the Island and had never actually met Constantia Xianthos before. Scraping back her chair, she went to the railing of the balcony and leaned on it, looking out over the blue calm sea that held serenity none of them felt at this time.
“I’m sorry you have become embroiled in my family problems.” Althea said sincerely, continuing to look out over the expanse of water.
Sara picked up the telephone that shrilled out at that moment, speaking fluently and rapidly in Greek, then turned to Grace. “Mrs. Montgomery, your husband is on the line. Would you care to take the call in the study?”
Grace turned surprised, but thankful eyes to the older woman. She quickly said yes as she got up and left the room following Sara, saying a quick, ‘I’ll be back’ to Jace as she did so.
“That’s okay. Ms. Spiros, for some reason tragedy appears to follow the family around. All I know is that we need to make sure it doesn’t come to the grisly end that members of your family would like to see happen.” Jace finally spoke up, leaning her back on the railing looking directly into ice blue eyes grown weary over the years. But, they could still hold anyone mesmerised, just as her partner did. For some reason, she felt comforted by the presence of Constantia Xianthos, as she would have if Catherine had been there. No disability deterred her, as it hadn’t with Catherine and never would!
“You sound as if you have had first hand experience of such a thing. How is that so?” The woman, who looked on the outside to be weak and unable to have the strength to carry on in this type of situation, fascinated Althea. Yet when she spoke, she did so with a compassion, understanding, and total devotion to the family that she was now associated with. Nothing would be too much in her eyes to see it to the end.
“It would be a long story Ms. Spiros, not very happy in parts. Let’s just say that I’m experienced in events such as these.” Jace calmly related. then smiled warmly at Constantia, who smiled back.
“Thank you Jace for your support, but it could be dangerous for you and your friend. I would not like to take the chance on anything happening to Grace’s unborn child.” Constantia remarked with fervour, she was impressed with this young woman. She could also understand somewhat how Catherine would be enamoured by the hidden strength in the woman.
“I understand the chances that I will be taking. Grace will decide for herself. I would send her home if I could, but I know she won’t go without me! I suspect she’s made a promise to Catherine with regard to that situation. Knowing Grace and her appetite for a little adventure in her life, she would be offended if I shipped her home.” Jace chuckled as she could picture the scowl on Grace’s face. No, Grace would go along for the ride, whatever scary moments that ride took them on.
“The foreigner who is helping Mama knows you and Constantia’s niece very well, she says.” Althea remarked, waiting for that to have any effect.
“I’m not so sure she does. We, or certainly I, haven’t come across anyone by the name of Sally Clauser. Now if you had said another name, I might change my mind.” Jace considered how this ‘Sally Clauser’ knew her and Catherine. It could only be through the papers or other people surely.
“Who would that be?” Althea was interested, for she had not mentioned the American who had originally started this off. She was dead, after all. How could it matter about her now?
The door to the balcony area opened. Lukas returned with a figure behind him. All eyes went in that direction in interest.
As the figure came into view Jace moved quickly, flinging her arms around the laughing man who hugged her tightly.
“James. James, how lovely to see you.” Jace happily announced as she looked into his jolly face. It was so good to see him.
“I see you are as exuberant as always Jace. I’m pleased you arrived safely. Catherine told us to contact you immediately when you arrived. Sorry, I’m a little late.” James laughingly said as he put the small woman back on the ground, touching her cheek affectionately.
“Is Detective Kelsey with you?” Jace asked as she was looking for the detective that Catherine had said would be here to help them.
“Unfortunately, he’s… he’s kind of busy right now.” James lied. He did not want to, but he would tell Jace the facts as he knew them, when they had a few minutes alone.
“He’ll be here shortly then?” Jace persisted. They would more than likely need Kelsey’s help and experience.
“I hope so. I have some news that you might find interesting.” James said softly. Jace gave him a second glance and was about to ask what the problem was when Grace walked back into the room with Sara. Both were carrying trays of sandwiches and fresh beverages.
“I’ve news from home Jace.” Grace had been astonished at the call from her husband, not least the fact that Danni O’Neil was drinking coffee in her home, with her husband. She had thought her husband had flipped when he told her that wonderful snippet of information.
Jace paled at the words. Closing her eyes, she thought immediately of Lisa. Oh God, she hoped everything was okay. “What news Grace? That seems to be a popular statement around here.”
Constantia watched the blonde with interest. For although she knew that the chances were slim of finding her daughter, that could be a tragedy yet to bear. She was willing to share whatever her friend had to offer and then continue onwards, or that was how it appeared.
“Hudson isn’t dead Jace. She’s here on the island, in disguise.” Grace announced quietly, watching as a shadow passed over Jace’s expressive features and cleared quickly.
“How do you know that Grace? That was the news that I was going to announce as well!” James Thompson was surprised that Grace had found that piece of information from home!
Jace looked from Grace to James, then to Constantia, hearing a quick indrawn breath from Althea.
“What’s the matter Ms. Spiros?” Jace asked, turning the full strength of her emerald green eyes on the woman at her side.
“Hudson you say, but Hudson is the person that set this whole mess in motion! She came to Mama several months ago and talked of this, paying Mama to help her, but she’s dead. They said she died in an accident!” Althea proclaimed, her mind coming to grips with this new turn of events.
Constantia smiled wryly at the information. So, someone called Hudson was behind the whole scenario. It appeared that everyone knew of her, except the intended victim. Time to change that! “Perhaps if you wouldn’t mind briefing me on who this Hudson person is and more importantly who she’s disguised as?
James and Grace spoke in unison as all eyes turned to them as they stood inches from each other. “Sally Clauser!”
Sara turned green at the news. Now she felt worse than she had previously by allowing ‘that’ woman into the villa, providing her with access to her friend’s presence. How stupid could she have been?
“I think if we all sit down, then go over all the facts that we have, perhaps the detective will turn up and we can take his advice. Come, the tea is getting cold.” Constantia announced practically. It was no good letting perfectly good tea go to waste when there were problems to solve.
Jace had to smile at that. It sounded almost as if her partner was in the room. She turned to Grace as she did so, who was looking at Constantia with, Jace was sure, a similar impression.
Walking over to her two friends, she hooked an arm in each of theirs pulling them towards the free chairs. “I think we have Catherine here to help us. It’s just someone a little older, that’s all.” Her voice whispered for only her friends to hear. They both smiled quietly back, for it certainly looked that way to them too!
James Thompson did speculate about Kelsey. Had the man known all along that the woman he had taken out on a date and apparently stayed the night with, had been none other than Hudson? A sudden situation flashed into his mind. What if he had not known? How dangerous would that have been for the detective? Shaking the image, he smiled at the two women, who it was certainly good to see again!
* * * * * * * * * *
Lisa heard noises, scraping noises. They sounded familiar, but in her haze since she’d woken up in the dark damp room with only an old smelly blanket around her, she wasn’t sure.
Her blue eyes tried and failed to focus again. It gave her a headache. All the images blurred, reminding her of the colours that you see on the wet roads in the heat at home.
Home!
Yes, home. She should be at home, not here in this strange horrible place. Where were Catherine and Jace? Jace had said in her dreams that she would be here when the rainbow was here! Well, all she could see was a rainbow when she opened her eyes. They should be here to keep her safe. That’s what parents did! They kept their children safe.
As tears poured down her cheeks, she bit her lip to stop the deep sobs that wracked her frail body. She thought again about parents.
They were not her parents. Her mummy and daddy were dead! Therefore, who would care now! No, Catherine had promised to adopt them as real family, but she had not. She had not! So she would not come to save her now, would she? Catherine was not here. She should be and she was not!
The scraping got closer as she felt something move on top of her blanket. Through the unsteady haze, she saw something large and black. It was terrible. It was staring at her. It was going to eat her, she was sure. It was going to eat her all up and no one would care!
The sobs increased in volume as the shape on the blanket moved, jumping towards her face. She screamed in terror, throwing the blanket towards her face to protect her against the monster.
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