Chapter 4
Sky was languishing in a warm bubble bath, eyes closed, doing all she could to leave the day behind that is until Belle's knocking on the door brought her back to the present. "Richmond, you gonna take forever in there?"
Sky grabbed a handful of bubbles held them close to her mouth, blew, watching them fly around and replied, "Hold your horse's Gardner, door is not locked, if you have needs, come in."
Belle opened the door, stood gazing at the woman before she asked, "No needs, but was wondering if you had drowned and how's the ankle?"
Raising her leg as water fell back into the tub she replied, "Feels warm. How does it look to you?"
"Actually--long, smooth, curvy and very sensuous. I'll go look for something to do, while you get out. If you don't, you will look like a prune."
"Nothing wrong with prunes. I'll be out momentarily."
"I will be in the living room. Oh, you had a call from Bernie Herbella."
Sky raised her right eyebrow and asked, "What did he want?"
"When you are through soaking up the water, come out and I will tell you."
"Bel . . ." The woman was out the door leaving Skylar with a questioning look on her face.
Belle was laying back on the couch, sipping on a glass of beer, she was listening to the radio when Sky walked into the living room. "Well, here I am. Tell me what did Bernie Herbella want?"
Turning to gaze at the tall woman, flaming hair touching her shoulders then jumping off, some coming to rest on the bountiful breasts that were trying to peek out of the black lace bra the woman was wearing. Skylar Richmond was voluptuous and every movement was like watching a beautiful symphony only the instrument was her body and she played it well. "He wanted to talk to you."
Sky walked into the kitchen, looked in the refrigerator, then came back into the room where she gazed at Belle. "Why are you looking at me like that? I know you have seen women in their skivvies before?"
"Skivvies? You call the almost bra and matching bikini panties, skivvies?"
"Well yes."
"Honey, that is a far cry from what I would call Skivvies."
"Something wrong with them?"
"Nope, on you they look--nice."
Sky squinted as if trying to focus, "I apologize if I offended you, kinda used to doing my thing."
"No need to apologize, you have a lovely body, and proud of it. Just surprised me that is all."
"Jeanne doesn't walk around you like this or similar?"
"Well, yes, but like you, she is beautiful."
"So are you Belle. A person is beautiful from the inside out and for some reason you just won't let yourself believe it."
"I see myself."
"Then you should take a second look. Because woman, you are beautiful."
"Yeah sure and so is the cookie monster. Tell me, if you and Bobie were not a couple and Jean was out of my picture would you still think of me as beautiful?"
"Yes. Would I want to get to know you well? All depends on time, place, feelings. I don't' know what you think of me but I am not one to do things suddenly, not even for days or months. There has to be more than sex. Now that we have discussed that, will you tell me about Herbella?"
Belle tossed a small pillow at the woman and said, "He wanted to talk to you, I said you were indisposed, then he said, he was coming out, and I said . . ."
"Hold up there, is he coming out here? "
"Maybe coming out. He said it was obvious you did not want to see him and it hurt his feelings but that he cared about you and had taken care of the situation."
"What situation?"
Belle shrugged. "Don't know, guess he thought you would know."
Skylar plopped down on the couch beside Belle, she tossed her hair back and said, "I don't understand."
"Neither did I. Might have been a good thing to let him help?"
"He is a good man, but the way things are I would feel I was watching him more than looking for Bobie. Need to wrap my ankle, I'll do that before . . ."
Belle stood and said, "I'll get the ace bandage out of the medicine cabinet, you sit."
When she returned, she handed Sky her sweat shirt and pants. "Put these on, in case he does stop by."
It didn't take Sky long to dress, and when she was finished she thanked the woman. Belle dropped to her knees to wrap the ankle. "You found something at Trenton's and we have talked a bit about this, listen Sky, Falls could mean anything. Don't go getting your hopes up on the waterfall. Besides, it is too dangerous and you are in no condition to hike up there."
"Got to."
"What if you do, and tear your ankle up, get to the top and there is nothing, you have to come down, but with a busted ankle what good will you do Bobie?" She finished wrapping the ankle and admired her work for a second before getting up and walking toward the kitchen.
"You're right. Still, if she is there . . ."
"'If', is the operative word here. Think about it. And you know, I could get someone to go with me, we could make the climb, check the area out."
"And get caught."
"Have a little faith. Jeanne does."
"I have a lot of faith in you. But even with faith sometimes things just don't work out like planned."
The two women were getting ready to retire when the door bell rang. Belle walked to the door, opened it and stared into the face of Bernie Herbella.
He smiled and said, "Hello. Belle I assume, is Skylar around?"
Belle turned to gaze at Sky who was mouthing the words, I am asleep. Even going through the motions. Stifling a grin, the woman replied, "It has been a hard day, she has gone to sleep. Can I help?"
He handed her a sealed envelope and said, "Tell her, she and Bobie Parker are in my thoughts and I have hired someone to help. The person will be here soon."
She thanked him, stood in the doorway and watched him walk away. Then turned and looked at Sky. "Why didn't you want to talk to him?"
"Tired, need to rest and Bern would go on and on for hours. I will make it up to him when I find Bobie and we return to California. What did he give you?"
She closed the door, walked toward the woman and handed her the envelope. "This."
Belle watched Sky open the envelope, but she was not prepared for the reaction, the news gave Skylar Richmond.
"Bloody Hell! What does he think I am some sort of child that needs a nurse maid?"
Quickly walking to the sofa, she sat next to Sky and asked, "Bad news, he gave you bad news?"
She handed the letter to Belle, stood and said, "I'm going to bed, see you in the morning."
Completely surprised by the woman's reaction Belle read the letter. Sky, want you to know my love and thoughts are with you at this time. I know you will find Bobie Parker, I also know this has to be weighing heavily on your shoulders, therefore I have taken the initiative to hire Tara Coltrane to assist. She should be there in a day or two if not sooner. Love, Bern.
The woman sat in the rental car gazing at the almost deserted street as the dust snaked through the air reaching out to grasp anyone in its path. She leaned back against the leather seat, hands still holding the steering wheel. Her mission had been to stake out Debbie Forester and get the final information that the county needed to drive the final
nail in the woman's coffin.
It had been a hard three months for Tara Coltrane, and she still found Skylar Richmond, creeping into her thoughts when least expected. Reaching for a cigarette she lit it, moving the small tobacco filled 'cig' over and in between the fingers of her right hand. It was always a game to see if she could do this without burning herself. She routinely did this, with a cigarette or something sharp. It was important to know that the hand could move things about quickly, this came in handy for what she loved to do, and that was throw razor sharp disks as well as the knives she kept in a sheath inside her boots.
If a person happened to stop and stare at the beautiful woman sitting in the car playing cat and mouse with the cigarette and hand they may have shaken their heads wondering what was wrong with her. Just like the man Tara looked up to see leaning down and gazing in to see what she was doing. She quickly took a puff of the cigarette, pressed the window button as it began to slide down she asked, "Don't you have anything better to do than stare at a person sitting in their car?"
His smile was quick and it seemed to light up his face as he responded, "Never seen anyone play with fire like you. Ain't you that Coltrane woman?"
Tara was perplexed at the man's question and without any warning stepped from the car.
Reaching down to brush her jacket with one hand she walked around the car toward the man. Cigarette in hand she gazed down and asked. "How do you know my name?"
The bushy silver hair on his head fell back as he looked up at the woman. "You are a tall drink of water." Blue eyes sparkled, and from the laugh wrinkles that set them off it was apparent this man was funning her.
Tara dropped the cigarette to the ground slowly putting it out with her left boot. "'Tall drink of water' guess you might say that, always been tall for my age. Sal Eager. I am guessing. Think you could handle this?" She slowly brought her hands down along her figure as if showing off a dress design, making sure to stop just long enough for the man to take in every curve.
He scratched his head, then stepped back and said, "Got to hand it to you, You're much more than they said. You are the kind of woman that would take years off a man, just by looking at her. Would take someone of much more caliber than me to ever find themselves in your oasis. And how do you know my name?"
Holding out her right hand she replied, "Since you know who I am, I have to assume you have something to do with the county and only a few actually know I am here or have been for the past three months."
Shaking her hand, he seemed to be bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Happy to meet you. It is nice to know they are not spending money on a ghost."
Tara reached out placing her other hand over his before she released the handshake. "Definitely not 'a ghost'. Do me a favor, don't let on you have seen me or who I am?"
He leaned his head to the right, eyes showing confusion. "Why?"
"Let's say if you should spill the beans as some might say, all the work I have been doing undercover will be of no use to anyone."
Winking at the woman he nodded, "Got my word. I'll be on my way and leave you to the very hard work of playing with cigarettes."
The man was gone before Tara could comment about the cigarettes. Leaning back against the car she heaved a sigh. The more she discovered about Debbie Forester the more questions she had. When she had been given the job to check the woman out, gather all she could against her so the county could fire the woman and not have to pay out retirement, insurance or any other bonus Debbie had been working at for more than thirteen years, she felt it would be a piece of cake. Some members of the board had told her stories about the woman, that would have anyone wanting to rid themselves of such a person.
Now as she gazed at the deserted street, she was filled with so much doubt. Instead of finding a woman that was concerned only for herself, a woman that treated clients horribly, a woman that allowed animals into the clinic, a woman that approached a fellow worker and propositioned her, she found a woman who was just the opposite.
Five foot five inches tall in her white nurse's shoes Debbie Forester was a woman to be reckoned with. From the lustrous brunette hair that adorned her head, to the woman's sparkling blue eyes that reached out with warmth and kindness; and a smile that filled a dark room with rays of light, she touched everyone that came into her life.
Tara knew the second her eyes met Debbie Forester, the job she came to do was put on the backburner. She would apply for the position of community tech, in the health office a position that had been opened by the supervisors. This was their way of getting a spy into the office. One that would bury the woman. That is what the county thought however no one ever told Tara Coltrane how to do her job. Though she might fiddle around with some things, when it came to a person's life, she looked at things differently.
She had to change her clothing preferences, resort to small town dress. This included, light blue hospital scrubs, white nurse's shoes, a special watch that would be used to count seconds, minutes as well as log in time spent, walking, running etc. It was different from any job she had ever been on. (Usually it was some sort of relic hunt, subversive arms deal, all ending up in scrapes and bruises. Taking down the so-called enemy was a way of life.) At first she declined the job, it sounded too easy but after coaxing and a large pay stipend she decided to take care of the woman and get on with more important things.
The first time Debbie presented her with the blue stethoscope and said it was hers to keep, Tara wanted to tell her, she was a fraud, instead she accepted the gift and thanked the woman.
As the days came and went, the woman who would do battle with the monster of the Kiva, fight revolutionists, search out ageless relics and fight endless armies to get what she needed, found herself happy to join the office banter; meeting new people that would become clients, some that would become friends, and learn from Debbie Forester. It may have started out acting the part but this new world, slowly wrapped the woman in its warm tentacles and the part she was playing had now faded away.
They were just finishing up for the day, putting up instruments, cleaning and setting up the equipment for the next day when the phone rang. Debbie answered and after a few minutes she called out, "Tara, it's for you."
Pointing to herself, Tara asked, "Me? Who would want to talk to me?"
"Don't know but he sounds nice."
Tara answered the phone, thanking Debbie who got up and left the room, whispering,
"Give you, your privacy."
It was anything but a 'nice' person on the other end, it was Jerry Connelly one of the supervisors and he wanted to meet with her that evening at a diner five miles out of town.
Tara told the man she couldn't do it and he got very upset. He reminded her, all they were paying so she would do her job and she had better come up with some good stuff soon. Not one to be bullied Tara told the man she was doing her job and to leave her alone, let her do it her way. He finally gave in but still ended the conversation with a warning. Shrugging her shoulders, she set the phone down and went to look for Debbie.
Debbie was in the storeroom, going through file boxes when she entered the room. "What are you doing?" Tara stood in the doorway gazing at the woman.
"Looking for some past information about diabetes, one of the women that I counsel has been diagnosed by Doctor Mills as being diabetic. Thought some of this information might help."
Tara approached with a tentative look on her face. "Don't you think the doctor has already done that?"
Debbie stopped what she was doing, reached up and brushed back strands of hair that had fallen onto her forehead. "I would hope so. But there is never enough information and I would feel better if she had it."
"Right, why don't you let me go through the boxes and you take a break."
"Nope. Once I start something have to finish it. However, there is still one more box to go through and since I am going through this one, it is all yours." She pointed to a cardboard box and smiled.
"I take it, if I come across anything having to do with diabetes, I should take it out?"
"That's the plan." Debbie stood and smiled. "Speaking of breaks, don't you think you should take one?"
"Trying to get rid of me?"
"No, just don't want you become disillusioned with the job." The woman's blue eyes glimmered as she approached Tara. "You are one of very few that have stuck it out, really seem to be interested in the job, and the people. I know, the clients like you, the staff has accepted you. I hope you like it here that you think of me as a friend and plan on staying around."
Completely thrown back by the woman's words, Tara unconsciously bit at her lower lip, she fought with herself, it would be so easy to tell the woman the truth but if she did, Tara feared Debbie would never speak to her again. In a few days the county would set their plan in motion and Tara had already been told she would need to appear at the hearing at this time give her report to the board.
Of all the places, and people she had seen, there had been viciousness but at least a person knew this was coming. Debbie Forester went about her job without a clue as to what was heading her way.
Tara had not seen any of the charges the county had against Debbie Forester come to light. Instead she saw a woman that had given thirteen years to the county and the people, working to help in any way she could. From driving a pregnant woman home, to making sure her children had food, to taking a client to the hospital and paying the admission while she contacted the right programs to get help for her. There was no end to the people's tales of Debbie Forester's kindness.
"Earth to Tara, come in."
The words reached out, bringing Tara back into the moment. "Oh, sorry about that, you caught me daydreaming. I'll tackle this box now."
"Your probation period will be up soon, I hoped to hear you say you like it here and would be staying. The fact you ignored what I said, leads me to believe you are leaving."
Tara felt trapped, she could lie, something she was used to doing, but when Debbie looked at her like she was at that moment all she felt was a wave of heat traveling her body. "Not sure what I will be doing. I like it here, don't get me wrong. Anyone that leaves your side has to be a bit loony. There just are a few complications."
"'Complications', such as?"
"Nothing I can talk about at this time."
Debbie reached out, closing the lid on the box, Tara was getting ready to look into. "This can wait. I think we both need a break. Join me for coffee at the Post?"
"What about the office?"
"There is no one due here until ten, I have overtime, you have overtime, we both have a break coming, so how about it, we can talk over coffee and have a good roll."
Tara swallowed with difficulty, then managed to say, "Sounds good, I could use a 'good roll.'"
It was apparent the two were going different directions in their thinking and it was hard for Tara Coltrane to behave.
The Post was a small café, they catered to cowboys, cowgirls, the ranch crowds. Their music was mainly country. The place was popular, especially with the night clientele. During the day people trickled in and out thus making it an opportune place to get a coffee and a roll.
Debbie and others had even commented on the rolls, saying they were to die for.
Personally Tara had never tasted anything that was to die for but this day she was willing to sit opposite Debbie Forester in a booth and make small talk as long as she was able to be in the woman's presence she was happy.
The waitress, Jill Smith was quick to bring them both cups of coffee as she cheerfully said, "Welcome to the Post, do you need a menu or do you know what you want?"
Tara was taking a drink of coffee and almost choked on it, it was too hot and she immediately grabbed the glass of water trying to cool the inside of her mouth. "Fine . . . I'm fine," she mumbled.
Debbie looked at Jill and said, "We'll get back to you Jill. Give us a few minutes."
"Well do." She turned and walked toward the counter leaving a very red faced Tara trying to explain what happened to Debbie.
"Tara, was it the coffee or something else that caused you to almost choke just now?"
Tara pointed to a glass of water setting in front of Debbie and asked, "Do you mind if I take your water?"
"No, go ahead." She handed the woman the glass of water.
Tara downed it quickly, then said, "Thanks. Didn't realize the coffee was that hot, may end up with blisters in my mouth."
Debbie's face seemed to fall as her eyes looked down, "Sorry, guess this was a bad idea."
"No, it's a good idea. This was my fault, should have known better. Mouth feels much better and looking forward to this roll you all talk about."
The two dined on cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, along with freshly made vanilla ice cream. The rolls were the best Tara had ever tasted, true to the praise she had heard, they were every bit as good if not better. The two women talked, laughed enjoying time away from a very busy schedule.
When they got ready to leave, Jill thanked them for stopping by. She also thanked Tara for her work at the clinic with Debbie. Once outside the two started walking toward the office, Tara stopped, looked at Debbie and said, "Thanks for the break, it was needed. And thanks for the recommendation for the room at the Apache Chieftain hotel."
"You are welcome. Glad to help. Are you getting pretty well situated now?"
"I think so. If not for you, I would be like a fish out of water though."
Debbie slapped Tara on the shoulder playfully and replied, "Nope, can't ever see you flopping around like that, now come on we have work to do." The woman hurried off and Tara ran after her.
When the day was over, and the two were leaving the office, Tara said, "You never talk about your place, is it big?"
Turning the key in the lock, Debbie turned to gaze at the woman, "Trying to get an invite Coltrane? Believe me, it is nothing spectacular. Sides, I doubt I could keep your interest after being around me all day long."
"Is that a challenge Forester? I love challenges."
The two women headed for the parking lot. It was as they neared Debbie's red Chevy Corvette the woman turned, seeming a bit flustered she said, "I like you Tara, not many people in life a person meets that one can trust. I feel I can you. When you see me at the office, I may appear jovial but what you don't know is beneath all that, there is a hurt that just will not go away."
Tara thought over what the woman had said, before she spoke softly, "If you are talking about your ex and the terrible way he treated you, I can understand why you are feeling like you do."
The woman's eyes widened, the look on her face shown how surprised she was to hear Tara's words. "How? How did you know about him?"
Tara pointed around the area then said, "Small town, one thing a small town is good for is gossip. There has to be a grapevine here that travels from one end to the other and back. Regardless if it is true or not, once people start talking they continue."
Debbie opened the door to her car, tossed her purse on the other seat then turned to gaze into Tara's dark eyes. "Wow! After all that, you don't despise me?"
"Why would I? I have come to know you these past months. You are a good, caring person. Your compassion is one few see or knows. I do not believe everything I hear and as someone once told me, only a smidgen what I see. So it was and is Tad Bennett's loss when he left you. Not sure why you stayed and took the abuse the man handed out."
Shaking her head in awe at the woman's words, Debbie said, "Thank you. But you don't know the full story. It wasn't all Tad's fault."
"Don't need to. I know you. Somehow you have let this man get into your psyche, have you thinking you deserved the beatings, the hateful words. Take it from me, you are a good person, it is his loss but your gain to be rid of the man. Changing the subject, where did you get this hot car?"
Debbie ran her left hand over the steering wheel before she said, "Saved for a long time, still owe a little but it is something I always wanted."
"Then I'm glad you got what you wanted. Life is short sometimes, one never knows what will come around the bend. I'm happy for you. I know you have to go, so do I, have a good night and see you in the morning."
Debbie smiled toward the woman and said, "If you want, give me a call later."
Tara replied, "Will do. However, I have a phone too."
Debbie watched the woman walk away, even in the hospital scrubs, she didn't appear to be anyone ordinary. Yet if she wasn't, who was she? Starting up the car and pulling from the parking lot, her mind was still on Tara Coltrane, a woman that seemed to get into a person's blood in ways she never felt before.
Tara walked to the hotel, went to the desk to see if there were any messages, then headed upstairs to her room. Once inside she sat on the bed and went through the messages the man at the desk had handed her. Most were from out of town all written in a script only she and a few knew. But the one that caught her attention was from one of the board members wanting her to meet him for a drink at the Pool Hall.
It didn't take long to freshen up, change into jeans, sweatshirt, boots and make it to the town Pool Hall. A place where people went to wet their thirst, play pool, dance and have a good time. The second she entered the room, she spotted Jake Eisnberry sitting at a table near the back door. Glancing around the room, she headed toward the man. The moment he saw her approach, he stood. "Got my message, I'm glad. You look well for a hard day's work. Sit, tell me how things are going? I have ordered a large pitcher of beer, should be here soon. Take a load off your feet."
Tara sat, leaned back in the chair and said, "Let's get his over with, I have things to do."
"Not when you are on our dime, you don't."
"Are all of you people the same? Must run a very tight ship."
He smiled toward the waiter who was heading toward them with a large pitcher of golden beer and two glasses. "Ah here comes the beer." The man was more interested in the beer at that moment than anything else. Once he poured two glasses of the liquid, he sat and said, "Not sure about 'tight ship', but we do run the county. So tell me, do you have what we need yet?"
"If you mean, have I got the woman in bed yet, the answer is 'no'. And I hate to burst your bubble but she is not the kind of person you think."
"Read all about you, know your way of life, know what you do and how you do it, now all you have to do is get the woman in a compromising position, we take a few shots and it is over."
"Did you ever stop to think this other woman may be lying?"
He slammed his glass on the table causing beer to splash out landing here and there like an abstract finger painting. "Damn! Don't go falling under Forester's spell. You got a job to do, so do it!"
Tara stood, glared at the man and replied, "I will do my job as I see fit. I have better things to do then spend anymore time with you." Before he could utter a word, the woman's lengthy legs had carried her to the bar. Jake took a drink, wiped his mouth and mumbled to himself as he stared at the woman. She was not like anyone he had ever met and for some reason he was beginning to think it might have been a bad idea to bring her into the mix.
Tara paid for two of the house beers, then made her way back to the Chief hotel and the small room she had called home for almost three months. Uncapping one of the bottles, she sat down on the bed and took a long swig, it was refreshing and cold. After being around Eisenberry, she needed to feel warmth. Alcohol always did this and if she drank enough, it also took her away from some of the sordid things she had to do for a living.
When the phone rang, Tara was starting to drift off. Immediately sitting up and trying to focus she grabbed for the receiver on the phone. "Better be good, I was . . ."
"Tara."
The second she heard the words and the shaking in the voice, in no time Tara was sitting up, feet on the floor as she asked, "Debbie, what is wrong?"
"I hate to bother you, just didn't know what else to do."
"Calm down, take a breath and tell me what is going on?"
Suddenly the woman mumbled, "Mistake, calling you was a mistake. Go back to whatever you were doing, forget I called."
Running her right hand through her hair with nervous strokes, Tara replied, "Nonsense.
Tell me what is going on? I won't let up until you do."
There was silence and Tara was beginning to think something had happened to the woman. Keeping the receiver close to her ear with her right hand, she began to get dressed. Finding her boots and hoping into them would have made a good ad for the manufacture. She had just sat and pulled the left boot on when Debbie finally came back on line.
The woman's voice was soft almost a whisper, "I think someone is outside."
"Did you call the police?"
"No. That is all I need for them to come running out here and find nothing. Don't want to aggravate the sheriff."
Suddenly Tara realized, Debbie Forester must know something is going on, just not sure what. Tara glanced at herself in the mirror and made a face, she was a sight. "Oh well, perhaps this would be better to scare away whoever it was. Debbie, keep your doors locked, stay by the phone. I'm coming out."
"No, no! Don't want to inconvenience you."
Tara chuckled, "You do not inconvenience me. Now, I am coming out, so not another word. You hang tight, and I'll be there in a jiff."
Didn't take Tara long to gather up a few things and head for the parking lot. She had rented a nice sedan when she arrived in the town. There was not much cause to use it
For most places were within walking distance but this night she was happy to have the car.
Debbie heard the car pull into the drive and looked out the window to see who it was. Heaving a sigh of relief when she saw the tall women step out. Tara looked out of place even in her jeans and sweatshirt, the woman moved like a cat, she could walk with elegance and grace, or she could step with such lightning, a person never knew she was coming until too late. At least in Debbie's mind she was playing with this scenario when the door bell rang bringing her back to the moment at hand.
Opening the door, she stared at Tara, "You made good time."
Tara looked past the woman before she said, "You called, I came. Now, let's step inside."
Once they were sitting on the divan, Tara asked, "Where did you hear the sounds and what were they?"
Pointing to the kitchen area, the woman replied, "I was going to get a drink of water and I saw a shadow. As you can see, the window is near the sink. I called out but whoever it was disappeared. I don't know who it was but this is a first for me. Without thinking, I called you."
Tara thought for a few seconds then said, "Seems to me, you needed someone to talk to, someone that would help. Well, here I am. Now, I'm going to do some scouting, you stay inside, keep the door locked."
Debbie jumped to her feet. "Can't we both just stay inside?"
"If someone is out there and I am sure there was or still is, I need to go out, you need to say in."
"This was not on your job description. I feel terrible bringing you out here, the least I can do is help."
Tara reached over and softly patted Debbie's right hand. "You can help by staying in where it is safe. Do you have a flashlight?"
The woman nodded and went down the hallway to return with a light blue Rayovac. She handed it to Tara. "Here, it works great. Just be careful."
"I will. This shouldn't take too long." Tara took the flashlight and headed to the back door.
Once she was outside, it took several seconds before her eyes became accustomed to the dark. Thankful it was not a pitch black night and the moon was giving off enough light to enable her to scope the area. Having been in situations, where sounds, could mean life or death, she listened for anything out of the ordinary.
Moving into the shrubbery, crouching, crawling, she began to travel around the area. It was eerily silent and she knew right away someone was about. For when there is not even the sound of an animal, bird, or inset, something was keeping them quiet. A predator was in their domain and quietness was all that was heard, that is until she heard a twig snap.
Dropping to the ground, Tara strained her eyes to see what made the noise, it wasn't long before the form of a man came into view. She waited with bated breath, and checked her right boot, finding comfort when she touched the handle of the knife. The man was getting closer. Tara found a large bramble bush and waited. She was not sure what was going on but had a good idea.
It was then the camera could be seen in the man's hands. He carried it like it like an egg that might crack. He had just walked past her and was continuing toward the back door to the house. Stealthily she moved and before he knew what was happening, she grasped his left arm pinning it behind the man at the same time her right arm put him in a choke hold.
The man growled but soon stopped, focusing on breathing and trying to move.
"Do you no good to struggle, I could pop your neck if I wanted. Tell me what are you doing here and who sent you?"
He stopped struggling as she released pressure on his throat. "This--is--a--mistake. Wrong house. I made a mistake. Who--are--you?"
Tara leaned close to his left ear and whispered, "I am the Boogeyman. You keep messing around where you shouldn't, I will make it my aim to see you are more than scared."
He managed a guffaw, then said, "Come on lady, I know it has to be a woman, 'Boogey- man'? That is something you throw at children."
Tightening the grip on his arm she glowered, "I will become your worst nightmare. Believe me. Now, once more, who sent you here and why?"
"I was paid to take pictures of the place."
"That why you were peeking through the kitchen window?"
He let out a heavy sigh. "And to get pictures of the inside anyway I could. Especially the woman."
"Go on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Who sent you and why do they want the pictures?"
He tried to move but she had him in such a tight hold it was unbearable. "Let go of my arm and I'll tell you."
She put more pressure on the man's arm as he cried out in pain. "Don't feel like playing. You tell me what I want to know or I'll break it."
"All right, all right. Jake paid me to do this. Said he and some of the other supervisors had hired some bitch to take care of the situation but he didn't trust her. So the photos could be photo edited."
"You mean like Photoshop fakes?"
"Yeah."
He never felt the pinch to his neck as he passed out. Tara held him as if he was a rag doll. Propping him against the side of the building, she picked up his camera, took out the film, then tossed the camera into the brush. Tilting her head to the left, she gazed at the man.
"Now what do I do with you?" Walking to the back door she called out, "Debbie! Got any rope?"
Before long, Debbie opened the door, rope in hand. "This is all I have, why do you want it?"
Tara pointed to the man and said, "Tie him up, while we talk about what to do with him?"
Debbie's mouth fell open as she stared at the unconscious man. "There was a prowler?
How did he end up like that?"
Tara replied, "I have a few skills you do not know about. Now come over here and help me hogtie the man."
"Tying him up is one thing but we can't leave him like that."
"Right you are, that is why you are going to help me put him in my car trunk."
"Whoa! Stop there. I don't want to see him dead."
"Who said anything about dead? I just want to get him out of here without a bunch of nosy neighbors seeing two women driving down the road with a man in the car. Let's face it, he is not in any condition to sit up. Won't hurt to take a nap in the trunk. If you want, you can even put a pillow under his head, not that the . . . "
"Tara, where did you go just now?"
Tara wrapped a strand of rope around the man's ankles, tied several knots, then stood. "Thinking, I do that. Sometimes mind gets ahead of the body. This man was here to cause you problems, so don't be wanting to baby him. Instead, what have you got in the way of alcohol?"
"You want to give him a drink?"
"Nope, more like a bath."
Debbie scrunched up her face as if she was picturing this taking place. "Have given my share of baths but nothing like this. You surely are jesting?"
"Bring me a bottle of your best--and two glasses. Then we can take this critter for a ride."
Debbie shrugged, turned and went inside the house. Coming out in a few minutes with a bottle of Jack Daniel's. "This do?"
Tara nodded, then pointed the man. "Let's get him to the car before he comes too and starts yelling."
"Aye aye captain."
If not for the moon, it was hard to see where they were going, the dirt road was filled with pot holes and sometimes Tara was not sure it was a road at all. Anytime she expected to see covered wagons. Finally she stopped the car. Turned off the motor and said, "Let's have a drink."
Debbie smiled and said, "After what has just taken place, I need something to calm my nerves. By the way, I think you know much more than you have told me." She poured two glasses, handing one to Tara. The woman winked at Debbie then said, "To a goodnights work."
They drank several glasses of JD before Debbie raised her eyes to meet Tara's and asked, "Who are you?"
For a second her words caught Tara off balance. She ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth and replied. "You know who I am, Tara Coltrane, almost a bona fide health tech."
"Debbie looked away, staring out the car window. "I need to know. Should have known it was too good to be true the day you walked into my office. Now all I want to know is what is your agenda?"
"Wow! You don't hold back any punches do you. Not a question, just want you to know I felt the punch to my stomach in ways you may never understand. I am Tara Coltrane, I have some things to tell you, but the important thing right now is we take care of the man in the trunk before he makes the night worse for you."
"All right, but promise we will talk?"
"Promise."
The car pulled into the drive and stopped. The two women sit staring at the house, both sighing at the same time. Their eyes met and before long both were laughing. Debbie laughed so hard, she couldn't keep back the tears.
Tara reached over and patted Debbie's right hand. "Have to say we did a darn good job on the man."
Debbie gazed at Tara's hand on hers and said, "This is one night I will never forget. I knew you were special, but had no idea you could be so devious."
Tara grimaced then said, "Not so much devious, just paying back. You said you didn't want the sheriff called, and he was not."
Debbie placed her other hand on Tara's. "No, he wasn't reported, like calling 911 but after you poured JD down the guy's throat, spilt liquor on his clothes then propped him up against the sheriff's office, holding the bottle no less, I think the sheriff definitely will have a hand in it."
"Yes, but he can't tell the sheriff what he was doing, and from the looks of things, he will be explaining the drinking and staggering."
"Poor guy, he would get up, fall down again."
"Nothing poor about him. Let's go inside, have a nightcap or two and I'll tell you what the 'poor guy' was up to."
"Sounds good to me, can't wait to sit on something that is not moving." With those words, Debbie was out of the car and racing for the door followed by Tara.
Debbie was watching Tara Coltrane pouring two more glasses of JD, after all that happened, she still looked like she could have walked off the face of Model's Incorporated's top magazine cover. Every hair in place, the only telltale signs were a few smudge marks on her face, other than that she looked beautiful.
Tara walked toward the woman, with each movement she seemed to glide. Handing the drink to Debbie she asked, "What has you looking so mesmerized Deb?"
Debbie took a drink, motioned for Tara to sit beside her and said, "Just looking at you. Anyone ever tell you, you are beautiful?"
Tara plopped down, turned to gaze at Debbie replying, "My mother when I was five. I am a sight, dirt on my face, pants and shirt stained, nope, nothing beautiful about me. I am ready to tell you about myself now. But you my dear have had enough to drink, I think."
"Not nearly enough Miss Coltrane. If you don't mind can we wait until tomorrow for the talk?"
Tara chuckled, "The way you said that, reminds me of the birds and bees talk."
Debbie was buzzing around, at least she was making the sounds, the woman was feeling no pain. She was however getting very giddy. "Bees do it--ev--en--edca--ted f . . ."
Tara reached out and caught the woman as she began her descent to the floor. "Got you. Debbie, you are not a bee, so quit buzzing around."
The woman's blue eyes sparkled as she reached out and placed a finger on Tara's mouth, "Guess you get to give the talk . . ." The woman passed out in Tara's arms.
"Get a grip Coltrane, and get her to bed. God, did I just say that?" She fell back on the divan taking Debbie with her. The glasses of JD had been forgotten, and Tara found herself in a situation she was unfamiliar with. At least one that caused her body to fight two battles at the same time.
Suddenly Debbie sprang up, then stared at Tara and mumbled, "How about another drink?"
"Perhaps we have had enough, big day tomorrow and it has been a hard night, you are tired, you are feeling no pain and I have to go, so off with you to bed."
"Oh no, not off to bed with me. After what happened, I do not feel safe."
"What are you getting at?"
"Would you stay? I would feel better if you did?"
"I didn't bring any night things."
"What do you need? I have extra pajamas, night shirts, you are welcome to use, if you want."
"'Night shirts, pajamas', interesting."
"Come on, walk me to the bedroom, you can go through the dresser and find something you may like, after all, you'll be sleeping and no one will see you, if you think these are too countrified."
Tara followed the woman to the bedroom. After Debbie showed her the dresser, even opening a drawer, she sit on the edge of the bed and said, "Surely you can find something in there to sleep in. What do you usually sleep in?"
"Depends on where I am." She held up a nightshirt that had an imprint of boxing gloves on it and said, "Someone into boxing?"
"No, I just thought it was cute. Would look cute on you."
Tara held it up under her chin and danced around the room chanting, "A boxing I will go, a boxing I will go . . ."
Debbie stood, walked over to her and said, "You will look better in it then me. Now, I'm going to take a shower, when I finish you can have the bathroom, when you come out I may be asleep, so just crawl into bed."
Tara's eyes widened and the look on her face was one of nervousness. " Ah--ah, did you say, 'crawl into bed'?"
"Yes, silly, I don't expect you to sleep on the floor."
"The divan, I can sleep on the divan." Smiling and feeling more relaxed, Tara walked toward the living room.
"Nope, divan is hard, not a good place to sleep unless one has too and as you said, we have a 'big day tomorrow'. You need to get your rest. I don't bite, promise. I will stay on my side of the bed."
"Didn't even come into my mind that you would, bite. However my dear, what makes you think I don't?"
"I think I know you pretty well. And if you do bite, please be gentle." With those words, Debbie walked into the bathroom.
Tara began to pace back and forth, muttering to herself, "Now you've gone and done it Coltrane, this is what you wanted, get the woman in a compromising position. But I just can't do it. Never have known you to dodge a challenge, bite the bullet. This time you will, if I have to get you so drunk you pass out." She walked toward the kitchen and the lonely bottle of JD.
The next morning when Debbie woke up, she moved slowly, the drinking had been fun, but the headache and feeling she had at that moment was anything but fun. Sitting up she grasped her head as it shot pain that ricocheted in such a way she felt sick to her stomach.
It was then she saw the note on the pillow next to hers. Good morning, hope you feel better than I do. If not, I mixed a concoction that will help, it is in the refrigerator. See you at the office. T.
Tara had been pacing back and forth, it had all come down to this day, one she was not looking forward to. Many times she tried to tell Debbie about what was going on with the county, every time to be stopped by the woman. Of course it didn't take much to get her to change her mind. They always left it with the assumption things would be discussed later. Well later had come and she was no where near wanting to face the board or Debbie Forester, a woman she had come to care for deeply.
Finally getting into the car she headed for the county annex and the meeting she hoped would never happen. There were a few cars in the lot, it was obvious the board members were all there. Taking a deep swallow, she was thankful Debbie's car was nowhere in sight. Tara took the stairs leading to the board room two at a time. She was anxious to get this over.
The second she walked into the room and stared at all the people sitting around the oblong table in the conference room, her eyes met Debbie Foresters. Before she could say anything, Jake Eisenberry stood and said, "The meeting can get on now, my main witness just entered the room. Have a seat Miss. Coltrane."
If a person could actually slip through a crack in the floor and disappear, at that moment Tara wanted to do this badly. She sit, trying her best to control the emotions that were raging in her body. If she could, transporting Debbie far away from this would have been her goal.
Debbie was shocked, there were so many emotions traveling within, she felt like a dormant volcano, silent so long, but ready to explode. When her eyes met, Tara's she couldn't tell what the woman was thinking, only that her dark eyes showed a storm was gathering and it was one she did not want to be near. She had been taken in, now what was going to happen? From the way Jake Eisenberry talked, it would be Tara that would set her fate. Not that they didn't already have all sorts of trumped up charges, charges she did not know were coming.
"Tell the board, Miss. Coltrane what you have suspected and what you have found out about Debbie Forester?"
Debbie stood, glowered toward Tara. "How dare you! How dare you pretend to be friend!"
"Sit! Or I will have one of the deputy's remove you from the room!" Jake Eisenberry's cold voice reached out and grasped Debbie in such a way, the woman sat.
Tara glanced around the table, each member was writing on a pad of paper, seemed no one wanted to look her in the eyes. Finally she stood. "I am sure by now you all know who I am, all of you but Debbie Forester. Yet, she knows me better than any of you."
Several of the men snickered as if sharing a great secret.
"Nothing to laugh about gents!" She reached down and brought up a briefcase, placing it on the table she continued, "Indeed, the county did hire me to do a job, I did it. Though it may not be what they wanted. Or I should say, what you all wanted." She handed a portfolio of assorted papers to each member then said, "The only thing Debbie Forester is guilty of, is caring too much for the people she works with and the clients she cares for. There is no wrong, there never was. You will also see legal papers pertaining to Carol Deacon. The woman has recanted her charges."
Jake jumped up, gritting his teeth before he spouted, "What did you do to her?"
"I did nothing but check on her past record, something you should have done. As you can see she has been arrested for pulling this scam before, the woman has walked away with a lot of money. She also has been arrested for the sale of drugs. Nice people you chose to believe. All the while you have someone like Miss. Forester working for you. She should never have been subjected to this. And if you read the portfolio, you will see, other charges have also been debunked."
The men were busily scanning the pages as Debbie gazed at Tara with a look of wonder in her eyes. Tara sat down, took a drink from the glass of cold water that had been placed in front of her, watched, and waited.
There was discussion back and forth, finally Jake Eisenberry spoke, "We will have to look into your findings."
Standing once more, Tara spoke in a tone that seemed to mesmerize most of the men, "The findings are true, now all you have to do is apologize to this good woman, a pay raise might also be a good thing. If you will all excuse me, I have things to do."
Jake stood, and said, "We thank you Miss. Coltrane for what looks like a thorough job. I will walk you out."
Tara snapped her briefcase shut, looked at Debbie and said, "It hasn't all been bad, I hope, having me around. Take care."
In the foyer Jake reached out and grabbed Tara by her right arm, "What do you think you are doing? You make me look like a fool back there."
Tara reached out with her other hand and grasped the man's hand, showing special attention to his thumb which she pushed back causing him to let go of her arm.
"Damn you!" He mumbled as he grabbed his hand acting as if he had been gunshot.
She leaned close and whispered, "No. Damn you and all those that think they are above the law. Listen to me and listen closely. If I ever hear you have pulled anything like this again, I will come back and believe me, you will be sorry."
Tara was packing up her things when someone knocked on the door. She dropped several shirts on the bed and hurried to answer. "Hoped you would come to say bye."
"Didn't know you were going anywhere?" The tall, blond blue-eyed Adonis smiled in such a way it would melt most people. He gave out a lot of warmth when he smiled, but the man always counted on his looks to do the rest.
Tara was surprised to see Bernie Herbella standing holding a single red rose in his hand. "Bernie what are you doing here?"
He handed the flower to her, then said, "Came to ask your help. From the look on your face it was not me you hoped to see when you opened the door."
Tara took the rose, held it to her nose and took in the breath taking fragrance. "You never forget that I do love roses. Maybe one day you will opt for more than one."
He glanced around the room, then replied, "Now we both know you are not some flowers kind of gal, If I knew that would put you under my spell I would have sent you dozens a long time ago."
"Got that right, as you know, we do not travel in the same circles. Now what brings you all the way out here from California? Since Skylar left Bengal to start up her own company with Bobie Parker do you find yourself looking for a replacement? Not that anyone could replace the all mighty redhead."
"When are you ever going to get over the chip on your shoulder? We both know you care about Skylar, even if the two of you butt heads now and again. The Kiva, the monster, you helped tremendously and Skylar appreciated this a lot. I am not 'looking for a replacement' but I am looking for some help."
"You certainly have me curious, tell me while I finish packing."
He nodded and followed the woman. "Still as messy as ever."
"Watch it. You have no idea what has been happening."
"I know a little about what is going on, not much. But you are packing which to me says, your job is through and now you will be on to others. I want to be at the head of the list."
Tara zipped close the last suitcase, turned and said, "Tell me? I have a few minutes."
He looked tentatively before saying, "You got one thing right, Skylar is involved."
"Might have known. What do you want me to do, talk to her, try to send her back to Bengal?"
"Wish it were that easy but no. Sky is missing and so is Bobie Parker."
The man's words brought a troubled look to the woman's face as she asked, "What happened? Tell me everything?"
Tara was putting the last suitcase in the car trunk when a red corvette pulled up behind her car. She turned to see Debbie Forester getting out of the corvette and walking toward
her. "Debbie, you look much better than you did when you saw me earlier."
"Glad I caught you before you left. About that, I apologize. From all that was said, and then Jake saying they had hired you, I really felt . . . "
"No need to explain, I felt the same way. Not targeted but deeply hurt to put you through the meeting and me."
"They were non too gentle about my reason for being there. I could see the tears well up in your eyes, and I could feel the pain. I wanted to tell you, and I tried. Never wanted you to walk into a meeting and be hit from all sides like you were. Must have hated me?"
"Have to admit for a few moments, my world was crumbling but thanks to you, I have my job, a good raise and the promise this will not happen again."
"Good. Then I accomplished something."
Debbie reached out and took Tara's right hand in hers. "You gave me reason to get up in the morning, to go to work, to enjoy a day, be it filled with hard work, you made everything lighter, happier."
Tara squeezed Debbie's hand then said, "For the first time I was not thinking about work, and you my dear, made every one of my days here a time I will recall fondly and with much love."
"Where will you go?"
"Have a job to do, move on to the next stop. But I want you to know something and coming from me it is not easy to say, "I care about you, and if I could, I would whisk you away with me. You are right, there is a lot you do not know about me, just know, I have a job waiting for you should you want to leave this god forsaken place. I promise being around me can be quite educational."
"Wow! A job offer from the famous Tara Coltrane, looked you up on the internet. I feel very special."
"Ah--the internet, is filled with a lot of information, some real, some not, person has to be careful what they believe."
"Well, I have had the good fortune to be around you and with you for three months so I know what I believe. Please take care and keep in touch."
"I will." She handed Debbie a business card adding, "My address, cell, home and business number, in case you get lonely and want to talk or just talk, I would love to hear from you."
"Can't believe you're going. Will you ever come back this way?"
"Probably not, but never know one day I just may pop up at your door looking for a friendly face and a nice drink of JD." Tara reached out and hugged the woman. The two stood in silence letting their bodies do the talking.
Debbie stood back, reached up and caressed Tara's face with her left hand. "Be safe."
"You too." With those words, Tara got in the car and drove out of the parking lot, she did not want to see the tears that were running down Debbie Forester's face, for she was shedding enough of her own. It had been a time she would never forget and in the back of her mind, she hoped one day to get a call from a lovely blond blue-eyed beauty saying, "About that job, I want to take it."
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Continued