Dead To Life

Chapter 7

Chapter 7“Hurry up, Hux. Let's try to get there before dark.” They were getting a late start with much to do and both were antsy.

He slid the shower door open and poked his head out. “Oh, but showers are necessary. Jump in here with me.”

Neither Sara nor Huxley appreciated occurrences preventing them from getting on with things. Sara was still in her grubby denim capri shorts and shirt, having worked with the contractor up in the attic. Huxley needed to shower, change clothes, and repack since just returning from his trip to Oregon.

Once both were in the shower, they lathered each other and threw soap bubbles back and forth. They enjoyed being n***d together, but it wasn't a time to fantasize about making love under a waterfall.

Huxley drove Sara's two-year-old dark green Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4x4. She had purchased it from an old farmer who had fallen on hard times. Despite her reputation for solving cases, Sara wished to remain low-key in the Delta. She didn't wish to seem like she gloated over her ability to make millions off the DVD games she created for children. She bought the Jeep, denying herself another beautiful new Acura MDX Hybrid Minivan she had her eye on.

The farmer selling his vehicle got him out of financial distress. In character of quietly helping others, Sara also paid off his major debts with a promise that he never revealed the source of financial aid. The farmer promised. His business was flourishing again this year and he graciously insisted on paying her back.

If he tries to pay me back, I'll use it to set up a college fund for his grandkids, she had thought in response to his offer.

Sara found she could better transport furnishings and other items to service her property in the Jeep. She still thought about the Acura MDX Hybrid Minivan she nearly died in when run off the road on Kauai in Hawaii. She had added a pearlescent tone to the pale sky-blue color, the only car on the island that shade of azure. The Blue Pearl, she aptly named it. She seriously thought about buying another. Yet, it might make her think too often of nearly dying in the accident and the sociopath she helped bring to justice. In keeping with the farm country in which she lived, she named her green Jeep Wrangler the Green Bean.

She and Huxley visited the tire shop to pick up his old Ford truck. It had been cheap when he purchased it, him needing only transportation in the Delta. He had no qualms about leaving the old pickup parked at the Sacramento International Airport for weeks at a time when he had to go out of town. Recently, he had too much on his mind. He neglected the tires on the truck. The one that blew had ripped to shreds, a sign he had driven on it in a dangerous condition far too long. He was lucky to hobble to the tire shop. All the tires needed changing. That little chore would be handled when they returned from San Francisco. They backtracked and left the pickup in the garage at Sara's home.

Her home was aptly named Talbot House after Orson and Esmerelda Talbot who once owned it. Sara felt deep sympathy for Esmerelda when Orson's remains were found on the property. He had been murdered, a victim of Tripp Unwin. To honor Orson, she let the name of Talbot House remain.

By the time they left Courtland, the scorching afternoon heat had just about baked everything. People scattered for shade or shelter. The severe climate predicated having the A/C blowing until they made it through Rio Vista and Fairfield and picked up Hwy. 80. After passing Vallejo and entering the Bay Area, the A/C went off and the windows came down.

Huxley breathed a sigh of relief. It was late afternoon, but days were longer this time of year. Though he drove too fast, there really was no hurry, other than their eagerness to learn more about Emma's whereabouts.

Sara leaned toward Huxley to be heard over the sound of the wind whipping past the opened windows. “Given the years that have passed, this mystery won't be solved overnight.”

“Agreed.” He seemed wistful.

Night was approaching as they crossed the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. City lights began flickering on from both sides of The Bay. Huxley had kept the windows lowered. Wind off the ocean cooled the air, a blessed relief. When traveling, she wore her long blonde hair in one braid down the back. The breeze through the vehicle blew a few stray strands, which never bothered her.

Huxley breathed deeply. “We can probably get a room at Le Meridien. That's where our Vet team meets up when we cross back and forth over the Pacific.”

“Without a reservation?” Sara felt so much a part of Huxley's life, but he could still be full of surprises. “Can we get in this late?”

“I think so. They know me and our group.”

They wanted to start their search fresh in the morning, so decided to stretch their legs a bit after the two-hour drive. Later, they ate a sumptuous dinner at Swiss Louis on Pier 39 and watched the low-lying fog slither in over the water. The background of soothing dinner music was only punctuated by the occasional forlorn sound of a foghorn out on the bay. After dinner, they strolled the pier.

“Thank goodness the sea lions are gone.”

“What's that about?” She looked over the side of the pier.

“You don't know about the sea lions? After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the sea lions took up residence on these piers along the waterfront. You can't imagine what they sound like till you hear them bark.”

Sara chuckled. “Sea lions bark?” She knew nothing about San Francisco.

“Yeah, an ugly coarse sound when disturbed or protecting their territory, but they're gone now. They head south to the Channel Islands in June and July for mating season.”

Sara was learning and enjoying the night lights, cool breeze blowing over the pier, and the salty sea air. The hot cup of coffee she sipped warmed her. She stared at the steam rising from the sturdy paper cup and wondered when coffee had so easily slipped into their lives. Her mind flashed on mornings in the Vietnam jungle when everyone started their days with the strong black brew. She smiled; thankful it wasn't a chilled bottle of water she held just then as the wind gusted again. She pulled her light jacket close and looked back toward The City. “What's that light way up there. See it?” She pointed high in the sky. Drifts of fog momentarily blocked it, then it flashed again.

“I think that's Coit Tower, on the peak of Telegraph Hill, if I have my directions right.” He looked at her curiously. “You've never spent much time in San Francisco?”

“Only for a layover at the airport on our trips to Vietnam.” She smiled, remembering. “Also, decades ago, when I escaped to Puerto Rico.”

“I haven't spent much time either, only on meet-ups.” He looked at her sideways, like he was conjuring a plan. “We should check out this town, but not right now.”

“Remind me to bring heavier clothes next time.” She shivered and hugged herself.

It had been a tiring day and they both wanted some intimate time. Huxley had been away nearly three weeks and flew into Sacramento only a few hours earlier. They weren't two hot kids that would jump in bed at the drop of a hat, but their lovemaking was what sustained them.

Back in their hotel room, the cozy even heat took away the chill from the brisk San Francisco climate. Sara came out of the bathroom, wearing a lacy pink gown and negligee, with thoughts of pouring her love over Huxley and pleasuring him. She found him fast asleep.