Fade-out: Take 2 of the Kanyon and Daylen Series, page 17
“Will do,” Kanyon agreed as they stepped into the elevator. “And the other thing?”
“The tall, beautiful blonde thing?” Daylen asked, watching the buttons light above the door. “She cleared the air.” She gave Kanyon a sidelong glance. “But there was really no need.”
“Because you believed me?” Kanyon hoped.
“Maybe.” Daylen winked.
The doors opened and two bug-eyed cops stepped into the elevator, effectively cutting off any further conversation, as they began to ask them both to autograph their ticket books, a court summons, and what Daylen thought might have been a warrant for someone’s arrest.
They stepped out of the building and headed back to Daylen’s car. “I’ll drive,” Daylen said, reaching her hand out for her keys.
Kanyon dropped them into her hand. “So where are we going?”
“Back to the office. I apparently need to have a long talk with my aunt.” They rode several miles in silence until, at a stoplight, Daylen looked at Kanyon. “So, Captain Laine?”
“What about him?” Kanyon asked, though she was pretty sure she had figured out why the man looked so familiar.
“Do you think he and my aunt, you know?”
“Yeah, they totally bumped uglies.”
“Thank you so much for that.” Daylen did a mental headshake to erase those images. “Did he look familiar to you?”
“A little, yeah.” Come on Daylen, connect the dots, Kanyon thought.
“He did to me too. I just can’t place him. But obviously I’ve met him before. He said ‘nice to see you again’. Did you catch that?”
“Yep.”
“Maybe he did a security detail on the set or something?”
“Maybe,” Kanyon offered non-committedly, as she was not going to be the one that broke this little news flash to Daylen; she’d headlined enough of her own stories for one day.
“But I don’t think that’s it,” Daylen pondered. Kanyon didn’t reply, letting Daylen play with the puzzle pieces. Switching thoughts. “Yeah, I don’t know. Anyways, have you checked on Blue? Did she actually make it to your place?”
“I called her while you were chatting with the Bride of RoboCop, it sounds like she’s getting settled in okay. I’m a little nervous though, she asked if I minded if she attached dungeon shackles to the wall in the laundry room. I’m hoping that’s just one of her props and she’s not actually building a torture chamber.”
“When she was eight, she asked her mom for a bed of nails for Christmas,” Daylen offered as comfort.
“I’m totally locking my doors at night,” Kanyon paused then added, “and during the day.” Daylen chuckled as Kanyon continued. “By the way, does Blue know anything about you and the whole Seeker thing?”
“Kind of, I think. I believe her mother might have told her something about it.”
Surprised, Kanyon twisted in her seat. “Her mother knows?”
“Yeah, she and I were really close once.” Daylen stopped at another light and felt a small amount of pleasure as she saw Kanyon stiffen at her comment.
“Close?” Kanyon asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Close,” Daylen repeated without clarification, making Kanyon’s mind wonder to the meaning, although the truth was they had only become friends because of an almost tragedy they shared. Daylen and Blue’s mom, Jo, had worked the late shift together at a restaurant before Daylen became an actress. They had been friendly, but not necessarily friends until one night when two guys came into the restaurant. Daylen hadn’t seen them come in but she had felt them. She was still new to the Seeker sight powers and at that point in her life they were not consistent, only sparking the occasional flash of insight, and she was actively trying to avoid them. But the guy’s emotions were so powerful she couldn’t ignore the urgency, greed, and scheming criminal mindset that screamed at her when they entered. They had taken a seat in a booth as if they were going to order like any other customers, but Daylen instinctively knew they were just waiting for the right opportunity. Without thinking of the ramifications, Daylen had told Jo, who was working the register, to take her table and she would man the register. Jo was still questioning Daylen’s actions when the men stood and rushed them. Daylen ending up pushing Jo away just in time to have a gun put to her forehead. Though she had cooperated and given them the money, she received a quick butt of the gun to her face as a thank you. Daylen was okay, only getting a bruised temple, but she had also gotten a very thankful Jo out of the ordeal. Add Daylen warning Jo about a cheating boyfriend and a deceitful ‘director’ that wanted to make Jo a star; she had made a life-long friend. So after one night of too many margaritas Daylen had entrusted Jo with her valuable secret and Jo had entrusted Daylen with her most valuable treasure, Blue.
It was after five when they arrived back at the office; Theo had already left for the evening. Getting out, Kanyon stopped before heading toward the door. “Looks like the place is all yours. You want me to go with you to talk to Ruby?” she asked, pretty sure Daylen would want to speak to her aunt alone and selfishly Kanyon really didn’t want to be around when Daylen confronted Ruby about Captain J.T. Laine.
“No. You head home, or I mean, do whatever you have planned for the night,” Daylen added awkwardly, realizing that she didn’t know what Kanyon had planned for the evening.
Kanyon smiled. “I’m headed home. I want to make sure Blue isn’t out scaring the neighbor kids.” Daylen’s laugh cut off when Kanyon took a step toward her. “We need to talk about what happened on the bike and in the alley earlier. I think there’s more going on than just the Seeker Guardian thing.”
Daylen was silent for a long moment then brought her eyes up to meet Kanyon’s. “I know there is.” Daylen paused, as the emotions and the memories of the day overtook her. Daylen enjoyed the way it felt when she let down her guard; let herself believe, if only for a moment, that they could be together. But then came the memory and jolt of fear when she found out Kanyon had been ran off the road and nearly shot.
Kanyon watched as the play of emotions ran through Daylen’s eyes and she could see them as clearly as if they were a movie or as if she was the one with the Seeker sight. She watched the concern, the fear, and knew Daylen was thinking about the car chase and bullets. “I’m right here.” She lifted a hand up to Daylen’s face. “Feel me. I’m right here and I’m okay.”
Daylen leaned into Kanyon’s hand, laying her own hand over Kanyon’s and holding on to it. “I know.” She closed her eyes. God, do I know. But that’s this time. Next time, what if next time… She couldn’t deal if next time… She wouldn’t even allow herself to think it. She squeezed Kanyon’s hand gently, reopened her eyes, and pulled Kanyon’s hand from her face. She saw the hurt in Kanyon’s eyes as their hands dropped. “We’ll figure it out.” She forced a half smile to the edge of her mouth. “Time, okay? I just need some time.”
Kanyon forced a matching smile as she nodded. They stood for a moment and Daylen’s resolve melted a little as she stared at Kanyon. Unable to help herself she stepped to Kanyon, rose onto her toes, and placed a soft kiss to Kanyon’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered then lowered herself back to her heels and headed to the office.
Kanyon’s smile was genuine this time, as she watched Daylen’s retreating back. “Tomorrow,” she muttered.
Daylen hit the steps to the office, paused, and glanced back over her shoulder. “Kanyon.”
Kanyon was just about to pull on her helmet but stopped. “Yeah?”
“Ride the bike tomorrow,” Daylen said. When Kanyon smiled widely, she winked then continued up the stairs and into the house.
Chapter 10
Daylen passed Theo’s office and then her and Kanyon’s, heading directly to the end of the hall. “Aunt Ruby?” The house was strangely quiet, making her realize how times have changed in the last few weeks. She didn’t think the place would ever be this quiet again. “Aunt Ruby, you up here?” She heard what she thought was a door close, even though her aunt’s office door was clearly open, as she stepped into its entryway. “Aunt Ruby?”
Spinning quickly away from her wall of books. “Daylen! Jesus!” Ruby gasped.
Daylen scanned the room. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” Ruby pushed a book back into the shelf. “Just some light reading.”
Daylen glanced toward the book that had captured her aunt’s attention so completely, but it was too far away to read the binding. “You got a minute?”
“Of course, of course, sit down.” They both moved toward Ruby’s desk, taking their normal seats. “Something happen today with the case?”
“Well, actually, yeah a lot happened today,” Daylen responded, momentarily forgetting about the reason she had come to speak with her aunt. “Apparently, Kanyon got in a car chase down a hill, nearly got ran off the road, and was shot at while I was visiting Willy Wacker in his penis factory. Then later she and I both were chased by a guy with an axe.”
“That’s good dear,” Ruby replied absently, flicking a look back at the wall of books.
Daylen followed her gaze then focused back on Ruby, noticing the distant troubled look on her aunt’s face. “Aunt Ruby?” When her aunt didn’t answer immediately. “Earth to Aunt Ruby,” she said a little louder.
At Daylen’s raised voice, Ruby turned her attention back to her niece. “What? I’m listening.”
“Ahhh, I said chased twice and penis factory in the same sentence and your response was ‘that’s good dear’? You weren’t listening. What’s going on?”
Her aunt raised an eyebrow. “Penis factory?”
“Yeah. Since that didn’t get your attention then maybe this will…” Daylen sat back and crossed her arms. “I met Captain Laine today.” Daylen let the sentence hang in the air, hoping her aunt’s reaction would give her some clue to their relationship. It did. Ruby’s face went white as she went from distracted to all hands on the attention deck. “So I take it he wasn’t just a passing acquaintance?” Daylen asked.
Ruby flipped her hair, picked up a pen on her desk, and began to flip it in her fingers, faking her best casual with a side of mild interest. “What did he tell you?”
“He didn’t tell me anything really, hence the reason I’m here.” Daylen stood slightly, leaned forward, plucked the pen from her aunt’s hand, and pointed it at her. “So you are going to enlighten me.”
“There’s nothing really to-” Ruby started.
Daylen flat palmed the pen to the desk. “Not going to work, I know better. Spill it. He obviously knows about us, what we do, and how we do it. I didn’t know anyone knew, especially a Captain at the police department.” Daylen lowered herself back down into her chair, waiting a long minute for an answer. “Aunt Ruby?”
“What?”
Daylen narrowed her eyes. “Don’t even think about playing the ‘I suddenly have Alzheimer’s’ bit.” Ruby started to open her mouth again and Daylen cut her off. “Or the ‘I’m in a drunken stupor’ bit.”
Ruby sat back and crossed her arms defiantly.
“And don’t try the ‘I’m your elder’ or ‘I’m your boss’ thing either. Spill it, Aunt Ruby. I think I have the right to know who knows about us, about me,” Daylen stated.
Ruby uncrossed her arms, ran a frustrated hand through her hair, and sighed heavily. “You’re right.”
“Thank you. Now who is Captain J.T. Laine and why does he know about us? And most of all, why didn’t you ever tell me about him?”
Ruby abruptly stood, moving over to the window, letting her eyes stare into the impending darkness. Avoiding the eyes of her niece, she finally answered, “I have told you about him, many times.”
“You’ve never told me about a Captain at the police department that knows about us and the other Seekers,” Daylen argued.
“No, not a Captain, but I have told you about a police officer I once knew,” Ruby began as the tears formed and slid down her cheek.
“I don’t…” Daylen’s words died on her lips as the puzzle pieces finally fell into place. “Uncle Jack? But…” Daylen stood, though she knew now that beyond a doubt the smiling eyes that greeted her at the station were the same as the pictures of him she had looked at her whole life. “I don’t understand. You said he was dead. Why would you lie about something like that?”
“I never said he was dead.”
“Yes you di-” Daylen’s protest faltered. Had her aunt or any of her family actually ever said that? They had said there was an accident, he was gone, but now that she thought about it she didn’t ever remember anyone saying the word “dead”. New heat in her voice, “You knew that I thought that. Why didn’t you tell me, correct me? Why did you let me believe it?”
Her aunt didn’t answer.
Daylen moved to her, took her arm, and gently turned her to face her. “Why did you…” Her words fell off as she saw the pain that pushed the tears from her eyes. “Aunt Ruby, talk to me. I don’t understand. You obviously still have feelings for him. So, why?”
Ruby wiped at her cheeks, sniffed, then spoke softly, “I thought that pushing him away was the only way I could protect him.” She chuckled halfheartedly. “Sound familiar?”
Kanyon parked in front of her house. No screaming or sobbing children, so I’ll take that as a good sign. She headed around the back to the pool house. Her feet faltered when they hit her backyard. The same backyard that had once greeted her with the warm glow of landscape lighting, now greeted her with the glow of black lights emanating from the pool house. There was a pentagram bat signal now pulsing against the side of the main house and she was pretty sure that it was an industrial size fog machine hooked up in the flower bed that was creating the eerie grey cloud of creepy at the base of her once not-haunted pool house. When exactly did I agree to provide housing for the Addams Family? Stepping further into her yard, she made the chilling discovery that… yep, she was pretty sure that was Swamp Thing chilling out at the bottom of her lap pool.
Kanyon pounded on the pool house door just under the newly hung ‘Knock at your own risk, but be advised you are standing on a trap door over a crocodile pit and I don’t like humans’ sign. Kanyon took a cautious step to the side and knocked again. No answer. She thought of Blue’s earlier question about the wall shackles. “She’s probably too busy torturing someone to answer the door.”
Kanyon leaned an ear to the door, then stepped to the window to peek in, only to be blocked by newly hung black curtains. She pulled out her phone to call her new backyard roomie and noticed she had missed a call. She bent down to unscrew the landscape light bulb that Blue had modified for her evil bat signal, as she hit the button to her voicemail.
Her neighbor’s annoyed voice played back to her. “Kanyon, this is Iris. I’m calling to tell you I don’t approve of the goings-on at your house. You have what looks to be a cult member moving in and as your neighbor and as the president of the HOA, I need to advise you how this looks for our community. The house values could drop-” Kanyon clicked off the phone, bent down, replaced the bulb, then turned the fixture toward her neighbor’s bedroom window. She was still smiling as she entered the back door of her house, only to pull up short when she found Blue sitting at her kitchen island. “Please, make yourself at home.”
“Already have, thanks,” Blue said over a mouthful of spaghetti that Kanyon had been planning to heat up and eat tonight.
“That good?” Kanyon asked as she entered the kitchen.
“Yeah, but it needs a little more red pepper,” Blue stated over another mouthful.
“I’ll tell Giada you said so.”
Blue looked down at her plate then back at Kanyon. “Maybe a little more garlic powder wouldn’t hurt anything either.”
Kanyon rolled her eyes. “So you got all moved in, I see.”
“Yep. Bitchin’, huh?”
“Is that Swamp Thing or Creature from the Black Lagoon at the bottom of my pool?” Kanyon asked, pulling open the refrigerator to find her own dinner.
“Mutant, water-breathing demon,” Blue offered.
“Ah, well, in that case it’s all good then.”
“Cool.”
Kanyon heated up her own plate of what was left of Giada’s spaghetti and sat down across from Blue. “So what are your plans from here?”
Blue shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll try to ambush Rick Baker in an alley and force him to give me a job.”
“That’s one option.” Kanyon took a bite and chewed. “Or you could go through more conventional means of gaining lawful employment.”
Blue shrugged as if she wasn’t interested but didn’t make a sarcastic comment, so Kanyon figured she was listening. “I don’t mind helping you ‘cause I happen to believe you are one of the most talented special effects, make-up artists I’ve ever seen.”
Blue shrugged again, picked up her plate and took it to the sink, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher.
“But I won’t do anything for you unless you’re willing to help yourself,” Kanyon stated.
“Is this the movie where you take me under your wing because you believe in me, even though I don’t see it myself? So to encourage me, you start showing me kindness under the mask of a little tough love and I reluctantly let you in my young, jaded heart a little day by day. Then someday I’m tested with a moral dilemma and because of your love and faith in me, I make the right moral choice despite my upbringing and internal struggles. Then through that experience I find out that we are alike, that you too have a jaded history, we bond, and I start believing in myself. Right before my big break, I eagerly wait for you so I can show off my accomplishments that I then know I only achieved because of your unwavering belief in me, only to later find out the reason you didn’t show was ‘cause you had a heart attack while getting dressed to come see me. A heart defect that the doctors warned would kill you if you didn’t go in for surgery, the warning you ignored just so you could be there on my big day. After an appropriate grieving period, I begin to apply all the lessons I unknowingly learned from you during our short time together and from that day forward, I cherish my life, respect myself, never take another day for granted, and become a huge success.” Blue finished and propped both elbows on the kitchen island directly in front of Kanyon, rested her chin in her hands, and batted her eyes in false admiration.
