The Bridge (Para-Earth Series) (19 page)

             
A moment later she got her answer.  He stepped off the curb and began walking towards her.  

             
The fear that had rooted her to the spot was now replaced by abject terror, allowing her legs to finally move.  She ran into the nearest building, while looking back over her shoulder. 

             
A moment later she ploughed into a tall figure whose strong arms enveloped her.  Cassie’s first thought was to struggle free, but one of the hands reached up and began stroking her head, while a soft voice said reassuringly, “Take it easy Sweetie.  I’ve got you.  You’re safe now.”

             
Cassandra relaxed.  She did feel safe in those arms.  They were muscular and strong, yet the touch of those hands was gentle and tender.  Looking up she saw her rescuer was a woman.  For a moment Cassie forgot to breathe.  The girl was tall, with long black hair and a pair of striking blue eyes.  Full sensuous lips smiled at her and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”  Then the eyes turned to the doorway and hardened.  “It’s that guy coming across the street with the white hair and the black coat, isn’t it?”

             
Cassandra was stunned.  This woman could see him!  Automatically she nodded.

             
“Stay here,” the tall girl ordered and stormed out the door and onto the sidewalk.  Once there she folded her muscular arms and glared defiantly at the approaching figure. 

             
Cassandra watched in amazement as the man spotted his challenger and actually stopped in the middle of the street.  For several seconds they just stood there staring, as if sizing each other up.  Then a large semi passed between them and he was gone.

             
Her rescuer waited a moment, looked around and then came back inside shaking her head.  “He disappeared, don’t ask me how, but he did.”  The girl paused to look at her.  “You look like you’re still shaken up.  Let me get you a table and something to drink, I know I could use one.  Maybe you’d like something to eat as well?”

             
For the first time since entering the building, Cassandra noticed the aroma of fine Italian cooking.  Having spent some time in Italy she knew the difference between the American idea of Italian cooking and the real thing, and this was it.  She automatically nodded. 

             
After being given a private table away from the crowd, and a glass of red wine, she began to feel more at ease.  Especially after her rescuer sat down at the table with her and asked to hear everything that had happened. 

             
For a moment Cassandra hesitated then her mouth started running without pausing to inform her brain of what it was going to say.  For the next few minutes she told the girl all that had happened since her last birthday, including the business with the ledge.

             
She had just finished her tale when an older woman stopped at the table with a plate of food and placed it in front of her.  The newcomer glanced at the brunette and murmured something in Italian.  The black-haired girl nodded and excused herself. 

             
Left alone with her meal Cassandra took a tentative bite and found herself in taste bud heaven.  For the next fifteen minutes she was able to forget her troubles, as she savored every mouthful. 

             
She had just finished eating when the brunette came back and sat down with her again.  “Sorry about that,” the girl apologized.  “That was my aunt.  She owns this place and runs the kitchen.  I come in to help once in a while when she’s a little short-handed like today.  I had to get a few people their bills and ring them up.  So now we’re empty, except for you, and I put up the sign saying we’re for the next hour.  So we can talk some more if you’d like.”

             
“I would,” Cassandra nodded eagerly, “I want to say thank you again for coming to my rescue.  And for telling me you actually saw him.  I was beginning to think I’d lost my mind or something.”

             
The girl reached across the table, took her hand and smiled, “Well, now you know that you’re not.”

             
Cassandra almost had to catch her breath.  The girl’s touch was warm and tender.  It was also sending a thrill through her unlike anything she’d ever known before.

             
Meanwhile, the girl was saying, “I was watching you through the window and saw you freeze up.  I was wondering what was going on at first, then I spotted that guy across the street and began to wonder if something was up.  Then when I saw you start to tremble I started heading outside to see if you needed help, but by then you were already running in here.”

             
“And I’m so glad you did,” Cassandra replied gratefully, wondering why her heart was beating fast again.  Then she noticed the girl’s thumb was stroking her hand affectionately.  It was nice, really nice.

             
“Are you okay?” the waitress asked curiously, “You look like you’re turning red or something.”

             
Cassandra nodded quickly and said, “I’m fine, it’s just.  I have to go.  I’m here on business and I’ve lost all track of time.  I’m supposed to be meeting with the Chamber of Commerce in a few minutes.  What do I owe you?”

             
“Nothing,” the girl said squeezing her hand and finally letting go.  “You had a bad scare, so this one’s on the house.”

             
“But you’ve already done so much for me,” Cassie insisted.

             
“We’re big believers in civic pride and hospitality in this town,” the girl assured her.  “Now are you sure there’s nothing else I can do for you?  Do you want me to call the police or anything?”

             
“No,” stammered Cassandra standing up hurriedly, “I’ll talk to them after my meeting.  Thanks again for everything.”

             
“You’re welcome,” the girl smiled.

             
Cassie quickly made her way to the door only to find it was locked. 

             
Before she could turn around a hand reached past her and unlocked it for her. “Sorry, forgot about that myself,” the waitress laughed, “By the way here’s my phone number.”

             
Cassandra stared at the piece of paper for a moment wondering what this gesture meant.

             
“This way you can call me if you need to talk some more,” the brunette continued, “Or if the police want a witness who can verify that there is someone stalking you.”

             
Relaxing slightly Cassie took the paper and thanked her rescuer once more and left.  She was halfway down the street before realizing she’d never asked the girl her name.  Looking at the paper in her hand she saw her rescuer had thought of that as well and had signed it just above the phone number.  Julie.

             
For a moment she stared at it, heart hammering in her chest.  Then she crumpled the paper and tossed it into the nearest trashcan.  Then she walked away as quickly as possible, while trying not to cry.

open house

              Three days later, the magnificent gates and doors of Graham Manor were thrown wide open.  Every light inside and outside was on, bathing the palatial building with new life and majesty.   

             
Inside, a string quartet was playing in one of the rear ballrooms, while a small jazz trio had some of the guests swinging in the other.  The front ballrooms had been set up with tables and chairs so people could sit and chat.  But, the main ballroom was closed off and would remain that way until the clock struck nine.  By then everyone who had been invited should have arrived.

             
Prospective buyers, town officials, and many of the locals were already on hand for the festivities.  Alex had purposely invited them so whoever wanted to bid on the place would have the chance to get a feel for the community and its leaders.

             
Making his way through the sea of guests, he shook hands and answered questions with his winning sales style.  He went out of his way to make everyone felt welcome and important, including the locals who were just there to see the inside of the famous manor.  Many of them had a family member who had worked there, at one time or another, and had heard stories about the manor.  To actually get to see its grandeur in person was a real treat. 

             
At one point he heard the elderly Ms. Gwendolyn Miller speaking to her grandson and his wife. “Cyrus always liked them young.  Even though he was in his sixties, he still cut a handsome figure.  This was back in 1980 of course, but he could never keep his eyes off some of the girls who came here. Even though he was approaching seventy, he still wanted an heir and wasn’t too particular about how he got one…”

             
“Randy ole bugger,” Alex murmured, as he moved on.  “Then again Ronnie’s in her forties and she’s pretty rambunctious.  Maybe there is something in the water around here…”

             
“Tsk, tsk… muttering to yourself is never a good sign, Youngster,” observed Roy, who was standing nearby with his wife Alice who added, “You’ve done a wonderful job setting this up.  But I don’t see Veronica anywhere.”

             
“You’re husband left her in charge of the station tonight, so he could play hooky and come here,” Alex explained and then turned to Roy, “By the by, how are things in the Bobbies and Burglary business?  Learn anything new regarding this neck of the woods?”

             
“No comment,” Peterson growled with a smile, “And you if ask any more questions like that, I’ve got your girlfriend’s number on my cellphone.”

             
“Actually, he’s got it on speed dial, so you better behave,” Alice added playfully.  Then she spotted Tracy Higgins and wandered over to speak with her, leaving the two men to talk alone.

             
“I heard you saying something about the water,” Roy commented quietly.

             
“Speculating, that’s all.”

             
“Oh really?” the older man fixed him with a look.

             
Alex realized his answer may have not been the best thing to say under the circumstances.  Quickly he repeated what he had heard about Cyrus Graham.  “So, then I got to wondering about how there are a number of very large families around here and…”

             
Roy waved a hand, “Got it.  I don’t need a power point production.  Mind you that phrase about ‘something in the water’ is usually reserved for pregnancies in a work place.”

             
“Well one event precedes the other,” Alex pointed out. “You see when a Daddy bee and a Mummy bee love each other very much…”

             
“Get lost before I run you in for indecency.”

             
“Indecency?”

             
“Yeah that tie and jacket you’re wearing.  That’s a crime against style.”

             
Alex promptly removed the tie and dropped it onto the empty plate being carried by a passing waiter.  Then he loosened the top two buttons of his shirt.  “Well?” he said expectantly.

             
Roy studied him for a moment, then and mussed the young man’s hair slightly.  “That’s better.”

             
“Gee, thanks, Dad.  Can I borrow the car and a have few bucks for petrol?”

             
His girlfriend’s boss roared with laughter and went to find his wife. 

             
Smiling Alex turned and managed to find his way through the maze of corridors and into the kitchen.

             
“Going for the casual look tonight, Hotshot?” asked a familiar voice as soon as he entered.

             
He turned to see Julie standing with a huge tray of desserts from her aunt’s restaurant.  He looked down, supposedly at the tray, and said in a slimy pirate voice, “Arr…Juggy Julie, I like ‘em big and juicy.”

             
The muscular girl put down her tray and then straightened up to her impressive height of 5’ 11”.  Then she turned to face him and placed her hands on her hips and waited.

             
Alex suddenly found his bravado crumbling under the glare she was shooting at him, and began to shift his feet uncomfortably. 

             
After a moment or two she said, “Well?  Is that all you got?  Hmm?”

             
All of a sudden Alex felt very alone in the busy kitchen.