Re: Ghosts - ch.24 & 25 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 09:56:27 04/10/03 Thu
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Ghosts - ch.24 & 25
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Ghosts - ch.23" on 08:35:58 04/09/03 Wed

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

"What time are you meeting, Ivy?" Sophie finished off the last of her club sandwich and looked at the time.

With Reggie and Gus finally gone, she and Peter had been able to have a leisurely lunch and go over the evidence thusfar.

"I'm picking her up at three," Peter answered. "We're going to Charity's arraignment together and then she's taking me to the Guggenheim Museum."

"What's at the Guggenheim?" Sophie had visions of Peter and Ivy admiring naked statues of nubile young Romans together.

"Special exhibit," Peter replied, clearing the dishes. "Art of the Motorcycle."

"Oh�" Sophie tried not to sound relieved. It didn't work.

Peter smiled, returning to the bed. "Safe enough for you?" he teased, lifting her chin and kissing her lightly.

"Maybe�" Sophie smirked. "Where's the map?"

Sophie took the map of Las Vegas restaurants and attractions and spread it out on the bed. "Okay, the Strand is here and the Guggenheim's here."

"If we both have late suppers at�" Sophie read the location she had circled, "Marcello's Ristorante. We can double date!"

"You mean, we can accidentally bump into each other and spend the rest of the evening protecting our virtues," Peter kidded her relentlessly.

"That, too," Sophie agreed with a decisive nod.

"So much for Ben's stuff�" Peter began packing it all away. There had been virtually nothing new to go on.

"Peter, wait�" Sophie snatched Ben's cell phone from Peter's hand. She had an idea.

"Last number re-dial�I saw it in a movie once." Sophie was quite pleased with herself as she pressed the key and waited.

"Reno County Court House, may I help you?" the voice answered.

"Oh, no, thank you, I must have the wrong number," Sophie lied, hanging up quickly.

"Anything?" Peter questioned, eagerly.

Sophie shook her head in disappointment. "Court House in Reno...probably Sheriff's business. Nothing new there."

^^^^^^^^

It was 2:45 and Peter's hands were shaking as he tied his tie.

"Peter, it'll be okay," Sophie soothed, grasping them in her own.

"This isn't about Ivy," he said softly, as he allowed her to finish tying it.

"I know," Sophie nodded in quiet understanding.

"How can I face her, Soph?" Peter was already dreading seeing Charity again. "How can I tell her I sold the locket?"

Once again, Peter had that look - the look of a man who needed a drink. Fearful, Sophie wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, kissing him with all her might.

Surprised, Peter returned the kiss, taking from her all she offered: her love and her strength.

"She loves you�remember that," Sophie insisted, looking deeply into his eyes.

"I wish I could come with you," she added with a sigh. "But how would we explain it?"

"Sshh�it's okay." Now Peter was the one comforting her. "I'll see you at the restaurant later."

"I love you," she murmured low, giving him one last kiss. "Don't forget."

^^^^^^^^^^^

Sophie was left with a few hours until Gus picked her up for the movies. Nervous about the evening, it was all she could do not to jump out of her skin every time she heard the muffled sound of the elevator "ping" outside the door.

Exhausted, Sophie let her head sink back, onto the pillows.

"I'm glad to see you two have resolved your jealousies," Michaela seated herself in a chair by the bed.

Sophie opened her eyes wide. "Michaela�"

"Well, you have, haven't you?" Michaela probed further.

"We're fine," Sophie avoided the question.

"You haven't talked about Chloe?" Michaela surmised.

Sophie shook her head guiltily. "Gus and Ivy mostly."

Michaela began to pace - the way she always did before she was about to lecture. Whether it was Brian and the birds and the bees, Hank and the evils of liquor, or Jake and the issues of tolerance, Michaela never could seem to make her point standing still.

"We often find the present easier to manage than the past," Michaela professed. "But it is from the past that we learn. We bring every thought, every experience�every bit of wisdom with us through our lives, Sophie."

Suddenly, Sophie had the feeling Michaela wasn't just talking about Chloe.

"Are you saying that I already know how to help Charity?" Sophie was both excited and frightened by the prospect.

"I'm saying that perhaps you know more than you think, already," Michaela suggested carefully. "Why don't you take a few minutes to just rest? Think about what you've learned so far. And don't be afraid of the past, Sophie."

Sully was standing out on the patio, away from Sophie's view. Impatiently, he fixed his gaze intently on his wife. She had said too much.

"Never be afraid of ghosts, my dear�" Michaela finished in a whisper, bestowing a kiss on Sophie's forehead as she drifted off to sleep.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sophie always appreciated the value of a good catnap. All her life she could fall asleep quickly and easily, in airports, train stations - even in a cab.

And, during those catnaps, Sophie often found solutions to her most complex problems. Allowing her subconscious to take over was often the fastest way out of whatever predicament she faced.

So, as Sophie slept, one by one her dreams replayed all that had happened so far. She thought about the portrait�and about this morning's breakfast with Gus. She even visualized the original legend, told by Grandpa Zack, of the dark-haired woman named Lila and her baby daughter, Chava.

Chava�

Sophie woke up with a start, to find Peter's laptop still running on the bed beside her - it, too, in sleep mode.

It was almost five o'clock. She'd have to dress for dinner soon.

But, first, she decided to play a hunch�

^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Somethin' botherin' ya?" Sully came up behind Michaela, putting his arms around her as she looked out over the Valley of Fire.

"It's beautiful here, Sully. Thank you for showing it to me," she sighed.

"You didn't answer my question," he whispered softly in her ear.

"I suppose I'm just worried about how this will all turn out," she admitted, rubbing her hands up and down his arms.

"That all?" Sully knew better.

"Perhaps I am a little disappointed." She looked down at her left hand.

"He lost my engagement ring, Sully." Michaela couldn't hide the hurt in her voice.

"First Matthew and now Peter," she noted ironically.

"Everybody makes mistakes, Michaela," Sully reminded her. "'Sides, you got no need fer it now."

"But, I'll never forget the day you gave it to me," she turned and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"It was Valentine's Day and you came to see me in Romeo and Juliet," Michaela recalled with a smile.

"That all you remember?" Sully had the most mischievous grin on his face.

Michaela indulged him willingly. "I do seem to remember we went riding afterwards."

"Hidden Valley�" Sully's eyes twinkled. "First time I took ya to our waterfall�"

^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Oh, Sully, it's magnificent," Michaela exclaimed, climbing down from Flash. "I'm so glad you convinced me to come."

The earlier rains had stopped and the valley was positively glistening as the late-day sun peeked through the clouds. The waterfall was spectacular, with a myriad of colors reflecting over it like a rainbow.

"Sorry it's too late fer our picnic." Tethering the horses, Sully apologized again for spoiling Michaela's plans for their special day.

"Oh, that's all right," she assured him quickly, ambling along the water's edge. "We wouldn't have been able to enjoy it until the rain�"

Not even waiting for Michaela to finish her sentence, Sully scooped her into his embrace. He'd been wanting to do this all day.

"Sully�" she breathed, her heart racing.

"Say it again," he laughed, spinning her around.

"Say what?" she giggled contentedly.

Sully stopped the spinning and held her tight. "Say yes, you'll marry me."

Impulsively, Michaela decided to play coy. Waving her ring finger in the sunlight, she sighed. "Well, since I've accepted your ring, I suppose I have no other choice�"

"Michaela�" Sully growled menacingly, pretending to be irked. "If you don't say you'll marry me right this minute, I'll�"

"You'll what?" she teased, in the most unbelievably seductive tone Sully had ever heard her use. Then, she kissed him so softly and invitingly on the lips that Sully thought he'd die from anticipation.

Sometimes, Michaela's power over him caught him a little off-guard. That she was becoming more and more comfortable expressing her physical desires was increasingly obvious. Still, with only three months to go now before the wedding, occasionally, Michaela's passion surprised him almost as much as his did her.

Their breathing ragged, they stood there silently, gazing into each other's eyes, their bodies touching. The sound of the rushing water was an incredibly forceful backdrop to the stirrings both were feeling.

Sully needed to cool off - fast.

"I'll�this!" Before Michaela could do more than shriek, Sully had plunged them both beneath the falls.

"Sully! It's February!" Michaela wanted to be angry but she was just too blissfully happy.

"So?" Sully splashed her playfully, waiting to see if she'd play along.

Michaela placed her hands on her hips, shivering, yet not caring in the least.

"So, yes, I'll marry you!" she relented, with an exasperated smile.

"What? Can't hear you�" Sully's joy was written all over his face.

Michaela accepted his challenge with fervor. "YES, I'LL MARRY YOU!" she shouted until it reverberated throughout the entire valley.

Sully watched her with total adoration. Michaela's leather duster had been unbuttoned, allowing the water to soak through her paisley cotton dress with ease. The fabric clung amazingly to every inch of her body; and, her hair, which had been swept up for the play, had broken free into loose damp tendrils, framed around her face.

This had been a very bad idea�

"C'mon�" Brusquely, Sully grabbed her by the hand and walked her purposefully back to the shore.

Michaela was literally too stunned to speak.

"Anybody asks, horses got spooked by a rattler and we fell in, understand?" Sully's voice was an odd sort of harsh, Michaela thought, almost as if he were being strangled.

Then, he kissed her hard, with an intensity she'd never imagined, and lifted her up into the saddle.

Turning the horses back toward town, Sully took one last look around and informed her, in no uncertain terms�

"We're comin' back here, soon as we're married."

^^^^^^^^

"You gave me your heart with that ring." Michaela was still mourning its loss. "And it meant nothing to him."

Sully kissed her left hand, his lips lingering on her ring finger. "You'll always have my heart, Michaela, you know that."

"And Peter has t'figure out fer himself what matters�"

^^^^^^^^^^^^

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

"If there are no further objections," the judge proclaimed, "bail is set at one million dollars."

Charity barely heard the ruling. Her eyes were focused squarely on Peter. Her godson just didn't look right. Maybe it was the solemn black suit he was wearing or the way his arms were crossed over his chest, or maybe it was the way he seemed to purposefully avoid her gaze. Whatever was bothering him, he looked all business - and Peter hated business.

Instead of Sophie beside him, there was Ivy - petite and perky as always - with her hand seemingly cemented to Peter's arm. Charity eyed her warily. More concerned about Peter than her own, bleak future, Charity's heart filled with a mother's worry as she watched Ivy whisper something in his ear.

"Can you raise bail?"

"Not a problem," Peter replied succinctly, too busy listening to the judge to notice the slight smile that crept onto Ivy's face.

Dear Ivy was smiling far too much in Charity's learned estimation. That she enjoyed Peter's company was entirely obvious. That she enjoyed his money was something Charity feared even more.

And just where was Gus? Charity half-expected he might protest her release, but he and Sophie were nowhere to be found. Surely, he couldn't want her out on bail?

Ready for a hot bath and the chance to see Ben, Charity was taken aback by a new face, moving forward to address the court.

"Yer Honor, if I may�" The gruff man in a Sheriff's uniform began.

"And you are?" The judge responded curtly.

"Leroy Carter, Yer Honor," he introduced himself. "Sheriff, Virginia City, Nevada."

"Very well, Sheriff Carter, you have business before this court?"

"Yes, Sir," he replied. "I have an additional warrant for the defendant's arrest.

"On what grounds?" Peter demanded out of turn, provoking a stern look from the judge.

"Stanley Morrison is dead," Leroy Carter intoned ominously to all present.

Peter was stunned both by the revelation and by how oddly reminiscent Leroy's words were to the opening line of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Eerily, Peter considered the possibility that all of his Christmases past might soon be arriving to greet him.

But before he could contemplate that thought any further, Peter heard Ivy gasp at the news, then swoon - straight into his arms.

"Baliff�" The judge motioned for him to assist Ivy.

"No�no�that's all right," she recovered, remaining in Peter's arms for as long as possible. "I'm sure I just need some water."

Ivy took a long sip, enjoying Peter's attentive care, before settling herself back into her seat, but she did look extremely pale.

"His body was found two days ago, Yer Honor," Sheriff Carter continued. "Stuffed into the walk-in safe he kept in his office. The cleaning crew started t'notice a stench and called the authorities�"

At the word "stench," Ivy appeared ready to swoon again so Peter quickly refilled her glass.

"Clutched inside Mr. Morrison's fist was the bill of sale fer some historical documents known as the Virginia City Letter Collection," the Sheriff added. "The defendant's name and phone number were on the receipt."

For the first time that day, Peter looked squarely at Charity. This was no longer a matter of misunderstandings, broken promises, and guilty secrets. This wasn't even attempted murder. Suddenly, this was murder.

"You have a possible motive, Sheriff?" The judge asked.

"We suspect the letters could'a been forgeries. The defendant found out she'd been swindled and decided to take matters into her own hands," he surmised for the court.

Right away, Peter smelled a rat. Those letters were authentic and he knew it! Of course, he couldn't really tell anyone "how" he knew it without sounding like he needed a padded cell next to Charity.

"Very well," the judge decided. "Bail is hereby denied. We'll reconvene as soon as you've completed your investigation, Sheriff Carter."

"Thank ya, Sir�" Leroy nodded, enjoying the attention he felt he so rightly deserved.

"Peter�" Charity attempted to speak with him but there was no time. The baliff was at her side already, leading her steadily toward the door.

"I'll come see you tonight, Aunt C.," Peter blurted quickly.

"We'll straighten this all out, I promise."

^^^^^^^^^^

Peter walked zombie-like through the Guggenheim exhibit, re-playing in his head everything that had happened. Somebody wanted Charity in jail for a very long time. Attempted murder obviously hadn't been good enough. Now, Stanley Morrison was dead.

Peter had never met the man but he felt sorry for his family, nonetheless. Somehow, this had all started in Virginia City. Stanley sold Charity the letters. Ivy worked for Stanley. Then, suddenly, Lila's portrait shows up. Coincidence? But when Charity arrives, Stanley's gone - dead, it turns out�and Ivy's running the show.

Did she kill him? Peter wasn't sure she had it in her. But, if she wanted the painting for herself, then why call Charity at all? And why sell it to Gus?

Gus? Where did he fit into all this?

"Sophie thinks he's being blackmailed�" Peter was so totally preoccupied with the facts inside his head that he nearly knocked over a 1954 motorcycle once owned by James Dean.

"Careful!" Ivy exclaimed, pulling him back just in time.

"Sorry�" Peter scrambled to re-set the red ropes before the security guards arrived.

"Would you rather if we just went to dinner?" Ivy asked solicitously.

Peter looked at his watch. Sophie's movie should be ending just about now.
He really needed to see her. "Thanks," he nodded with a small smile.

^^^^^^^^^

"I'm just saying that there isn't a better job in the world than being a saloon keeper," Gus expounded grandly, holding open the door to Marcello's restaurant for Sophie as they entered.

Sophie laughed, wondering if Charity's Grandpa Hank felt the same way. "You mean, like Bogie in Casablanca�" she grinned, continuing the comparison.

The movie had been spectacular, shown on a huge screen in the majestic old theater. The crowd was small and Sophie and Gus had freely discussed their favorite scenes in subtle whispers. Even Gus' loving arm around her hadn't diminished Sophie's enjoyment of the film. In every way, it had been a delightful evening.

"Exactly!" Gus enthused, replying to Sophie's comment. "The women loved him and the men all wanted to be him."

"Including you?" Sophie chuckled as Gus handed her shawl to the hostess.

"Me? I thought I was already�" Gus winked, appearing mortally wounded. "Sam, quick, table for two - and, ah, play the Marseilles while you're at it," he blustered humorously to the maitre d'.

"How about a table for four?" Peter interrupted, a little startled to see Sophie and Gus getting along so well. "Good to see you both again," he added, with all the charm he could muster.

"Yes, Gus�Sophie�what a surprise." Instantly, Sophie noticed that Ivy hadn't said it was a "nice" surprise.

"Peter, didn't expect to see you here." For his part, Gus shook Peter's hand cordially, but the relaxed ease Sophie had witnessed in him earlier was gone.

"Do you mind if we join you?" Peter asked again, hoping Gus was too polite to refuse.

But, just in case he wasn't, Sophie answered first. "Oh, that'd be fun. I haven't met very many people since I arrived."

As far as Gus was concerned, the only person Sophie needed to meet on this trip was him. But, since he was in such a good mood, and since he planned on them seeing a whole lot more of each other later tonight - hopefully, in bed - then, if she felt like a little extra company at dinner, why not?

"Table for four, Sam�" Gus sighed, leading the way.

^^^^^^^^^^

"So, she's still in jail?"

Little by little over dinner, Peter had steered the conversation towards Charity's arraignment, and Sheriff Carter's surprising appearance.

Slowly, he began to divulge as much new information to Sophie as possible, without blowing her cover.

Sophie's immediate, and horrified reaction, however, had seemed a little too personal for a perfect stranger.

"Well, I mean, that's just terrible," she covered, softening her tone to fit a more suitable air of detachment.

"Why'd they cancel bail?" Gus asked, about to spear a shrimp with his fork.

"Sheriff Carter thinks she may have killed someone�" Peter played his hand carefully.

"Who?" Sophie couldn't imagine.

Stanley Morrison...He's dead." Peter had intended for the words to speak for themselves, but he was unprepared for the loud clang, as Gus' fork slipped from his hand and fell onto his plate.

Covering poorly, Gus mumbled an apology. "Oh, ah, excuse me."

"Did you know him, Gus?" Feeling quite safe with Peter nearby, Sophie placed her hand tenderly over Gus', hoping to offer her affectionate sympathies.

"Yeah, yeah, I met him a few times, he was a good man, wasn't he, Ivy?" Gus' gaze lingered in Ivy's direction, something Peter and Sophie both noticed.

"Yes, yes, he was�" Ivy nodded, lowering her head.

Sensing Ivy's discomfort, Sophie decided this might be a good time to play her hunch. "Ivy�that's such a pretty name."

Perplexed by Sophie's abrupt shift in topics, Peter waited with interest to see where his wife was going with this.

For her part, Ivy appeared to relax, grateful that the conversation had veered away from Stanley and the painting.

"Why, thank you," Ivy beamed.

"Is that a family name?" Sophie asked lightly, smiling at Gus as he refilled her wineglass.

Peter took his cue and placed his arm around Ivy, hoping to make her feel more comfortable as she answered.

"In a way," she replied, giving most of her attention to Peter. "I was named after my mother, Eve. Growing up, everyone called me "Evie" but when I got older, I decided to change it to Ivy."

"It's beautiful," Peter complimented, placing a soft kiss on Ivy's cheek to prove it.

"Yes, yes, it is�" Sophie agreed, sipping her wine like the cat that ate the canary.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"I didn't realize it was so late!" Peter was about to be a very shabby date.

"Ivy, I promised Charity that I'd swing by tonight before visiting hours are over," he explained. "Would you mind if Gus and Sophie gave you a ride back to the hotel?"

"I could go with you�" Ivy offered immediately.

Thank you," Peter smiled. "But Charity and I need some time alone, you understand."

Personally, all Ivy understood was that Peter was leaving her - again. "Will I see you tomorrow?" she asked, her lips pouting as they moved closer to his.

"Sure, of course, tomorrow�" Peter agreed, unable to avoid her lingering kiss.

Sophie's foot began tapping beneath the table.

Peter pulled away as quickly as was humanly possible. "Gus, I hear the hotel has a great 10K route."

"The Tequila Trail," Sophie piped up. "Gus and I ran it this morning."

"Did you?" Ivy seemed surprised.

"Maybe you two could go for a run tomorrow?" Sophie suggested to Peter and Gus.

"Oh, I�" Gus' ruse was coming back to haunt him.

"Great!" Peter cut him off. "See you tomorrow, then, say 7 a.m.?"

"Sure, seven�" Gus muttered, since he didn't have much of a choice. At least it was better than 6:00!

"Miss Becker," Peter took Sophie's hand and met her gaze. "Always a pleasure�"

Ivy leaned back, eyeing Peter longingly until he was completely out the door. "Isn't he dreamy?"

"Dreamy�" Sophie nodded, her foot still tapping.

^^^^^^^^^^^

"I thought maybe you weren't coming," Tightly, Charity grasped Peter's hand through the bars of her cell.

"I promised, didn't I?" Peter said softly, hating to see the strong, defiant aunt he adored so seemingly at a loss.

"Are you all right, Peter?" Charity asked, concerned. "You look upset."

"I have something to tell you," Peter began, ready to get everything off his chest, once and for all.

"Ben's dead," Charity spoke what she feared the most.

"What?" Peter was taken aback. "No, oh, no, Aunt C.," he reassured her, feeling guilty for worrying her. "Ben's holding his own."

"Then nothing could be that bad," Charity smiled wanly. "Peter, just tell me�"

"I don't have the locket," he surprised her, blurting his confession quickly before he lost his nerve. "I lost it years ago in a drunken stupor, or maybe I sold it for drugs. I honestly don't remember�"

Charity took a good look at her nephew. He was a grown man now, but in Charity's eyes, he'd forever be that little boy who bounded off the plane from New York every summer, snatched her by the hand at the airport, and raced her to the car, rhyming, "C'mon, Aunt C., let's go climb a tree!"

Her love for him had begun the moment Rachel told her she was pregnant. And it wouldn't end until her last breath, if then. Nothing would ever change that. To witness the agony he was putting himself through now, because of all this, just broke her heart.

"You should be getting more rest�" Charity replied simply. "How in the world do you expect to help me if you can't keep your eyes open�"

"Aunt C.," Peter snapped, filled with anger at only himself. "Didn't you hear me? I don't have the locket! I can't help you!"

Frustrated, Peter slammed the cell bars with both his hands.

"Peter, look at me," Charity insisted, keeping a firm, even tone to her voice. "You'll find another way, then. You help me just by being here."

Peter's eyes grew teary. Reluctantly, he allowed Charity to reach out and embrace him as best she could. "I let you down�" he whispered sadly.

"You have never let me down," Charity soothed, rubbing his back gently.

"And if you let yourself down, well, that was in the past," she said with absolute conviction.

"I'm very proud of you, Peter," Charity's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "I love you more than any locket, or any long-lost relative, or any amount of money in this world. My greatest fortune, my luckiest heritage, and my happiest joy has been having you in my life."

Such a display of emotion from a Lawson was so unprecedented it left both Charity and Peter speechless for a while.

"I must be getting old�" Charity muttered, wiping a few tears.

The corners of Peter's mouth turned up, even in his pain. "I don't deserve you."

"No, no you don't," Charity acknowledged quite plainly, straightening his collar and joining him in a smile. "But then, very few do�"

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Re: Ghosts - ch.26 & 27 -- dqfan, 11:43:42 04/11/03 Fri