Keeper: Chapter 38

Chapter 38.


“How may I be of assistance,” Jamie asked the lead fairy, Denas. A breeze set the tree limbs waving and the three fluttering fairies seemed to have trouble staying balanced in one spot. “Perhaps we could go up to the house?” Jamie suggested remembering that fairies were sensitive about their size and standing in the world and demanded courtesy. “Perhaps with tea in the parlor?” Denas frowned at him as though she were not expecting that response. She shook off her frown and smiled coquettishly at him.



“That will not be necessary Keeper,” She said. “The assistance our chieftain requires is better seen before it is dealt with. If you would follow me? It won’t take long.” Without waiting for an answer she turned and fluttered off towards the woods. Jamie shrugged and followed the trio. He hoped it would not take long enough that Del would start to worry over his absence.



Thankfully they stuck to an established path rather than gliding between trees. Jamie was grateful for the consideration but as the path was somewhat overgrown he still ended up with scratches on his arms as he tried to keep up.



Even though Denas and her friends could easily fit in the palm of his hand, they moved so fast it was like chasing a hummingbird. He was out of breath when they finally stopped in a small clearing. Several fallen logs were arranged around the clearing, roughly forming a circle. There was one smaller log placed in the center and on this log stood another fairy, a male this time. Denas fluttered up to him and took her seat to his right. To Jamie’s eyes they shared a similarity that marked them as family.



“Greetings to the Chieftan of the Hestwalana line,” Jamie said, taking a guess. The man looked startled, his wings folding closed quickly making him look like a butterfly had perched on his back. He opened his wings again slowly. Jamie wondered if this was a nervous tic like biting fingernails or if it had some significance Albe’s teachings had not yet revealed. Realizing he was towering over the fairies, Jamie took a seat on the ground.



“Greetings Keeper Fulton,” the chieftain said.



“I was told you needed my assistance?”



“Yes,” was the reply. “I’m afraid I do. It is rather unfortunate actually.” The last sounded a bit rueful but before Jamie could comment, he felt a tickling on the back of his hand. Jamie looked down to see a string lying across the back of his hand. He noticed several more that appeared to have fallen around him. He had not felt them as they were as light as spider silk and had landed on his clothing instead of his bare skin.



“What...” He began but was cut off when all of the strings tightened at once. He tried moving against them but found he couldn’t. He was as effectively trussed as though he were a fly in a spider’s web. He looked to the fairy chieftain. The man was shaking his head ruefully.



“I’m afraid there is no other choice at this point. The deal has been struck.”



“What deal?” Jamie asked. He felt several more loops drop around his neck and tighten a little. Out of the corner of his eyes he caught the movement in the brush as other fairies moved to help secure him. Their wings were not rainbow prisms but looked like they had been camouflaged so they wouldn’t stand out in the winter woods.



“For the Lustan of course,” he said.



“I don’t understand how this helps you with the Lustan,” Jamie said, thinking hard and fast. The chieftain looked at Jamie as though he were incredibly stupid.



“We chose a side,” he told Jamie slowly.



“I understand that,” Jamie said, trying to keep both the fear and the impatience from his voice. He tried shifting his hand and found he could move it a little to the side even if he couldn’t lift it. With luck he might be able to slide it off of his knee and gain some slack. He also realized that as he was sitting Indian style, the loops would loosen if he just stood up and straightened his legs. The thought brought him some comfort. He could get up and run if he had to. The trick would be keeping the fairies with their sharp looking swords away from delicate bits like his eyes while he was trying to get his hands free. “But harming me will not help either side, regardless of which one you’ve chosen.”



“Don’t talk nonsense human,” Denas said scornfully. “We help the Gederan and the Gederan help us. The Fedalas line will come to an end and Queen Genivia’s rule will be over. The Hestwalana can take their proper place and not be confined to...”



“Denas,” the chieftain said. “That is enough.” Denas quieted although she still looked angry. “Why would harming you help neither side?” he asked Jamie.



“Given the problems that have arisen regarding the use of the Lustan, including the death of the Keeper before me, I left instructions regarding its use should anything happen to me. If I am killed or unable to perform my duties as Keeper the message left behind will be considered my final decision on the matter. I have decided that if I am killed over this, no one gets to use the Lustan for the Lune Merdos. Therefore if harm comes to me it doesn’t matter which side you chose. You will still have lost.” The chieftain looked thoughtfully at Jamie as though he were reassessing his intelligence. Jamie had the impression that he did not have a high estimation of humans in general.



“But perhaps he doesn’t like much of anyone,” Jamie thought trying to remain calm while the fairy thought through his options.



“The new keeper could overturn the decision if the decision was just made through written means,” he finally said.



“Do you think a new keeper would be chosen before the Lune Merdos?” Jamie kept his voice even and tried to sound rational. The chieftain frowned.



“You have a brother, by default he would stand in the interim until the new keeper could be chosen. From what I have heard he is much more amiable to suggestions as long as they are profitable ones.”



“Actually he would not be the interim Keeper.” Jamie said, thankful that Jim had gone over the paperwork covering that contingency the last time he was in the office. To his surprise the Chieftain looked thoughtful.



“No I suppose after last night they would have to wait for the blood test,” he mused, mostly to himself.



“Do you know what attacked Michael?” Jamie asked, heart thudding in his chest for an entirely different reason.



“No,” the fairy said shaking his head. “I was not in on the details. It could be harmless or not, either way contamination could take six weeks to show up in the blood, by then the Lune Merdos would have passed.”



“And my decision will have stood. Was your arrangement with the Gederan contingent on them actually getting to use the Lustan for the Lune Merdos or just on getting me out of the way?” Jamie asked. The chieftain frowned.



“My arrangement is of no concern to you,” He snapped. “You will still need to be disposed of.”



“Because I know too much.”



“Yes if our plan to over throw the queen leaks out it would not go well.”

“No it wouldn’t go well at all, Janerous.” Came a female voice from the side. The chieftain, Janerous spun around at the sound of the voice. Jamie looked around and was in time to see all of the camouflaged fairies subdued by ones that appeared to be wearing some sort of military uniform. A small contingency of the winged soldiers swarmed Janerous and Denas. Once they were subdued a female fairy with wings of silver and blue fluttered out from the tree cover. Her dress looked like liquid silver and moved almost like a living thing. Jamie recognized Queen Genivia from the images in the guidebook. He also knew he did not want it to look as though he had been rescued. Owing his life to her would not be a good thing.



“Queen Geniva,” Jamie began. She turned her attention to him, her face a mask of royal imperiousness. “As Keeper I do not get involved in internal disputes such as succession. I was asked here for assistance and as It is not my place, I feel I must leave.”



“Of course, Keeper,” She said. “This is not your concern.” Her tone was mocking and she looked as though she wanted to signal someone to cut him free.



“Then I bid you good day,” Jamie said. He stood and as he had suspected, with the straightening of his legs, the cords were loose enough to slide over his skin and fall to the ground. He twisted his arms and in a moment he was able to get free. The look of surprise was evident on all of the faces around him, regardless of what side they had taken. Jamie nodded once, stepped free from the cords and turned to walk back to the house.



“Luckily they aren’t used to holding something of my size,” Jamie thought as he left the clearing and headed back to the house. “Good thing for me. I wonder what I should do about Michael?”

Pilot out as an e-book

Hi for all those interested,  Pilot is now out as an e-book.  Just go to http://www.smashwords.com/ and search for Pilot. It should come up. Hopefully Storm Chaser will follow shortly. There will also be a new chapter of Keeper out here on wednesday.  I'm having a hard time deciding how bad I want my faries to be.  Ah, such problems we face... v

Keeper: 37

37.


Jim and Jamie returned to the library to finish their drinks while Del readied one of the guest rooms for Jim. Jamie’s apologies for the extra work were waved off and Del seemed content with the extra work.



“God knows it is more in his line of work than assassination attempts,” Jamie muttered as he seated himself. Jim chuckled.



“Still not used to having staff?”he asked with a grin.



“Not so much,” Jamie admitted. He grinned back at his friend. “So you had minor car trouble, huh? What is your wife going to say when she actually sees the car?”



“I plan on having it towed directly to the garage and only telling her the real damage when I am safe and sound in front of her.”



“She doesn’t like you coming out here?”



“She has no problems with the daytime visits,” Jim said with a sigh. “It is the night time ones that bother her. After all the bad things don’t come out until dark.”



“So you aren’t supposed to meet with the fay of the dark?”



“I am as long as it is in my office where I’m safe.”



“Because your office has mystical magical life saving properties?” Jamie asked with a chuckle.



“Something like that,” Jim said. “I think it is the fact that it is a modern office building and ancient bad things can’t hurt you in a modern setting. Although some of my late night sessions caused issues. Her sister was getting a divorce because of an affair that started with him working late.”



“Ah,” Jamie said. “I can see how that might be suspicious.”



“Well until she decided to surprise me on one of the nights I was working late. I’m not sure if she or the troll whose will I was augmenting was more surprised.” Jamie laughed and Jim smiled at the memory. “He was quite gracious about it. Later he made several comments that I thought might be inappropriate.”



“Was he trying to eat her or steal her away?” Jamie asked, wondering as with trolls there was always a chance of both.



“Neither actually,” Jim said. “All his comments were about the way she smelled. I finally got a bottle of the perfume she wore as a gift for him, hoping to end the comments. He was thrilled. He kept spraying it in the air and sniffing. I had to air out the place for three days to get rid of the smell. I also asked my wife to change perfumes.”



“So he didn’t get any ideas about taking her home and hanging her up like an air freshener?”



“Something like that. Besides after the office, I couldn’t actually stand the smell any more. I still think there is some residual in the air vents.”



“Will she worry about you out here tonight?”



“Not so much,” Jim said. “As long as she doesn’t think something attacked me it should be fine. I plan on telling her it was Michael that did the damage”



“And that next time you come out here you can call so we can open the gate for you,” Jamie added.



“That too.”



“Although I am pleased to see you are still able to jump a gate when you have to. Not as well as you could in High school of course.”



“Well I didn’t have Mr. Anderson’s bull as incentive this time,” Jim answered. They slipped into reminiscing until Del informed them that Jim’s room was ready. Jim stood and stretched.



“That would be my cue for bed,” Jim said. “I’ll call the tow truck first thing in the morning.” Jim left and Jamie stared into the firelight for a few minutes more.



‘Still need to deal with the Lune Muertos,’ he thought staring at the flickering flames and sipping the last of his drink. ‘The replacement books should arrive in a few days. That will at least give me some references for Albe’s notes.’ With a sigh he finished his drink and went to his room. He could feel the beginnings of a headache but figured it was more of Albe’s years of lessons unraveling and demanding attention then anything migraine based.



If Jamie had wished to sleep dream free he would have been sorely disappointed. His dreams were full and filled with more detail than even his vivid imagination could call up. He woke up feeling as though he had spent the night cramming for finals.



“At least there were no werewolves,” he thought blearily. Jamie showered and dressed and went down to the kitchen, noticing that the guest room Jim had occupied the night before had it’s door open and was empty. As he descended into the kitchen he heard Jim’s voice. He also smelled bacon and that made him smile. He may not be used to ordering staff around but he was rapidly coming to adore having breakfast ready for him when he woke.



‘And not just any breakfast,’ he thought his eyes going wide at the selection placed on the table. Del had decided to go all out it seemed since they had company. There was bacon and biscuits, pancakes and eggs, oatmeal, coffee, tea and Juice. There was even a bowl of fruit that seemed to gleam with radiance in the early morning light. Jim was talking on his cell phone and from what Jamie could hear, arranging a tow truck to pick up both him and his car. Jim completed his call and hung up as Jamie took a seat at the table. Despite having not packed for an overnight visit, Jim looked pressed and ready for the office. Jamie shook his head. He had never understood people who woke up ready to go instead of blearily fumbling for the coffee. There was something unnatural about it.



“Well the tow truck should be here in about two hours,” Jim said. Jamie gestured towards one of the empty seats.



“It will take us at least that to do this food justice,” Jamie said. “Del this food looks amazing.” Del joined them at the table.



“It’s nice to have a bit of normal for a change,” Del said. Silence reigned as the three of them began to eat. Eventually they all leaned back satisfied.



“That was real bacon,” Jim said almost dreamily.



“As opposed to faux bacon,” Del asked.



“At home we switched to turkey bacon . It’s healthier but god I miss the real stuff.” Jamie laughed and poured himself some more coffee while Del huffed at the indignity of turkey bacon. Jamie had the feeling that any kind of food substitution would be viewed as a sacrilege by the brownie. They sipped their coffee, digesting enjoying the morning for a while. At length Jim shuffled his feet.



“Well as delightful as this is,” he began. “I should get up to the gate to meet the tow truck.”



“I’ll go with you,” Jamie said. “I want to see if there are any traces of what attacked Michael. Besides, a good bit of walk will help me burn off some of this breakfast. Are you interested in joining us Del?”



“No you two go on,” he said shooing them out of the back door. As they left they heard him mutter something about turkey bacon under his breath.



“I have the feeling better heart health through leaner meats is not on his repertoire?” Jim asked as they walked, eyes alert to disturbances on the ground.



“I doubt it,” Jamie said. “Of course Albe did live to 98 eating like this and didn’t exactly go out with heart failure.” His eyes scanned the ground. “Considering we had a large group in the yard last night and there wasn’t a single footprint left in the dirt, I doubt we are going to find anything.”



“Unless it was something purely natural like a dog or an angry wombat,” Jim said.



“An angry wombat?”



“I’m sure wombats get angry,” Jim said. “And I can’t imagine there are many creatures out there that actually like Michael.”



“There is that.”



“You know I was kidding about the werewolf last night.”



“I know,” Jamie told him. There was a stretch of silence, filled only by the sound of their feet crunching on the gravel.



“There aren’t werewolves are there?” Jim asked.



“I don’t know,” Jamie replied. “But as last week I would have told you there were no such things as trolls and fairies and now I know several by name I’m not willing to take anything for granted.”



“Shit,” Jim said softly.



“Yeah,” Jamie said with a sigh. They reached the gate, seeing no sign of anything that might have attacked Michael. Jim scrambled over the gate and Jamie laughed.



“What?” He asked. “I know I’m not the most graceful man in the world but I don’t think it was that funny.” Jamie held up his keys.



“I was planning on unlocking it for you.” Jamie unlocked the gat, swung it open wide enough for himself to pass and stepped through. He hooked the lock back in the gate but didn’t clamp it shut as he knew he would be going back through once Jim left. The lock in the gate just kept it from swinging wide.



“Oh,” Jim said a sheepish look across his face. “Well I needed the exercise.” Jamie leaned against the gate. Around them birds sung and they could hear squirrels scampering and chattering their way through the trees in their race against winter. The tree limes shifted in a light breeze and there was not a cloud to mar the bright blue of the sky. It was going to be a beautiful day. In contrast Jim’s car looked like it belonged in the aftermath of an urban war zone. All of the windows were spider webs of glass and the tires had leaked enough air that the rims looked like they were resting in small black pools. The car’s hood was completely concave. Somehow the damage looked worse than it had on film.



“Everything looks better in black and white,” Jamie said as the old song began to play in his head. In the bright morning the beaten car looked almost obscene.



“Insurance is going to be fun,” Jim said. His mouth was compressed into a thin line.

“I’m sorry,” Jamie said.



“Not your fault,” Jim said crisply.



“Even so. I’m sorry it happened.”



“Long as you don’t think your responsible.” They were saved from further conversation by the rumbling arrival of the tow truck. After a few surprised comments the two men who came with the truck, got down to work loading the vehicle on the flat bed, with Jamie and Jim doing their best to stay out of the way. When they were done, Jim joined them in the cab of the truck. He waved to Jamie as they took him and his beaten car back to Centerville. Jamie returned to the other side of the gate, making sure it was locked and tugging twice on it to check. He started on the path back to the house , still vaguely looking for signs of anything that might have attacked Michael. He was stopped by the sound of a giggle coming from the side of the gravel drive. He stopped and turned to study the area he thought the giggle had come from. Hidden in the shadows he saw three fairies, doing their best to hide behind the winter bare branches. Their jewel toned wings looked like flowers, out of season.



“Good morning ladies,” he said with a smile. “Lovely day isn’t it?” Slowly the three fairies slid from hiding and fluttered towards him. One seemed to flutter in the front with the other two hiding shyly behind. She had a brown short and pants on with some sort of braded belt around her waist. A sword hung from the belt and to Jamie’s eyes it looked rather sharp.



‘Might not be able to cut out my heart but she could definitely blind me,’ he thought. The lead fairy’s hair kept blowing into her eyes as though she had forgotten to get it cut recently. As he often had the same problem, he found he had some sympathy for the woman.



“Good morning Keeper,” the lead fairy said with a slight bob of her head. Her light voice was almost lost on the breeze. “I am known as Denas of the Hestwalana line and our Chieftain requires your assistance.”

Keeper: 36

36.


The group went inside the house and Jamie led them to the family parlor, thinking it was more comfortable than the formal one. He was thankful that Del had retrieved the cart with a pot of coffee and all the accoutrements and was passing the cups around. He wasn’t quite sure how Del had managed to have a full pot of fresh coffee available but was too busy trying to listen to House without looking crazy to pay it much attention.



“The security stuff is set up in the back, would you like to come with me to see it or just have me bring a tape?” Jamie thought a second. “”If it has a tape, it might be a digital thing. To be honest I haven’t looked into it too much.”



“Understandable,” The Sherriff said. “Perhaps we had better go along.”



“All right,” Jamie said nodding. “Everyone set for coffee?” Jamie led the parade through the house to one of the back rooms. Here Albe had converted one of the closets to a security station. With the closet doors shut there was nothing noticeable about it, which is why Jamie had passed the closet without thinking about it until House pointed it out. The room was one he had not gotten around to inventorying yet. Inwardly he sighed. If events kept coming at him the way they had been then it would be up to the next Keeper to complete the inventory.



“And that’s not even counting the hidden floor,” he thought to himself. As they walked Jamie noticed both the Sherriff and his deputy looking around with interest.



“Did you know Albe, Sherriff?” He asked as he swung the closet door open. Everything looked as House said it would.



“I’d met Mr. Fulton a time or two,” the Sherriff answered. “Mostly he kept to himself and didn’t cause too much trouble.”



“Heard the stories though,” the younger officer said. This earned him a glare from the sheriff and caused him to utter a mumbled apology.



“No problem,” Jamie said. “Albe was a bit of a character.” Jamie studied the monitor and flashing lights of what looked to be recording equipment. “I don’t suppose anyone knows how to work this stuff?” he asked.



“Billy,” the Sherriff said. Billy stepped forward.



“It’s a lot like the warehouse in Denerton that got broken into a few months back,” He looked at the machines for a moment and then glanced at Jamie. “May I?”



“Sure,” Jamie said gesturing to the equipment. Billy handed Jamie his coffee mug and started fiddling with the equipment with the air of someone who truly enjoyed playing with electronics. “Well,” he said after a few minutes. “It looks like it was recording.” He looked to Jim. “What time did you get here, sir?”



“Around six thirty, maybe seven,” Jim answered.



“And Michael’s van was not there?”



“No,” he replied.



“Then it would have had to come after, then,” Billy mumbled turning back to the electronics. On the screen they could see Jim’s car pull up and Jim get out. He pulled to the side of the road, parked and got out of his car. He jumped the gate and walked off screen. The camera just showed the car sitting by the road side.



“I think we can speed it up,” the Sherriff said.



“Yes, sir,” Billy replied. The screen remained the same but Jamie could see the numbers on the digital display speed up. Suddenly Michael’s van appeared. Billy slowed the speed to normal time and they watched as Michael stopped his van at the gate. In eerie black and white silence, they watched Michael attempt to open the gate. Once he discovered a new lock had been put on the gate he retreated to his van and removed the bolt cutters from the back. He tried using them on the new lock Jamie had installed and Jamie felt some vindication when the bolt cutters he brought were unsuccessful.



“Ha,” Jamie said. All eyes turned to him. “The guy at the hardware store said ordinary bolt cutters wouldn’t work.” He explained. They turned back to the screen. Michael was not pleased that his bolt cutters were not working. He slammed the gate with the cutters, looking for all the world like a kid having a temper tantrum. The gate seemed unaffected although Jamie was certain there would be some dents and dings in the gate if he looked closely. Seemingly stymied, Michael turned his rage upon Jim’s car. They watched as glass shattered and tires deflated under Michael’s assault. Michael hefted the bolt cutters over his head like a club and began to hammer on the hood of the car.



“Michael has a bit of a temper doesn’t he,” The sheriff said.



“He is used to getting his own way,” Jamie said softly. On screen, Michael seemed to tire. He returned the bolt cutters to his van, and as Jim had done, hopped the fence and walked off camera.



“That does seem to cover both the trespassing and the damage to the car,” The sheriff said. “You claimed he broke in before?”



“Yes,” Jamie said, I don’t know if it’s still on there but there were witnesses.” Jamie gave them the time and Billy rolled back the recording to the appropriate time.



“This thing has about a month’s worth of recording time on it,” He told Jamie. “And then it looks like it switches to another disk. You probably have several months worth of images here.”



“Good to know,” Jamie said. “Hopefully it won’t be needed as often.” They watched as the car pulled up and Michael used his bolt cutters to open the gate. While he did not think that Bella would go against Michael the investor had no real reason to lie.



“Especially not when he is on film,” Jamie thought. The investor, George Jennings could be seen stepping out of the car, a frown on his face at Michael’s bolt cutters and a question on his lips. They couldn’t hear the question or Michael’s response but it didn’t look like the answer completely satisfied George.



“That certainly covers that,” Billy said, pleased with himself.



“Can you make copies for evidence?” the Sherriff asked him. Billy nodded and a few moments later was removing a memory card from the machine. That task complete the group moved back towards the front of the house. Jamie offered refills on coffee but they were declined. Jamie walked them towards the front porch. The sheriff stared at his vehicle with Michael in the back. Billy stared into the woods. The sheriff gestured for Billy to move to the car, which he did, carefully not turning around. The Sherriff frowned.



“Is he always this jumpy,” Jamie asked.



“The stories are interesting regarding this place. Tends to spook a lot of people. Personally I think Old mister Fulton liked it that way. Certainly kept the local teenagers from sneaking onto his property with a keg in tow.” The sheriff glanced at the woods. “The case against Michael is pretty good. Off the record, do you keep any dogs? Dachshund or otherwise?”



“No,” Jamie replied. “I tend to like bigger dogs and before I moved out here I lived in a small apartment. I might think of getting one if I stay out here though.”



“I see,” the sheriff said. “I’d be interested to know what grabbed Michael. After all there might be some truth to some of those stories.” He glanced one more time at the woods and then looked back to Jamie. He smiled, shook hands with both Jamie and Jim and then walked to his car. Jamie and Jim watched him drive away knowing Del had already left to take care of the gate.



“I wonder what did get Michael,” Jim asked.



“I don’t know but the way the shirt and pants were ripped I doubt it was a branch.”



“Or a dachshund,” Jim added. He looked into the woods and frowned. “I wonder if the sheriff believes in werewolves.”



“You are joking,” Jamie said. Jim shrugged and turned back towards the house. Jamie followed him back inside.



“That’s all we need, Michael as a werewolf.”

Keeper: 35

I hate being sick. v

Chapter 35

35.


Jim leaned forward as Jamie listened to House. Jamie noticed something different about the house. It seemed more aware than it had before Burr had repaired the damage, and a little bit more protective.



“He is peering into my windows,” House told him. The somewhat drifty tone had been replaced by something that would not be out of place coming from a madien aunt of yore discovering a peeping tom outside of her window.



“I suppose its the same thing,” Jamie muttered to himself.



“What’s the same thing?” Jim asked. Jamie blushed.



“Sorry I forgot I wasn’t alone,” Jamie told his friend. “House sounds offended that Michael is peering into the windows.”



“Like a peeping Tom?” Jim asked. Jamie smiled.



“Exactly like,” Jamie replied. “House doesn’t care for it.”



“Blood all over my nice clean porch,” House interjected.



“What?” Jamie asked.



“Del scrubbed my porch quite thoroughly so I would look my best for company.”



“I see,” Jamie said trying not to be irked by House’s limitations. No matter how talkative House was it was not human and would have different sensibilities. “I meant the part about my brother bleeding.” Jim’s face dropped the amused anticipation and he stared intently at Jamie.



“It’s not your brother bleeding.”



“It’s not Michael bleeding?”



“It is.”



“So Michael is bleeding but he is not my brother?” Jamie asked confused.



“Yes,” House replied, seemingly pleased that he had understood her. Jamie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. House let out a shocked gasp.



“What is it?” Jamie asked hurriedly.



“He tried to break my window.” Jamie could almost see the pursed lips in his mind’s eye. He shook his head and stood up. Jim follows, setting his glass down on the table with a click.



“Apparently Michael tried to break a window,” Jamie said, realizing Jim had not had the benefit of hearing the entire conversation.



“Is he alone?” Jim asked.



“I don’t know. House thinks that someone is bleeding and that Michael is not my brother.”



“Really?” Jim said a lilt in his voice. “I always suspected he was an alien dropped from space for the sole purpose of tormenting us poor earthlings.”



“I’m not sure House is equipped to determine alien genetics,” Jamie said with a grin. “And it’s not really predisposed to like Michael.” They descended the main stairs and walked along the main hallway towards the front door. Del peeked through the open kitchen doorway.



“I figured you’d be wanting to deal with him your self,” Del said. “So I left him be. Just so’s you know. He tried to break one of the front windows when he found the door was locked.” Del sounded nearly as affronted as House had been.



“So I’m told,” Jamie said. “Do we have a basic first aid kit?”



“I’m sure we do,” Del replied his eyes scanning Jamie for any sign of injury.



“Not for me,” he said. “House said someone was bleeding on it’s porch. I don’t really want to let Michael inside but I don’t want to send him back to his car bleeding.”



“That might attract some of the nastier set who came for the hearing tonight,” Del said nodding thoughtfully.



“I had been thinking more along the lines of basic common decency but nasty is best avoided as well.”



“I’ll bring the kit to the porch.”



“Thanks,” Jamie replied. He turned and with Jim still following, went towards the front door.



“What exactly does he think is still in the woods?” Jim asked. His voice was mostly steady but held a hint of concern and Jamie remembered Jim still had to walk to his car in order to get home.



“We’ll find out once we get Michael sorted,” Jamie said. “If all else fails, we do have several guest rooms for you to choose from.”



“Appreciate it,” Jim replied dryly.



“You don’t think I’d let the boogey man eat my favorite lawyer do you?” Jamie said with a grin. They reached the front door and Jamie twisted the knob. It opened easily and silently. He heard a huff of breath.



“Well it is about time,” Michael said. Jamie and Jim stepped onto the porch. Jim pulled the door shut behind him. Michael stood hands on his hips, looking exasperated. He was dressed head to toe in black, from his black running shoes, black jeans, long sleeved black shirt, black gloves and black cap.



“Let me guess,” Jamie said trying to tamp down his anger. “This Halloween you plan to go as an amateur burglar and you wanted me to see your costume before mom sent you out trick-or-treating?” Jim snorted a small laugh. Michael swallowed the comment he was going to make and narrowed his eyes, darting his gaze between Jamie and Jim. He had clearly not been expecting the lawyer’s presence.



‘Won’t take him long to adapt thought,” Jamie thought, knowing his brother. Sure enough after a few seconds, Michael’s facial expression changed, his suspicion and anger slipping and molding itself into a hurt and wounded pose.



“How could you joke like that?” Michael said. His voice was filled with mock pain that would no doubt be the envy of any actor. “I came out here out of the goodness of my heart to see how my baby brother was doing alone in the middle of the woods by himself and all you can do is make jokes.” Michael appeared to pull himself together.



“Well at least I have a witness.” Michael turned to Jim and Jamie could see the wicked gleam in his eyes. “Do you know how he repaid my kindness and concern? Do you? He set his dogs on me.” Michael turned and Jamie could see the back of Michael’s pant leg had been ripped and there were scratch marks on his calf. There was also a small tear in the back of his shirt. Blood was oozing from a couple of marks Jamie could see through the hole in the cloth.



“I don’t have any dogs Michael,” Jamie said. “Would you like me to get a first aid kit to help you clean those?”



“I don’t need your help,” Michael snapped. “You set your dogs to attack me. Me. Your own brother. And I’m going to sue you for every penny you have.” He turned to Jim. “You see the marks don’t you?”



“I see the marks,” Jim replied calmly. “I also know that Jamie doesn’t have any dogs and as I have been here all evening so I can attest that even if he had any dogs, he certainly didn’t give any order for them to attack. Although,” Jim added, his voice full of lawyerly gravity, “I could add that as the gate is locked and you were not invited, you could be up on trespassing charges.”



“Tresspassing,” Michael said. “Tress...” Michael glared at Jim. “Trespassing on my own land! Don’t be ridiculous.”



“It isn’t your land,” Jim said calmly.



“Its family property.” Michael spat back.



“No,” Jim said firmly. “It is Jamie’s property. Before that It was Albe’s property. “



Michael snorted and waved his hand dismissively. “It has always been in the family. It is Fulton property and I am a Fulton. Therefore I can not be trespassing.” Michael smiled triumphantly.



“Are you?” Jamie asked before Jim could raise another legal point. He knew Jim was enjoying the thought of being able to smack down Michael’s arguments and would no doubt relish doing so in court where Michael could be publicly shamed but knowing Michael he would continue slanting arguments all night and Jamie was not in the mood to sit in the October chill listening.



“Am I what?” Michael asked dismissively.



“A Fulton.” Jamie replied. House’s earlier comment had brought up memories of remnants of conversations barely heard.



“Of course I’m a Fulton, we have the same father remember?”



“Do we?” Jamie asked.



“Of course, don’t be stupid.” Michael said.



“A simple DNA test would confirm. I can set one up if you would like,” Jim told him.



“That would be a good idea under the circumstances,” Jamie said. “Thank you.”



“I’m not taking a stupid test,” Michael said. “And you can’t make me. Its illegal to force someone to do that I can sue you for that as well as slander. Mom could sue you for slander.” Michael smirked at Jamie.



“I’m sure its true I can’t force you to take the test but if your argument for the trespassing charge is that as a Fulton you can’t trespass on Fulton land then you will have to prove you are a Fulton, won’t you? And as you were born only six months after Bella married Rudy, you can see why there might be some concern. Taking the test would alleviate all suspicion.” Jamie stared at Michael as Michael sorted through his options. Idly he wondered which of the bouncing ping pong balls of thought would surface first.



“You won’t press charges,” Michael sneered. Jamie stared at his brother for a moment.



“Del,” he called. The front door opened and Del poked his head through. Jamie could see he still carried a first aid kit.



“Did you need something?” he asked.



“Will you please call the local police and notify them that I have found a trespasser on my property and caught him in the act of breaking into my house.”



“Of course.” Del stepped back into the house and closed the front door behind him.



“You’re bluffing,” Michael said.



“Am I?” Jamie took a seat in one of the rocking chairs lining the porch and Jim took one of the others.



“Fine then call the police,” Michael said. “I can’t wait to see what they have to say about this.” He gestured to his cuts and then flopped into one of the other chairs. “You’ll be up on reckless endangerment charges so fast your head will spin.” The three men waited for the police in silence. Del, after calling in the intruder, took the gate keys and walked up to the gate to let the police into the property. In less time than Jamie thought possible a car came bouncing down the gravel road to the house, Dell following quickly behind. The police car pulled to a stop and Jamie could see the words County Sherriff on the side.



‘That explains the speed,’ Jamie thought. ‘I guess I’m listed as in the county rather than either Denerton or Centerville’s jurisdiction.’ A slim man dressed in law enforcement brown stepped from the vehicle and walked over to the house. He was slightly balding, his remaining hair receding from a center bald spot like melting snow. He made no attempt to cover it.



Jamie caught a slight smile from Jim as the lawyer stood. Jamie followed suit. Michael also decided to stand although he rose slowly and allowed himself to look pained at the motion. Jamie wondered if her really was hurt but as he had been told not to render first aid he decide it was not his concern at the moment. The first officer started walking towards them and the passenger’s side door opened spilling a second policeman into the yard. This one was somewhat younger and kept glancing out into the dark woods as though expecting something to jump out at him. As his hand was positioned a little too close to his gun for comfort, Jamie sincerely hoped nothing did.



“Evening,” the first officer said. “I heard you folks had a problem?”



“Yes sir,” Jamie said before Michael could open his mouth. “Jim and I were having a drink and catching up on old times when my housekeeper told us that someone was trying to break in.”



“I see,” The officer said.



“I have every right to be here,” Michael said.



“No you don’t,” Jamie countered. Michael was surprised into silence as Jamie usually didn’t argue. Jamie turned back to the officer. “He has tried to take things in the past so I told him not to come here. And then a few days ago he used bolt cutters to cut my gate lock and let himself in. That is why I got the new lock. Michael is not welcome here.”



“Don’t be ridiculous,” Michael said. Jamie could see the officer taking in Michael’s burglar outfit and adding the detail to Jamie’s story.



“Is that your van parked by the gate?” He asked Michael.



“It is,” Michael said stiffly. “I was coming to see my brother and the gate was locked so I parked and came up to the house.” Michael pointed an accusing finger at Jamie. “That’s when he turned his dogs loose on me.”



“I don’t have any dogs.” Jamie said.



“Then what attacked me?”



“I don’t know,” Jamie said honestly. He turned back towards the officer. “I don’t keep dogs but much of the property is rather wild. That’s one of the reasons we keep the gate locked. So people won’t just wander in and get hurt.”



“See dangerous animals,” Michael said somewhat triumphantly. “I could have been mauled. I want him arrested for reckless endangerment.”



“Reckless endangerment,” the officer said slowly. “You jumped a locked gate onto a property posted as private property. Old mister Fulton had this property listed as a wildlife refuge a while back. There are signs up by the road listing it as such. Seems to me it would be smarter to call ahead and have the gate unlocked than to come out wandering here on your own. That seems kind of reckless on your part.” Michael’s mouth opened and closed a few times. As he had always managed to charm teachers, school principals and coaches in the past Jamie knew this was unfamiliar ground for him.



“I was attacked,” He said, rallying.



“Billy,” the officer called. The younger man jumped as though stung.



“Yes Sherriff?”



“You’re the one with that EMT training, Take a look at the man’s leg.”



“It’s my back too.” Michael said. Billy stepped onto the porch to take a look at Michael’s leg and back. He seemed relieved to be further from the woods and made sure to turn himself so that his back was to the house. Apparently Billy was very much afraid of something coming out of the woods to get him. Jamie wondered why as the young man gave Michael a once over. Del stepped into the house and returned with the first aide kit he had left by the door.



“He wouldn’t let us look at the cuts earlier, Sherriff,” Jamie said when the man raised an eyebrow at the nearness of the first aide kit.



“Ah” he replied rather noncommittally. “There is a car parked near the gate as well.”



“That would be mine,” Jim said. “Jamie didn’t know exactly when I was coming and didn’t want to leave the gate unlocked in the event someone else happened by. As I was expected, and it was still daylight, I hopped the gate and came up.”



“And you were planning on walking back in the dark?” the sheriff asked.



“He was going to use one of my guest rooms Sherriff as we had been drinking.”



“Ah,” came the noncommittal response once again.



“All checked Sherriff,” Billy said stepping away from Michael and the first aide kit. “Just a few scratches, maybe from trees or something. small like a coon. As long as he keeps it clean he should be all right. Maybe get a rabies shot on the off chance of infection.”



“It was dogs,” Michael said defiantly when he saw the Sherriff smile. Big ones. He set his dogs on me.”

“I don’t have any dogs.”



“Release the dachshunds,” Jim said.



“Could have been Chihuahuas,” Jamie said. The Sherriff chuckled and even Billy relaxed enough to smile.



“So you drove up in your car and hopped the gate and were planning on driving home in the morning,” the Sherriff asked Jim. Jim nodded.



“That’s right.”



“Huh,” the Sherriff said. “You might want to re think that plan.”



“Oh?” Jim asked.



“I doubt your vehicle is going anywhere without the aide of a tow truck.”



“What,” Jamie and Jim said in unison. Only Michael did not look surprised.



“Car’s busted up pretty bad. Windows. Tires. There’s also a big dent in the hood I’d have checked out before trying to drive it.” Billy glanced towards the woods again and Jamie wondered if it had been supernatural mischief. “As we spotted a large pair of bolt cutters in the back of the van we figured the two were connected,” the Sherriff said, assuaging Jamie’s fears and causing him to look at Michael in surprise.



“You busted up Jim’s car?” he asked.



“There is no proof of that,” Michael said smugly. “It was like that when I got there.” Jamie continued to stare at Michael in what he hoped was a believable way as he listened to the comments House was making. Jamie turned back towards the Sherriff.



“Albe installed a surveillance camera at the gate. I’m not sure if it was running but we can check the tapes.”



“That would make things a lot easier,” the sheriff said.



“I don’t want Michael inside,” Jamie told him. “But you and your deputy are welcome.”



“Sounds reasonable,” the Sherriff said. “Under the circumstances I can’t say as I blame you either. Billy Please help Michael into the car.”



“Excuse me?” Michael said stiffly.



“Well we wouldn’t want you sitting out here alone with a pack of wild dogs on the loose, Billy why don’t you go ahead and read him his rights while you’re at it.” Billy escorted Michael to the car and did all the necessary stuff needed to make the arrest legal. Jamie was surprised at how relieved he felt once the door closed behind Michael.



“Well, won’t you come inside,” Jamie said. “It’s a bit chilly tonight. Would anyone care for coffee?”