WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?
by
PiperMerlyn
Chapter 8
The Chapters
It curled around him like a physical presence that shortened his strides until he was standing still. He had wanted privacy for this but saw that the corridor and people seemed to have faded into nonexistence. A kaleidoscope of colors flashed in front of his eyes, too bright to be real.
Images flashed, like a video on fast forward, jumbled together and confusing. He could make no sense of what he saw, what he heard. A part of him resisted the power because he knew he was losing what he’d gained.
The ancient words he spoke were torn away from his lips by hurricane-force winds, and he thought for a moment he heard a fierce scream. The power built up in him, a low hum that began to crescendo until it pressed in against him, cutting off his breath, pounding against his ears. There was the faintest of pops and then...silence...
Jonah Ravenscraft found himself on a dock, next to a yacht. Two men were preparing to cast off but didn’t seem to be in any hurry. He cleared his throat and walked towards them. “I don’t mean to cause any alarm but I thought I saw someone tinkering with your boat earlier.”
The red-haired man frowned and looked over at his companion. When he turned back to ask the stranger a question, the man was gone.
*****
22 April 2004
Athens, Greece
11:13 a.m.
Dan Hargrave wasn’t sure why he’d listened to the stranger and gave the old yacht a complete check before heading out, but he had. He’d found a few problems that would have delayed him in getting to his rendezvous and was glad he’d checked things out.
He motored slowly into the harbor and saw the man he was supposed to meet pacing back and forth. “Hey, Brogan, sound the horn. Mack’s gettin’ antsy.”
Brogan rolled his eyes and sounded the ship’s horn. Both men saw MacKensey turn and narrow his eyes. Brogan spotted a young woman hovering not far away. “Hey, looks like he’s got a one-woman admiration society.”
Dan grunted. “He won’t notice her. He’s getting married, remember?”
The yacht moved smoothly to a dock and MacKensey jumped over, not even waiting for the gangplank to be set out. “What took you so long?”
“Hello to you too.”
Joe spared a glance for the woman who was now walking away, her strides angry and long. “She was giving me the creeps. I swear if you’d been a second longer, she would have come on to me.”
“You gettin’ a big head, Mack. Just ‘cause one woman likes you...” grinned Brogan.
There was a faint pop and Dan shushed Brogan. “What was that?”
Joe glanced in the direction the woman had been heading and saw her holding a nine-millimeter automatic hand gun. She fired off several shots but realized the yacht was out of range. “See what I mean?”
Dan shrugged and headed out to open water. “You always did attract the crazy ones.”
Joe grunted. “Ha, ha, that was so funny I forgot to laugh. Let’s get this over with so I can get on with my wedding.”
Brogan gave him a look. “And let’s not forget what comes after the wedding...”
“The reception?”
Dan looked over at Joe. “Man, you okay? You that nervous? Jake’s talking about later, after the reception, after you and your bride run away from the people pelting you with rice or whatever you’re supposed to throw nowadays.”
Joe got a goofy grin on his face. “That’s all I’ve been thinking about...” He sighed and sat down in a chair, a blissful look on his face.
Dan shook his head. “Jack’s gone off the deep end, sending him. He’s no good to us now.”
“Dan, be nice.”
Dan rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I will say I agree with one thing. Let’s get this over with.”
*****
30 April 2006
Provincetown, Massachusetts
9:12 p.m.
She stared up at the night sky, picking out the familiar constellations. The breeze off the ocean was cool and she was glad she’d brought the afghan outside with her. She snuggled under the colorful afghan and searched the sky for more stars. For a moment, she felt a sense of vertigo and she wondered what would have happened if her life had changed, if the events leading up her wedding had been different. The thought made her shudder.
The rustle of grass and fabric told her someone was coming up behind her moments before he rested his hands on her cool shoulders. “Come inside. You’ll catch cold out here.”
She tilted her head back to see him looking down at her, his face upside down. “Hey there, handsome.”
Joe MacKensey leaned over and kissed her. “Hey there, popsicle.”
“It’s not that cold out here.”
“Then I’ll just take that afghan. You wouldn’t want to leave it outside.”
Casi shook her head and tried to hold on to the afghan but Joe managed to tug it away. “Hey.”
“Yes, dear?” Joe gave her a goofy grin. “Why are you even out here? It’s our second anniversary and you’re out here stargazing.”
Casi laughed. “Well, I kept out of your way while you cleaned the kitchen.”
“Ah, yes, the dishwasher is now on. Let’s go to bed.” Joe draped the afghan over his shoulder and helped her to her feet. He glanced around at the empty patio tables. “Don’t tell me you’re missing your family.”
“Not for another few months. Donovan called to harass me today about messing up his answering machine.” Casi rolled her eyes. “You’d think the man wouldn’t be so clueless with machines.”
Joe led her into the house. “Be nice.”
Casi grunted. “I’m always nice. Sugar and spice.”
Joe laughed. “Hmm, that’s what little girls are made of, so I’ve heard.”
Casi grinned as they went through the ritual of making sure the front and back doors were locked and the downstairs lights were off. They headed upstairs and to their bedroom. Casi stopped when she saw the dozens of candles flickering softly in the dim room. “Oh Joe...”
“Happy anniversary.” He pulled her close and kissed her.
Casi kissed him back, then whispered, “Happy anniversary.”
Joe steered her toward the bed. “Now...let’s celebrate,” he said with a wicked grin.
Casi laughed. “God, I love you.”
*****
1 May 2006
Provincetown, Massachusetts
10:23 a.m.
Casi took the cordless phone with her as she headed outside to watch Joe mowing the grass. He was wearing only shorts and tennis shoes and she loved to watch him move. She focused on the person on the phone. “If you’re sure. I know A.K. would be delighted if we came...Well, what is it, you don’t want me to meet her?...I don’t know, Chad, you seem bound and determined for us not to show up at your wedding.”
Casi rolled her eyes as she set the tray down on the low table between the deck chairs. “Chad, I’ve met your family. I can deal with them. Anyway, Byron’s happy again, so’s Emerson. What are you complaining about?...I’m sure Joe will want to stay in some fancy upscale hotel, so don’t fret about accommodations...All right, Chad, and congratulations.”
She pressed the end button and set the phone beside the tray. She poured two tall glasses full of lemonade and as if by magic, Joe appeared by her side. “Hey. Who was that?” he asked, helping himself to a glass.
“Chad. He’s getting married.”
Joe blinked and settled into the other deck chair. “Wow.”
“Yeah.” Casi was pensive a moment. “I’m glad he’s found someone.”
Joe studied her for a minute and then sipped his drink. “When do we leave?”
“Chad’s traditional. He’s getting married in June. We have some time to get ready.”
“As long as he doesn’t do the sunrise thing, I’m game.”
Casi laughed. “Joe.”
Joe got up, walked over to her and kissed her. “Yes, my lady?”
“Eww, you’re dripping all over me, stop that.” She glanced over his bare shoulder and her grin widened. “You missed a spot.”
“Oh, I did, did I?” Joe leaned closer still and kissed her again. “You sure?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Casi had the presence of mind to put both their glasses on the table and then grabbed his hands. “Why don’t we go upstairs and find out.”
Joe’s grin nearly split his face in two. “We’re not sharing a shower...are we? Oh the horrors, so decadent...”
Casi led him inside. “You don’t know the half of it,” she added with a wink as they veered for the stairs and the master bedroom.
Joe arched an eyebrow. “Try me.”
The End
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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.