All The Way
Chapter 24
Writing in her journal, Julia paused to watch the sleeping Hallie Stokes. Nervously she chewed on the pen cap, brows furrowed. Eliot. She looked again at the sleeping girl. What if Eliot were to learn of Hallie's encounter with Richard Carter? Eliot's a kind and gentle man, a man of logic, not a man of violence…unless. Unless the matter involved his niece, then logic would have no place in his heart. Abruptly she put down the pen, stood, nervously wringing her hands, walked to the rear of the tent and stared down at the bones of the little girls. Hallie and the little girls were innocents and deserved her protection. Julia turned and studied the bones again. When the supply vehicle departed early in the morning the remains of the three girls would be on it. At the university their tagged bones would be stored in the lab for further testing. She would take no chances they might disappear as well. While Hallie rested she would prepare them for their journey.
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Later…
Richard Carter had taken advantage of the supply truck's arrival to slip into his tent for the rest of his gear. Patiently he watched and waited for darkness. The mess tent was like an illuminated stage. He positioned himself in the shadows and watched chilled beverages, platters of fresh fruit, imported cheeses and other delicacies being prepared. Oddly, he felt no hunger and hadn't eaten in days. Food didn't matter when he communed with the spirits.
Carter groaned as Herb rushed in the tent and began setting up for an evening of square dancing. Only Herbert Osmund would care for such hideous music. Turning away, he rubbed his eyes and stretched. A small group of graduate students strolled in, pouring beer from the keg and talking loudly. Carter became alert again at the sight of Hallie's golden hair. Following a female graduate student, Hallie gracefully moved across the tent. Carter smiled, recalling his time with her. Stokes' niece was both a pleasure and a puzzle. Though they differed in age, he found Julia and Hallie to be similar-mysteriously available and unavailable. Running his fingers across his jaw he recalled the stunning blow the physician had delivered. Julia was like no other, filling him with love, hate and a new emotion…fear. Her words continued to haunt him.
'There are far worse things than the police, Richard. I have found in my life there are even far worse things than dying. Dying is so very easy.'
Suddenly, a tall young man with sandy brown hair and an acoustic guitar broke from the group at the keg and approached Hallie. Carter again noticed the young woman's smile, lowered eyes and coy manner. She wasn't making it easy for her new admirer who nervously thrust his hands into his pockets as he spoke with her. Doole, Lance Doole, Carter recalled. Doole gestured to his guitar and the two moved to a quiet corner. Hallie took the instrument in her arms and nimbly played a few chords while Doole admiringly looked on.
Osmund tested his music and the tent quickly filled with people. Carter eagerly searched the crowd and found the physician smiling politely, sipping wine being trailed by Denis Summerlin. Together they moved along the serving table sampling the fresh fruit and imported cheeses.
Carter tensed as Eliot Stokes entered the scene carrying his violin case. Hallie immediately returned the guitar to Doole and moved to her uncle's side. Putting the violin aside, his arms folded around his niece in a loving embrace. Hallie's arms circled his waist, face tucked beneath his chin, smiling, enjoying the tenderness of his fingers delicately stroking her head and shoulders.
Earlier in the day, Carter's hands had explored her young body and experienced the young woman's short-lived burst of passion. So why did he have feelings of jealousy and envy as Stokes caressed the young woman? Was it because Eliot held Hallie's undying love? Yes, love, timeless love, an emotion so foreign to him.
Carter's eyes narrowed as he studied the professor. The man had changed greatly from their time in Harvard. On his arrival, he had merely glanced at Stokes, choosing to treat the man as though he wasn't worthy of notice. He feared he had made a grave error. He should have taken the time to study the man who had become his rival for Julia's attention.
Carter groaned as a small crowd assembled for the dance routine. Denis Summerlin cornered Julia as a dance partner. Stokes formally bowed and offered his arm to his niece for the first dance. Osmund started the music, proudly tapping his foot and clapping his hands as he called out the routines.
Leaning back against his knapsack he watched Julia, his mind drifting to their night of dancing, recalling fondly how he held her close, feeling their bodies moving together in perfect synchrony. He wanted her badly that evening and remembered how controlled and accomplished she was on the dance floor. He had chosen well. Dr. Julia Hoffman had proven to be all he could ever imagine.
The dancers moved through their routine, laughing, switching partners. Richard's eyes grew moist as Julia laughed and smiled in Eliot's arms. His heart began to pound as he gripped the handle of his hunting knife. How could it be? Was he watching Julia slip away, just as his 'day of days' was about to unfold. Tonight would be the beginning. Tomorrow everything would be different. Eliot Stokes would be out of the picture forever.
Carter stood and stretched his legs before picking up his gear. He forced a thin smile and thought of tomorrow and how all his problems would come to an end.
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Later –Outside the mess tent….
With Hallie and Julia on each arm, Eliot couldn't recall feeling more contented. "I have to be the luckiest man alive, a beautiful woman on each arm."
The women looked at each other and laughed. Hallie affectionately massaged her uncle's arm as he leaned over and kissed her forehead. The trio continued their walk to Hallie's tent.
"Uncle Eliot, I don't think anyone knew you could play like that."
"Hallie, your uncle has many talents," Julia smiled and caught Eliot's eye in a knowing glance.
Stokes blushed and remained quiet.
The physician gently caressed his arm and admired his gentle ways. Hallie seems to be herself again, the encounter with Carter out of her mind for the moment. The young woman leaned her head against her uncle's arm as they walked along.
Hallie smiled, recalling Dr. O's special number. "And then of course there was the chicken dance. I thought you and Dr. O were going to perform some serious opera with those feathered hats and vests."
The physician squeezed his arm. "Honestly, I can only imagine you and Herb and your exploits back at Harvard. I'm surprised you weren't expelled."
Eliot gave a deep chuckle as they stopped in front of Hallie's tent. "Perhaps someday, Julia, I'll share some of our more interesting experiences with you."
Julia's eyes twinkled in the glow of Hallie's lantern. "Over a glass of sherry?"
Stokes' eyes caught hers and understood the inference. "Only if it's quid pro quo, my dear doctor."
Julia smiled slyly and nodded.
"Good night, Uncle Eliot, Julia." Hallie gave her uncle a quick kiss on the cheek, turned and hugged Julia before darting into her tent.
They paused; waiting for Hallie to be safely settled before they continued on their way. Still carrying the violin case, Julia slipped her arm through his. The night was quiet. The only sounds were the rocks beneath their feet and the distant sound of voices as the camp settled down for the night. The moon had risen above the horizon and a reflected glow filled the camp with deep shadows. In a few days the moon would be full. An uneasy feeling swept over them as they passed Richard Carter's tent on their way to Julia's.
The physician glanced nervously at Richard's tent, watching the breeze pulling the sides of the tent in and out as though it were breathing. The reality of events slowly returned to her mind. Eliot followed her eyes watching the tent, the joy of the evening slowly fading.
"Julia," He spoke softly.
She would not look at him and continued to stare at the side of Carter's tent, watching how the sides moved in and out, in and out. Julia felt her eyes grow moist. Why was it so difficult to keep things from him now? Why had she failed to tell him of the locked trunk? The locked trunk she found while in Richard's bedroom. Why did he bring the trunk all the way to Utah? Why was the trunk unlocked every night? And Hallie?
"Julia!" He spoke her name again, this time louder, with authority.
Her eyes snapped to meet his. Eliot stood stoically before her, hands at his side, head tilted slightly.
"Julia," He began, staring down at her. "Why do I feel that you've not told me everything?"
Looking innocent, she began to speak. Stokes' look and demeanor stopped her short. Gone was the soft playful Eliot. The professor's voice was sharp and cool like the blade of a knife.
"It's time, Julia."
The physician searched his face for understanding. What did he want her to do? Eliot sighed, revealing an inner conflict, but his voice continued with the same firm resolve.
"It's time that you decide."
Before she could respond, he moved close, cupped her face with his hands and pressed his lips passionately against hers. His lips were soft and urgent, caressing her mouth. She felt weak, overwhelmed. Gently his fingers touched her cheeks and hair while his lips continued to search and caress with great tenderness. Julia's fingers pressed against the warmth of his chest, feeling faint, not wanting the moment to end. Suddenly, the violin case was snatched from her hand. In shock, her eyes flew open in time to see Eliot turn and walk off toward his tent. She gasped, still feeling the passion, the tenderness, the love.
"It's time that you decide, Julia."
Wiping a tear from her eye, she knew what he meant.
"As with Barnabas Collins, Julia, you must decide, how far will you go with Richard Carter?"
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Richard Carter moved up the narrow slot in the farthest reaches of the village. He wedged his back against one face while using his legs to move up the other. In his teeth he held a small flashlight. Turning his head he was able to see the small opening. Many of the tomb entrances in the Valley of the Kings were like this, high on vertical rock walls to escape the floods of the Nile and tomb robbers. From below they seemed like mere shadows, but once the coverings were chipped away they revealed ancient passageways.
Richard continued to inch his way up the slot, carefully holding his bag and knapsack in front of him. Each time he flashed the small circle of light he grew more and more encouraged. Just a few more feet and he would be even with the opening. He didn't dare look down; he was precariously suspended over a sea of darkness, his only focus lie ahead. Carefully, he removed his rock hammer from his bag and began to chip away at the entrance, tossing the pieces in random directions as to not leave evidence below. In a few minutes an opening large enough for his body appeared. Carter cast the small circle of light inside and found the beginning of a small tunnel. Slowly, he placed his bags inside, then with effort managed to slide in.
Placing the flashlight between his teeth he pulled along until he was able to stand, moved a few steps further then stopped. He couldn't believe his eyes as he moved the flashlight around the enlarged chamber. Rising to the ceiling was an altar, an altar of a jaguar's head. Surrounding the head were beautiful feathered headdresses. Richard stepped forward for a closer inspection. The brightly colored feathers had been taken from parrots found in the Yucatan and Central America. Carter noticed a yellow powder coating the altar and gingerly collected some on his fingers and held it near the light for closer inspection. The powder appeared to be pollen, the pollen from a great many flowers. His brows furrowed. Where in this part of Utah could that many flowers exist? The Anasazi coaxed a meager existence from beans, squash and corn. Was he dreaming? Turning slowly, casting his light around the circular room he became aware of darkened alcoves along the wall.
Richard dug inside his knapsack and pulled out his lantern. Hands shaking he brought the lantern to life and exposed the interior of the room. As the darkness disappeared the alcoves revealed he had an audience. Carter's heart began to pound so vigorously he felt it would burst through his chest. All around faces looked at him with large, menacing black eyes…. at every turn…..they stared at him. His trembling hands could barely open his bag, pull out his own mask. The same black eyes stared back, like the faces surrounding him. Long strands of black hair hung from the mask and eerily brushed against the skin of his arm. He turned and placed the mask on the altar.
"I suppose this is where you'll find the drug, is it not Dr. Carter?"
Carter swiftly turned in the direction of the voice. Howard Blair stood near the entrance to the tunnel, hands behind his back, dressed in the familiar black suit and red bow tie.
Richard smiled, filled with confidence as he looked at the mummified remains in the alcoves. The cool, dry conditions of the cave had perfectly preserved all the soft tissues.
"Yes, I expect we will find it here."
Blair walked near an opening and peered in at the remains. The skull mask hid the face beneath, but he could still see the stretched dried skins of the arms and torso hidden beneath a feathered headdress.
"Will you be giving these samples to your assistant?"
Richard remembered their last conversation and chose not to respond.
"Will you be giving these samples to Dr. Julia Hoffman?"
Carter pretended not to hear, walked to the far end of the room and lifted the headdress from a torso and stared at the stretched dried skin. He was sure he would find dried soft tissues. Removing the hunting knife from his belt he made a small incision in the chest wall. Carter jumped as Blair spoke again, this time at his side.
"Will you be giving these samples to Dr. Julia Hoffman?"
"Yes," Richard answered loudly, annoyed at Blair's persistence.
"Who is this Professor Stokes?"
Richard looked around, trying to find a place to hide. Why was the little man asking so many questions?
Blair stepped closer, his lips near Carter's ear, and asked. "Why do you trust her? You've seen them together. How do you know she has not betrayed you?"
Carter ran his fingers through his hair, covered his ears not wanting to listen, but Blair continued.
"You know about betrayal don't you, Dr. Carter. You know every woman has her price. You know how to use people to get what you want. How are you so sure this, Dr. Hoffman is not using you?"
"She wouldn't!" His voice was louder than he expected. But he wanted Blair to stop. Why won't he stop? "She loves me, she wouldn't betray me."
"Tisk, tisk, tisk, Dr. Carter. What do you know of love?"
Richard ran his finger across the blade of his hunting knife feeling the sharp edge until a ribbon of red appeared brightly across his thumb. He could turn quickly and plunge the knife into Blair's chest. Then the little man would stop! Carter whirled around and lunged, his hand piercing air. His eyes scanned the interior of the room. Blair was gone. Richard sighed, but did not feel relief. Blair's words continued to worm their way through his mind. Stokes, Julia, love, betrayal. The loop continued on and on. Why couldn't he get the words out of his mind? He gripped his temples trying to squeeze the thoughts from his mind, turning and turning, staring upward. Suddenly, he stopped. The ceiling of the cave appeared jet black, dotted with bright stars. Richard's mouth opened in awe, thankful his mind was momentarily distracted. Why was the cave ceiling so black?
Climbing the side of the altar, he reached for the ceiling and ran his fingers across the black surface. The ceiling had been painted, but with what? The bright stars were stones, turquoise, quartz, and agate, polished and inlaid in the rock surface. Using his knife he scraped the surface of the ceiling and found the dark coating was quite thick. Removing the flakes and powder into his hand, he leaped to the floor, and pulled from his bag a small box and a vial. Carefully, he transferred the flakes to the vial and added a fluid. Before leaving New York he had obtained a blood testing kit from the police department. Adding the flakes to the liquid, he swirled it around in the vial. Suddenly, the color changed….testing positive.
He stared up in wonder at the expansive black ceiling and noted that layer upon layer of black had been created with blood…human blood.
~~~tbc~~~