CHAPTER 12
When the three arrived back at Beth's, they were surprised to see Duncan McCloud sitting on the
front porch swing, enjoying the early fall evening. He'd had a chance to beat them there when
they stopped for take-out.
"Duncan .. what are you doing here?" Beth asked as she and Barkley climbed the steps.
"I thought I'd come by and see if Adam's things had arrived … but I see my trip was wasted." He
nodded to Methos and Richie as they walked up behind her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked as she opened the door. "We've got plenty … I think …" she
glanced over her shoulder at the other two men wondering if the large order they'd placed was
really going to be enough.
"Chinese … works for me." Duncan replied as he grinned at Richie's disappointment that not only
would he have to share the woman's attention with Methos … but now with Mac as well. He
pushed the door open further for her to go in.
Beth removed the large flower arrangement from the middle of the table and since Mac and
Richie had been there before, they made themselves at home by getting out the plates and
setting the table.
"I've still got that extra bottle of wine you brought for dinner the other week Duncan … I think it will
go with this." She took out three glasses, grabbing a bottled water for herself.
'I brought that for you Beth … not for these clowns." Duncan protested. "At least have a glass
with us."
"I know … and I appreciate it … but I've been a little light headed lately and water is fine for me."
She made an excuse … hoping he'd accept it.
While the others moved about the kitchen and dining area, Methos began to peruse the bookcase
and entertainment center. Most of the books he recognized as being those from the previous
owner … but there were a few additions. He found it odd though that there were no photos or
personal items … Joe had briefly explained she was a widow … but he had been half asleep and
hadn't been interested in the details … and Joe hadn't wanted to give any before he knew he
could ask Methos for help. Still … he expected some momentos … photos … something to
connect her with her past.
He began browsing her music collection, vaguely recognizing the names of various country artists
… Shenandoah … Tim McGraw … Vince Gill … Martina McBride … Allison Kraus .. nothing that
made him want to pop in a CD.
"I take it my musical library doesn't include a particular favorite?" Beth called out as she let
Richie hold her chair out for her.
Adam smiled politely and mouthed a low "not exactly."
Mac's eyes squinted as he laughed.
"I don't see any Mozart or Vivaldi, McCloud… and she seems to be lacking all of those wonderful
operas you are so fond of." Adam quipped as he strode to the table.
"Are you sure?" Richie joined in on the ribbing "I could have sworn I saw … " he paused for
effect and then popped the top of his forehead with the heel of his hand as he grinned at Beth.
"My mistake … that was OPRY … so easy to confuse the two."
Beth kicked his shin under the table. "More emphasis on the "Y" funny guy."
Everyone got a good laugh and the mood over dinner was light as Beth answered questions
about what it was like growing up in the south … living in the country. How she'd learned to bake
from some of the older ladies in the little country church she grew up in … how they shared their
secret recipes with her.
It was only after they'd finished dinner and had begun straightening up the dishes when Adam
asked the kind of direct questions Mac and Richie had been avoiding. "Forgive me if I'm missing
something … but it sounds like you had a good life … good friends … family … I know Joe
mentioned you were widowed … I don't understand why you would leave … why you've moved
across the country and away from the people you care about."
Beth's mouth went dry and the light that had been in her eyes shaded over. "I had to … " she
closed the dishwasher and wiped her hands on the dish towel hanging on the rack. "Uhm … will
you excuse me? I need to preheat the ovens in the big kitchen so I can get started on the
pastries … " she walked out quickly.
"What?" Methos was oblivious to why his question upset her. He was sorry it had … it hadn't
been his intention. Mac closed his eyes and was leaning against the refrigerator biting his bottom
lip and Richie glared at him like he wished he could tear him to pieces. "What?" he repeated as
Duncan shook his head and walked toward the living room.
"Richie … why don't you go … be with her … I need to talk to Methos."
Richie nodded and shot the older immortal a last glare before going into the shop kitchen to
check on Beth.
"What is going on?" Methos voice was low but urgent.
"Her husband was murdered. " Duncan began the story Beth had told them the week before.
Methos listened and when he heard why she'd had to leave her home and why she was forced to
start her life over, he felt badly for her. He knew all too well what it was like to have to pick up
and leave without looking back. It was painful … it was lonely …
"That's why Joe warned me about the sword." Methos leaned over and put his elbows on his
knees, hanging his head a moment before looking up. "Is that all she told you? Did she say
anything that would help us figure out if it was one of us?"
"It's what she didn't say that makes me the most suspicious." Mac replied. "She was reliving the
events of that night when she told us about it … and when she mentioned his sword … and how
she somehow managed to pick it up … she completely zoned out. And when she came back to
the moment … she broke off all detail and simply said the police arrived and he was in prison …"
"Maybe that's all there was to it." Methos replied. "I mean if this was one of us, I can't imagine
her surviving without help … a lot of it."
"I don't know." Mac crouched in front of the fireplace and lit the kindling between the logs. "When
she zoned out … it wasn't when she was describing how this animal cut her husband to ribbons.
No … there's something else going on … and I want you to help me find out what it is." He
turned and looked pointedly at Methos.
"I knew you had some reason for wanting me back in Seacouver … " Methos replied. "Are you
sure you don't just want to leave this alone? You know her better than I do … wouldn't it be
better to just help her forget?" He watched as Beth's dog Barkley lumbered over to McCloud and
laid down in front of the fire.
"She's not going to forget … and if it is one of us, you know how easy it would be for him to get
out of prison … once he figures out how to compromise the morgue. She said he had people
working with him … and had threatened to make her pay." Mac told him. "I don't want Him to get
the chance …"
"You are such a sucker for a pretty face you know that McCloud?"
"She's more than that and you know it. Beth's kind … and talented … and deserves to have a
chance at happiness. She doesn't deserve to have her nightmares come true." Duncan stabbed
at one of the logs with a poker as the fire caught, making sparks jump out from the grate. "And my
gut tells me this won't just go away … she needs our help … she needs to know she's safe."
"What makes you think she doesn't feel safe now?"
"Esperanza … the woman who works with her … she lives on the third floor." Duncan said,
wiping his hands on his jeans as he stood up. "Last week after Beth told us about her husband's
murder … I came by in the middle of the week to check on her and she looked really tired … and
made some excuse about not feeling well when I tried to cheer her up. Beth left Esperanza and I
in the shop and disappeared upstairs … Anyway … the older woman … she likes me …"
"Don't they all?" Methos retorted.
Duncan ignored him. "I didn't know how much Beth had told her so I just said I was concerned …
and Esperanza said she was too … that Beth had been feeling poorly … and the nightmares
didn't help. She said that hardly a night goes by that she doesn't hear her cry out for help … but
by the time she gets down to the 2nd floor … Beth won't open the door … just tells her she's sorry
she bothered her."
"Looks like I wouldn't be getting as much sleep as I thought if I had a room here after all." Methos
replied, walking to the fireplace and warming his hands.
"God Methos aren't you just a bit sorry for her?"
"Of course I'm sorry … but I don't know what I can do about the nightmares …" Methos replied
sharply and then his tone eased as he looked into the flames. "I'll break into the Watcher files
tonight when we get back to your place … you still have that computer don't you?"
Mac nodded.
"I'm going to go see how she is doing." Mac said as he stood up from the sofa and walked
toward the door to the shop kitchen.
"Are you sure you want to interrupt?"
"Someone should … Richie has no idea what he's running into … and he doesn't care"
"He's a big boy McCloud … he'll survive a broken heart." Methos commented.
"What makes you think she'll break it? You only just met her."
"You're right … what do I know?" Methos replied before sitting down on the rug beside Barkley
and scratching the big animal behind the ears as he let the fire bathe him in warmth.
When the three arrived back at Beth's, they were surprised to see Duncan McCloud sitting on the
front porch swing, enjoying the early fall evening. He'd had a chance to beat them there when
they stopped for take-out.
"Duncan .. what are you doing here?" Beth asked as she and Barkley climbed the steps.
"I thought I'd come by and see if Adam's things had arrived … but I see my trip was wasted." He
nodded to Methos and Richie as they walked up behind her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked as she opened the door. "We've got plenty … I think …" she
glanced over her shoulder at the other two men wondering if the large order they'd placed was
really going to be enough.
"Chinese … works for me." Duncan replied as he grinned at Richie's disappointment that not only
would he have to share the woman's attention with Methos … but now with Mac as well. He
pushed the door open further for her to go in.
Beth removed the large flower arrangement from the middle of the table and since Mac and
Richie had been there before, they made themselves at home by getting out the plates and
setting the table.
"I've still got that extra bottle of wine you brought for dinner the other week Duncan … I think it will
go with this." She took out three glasses, grabbing a bottled water for herself.
'I brought that for you Beth … not for these clowns." Duncan protested. "At least have a glass
with us."
"I know … and I appreciate it … but I've been a little light headed lately and water is fine for me."
She made an excuse … hoping he'd accept it.
While the others moved about the kitchen and dining area, Methos began to peruse the bookcase
and entertainment center. Most of the books he recognized as being those from the previous
owner … but there were a few additions. He found it odd though that there were no photos or
personal items … Joe had briefly explained she was a widow … but he had been half asleep and
hadn't been interested in the details … and Joe hadn't wanted to give any before he knew he
could ask Methos for help. Still … he expected some momentos … photos … something to
connect her with her past.
He began browsing her music collection, vaguely recognizing the names of various country artists
… Shenandoah … Tim McGraw … Vince Gill … Martina McBride … Allison Kraus .. nothing that
made him want to pop in a CD.
"I take it my musical library doesn't include a particular favorite?" Beth called out as she let
Richie hold her chair out for her.
Adam smiled politely and mouthed a low "not exactly."
Mac's eyes squinted as he laughed.
"I don't see any Mozart or Vivaldi, McCloud… and she seems to be lacking all of those wonderful
operas you are so fond of." Adam quipped as he strode to the table.
"Are you sure?" Richie joined in on the ribbing "I could have sworn I saw … " he paused for
effect and then popped the top of his forehead with the heel of his hand as he grinned at Beth.
"My mistake … that was OPRY … so easy to confuse the two."
Beth kicked his shin under the table. "More emphasis on the "Y" funny guy."
Everyone got a good laugh and the mood over dinner was light as Beth answered questions
about what it was like growing up in the south … living in the country. How she'd learned to bake
from some of the older ladies in the little country church she grew up in … how they shared their
secret recipes with her.
It was only after they'd finished dinner and had begun straightening up the dishes when Adam
asked the kind of direct questions Mac and Richie had been avoiding. "Forgive me if I'm missing
something … but it sounds like you had a good life … good friends … family … I know Joe
mentioned you were widowed … I don't understand why you would leave … why you've moved
across the country and away from the people you care about."
Beth's mouth went dry and the light that had been in her eyes shaded over. "I had to … " she
closed the dishwasher and wiped her hands on the dish towel hanging on the rack. "Uhm … will
you excuse me? I need to preheat the ovens in the big kitchen so I can get started on the
pastries … " she walked out quickly.
"What?" Methos was oblivious to why his question upset her. He was sorry it had … it hadn't
been his intention. Mac closed his eyes and was leaning against the refrigerator biting his bottom
lip and Richie glared at him like he wished he could tear him to pieces. "What?" he repeated as
Duncan shook his head and walked toward the living room.
"Richie … why don't you go … be with her … I need to talk to Methos."
Richie nodded and shot the older immortal a last glare before going into the shop kitchen to
check on Beth.
"What is going on?" Methos voice was low but urgent.
"Her husband was murdered. " Duncan began the story Beth had told them the week before.
Methos listened and when he heard why she'd had to leave her home and why she was forced to
start her life over, he felt badly for her. He knew all too well what it was like to have to pick up
and leave without looking back. It was painful … it was lonely …
"That's why Joe warned me about the sword." Methos leaned over and put his elbows on his
knees, hanging his head a moment before looking up. "Is that all she told you? Did she say
anything that would help us figure out if it was one of us?"
"It's what she didn't say that makes me the most suspicious." Mac replied. "She was reliving the
events of that night when she told us about it … and when she mentioned his sword … and how
she somehow managed to pick it up … she completely zoned out. And when she came back to
the moment … she broke off all detail and simply said the police arrived and he was in prison …"
"Maybe that's all there was to it." Methos replied. "I mean if this was one of us, I can't imagine
her surviving without help … a lot of it."
"I don't know." Mac crouched in front of the fireplace and lit the kindling between the logs. "When
she zoned out … it wasn't when she was describing how this animal cut her husband to ribbons.
No … there's something else going on … and I want you to help me find out what it is." He
turned and looked pointedly at Methos.
"I knew you had some reason for wanting me back in Seacouver … " Methos replied. "Are you
sure you don't just want to leave this alone? You know her better than I do … wouldn't it be
better to just help her forget?" He watched as Beth's dog Barkley lumbered over to McCloud and
laid down in front of the fire.
"She's not going to forget … and if it is one of us, you know how easy it would be for him to get
out of prison … once he figures out how to compromise the morgue. She said he had people
working with him … and had threatened to make her pay." Mac told him. "I don't want Him to get
the chance …"
"You are such a sucker for a pretty face you know that McCloud?"
"She's more than that and you know it. Beth's kind … and talented … and deserves to have a
chance at happiness. She doesn't deserve to have her nightmares come true." Duncan stabbed
at one of the logs with a poker as the fire caught, making sparks jump out from the grate. "And my
gut tells me this won't just go away … she needs our help … she needs to know she's safe."
"What makes you think she doesn't feel safe now?"
"Esperanza … the woman who works with her … she lives on the third floor." Duncan said,
wiping his hands on his jeans as he stood up. "Last week after Beth told us about her husband's
murder … I came by in the middle of the week to check on her and she looked really tired … and
made some excuse about not feeling well when I tried to cheer her up. Beth left Esperanza and I
in the shop and disappeared upstairs … Anyway … the older woman … she likes me …"
"Don't they all?" Methos retorted.
Duncan ignored him. "I didn't know how much Beth had told her so I just said I was concerned …
and Esperanza said she was too … that Beth had been feeling poorly … and the nightmares
didn't help. She said that hardly a night goes by that she doesn't hear her cry out for help … but
by the time she gets down to the 2nd floor … Beth won't open the door … just tells her she's sorry
she bothered her."
"Looks like I wouldn't be getting as much sleep as I thought if I had a room here after all." Methos
replied, walking to the fireplace and warming his hands.
"God Methos aren't you just a bit sorry for her?"
"Of course I'm sorry … but I don't know what I can do about the nightmares …" Methos replied
sharply and then his tone eased as he looked into the flames. "I'll break into the Watcher files
tonight when we get back to your place … you still have that computer don't you?"
Mac nodded.
"I'm going to go see how she is doing." Mac said as he stood up from the sofa and walked
toward the door to the shop kitchen.
"Are you sure you want to interrupt?"
"Someone should … Richie has no idea what he's running into … and he doesn't care"
"He's a big boy McCloud … he'll survive a broken heart." Methos commented.
"What makes you think she'll break it? You only just met her."
"You're right … what do I know?" Methos replied before sitting down on the rug beside Barkley
and scratching the big animal behind the ears as he let the fire bathe him in warmth.