Hanging by a Moment
- Ascension
Chapter Five
Author: Jen
Authors note: Hi folks, I'm back not sure what you will make of this though, but its part of what I've been aiming for & I'm also aiming for a proper cliff-hanger if I ever get that length!
Done once more in flashback, please read & enjoy.
MAJOR ANGST N/S & G/C
Plus I'm trying to get all the characters at same point, there is a lot more to come & I've left you hanging as this was meant to be end of last chapter but its to big anyway, so its now a chapter in its own right.
Only one further thing, out with we end up right back at end of first chapter here so you are warned plus this story was not worth writing if main character did not come through, so I hope I live up to expectations! & this will open a whole can of worms in a new way, for there is more than one bad guy for Gil got v.close but not enough. Anyway that's giving too much away.
Please read & enjoy there is something in here!!!
As his thoughts came to the present the palm of his hand for a moment resting on the document and all it enclosed; before his hand moved reaching for the spare copy of the missing person file carefully putting the two together - he did not file them away though.
Instead he sat the documents at his right hand side of his desk where they had been; and the place where they would remain for years to come…. until the day they would be lain out of sight away from the eagle eye of a brown eyed boy…..
As he now heard a familiar rap at his office door.
He looked up away from his desk and all that lay on it as Catherine made her way over to him; the red long hair cascading forward, capturing those delicate features. His eye also taking in at the same time his colleague's dress which was as ever formal but elegant; and what she wore at this moment only seemed to intensify her beauty.
However, it was the look across those features at this moment that brought an ache to his heart; as Catherine took the seat across from him, the small hand linking with his. Tears shone in those blue ocean eyes; the emotions clear and he could see the smile that was also trying to tug across her features.
With Catherine's gaze falling to the document which lay at his right hand side. The hand in his tightening its grip as he now clasped that hand to his. Aware of what news she was about to break to him; as his gaze followed Catherine's.
For it was something which would bring both joy and pain to them; and the person whose file he was looking at was now a father. As there voice rang out as one in the same moment; voicing the name of the women who had meant most to Nicky Stokes:
'Sara'
-
Sara Sidle's dark starlight eyes slowly opened for a moment feeling her self again beginning to drift. Her dark eyes closing once more; taking her again to that warm dream. As she felt once more at that moment what had woken her the first time from her dream; a re-assuring kick as her dark intelligent eyes opened fully.
Her hand gently passing over the bump as she drew a breath feeling the live there; the warm dream now gone as she fully awakened to this reality; where the man she loved was not here and that the only place he now lived. Was in her memories; and dreams…..
As she felt the live within her again stir, answering an unspoken call; as her gaze now slowly began to adjust to her surroundings. The cosy room was in a half light; with this being the central point in this small homely two bedroom house.
With the living area and couch she lay upon, being the focal point in this open main room; the two bedrooms and bathroom ad-joining it by the hall, its door lying to her direct left, and through the door a little to her right. Was the kitchen where she could hear Warrick working, doing the last finishing touches to this place; her new home.
Plus what she could not see something that helped make this place her own; directly behind her was the dining table with chairs and in front of her was the mantle piece, her gaze looking at the photograph's there before moving to the TV which was switched off, the mini- Hi-fi beside it.
With her CD's and those of Nick's as her gaze drifted to the books on the shelves beside the TV. Her crime novels from her old apartment were there and among them were Nick's law books and his Britannica collection and what had been in these months one of hardest things to do; the one thing that she held back from, and what she had done after that trip to Dallas.
The seeing to his apartment; where along with Catherine and Warrick, she had carefully and painfully went through each of his possessions and belongings; in the place which had become her second home. Returning what she thought appropriate to his family and Nick's mother in Dallas. A women; who was now dead.
As her thoughts now trailed shifting direction to all, that trip her only trip to Dallas had wrought upon her. What she had known would come, the links to Nick's late father and Matthew Garrett all somehow justifying that he could be nothing other than dead – the one thing she could not accept; as her thoughts slid to his family feeling the baby again stir within her.
His five sisters and Ryan a person who she did not trust and who Nick had barely talked off; yet she had seen with her own eye that day, months ago something other than the anger and emotion which he had vented on them…..
….The look of regret which had been in those dark brown eyes, for the brother he had never been close to - the person she loved the individual still missing; and that Nick's family were left with the same knowledge she was….
With the pain of that being something which had only grown; with this little live which lay ripe beneath her own heart being all that had seen her through, what had given her the strength to go on and the increased feeling of guilt and responsibility.
That she would be bringing this child; this live which beat beneath her own heart into the world without him and the ache in her heart that he would never see this live; the seed of there love grow……
…..as her gaze shifted her thoughts with it, as her gaze drifted to the mantle piece; to the picture there, a picture taken not long after her arrival in Las Vegas. With it being the picture she had found on the last day of her work.
Before her maternity leave; and that for the last months of her pregnancy she had been resigned to the labs taking that time also to go through the cases….
Anything they had done together and anything which might have his hand-writing or notes and where she had come across this find; for she had barely, any photos of them together. The picture itself tucked at the back of an old file; and that it encircled everything they meant to each other.
As her gaze rested on the photo - it was the one, where Nick was reaching up to grab her hand as her dark eyes for a moment closed; holding the memory of him, the warmth of his touch upon her and his love which had surrounded her. Before slowly she opened her dark eyes gaining strength in that moment; as her gaze moved from the photo.
To why she had picked this place her gaze taking in the view from the large window, a window which gave grace to the room. With this house being in some ways similar to Nick's old apartment and far bigger than what her, own apartment had been - the apartment which she had returned to for a short time after moving from Catherine's.
Before finding this place and that she could not help feel that Nick would have liked it here; with the southern Las Vegas suburban sprawl opening before her and out in the distance, where the sun had already set.
The mountains stood out rising heaven ward in the early evening light, the purple haze tingeing them as her dark intelligent gaze looked for a long moment; at the first lone star which shone bright in the early evening sky….
….Her dark eyes shifting back at that to the mountains and to all that they had meant to Nick as she felt the baby again kick, as if in response to her thoughts. A smile coming across her features and that his love was not gone from her, it lay here as she began to sing a little, something she had thought impossible after that day almost nine full months earlier….
….The baby again giving a light kick as she shifted on the sofa; sleep again beginning to wane at her as she sung one special song, her hand resting where it had been. Her thoughts drifting once more back to Nick; as she felt tears spring into her eyes, for the man who was not here at her side and that if he were dead….
That all they had shed light upon; made it all the harder to bare, and of the question she knew this child, his son would one day ask. The question that she herself; could not answer…
….. For to do so would be to relent that he was gone from her completely that his heart no longer beat and for the sake of this baby, there child she could not give up. For it was the love which Nick had encompassed her with; and belonged only with him and lay here beneath her heart.
As her thoughts merged as one; to all this investigation in his name had disclosed and where it had lead…..that it would not have been what either of them would have wanted; and that all she could do, was bring this baby, her son up to know…...
The vulnerable strong man who had filled every chasm of her live and who she had loved from the depths of her heart and soul; in the way he had her. As her gaze drifted at that moment to the photo's she had received in return from his family in Dallas.
With photo's being something that Nick had; had few off. As her dark eyes glanced at the images and this baby; there son would grow in every way to know the father…..the live which had helped forge this life which lay here at this moment….
……Beneath her heart as the last notes of a song so special to her filled the room; and his love, something untouchable and eternal like the stars in the evening sky, lay forever in her heart.
Her dark eyes for a moment closing at that thought….
Before opening taking in all that was around her the room neatly laid out and along with the photo's on the mantle piece; Nick's college trophies, his baseball bat and other no less important items were here and further through, out of view, his fawn jerkin jacket, mobile phone and wallet had been put safely past.
Possessions that had been on him in those last moments she had seen him; as she now slowly rose from the sofa, her breath again catching and that it had been an easy pregnancy.
With the sleep, she had been, denied; in those first months being what in these last days of her pregnancy, what she had succumbed to… her gaze again taking in at that this room her thoughts moving also….
To the different ways that her; live had been changed and the part the man who she loved and forever would had played a part in; and who was not here to share this with her and that it was here….
…..She would bring this baby, there child, which lay yet safe and protected within her womb up. The live which, depended on her; as she felt the baby turn within her, her breath catching in that moment. As her dark star-light, eyes once more looked at the photo, which took pride of place, memories for a moment flooding her as a tear slid down her cheek.
Her gaze staying there as a voice cut across her thoughts:
'You ok Sara?'
The concerned voice returning her to the present; as she now slowly tore herself away from the photo giving, Warrick a half smile; aware of when Nick had asked her that same question. In a different way on a day long ago, her thoughts returning to then as she felt the live stir once more.
Pain jolting through her at that moment as she now bit her lower lip. Feeling blood as she did so as Warrick now took her hand. The gesture one of friendship and support as she now tightened her grip of his hand.
Her breath again coming in sharply, with the baby sending her one message, that her time had come; as she glanced once more around her ignoring the clear look of concern across her colleague's features and that Warrick had been here in the way she knew Nick would have been.
Warrick taking to it as any would be father would have; and that his friendship had been something in these months she had been thankful for and deep down she knew the true reason for all Warrick had done for her. That his friendship with Nick had not only been one of competition; that they had been like brothers to one another.
As she now slowly took a breath her dark eyes closing in that moment her thoughts changing…
Remembering those words of Nick's on the day he had been, taken from her and those words. Which had come from deep within that heart and soul of his were the words that she had never been given the chance to tell him…..as she now opened her dark starlight eyes focusing on all that was happening within her.
Pushing back at that moment the tears which for a moment threatened to overwhelm her with, Warrick's heartfelt words now piercing her thoughts but no longer registering.
As she now lifted her, head her gaze for a moment returning to the photo and the look in the warm brown eyes of the man she loved….and that he could not be here to go through this with her to share this moment, to have the protection and safety, which came only with his touch….his love. All he had given her.
As she once more felt; the biting pain sear through her ….
For a moment more drawing breath; feeling the live within her, stir in a way that it had never done before…. and that it was in this moment. She could not help but wish he were here to share this….
….For that strong, gentle hand to once more link into hers; to feel the warmth of his touch, the look in those intense brown eyes as she now held back the cry, which yielded unbounded from her heart and soul what broke her heart.
That the man she loved was not here…
Live is but a moment…
It is an unforgiving land and where to this day. The Indians still rule. The landscape powerful and majestic to look at, divided by its unyielding prairie land to its east and to its west, are where sky meets mountain; and the land is one – it is the 'treasured state'.
The last cowboys settled in it. Its rivers run clear and free; from the Rocky Mountains high above, the golden eagles made this ancient land there home and it is, said the snow covered mountains answer; only to the golden eagles call….
For it is, where only the strongest survive and where live its-self is re-borne…
Lance Craig's foot hit the exhilarator; he smiled as his gaze went to the passenger seat of the black Toyota, cash lay there. It was no small amount. As he now stubbed out the cigarette, his thoughts descending.
He had been the middle man in this; and that this was something he had done time and again for the kill, the pay and for the kick it gave him in knowing the suffering he created and that, this hit - what he was doing now; had an altogether different slant to it.
For it had - been carefully planned both the before and afterwards that there had been no margin for error; and what had been all important, striking at the optimum moment, the timing at every stage crucial and that it involved risk…
….With that being the further reason; why his two associates had hired him and only him. For he had experience on both sides of the law, he played the system, his working knowledge was something sought by the best; and that he knew exactly how to cover his tracks - something he was doing now at this moment.
For he had left the bright light's of Las Vegas, one of his main hunting grounds; far behind, getting rid also of the last evidence linking either him or his main associate to the crime scene. At the Nevada, border passing through on into Idaho as he did so before, reaching Montana, where he was now in the early hours of this November morning where darkness covered his every passage.
As his finger tapped the wheel his other hand putting on the radio; his thoughts turning back to where they had been to the current contents of the trunk of this Toyota; and that his main associate the one who had committed the deed itself and the man paying him…
…..Had employed him for one further reason as he looked at what also lay on the passenger seat. Something which would be left; with the victim who lay at this moment in the trunk of this Toyota as he looked once more at the everyday object sitting beside the cash.
For it was the further part he had seen to and something only between him and his main associate. The man who had overseen every detail and it was something he him self had done with precision. For it was out with one other point.
The riskiest part for he had tampered with social security twining it and that and that it had been done for a greater purpose….
A purpose that his other associate was not aware of an individual who like him originally, was from Dallas and that he was the man who had wanted the victim dead - Matthew Garrett….
….Someone who he himself did not trust and that he had been the person deliberately and cunningly – kept in the dark to this part of it and the further fact which went with it, that he a man of power had more importantly been there decoy- there facade.
With Matthew Garrett being at the scene itself for a short time; his main associate keeping it that way for reason and what he him self had never questioned how his two associates who were linked by the law knew each other….
As his gaze took in the last lights of civilization in the darkness, the road beginning to spiral the mountains, which defined this remote part of Montana, glistened in the moonlight. His destination was near.
His hand switching back of the radio as he looked once more at the jagged mountain peaks, which reflected the moonlight. His destination after this lay beyond that continental divide- Canada and that Garrett a man he barely knew, might still get his way…
That the victim might; not make it.
….And though he him-self; could have finished the job something which he could have done - without hesitation it was not what he was being paid for; and that this time he was not only in it for the kill as his gaze switched again.
To the passenger seat and that the cash which lay there, cash which like every other hit, fed a habit, a bad habit; one which would eventually, some years later lead to his death….
As his cool handsome features turning serious his thoughts progressing; for it had taken every inch of his medical skill, something he did not lack either. To keep the victim alive and that the scene left behind in Las Vegas, had something further left at it.
Something which would toy those who arrived at it and that the victim; someone who his main associate had wanted to inflict as much damage upon and still keep alive, had one further wound….
His thoughts turning and that he had not come to this remote part of Montana, near Jennings for no reason, for it was something he had checked out and made sure off over a week earlier; and that his main associate knew the risk and was banking on it working…...
…And that he Lance Craig did not care either way, for it would no longer involve him and if the victim died, now then so be it. He had done his part to proficiency; and that he was the link in the chain. Which would never even years later - be found out.
As his speed slowed his gaze, looking back in the rear view mirror to those last lights of civilization which could be seen. He smiled cunningly, as he now switched of the engine - taking the gloves, which sat also on the passenger seat back on.
Picking up now what lay beside the cash he tucked it quickly in his jacket pocket as he turned breathing in the cold mountain air, his gaze taking in the snow, which covered the mountains in the far distance, and that he could just begin to see.
The first taint of the light of day on the horizon as he now shut the door. His gaze again looking at the road, which would lead him away from this isolated spot on his return. His gaze turning at that to his watch before looking up seeing his reflection on the windows of the Toyota, as his pace now quickened and that this was the riskiest part ….
As he now opened the trunk, his dark eyes not resting long as he gave the contents the once over; before lifting the dead weight, his gaze coming again to look at his reflection which played of the windows, in the decreasing darkness.
His gait cat like as he now picked his way forward; looking for the well trodden path, which in the little light could be seen clearly as his dark eyes fell no longer looking in either direction his pace growing surer in that moment…..
The only thing he noted was that the ground was lightly snow covered in places, thickets of grass stood out from it. As he now slowed, his bearings certain as his gaze now lifted seeing what lay ahead.
Not far off a burn lay frozen over, the Rocky Mountains rose away from it; and a little closer to him a stump of a tree stood isolated in the growing light. He gave it a second glance as he now came to a stop in this arbour.
Looking at what lay a little of the path, it was a natural impediment a shallow grave in the dark earth, as he now discarded the weight. For a moment, he stood there looking at the still form; before he took what had been in his pocket out, he placed it under the cold right hand as he did so.
As he now paused for a moment in the act hearing his own breathing in the crystal cold air before his thoughts changed. His right hand quickly discarding what covered the deep wounds. Seeing blood also in that moment but he paid no heed to it, as he once more quickly glanced around him.
There were no sounds or any sign's of live in this forlorn spot; nothing to give him away and that it was something which he knew would change and the underlying fact something vital; that his main associate wanted the victim to continue to suffer…..
As Lance Craig slowly, drew himself up to his full height his thoughts co-coordinating his actions, as he put the last signs of any wrong doings into his pocket before tentatively looking around him as his gaze once more dropped to where it had been.
Looking at the live-less still form at his feet his thoughts coming together for a moment; as the arbour maintained resurrect silence, in answer to him as his gaze stayed where it was for a moment more.
Feeling almost pity as his thoughts re-adjusted and what he could not see; but should have seen was the vultures above, which watched his every move…
As he now moved swiftly away from the scene, he did not once look back…
The snow covered mountains rose sharply in the near distance; the arbour an enclave onto those Rocky Mountains was deathly quite. The only sound to be heard was the vultures high above. They watched intently; over the still form which lay unmoving there. The rising sun hit the mountains.
Dawn light at that moment etched across the arbour; blood trickled onto the dark earth. The live was hanging by a moment; as the vultures above began to descend. Death lay near and the live which clung onto the last shreds of life. Lay far from where; that live itself had been sown…..
The dawn light increased.
Gently warming the arbour the live lay clinging marooned in the chasm between live and death as the vultures now swooped closer. Picking there moment and it was also at that moment a different sound trailed forth, filling the arbour…
It was an eerily familiar sound; it stopped the vulture's descent in that moment …
The two Labradors - continued to bark in unison.
There sounds echoed loudly round them in the arbour; as they now ran joyfully ahead of there master.
An individual who was for now, not paying any attention to them for it was neither co-incidence nor chance, which brought Ewan Scott Carnahan onto the beaten path, he was now walking.
His pace for his fifty-five years smooth; as he looked at the terrain under foot and that this path was one that he had walked every day at this hour, for the last five years, since he and his wife had moved to this lonely outcrop of Montana.
With Montana being the place where he had chosen to spend the twilight of his profession; and this foyer, which lay at the crest of Snowshoe peak was miles from the New York, landscape where his profession and live had begun.
Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty being the landmarks of his childhood and that his profession, what he was best at had taken him miles from New York where he and his wife of thirty years had made there mark:
With them upping sticks leaving New York behind.
Bringing his career full circle in the process with New York where he had started out being one of the three large main cities he had resided in over the last two decades and it was furthermore pivotal….to how Lance Craig's main associate knew him…
As Ewan Carnahan's pace now slowed, he did not look up though his gaze still downward deep in thought and that it was here in Montana that he had found his feet – that he had left the rat race far behind.
His by the book but somewhat liberal methods paying off and that his profession, his way of live was something he had never done for the money or the stature that automatically came with his career….
The satisfaction coming from elsewhere and the scene which lay ahead of him now was about to test his professional integrity and knowledge - to its limit. As his dark blue eyes - took in the two Labradors who lay some distance from him.
There barking stopped as his gaze was temporarily, drawn elsewhere to what had caught his eye. The vultures in the sky above for a moment more, his gaze rested on them, foreboding creeping through him.
As he now without looking briefly called on the two Labradors:
'Bailey'
'Tess'
There was a whine in response to those words. The feeling inside him grew, the Labradors not moving from where they lay as his pace now quickened. The dawn light bringing the ground underfoot sharply into focus as he now came within distance of the two Labradors.
Whose gaze for a second came briefly onto his questioningly before switching back residentially and it was at that moment; he came to a dead stop. The scene itself more fitting any large city slum backdrop; than this secluded part of Montana.
As he now fully took in what his eye was seeing: the body lay, face down a yard from him, unmoving and unaware - and what he was registering. The athletic type clothing, the blue sweatshirt looking out of place, the colour bright in these surroundings, as he now moved edgily closer.
One of the Labradors barking in response, as he now looked at what was for now the only other thing drawing his attention. Something planted under the right hand obvious - as he now gingerly lifted it from its place.
For a moment, he again looked at the unmoving form the feeling of foreboding gone, as he now flipped the cheap wallet open looking at its contents - what little there was and this object. Would be all he would find on the individual before him - as he now looked at the fresh crisp one-dollar the only cash in the wallet….
He took it out placing it in his own pocket. As he now looked at the only other thing in the wallet. With there being no drivers license, nothing with an address, no credit or debit cards nor any photos and nothing that you would normally expect….
Instead, there was one thing alone…..a social security card he looked at the details on it; as his gaze slid back to the body and something which was shining at this moment in the light, a silver ring.
On the middle finger of the right hand and that, this official card in his hand at this moment would feed him all the details he would need and the further discrepancies, which were - within those details.
Would only annul the two….
As he looked, again at the silver ring, his thoughts merging his dark blue eyes now drifting and that the figure at his feet was an individual in there early to mid thirties, as he now seen what he had failed to spot.
Something which he had been looking for - moreover as he now carefully drew closer putting the wallet into his pocket for; safe keeping and at the same time not touching the mobile phone which was also in his pocket.
As he seen the trickle of blood which ran slowly from the left wrist; he examined the wound for a second. There was a tan mark as though a watch had been on the wrist; and what was obvious, for he had seen this type of wound often enough. That it had been, caused by shared glass.
His own hand now quickly reaching for the soft cotton of the sweater as he now turned the unconscious form over; taking in the handsome features of the ashen face and the dried in blood matted, in the short brown hair. There was none on the face as he pushed back the brown hair at the left temple….
For a moment, his actions stopped at that as he gazed at those further wounds.
Which were far more severe and critical than that of the wrist, which was its-self, infected looking as he looked - closer. At the two gashes deep in the left temple and the fact, none of these wounds was fresh that they were a day old…
….With the gashes being deep more than likely to have been caused; by what he could judge to be something sharp like the claw end of a hammer and what his own conclusion at this moment was that the severity of these wounds - would be irreparable….
His features turning serious at that taking in the stillness of the live which lay unconscious as his foot aware also of the blood loss there had been; something still evident. As he now carefully opened the eye. It was; dilated. His skills at last coming to the fore in that moment as he now searched for a pulse, finding it weak and slow.
He frowned, his thoughts diminishing and re-focusing as his gaze went to the two Labradors who continued to look his way as though trying to answer something for him and that the man at his foot, lay near death.
Something which may yet still claim this live his thoughts now completely focused; and that he had known with foreknowledge…what he would find on this path, on this November morning for it was; something he could have turned his back on, for another - even on this forlorn spot to find…
….And that, he could not turn a blind eye for it was for a greater far darker purpose - what he was doing now and that the live-less form at his foot was in worse shape than he could ever have imagined...
As his gaze for a moment went back to where it had been earlier but the vultures were no longer there; instead a little distance from him. He heard a brief sharp fierce cry, as he looked to his side.
To the stump of the tree, which was a little distance from him a lone golden eagle was perched there watching him and the other unusual thing, that it had not disturbed the Labradors, which lay close….
For a long moment, his gaze rested their, on the eagle as the golden eye now looked directly into his at that moment…
He did not move the meditative gaze stayed on him, before the eagle rose, flying heaven ward from its perch. His gaze moved in tandem, a different feeling crossing his thoughts that it had been a mirage for only his eye to see, as he now looked at the form at his foot….
Connecting the two in that moment his thoughts re-adjusting and that there was far less risk involved than what one Lance Craig knew; for it was his purpose in this, the part expected off him…
….For it was connected to an old acquaintance of his; and something even years later into his retirement when questioned by a Las Vegas CSI that - he would keep a lid on that fact and that the figure at his foot, would remain unaware, of that also…
With the social security card and wallet being the means to that end – and something, which would later work in not only his favor and that his part was inter-grail. It would seal fate and it was something for the time being, he would get away with…
As he looked one, last time at the figure at his foot.
Making a split second decision in that moment; one that would have far reaching consequences for the live which he was about to save and for the man, the Texan who would remain in, his care…
…Until the fall of the following year with the Texan making, his own way after that and he would do everything in his power to heal the damage which was already done with this backward part of Montana and the small one, barrel town; his clinic was at the heart off and lay a little behind him at this moment.
Being where his patient a man who he and his wife would grow to understand, would slowly recover and re-cooperate….and that the trauma from the wounds in front of him now, was per-meant with what little his patient would eventually remember would only, merge fate….
…. with there being no connection ever made in the laid back, Montana community, that his patient would find him self in; too a missing Las Vegas CSI of the same name nor to a major controversial case in Dallas and that the Texan would by diplomacy. Fall of any record kept with him looping any inquisitive neighbors; in the same way, he would the local authorities into how the Dallas borne Texan came into his care…
As he now carefully bound the slit wrist stopping the bleeding as he done so, his dark blue eyes now giving the two precise defining gashes at the left temple, a more than worried glance and that it had been the frontal lobe where the detrimental damage was extensive…as he now at last made an explicit move.
Aware that time was running out on him if he were in any way to help this lone vulnerable form at his foot and the one thing he himself would question…
That maybe it would have been better all round - had his patient not lived …
His gaze at that once more sweeping the arbour as his thoughts now personified for he was the decisive link and his other certainty at this moment…that his acutance wanted this live, the man who lay before him now to turn up eventually - elsewhere….
Dallas – Texas
He turned the corner the October mid-morning Dallas sun beat down on his shoulders as his brown eyes lifted. Taking in all that was around him as he now took a long breath, looking for a familiar landmark on this street, it was there.
For a moment he stood on worn pavement looking at it, what was before him, the street sloped gently, and a disused church was at the end small and old. Running away from it was residential housing modern next to it, with this side of the street - where he stood.
Had an every day mall and next to it was a small café and up from it was what his brown eyes were now focused on; two flags stood adjacent; they were still his brown soft eyes looked at the latter of the two. It was the flag for this state - Texas as he now touched the cool metal of the ring on his right hand as he gazed at the lone star on that flag.
His gaze now shifting to the stars and stripes of the American flag his features turned serious his thoughts subsiding in that moment and that those flags stood outside an official building as he now picked up his pace.
Passing the flags and the official building as he did so before he turned to his left to face the quant café; he had been here before it had been a place he had liked, as he now pushed the baseball hat further down on his head as he looked at his image on the glass of the door.
As he now slowly and hesitantly entered the café. The morning rush was past all eyes had lifted on his entrance. As he now stood for a moment awkwardly at the door his gaze sweeping the customers, who were now going back to what they had been doing.
It was the usual small brand of individuals for this type of café… and he had not moved. One customers gaze was still on him. A red head with shoulder length hair; whose ocean blue eyes were looking directly into his. Her attire immaculate to her surroundings and that she radiated even at this moment old style beauty…
His brown eyes stayed on her taking in the woman's professional look and manner and that she seemed somehow different to the rest of the costumers; and that she was a stranger to him….
…… A stranger amongst a sea of strangers that had brought him here to the south side of Dallas and what he did not know that the women before him know was about to change his live. As the redhead now smiled at him, it was the type of smile - which could light up any room.
As someone now nudged him pushing him forward a little, as he again came to a stop, the blue eyes staying on him also. There gaze meeting for the first with, the blue eyes searching him in the way he was her, - and what his thoughts were telling him. That the redhead was either waiting or expecting someone to enter this café and that she was the sort of person; you would not want to pick a fight with….
….Something which though he did not know it. He was about to do real, well. As he now turned missing as he did so. The look in those ocean blue eyes - which would have confirmed his every thought and that it, was him that the women had been expecting…
He stepped forward to the counter taking the rucksack of his back; a pretty brunette waitress - in her mid twenties walked forward as he now placed his order his brown eyes darted as, the brunette smiled trying to catch his eye he ignored the look.
Instead, he looked downward to the floor as he now heard the waitress speak to him; his brown eyes now lifting slowly, his hand reaching at the same time into his jeans pocket, for his wallet.
It was at that moment; he felt the light touch on his shoulder he turned a little too quickly finding himself face to face with the redhead. Who was now sending him a concerned glance, her hand was still on his shoulder as the woman now smiled taking things into her own hands:
'I'll get that Nicky'
There was a momentary pause, confusion swept through him, as his thoughts forced him to act; he stepped back away from the women as he put the rucksack back on his shoulder. The concern in the blue eyes heightened as he now found his voice, it was harsh:
'It's just Nick'
There gaze met again as the confusion across his features remained; the women's features turned serious, taking him at his word for a moment neither of them spoke as the waitress now looked between them and the wallet now in his hand.
The red head again following through as the brunette waitress turned to face her. The women now bringing out the money to pay for what he had ordered, his hand tucking his wallet back in place, as his gaze stayed on the redhead watching her and it was in that moment he seen the picture in her bag:
It was the women in front on him now with that smile he had seen earlier and beside her in the photo, he assumed by the looks, was her daughter who was also smiling for the camera, it was a sweet picture as the red head now turned to face his way the picture falling back from view.
However, the blue eyes fixed him a look and that she had seen him looking as there gaze again met. For the first time he sent a half grin her way as she now like him turned towards the food.
He lifted the food and the iced tea; she smiled at him again the blue eyes seemed to look through him as the women again spoke, she was trying to calm him:
'Mind if we talk Nick Stokes'
The tone was clear and pleasant and she had picked up the look in his features, as they looked each other in the eye.
With the blue ocean eyes being soft, and that she had at the same time, silenced whatever his next words would have been. As he continued to look her way and he was aware that he had no option, the look in those ice blue eyes giving him no leeway.
As he now nodded, his brown eyes smoldered in response though putting the rucksack back down below the table, as he took the seat across from her.
Silence descending again, he did not touch the food. Instead, he looked the redhead direct in the eye as he now touched some of the food. Before stopping, the women had noted the slight slowness in his movements; with the question, that he had not asked was what she was now, letting him ask:
'How do you know my name?'
It was a one sided question as there gaze met:
'The same way you do Nick'
There was a pause and that it had in someway been a trick question as the blue eyes cooled the redhead, giving her name as she did so as he now noted the official file in front of her:
'Catherine Grissom Las Vegas crime labs'
The blue eyes again sent him a look, one as though he were in some way meant to reply to that as he now sent her a blank look as he at last spoke his tone curt:
'Am I under arrest or something ma'am?'
His brown eyes tried to figure out the look he was now receiving; his reply had also been equally dead- pan and he could see that he had in some way amused the women across from him as the women again sent him that smile, as the red head answered him softly:
'No Nick but I was wondering if you would mind telling me where you got that silver ring your wearing?'
He froze. At the same time feeling, the colour drain from his features and that he could in no way answer her question. As his brown eyes fell away. The women's gaze now focused solely on the ring; and he knew that the women must be aware of what was, scrolled in the inside of the ring, as he now covered his hand:
'It was your grandfathers Nick'
There was a pause again; the blue eyes reading his thoughts as he now unsure of what to do or say took of the baseball hat. His hand for a second went through his short brown hair, feeling the scar at his left temple, which ran deep into his hair- line.
The blue eyes now had a shaken look about them and that the blue ocean eyes were looking at the small visible scar on his left wrist as he now pulled the sleeve of the green checked shirt down, the women again finding her voice it was soft:
'You don't wear a watch Nick'
He sent her a look, shaking his head in answer and though he felt anxious and tense he seen that he had in some way upset the red head, as his tone cut across sharp again:
'Why are you asking ma'am?'
For a moment his brown eyes looked around him, the place was now relatively empty, as the red head now sent him a direct look as she now with intuitive turned the tables on him doing it with ease as she did so:
'Call me Catherine Nick'
She sent him a delicate smile as she now tossed something down in front of him; he lifted it seeing, an old picture of himself, it shook him, as he now read the rest of the details on the official card as he now carefully. Put two and two, together:
'I worked with you?'
For a second the blue eyes looked direct into his; and that she had won in that moment both his attention and trust as the women now built on that:
'We worked together and before you came a CSI in Las Vegas; you were a cop here in Dallas where you grew up its in your blood Nick.'
The blue eyes were searching him again; he made no move to answer and that he was unsure of her words, as he tried to steady himself he took a sip of the iced tea as he now stammered out the only other thing, which came to mind:
'How do you know so much about me?'
There gaze met his serious look; reflected in the women's delicate features as the redhead's tone changed:
'You don't remember Nick do you? It was what brought you back here to Dallas though. For you do remember something.'
He tensed up his gaze stayed on her, unable to move it off those blue eyes and that she spoke truth. For what he could remember was in itself a fog, snatches of memories unable to be made whole and that the cloud that hung over his memory, was something which petered his every move and action.
As his brown soft eyes shifted of her, his gaze once more, downwards as the women's hand came gently into his own; the move taking him by surprise and that it was almost motherly, as he now moved his hand. The women placing something into his hand even as he drew away, it was a fountain pen.
His gaze turned puzzled, as he looked at the fountain pen; it was stylistic and expensive and that, it was no ordinary run of the mill pen and as if running in line with his thoughts the redhead answered the unspoken question:
'It was a present from my husband'
The women gave him a full smile, again looking at him as if he were in some way meant to comment, as he now tried to:
'Nice gift I guess your husband has good taste.'
There was a pause, the blue eyes for the first time sparkled and she was once more giving him an amused look before the features turned serious again:
'Well that's a matter of opinion Nick; and you can keep the pen but it's not the reason I gave you it'
He fidgeted nervously for a moment the blue eyes were looking through him as they once more looked directly into his:
'You've been missing for a long time Nick and you still have the evidence of what happened to you.'
The women paused before continuing:
'Mind showing me your wallet'
He glanced at her the tone was matter of fact and that she had changed the subject, as she slid him a sheet of note paper to go with the pen; the blue eyes stayed on him as he now swapped her handing her his wallet, he watched her suspiciously as she pulled a card out:
'It's not yours Nick and it's partly why we have been unable to trace you'
Silence was the only answer he did not look at her for a moment before his head slowly rose; his features turned rigged:
'You sure I'm not under arrest ma'am?'
His tone was deadly serious and like her he was aware of the significance of the social security card; which the red head had now sitting in front of her as his tone now turned cold, seeing the women flinch at his words:
'Why am I, off interest to you anyway Catherine?'
The words had been to callous and it was the first time he had used her name and what the look across those fine features were now telling him. There was a look of pain there and what his heart was telling him; that she was only trying to help him….
As the redhead now changed angle on him, his brown eyes coming to at last, once more look directly into those blue clear ocean eyes and that it would be the redhead's words in the next moment, which would leave him floored…
TO BE CONTINUED
p.s Is it any good & the next chapter is called Finding Nick if I ever get the time to write it!!!!