Connections of the Mind (3 page)

The volunteer punched the information into her computer. “I’m sorry, Miss, Jeremy Marlin has been released.”

“Oh, uh…thank you.” Why hadn’t she thought of that? After all, he’d been shot just a couple of days ago, why wasn’t he still in the hospital? But that could be a good thing. It meant he wasn’t seriously wounded.

Disappointed at the news, Rebecca knew she couldn’t put off meeting him. Time for plan B. “Can you tell me where the police station is?” Darn it, she wanted to get this over and done with.

“Go back down the hill. Turn left. At the first light, turn right, that’ll be River Drive. About a quarter mile or less, you’ll see it on the right. You have to go past it to turn in the drive.”

“Thanks.” Rebecca left the hospital. Okay, now what was the plan to convince the chief of police to give her Jeremy’s address? She looked at her watch. Seven o’clock already. Maybe it was best to wait and tackle this tomorrow. Her stomach growled again, demanding food. There was a pizza shop in town and feeding herself suddenly became more important. Right, who was she kidding; this was a stall tactic. But still it was getting late.

The smell of rich tomato sauce, blending with garlic and other spices increased her hunger, when Rebecca entered the small pizza shop. A man on roller blades sped toward her, nearly knocking her down when she opened the door. Spinning around, she looked up at him and grabbed his arm to steady herself. He darn near knocked them both over. Dark hair fell across his face, almost hiding deep-set coal black eyes,

“Oops, sorry.” He caught her arm. “I didn’t see you. Have to get these pizzas delivered.” He dropped her arm and rushed out, knocking her into the “Seat Yourself” sign.

“No problem.” Rebecca steadied the sign. The guy disappeared. Good grief, what the heck was his hurry? The small restaurant gave her a warm feeling. Although brightly lit, a candle sat in the middle of each red-checkered tablecloth. Typical, old-fashioned Italian restaurant. Not very original but cozy none-the-less.

A jukebox played country music in the background. Most of the tables held customers, but Rebecca spotted one in the corner, set apart from the others. No more than she sat down and a waiter appeared and handed her a menu.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Diet soda.” Rebecca opened the menu and studied it. Everything sounded good, but anything spicy this late in the evening, she’d never sleep. Not that she probably would anyway, but no sense adding heartburn and indigestion to the mix. Still, the aromas of all the sauces made her mouth water.

The waiter brought her drink. “Ready to order?”

Throwing caution to the wind, she looked at him and smiled. What the heck, she’d be up all night anyway. “Yes, I’ll have the spaghetti and meatballs, Italian dressing on the salad.”

He wrote the order on his pad. His dark good looks weren’t lost on Rebecca. Not that he was old enough for her. Dark, wavy hair fell across his forehead, not too long, but long enough to look sexy. His dark eyes wrinkled at the corner when he smiled. A deep dimple sunk in his chin. Gosh, he was cute. If she were a few years younger, she’d flirt with him.

A few minutes later, the waiter came back. “You just passing through, or are you planning on staying a while?” He set her salad and a plate of garlic bread on the table.

“Not sure. I’ll be around for a few days anyway.” Sure didn’t take people long to question her intentions.

“Well, enjoy.” He smiled, and went to pick up an order for another table.

Rebecca devoured the garlic bread and salad while she waited for her spaghetti and meatballs. Darn she was hungrier than she thought. Amazing she could even eat the way her stomach tied up in knots every time she thought of meeting Jeremy.

“Are you here alone?” The waiter asked when he brought her food.

Rebecca hated to admit to anyone she traveled alone, even in a small town. Besides, he could be the suspect, though he didn’t look the type.

And just what was the type, she wondered.

“No.” Rebecca smiled and set down her glass. “A friend is joining me later.” There, word spread like wildfire in small towns. At least for tonight they’d think someone was joining her. As a precaution, she had registered two people at the motel. Paying the extra five dollars gave her a feeling of security. Everyone in town probably knew about her inquiries about Jeremy by now.

After dinner, Rebecca went back to her room, and turned on the television. A quick shower might refresh her, but the bed looked more inviting. Exhaustion from the trip and her emotions took over her body. If she could just lie down for a few minutes, even though it was only nine. Pulling the covers aside, she climbed into bed, clothes and all, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Chapter Four

The next morning, Rebecca awoke to bright sunlight streaming through the window. Turning over, she stretched. It always felt good to sleep for a full night without dreams.

She got up, pulled the drapes closed, and headed to the shower.

After a quick breakfast of toast, orange juice, and coffee at the Coffee Mug Restaurant, her nerves too frayed to eat more, Rebecca went in search of the police station. Now to formulate a plan that explained why she needed Jeremy’s address. Several ideas came to mind. One, she wanted to interview him for a small magazine, but not without credentials. Darn, she hated lying. It wasn’t in her nature. But the truth was so off the wall. They’d probably throw her in the booby hatch. She snapped her fingers and came up with an idea. If she could just sound convincing.

Victorian houses and shops lined the streets. The quaint little town resembled a postcard from the late 1800s. The only thing missing were the long dresses, horses, and carriages. Although modernized, the town square had managed to keep the quaint elegance of the Victorian era. Too bad she didn’t remember to bring her camera. Whatever happened with Jeremy, she’d definitely explore the town before she left.

She turned onto River Drive and drove up the hill. It didn’t take long to find the police station. She pulled into the lot and parked, opened the door, and got out.
This is it, kid.
Hopefully the last step in finding Jeremy.
It’s now or never
. Rebecca walked into the office.

The chief, himself, greeted her.

“Hello there, little lady.” He smiled and extended his hand. “Chief Dan Casteel, and you are?”

Rebecca shook his rough and weathered hand and looked him over. Mid-fifties, quick smile, and no nonsense attitude. She liked the gray-haired man, especially his drooping, gray mustache. Something told her he had a great sense of humor. Not sure what made her think that. Maybe it was the mischievous twinkle in his dark eyes, or his attitude.

“I’m Rebecca Brennan. Hopefully you can help me.” She gave him her brightest smile, even flirted a little.

“My cousin, Isabelle Winters, is a friend of Jeremy Marlin. I told her I was going to be in town, and she asked me to look him up. She said he works for the police department.”

Chief Casteel leaned against his desk, crossed his arms over his chest, raised an eyebrow, and grinned at her. Of course he didn’t believe her. Everyone and their brother must be talking about her by now. They knew she went by the newspaper office. Knew she inquired about Jeremy at the hospital. What a dumb story to come up with. She could have done better than that. Oh well, the damage was done. Now what was she going to do?

“So, your cousin’s Jeremy’s friend.” He rubbed his chin as if pondering her story. “So how’d they meet?”

Heat burned her face. What could she say? She knew nothing about Jeremy. Well nothing that a friend of his would know that is. “Can I be frank, Chief?” Best to tell him the truth. What was the worst that could happen? He could send her packing.

“Can we talk someplace, uh...?” Rebecca looked around the large open office. Though the secretary appeared to be working, she had one ear glued to their conversation. An officer sat at the other desk, openly staring at her. It wouldn’t take long for her story to spread all over town.

“Sure. Come on.” The chief led her into a private office, motioned her to take a seat, and leaned against the edge of the desk, arms and legs crossed.

Not a good sign, Rebecca thought. This might be a short conversation.

“Okay,” she said in a weak voice. “This is going to sound strange. I mean I find it hard to believe myself. I don’t have a cousin Isabelle, and I don’t know Jeremy personally, but I know a lot about him. I know someone shot him a couple days ago.” She paused, tried to still her trembling hands, and looked at the chief’s uplifted eyebrow. If he didn’t believe her, she’d have to think of something else. Right now the truth was the best way.

“Somehow my mind is connected to Jeremy. I see visions. I experience his pain, accomplishments, even his contentment.” Rebecca rushed on, trying to make the chief understand this strange phenomenon.

The chief stood up, went behind his desk, and sat down. “Go on,” he spoke in a kind voice. “I’d like to hear more.”

Encouraged with his calm, serious attitude, she explained the series of events leading to her search for Jeremy, ending with the newspaper article identifying him.

“He’s in grave danger. I don’t know if I can help him, but I need to see him, to warn him.” Rebecca sat back, exhausted from the remembered emotions.

Chief Casteel leaned forward, scrubbed his hands over his face. “That’s quite a story,”

Great, he thinks I’m a nutcase
. He’s not going to help. She knew there were other ways to locate Jeremy. The local phone directory listed several Marlins, but no Jeremy.

The chief stood up. “I’ll take you to Jeremy. I want to see his reaction when you tell him your story.” The smile playing about his lips told her he wanted to outright laugh.

He opened his office door. “Carolyn, call Julia Marlin and tell her I’m on my way over to see Jeremy.” He glanced at Rebecca. “Tell her I’m bringing a guest with an interesting story.”

Rebecca followed him into the chief’s car, feeling a little tentative. If he wanted, he could take her to the loony bin, and no one would find her. That was ridiculous. When had she become so distrusting?

“Jeremy’s like my own son. I watched him grow up these past twenty-eight years,” the chief told her. “His father was my best friend.”

Rebecca wondered if Jeremy was married, but decided not to ask.

“His father got kilt in the line of duty. Came as a big shock. Not many murders or such around these parts. Pretty peaceful here most the time, but every onct a while.” The chief’s hands turned white on the steering wheel. His jaw tightened. His eyes held sadness when he looked at her

“I’m sorry.” Not much of a comeback, but what else could she say?

“Remember the day well. It happened three years ago, right after Jeremy joined the force. Ours ain’t a big force, and we added Jeremy after Old Norb Tyler retired. It happened down on the highway. Mike, Jeremy’s father, tried to stop a speeder. He called for backup when the driver wouldn’t stop.” The chief shook his head.

“By time we got there, Mike’s car lay in a ditch, wheels still spinning, the motor running. They must have shot from their window. Bullet hole went clean through the windshield, hit Mike right ‘tween the eyes. Yes sir, we never did catch who done it.”

Rebecca squirmed in her seat. Fortunately, the car slowed and came to a stop, and she didn’t have to comment.

The chief pulled in front of an elegant Queen Anne style house with a wraparound porch and parked. Rebecca caught her breath. The house, an exact replica to the one in her dream, right down to the red roses climbing to the porch roof on trellises—surprised her. Not sure why; isn’t that what she had expected? She had seen the picture on the Internet.

Still, to see it in person overwhelmed her. In a few minutes, she was going to meet Jeremy. Finally, meet the man she was connected to. How would he take it? It surprised her that the chief hadn’t sent her on her way. He probably expected to get quite a laugh out of it when Jeremy kicked her out.

Her stomach tensed as they approached the door. In a few minutes, she’d finally come face to face with the person who occupied her dreams for so many nights. Not to mention the days.

A woman, with short, silvery hair, met them at the door. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she greeted the chief.

“Dan, how are you?” she asked in a gentle voice and hugged him.

“Just fine, Jules.” He kissed her cheek. “How’s our boy?”

Rebecca stood back, looked through the doorway, and gazed around the elegant room. The cherry antique furniture, upholstered in what appeared to be brocade or fine silk, looked as luxurious in real life as it had in her dreams. She recognized so many things in the house.

The foyer, with the rich mahogany staircase leading up to the second floor, took her back to the past.
What a wonderful staircase to make a grand entrance, while a beau gazed up anxious to see his date.

Rebecca smiled. What a romantic she’d become all of a sudden. It must be the atmosphere. A picture of her living in Morrisville popped in her mind, so real it almost scared her.