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

“What the hell is the reason there’s no noise today?” asked Carl Dixon as he strode through the front door. “I should be hearing all the noise of rehearsal.”

Marc arched an eyebrow at him. “Noise? What happened to music?”

“I don’t know. Ever since Ian started playing guitar, I don’t know.”

“Hey. I play good guitar. Better than him,” he added, throwing a hand in Erick’s direction.

Erick frowned. “I thought we agreed not to bring that up, damn it. I said I was sorry.”

“Yeah, well, nothing forgotten in this group,” said Ian. “Or even forgiven for that matter.”

“Although it was an interesting way of saying I don’t want to. Wonder if Eddie ever does it that way when Sammy asks him for something,” said Carl, shooting Erick a glare.

“Eddie played guitar,” said Ian. “Eddie was a metal guitar king. Maybe even higher. He was awesome.”

“Zakk Wylde was awesome,” countered Adrian. “The way he played for Ozzy was amazing.

Ian grunted. “No one can play like Eddie.”

Marc rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t aware either of them played for us—even if they were able. Let’s leave the past behind.” He turned to Carl. “We’re taking a much-deserved break.”

“Much-deserved?” asked Carl, sarcastically.

“Yeah. Donovan woke us up this morning,” said Ian.

Carl’s expression turned serious. “Any word on Casi?”

Marc sighed. “Joe and Ethan found out she has amnesia. They’re looking for her.”

“Damn,” muttered Carl. “What happened?”

“We don’t know everything,” said Kari quietly. “We hope they find her soon.”

“Have you called your parents?” Carl asked Marc.

“I don’t want to tie up phone lines if they’re waiting on something from Joe and Ethan.”

Carl looked around the room and sighed. “So no rehearsal today then?”

Marc shook his head. “I’m not in the mood.”

Ian opened his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut and shook his head. When everyone looked at him, he sighed. “Just never mind.” When everyone still stared at him, he grunted. “And all of you have a damn dirty mind.”

Erick snorted. “Your mind’s in the gutter. Any other time, you would’ve said what you were thinking.”

“Go away, go play the Wedding March on guitar again and scare away all the neighbors.”

“God, no,” muttered Carl. “Once was more than enough.”

“Would you all seriously drop it? I said I was sorry. Hell, even Ethan was mad at me.”

Marc sighed and stared out the window. “Forget it, Ian’s just being a pain as usual.”

“Hey—“

The telephone ringing made all of them fall silent and stare at the cordless phone in the hall. Slowly, Marc walked over to it and answered. “Hello?....Hey, what’s up....Yeah, he did. He called you?....If it’s come to that, I’ll vote to oust him....And?” Marc found he had to sit down. Luckily the phone was next to a chair.

“She’s where?...How the hell did she get there?....But that’s impossible. She’d need a passport for that...Damn, how do you like that. Wait, you said he was coming home. Why isn’t he going there?.....But—“ Marc broke off, pulled the phone away from his ear, then slowly put it back and listened. “No, I wasn’t going to say anything....Yeah, well, you were all starry-eyed last year too and that didn’t end like you hoped it would....I’m not jinxing it, damn it. I’m being reasonable....Don’t you dare compare me to him. Hell, he wanted to call Chad to go rescue her.”

Marc took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right.....Yeah....No, I don’t. Gail does though...I’ll do that...Hey, what about the cats. They haven’t been there all this time, have they? Alone, hungry, abandoned?....Oh, so no claws in my ankles, okay....Yeah, well, Merlin is kind of weird but hey, like cat, like owner...Yeah, I’ll go, stock up and check everything.....All right, bye.”

Ian frowned. “Who the hell was that?”

“Cat.”

Erick shifted in his chair. “What’s up?”

Marc carefully hung up as if the phone were made of fine china. Then he turned to see everyone staring at him, waiting for an answer. He took a deep breath. “Cat said Ethan called her. Joe’s heading to Egypt to get Casi.”

Carl’s blue eyes widened. “Egypt? She’s in Egypt? I thought she was in Paris.”

“Apparently the guy who rescued her took her to Egypt.” Marc shrugged, still dazed himself. “Cat doesn’t know all the details.” He stood up. “She wants me to go get groceries and stock Casi’s kitchen so when she comes home she won’t have to bother with it.”

Ian frowned. “How come you get to have all the fun?”

“You call grocery shopping fun?” asked Erick.

Marc grinned. “Aw hell, come on, the more the merrier.”

“Well, he’s chipper,” said Ian.

Erick snorted. “Go away. Go play on the train tracks.”

“My momma told me never to play on the tracks. That’s the fastest way to get squished. Now playing between the tracks...”

“Oh for God’s sake,” muttered Carl, turning on his heel and heading for the door. “I’m leaving.”

“But you just got here,” said Adrian.

Carl groaned and left. There had to be easier, less stressful ways to make money, he thought, heading for his car. There had to be.

22 May 2003

Cairo, Egypt

4:20 pm

The Nefretiri slid smoothly up close to the dock and several men laid a makeshift gangplank to allow passengers off or on. Ariel was the first one to leave the barge. She’d shed the baggy shirt and pants for a knee-length denim skirt and gauzy cotton blouse with butterfly sleeves. Her hair was done in twin plaits now and she’d traded the baseball cap for the straw hat Michael had brought for her.

The sound of a car door, then a second one slamming shut made Ariel glanced toward the parking area. A taxi sat there, its engine idling a moment,as someone paid the driver. Ariel recognized Melia and Felicity as they stood waiting for their companion. Absently, she noted more taxis pulling up behind the first one. But when the person paying the driver straigtened up, she forgot all else.

It was a man with sun-streaked blond hair...and eyes the color of the ocean. Oh God, she knew him. A jungle...a hospital...Marrakech..Paris. Oh God, Paris. She felt dizzy and thirsty—a hot stuffy room....Her hand went to her throat—the pearl.

“Ariel?” Sheldon touched her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

She didn’t seem to hear him, her eyes focused on the man as he followed Melia halfway to the barge. The man halted as his eyes connected with hers. Time slowed down and without realizing it, she moved to meet him. She tilted her head back to get a better look at him, then her slender hand cracked across his cheekbone. “I ought to deck you,” she said, her voice shaking.

He didn’t smile. She could see the imprint of her fingers on his stubbled cheek.. He swallowed hard. “Go ahead.”

She raised her hand again but didn’t slap him. “That was for walking out on me.”

“I had to.”

“It didn’t work.” With their eyes locked, their surroundings faded away.

He raised his hands as if to touch her shoulders, then stopped. After a long moment, he lowered his hands. “I thought it would protect you.”

She stood there, stiffly, staring at him. She could feel her heart break ever so slowly. “You were wrong.”

His face went white and he took a step back. “God, I’m sorry. I am so sorry.”

She moved with him. “Where are you going?”

“I—“ His eyes filled with tears. “This was a mistake.”

She grabbed his arm. “Only if you walk away again.”

He stared at her hand on his arm, then slowly raised his eyes and looked at her. Her gold-brown eyes were full of unshed tears and her skin was pale. With no warning, she launched herself at him. He swept her up in his arms, knocking her hat off. He felt tears fill his own eyes. “God, you scared the hell out of me,” he whispered, holding her tightly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, rested her head on his shoulder and began to cry. He let her down gently, smoothed the tiny tendrils of hair that had escaped the braids back. “Don’t cry, Casi. Please don’t cry.”

Her eyes widened and she searched his face, touching his cheek with her hand, so lightly he barely felt the pressure of her fingers. “Oh God....Joe....” Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “Joe...”

He lowered his head and kissed her—and suddenly the black veil surrounding her memory exploded. Memories flooded through her—her mother, father, brothers, sister—Ireland, Kenya—

Joe finally broke off the kiss, breathless. He smoothed his hands down her braids. “Oh God, Casi.”

She swallowed hard, nearly shaking as the memories came back. “I remember...I was going to meet...I was going to meet...Mom at the university.”

“Shh, it’s okay.”

Casi shook her head. “Someone grabbed me, put a black hood or something over my head.”

“It’s okay. The man who grabbed you is in jail.”

Casi frowned. “But how did you know I was in Egypt?”

Joe gave her a shocked look. “Give me a little credit.”

“Cassandra,” came a new voice.

She turned and realized she knew now. “Melia...” She glanced over the woman’s shoulder. “Robert.”

“Cassandra,” said Robert, looking stricken. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s okay. It’s been seven years.”

“Still...” Robert just shook his head.

Melia stepped forward and hugged her. “So...you remember now?”

Casi gave a relieved sigh. “Yes.” She glanced at Joe, reached for his hand. “I remember it all.”

Joe tried to take a step back. Something about her tone of voice unsettled him. “Casi—“

“All of it. Everything.” She tightened her grip on his hand, not about to let go this time. “Especially you.”

Joe swallowed hard. “Casi—“

Melia touched Casi’s shoulder. “Anger will only bring regrets.”

Casi glanced over at her. “Since when did you get so wise, cousin.”

“Melia,” said Robert. “Don’t.”

Felicity walked up and nodded to Casi. “Hello, cousin.”

Casi remembered now. Felicity hated her nickname. Now it all made so much sense. “Felicity.”

Apparently Felicity heard something in Casi’s tone as well. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Just fine.”

Joe frowned. “Casi, now wait just a minute before you get all furious at me. I—we need to call your parents.”

“Yes, of course.” She steered him toward the nearest telephone koisk, away from everyone else.

Joe finally managed to pull his hand free. “Are you going to hit me again?”

“Do you want me to?”

Joe rubbed the cheek she’d slapped. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

Casi studied him for a second, then lifted her hand,fingers splayed and rested it on the cheek she’d hit. She slowly shifted her eyes to look straight at him. “You walked out on me. After all that happened, you turned around and walked away. I should hate you.”

Carefully, he placed his hand over hers. “Why don’t you?”

Tears filled her eyes again. “Because....I love you.”

“Casi—“

“No words. I’m not finished. I love you. I love you so much it hurts. It hurt when you walked out of my house last year with no goodbye. It hurt when you turned away, walked out because you couldn’t stand to see me in harm’s way.” She pulled her hand back and gestured around her. “What the hell do you call this? And was any of this your fault?”

“Casi—“

“Don’t you dare say yes to that last damn question. It is not your fault. I went to Paris to a writers’ conference. It was a fluke.”

Joe hated what he was going to say next but he’d had a long time to think about it. “Was it? You were shot at.”

Casi blinked and touched her temple with a light finger. “Shot?” Her eyes widened and she saw the expression on Joe’s face. “Damn it, do not do that. I am not Bryce. Joe, I’m here, warm and alive.” She stepped close to him. “And I want to be in your arms.”

“What if it is all my fault? What if the same person who killed Bryce---“

“Shut up. Just shut the hell up.” Casi spun around and glared at the telephone. She took a deep breath and swore she wouldn’t cry again. She reached for the receiver and picked it up. She dialed her father’s number collect and took a deep breath. She felt his hands touch her shoulders and she closed her eyes. Oh dear God, please don’t let him walk away this time....

The phone rang shrilly in the quiet office. Alannah looked up from the book she’d been reading—or rather trying to read. She couldn’t seem to concentrate on the words.

“Hello?...I’ll accept the charges.” Liam shot to his feet. “Cassandra? My God—“ He found his hand was shaking as he hit the button for the speaker phone.

Alannah stood up, letting the book fall to the floor forgotten. “Dad? Mom?” came a welcome voice. Alannah went weak in the knees with relief. Alannah swallowed hard. “Cassandra, oh God, baby, you’re okay.”

“Hi, Mom, Dad....I am so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Liam took a deep breath and sat back down. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Joe found me.”

Liam and Alannah’s eyes met from across the office. “Because he loves you.”

There was a long pause,then she said, “I know, Dad.”

Alannah frowned at Liam, then cleared her throat. “So...you remember?”

“Yes, Mom. I remember it all.”

Alannah took a deep breath. “Honey, I’m sorry—“

“It’s okay, Mom. It’s okay now. I’m fine. Joe found me...” There was another long pause, then she cleared her throat. “I need to call Donovan and—“

“We’ll do that, Casi,” said Liam. “Is Joe there?”

“Yes.”

“Tell him thank you from the family,” said Liam, finally feeling relieved. He couldn’t wait until Casi came back, he wanted to see her, to hold her.

There was a muffled whisper, then Casi’s voice came back on line. “He says he couldn’t not....look for me.” There was another muffled conversation and Casi took a deep breath. “He says he’s glad you called him.”

Alannah heard more in her daughter’s voice. “Tell him we’ll be glad to see him too.”

Silence came across the line for a good long minute, then Joe’s voice came on. “I’m sorry, Alannah, I won’t be going back to Paris with Casi. I have work I have to do.”

For a split second, Alannah felt herself go cold inside. He was doing it again. A look from her husband made her take a breath. He was supposed to go to Bulgaria, she remembered now. “Yes, of course. We’ll see you soon then.” She took another deep breath. “Christmas?”

“If you’ll have me.”

“Of course, Joe,” said Liam. “I’m sure Casi will be delighted.”

Joe didn’t answer but the odd thunk sounded as if he’d dropped the phone. Casi’s voice came on the line. “I’d better go. I’ll be in Paris as soon as I can. I love you.”

“We love you, Casi. Thank God, you’re okay.”

“I have many friends, Dad. And family, even here.”

Liam blinked. He’d forgotten about their relations who lived in Egypt. He relaxed in his chair. “Good, tell them hello for me, daughter.”

“I will. Bye, Dad, Mom.”

“Good bye, honey,” said Alannah, quietly. When the dial tone sounded, Liam hit the speakerphone button, hanging up. He glanced at his wife and saw she was near tears. She walked over to him and sat down on his lap and rested her head on his shoulder, then she cried.

Liam held her close. “If you call Donovan, sounding all teary, he’ll think the world ended.”

Alannah took a breath. “She’s okay.”

“She’s okay.” Liam stared at the phone for a long moment. “You think there will be wedding bells soon?”

Alannah sat up so quickly she almost toppled the chair and them with it. “What?”

“Remember, Marc wanted his sisters to have a double wedding. We still have half the stuff he bought.”

“William!”

“You disapprove?”

“I—“ Alannah sighed. “It’s Casi’s decision.”

Liam grinned. “Yes, it is indeed.”

Alannah gazed at him a moment, thinking back to when she’d first met Joseph MacKensey. Slowly, she began to smile. “He’d make a nice son-in-law. Marc would be happy. Joe’s been his favorite fan from the beginning.”

“I don’t care if Marc is happy. I want Casi to be happy. And I think that a marriage would heal the both of them.”

Alannah sighed. “I hope you’re right. Who are we calling first? Donovan or Marc?”

“Well, the sooner Donovan knows, the less likely he’ll be to call in the Marines.”

“True. Very true. And by the way, he’s your son too.”

Liam just grunted good-naturedly. “Yes, well, there is that.”

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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.