"And just what are you insinuating?" Luna Blake asked angrily. She was not very happy with the way detective Cranston's questioning was going. "Neither one of us would help that bastard!"
"Luna honey calm down," Gill soothed. "The man is just doing his job." Luna glared at the detective but said no more. The fact that this man would think they had anything to do with the disappearance of Dakota. Dakota was not much older than Vivian. She could not imagine what she'd do if Vivian went missing.
"I'm not saying that, Mrs. Blake," Dirk replied. "I'm just trying to understand why you suspected your father-in-law in the first place?"
"Because he's a no good wannabe womanizer!" Luna shouted.
"Look ma'am I'm not your enemy," Dirk said, attempting to keep the woman sitting in front of him calm. He needed as much information as he could get out of Mrs. Blake. Hamilton Blake was the most likely culprit, but he had no substantial proof. He was kicking himself for letting that man off the island.
"Look, detective, I understand you have a job to do. But you have to understand, that neither one of us would help my father, if he's behind this," Gill stated. He was getting tired of all of this craziness. He didn't want to think his father was capable of abducting a young girl, but nothing surprised him about his father anymore. His father was an incredibly selfish man, who would do almost anything if it benefited him. Gill also knew that his father was desperate to find his "cash cows." Perhaps he had taken Dakota as leverage.
"Of course he's involved!" Luna chastised. Gill shook his head. Hamilton was still his father. As much as his father angered him, he still loved the old man.
"Did he seem strange during his visit here?" Dirk asked.
"There's no way of telling. We haven't seen him in years!" Luna snapped.
"No he didn't seem any different," Gill replied. "He's never been the father of the year."
"That's an understatement," Luna mumbled.
"Do you know where he lives currently?" Dirk asked losing patience with Mrs. Blake's cattiness.
"No idea," Gill sighed. Dirk shook his head. It was clear there was not going to be much information out if these two. He had to start from square one. He had to find Hamilton Blake.
OOOOO
Hamilton was not a stupid man. He knew by now the police must be looking for him. He'd withdrawn a lot of money, and taken his captive into hiding. He needed to formulate his next plan. Once again he cursed himself for being so impulsive. He should have taken someone with more influence on the island. He wasn't sure what the cook and his silly little wife could accomplish. He looked over at the little girl who was huddled up in a blanket. He'd moved her from his lofty apartment to a dingy cottage his friend had rented.
"You don't have to be so afraid of me," Hamilton sneered at the girl, who jumped at every sound. "I've done nothing to hurt you." He moved closer to Dakota. She was a stunningly beautiful girl. He gently placed his hand on her leg. She flinched under his touch. He laughed.
"Don't touch me!" She spat out.
"A feisty one huh?" Hamilton asked. "Suddenly find your nerve? Be careful, I'll let my friend Blue back at ya. He has a thing for redheads." Dakota said nothing in response. Blue must be the name of the man that had taken her off the island. He'd been a little too liberal in touching her. "That's a good girl. Maybe you and I can get along." Dakota scoffed. She would never be able to get along with this creepy man.
"Why are you doing this?" Dakota asked.
"My dear, I need your parents help. With you in my custody, they'll be more willing to help," Hamilton said. He planted a kiss on her lips. Dakota shivered in revulsion. She fought against the nausea the contact caused. Hamilton chuckled again. It was almost too easy to make her uncomfortable.
"They won't help you!" Dakota spat out.
"Oh but they will darling girl," Hamilton said. "They will." He planted an even deeper kiss on Dakota's lips. He might as well enjoy himself a little bit, while he had her. Dakota struggled against her restraints, as tears started flowing down her cheeks again.
OOOOO
Claire and Jill made their way into the surrounding forests. Jill had found a clearing to practice their powers. In the darkness of night Claire would have to be careful. Her fire powers would attract watchful eyes.
"I set up some target dummies," Jill replied. "If you hone your fire into an arrow, it'll be the most effective. Practice first from just a few yards away." Claire looked at Jill wide-eyed. Claire's heart was much more open than Jill. Claire just couldn't imagine using her power to hurt anyone.
"I'm not sure I can," Claire said nervously.
"Claire, I've seen you create lions and tigers our of fire, I know you can do this," Jill replied.
"Yeah but..." Claire stopped. How could she explain to her sister her hesitation in honing their powers for fighting. Claire had always seen their powers as a blessing of sorts. This didn't seem an appropriate use of them. Jill gathered Claire's hands in her own.
"Eclaire," Jill said, calling her by her childhood nickname to soothe her emotions. "I don't plan on using these unless we absolutely have to. But we need to be prepared." Claire smiled in relief. She should have known that Jill would understand. Jill was always able to understand.
"Okay let's do it!" Claire stated with renewed enthusiasm.
After an hour of training, the girls headed home again. Outside their home Jill saw the ever elusive thief. She told Claire to go on inside without her, and that she wanted to check out some other things. Claire thankfully had not seen him.
"Come out Skye," Jill called out softly once Claire entered the house. Skye emerged from the shadows.
"Hello beautiful," Skye replied. He smiled elegantly at her. Jill folded her arms in front of her chest. She was determined to not be flustered by this man. He always seemed to find a way to escape.
"Stealing more things?" Jill asked.
"Only if it's your heart," Skye cooed. Despite herself, Jill felt herself smiling. She struggled to keep it hidden. Skye moved closer to her. "You shouldn't try to hide your smile. It is such a beautiful smile."
"I'm not falling for your act this time," Jill said.
"No act my dear," Skye stated. "You really are a beauty." Skye bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. Jill jumped back in surprise.
"How many women do you kiss in a night?" Jill asked.
"A gentleman never kisses and tells," Skye said.
"You sir are no gentleman," Jill retorted. Skye suddenly threw his head back and laughed. It was the first time Jill had seen genuine emotion from the man.
"How right you are, my lady," Skye said.
"I'm taking you in," Jill stated.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," Skye said with a frown. Jill reached out for his arm, but he was surprisingly quick. If she used her powers, she would have easily caught him, but she didn't want to expose herself to this thief. "Goodnight fair lady, I always hate parting from you." He quickly ran off. Jill let him go. She had managed to hold her own, she was proud of that accomplishment. But damn it of that man wasn't handsome.
OOOOO
"How's your novel coming along?" Claire asked Mary. She visited the library nearly every day. Mary was becoming a great friend of hers. Mary was so incredibly smart and witty. Few people really appreciated that about Mary.
"Oh it's really great, I think I'm finally getting my creative juices again," Mary informed.
"How many novels have you written?" Claire asked. Mary paused. No one had ever asked her about her novels.
"This is my second," Mary said.
"Really? Have you published anything?" Claire asked.
"No, I'm too nervous to try it," Mary admitted. Claire smiled. She understood being nervous. Mary's door jingled, they both turned expecting Gray. Instead it was someone else. He was wearing a backward blue baseball cap, and light blue overalls. He had a muscular physique that showed through the plain white t-shirt he wore. Mary's mouth dropped. She had never seen a man so handsome in her life before. He strolled over to the counter. Claire hid her smirk as she watched Mary try to regain her composure.
"Are you Mary?" The man asked. Mary nodded too afraid to say anything. "Great you're just the woman I'm looking for!" Mary blushed again.
"What can I assist you with?" Mary faked trying to maintain professionalism.
"My name's Jackson Landry, I've inherited that old farm in Mineral Town. My Grandpa was Gordon Landry. Problem is, I know little about farming. But I learn fast. Someone told me you had farming books."
"That I do," Mary replied. She looked towards Claire, who simply just nodded. Claire could take care of herself.
"Please call me Jack," Claire heard the farmer say. She chuckled. Gray entered the library at that moment. He looked from Claire to Mary and the farmer.
"What's going on there?" Gray asked.
"New farmer, asking for farming books," Claire mused.
"What's that look?" Gray asked.
"I think our little Mary has a crush," Claire whispered. Gray looked shocked.
"Really?" Gray asked with a smile. It appeared even Mary was not immune to the pull of the heart strings. Both Claire and Gray started laughing. When their eyes met, the laughter stopped. They both stood staring at each other, neither one moving a muscle. They stood that way until Mary came running up.
"You have to come with me to Cobblestone Inn tonight!" Mary gasped breathless.
"What?" Claire asked confused.
"Jack asked if I was going to the Inn tonight, I said yes! But I really don't want to go it alone. Please come with me!" Mary whispered. She looked back and forth in between Gray and Claire.
"I'm in," Claire stated. They both turned towards Gray.
"Sure why not," Gray replied.
"Thank you!" Mary said. She hugged Claire and Gray, surprising them both. Claire looked over at Gray who gave her a knowing smirk.