Ch 65
At the Collins mansion, there was a knock at the door. Daniel moved to answer it, his mother got there first. She opened the door to see the Sheriff of Collisport standing there. He tipped his hat. "Evenen Mrs. Collins, come ta tell ya yer husband's in the hospital. Apparently he was at Maggie's place and someone beat the livin snot outta him. Maggie took a shot and was knocked out and didn see what happened, but yer husband, well he ain't got no broken bones, but he's bruised up all over pretty bad, both eyes are swelled shut and he's got a couple goose eggs on his head. Lots of big bruises all over'im and his nads are the size of grapefruits, might lose'em an his weiner from the crushing damage. Know of anyone who had somethin against'im?"
"No," she said in shock.
"Well thought ya'd wanna know, he's in the hospital doc says he's delirious. After a beatin like that, I kin see why. Doc says he ain't goin no where fer a while. Have a good night, Ma'am."
.
The sheriff was relaxing in his easy chair at home watching the news. He had to smile at China attempting to talk peace after the shit they caused.
"I found Mr. Mason, though that wasn't his real name." the disembodied voice said.
"Didn't break any bones, did you, and he's still alive?" the sheriff asked.
"That's right, not a single bone is broken. I followed your orders. His not feeling very good though."
"Served him right."
"So, can I become visible for a while now?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You know why."
A giggle. "I can't help it if you get a horny attack."
"You're a seductress."
"I am what I am."
"That's why I keep you invisible and on a very tight rein."
"Why did you take me to begin with? You knew what I am!"
"I know you can be useful."
"Not very, OK so I got to beat a guy withing an inch of his life, once in what, the last thirty years?"
The sheriff stretched. "That is being useful. You also find herds of wild pigs for me."
"You don't let me play, you won't give me any satisfaction, I do nothing most of the time, WHAT GOOD AM I TO YOU?"
"Simple, you can't coax others into misbehaving if I have you."
"Sure you're not gay?"
"Nope, not happy at all."
"I promise I'll make you rich if you just pass me on."
"I'm already rich."
"ugh!"
The Sheriff grinned.
.
John was happy to see Cameron an Delilah exit the terminal gate. Cameron grew a look of relief and ran over to hug him close. No words, she just clung tight to him. Delilah came over and kissed him, getting a hug.
"Something happen?" he asked.
"No more war," Cameron whispered.
Delilah nodded. "We taught those terminators then led them on their first mission. Never again," Delilah told him.
"Good," John replied. "Let's go home."
They went and got the luggage and headed for the car, Cameron holding tight to John's arm. Once they were out in the car, Cameron leaned on John and said, "I felt like I was on the wrong side."
"How do you mean?" he asked.
"John, we had to attack human troops. This time, it was me leading terminators to slaughter humans. It felt like ... I was a Sky Net slave again," Cameron said softly.
John hugged her. "You weren't and you never will be again. All of that is over."
John drove home holding Cameron's hand. Not only for comfort, he wanted to feel if it started itching. He told her about the latest developments, including JJ and Peggy being happily married.
.
All the kids were eagerly awaiting their Moms. John opened the door and let Cameron and Delilah go first. They were mobbed by the kids with hugs and 'Welcome home's. Cameron found the opportunity to clap a hand on JJ and Peggy's shoulders.
"You two!" Cameron said in a firm voice and a blank face.
They gaped at her and swallowed.
Cameron them hugged them both and said, "Be good to each other. Congratulations."
"Thank you!" Peggy swooned and hugged Cameron back.
"Thanks, Mom," JJ added and hugged her.
"You're not done yet!" Delilah announced. she took her turn to hug them close and wish them the best.
JJ was so relieved they weren't angry.
Cameron turned to Joan. "I understand you're on a football team now?"
"Yes!" Joan cheered. "Me and Allison. We have to graduate first, but after graduation, we go sign our contacts, get our real uniforms and and be on the team. Bob's a boy so he can't be on the team with us, he still has to figure out what he's going to do after graduation. He's thinking about it though, he knows I won't marry a bum."
That made Cameron smile. "Good for you."
"Louise, Jackie? No Earth shattering news from either of you?" Delilah asked.
Louise shrugged. "I had fun at music camp."
"I had fun with Dad going to Maine," Jackie offered. She then jumped between JJ and Peggy, wrapped an arm round each, and with a big smile of mischievousness announced, "And Peggy said she'd share!"
"WHAT!" JJ and Peggy cried as they stared at her.
Jackie giggled her head off. John felt a bit of relief as he realized she was just clowning around.
.
The end of summer was here and school was starting again. One thing John and his wives agreed on was JJ and Peggy were going to have an official wedding ceremony right after they graduated. During registering for school, Bob found out they had after school computer classes though a college. They even had one for professional photography and video taking. He signed up for it. The class ran after normal school hours. It was an official course, so he had to do these studies at school. The practicals he could do anywhere with a camera or video camera, but he had to turn them in to get credit.
Joan wasn't left out of after school studies either. Hers was memory work, learning the different plays Austin used by number. Mrs. Hughes went over them with her after regular classes. That was fine, it gave her something to study while Bob was doing his 'Art elective'.
The first part of Bob's elective was all photography. It did explain how to look for colors and contrast that made good pictures, and showed examples of how 'ordinary' scenes could be captured to make stunning photos. After these lessons, Bob began to notice things. The light and shadow on Joan's face from the way the sun was shining on her. Passing by the furniture factory, a worker pausing and leaning on the side of a truck in his work. The halo of hair around Allison's head when he was looking at her shaded side.
For his first practical that week he had to take pictures one of a person, and one of a building. The instructions were to take a few pictures of each, and submit his best two. With each photo, he was to do a write up on why he selected each picture.
Not knowing when a photo op would present itself, he carried his camera everywhere now. Mostly, he focused on Joan. Whenever his mother went out, he went with her, not just to help carry groceries, but look for photo ops. They were headed for the sheriff's office and he saw a good one. The sheriff was outside in a chair, slouched down, hat covering his eyes and the sunlight was perfect.
"Mom, stop!" he cried.
What?" she asked, looking around.
"I got a perfect shot!," he said.
Carol huffed and pulled over to the side. Bob got out and ran back, then out onto the road. There, the shadows and light were perfect! He waited until a car went by, then got his shot. He moved over closer to the other side of the road and took another shot, then went back to the car and got in. "Thanks Mom."
"For your photography class?" she asked.
"Yeah, the light and shadow on the sheriff was perfect!"
"My boy's going to be a paparazzi," Carol said in a huff and got back on the road.
Later when they got home, Bob went out to the dock and looked around for a good shot. He saw Joan jump on her way over. He was too slow to get it. This angle, the way the sun played off her was great!
She surfaced again near the dock. "Hey Bob!" she greeted.
"Joan, please got back out and jump again," he asked. "I want to get a picture of it."
She grinned. "OK."
This time he was ready. Joan came up out of the water, he timed it so she was at the top of her jump and snapped the shot. He looked at this shot on the screen.
"Did you get it?" she asked as she came up by the dock.
"Yeah, come look," he said eagerly. She jumped up to sit beside him. He squatted down and showed her.
"See, the sun was reflecting off your wet body, making it look like you were covered in diamonds."
"That is cool," Joan agreed.
"I got a couple of the sheriff too. He said and showed her.
Joan looked and asked, "Who's that by the sheriff?"
Bob looked at the picture again. "There's no one else in the shot."
"Yes there is." Joan insisted. "See here, someone is squatting by his chair. See the outline?"
Bob looked and he didn't see anything. "That might be a reflection, maybe sunlight on the lens. I don't see anything."
Joan shrugged. Maybe it was just her more sensitive eyes picking up some sunlight the camera caught, but the shape did look like a transparent person with wings squatting next to him. She could even make out the arms over her knees and her head resting on her arms like she was bored. She watched Bob flip back and forth between the pictures. Whoever that was there, it wasn't sunlight, the sunlight shifted between pictures, she didn't.
"Well, I still think they are good shots," Bob said.
"They are, no doubt about it," Joan assured him. She was also wondering who could become transparent like that.
Joan got her tail off and pulled out the baggie with a light shirt and shorts in it. Instead of buttoning her shirt up, she just tied it. This time she was more-or less dressed going with Bob in the house. She was still barefoot, but that was fine.
Bob had to download the pictures into the computer at school. He did show his mother the shots, and a few others he took.
"You've got some nice shots, Bob," Carol said.
"Yeah, going and coming from school, I can see more but the bus don't stop," he grumbled.
"Maybe Mom will let me borrow her car," Joan offered. "I can drive you to and from, and if you see a good shot, I'll stop so you can take it. Other seniors drive to school."
.
After serious consideration, and a lecture on being careful, Cameron let Joan use her purple Jeep to drive Bob to school. Of course she also knew Allison was going to at least get rides home as well. Cameron also knew that after this school year, Joan might need to do a lot of driving.
Cameron talked to John about another subject he cringed at. Joan getting her own car. Opinions differed. Cameron was for getting something late modeled, a car a couple years old, but still in good shape. Delilah was for finding a good sturdy classic car that would not fold around Joan if she had an accident. John was for going to the local car dealer to see what they had.
After a few weeks of accident free driving (and watching her) They brought the idea up to Joan separately. Joan sat down to listen to three different opinions.
Cameron insisted Joan needed a trouble-free car so she had no worries.
John wanted her to pick out what she wanted down at the dealership, then have the garage look it over before she bought it.
Delilah insisted she needed a car like Christine. That or a road version of the EV-2.
Joan understood their reasoning. She also knew a newer car was more money. So was an antique like Christine, unless she could find a car that was self-repairing. The best option her her mind, was Dad's suggestion, pick out a car she liked and have it checked out to be sure it was solid before she bought it. Since Allison would probably be riding with her, she wanted Allison's take on it also.
Joan, Bob and Allison called to let their parents now, then visited the car dealer in town. At first they cruised through the lot looking. Joan stopped, seeing a potential vehicle. "Let's check that one out," she said pointing at a newer Ford Bronco. "It's newer like Mom One wants, full truck frame so it's sturdier like Mom Two wants, and it's local, like Dad wants. Plus, it looks good."
They all got out and looked it over. A salesman immediately came over to assist them. As they inspected it, the salesman provided information on the vehicle. Bob took a picture of it. It was four wheel drive, and the interior looked good. Under the hood, and underneath,Bob noted a little rust, nothing major. The brakes looked OK, the tires were fair. Joan guess about half- used on the tread. They started it up, it sounded OK. Joan was still concerned about the sticker price and salesman also insisted the garage had already looked at it. It was safe to drive.
"Dad says a garage had to check it out before we can buy it," Joan told the man.
"The safety inspection sticker is right here, see?" the man said.
"That's not a mechanical quality sticker," Allison said. "That is what we're concerned with."
"Yes, we want to be sure we're not going to have a break down on the highway," Joan added.
"Why don't you take it for a drive?" the salesman suggested.
"We can listen to it run then," Bob agreed.
The salesman got the key, they all climbed in. Joan drove down the road. "Hear that?" she asked
Allison nodded. "It's coming from the right front wheel."
"I don't hear anything," the salesman said. "Drives nice, doesn't it?"
"It has a slight pull to the right," Joan noted.
"That's nothing to worry about," the Salesman assured her.
"Joe's can tell us that," Joan replied.
Allison got on her phone. "Yes, it's Allison Young. We're looking at a car, there is a near-rumbling noise from the right front tire and it's pulling a little to the right ... OK, thank you." She hung up and said, "Joe's says it's most likely a wheel bearing. Fords are notorious for that. It's a $300 dollar job to replace it. He also said once one starts to go, the others usually follow suit."
"So that's $1200 in repairs," Joan said. She pulled into a dirt lot and turned around.
"Hang on, stop and turn all the lights on," Bob said. She stopped, he got out and looked at the car as he walked round it. He had her put the high beams on, then the flashers, then the turn signals. " He got back in 'OK, lights are good."
The salesman was surprised these kids were scrutinizing a potential first-car. Usually teenagers saw what they liked, and even if it was blowing smoke, they'd take it. Not this bunch.
Joan returned to the lot. She called Mom One and told her about it. Cameron promised they would be down to look it over. Joan told the salesman her mother would be by, thanked him for his time then they piled back unto the purple jeep and left.
.
Cameron came down later and looked the Bronco over. To the salesman's surprise, she lifted it up and spun each wheel by hand scrutinizing each wheel. The then let it drop and bounce. "Replace the wheel bearings, shocks and brakes, and we'll take it."
"Ma'am, those aren't bad," the salesman insisted.
"Then take $2500 dollars off the price." Cameron stated.
"Hold on." he went into the office then came back out. "The most we can reduce the price is $1500."
"Then we'll look elsewhere," Cameron said.
"Hold on." He ran back inside again. This time when he came out the owner, Travis was with him.
"How are you today, Mrs. Connor?" Travis asked.
"Depends. Are you willing to come down $2500 dollars on the price of that Bronco?"
Travis thought for a moment then asked, Will you buy it today?"
"Yes, if you lower the price."
"Done!" he said.
"I'll give you my bank card, make the ownership out to Joan Connor. If you would, drive it down to Joe's to get some work done."
A half hour later, the Bronco was at Joe's to get new wheel bearings, brakes and struts. Joe also gave her a deal on the work, since the Connors were good customers. He only charged $1900.
.
There were two basic plays in football, run and pass. Every play was a run play, or a pass play. Joan was finding out that there were 26 variations of the run play and 37 variations of the pass play. Reading though them, she found many of the variations were designed to trick the opposition into thinking the ball was someplace it was not, or hiding where it was. Other were designed to make a hole in the defense so the runner could get through. Joan tried to visualize each as she studied them. Joan had a good memory. Many plays were so close together, it was hard to remember which one was which.
The click of a camera got her attention. She looked up from her desk and grinned. "Hey Bob."
"You looked so deep in concentration, I had to take that shot," he told her. "Oh, the picture of your jump in the lake, I got a B- on it. The grader said the light level was a little too low."
"Picky, aren't they." Joan noted.
"Yeah. I had an 8X10 made of it any way, I think it's a cool shot. The one of the sheriff's office I got an B+ on. And yeah, they said there was some sun reflecting on the lens, but I didn't see any," He explained. "How are your studies coming?"
"Slow. I can't remember if I'm remembering these right," Joan said in a huff.
"Want to quiz you on them?"
Joan nodded.
It was after school, they had the classroom to themselves. Bob sat in front of Joan, turned around to face her. He took the booklet and said, "Play 20."
Joan replied, "Shotgun start, left receiver long, right receiver short and angle towards the middle."
"Play 21."
"Shotgun start, short pass to right. 22 is short pass to left."
"Play 15."
Joan thought, then said, "Normal start, fake pass to left receiver, run to the right."
Bob looked at booklet, then said, "Play 32"
"Normal start, quick pass to right, right receiver passes to left receiver."
"I'd say you're getting these down," Bob noted.
Joan frowned. "When I'm looking at them, they kinda all look the same and I forget what number they are."
"Maybe you're studying too hard?" he asked.
"Mr. Tanner are your studies done?" Mr. Nader asked as he came in.
Bob got up. "They are for the day, I was helping Joan."
"Commendable. I have to lock the classroom now."
Joan got up. "I'm done for a while anyway." she offered. She collected her things and they left.
"Bye, Mr. Nader." Joan and Bob called to him.
"Have a good night," he replied.
Gong outside to the parking lot, Joan noticed the sheriff's car. The sheriff was standing in front of it with binoculars. Standing on the hood was the invisible woman. Joan wandered over to them. Bob was beside her, looking for a photo op. Joan studied the invisible woman. She was real pretty from what Joan could see. She was naked, a rope like tail hung down from the top of the crack in her butt, like it was an extension of her spine, to end in a spade that was even with the back of her knees. She also had wings. Not like a bird, more like bat type wings. They were big too. Attached from her shoulder blades down to about mid back, the middle joints were above her head, then ends down by her ankles.
"Hey Sheriff, looking for something?" Bob asked.
The sheriff kept scanning the horizon as he said, "Yup. Heard tell there are more pigs about."
Joan was focused on the woman. She got closer and tapped the woman's foot. The woman snapped her head down to look at Joan in shock, Joan waved.
"We going to have another pig hunt?" Bob asked.
"Might be. You kids were staying late at school?" the sheriff asked.
"Yeah, we both had extra studies. Joan's studying her football stuff, I'm studying photography and video so I can be a cameraman, hopefully."
The woman crouched down and put a finger to her lips. There was a big smile on her face. Joan returned it.
"Best of luck to ya," The sheriff offered.
"What are you?" Joan asked.
The woman face planted.
"Excuse me?" Bob and the sheriff asked as they turned to Joan.
Joan giggled. "Not you, the invisible woman here," she said, indicating the hood.
"Joan, there's no one there," Bob told her.
"Yes there is, you just can't see her." Joan insisted.
"Have you been studying too much? Bob asked.
"No, she's right here!" Joan replied. She turned back and the woman was gone. "Where's she go?" Joan looked around and didn't see her.
The sheriff chuckled. "You made us look. Nice trick."
"It's no trick, she was here," Joan insisted. "I tapped her on the foot to get her attention!"
Bob eyed Joan. "Ahh, hon, we should probably leave the sheriff to what he was doing," he said and extended a hand to her.
Joan took it saying, "Bob, she really was here!"
Bob told the sheriff, "If you find pigs, we'll help get rid of them. Right now we should get home."
"Have a good day," the sheriff said and went back to scrutinizing the landscape.
Leading Joan to the car, Bob asked, "Did you have to mess with the sheriff?"
"Bob, I'm not playing a joke, that woman really was there!"
She was so insistent, Bob had to ask, "Then why did you see her and no one else did?"
"I can see in spectrums you can't. I'm a cyborg, remember?" Joan said flatly. "It's the same one I saw sitting by the sheriff then you took his picture."
"Yeah, that's true. So why would an invisible woman be hanging around the sheriff?" he asked.
"I don't know, I didn't have time to ask her."
"So, she's a ghost?"
"No, when I tapped her foot, I felt it. She's solid, you just can't see her." Joan explained. "I don't know what she is, that's why I asked her."
"Maybe she's protecting him?" Bob offered.
"Yeah, could be."
They got in the car. Bob said, "Joan, you probably shouldn't tell anyone else you saw her. They might think you're crazy or something."
Joan let out a huff and started the car.
.
The sheriff looked around to make sure no one else was close by, then asked, "How did she see you?"
"That girl isn't human. She looked right at me and tapped my foot."
The sheriff thought about it. Yes, cyborgs had a different vision that humans. "If you see her again, hide."
"You don't want her thought of as crazy?"
"I'll have to restrict you even further so she won't see you again," he said in a musing tone.
"Why? What harm does it do if she can see me?"
The sheriff decided if there were any pigs around, they weren't here. He walked beside the car and opened the back door. "In, lay on the seat."
"I can't even fly back?"
"Nope, someone might see you."
"Oh come on! That girl left!"
"There's a whole family of cyborgs that could see you. In." He waited until he saw the seat depress then shut the door. He got in the driver's seat.
"You know, if you command me to be visible and project a human form, then I'll be able to be seen, and no one will question you."
"Too risky," the sheriff replied.
"You really are an asshole!"
"Yup."
The sheriff was very concerned now that someone knew about his captive demon. To do anything to Joan not only wasn't right, but he was sure dire consequences would follow. He knew she was going off to be a football player at the end of the school year. Still he had to figure out how to keep her quiet about what she knew.
.
John saw in the news, the 'South China sea' war was all but over. China agreed to follow International law and give up it's claim to sole rights to the South and East China seas. Although not happy about it, China also gave up Taiwan as part of China, so Taiwan was recognized as an independent nation. In exchange, the US gave the island it conquered back to China, and India withdrew from the 500 miles it had pushed into eastern China. Russia did insist, and the UN agreed that Mongolia was not part of China, and kept 45000 peace keeping troops there to ensure it was Mongolia law followed there and Mongolian cultures and language were respected.
Although the CCP still ruled China, the ones in charge were all new. The previous ones that were still alive had a much smaller role in the party. The world was seeing China as a war monger, if they wanted to survive and stay in power, the party knew they had to change that. If they wanted to do anything outside of China as far as trade or negotiations to fix their ruined economy, they had to cooperate. It burned hot in their asses, but otherwise China was looking at a total collapse and the end of the CCP.
Just when John was sure things were settling down and trouble was over, he got a call from Barnabas. Roger Collins had died of a combination of injuries and infection. His widow was in terrible shape. He 'strongly' asked John for help. No one was taking the responsibility for Roger's finances, and Barnabas didn't trust the jackal lawyers hounding Mrs, Collins to take care of things for her.
John knew Delilah was much better at book keeping than he was. Barnabas agreed to come down and speak with her. He wanted to come down and see Victoria anyway.
Right after that call, there was a knock in the door. John answered it to see the sheriff standing there.
The sheriff said, "I got problem I was hoping you can help me with."
"Come in, sit down. What can I do for you, sheriff?" John said.
The sheriff follow John over to sit in a chair across from him. He hesitated, then said, "You daughter Joan saw something she wasn't suppose to see."
Peggy and JJ were coming through with a bag of met to go feed the alligator. John called, "JJ! Where's Joan?"
"Last I knew, swimming with Jackie... and their friends."
"If you see her, tell her I need to see her."
"K Dad."
John waited till they passed through then asked, "What did Joan see?"
"Do you believe in demons, John?" the sheriff asked.
John shrugged. "We had to cure someone from being a vampire, so, why not?"
"I have possession of one. It's held here by a tallisman. In this case, it's an amulet. It's a succubus, a sex demon, and is very adept at getting people into trouble. I keep a tight rein on it and up until now, I managed to keep anyone from knowing about it. Your daughter Joan saw it. If people find out about it ... I have to leave."
"I don't think Joan will say anything if you ask her not to," John told him. "Question though, can't you get rid of it?"
The sheriff let out a huff. "If someone grabs the amulet, then she is bound to them, that's how I got it. This thing is very seductive. Not only sexual wise, but merely by talking to someone, she can get them to do anything she wants. If I break the amulet, she's free. I can't let that happen. There is no way to destroy her. She is very, very old."
"So, you keep her as contained as possible."
"Yes. Like I said anyone who grabs that amulet, she is bound to, so if the wrong person finds out about her and manages to grab it, she will cause mischief and harm."
"Damn," John said softly. "I can see your concern. You're not afraid, holding onto this thing?"
"She can't harm people directly by her own will, but indirectly or ordered to by the one who has her amulet, she can do great harm," the sheriff explained.
"She's extremely dangerous and indestructible."
"Yes."
"I won't say a word to anyone, and I will make sure Joan doesn't either," John promised. "Can you, I don't know, lock her in a safe or something?"
"She can teleport out of it. She'd done it several times. Even being in control of her, is not being in total control."
Hearing a loud squeal, John jumped up and ran outside to see what was happening. All the kids by the dock where looking off to the side. There was a splash and the squealing stopped.
JJ pointed and called up, "Dad, an alligator got a pig. several more ran away."
John waved in acknowledgment. He went back to the porch to see the sheriff had come out too. "Looks like we got more pigs around. Gator snapped one up."
"Had a feeling they were back, just didn't know where." the sheriff said.
"Hunting party to drive them into the lake?" John asked. "It will cut out the middle man."
"'Have at it. I'm for anything to get rid of them."
Seeing Joan wasn't back yet, John said, "Don't worry, sheriff, I'll make sure Joan doesn't say a word about ... your problem."
"Thank you, Mr. Connor."
.
