ZenithRising (8 page)

A half-hour later she felt refreshed but somewhat
self-conscious in the long robe. Until she saw he was attired the same way. She
couldn’t resist taking a peek to make sure he was also in a bathing suit. “Very
nice,” she said, noting the fitted black swim shorts.

With feigned modesty, Noah reclosed his robe. “If you knew
what was waiting for us, you wouldn’t risk waking the beast.”

“Then tell me,” she said, dancing her fingers up his lapel.

He grasped her hand and interlocked their fingers. “I’m
pretty sure this is one of those cases where showing is definitely better than
telling.”

From the elevator he guided her to an exit door that allowed
them to avoid the lobby. A few minutes later they were walking along the beach
in the opposite direction they had explored that morning. She knew when they
were nearing their destination by Noah’s big smile and expectant look. Just
ahead she could see five striped tents. They were set up on the sand near the
edge of the tide line and spaced at least a hundred feet apart.

As they passed the first tent Noah explained, “I read about
these cabanas today and, as luck would have it, there was a cancellation.
Robert Davenport had the first tent put up when his hotel was overbooked and
made it so unique and luxurious it became a very exclusive opportunity.
Apparently a lot of famous people have had affairs in these over the years.”

When he walked her around to the front of the last tent,
Maggie’s jaw dropped. The flaps were pulled back to reveal a lavishly decorated
interior befitting a sultan. A thick rug cushioned the base. Brightly colored
scarves lined the ceiling and back wall and large comfy pillows were scattered
around a low table. Interior lighting was provided by a lantern with an
adjustable flame and as she took a breath, the seductive scent of freshly cut
jasmine filled her nostrils.

Maggie rushed inside and reclined dramatically on the
double-wide lounge. But she was too excited to stay still and was instantly
back on her feet with him outside. “Oh my god, Noah. This might just be the
most incredible dining room I’ve ever seen. Just look at this view.” She waved
at the ocean as though he might not be seeing everything she was. “And we’re
just in time to see the full moon rising over the water. Geez, it looks like
it’s casting a beam straight at us!” She vigorously rubbed her arms. “I’m
covered in goose bumps.”

In an instant he was behind her and wrapped his arms
protectively around her. “Cold?”

She sighed and shook her head. “Not at all. Just…excited.”

He kissed the side of her neck. “Good. I like you excited.”
His hands moved up the front of her robe but before he could go farther, a bell
tinkled behind their tent. Noah drew Maggie inside and said, “Come in.” Two
young women in blue, flower-patterned saris entered the tent carrying large
picnic baskets. Once Noah assured them they would serve themselves, they exited
and a man wearing only a loose, short skirt of the same material as the saris
entered with a tray holding two crystal glasses and a bottle of the delicious
wine in an ice bucket. Noah nodded for him to uncork the wine but then excused
him as well.

Maggie would have been thrilled with a baloney sandwich in
those surroundings, but of course such a travesty would never occur at the
Davenport. Their feast began with a cold appetizer stack of crab, avocado and
mango and ended with orange crème brûléeand
chocolate-dipped raspberries. Neither felt the need to talk as they fully gave
themselves over to the sights, smells and tastes of the moment. And with every
sip of the wine Maggie pushed Ms. Davenport and her warnings further and
further out of her mind.

“Let’s take a walk,” Noah suggested once they had their fill
of the delectable picnic. “We won’t need these.” He shed his robe and helped
her out of hers.

Despite being totally exposed several times, she still felt
self-conscious in her old two-piece bathing suit. If this situation had ever
crossed her mind, she would have bought a new one. But as his appreciative gaze
slid over her body she knew the scraps of fabric wouldn’t be staying on for
long anyway.

The moon had risen high above the horizon and between its
brilliance and the clear, star-studded sky, they had no trouble seeing where
they were going. They strolled along with their arms around each other’s
waists, but they were not alone on the beach and that awareness kept them from
doing anything more intimate.

Maggie’s curiosity finally got the better of her. “Would you
like to tell me about what you found today?”

He gave her waist a little squeeze. “I thought you’d never
ask. I’m feeling really good about all the ideas I got. I actually found dozens
of mysteries that I could work with. Of course Robert Davenport’s supposed
suicide still stands out for me.”

Her stomach soured a little as he went on with obvious
excitement.

“The era of the 1920s makes for a great backdrop but the
family’s insistence that he would never have killed himself opens the door for
so many possible plots—straight murder mystery is obvious but a little boring
for my readers, evil demon lurking in the hotel hallways is more my staple but
there’s also the angle of him hanging around as a ghost, terrorizing anyone who
stays in his suite. Or he could have possessed some innocent person to carry
out his retribution on…well, I’m not sure who. I haven’t developed that thought
much.”

“They all sound good. But, um, wouldn’t you need the
permission of the Davenport family to use their ancestor?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t use his real name. I’m not even
using the hotel name. When my agent contacted the hotel’s public relations
department, they were quite enthusiastic about the publicity potential so I
don’t think there’ll be a problem.”

You couldn’t be more wrong
, Maggie thought then
reminded herself not to dwell on potential problems tonight. She had plenty of
time and a lot could happen before she had to do anything. Her mood lifted
considerably with Noah’s next words.

“I also found several mentions of a weeping woman.
Unfortunately there wasn’t any true consensus. Too many possibilities. The 1928
hurricane alone accounted for thousands of dead, mostly lower income and
African Americans. Some of them worked for the hotel though. You wouldn’t
believe how many females died or disappeared from here over the years.

“But I did find one tale in which the weeping woman was
assumed to be a young hotel maid found dead on the beach in 1927. It was
generally believed the girl had gotten pregnant illegitimately and just walked
into the ocean to end her shame. But here’s the interesting part. The examining
doctor reported seeing bruises on her throat and stated she may have been
strangled first. In those days though, her death wouldn’t be important enough
to investigate so the possibility of murder was buried along with her body.”

“The maid I saw said something about her
babe
but she
was turned away from me and on her knees so I couldn’t say whether she had a
pregnant belly.”

“Sounds like the unsolved murder victim could have been your
Irish maid but that still doesn’t mean she’s the weeping woman.”

They had walked quite a distance before their path was
blocked by a thick stand of sea grape plants. There, where the cleared beach
ended and the broad-leafed vegetation began, was a smooth, egg-shaped geode, as
tall as Maggie. It had a long crack down the side facing the ocean but it
wasn’t possible to tell what sort of crystal was inside.

Noah stroked the rock then turned to her with a broad grin.
“But here’s the best part of everything I read. A group of paranormal
investigators slash ghost hunters spent several days here a few years ago. They
picked up so many different hot spots and varying energies, they declared the
whole hotel property is a portal. Would you believe that? It’s perfect for
Hotel Hellgate. A doorway between dimensions and times is the perfect tool for
what I had in mind. What do you think?”

“I think…” She was distracted by the strong energy that
seemed to be pulsating off the rock. It was different from what she’d felt in
the Amethyst Cave, different from the energy field along the nature trail. Her
gaze was focused on how pointedly the moon’s beam was illuminating the crack,
as though awakening something inside.

“Maggie?”

She forced her attention back to him. “I think…you’re right.
It’s perfect.”
Now if you’ll just steer away from Robert Davenport as a
character…

“In which case, the person who built the resort would be
like a gatekeeper for Hell.” He gave her a firm hug. “Thank you.”

Her eyes widened with alarm as she envisioned her name being
mentioned in his book’s acknowledgements. Her voice sounded slightly pitchy as
she asked, “Why thank me? I’ve hardly done anything yet.”

He shrugged. “If not for you I wouldn’t have done all that
research so soon. I think you’re my new muse.” He slipped his hands around her
waist and eased her closer. “Enough talking.” He leaned back against the rock,
drew her close and kissed her forehead. “It’s a beautiful night.”

She felt a strange tingling on the bottoms of her feet.

He kissed each cheekbone. “The moon is putting on a show
just for us.” He kissed her nose.

The tingling moved up her legs.

“And that ocean is really warm.” He kissed her mouth then
outlined her lips with his tongue as his hands dipped into her bikini bottom.
He kneaded her cheeks and rubbed his rapidly thickening cock against her.

Her body was being aroused yet her mind was sidetracked by
the ticklish sensation now shimmering throughout her body. Something physical
was happening to her that had nothing to do with lust.

“I passed on sharing the shower with you but playing in this
water could be even more fun.”

The weird shimmery sensation peaked then dissipated and she
gave herself over to his mesmerizing kisses, his voice, his touch, his
suggestion that they continue their play in the water. There was nothing she
would
not
do with him.

Until a wave splashed over her feet and deposited a clingy
glob of seaweed. She kicked it off and watched a family of tiny crabs scramble
back toward the sea. She was no longer entranced enough to follow him into that
dark abyss. She also no longer felt any shimmering…except in her pussy. That
part of her practically had its own heartbeat. “I’m not sure I’m ready for
that
much fun but…” She stroked his arousal until it straightened. “I’ve been
thinking about that cushy lounge for two in the te—”

Noah grabbed her hand and pulled her into a light jog back
down the beach. Seconds later they came to an abrupt halt. Where there had been
five striped tents, there was now only a single tan one. As they got closer
they could hear a man saying some sort of punch line and a woman’s shrill
giggle. The flaps of the tent were securely closed.

“What the hell?” Noah went to where the bell had been
sitting but it was no longer there. Instead he saw the two robes they’d been
wearing. None of it made any sense. “Excuse me,” he said aloud. “We reserved
this cabana for the night.”

After a moment of whispering the man inside replied, “I’m
afraid that’s not possible, sir. My, uh,
niece
and I have it for the
entire week and we were promised complete privacy.”

Maggie picked up the robes and handed Noah his. “Something’s
very wrong here. Let’s just go speak with the concierge.”

Noah’s expression went from furious to worried but he
accepted her suggestion. Rather than taking the side door they walked directly
into the lobby, only to be brought to another sudden stop. Everyone there was
in costume. Flapper dresses and feathered boas and sequined headbands.
Old-fashioned tuxedos with white spats over polished black shoes. Even the
staff uniforms had been changed to old safari-style outfits to fit the theme of
whatever party was going on.

“Mr. and Mrs. Nash?”

Maggie recognized the voice and subtle Jamaican accent
immediately. It was her bellhop, Reynard, wearing a crisp khaki ensemble
complete with pith helmet.

“If you will please follow me, I will take you to your
bungalow.”

“Who did that?” Karma roared. “Who let the fox out?”

None of the Abstracts spoke but one by one their thoughts
shifted to Love.

“I am sorry,” she blurted out. “But the test was unfairly
difficult. They only have five Earth days before all their fates are sealed
forever. It was illogical to have them spend a chunk of the time figuring out
when and where they were and how to manage.”

Justice rose to her defense. “Love has a valid point though
I am not convinced releasing the fox was the best solution. What is done is
done however. Since I presented this mission I will take the responsibility of
getting Reynard back in his cage.”

Karma was far from satisfied but accepted Justice’s promise.
“See to it that you do. Quickly. Earth’s humans are having a difficult enough
time without Deception running freely through the ages.”

Once, long ago, The First would have had something to add
but as Earth aged and humans multiplied it became necessary to allow others to
function without constant oversight. The First could never forget how, when
that conclusion was originally drawn, things were thrown into chaos with humans
mucking about without rules or consequences. That era was followed by a period
of them being constantly controlled and manipulated like marionettes, not only
by the Abstracts but beings of other dimensions who had slipped in while no one
was on guard.

As a solution, The First had set down guidelines by which
the Abstracts could interact with humans, interfere with their lives or make
revisions to their individual histories. Toward that end, portals were created
on Earth so that moving through time or dimensions was only possible in those
locations at specific times with limited duration. Use of a portal had to be
approved by all members of the Council before being presented to The First for
activation.

Because altering events that had already occurred was the
most tempting yet most potentially disastrous sort of interference, the
guidelines regarding such had to be the strictest of all. The first rule
prohibited any change that would alter fixed historical events affecting a mass
of humanity. The second required valid justification for a revision. Using
humans for entertainment or experimentation was not permitted. The third most
important rule established that a change could only be made by a pair of humans
working together, without excessive assistance from the Abstracts. That was the
rule that had just been bent by Love.

The fox was serving a sentence of restraint on Crystal
Island due to his unapproved involvement in American politics in the 1970s. It
didn’t matter that his interference turned out to be beneficial. It was against
two of the basic rules. The fox’s desire to be free, even for a short time,
would make a deal with him the quickest solution to Love’s desire to help
Maggie and Noah. Perhaps an official reprimand should be recorded in The Book,
but that would not happen.

The First always tended to give Love more leeway than the
others.

* * * * *

“Bungalow?” Noah asked in an edgy tone. “We have the Diamond
Suite. In the main building. And we also had a private cabana reserved for this
whole night and something…someone—”

“I assure you I can explain but now you really need to come
with me before one of the other guests notices you in those robes. They have
not yet been added to the guestrooms.” He hurried them back out the door and
over to an open-air, horse-drawn carriage waiting on a wooden boardwalk then
bowed with a flourish.

Maggie glanced at Noah and asked, “Am I crazy or did I
completely miss seeing this before?”

As he helped her step up into the backseat, he murmured,
“You’re not crazy. This boardwalk was definitely not here this morning.” His
frown remained in place as he and the bellhop climbed into their respective
places. Reynard lightly flicked the reins and the horse clopped forward.

It was all so strange but one thing surfaced above the
others. “Reynard, you know I’m not Mrs. Nash.”

“It will be much easier here if you introduce yourself as
such.”

Noah leaned forward and tapped Reynard’s shoulder. “What do
you mean,
here
?” He didn’t get an answer but the carriage came to a halt
mere seconds later.

Maggie and Noah shared a bewildered look. They were in front
of a row of bungalows, somewhat similar to the ones they’d seen that morning
but, besides the architecture seeming different, none of them were painted the
same colors as before. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the yellow rocker
on the porch in front of them. They held further questions until Reynard took
them inside then they let them spill in a rush.

“What’s going on?”

“Why can’t we go back to our suite?”

“Exactly where is here?”

“Why weren’t we advised of any of this in advance?”

“Why do we need to pretend I’m Mrs. Nash?”

Reynard smiled and politely waited for them to stop asking
questions. “I only have a few minutes before being discovered so I must give
you the short version. You are still at the Davenport Hotel and Beach Resort.
In fact, you passed by this exact bungalow earlier today. However, when the
full moon reached its zenith the two of you were transported to the year 1927. You
cannot go back to the suite you were in because Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davenport
are in residence there.”

The bellhop took a quick breath then continued before they
could question such ridiculous statements. “You were unable to bring anything
with you but what you were wearing or holding at the time. Unfortunately that
was not much so I left the robes for you to find. Because someone felt sorry
for you, I was given a rather unusual opportunity in exchange for making
certain arrangements for you, like this bungalow. The closet and drawers have
time-appropriate clothing and you will have no problem signing for meals in the
dining room or through room service. But in case you need cash, there is a
supply of currency in the jewelry cabinet.” He handed Noah the key to the
bungalow then turned to Maggie. “Oh yes, about your name. The mid-twenties were
hardly an era of Victorian morals but pretending you are his wife will avoid a
lot of unnecessary explanations. If asked who sent you, say ‘Teddy Roosevelt’.
And now I must be on my way. I hope you have a pleasant and successful stay.”

“Hold on,” Noah said, grasping Reynard’s arm before he could
get out the door. “Say for just a moment we accept everything you said, what
are we supposed to do now? How do we get back?”

The bellhop’s expression tensed and his gaze darted upward.
“They know I am here.” His speech picked up to auctioneer speed. “There must be
something you have to take care of. Or fix. Usually the pair has an idea what
it is before they are transported. You had better figure that part out quickly
because you will not be able to get back unless you do whatever you are here to
accomplish.

“Even when you do, the reverse transport can only take place
if you are on the same spot on the beach at the moment of zenith of the moon.
The bad news is each mission comes with a deadline and I was not told what
yours is. It could be as short as a week or as long as a year from now.
Unfortunately, after the deadline the portal closes and it will not matter what
you do. You will be here, in this time, to stay. I really must go.”

Noah tried to stop him again but he was gone. Literally. He
and the horse-drawn carriage had vanished in the blink of an eye.

He turned slowly around then went through the one-bedroom
cottage, opening doors, drawers, checking behind curtains, the backs of
pictures and the bottoms of lamps.

Maggie watched him get more agitated as the seconds ticked
by. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for a hidden camera or recording device. This has
got to be an elaborate practical joke of some kind.”

“Noah, we just saw him
and
a horse and carriage
disappear into thin air. That would be awfully hard to create.”

“Maybe not. A lot can be done with special effects. Maybe a
magician is involved.”

“Didn’t you say you believed ‘anything’s possible’?” She got
a smirk for her reminder and he continued his search. Maggie bit her lip as he
continued crawling along, looking under every piece of furniture. “Noah? You
know that talent you insist I have?”

He looked up at her and his expression changed from annoyed
to curious. “Are you picking up something?”

“Maybe. And maybe before too. Back on the beach. When we
reached the end of the cleared sand. I didn’t say anything because you were
kissing me…”

He rose and grasped her hands. “What happened?”

“I felt tingling, or maybe it was more of a shimmering,
different from what I felt on the trail this morning. It started at my feet and
moved up my body.”

“Do you think you experienced an energy shift?”

She shrugged. “I wouldn’t know it if I did. It was
just…weird and then it went away. But there’s something else. When Reynard was
telling us where, or rather when we are, I was filled with an absolute
certainty that he was telling the truth. I’ve always been pretty good at
telling if someone was lying. I just never thought of it as a gift. What he
told us sounds crazy. I don’t understand how someone could be transported
through time, except in a novel or a movie. And yet, I don’t have a doubt in my
mind we’ve been moved back in time.”

“Well, I don’t see anything here that suggests we’re being
punked. But before we cross over the impossible line with both feet, let’s go
to the lobby and see if we can find some hard evidence there.”

It took a while to review their clothing options. The female
underwear alone was enough to keep them from dressing quickly. There were no
bras or panties as Maggie was accustomed to but there were silk bodice pieces
that laced up on the side and flattened the bosom, silk drawers with wide legs,
chemises and a variety of slips. Garter belts and stockings with black seams
were in abundance. It all made Maggie frown and Noah grin.

The array of dresses ranged from lightweight shifts made up
of layers of pastel chiffon to brightly sequined and fringed flapper numbers.
Her only other choice seemed to be a dowdy, navy-blue pleated skirt and long
jacket with a selection of silk blouses and striped jerseys.

Noah had much less to choose from—brown, gray or white
wide-legged trousers with high waists and cuffs and a matching suit jacket for
each. There were seven starched white and pinstriped shirts and two tuxedos,
one with long tails, and lots of ties and suspenders. Much to Maggie’s
amusement, there was also a pair of plaid knickers and a pullover sweater.

“I’m pretty sure that goes with my navy ensemble…maybe for
when we go golfing.”

Their moods rose another notch when they discovered the
cache of hats, shoes, accessories and jewelry, all of which looked very
expensive…and very old. Whether this all turned out to be a hoax or they had
really been transported, it seemed to have a fairly substantial fun factor
built in. They had noticed how dressed up everyone was and chose accordingly so
as not to stand out in any way, at least until they figured out what was going
on.

They both agreed Maggie looked adorable in the sleeveless
gold fringe over black silk. She had accessorized with a gold sequined
headband, a long black pearl necklace and several bracelets. Noah especially
liked the dark, seamed stockings but he wasn’t crazy about the bright red
lipstick or the kohl eye shadow even though Maggie insisted it was part of the
look.

Noah, on the other hand, was drop-dead gorgeous in the black
tuxedo with the shorter jacket and gold brocade cummerbund and bowtie. Taking
Maggie’s makeup lead, he used some goo from the Murray’s Superior Pomade jar to
slick back his hair. Before leaving the bedroom he grabbed some bills out of
the jewelry cabinet and stuffed them in his pocket.

He started to close the cabinet but stopped to take one more
accessory—a gold pocket watch with an ornate cover and a gold chain with a clip
on the end. He flipped open the cover and his look of admiration turned to a
frown. He squinted at the inside for several seconds. “It’s showing eleven
thirty. That seems about right. I think it was around ten thirty when whatever
happened, happened. But
this
is really strange.” He handed her the
watch. “Am I seeing things or do these two people look an awful lot like us?”

She held the watch closer to the light. Inserted opposite
the timepiece was a small round wedding photo of a couple who looked just like
them. “Funny but I don’t remember posing for this.”

He shrugged and gave her a wink. “Not remembering doesn’t
mean it didn’t happen. Maybe it was taken in one of our past lives. Or maybe
we’ve been here before. Remember, anything’s possible.”

Rather than get into a theoretical discussion that would
only delay their getting to the truth, she stood back and gave him a
head-to-toe inspection. “Wow. I bet you could pass for Rudolph Valentino.”
Maggie gave his tie one last straightening. “Now that I think about it, you do
make me swoon.” She gave him an air kiss so as not to smear her ruby lipstick.

He flicked the loose fringe hanging over one of her nipples
and grinned when the thinness of the material let him watch the peak tighten
even under the tight bodice. “If memory serves you were about to prove that to
me right before some supernatural power whisked us away.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you starting to believe it now?”

He leaned down to kiss her lips then pecked her nose
instead. “The idea is definitely growing on me. Must be these great costumes.”
He put his arm around her. “Let’s go see whether we can find some grounded
proof. If your bellhop buddy told the truth, we may only have a week to figure
out what we’re here to do
and
do it.”