The tower : A New start

Uninvited Guest

Sapphire smiled as she made the potato salad. This was her first Fourth of July in her new home here in Luna Bay. Her house was the perfect spot to watch the fireworks situated on top of the bluff as it was. Now that she and Alex were back in the big house finally they were celebrating not only the Fourth, but also the happy day of going home. While they loved staying at the cottage, both of them felt safer back in their own homes with their actual security systems.

Her stomach growled as the scent of roasted hotdogs and grilled burgers wafted into the kitchen. Thanks to the young man Alex had hired to assist with the remodeling of the courtyard everything was ready and beautiful. It looked like an oasis with a waterfall river fountain setup that surrounded the picnic, grill, and bar area. The calming blue hues and the bushes and flowers completed the picture.

Sapphire brought out the potato salad and set it on the card table with the other dishes. The guests were milling about. Amongst them were the Sheriff and his wife, the US Marshals, young Andrew Hershel and his family, several of the deputies with their families, and the construction crew and their families. She and Alex had agreed that it would be nice to share the Fourth of July with friends and besides if there was going to be trouble they'd have plenty of witnesses. It is safer in groups so people say.

Sapphire looked around at their guests and listened to the happy chatter as everyone ate, and toasted the country's independence. She was munching on her own burger and savoring this one amazing moment of normalcy in her strange and chaotic life. For the first time she wasn't worrying over things like being safe. Both she and Alex had come to know these people. Most of whom they trusted, there were still questions about some they didn't have answers to, Deacon for one, but as a wise man once said it best to keep friends close and enemies closer.

Over the past few weeks since they had found the strange book in the night stand, they spent most of the spare time studying it and had so far managed to translate the first ten pages. They covered the history of the Celestial People and their laws and punishment for breaking said laws. When they weren't studying the book they kept it in a lock box hidden away where only they could find it. She was drawn out of her reverie by a question from Deacon.

“How you holding up?” He asked concern in his voice, “I know you are not big on crowds or a lot of people in your space.”

“I'm surprisingly well.” She answered, “I've decided I need to live even if it just in small ways. Like you and Mace told me, I can't let anyone else dictate how I live my life.” She carefully avoided using The Butcher's and giving herself away.

“I'm glad to see you happy and finding some peace for once.” He said a smile on his face. He glanced up at Alex who approached and nodded.

“You OK, Sapphire?” Alex also asked watching Deacon who now wandered over to get dessert.

“Yes Alex, I'm fine. That's what Deacon asked.” She answered readily, “If anyone is going to try anything, it's probably going to be during the fireworks tonight and with all these people it won't be easy.”

“True, but we can't let our guard down. Hopefully, our plan works tonight and we catch something. I'll fill you in on what the Sheriff and Andrew told me about the night he was caught up here wondering around late when everyone settles to watch the fireworks.” Alex whispered softly to avoid being over heard.

Sapphire nodded. The evening passed quickly with everyone taking part in various games and activities that were planned. At the end of the evening, Andrew dressed up as Abe Lincoln read the Gettysburg Address and followed with a prayer for our Country, and all who call her home. Then everyone helped clean up from the festivities. They paraded out front of the house. Blankets, and chairs were laid out along with coolers and snacks. And then the conversations continued while they awaited the fireworks.

Alex drew Sapphire into the house and up to his office to keep from being over heard. “The sheriff had Andrew tell himself what had him so frightened he'd nearly run to his death off the bluff. It seems he interrupted a man bent on causing more havoc. The man he described looked like Deacon and he had a couple of gas cans, a lighter, and a gun. Andrew said the man pulled the gun when they ran into each other and took a shot. Somehow he missed and Andrew decided to hightail it outta there. It was during his head long dash to get away that he ran into the officer and thought it was the same man trying to kill him. Which is why he ran. He was scared s***less.” Alex explained.

Sapphire paled some. “So Deacon is involved then.” She whispered.

“It looks that way. Especially since Andrew pointed him out to Sheriff Irish tonight as the man who threatened him. The Sheriff is going to talk to Deacon again. He wants to know exactly where he was that night after we'd caught a rat who as much as fingered him too. It's not looking particularly good for Deacon right now. But, the Sheriff says there is the possibility that someone is framing Deacon. Even if that's the case they're doing an awfully good job of it.” Alex said softly.

“So, what do we do now? I mean if Deacon is involved it won't do any good for me to move because he'd know and could start over again in the new town.” She sighed and looked at Alex in frustration. As far as she was concerned the whole mess was getting bigger and bigger. And somehow Deacon was stuck right in the middle of it.

“We let sheriff Irish do his job. That's what we do. He has already spoken with Mace and the US Marshals service regarding what is going on. They believe Deacon is being set up and has been from the get go. His service record is impeccable. So what we have is a whole lot of accusations and no concrete evidence to go on. So, my question is why frame a US Marshal who has an impeccable record in the first place? What does that get anyone? Unless He's the target.” Alex mused.

Sapphire gasped, “You mean there's the chance someone is out to destroy Deacon because of a grudge perhaps or jealousy perhaps. So, they think if they destroy him completely, not just his career, but his whole life they'll have broken him. Is that what you are thinking?” she asked.

Alex nodded, “But right now all of this is conjecture. Guessing. We don't know anything for sure. All we can do is be observative and patient until the truth comes out and it will. Eventually. On to more pleasant thoughts. Would you like to see the fireworks from the widows walk or downstairs with everyone else?” He asked holding out his hand.

“The widows walk.” Sapphire said decisively and took Alex's hand. He pulled her under his shoulder and they walked together up to the widows walk where he had chairs and a cooler set waiting for them.

Little did they know they had an unwanted visitor in the house. He lurked in the shadows watching, waiting. He'd been waiting for this very moment since his Julie had arrived. The time when the two of them let down their guard enough to turn off the security system to allow guests inside for a celebration. He was rather proud of himself especially his idea to use his little stooge to keep Little Miss Julie on her toes with all his little gifts. Ha! Those where genius. But then the Moron had to drag the d*** Marshal into the game. Trying to throw the blame on the Impeccable Amos Deacon! That stooge had been a moron with a capital M. Too bad he'll be dead in the morning. That was one loose end off the list. Now all he had to do was wait until the fireworks started. With the noise from them no one would hear the screams and two more loose ends will be gone. He held back a small giggle of anticipation.

Sapphire glanced over at Alex. He appeared as tense as she did. Suddenly, she heard a slight noise behind them and turned to look. Nothing. What was that? She heard it she knew she did. She felt Alex stiffen and glance to the side. He too had turned to look behind them.

“I don't like this.” She mouthed to him. Now She wished she had decided to go outside and watch the fireworks with everyone else.

“I know.” He mouthed back and squeezed her hand. Another sound. A whisper like that of clothing brushing lightly over a surface had them both looking back toward the stair well once more. Suddenly the explosions of the first fireworks rent the air and the light from them filled the room in brief flashes. One flash illuminated a large figure of a man standing in the door. Sapphire shuddered she knew who this man was. His voice was a low gravelly hiss when he spoke.

“Come here Girl-lee and I'll let your friend live.” He hissed out anger filling his voice as he held out a hand. She shrank back against Alex attempting to feign the fear she was actually feeling. The Butcher laughed maniacally and moved forward into the room. A low growl filled the air as Alex stiffened and moved between them. More fireworks exploded with light and sound.

“Remember me Butcher. You said we'd meet again and that you'd only stop when I stopped you. Here we are again and again I say you can't have her.” Alex growled the words out softly his fury whipping the words out like a lash. The Butcher laughed again.

“Boy, you didn't stop me the first time. Instead you nearly got yourself killed. I won't be so kind tonight. No, I wont. You and your lady will join those who fell at my hand.” The Butcher snapped the threat as if he was annoyed by a pesky child. He then lounged at Alex who met him midway. They collided and another firework exploded, both punching and kicking. The butcher trying to stab and slice at Alex repeatedly. They staggered into a wall and the butcher manage to slice Alex's arm and then slammed his head against the wall with a punch momentarily stunning Alex who slumped slightly. Sapphire realized that The Butcher had the opportunity he was waiting for and had raise his hand to stab Alex.

She opened the cooler and grabbed a cold soda out of it. She turned and chucked the drink at The Butcher's head. It caught him hard and threw him off balance. “B****.” He growled and lunged at her Alex momentarily forgotten. She focused herself and the cans began to rise out of the chest and hurtle at The Butcher rapidly one after the other driving him backward. The Ice also pelted him, a constant rain of indoor hail. The Butcher staggered back until he was in the doorway. He glared evilly at her.

“I'm done being afraid of you. You are not going to hurt my friends and family. And you are not going to hurt me anymore!” As if to punctuate her last word the cooler itself hurtled through the air and struck The Butcher full force in the chest leaving him teetering dangerously close to the stairs edge. This was followed by a chair that sent him tumbling down the stairs head over heels.

She ran to Alex as he sat up. “Look at your arm.” she said dismayed and yanked off her shirt so she was just in her sports bra. She wrapped Alex's arm while he called Sheriff Irish who. was already there and hurried into the house. He found the Butcher dead at the foot of the tower stairs, his neck broken. He had a deputy call the coroner and an ambulance for Alex. Then he questioned them both.

“He must have snuck in earlier while we were all busy with festivities. We heard him move but didn't see him until the fireworks started going off. He lunged at me because I wouldn't let him hurt Sapphire and we fought. He stunned me with a punch that slammed my head into the wall and then managed to slice me. I was stunned and at his mercy. Suddenly, Sapphire started rapid firing soda cans and ice at him. He staggered backward under the onslaught of cans and ice. He tried to attack her but she chucked the almost empty cooler at him and followed with a chair. The chair must have knocked him off balance because the next thing I know he's falling down the stairs screaming. His scream was cut off abruptly so that must have been when he broke his neck.” Alex explained as medics tended to his arm. The cut was long, but amazingly not very deep. They closed it with butterfly bandages and wrapped it up.

Sapphire story matched Alex's story. “I didn't mean for him to die, Sheriff. I just didn't want him to kill Alex.” She said sadly.

The sheriff nodded, “If you hadn't of acted both of you could have very well been dead. You are a hero little lady. Hopefully, we can finally put this behind us.” He shook her hand, “Take care of Alex dear. Alex, I'm afraid your home is a crime scene for now. I'll let you know when you can move back in.”

Alex nodded and Sapphire said, “He can stay with me.”

“Also I'm having my men search the house in case our friend left any surprises. If there is any surprises like secret passages you should let them know. We don't know where he's been in the house.” The Sheriff informed them.

“We will.” Alex said his good arm wrapped around Sapphire's shoulder. He couldn't help but wonder if the man they'd faced this night was the butcher or not. They went downstairs with the sheriff and walked through he house with him. They revealed the passages they'd found over the summer and helped with the search.

“Sorry we didn't reveal these earlier, but we've been trying to keep them secret because we don't want anyone else to find and use them.” Alex explained to the sheriff.

“I understand. Thank you for taking me through them. Their existence will stay between the three of us.” The sheriff said as the three of reentered the kitchen from the basement. “All clear down here.” HE announced to his men.

“All clear in the main parts of the house.” was the response the officers gave.

A minute later the radio crackled and they all heard, “All clear on the bluff and at the cottage.”

The sheriff gave several orders to his men and turned to Alex and Sapphire. “I wouldn't celebrate to soon until we know for certain if the man who died tonight is who we think he is. There have been many Butcher copycats out there, and we still have the mess with Deacon yet. So be on your guard.” He warned.

They both nodded and locked all the doors when the police left, then set all the security systems. Alex installed his brand of security on the door leading to his home in the tower and added it to the other security system. Tonight was to close for comfort. Thankfully the Sheriff dealt with the Marshals tonight and they only stayed a few minutes before heading to the station to see if the intruder Sapphire and Alex had fought off was indeed The Butcher. If he was indeed The Butcher then the Marshals job would be done and from what the sheriff said Sapphire would get an award of some kind for stopping him.

Alex had noted Sapphire wasn't to excited about the award, she would just be glad The Butcher was gone. That would mean she could return to her old life again, perhaps. If that happened Alex would miss her terribly. Although he might just follow her and live there for awhile. If somehow they got together and married that would be nice too. “ Good God, He sounded like a stalker. Sheesh. That would really scare her away. What are you thinking Alex.” He thought mentally face palming himself.

He heard soft laughter in his mind. “Really, Alex? I think you're thoughts are sweet. I don't have any plans to move back to where I lived. I may write my family once I'm safe, but I like it here. I'm happy here and I'm good at my job. So quit worrying about that we got enough to worry about babe.” She light heartedly scolded him.

He loved the intimacy they had when they talked this way. It just felt so right in so many ways. Tonight they were safe and they were once again on cots in the library. Just the two of them relaxing and studying the book. They would have to wait to see what tomorrow brings.