Whisper Cape (20 page)

“I know so.”

“Ha, you sure are full of yourself, fly-boy.”

“That may be, but I’ve yet to have my fill of you.”

Chapter 20

Lunchtime at The Cliff Hanger was in full swing when Addie walked in. All the tables by the window were already occupied. She snatched her apron off the hook and fastened it around her waist as she stepped behind the bar.

Gerry glanced over at her and did a double take. He set a beer down in front of a customer and walked over to her.

“You’re looking a wee bit flushed, sweetheart,” he whispered close to her ear, making her flinch.

When Cael came walking through the front door she couldn't hide the gleam on her face.

“Well, I guess I know where your glow is coming from. Just be careful where you put your trust, okay?”

Addie felt her cheeks get hot as Gerry patted her shoulder. Cael came and sat right in front of her. His smile brightened the perpetual sparkle in his eyes. “Hey, gorgeous, is it okay if I sit here while you work?”

Addie started to answer but Gerry beat her to it.

“You can sit there all bloody day as long as you order something, but just don’t distract my bartender while she’s working.”

“Hey, Gerry, how’s it going?” Cael said.

“Things
were
fine. You and Addie have been getting to know each other, I gather.”

Addie winced at Gerry's cheeky remark. Why had he become so insolent?

“So just where were you all day yesterday?” Darcy stood, her hands on her hips, glancing from Addie to Cael, a smirk on her face.

Addie didn't think things could get any more embarrassing but sighed, realizing there was no escaping all the curiosity.

“I was with Cael at his house.”

Darcy blinked her huge eyes. “All day? All night?”

Gerry pointed his finger at Cael. “Just so you know, Addie is very dear to my heart, so if you plan on spending time with her, you better treat her right or you’ll have to deal with me.”

Addie wanted to crawl under the counter and never come out. Gerry was worse than her father would have been.

“So noted,” Cael said, giving Gerry a two-finger salute.

Addie was relieved he hadn't given him the one-finger variety, though she wouldn't have blamed him. Gerry was being a dick and she wasn’t sure why.

“Do you suppose I could get a Coke, Addison?” Cael asked as he cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry,” Addie whispered to Cael as she handed him a Coke and turned toward Gerry. “You people are driving me crazy.”

“I just want to make sure your new boyfriend here knows how much we love you. You can appreciate that, right, Cael?”

Boyfriend? Addie hadn’t really thought of Cael as her boyfriend. She wondered if he would even stick around after he found her father’s murderer—that is, if they survived.

Just then, Bart Calloon walked in and sat down next to Cael. “Hey folks, what’d I miss?”

Addie rolled her eyes. “I need a break.” She threw down the rag she was using, and stomped off to the restroom with Darcy right behind her.

“You just got here!” Gerry bellowed behind her, but she ignored him.

“Okay, what gives?” Darcy asked.

“What do you mean ‘what gives?’ You and Gerry—that’s what gives—acting like police sergeants. I have had a man before, you know. Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is?”

“You had him? You mean you slept with him?”

Addie couldn’t help smiling at the memory.

“Oh, this is good—tell me more.” Darcy rubbed her hands together as if she was getting ready to dig into a succulent piece of prime rib.

“Ugh.” Addie went into a stall and slammed the door.

“Oh, come on, Addie, I’m sorry. I won’t tease you anymore. Really, we’re all just happy for you. Gerry’s right, it’s because we love you.”

Addie came out from the stall and went to the sink to wash her hands. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

“Okay, so dish, what was he like? I mean was he good? Come on, I would tell
you
.”

“Yes, he was ... better than good, and I wouldn’t exactly say we slept.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Not at all?”

“Well, maybe an hour or so.”

“Oooo, sounds like you hit the jackpot.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of scary. I’ve never been with anyone like him before.” Of course, Addie didn’t think there was another person alive who had the abilities Cael had, so naturally, there wouldn’t have been anyone like him before. But aside from that, the emotions and intensity of the sex amazed her and also frightened her a little.

“What are you afraid of, falling in love? Maybe if you had played the field more, you’d have someone to compare him to.”

Addie threw a crumpled paper towel in the trash and studied Darcy for a second. She considered saying something along the lines of, “Like you?” but didn’t want to start an argument by making accusations. “That reminds me, are you still planning to go riding with Tim tomorrow?”

“Yeah, why? Do you and Cael want to come? Does he ride?”

“No, he doesn’t ... I mean, I don’t know if he rides, that’s not the point. The point is, I think you should take things slow with this Tim guy. What do you really know about him, anyway?”

“You’re telling me to take things slow? Do you know how ridiculous you sound when you come in after spending the whole day and night having sex with a man you barely know? You have some nerve. Jared put you up to this, didn’t he? Maybe you should practice what you preach.”

Darcy stormed out of the restroom almost knocking Jared down. “And you, mind your own fucking business. You don’t own me. If you ever try to interfere in my life again, I’ll ... ooh, just don’t.”

“Well shit, that went well.” Addie put her head in her hands and hoped she hadn’t just ruined the best friendship she’d ever had.

As Addie stepped out of the bathroom, she passed Jared. “Oh, hey. Look, I’m sorry, I tried, but …”

“I’m sorry, too. I should have known what her reaction would be. She has a temper like a rabid wolverine. I heard her all the way out here.”

Addie winced at the thought of Cael hearing everything she and Darcy had said. “Do you think anyone else heard?”

“Nah, I was standing right here, that’s why I heard.”

She started for the bar.

“Addie?” Jared touched her arm.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t be afraid of falling in love. It looks good on you.”

“Thanks.” She headed back to the bar, hoping Gerry had settled down about Cael. God, why was Gerry acting like a tyrant?

“Hey, Addie, my nephew here tells me the two of you’ve been spending a little time together—nice to hear. I always thought she was the prettiest girl in town,” Bart said, leaning in closer to Cael.

“Your nephew? You never mentioned Cael was your nephew,” Gerry said.

“Guess it never came up.” Bart winked at Cael.

“Well now, isn’t this interesting?” Gerry said.

For the remainder of the morning, Darcy and Addie avoided each other, which wasn’t too difficult considering Darcy’s cold-shoulder persona. Cael had left with Bart, telling her it would look better if he wasn’t sitting there all day. He thought people might think he was some crazed overbearing boyfriend or something. Addie shuddered at the reference. She’d certainly had enough of over-powering men today.

***

Cael was glad for the opportunity to talk with Bart privately. They walked the long road back to Bart’s place; a golden blanket of leaves covered the road and crunched under their feet. The wind picked up a few, blowing them in a small circle before they slowly floated back to the ground. The crisp, chilly air stung Cael’s face and he pulled the collar up on his jacket, before tucking his hands in his pockets.

“You’re in great shape. Have you been going to the gym?”

“I’m not too bad for an old geezer, huh?”

“You’re hardly old, though I hear that’s the way you’ve been referring to yourself lately.”

“Yeah, old Bart, rhymes with old fart, funny huh? I take this walk everyday for starters—there and back. Sometimes I get to the gym with Gerry. Speaking of old geezers—how’s your mom?”

“She’s fine, although I don’t think she’d appreciate being referred to as an ‘old geezer.’”

“Right, but being her twin, I’m privileged. So, what do you think Eidolon’s next move is going to be?”

“I’m not sure, but I think he’s acquired the ability to split himself as well as shape shift or something.”

“Or maybe it’s all an illusion.”

“I hadn't thought of that. I suppose anything’s possible, but how do you fight an illusion?”

“Don’t know son, I just don’t know.”

“Do you suppose it’s just coincidental Maia MacKenna came back here to live with Addison, or do you think it was part of some grand scheme Ristéard set in action before he was murdered?”

“It’s certainly worth considering. I've known them since they were kids—Maia and Ristéard grew up here, it makes sense she would return to her roots. She devoted her life to that little girl and put her own on hold to help raise her.”

“So Maia knows about the Sectorium?”

“That I don’t know. I suspect she does, but she was quite a bit younger than we were, didn’t hang out with us, not for her lack of trying, of course. Little sisters can be a pain, and she was no exception. She tried to follow Ristéard everywhere he went, but he always managed to ditch her, poor thing. You know, your mother babysat for her, but she never mentioned anything. By the way, you tell your mom she owes me a visit.”

“I will.”

It was a long walk back to Bart’s place. He lived at the end of a stretch of single-lane highway, which eventually turned into dirt. Cael had considered teleporting back to Bart’s but then figured the walk would provide a chance to talk. He kicked at a rock and sent it soaring up ahead where it slammed into a tree trunk.

“I suspected Addie had abilities the minute I met her, but I didn’t want to take a chance on questioning her just in case she didn’t. It’s good to know she’s starting to develop them.”

“She said you told her one of your stories the other day.”

Bart chuckled. “I wanted to see what sort of reaction I would get from her. The one I got told me she didn’t know much about her dad's capabilities but the idea of secret powers seemed to ignite a spark in her eyes, so I knew she’d been experiencing something.”

“Your story made quite an impression on her.”

“So did you. That girl is falling in love with you.”

Cael froze. “What?”

Bart stopped walking too, and turned to look at Cael. “That bothers you?”

Cael wasn’t sure how to answer the question but managed a slight nod.

Bart shook his head. “Well, I may not have any super abilities but I know when I see two people falling in love.”

“I’m not in love with her.” The defiance in his voice was an ill attempt to convince himself. He started walking again and kicked another rock, sending it far out of sight.

“You keep telling yourself that, boy, but if you’re not careful, you might start believing it and then you’ll find yourself heartbroken, lonely, and sorry.”

Cael considered what Bart said. He didn’t want to fall in love with Addison, especially now, since he knew who she was. But he didn’t want to lose her either; it was complicated. Addison was like a magnet pulling him to her and he couldn’t break the force. She was all he thought about and since he knew he needed to protect her, the only way was to be around her as much as possible. Physical attraction would be difficult to ignore. Yes, it was very complicated indeed.

***

As was her usual habit, Darcy sang while she gathered up dirty dishes and glasses and wiped down tables. The lunch crowd had dwindled to two customers who sat at the bar.

Addie took off her apron, walked over to Darcy, and put her hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I had no right to tell you how to act with Tim. You’re my best friend. I was just concerned.”

Darcy turned and gave her a hug. “It’s okay, I forgive you. Friends have disagreements and they fight and make up. That’s what they do. That’s what
we
do.”

“Right. Good. Um … I know you’re going to say this is none of my business but if I don’t tell you this, and you find out later that I knew—you’ll never forgive me.”

“Okay, what?”

“Um … I think Tim is married.”

Darcy stood with the tray in her hand and Addie worried she might throw it, but Darcy sighed instead. “Jared put this idea into your head, didn’t he?”

“Yes, but I think he may be right. He saw Tim with a woman and a little boy in town.”

Darcy carried the tray to the bar and set it down, removed the dirty glasses, placed them on the counter, and turned to Addie, her eyes blazing. “Jared still thinks he owns me.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “He wants to get back together with me and I’m sure he’ll say anything to make it happen.”

“Maybe, but ...”

“Look, when I see Tim, I’ll ask him. Will you be satisfied then?”

The front door swung open and the wind sent a shiver through Addie’s bones as Chief Thompson and Lieutenant Whelan walked in.

“Hello, ladies,” Lieutenant Whelan said in his easy, southern drawl.

Darcy blushed and Addie rolled her eyes. Sometimes her friend seemed so fickle about men. Addie's concern over Darcy's feelings was pointless. She’d probably be in love with the lieutenant before the week ended.

Darcy took their orders and then joined Addie at the bar. “They found another dead woman last night—this time on the beach. Chief Thompson just told me and showed me her picture, wanted to know if I knew her.”

“Did you?”

“No, but, holy crap, Addie.”

“What?”

“She looked just like you!”

A cold chill shimmied down Addie’s spine.

As Darcy turned to walk away, Addie grabbed her arm. “What else did the chief say about the woman they found?”

“They really don’t have any clues about her identity yet, but they said they were checking missing person reports and stuff. Jeez, when they showed me the picture of the woman, Addie, I swear, if you hadn’t been standing here in the bar at that very moment, I would have ID’ed her as you. You should see the picture.”