Faith in the Dark, Chapter 5



Three weeks later

Twenty-two days had gone by and the shadow did not make an appearance in Davey's room. The disappointed boy gave up his nightly vigil after eight nights of waiting up past his bedtime. He placated himself with thoughts of building his tree house and questioned his mother for details about his father.

Ann kept her own vigil and almost wished the shadow would return. She wished for anything that would help Davey mourn the loss of his father. Now that he was old enough to really miss his dad, Davey was quiet and a little sad sometimes at softball games. He watched his teammates with their fathers and, it was obvious to Ann, that her little boy was feeling "left out" of the magical father/son bond. It tore at her heart but she knew he would learn to accept his loss as he grew up.

Ann's mother-in-law made the shipping arrangements for the tree house kit. Sylvia Douglas lived near the storage center in Portland and insisted on helping out her grandson. The center promised to send it out within fourteen days. Now, Ann waited anxiously for the delivery truck to arrive. Davey had been coaxed out of the house earlier in the morning to attend his half-day camp at the local church. She did not want him to miss out on the social interaction of camp to stand around waiting for the UPS truck. Ann glanced at the kitchen wall clock again. 10:35. She turned away from the kitchen window and decided that in the hour or so she had to herself before picking up Davey, she would pick out a short, strong tree that could hold a tree house.

Miranda and Declan had taken turns checking the Douglas house for any signs of the shadow or for a clue as to why it had disappeared. Like its sudden appearance in Davey's room, the shadow's abrupt departure proved to be just as mysterious and there were no clues to explain either event. Peggy visited Ann and Davey twice over the past three weeks and was satisfied that they were doing well despite the circumstances.

Declan rapidly navigated the busy hospital corridors heading for Peggy's office. Today, he planned on conducting his afternoon anthropology lecture and then goes to the Douglas house. He hoped that the tree house kit had arrived. Declan smiled imagining Davey's excitement at seeing the kit. He stopped abruptly at Peggy's door and knocked. His friend opened the door with a smile and stepped back to let him enter. Declan headed toward the office sofa and stopped in shock. Elliot Cauldfield lay across the plush sofa with a curious look aimed at Declan. The writer raised himself up and stood with a hand extended toward Peggy's hesitant friend. He was taller than expected and carried his slim, 6'3" frame with confidence. His brown skin and strong features blended handsomely and contributed to his popularity in the literary circles. A recent local magazine listed him as one of Oregon's top ten eligible bachelors.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. Declan, right?"

Declan shook the offered hand and brushed aside the awkwardness that swept the air in the office. "That's right. Good to meet you too…Elliott. I'm sorry to interrupt. I was hoping to have a quick word with Peggy." He turned toward her. "I'll call you later."

Elliott moved to stand next to Peggy. "Hey, don't leave on my account. You guys go ahead and talk. Peg and I are having a quick bite in the cafeteria." He placed an arm around her shoulders and looked at her thoughtfully. "I'll meet you down there. Take your time. Why don't you join us when you're done, Declan? Peg has told me about your work and adventures." Elliott smiled. "Fascinating stuff. I'd like to hear more."

Declan stared a Peggy for several moments. She was smiling at him and obviously feeling the strain of this weird and unexpected meeting. "Maybe next time. I only have a few minutes to spare this morning. I won't keep Peggy long."

Elliot walked toward the door. "Okay then…well, see you around. Peg, I'll sit in your favorite section."

She grinned at him, "I'll be right down. Thanks, Elliott"

He waved at her and headed toward the elevators. Declan leaned against the desk and folded his arms. He saw a wave of anxiety cross Peggy's features but she stared right back at him and waited.

"Peggy…If I had known Cauldfield was here I wouldn't have barged in like this. I tried to call you last night but…"

"I was out. I didn't get back early enough to call you back."

"Oh. It's not a big deal. I just wanted to let you know that Miranda and I are going out to see Ann and Davey later. I thought maybe we could all go and then grab dinner together tonight."

Peggy smiled and walked around her desk. She picked up her purse and spoke as she headed for the office door. "That sounds good but I can only meet you guys for dinner I have a late patient today. I'll call you at Ann's and let you know when I'm finished." Turning back to look at him, she was slightly taken aback by the weary look her friend displayed. Suddenly feeling apologetic, Peggy walked back into her office. "Declan, I'm sorry I have to run like this. Elliott is going out of town later tonight and we agreed to a quick early lunch today."

Declan lifted himself from the desk and stood with her in the center of the room. He leaned closer and struggled with the impulse to question her about her whereabouts last night. Sleep eluded him for most of the early morning hours. His thoughts of Peggy and Elliott tossed and turned him until the alarm clock signaled yet another sleepless night of worry. ::What the hell am I doing ?:: Declan chastised himself.

"It's okay. You don't owe me an apology, Peg. I just…wanted to invite you out with us tonight. Look, you better go to the cafeteria. He's waiting for you."

She started to speak but her mouth closed on her words. They were staring into each other's eyes without even realizing that they were hanging on to every word spoken between them. With effort, Peggy nodded and turned to leave. "Yes, I'm going. I'll see you later. Declan." Then she left quickly before she allowed herself to question what was happening with their friendship. Everything seemed strained and escaping brought some temporary comfort.

Declan slipped out of her office several seconds later and reluctantly left the hospital.



Later

Miranda surveyed the back perimeter of Ann Douglas' house. She and Declan agreed that despite the shadow's disappearance, they should continue the occasional inspection of the property until the tree house was built. Miranda wandered the yard enjoying the sun's descent and approaching twilight. She walked past the kitchen window and saw Declan and Ann scrutinizing the tree house blueprints. A friend's mother was due to arrive with Davey before dark after two hours of video games at the local arcade. Miranda smiled with thoughts of the little boy's excitement. She then busied herself examining the shadows that fell against the house. Many of the shapes were familiar to her and she looked any unusual images. Her eyes skimmed the ground as well. Feeling satisfied that there were no changes; she stretched lazily where she stood and took a deep breath of the honeysuckle scented air. Suddenly, a different shadow fell across the side of the house. Miranda squinted at the image that grew quickly before her eyes. The dark shape was suddenly larger, wider and…closer. She gasped when she realized that the shadow looked almost exactly like the image that had appeared in Davey's room.

"Ma'am?"

Miranda lurched forward and away from the deep voice. Without looking behind her, she scurried blindly toward the front of the house. Fear prevented her from seeing the garden hose in her path. Miranda tripped and landed flat on her chest. She rolled hastily to her side and into a small bed of petunias. Two large hands were suddenly gripping her shoulders and pulling her up. Her vision cleared as her head was moved from the thicket of flowers. Miranda screamed. The glare of the setting sun blinded her and made it impossible to see who or what was holding her. Angry, she tried kicking out and wrenching away from the strong grip.

"Miranda! Hey, let her go!" Declan yelled as he and Ann came running toward her.

"Wait!" Ann was pulling Declan's arm. "That's a friend of mine." They both reached for Miranda, who was now attempting to wiggle out of her captor's grasp. Declan yanked her away from the tall man who practically shoved the struggling girl toward him. The man stepped back with an angry scowl on his dark features.

"Ben! What happened?" Ann was by his side looking up at him.

"I wish I knew. She ran across the yard when I spoke to her. Then, she fell." He was looking at Miranda panting and holding on to Declan who held her protectively against him. "I went to her. She hit that ground hard so I thought she was hurt. Next thing I know, she was screaming and trying to maim me."

Ann cast a concerned eye over Miranda. "Are you alright?"

Miranda nodded as she released her grip on Declan and brushed dirt and grass from her jeans and shirt. "He was sneaking up behind me. I saw …a huge shadow on the side of the house…" She pointed accusingly at Ann's friend. "His shadow looks just like the one from Davey's room. That's why I ran. I think we have some questions for this…guy…whoever you are."

"This is Ben Tall Deer. We teach at the same school. I asked him to stop by today because he's a good carpenter when he's not teaching science." Ann smiled at him. "I guess you now how serious this whole shadow business turned out."

Ben's scowl melted away under Ann's gaze. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. The waning sun cast a shine on his short, black hair. Living up to his name, he was tall with a broad chest and shoulders that tapered to a firm waist. His hairless face was creased with approaching middle age and time spent in the sun. He smiled back at his friend with dark, mischievous eyes. "I see you didn't take my advice about that. So, these are the 'psychic investigators' you told me about?"

"No. We're not psychic in any way. I'm Declan Dunn and this is my friend and partner, Miranda."

Ben shook Declan's hand and gave Miranda a nod. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to what you were doing around Ann's house."

"Let's talk inside. My neighbors are about to 'mosey on over' any minute to ask questions." Ann headed back to the house with Ben.

Declan gave Miranda a questioning look. "Did you think the shadow was alive?" He grinned at her angry glare. "I thought someone was out here trying to kill you. You're so jumpy lately. Jeez, Miranda, he doesn't even look like a shadow."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Oh yeah, well let me tell you something, his shadow does look like the one that was in Davey's room. I'm not kidding. We need to find out more about Mr.Tall Dear."

Declan started walking with her back toward the front door. "Okay, okay. We don't know anything about him yet. He may be involved. Who knows what evil lurks in this quiet suburban yard? ONLY THE SHADOW KNOWS…."

"Grow up already!" Miranda stalked ahead of him and out of earshot of his low, maniacal laughter.