One Soul in Two Bodies

Mr. C stayed at the brownstone until five or so that afternoon. I sat with him, rubbing his back and listening to him talk. Oddly enough, he spoke more about Helene than Alice.

I learned so much about her…how vivacious and lively she was, yet curious and bright.

Definitely suspicious to be sure…of how he's talking about this woman the day his sweetheart dies.

But my sympathy was still surprisingly strong. My mind was swirling in confusion.

"Will you be ok for the rest of tonight?" I asked Mr. C. As bad as I felt for leaving him in his time of need, I really needed to get him out of here in order to prepare for meeting Lamont at the Cobalt.

"Yeah…I'm going to be meeting up with Alice's parents. You have plans?" Mr. C asked.

"I'm going to be meeting with an old friend for dinner. We haven't seen each other in years and this is really the only time we can get together. But if you need me, I'm sure she'll understand…" I said, wrapping a finger around my fake blonde hair and was still feeling pretty bad for leaving him like this.

Mr. C, gentleman that he was, only gave a soft smile. "As long as you promise to spend tomorrow with me? I'll pick you up at noon and we'll go out to celebrate Alice's life."

I could handle that, I thought as I smiled. "I most certainly will. Thank you Mr. C. I'll admit that I'm feeling pretty bad for leaving you like this."

"Don't worry about it." He said, standing up and giving me the glass of water. "You have a good night with your friend."

Oh don't worry…I will. I thought as I walked him to the door and then back to my room.

Now let's see…I thought as I opened the heavy wardrobe doors and began digging through the clothes.

What would attract the attention of wealthy man about town Lamont Cranston?

The difficulty of this is that I barely knew anything about him. I knew he traveled extensively and served in the military. At least with Mr. C, I knew what to expect from him.

For some odd reason, a picture was forming in my head of the kind of woman Lamont Cranston liked.

Tall. Slender. Thick dark hair. Dresses with sophistication.

A name for this character came into my mind. Myra Reldon. Spent several years abroad, in particular Asia. Works with the government in Washington D.C. Well educated. Professional. Confident without being arrogant. Visiting a friend in New York.

I imagined her with long black hair, pinned back and up around her head.

Right away, I came upon a beautiful dress made of deep blue silk. It was sleeveless and fell to the ground with a slightly billowing skirt. It came with a matching overcoat that had long sleeves and was left open to reveal the dress. On the back of the overcoat was a phoenix arising in flight, sewn entirely in gold thread.

"That'll do it." I said aloud as I took the dress out and laid it on the bed.

Now let's see what I had in the makeup and jewelry department to work with this disguise. At least I knew for sure there was a black wig in my collection of disguises.

Lamont strolled into the Cobalt Club at precisely seven on the dot, Mother on his arm. He was feeling refreshed, he thought as he straightened out his nice suit. A short meditative spell in the Sanctum did wonders. Even the strange symptoms were gone. It would give him enough energy to get through dinner without feeling like he was going to collapse.

The waiter recognized him and waved him to the chair where the stocky police commissioner was sitting. "Lamont! You're on time…for once." He shouted before taking a swig of his drink.

"I would never miss dinner with you, Uncle Wainwright." Lamont said with a grin as he pulled out a chair for Mother.

I strolled into the Cobalt Club, feeling my open coat flowing out from behind me. "Yes, I have a reservation with Kitty Welles? She's running late." I said to the host with my most charming smile.

Thanks to my smile and not too modest neckline, the host smiled brightly and snapped up a couple of menus. "This way, Miss Reldon." He said, leading the way.

The live orchestra blared a jazz standard. Couples in fancy wear danced.

And there was my target. I thought as I sat down. I saw him sharing a table with Wainwright Barth, the Police Commissioner of New York, and Loretta Cranston on the other side of the dance floor.

Let's see…how am I going to get his attention? I thought, keeping my head up and pretending to overlook the menu…

Then I remembered something. How boys used to have the waiter send my favorite drinks to me in order to get my number.

Who's to say it wouldn't work?

But I didn't know what he liked. Frowning, I studied the waiter as he went up to Lamont's table.

Vodka Martini. Two Olives. Stirred. Pinch of black pepper in the glass. The concoction appeared in my mind. Well, it was worth a try. I thought as I waved a waiter over. I opened my purse and pulled out a nice big tip from the funds the Shadow had hidden in the brownstone. "Excuse me, sir. I would like to send the blonde-haired gentleman over there a drink…"

Lamont had barely had a chance to overlook the menu when the waiter returned with his favorite cocktail. "Thank you." He said, reaching up to place a tip on the man's tray when he realized that it wasn't the same waiter who had taken his order.

Maybe it was the wrong one. No. He thought as he saw the two olives floating in the vodka and a pinch of black pepper in the bottom.

Just as he liked it.

"The woman in the blue dress sends her regards." The waiter said, gesturing with his head across the way.

Lamont was turning his head. Here we go. I thought, taking a deep breath and giving a smile.

I'm Myra Reldon now.

Lamont felt his heart stop when he looked across the way and saw the beautiful woman sitting at the table across the way. Her long black hair was pinned up and back with a pair of golden hair pins decorated with deep blue gemstones, except for two bangs that surrounded her rounded face. Her pale skin stood against the deep blue silk dress and overcoat she was wearing. A black choker around her neck with a single pearl was her only jewelry. Her neckline wasn't too shocking but showed enough cleavage.

She smiled at him with deep blue eyes that seemed strangely familiar. As was the dress she was wearing…

Was it Marguerite? No, it couldn't be. He thought.

Marguerite was shy and soft-spoken. She wouldn't be caught dead in an outfit like that.

I kept my smile as Lamont walked my way. Here we go.

"I understand you sent me a drink." Lamont said.

The woman flashed her bright smile, making her blue eyes more attractive. "I hope it's too your liking." She says, her voice sounded a little congested.

"You bet it is, I'm Lamont Cranston." Lamont said.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cranston. I'm Myra Reldon." The woman said, standing up and offering her outstretched right hand at him. Lamont recognized the pearly white opal on her hand.

It was Marguerite!

Fighting back a smile, Lamont shook her hand, making sure to turn his hand so she could see the fiery red girasol on his hand. "You've picked a good time to be in New York, Ms. Reldon. Today was certainly a lovely day."

"Even if one forgets her umbrella." Marguerite returned the password with the smile still on her face.

"Would you like to join us for dinner?" Lamont asked.

She was here for some reason as she had used the code.

"I'd be honored to…that is if the people you're with don't mind." Marguerite said.

"They won't at all." Lamont said, offering his arm to her.

How was she able to fool not only me but you as well? Lamont asked the Shadow in his mind as he pulled out a chair for her to sit down at.

Seems she's able to cloud specific minds due to her skills as an actress. She becomes the character just as we become the darkness. We sensed her the first night at the Cobalt because she wasn't trying to cloud our minds, just Conway's. Once she learns the Tulku's actual mind-clouding technique, she'll be a force to be reckoned with. The Shadow responded. Lamont detected a hint of begrudging admiration in his voice.

Don't tell me you're impressed with her. Lamont bit back a laugh.

Only surprised. At least we know now how she tricked Conway as well as she did.

"…and there's Lamont with a ring of chocolate around his lips! He didn't get into trouble but had a bad stomach ache that night, which we considered punishment enough." Loretta Cranston laughed.

I couldn't help but laugh while poor Lamont blushed. "And I never did seem to learn my lesson." He said, mumbling. Despite their somewhat formal demeanor, Lamont's relatives had a sense of humor. I could sense the warm relationship between the three of them.

It reminded me so much of the one my parents and I had…just able to talk about anything and everything.

Don't think of him. I reminded myself as I took some tissues out of my handbag and blew my nose.

The mission is paramount.

"Why don't you tell us something about yourself, Miss Reldon?" Loretta asked.

I was ready. "I work in Washington and am here for a few days to visit a friend." I said.

"What do you do in Washington?" Lamont asked.

"I work for the Justice Department as a consultant." I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Really?" The Commissioner asked, sipping his wine. "Doing what?"

"The Far East is my specialty." I said. "I can't really talk very much about it but I spent several years over in China."

"Lamont spent time there during his world travels, didn't you Lamont?" Loretta asked as she turned to her son.

"A long time ago." Lamont said, a firm look going over his face. It was clear he didn't want to talk about it.

Did something bad happen to him while he was over there? I thought as I blew my nose again. I wondered how red it was as it was the third or fourth time I had to blow my nose that evening.

"Coming down with a cold?" Lamont asked as he rubbed his nose.

"Something like that." I said. "At least it's better than it was last night."

The band slowed down to a slow song; Sweet Leilani. "Since it's going to be a while before dinner gets here, do you want to dance, Myra?" Lamont asked, getting up and holding out his hand to me.

Perfect. Now we had a chance to talk. "I'd love to, Lamont." I said, taking his hand.

Of course it wasn't mere coincidence that the band chose that particular song. Lamont had subtly suggested it to the band leader's mind. Not only was it not a blaring standard, it was also a slow song they now had the opportunity to talk. Anybody seeing them close together would think it was a couple sharing a dance, maybe a sweet nothing or two.

Lamont held Marguerite's left hand with his right and put his other hand on her waist. Her other hand rested on his shoulder. She felt so warm up against him. A lump caught in his throat and he was unsure what to make of it. Their bodies were so close that they touched.

Marguerite looked so calm, but there was a soft flush in her cheeks.

Maybe he should let her know that he knows who she is. That'd be a great place to start. "You know, you look better as a brunette than a blonde, Kitty." He whispered in her ear.

She paused. "What gave it away?" Marguerite asked in a whisper.

"I've spent many years in the War and come across many spies." Lamont said. A lock of her black wig fell onto his hand. His fingers instinctively curled. He thought of her beautiful brown hair hiding beneath the black wig she was wearing. How he longed to run his fingers through them…

The mission, Cranston. The Shadow's voice echoed in his ears. Stay focused on the mission. "Why are you here?" He asked.

"To see you." Marguerite said. "Didn't think it would look good if Oscar Conway's new girl was on the arm of a different man." She whispered into his ear.

The way she said Conway's name convinced him of the seriousness of the matter. "What information do you have?" He asked.

"You heard about the murder of Alice Munroe?" She said. He nodded. "I'm convinced that he had something to do with her death."

"What evidence do you have?" Lamont asked, a shiver running up his back.

"Don't you think it's a little too coincidental that both Alice Munroe and Helene Conway died in home invasions gone wrong?" Marguerite asked. "Also doesn't help that he spoke more about his late wife than his new girlfriend who had just died. We're going out tomorrow to 'celebrate Alice's life, whatever that means.'"

That's interesting. Lamont thought. He'll send a note to Cardona, his contact in the police department, to send as many case notes to him as possible.

But…it still didn't surprise him as to why Conway spoke more about Helene. As they had formed the attachment, her death affected him greatly. Lamont had kept as close an eye on him as possible…but things still went horribly wrong.

The Shadow might not have had pity for his failed pupil…but Lamont Cranston felt terrible for his former friend.

How he wished he could do things differently…

A soft light appeared in Marguerite's face, but there was also a sense of confusion also visible. "You feel sympathy for him, don't you?" He asked.

"I don't know why I do, but I do." She said, tears threatening to form. He felt the familiar sense of loss, the one that she had hidden so well.

A primal emotion was filling him. One he couldn't describe. No…he could.

Desire.

Not for her body.

It was a desire to take her in his arms, kiss her forehead and tell her that he would protect her from Conway…

Keep a lid on it, Cranston. The Shadow warned. Don't let your heart get in the way of your head.

Taking a deep breath, she banished the thoughts away. "But do you think our friend will be interested?" She said. "I didn't have any way to get the information to him. Conway was at my house all day long, had to tell him I was meeting a friend for dinner in order to get away…"

"I'll make sure he gets it." Lamont said with a smile.

"Thank you." Marguerite smiled weakly as the song ended.

The rest of the evening passed quickly. I thought to myself. Once Lamont and I had exchanged information, there was really no reason for me to be there anymore.

But Loretta and Commissioner Barth wanted to hear more about Myra's travels…since they were kind enough to let me sit with them, I decided to oblige based on what little information she could give.

Lamont, on the other hand, was silent throughout the dinner, a thoughtful look in his deep blue eyes.

The more I studied him, the more I felt I was learning about him.

Behind the playboy veneer was a quiet and thoughtful soul. He kept his thoughts to himself but had a firm belief in humanity. He loved reading the classics like I did. His favorite color was red and he had developed a fondness for tea during his time overseas. He had few friends and loved ones but had a deep sense of loyalty to them.

They were very lucky to have him.

I would love to know him. I thought. Maybe…once this business with Conway's through…maybe we'll become friends.

"Thank you so much for dinner." I said once everything was finished. It was late and I wanted to get to bed. "Let me pay my share." I said, getting out my purse.

"Don't worry about it." Lamont said, signing the bill. "I consider it a great privilege, having dinner with a fellow adventurer."

"The pleasure of your company is enough." Loretta said warmly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cranston…" I said.

"Call me Loretta." She said, a bright light appearing in her blue eyes.

"Do you have a ride?" Lamont asked.

"No, I can get a cab. It's no trouble." I said.

"Let me walk you out then. It's how you can pay me back." Lamont said.

I thought for a moment. Well…he did pay my dinner. "Ok." I said before turning to shake hands with Loretta and Commissioner Barth. "It was wonderful to meet you both."

"Likewise, Myra. And please don't hesitate to drop by the next time you're in New York." Loretta said. Commissioner Barth nodded.

Lamont offered me his arm and escorted me outside. The August air outside was cool but still humid. The streets were alive with the activity of late night traffic. "It's cooled down." I said.

"Yes, it has." Lamont said turning to face me. There was a soft smile on his face. His hands ran through the tendrils of my wig. I wanted to feel him running his fingers through my actual hair.

He looked so inviting. So caring. So compassionate.

Lamont leaned in and kissed me. I could taste the vodka on his breath. My heart stopped and I felt my fingers rubbing his scalp.

Oh God…this was so different from the other kisses I've shared.

There was no passion. No excitement.

Until now.

After a second, it was over and he pulled away. He looked at me nervously as if unsure of what to think or feel.

To be honest, I felt the same way. I didn't know what had happened.

Why didn't I mind that he kissed me?

"Thank you for everything." I said, deciding to break the tension as a cab pulled up in front of the Cobalt Club.

"No, thank you." Lamont said as he opened the door to let me in. "Have a good night, Myra."

I smiled, glad he was keeping the charade up in case anyone was listening. "You too…Lamont."

Lamont watched Marguerite as her cab drove away. The comfortable swirl of emotions dissipated the further away she got from him, being replaced with an emptiness.

What's going on? He wondered, puzzled over the quick kiss they had shared. It's as if their minds were connected…

Cranston, you fool. The Shadow's eerie voice rang in his head. How could you not see it?

What are you talking about? Lamont asked the Shadow. What do you mean?

Use your imagination, Cranston.

His heart pounded as everything clicked together.

Oh God no…you can't mean…Lamont thought.

The symptoms of Marguerite's illness. How she knew he would be at dinner tonight here at the Cobalt. Her choice of disguise to get his attention and sending his favorite drink. Her feeling sympathy for the man who had ruined her life. Even hearing Annie's voice that morning and how good it felt to be dancing so close to her.

An attachment had been formed between them as a result of last night.

A bond that can never be broken. The Shadow said, clearly angered.

Like it or not, their souls were now intertwined forever.

A/N: Ok, I know their first kiss came pretty quick but hopefully the explanation I gave made sense. Besides...now the Shadow has extra reason to be nervous.