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DOPPELGANGER

Chapter Two

Katheryn taped up the fourth and last box in her apartment and set it by the open door before she paced slowly back towards the naked window. It was almost noon, Katheryn thought fleetingly with a glance at her watch. Alex and Sydney would be there any second to pick her up since her car was already at Sydney's place. She was tempted to call Molly one more time. But she had not returned her last four calls. Why would the fifth be any different? She sighed and gently tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, crossing her arms at her chest as she watched the skyline before her. The past seemed to resonate to her. She wasn't sure, but the recent events in Mexico had her extremely reflective lately of her life in Dallas. More than a year she had spent in the city, forming a family she never thought she'd have. But life seemed to have done a 180 on them all. Nothing felt quite the same.

Shutting her eyes, Katheryn listened closely to the pin-drop silence until she could hear the past speaking to her clearly. Suddenly, she heard something crash to the ground. It wasn't real but in her mind as a very vivid memory. Carlos was there, bending low to help her as she frantically tried to pick up the pieces of shattered glass. She smiled, remembering how much she had wanted to kiss him. She would have denied it then. But the feelings were strong in that moment. If only her nerves had not gotten the best of her.

Her mind's eye quickly brought her closer to the present and Carlos' visit to her when she was sick and told him she couldn't go on their dinner train date that same weekend. She remembered thinking how he could fall in love with a girl that looked like a truck had run over her. But he didn't seem to care that night, his smile shaky as he looked into her eyes, hoping she was feeling better by the second.

The memories shifted again back in time to the first time she and Molly had hosted the entire gang for dinner for the first time, impressing the guys with her cooking skills and enjoying so many laughs. She only wished she had taken time to document the event more on camera though. Mentally, she swore never to forget that night and hold on to the memory as tightly as life would allow her.

Katheryn's eyes flashed open as she heard a car door open and shut. It was Sydney and Alex. At their arrival, she couldn't help but smile. No matter what, her friends always brought a smile to her face.

Meeting them at her door, she hoisted a box into her arms and started out. "I think this is the last one."

"Do you need any help?" Alex noted with a smile.

"No, I'm fine," Katheryn managed and was away before they could talk to her again.

Sydney turned to Alex, her lips turned downward. "I think she's taking this hard."

"I agree," Alex nodded. "I hope this isn't too much for her right now. She and Molly were really close."

"I know. I hope Kath doesn't think I'm trying to replace her or anything."

Alex touched Sydney on her arm, drawing the young Ranger's wary gaze. "I'm sure she doesn't think that. You're a good friend. I'm sure she sees that. Just give her time."

"Thanks. I will."

Katheryn was back shortly to lock up and follow Alex and Sydney to the car. As predicted, the ride was mostly a quiet one. Alex knew she needed cheering up. Somehow. But she didn't know quite how. Hopefully they'd bring her out of her doldrums before it completely took over her usually jovial self.

"Hey, Kath. It's me. Just wanted to call you and—and see how things are going. I really haven't had time to have a long talk since I left. I know you must hate me. Oh what am I saying? Of course you don't hate me. But I know you want to talk. Please give me a call once you get this. I need to talk to you. Love you, sis."

Katheryn was devastated to hear Molly's voice on their old answering machine. Katheryn had missed her call because Molly didn't know she had moved. She wanted to forget everything and call her right then. But she didn't have the time. It was an hour until she had to meet Sydney for lunch at C.D.'s, and she still had several errands to run before that.

She stood eagerly glancing from her watch to the phone before she finally gave up and left the apartment. The route from Sydney's apartment to the rest of town was still one that Kath would have to get used to. But she was sure she would have it down in no time.

Meanwhile, Katheryn found herself at the local record store a short drive later. It was a nice little homey place about three blocks from Thunder Investigations. Katheryn had been there many times to secretly divulge her love of music. She even had a record collection she was shy about showing off. Even her CD collection was known to draw eyes. Unfortunately, she had left most of her music back at the old apartment in hopes she'd see it again. After all, she didn't plan to room with Sydney forever. And part of her hoped the apartment would be lived in again someday soon.

But without her music collection, Katheryn had a problem. Carlos' birthday was coming up soon and she was assigned to pick out the music for his birthday party. She had good taste. He had acceptable taste. So it wasn't hard for her to be the one chosen for such a task. And she took the job gladly. And while she knew she could just go over to the other apartment and pick out some good tunes, his birthday was the perfect excuse to find more music to add to her collection.

Katheryn maneuvered in and out of a few aisles before she began to notice the names of a few of her favorite artists' names on the placards. Pausing at a group of records, she began thumbing through the bins, hoping they had a particular album that came to mind. With a smile of satisfaction she drew out a single record and flipped it over. It was perfect.

Suddenly from the corner of her eye, Kath noticed another patron. He was around thirty by her quick estimation and wore baggy pants with an even baggier sweater. She could barely make out his face beneath his rather large ski cap on his head. But little flecks of blonde sticking out from under the cap here and there gave that part of his identity away.

Trying not to seem obvious, Katheryn continued shuffling through the records but secretly kept an eye on her fellow shopper. For some reason he was making her edgy. He hadn't touched a single item, let alone looked at anything thoroughly. He simply kept his hands in his pockets and swayed on the heels of his shoes while giving the door a quick glance every few seconds. When he began eyeing the absentminded cashier up front, that's when Katheryn knew something wasn't right.

"What are you looking at?!" the young man demanded when he noticed Katheryn looking at him.

Kath let go of the records she was holding and settled her weight on one foot, propping her hand on her hip with a bit of thrust. As she did so, she flashed a smile and began twirling her hair flirtatiously around her finger, batting an eye once or twice to give it the full effect.

"Well," she began. "I think you're kinda cute. Ain't no crime against flirting here is there?"

He was nervous and had been completely taken of course of whatever plan he had in mind. Katheryn continued to smile…but not for the same reason he was thinking of.

The edgy patron flashed a smile back at her. He gave the cashier another quick glance before he sauntered over to Katheryn and gave her entire body a quick look. At this point, Kath was beginning to question her own plan. This had gone farther than she had anticipated at first.

"Whew! You are gorgeous," he whispered to her rather loudly. "How would you like to spend a little time with me?"

Kath held her smile. Playing hard to get was her default. She hoped it would work.

"I see," the sly one chuckled. "Cat and mouse. I love it." He gave her cheek a brief brush, sending chills throughout her entire body. "I bet you are just great in bed. I'll be seeing you—"

Katheryn wanted to run as fast as her feet would take her. But she couldn't. Not now. Staring into the eyes of the man before her, she waited for him to make a move.

"What's your name, darling?"

"Katie. Katie Spencer," Kath blurted out. "I'm staying at a motel in Deep Ellum. You know the one." He seemed to get her point, smiling and snorting a bit. This brought a level of relief to Kath even though she didn't know much about the adult hangouts in the said neighborhood. But right now ignorance was bliss and had saved her so far.

"Well, Katie Spencer," he brushed her cheek again, this time letting his grip linger around her neck. "I'll be seeing you."

"Yes," Katheryn managed despite the feeling that she was losing her voice. She smiled broadly. "I can't wait."

Knowing she had to be scarce before he'd make another move, Katheryn turned her back, picked up her own records, and started for the cashier's counter. As soon as her records made contact with the counter, the door's enormous bell jangled from the top of the door's frame, a capped figure in baggy clothes quickly disappearing from view with several pieces of merchandise in tow.

One look was all she needed as Katheryn sprinted out of the store in pursuit of the criminal, leaving the cashier frantically yelling and reaching for a nearby phone. Kath had finally gotten her wish. But this wasn't quite what she had in mind when she had thought about running away from the store.

KNOCK KNOCK

Sydney climbed down from the ladder in her apartment's kitchen and made a straight line for the door, opening it with a grin. "Good! I'm so glad you're here. Maybe you can reach this crap I've had stuffed in my cabinet since I moved here."

Gage's questioning looks preceded him as he followed Sydney into her kitchen, reaching up just barely on his toes to retrieve a stack of books. He plopped them in Sydney's arms with a grin and gave the boxes on the floor a frown. "So what's all this? You aren't moving again are you?"

"No. Katheryn's moving in. It's just temporary right now. But she shouldn't be alone. So I invited her to stay here."

"Good thinking. Hey, are you ready to head out?"

Sydney deadpanned.

"Don't tell me you forgot."

Sydney's penitent smile gave her away.

Gage sighed sharply. "We were supposed to hit the gym together today since Walker wants us for something particular tomorrow."

"Oh! Yeah! I totally forgot. I'm so sorry, Gage." She gave the room a worried glance. "I don't know if I can now. I should help Kath unpack. Rain check?"

"Yeah, I guess." Gage turned forlornly to leave.

Sydney stopped him with a touch on the arm. "Hey, I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"I understand," he reassured her, forcing a smile.

At the violent ring of her phone, the spry Ranger sprung to answer it before the second ring even had a chance and gave a quick greeting.

"Sydney! Thank God you answered," the feminine voice panted from the other end.

"Kath?! Where are you? Are you okay?!"

"Meet me at Trent Malloy's dojo as soon as you can. I just chased a thief around half of Dallas. I'll tell you more when you get here."

Sydney was shocked but kept her voice leveled. "Okay. I'll be right there." She hung up the phone.

Gage's furrowed eyebrows asked his unasked question.

Sydney read him like a book. "That was Katheryn. She apparently just chased some guy across town. She wants me to meet up with her at Trent Malloy's dojo."

"Want company?"

"No," Sydney slapped him on the arm. "Go get that workout in for me."

Gage started for the door. "Alright. See you at C.D.'s then."

"Sure thing."