HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

Vanessa bolted for her car, as tears streamed down her face. Secretly, she'd always felt like she was having to compete with a memory. It wasn't anything Joe had ever said or even did, it just seemed as if Iola's ghost haunted them both. And now to have someone who looked just like Iola step into Joe's life---

A low-slung dark green car pulled up in front of her, blocking her path to her car. She wiped the tears away to see the passenger side door open, seemingly of it's own accord. Vanessa leaned down but the driver had a hat pulled low over his eyes. "Who are you?"

"A friend. Please, get in."

"My car's just over there."

The driver looked at her and she recognized the face. "Byron.."

He gave her a slow smile. "You remember me, Vanessa, I'm flattered."

It registered that he'd called her Vanessa. "You know my name."

"Yes, of course I do. Come, Vanessa...he doesn't deserve you."

Vanessa started to disagree but then stopped. She'd seen him kiss Ione in school and again just now. Joe hadn't looked angry or regretful when he'd kissed Ione. Maybe Byron was right after all. "You sent the roses, didn't you," she said almost in a whisper.

"You deserve a grand gift for Valentine's Day. Come, Vanessa."

"I don't know."

"I will not force you, Vanessa. If you wish to go to your car, return to your home and continue to weep over someone who does not deserve you, I cannot make you do otherwise. But you deserve better."

Vanessa swallowed hard. Byron seemed better somehow--not so obsessed with his late fiancee. He seemed almost nice and normal. But still something kept her from getting in his car. "I don't think so, Byron. I just want to go home for now."

"Very well. Don't cry over him too much, Vanessa."

She pushed the passenger side door closed and watched Byron drive off. She took a deep breath and walked over to her car. She unlocked it and got in and then started the car and backed out of her space. Vanessa headed for the nearest exit and found herself behind Byron's Jaguar. He had his rear blinker on, signaling a right turn. Vanessa at first flicked her left turn signal but as the light turned green, she made a fast decision and turned right to follow Byron.

He kept a steady pace, about two miles over the posted speedlimit, all the way to his estate. Vanessa watched the gates swing open for him and stay open. Had he seen her following him? She hesitated a moment longer but as long as the gate yawned open, she figured she could leave as quick as she needed to.

She pulled into the long driveway and parked behind the Jaguar. Then she heard the slow, steady creak as the gate clanged shut. Vanessa felt a spurt of panic and wondered if there was another way out. Stupid, why did she do something so damn stupid?

Vanessa watched Byron get out of his car and walk to hers, a look of delight on his face. She rolled down the window. "I don't know why I followed you. Can you open the gate?"

Byron's smile seemed a bit forced now. "I'm afraid not. Once they're closed for the night, they're closed."

"They just opened for you." Vanessa decided spending the night in her car wouldn't be so bad.

"Because I came home just in time. Get out of the car, Vanessa."

"I don't think so."

"You followed me because you know you've lost him. Lost him to memories, lost him to his one true love. You're safer here. Here his actions, his adventures can't touch you, can't harm you. You'll be safe by my side." Byron pulled open her door before she could think to lock it. "All I ask, is that you let me be with you."

Vanessa felt the trembling start. Oh God, it was happening all over again and this time it was all her fault for following him like an idiot. "I'm not Emily."

"You are Vanessa. I am protecting you, Vanessa, from him." Byron reached in and pulled her out of the car.

"What if I don't want to be protected?" She stepped clear of him, and glanced at the gate, wondered if she could scale it and get away.

"Then you are a fool. And fools need protection most of all. Come, I have your room all prepared."

"No. I want to go home."

"This is your home now."

"No."

Byron took her hands in his. When she tried to pull free, he tightened his hold. He pulled her close. "I understand you're frightened. It's understandable after the misunderstanding last year. You will learn in time that it is better to be safe than dead."

"You're hurting me, Byron."

He didn't blink, didn't let go. "Then stop struggling. It only hurts when you struggle."

Vanessa felt tears spring to her eyes as his grip tightened on her hands. "Okay, okay. I'll stay."

He let go of her hands and she rubbed them together, wincing at the soreness. Byron nodded and gestured to the front door. "I knew you'd see reason. Come, Vanessa, let us celebrate our friendship."

Vanessa spared one last look for the gate but Byron grabbed her arm. "No backward glances. Come."

Vanessa shuddered. Oh dear God, what had she done?

***

Frank burst into the coffee shop with Callie on his heels. He scanned the room and felt his heart sink. Joe and Ione were gone. He noticed a girl seated on one of the sofas, a heavy book in her lap, her eyes narrowed as she read. Frank hurried over to her. "Excuse me."

She didn't bother looking up. "Can't you see I'm studying?"

"Yes and I'm sorry but this is a matter of life and death."

She looked up then, her blue eyes still narrowed. "What are you, a drama major?"

Frank barely noticed her sarcasm. He was too conscious of time ticking away. "My brother was sitting with a dark-haired girl right there," he said, pointing to the now empty loveseat. "Did you see where they went?

The girl scowled, tossing her chestnut curls back over her shoulder. "I'm studying."

Frank started to ask again but Callie stepped forward. "Well, I'm sure the police will understand when they question you."

The girl's eyes widened. "Police?" She shifted her gaze to Frank. "You weren't being dramatic, were you?"

"No."

"They were talking, not enough to annoy me or anything. But then the older guy stepped in."

"Older guy?" asked Frank.

"Yeah, reminded me of those old shows on the public access channel. You know, English." The girl nodded. "Yeah. The blond dude didn't want to go with the girl but the older English guy told him he'd better go."

"English," Frank frowned. Why did that bother him? He pointed to the back. "They left out that way?"

"Uh-huh." The girl frowned at him. "What's the deal?"

Callie rolled her eyes. "I thought you were studying."

"This sounds like something out of Law and Order or CSI." She flashed a smile at Frank. "I'm Kathleen."

Frank gave her an absent nod. "Thanks. C'mon Callie."

Kathleen's smile faded. "You're his girlfriend?"

"Yeah. Go back to your studying."

Kathleen grunted, gave her a glare and looked down at her book. "I'm too busy anyway."

Callie followed Frank out of the coffee shop. "What now?"

"We find Joe." He headed for the van. "Let's go."

***

Vanessa found herself back in the same bedroom as before. As she looked around, absently noting the changes in furniture placement and accessories, she found herself wondering how Byron had known about Ione.

The door swung open and Byron walked in with a tray of food. Vanessa took a step back, away from him. "How did you know?"

"How did I know what?"

"Joe's former girlfriend. How did you know she was back?"

Byron laughed softly. "I remember her. Even as a young child, she idolized him. It was not at all a surprise that they would end up together." His smile faded. "But then--then she died. Died because of him."

"No." Vanessa swallowed hard. "How do you know?"

"Newspapers. The explosion at the mall during a rally for the presidential candidate made international headlines. Iola didn't deserve to--"

"Oh my God," said Vanessa, stumbling backwards. "You--"

Byron smiled and set the tray down on the table. "It was rather ingenous actually." He walked over to her and nodded. "You're safe now. You'll never have to fear for your life."

Vanessa shuddered. "But Joe--"

"He'll never bother you again."

Vanessa shook her head, as realization dawned. Her eyes widened and she stepped back again, only to sit down hard on the bed. Byron came closer, touched her cheek with a featherlight hand. "I couldn't save Iola," he whispered, his dark eyes going distant and haunted. "But I can save you." His eyes flicked to hers and Vanessa swallowed hard. Byron lowered his head and kissed her.

Vanessa jerked back and slapped his cheek. "Don't do that again," she ordered, in a low shaky voice. "Don't ever do that again."

Byron went very still and he stared at her for a long time. Finally he nodded. "I understand you're unsettled. Things will become clear for you in time." He straightened up and headed for the door. "And you and I have all the time in the world."

Vanessa went pale as he left the room and she heard the distinct click of a lock. What the hell had she been thinking, following him? Joe didn't know where she was--no one knew. She shuddered and felt tears fill her eyes. No one knew where she was.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.