The tower : A New start

Surprises

Sapphire and Alex sat in the library working at their prospective jobs. Sapphire was unable to go back out into the courtyard after the spray paint fiasco earlier that day. So, Alex suggested they sit in the library and work. She could get her mind off it that way for a little while, at least. Sapphire thought it was a good idea since she had to wait until the police were done with their investigation to clean up the mess.

While the message was unnerving, it was the damage that bothered her the most. She'd already spent several hundred dollars fixing up the courtyard. Now she'd have to spend even more to repair the damage caused. Sometimes, she just didn't understand what possessed people to do the things they do. She heaved a sigh as she stared at the sentence she'd been working on for the last hour. This isn't working, she thought, I'm just not getting anywhere. She got up from her desk and walked around the room to stretch her legs a bit and glanced at Alex who stood looking out the window. He hadn't been able to concentrate either. Like her he'd been idly staring at his computer screen willing the work to get done.

“Hey, how bout a cup of coffee or tea?” Sapphire asked breaking the silence that had descended on the room hours earlier when they'd first settled down to work.

Alex turned and said tiredly, “Sounds good to me. I haven't been able to get a single thing done anyway. I keep thinking about earlier.”

“I know,” Sapphire said, “This is like a nightmare you just can't seem to wake up from .I've realized the person responsible wants to scare me. Now however, he's only p***ing me off with all these stupid pranks. I'm tired of all this I just want to live my life and leave the past where it is.”

Alex crossed the room and took her hand, “They'll catch the culprit. I know they will. You're safe here if anyone was going to hurt you they'd have done so by now.” He attempted to reassure her, his thumb stroking over the back of her hand.

“I believe they will. But Alex, I keep having this feeling there's more to what's happening than we realize.” She finally admitted her fears aloud.

“What do you mean?” Alex asked sudden concern filling his gaze.

Sapphire took a breathe and met his gaze, “I keep getting the feeling that there's danger nearby. It's like a warning bell that keeps going off with out a cause. The worst part is it's loudest when Mace and Deacon are around. Which is crazy right? I mean they're here to protect me, aren't they?” She sighed helplessly frustrated with the dilemma.

“I've felt it too.” Alex said, “I just can't put my finger on it. So, no you're not crazy. I think we need to be wary around them even if they supposedly are here to protect you. Until we know for certain where the danger is coming from we can't take chances.” He pulled her closer to him and hugged her. Sapphire allowed the hug and even leaned into him. For the first time, since the attack she felt safe with another human being. She needed the comfort he was offering and knew that's what this was meant to be. Suddenly, it didn't matter how she came to be here as long as she was here. The Butcher had stolen so much from her, too much. But, now she had a chance to rebuild, a chance she'd been taking since she arrived. She just had to work all the harder. S***w The Butcher and anyone else who stood in her way.

Alex felt the change in her and pulled back to look into her eyes. Sapphire smiled as she looked back, “I'm done running. I'm going to fight back. I have to or I'll never be able to live again. Not and feel safe. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. Tired of everything even these pranks. If they come after me so be it, but I'm not going down with out a fight..” She said resolutely.

Alex nodded in approval, “Good. I'm glad you feel that way. I'll stand beside you in this fight. I think we need to know a little more about our friends Mace and Deacon. I can make a few calls after dinner if you want.” He offered as they headed out the library door and down the hall to the kitchen.

“I'd like that. And I'm going check out your file on The Butcher. I think we are all missing something very important. Something that may hold a clue about who he is. Something we need to know.” She replied thoughtfully.

They entered the kitchen together, Sapphire absently sat a voice recorder she forgotten she was going to use on the counter. Alex started the coffee while Sapphire popped two Salisbury steak TV dinners in the oven. They then whipped up a salad and set aside two freshly baked brownies for dessert. Sapphire was setting the table when her cell phone rang. She grabbed it and answered, “Hello.”

She heard the sound of wheezing as if someone was struggling to breathe, “ I-Is this M-Ms. Rose.” the caller gasped.

“Yes.” Sapphire answered warily, “How can I help you?”

“I-I don't have much t-time. M-my name is M-Marshal Amos Deacon. The man you know as Marshal D-Deacon is an imposter. Y-You and anyone else around him a-are in grave d-danger.” He stammered wheezing with each word, “Y You can not t-trust him. W-Whatever you do, don't remain a-alone with him. In-Inform Mace hurry. I...” Another voice interrupted him.

“What are you doing?” Sapphire heard another man demand furiously as he snatched the phone away. The man who identified himself as Amos Deacon tried to say something. Suddenly, there was a loud shot and the phone disconnected. Sapphire looked at Alex. Both of them sat in shock. Alex recovered first and gently took the phone from Sapphire.

She stirred and indicated a small recorder she had sitting on the table, “I had turned it on so I could record further notes for my article. Did you hear that? Do you think it's another prank?”

“I don't know, but I'm glad for your habit of using speaker phone. Let's see if you got it on tape.” Alex answered, “Then we will call the Sheriff.” Alex rewound the recorder and pressed play. They listened as the whole conversation played back. Alex pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Sheriff Irish for the second time that day.

“Sheriff Irish speaking,” The sheriff answered as usual on the second ring.

“It's Alex, Sapphire just receive a strange phone call from some one claiming to be the real Amos Deacon. He said the one we know is an imposter. We don't now what to make of it.” Alex explained briefly.

“I'm on my way.” Sheriff Irish said, “Don't call the Marshals yet. I want to hear the call for myself if you have it recorded.”

“She recorded it and Sheriff, we heard what sounded like a gunshot before the call disconnected. Can you trace it?” Alex responded.

“The phone company should be able to trace it. I'll call them and get them on it asap.” Sheriff Irish said briskly, “I'll be there in five.” He hung up and Alex set his phone down.

Sapphire looked at Alex for a moment, “Shouldn't we call Mace? I mean we just possibly heard his partner die?” She asked.

“We don't know for certain what we heard Sapphire. Besides if what that man said was true we run the risk of putting Mace in danger as well as ourselves. There is no way to know what the imposter would do if his cover were suddenly blown.” Alex explained.

“I see.” Sapphire swallowed, “How will we know for sure?”

“Sheriff Irish will probably ask to speak to him alone and have him listen to the tape to see what he has to say. If he identifies the speaker as his partner then we will know for sure.” Alex said.

A few minutes later, the Sheriff arrived and with him was Mace. “Deacon had to run an errand. He isn't back yet. I'll fill him in when he returns.” Mace explained.

“Alex, can you play the recording of the phone call please.” Sheriff Irish asked after they'd sat down in the kitchen.

Alex nodded and pressed play.

“Hello.”

The the sound of wheezing is heard then...

“I-Is this M-Ms. Rose?”

“Yes this is. How can I help you?”

“I-I don't have much t-time. M-My name is Amos Deacon. The man you know as Marshal D-Deacon is an imposter. Y-You and anyone else around him a-are in grave d-danger. Y-You can not t-trust him. W-Whatever you do, don't remain a-alone with him. In-Inform Mace hurry. I...”

“What are you doing!” Garble words and sound, then a gunshot and silence as the call disconnected.

Alex stopped the tape while Mace just sits there shock on his face. “ Do you recognize anyone on the tape?” Sheriff Irish asked calmly.

Mace turned to look at him, “That was my partner. I'd know him anywhere. I don't recognize the other guy though.” Mace swallowed and took another breath, “If that is my partner then who've I been working with these past few weeks? And how was he taken with out anyone noticing?”

“That, I don't know?” The Sheriff answered, “If that is your partner who called then we have a serious problem.?

“You're right,” Mace agreed, “I'm going to have to give you the rest of the information you've been requesting. Headquarters gave the go ahead just after whoever he is left this morning. This just got serious.” Mace then handed the Sheriff the files on Sapphire and The Butcher killings. Sheriff Irish read through the files quickly occasionally glancing at Sapphire. When he finished, he shook his head in dismay.

“He's the same man who was responsible for several murders here.” Sheriff Irish said linking two sets of murders with one statement, “He fled after Alex here stumbled into one of his attacks. Alex was badly injured protecting the young woman The Butcher was attempting to kill. Now, he's coming back here after all this time.”

“He can be stopped.” Alex reminded everyone, “But it won't be easy.”

“I have to inform headquarters of this new development. I'm going to need back up.” Mace said suddenly.

“That might not be wise.” The Sheriff replied, “If the imposter realizes any of us know he's not the real Amos Deacon, He'll either move up his plans or kill the real Deacon if he hasn't already and drop off the map again. The best thing we can do is keep up the pretense of things and act as if he is the real Deacon until we can find away to stop him.”

Mace nodded and then looked at Alex and Sapphire, “Sapphire whatever you do stay close to Alex. Don't take any chances. And don't allow Deacon to get you alone. Alex if you're up for it you're my partner now. We can't trust Deacon so I need you to keep her safe when I'm not here. Also if something happens to me, you'll be her only hope. I'm trusting you with this.”

“You're not thinking he'll come after you are you?”Sapphire asked.

“He might if he believes it'll leave you open for him. You are the survivor, a lose end. We know he doesn't like lose ends. It the imposter is who I suspect he is we are all in danger.” Mace answered her question.

Sheriff Irish nodded in agreement, “I believe Mace is right with this one. Although, I have a feeling he may be here for two reasons. One the prankster claiming to be him to steal his thunder and two his lose end.” Sapphire shuddered at the idea and Sheriff Irish added, “Perhaps he is also seeking out a rematch with the one person who nearly caught him. Be careful Alex. He left you alive for a reason the last time you met him. He may not this time.”

Alex nodded and wrapped an arm around Sapphire's shoulders. She leaned into him for support as they saw the sheriff and Mace out the door. Sapphire and Alex collected their dinner from the oven now that the last surprise was dealt with and sat at the table to eat. Neither said a word during supper. Each lost in thought. Alex cleared the table when they had finished and Sapphire got the dessert she prepared earlier. She was sitting at the table when Alex returned from loading the dishwasher. Unfortunately, Alex didn't look before he sat and missed the chair. He actually grazed the side of the chair and landed on the floor in a rather undignified heap. Sapphire jumped up to help him only to find him laughing at his self. She offered her hand to help him. After several comical attempts to help him up, she ended landing on top of him in an undignified heap herself also laughing.

“What a pair we make.” She said when she'd caught her breath.

“That we do.” He hugged her close and pressed a kiss on her forehead. When she first moved in, he thought his realtor had saddled him with a whiny fraidy cat who'd hide away. Now after only a few weeks of her being here, Alex couldn't picture anyone else sharing his life. Not the way she did. She was sweet and funny. Goodhearted and a little scared, but she'd been through a lot and had valid reasons for her fear. But, in light of all that had happened, she was brave. She faced the things that came her way with courage and strength. She was determined to live her life. That's why he liked her so much. She had become a friend and perhaps more eventually. Either way he was grateful she chose his home, chose Luna Bay.

Sapphire laid her head on Alex's shoulder for awhile again lost in thought. Who would have thought she'd meet a handsome caring man like Alex, but here they were sharing laughter, being goofy and working together to solve this mystery her life had become. He was something special. “So you thought I was a whiny fraidy cat, huh?” she asked through their link.

Alex laughed, “Well, that was the impression I got from the realtor. The realtor told me you were an agoraphobic who was too afraid to leave your home. Sorry.”

Sapphire laughed as well, “It seems I need to have a chat with the realtor sometime. I was given the impression that I was renting from a rich old geezer who couldn't care less about anything except getting his money. I was envisioning a scrooge type guy complete with the “bah humbug” and the “My taxes pay for all the poor should require.” comments. I'm Sorry, too.”

Alex burst out laughing even harder, “Sounds like you aren't the only one who needs to chat with the realtor.” He sat up taking her with him, both of them still laughing.

Sapphire turned to face Alex, “I'm glad I chose this house and Luna bay, too. I'm not so afraid here. I feel like I have the strength to face the things that have and are happening. You gave me that. Thank you.” She said a little more sober.

“You're welcome.” Alex said as they got back to their feet and sat at the table again. The two of them finished the brownies and washed the saucers they'd used. Then they ambled down the hall checking the lock and security system. Sapphire had gotten a hold of the security company and made sure her code was changed in case Deacon had seen her put it in when he was at the house. If he had and tried to enter the code to turn it off it wasn't going to work. Alex had agreed with her thoughts on the matter. Like her he believed that it was better safe than sorry.

Alex and Sapphire made their way back to the library to work some more before bed. When they left the kitchen she noticed Alex hadn't taken the second cot back up to his house or his painting things. She stole a glance at him, “You planning to crash down here again?” she asked curiously,

Alex grinned back at her, “For the foreseeable future, unless you get sick of me and kick me back into the tower.”

“I suppose I can live with you sleeping down here.” Sapphire said agreeably, “But you don't need to sleep on the cot. I do have a couch that is probably more comfortable.”

Alex shook his head, “I'm leaving that for you in case you feel more comfortable there instead of your room.” He said.

Sapphire nodded and shuddered at the thought of seeing that damn message scrawled on the courtyard wall in the morning, “You have a point, there.” She replied to his comment as she edited her article one last time and submitted it to her employer. “We could just crash in here if you want. I'll take the chaise lounge. At the risk of sounding like a fraidy cat, I'm not really comfortable sleeping in any room alone right now.” she admitted.

“I don't think you are a fraidy cat. I'm feeling the same way, myself. I don't like the idea of letting you out of my sight. Too much can happen. If you're alright with it, I'd like to set up some of my booby traps. I won't be using the same ones I used when Mace and Deacon stayed here though. I think I'll use some more military style traps. The kind that create a loud bang when disturbed.” Alex said thoughtfully.

“Of course, I don't mind. Just don't forget to remind me what to watch out for . I”d hate to end part of one of those bangs.” Sapphire agreed and Alex grinned mischievously, “Something tells me any unwanted visitors are in for a big surprise.” Sapphire chuckled at the look on his face.