Precious Illusions
part 11
"So you just broke in?" Andy Trudeau demanded, hands on his hips, as he began to pace the spacious living room, his mouth set in a firm line. "You just broke into Jackman, Carter, and Klein without a warrant? Am I hearing this right?"
"We had probable cause," Cole Turner stated carelessly, from where his tall, lean frame rested comfortably against the wood in the opening near the foyer. "A man was dead, and I still needed to know why."
"But you didn't come back with the file."
"No, I came back with something a lot better."
"Arnold, right?"
"It's Arvo," a slightly perturbed voice stated from an armchair, legs crossed, black coat neatly slung over the back.
"And what kind of a name is Arvo?" Paige Matthews muttered, rolling her eyes, as she watched the stranger with caution from across the room, eagerly scrunching up her nose in distaste, her arms planted firmly across her chest.
"Oh, sweetheart, I think I just found the missing pages in my storybook."
"There's nothing wrong my name," she shot back. "Yours, on the other hand, sounds like some stuffy British guy with a bug up his butt."
"Yeah, and it wasn't the one I was born with."
"Well, golly gee, since we're all in share mode here, maybe you wouldn't mind telling us all what it was."
"I think there are much bigger issues to-"
"Adrian," he replied, abruptly cutting Andy off, as he shot Paige a wicked grin. "And while we're on the subject here, you're all still dwelling on something that's the least of your worries."
"That's because everything you've told us doesn't add up," Cole insisted. "If they didn't want to save her, why not use someone else to draw me to them? Why her? She was one of many."
"But at the time, she probably meant just a little more than the rest of them, wouldn't you say?"
"In that case, why not just use Phoebe? When I was given the-"
"Sometimes we have to dig beyond the surface to uncover the hidden jewels, don't we?"
"Thank you, Robert Frost," Andy spoke up, trying to fit himself into the conversation once again, "but I'm still more concerned about this woman confessing to a recent murder. Could we try and focus on that? Not to mention the charge of breaking and entering a victim's place of employment without a warrant."
"We were going to be in and out without anyone ever knowing we were there," Cole insisted. "I just wanted the guy's file. I wanted to see if something would help us figure this out."
"Getting a file and finding a secret passageway, are two different things altogether. You were there for more than just a few minutes."
"Hey, we got him back here, didn't we?"
"It's not like he put up a fight," Andy offered, a bit of sarcasm finding its way into his voice.
"I'm the wench's knight in shining armor."
"Excuse me?" he countered.
"For the last time, Arvo, it's wife," Cole corrected, rolling his eyes, "not wench. We're married."
"Yeah, and the last time I checked," Paige responded, "Phoebe wasn't some scantily clad little woman serving you a drink in a bar." She suddenly thought better of it, raising a sculpted eyebrow, as she quietly pursed her lips. "Then again, there was that outfit she wore a few months ago that probably turned a few heads at the grocery store, and one which I personally-" She immediately halted her speech when she felt the gazes trained on her face, turning slightly crimson. "I'm just saying, okay?"
"The confession won't hold," he continued, offering a glance Andy's way. "She didn't do it, and we both know that."
"If I were to take everyone's word on the number of people that come into my office in complete denial, I'd still be going through the paperwork. The point is-"
"The point is, she's got motive," Darryl Morris cut in without warning, his eyes narrowing as he lended Cole a single glance. "A hell of a lot of motive, Turner- especially when you factor in her connection to you."
"And she fits the description," Andy clarified, shrugging. "Blonde, twenty to thirty...it's all there."
"Look, no matter what she says or how she says it, that woman is still innocent," Cole persisted. "Prue told you this because she assumed you wou-"
"Hey, I believe you, all right? I do," he countered, throwing his hands up in defense. "Unfortunately, it's not up to me. I'll do my best to keep it as quiet as I can, but I can't promise you anything. It's the reason why I refused to take Prue's call at the office, and why I came straight here."
He nodded. "Never can tell who might be listening."
"Well, I am," Arvo concluded, "and can I just take this opportunity to say we're not getting anywhere here? We've got to find these guys and deal with them."
"But you said you didn't know who they were."
"And I don't," he finished, shrugging. "It still doesn't change the fact that someone wants you out of the way, and picked one of your most memorable victims to do it."
"They still want her alive though, and like I said before, it doesn't make any sense."
"It doesn't have to. Everyone who's anyone around here knows her father was a bastard who never gave a damn about her."
"Listen, while I'd really love to acknowledge that fairytale ending you've got planned for yourself," Cole added, ridicule easily loaning itself to his beautiful features, "maybe I should remind you that every demon out there has a second agenda he doesn't exactly speak openly about. Mind you, I can vouch from my own experience."
"Hey, man, if you really believe I want anything else but her in all this, I think you're sadly mistaken."
"Is that right?"
"It is."
"If anything, the only thing you ever had with her was an obsession that ran out of control."
"Take it as you like. At least I didn't torture the poor woman when all she needed was a savior."
"But you didn't come and rescue her, either, did you?"
"Okay, Leo doesn't know anything, hasn't heard anything from...up there, and I'm actually running late for a meeting at P3, so whatever this is, it better be good." Piper Halliwell entered the room without the briefest hesitation, one hand securing its grip on a small black purse slung neatly over her shoulder, her long brown hair tied back in a long ponytail, her eyes alert and somewhat annoyed. Her black pants rested comfortably on her petite frame and complimented the white dress shirt she wore, the first button parted near the collar.
"This must be the little darling who freezes and blows things up," Arvo initiated, both brows raising themselves out of curiosity.
"And who are you?" she demanded, eyeing him for the first time, her expression betraying just the slightest hint of distrust. "Who is he? Who is that?"
"Adrian Gale, but lately it's just Arvo Jalo."
"Right," she whispered, her demeanor suddenly mirroring confusion, as she professed a slight chuckle, "and when did we enter the Twilight Zone?"
"I'm guessing Prue already told you about Derek and Laurel?" Cole asked her.
She nodded. "So where does this clown fit in?"
"He thinks he's in love with her." He smirked in a blink and miss it gesture, giving her a wink. "Which, pardon me for saying, has probably been downgraded to a harmless infatuation over time, but...you know, that would probably still be giving him too much credit." He looked at Arvo, finally allowing his lips to curve into a full smile. "Wouldn't it?"
"Dammit, Cole, I should have killed you years ago."
"See, he gets a little hostile when he knows I'm right."
"You really want to see hostile?" the other man challenged, his eyes narrowing themselves into small slits. "Why don't we step outside? I'll show you hostile."
"Unfortunately, I'm beginning to see that he's all talk," Cole added, lightly clearing his throat. "Pity, because I think he also keeps forgetting that someone already has to be dead before he can work his magic."
"That's it. That's why, isn't it?" Paige sided. "He couldn't have killed Derek because he only resurrects and heals."
"And clones," Arvo confirmed.
"But what I didn't factor into all of this was how that ability isn't limited to the demon himself," Cole offered, letting a hand linger on his jawline, gently pursing his lips. "You can clone other human beings, too, can't you?"
Arvo mockingly placed a hand over his heart, eyes widening. "Are you saying I'm a human being?"
"You know what I mean."
"I'm not sure I do."
"So someone used a spell for all of this?" Piper inquired, her persistent voice cutting into the banter. "A good spell?"
"Why? Do you know something?" Paige returned, her expression immediately brightening, eager to get away from the repartee that had just ensued.
"I didn't think it was important. I...I mean, things disappear all the time, only to...reappear again somewhere or someplace else. I just didn't think- I don't even know if it's relevant. It could be nothing." She sighed. "I just don't know. But if it helps..."
"What is it?" she pressed.
"The Past Life spell."
"What about it?"
"It's gone."
"Gone?"
"It's gone," she emphasized, "as in...from The Book gone. It's not there anymore."
"Do I know that one?"
Piper shook her head. "Phoebe's used it, but I don't think you've ever had cause to."
"How does it go?"
"Paige."
"C'mon, how does it go?"
"Well, I'm not gonna say it here. I mean, for crying out loud. It might just work, and we might end up God knows where doing who knows what, while they'll have t-"
"Okay, well can you at least give me a line? Something?"
"Let these mortal arms embrace, The life that haunts before," Piper recited from memory, as she closed her lids tightly without even realizing it, slowly opening them again when nothing appeared to have removed her from the spot in which she'd been standing. She let out a quiet breath, refocusing her gaze on her half sister once again. "There? Happy now? If we end up in some weird house with a deranged lunatic, don't say I didn't warn you."
"But you'll have me right there with you," Paige pointed out, smiling, "and I can help you escape that deranged lunatic. Unless of course it's Cole- then you're on your own."
"What does that do?" Andy interceded, walking over to stand across from Piper, his curiosity suddenly peaked after hearing their exchange. "What is it?"
"Phoebe used it to go back to her past life," Piper murmured. "Once she said it, she was basically out of it and seeing things from another standpoint. Past Phoebe's. She went back to the 1920's, but not literally. Kind of shows you things through a window, I guess. Things that came to pass, but also things she could prevent from happening with her present self and turning evil. It's complicated. The first two lines are Remove the chains of time and space, And make my spirit soar."
"Still think this is about me?" Cole questioned, giving them a rather amused glance.
"Why do you say that?" she prompted.
"I somehow doubt it's all just a coincidence. It ties together. But I don't...I still don't know how. Well, not entirely, anyway." His brow creased itself in deep concentration. "Why would they want Phoebe? She doesn't have anything to do with what I did."
"Do you even need me anymore?" Arvo asked him, already starting to lift himself from the armchair, his hand hesitantly reaching out for his black coat, preparing to slip it around his frame, his violet eyes keeping themselves trained on Cole. "Because, you know, I could go and see if Laurel needs any help upstairs, and then maybe I could-"
"Sit," Andy instructed. "I'm not going to ask you again, Mr. Gale."
"See, that's just great, you know? I offer my assistance, and I can't even offer it to those who really need the assisting. Perfect. You know, maybe I'll just go on up those stairs and hurl myself out of a window instead."
"You've got my vote," Paige uttered.
"I can assist in taking you down to the station," Darryl said quietly, ignoring her, his line of vision resting on Arvo, his patience wearing thin, "if you continue to tamper with an ongoing investigation."
"Hey, look, point taken. I just want to make myself useful. You can't deny that woman could use a dear friend right about now."
"That's why she has Prue," Cole filled in softly. "You can't deny that she's still trying to adjust, and seeing a new face might not be the answer here- especially if it's yours."
"Was that a dig?"
"Do you want it to be?"
"You found her naked in a closet, and she's the traumatized one? I'm surprised the little munchkin didn't freak out all over hell's creation."
"My little girl is apparently a better person than you are."
"Demon."
"Does it really make a difference anymore?"
"Okay, so maybe I wasn't sure. Is that what you want me to say? Hmm?"
"Not sure..."
"I listen, I hear things, you know? They could be wrong things, bad things, but I still hear them."
"I'm going to give you five seconds to make sure you heard right."
"Maybe it's not yours they want then, I'm not actually altogether positive. I mean, it sounded good when I analyzed it all in my head. They wanted you and they'd use her to do it. It wouldn't be the first time someone laid a bounty on you. But now- well, geez, Cole, you know how tricky magic can be when it falls into the hands of someone that desperate." He frowned. "Either way, it concerns Laurel, and she's supposed to make it through this. If I knew who, I'd know the other who and why. Get it?"
"Well, it obviously doesn't explain that spell," Paige added, shrugging. "None of it does."
"Because we're not looking where we should," Cole emphasized softly. "He's right. It's not where, it's still who. Piper said it didn't actually take Phoebe back, but it still let her see. Laurel literally lived in the 1940's, and she interacted with a number of people during various circumstances back then. If the events play out in the exact order they happened, and she got a second chance, wouldn't that make this her other life?"
"She's still the same person though," Piper argued. "It doesn't fit, Cole."
"And her grave was empty," he stated matter of factly, "which doesn't even begin to touch on the mythology angle."
"But sometimes people can be brought back wrong though, right?" Andy concluded. "At least where magic is concerned?"
"Wrong?" Darryl chimed in. "Trudeau, what are you implying?"
"She had no clothes on, Morris, and she was hysterical."
"But she has her memories," Cole countered. "She remembered what I did to her."
"Maybe because someone wanted her to," Paige guessed. "She'd be able to get those back through the spell, and she'd know who she was before she died. I mean it wouldn't really be that hard, would it?"
"Yes, but we can't keep talking about her like she's a thing, okay?"
"What she needs is our help," Arvo insisted. "She's just a woman, and she needs our help. She's not some object they conjured up to do their bidding. She's a human who's been forced against her will to exist beyond her time."
"Kind of poetic," Paige murmured. "I...well, you know, for a demon and all." As looks once again came her way, she abruptly turned her head, her hands clenched into embarrassed fists. "I liked it, okay?"
"So do we try and get her back there or do we try and keep her here?" Piper replied, her features wincing ever so slightly.
The doorbell sounded in air that had gone deadly silent, cutting into all of their thoughts, blurring the line between reality and imagination once again, its tone hollow and loud as it echoed off the bare walls. Two more attempts soon followed, as the request became somewhat more pronounced, eagerly itching to be heard and promptly answered.
"I've got it," Cole spoke up, quickly placing a finger to his lips. "Not a word, okay? Arvo, stay out of sight, and don't tr-"
"Didn't I say I wanted to leave?" the demon repeated, rolling his eyes.
"We're not finished yet."
"Oh really? I didn't know playtime wasn't over for today. We've found out nothing, and you made me leave all of my pretty pictures behind."
"Quiet."
"Pretty pictures?" Paige repeated.
"Hey, I've been alive a long time. I've got possessions, things I need...stuff."
"If you say so."
Cole bestowed one last glance at them before he headed out toward the front foyer, his steps coming to an even halt beside the front door, his hand carefully twisting the lock and turning the knob. Waiting a beat, he finally pulled it open, his fingers coming to rest comfortably upon the wooden frame near the small glass window in its center, shrouded somewhat in shadow by a pair of short, but flattering white lace curtains. "Mrs. Hillard."
The petite elderly woman had her snow white hair pulled up in different color rollers, a transparent bonnet residing over and covering the massive chaos on her head, her face pale and yet extremely alert. She barely reached his chest in height, and the long, old-fashioned dress she wore was adorned with pastel shades of flowers, a pair of worn sandals on her tiny feet. Her nails were painted a bright hue of rosy pink, clasped together neatly in front of her, as her vision wandered with marvel. "Hello, dear. Could you spare a moment?"
He gave her as warm a smile as he could manage, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as she studied him front top to bottom, her green eyes obviously entirely pleased at the results. "What is it?"
"Is it a bad time? Because I could come back later if that would be better."
Much, he thought to himself, but didn't say it, his handsome features revealing nothing. "Are you all right, Mrs. Hillard?"
"Dawn, please," she told him, her lips parting as she showed him a mouth full of teeth. "Just call me Dawn, honey. After all, we're neighbors."
"Can I help you with something?" he tried again, his voice threatening to impatiently raise itself an octave.
"What? Oh yes! Yes. That's why I came, isn't it? Well then. Let's see." She appeared to drift for a moment, as she paused in her speech. "You're a very attractive man, Mr. Turner. That Miss Halliwell is lucky to have you- and such beautiful children, too. That little Alexandra is simply a gem. You know, I'd gladly invite you all over for dinner, but I'm afraid I don't have enough chairs at the table. Must do something about that. Although...I suppose I could use some from the attic." She nodded more to herself than to him, propping a hand beneath her chin. "Yes, indeed. I believe those would be more than sufficient."
"That would be nice, but unfortunately I'm kind of busy right n-"
"Mmm. Young people these days. Busy, busy, busy," she murmured, cutting him off, very nearly chuckling. "I almost married a younger man, you know. His name was Alfred, and he was in a war. But goodness, it's been so long, I honestly can't remember which one. He was such a sweet man. Yes. Very tall and very caring, and he had a butt they could have molded chocolate out of. Always asking me what I wanted, never bothering to set a price. Naturally, I loved it. Unfortunately for me, he eventually met some undeserving tramp who took him away and made him her own. I like to think it was against his will. Her charms were only reasonable when she was on a street corner."
"That's all very fascinating, Mrs. Hillard-"
"Dawn."
"Dawn, but I really have to go."
"And I noticed you always seem to bring such strange men into your home."
He merely raised a brow. "I'm sorry?"
"The policeman didn't live with your family until recently, did he? And the one with the black coat...never saw him before today." She placed a small, wrinkled hand on his chest rather briefly, uttering what probably passed for a giggle. "I trust Miss Matthews is still seeing Nicholas?"
"I don't really think that's any of y-"
"You're quite a dish though, if I haven't already said so. Tall, dark, and handsome."
"While I'm very flattered, I have guests...Mrs. Hillard. So unless there's something that can't wait, you can call me tomorrow, okay?"
"Oh, sweetheart, I've already got your number."
He shut his eyes, lightly rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Is it the pipe in the basement again?"
"Goodness, child, yes. I was doing some laundry down there just a few minutes ago, and the darn thing started leaking like a siv. I was wondering if you might be able to stop by to fix it again soon."
"I'll put it on my list."
"And I don't suppose we could set a date for that dinner invitation?"
"Dinner invitation," a voice said behind her, as Phoebe walked up the front drive with Alex, car keys enclosed in one hand, the little girl immediately brightening at the sight of her father. Alex hurriedly handed him the small shoulder bag she carried, as well a paper containing some kind of writing scratched across it, breathing an immediate sigh of relief from the weight that had been generously lifted. "Boy, you really move fast, don't you?"
"Phoebe, you remember Mrs. Hillard."
"Dawn," the old woman added for the third time, and her expression changed just a bit.
"Oh, so you're on a first name basis now and everything," Phoebe told him, rather amused, as she playfully wiggled her eyebrows at him. "How nice."
The corners of Cole's mouth twitched rather briefly, as his watched his wife, struggling not to let his full lips fall into a complete smile. He chuckled rather quickly, almost nervously, his blue eyes entirely taken by her all over again. "Dawn has a leaky pipe in her basement. She...asked me to stop by and get to it when I can."
"Yeah, and that's gonna be awhile, I'm afraid."
"Hi Mrs. Hillard," Alex initiated, tossing up a tiny hand in front of the woman, reaching it up as far as it would go.
"Hello little Alex. And how are you this afternoon?"
"I'm okay, how about you?"
"Just peachy. I trust you're doing well in school?"
"Not really. I kind of got into a fight today."
"A fight-"
"Yeah, and that'll be all," Phoebe took over, quickly urging her daughter further inside, while she nudged Cole's hand out of the way. "Thank you for stopping by, Dawn. But I really don't think there's anything more to say. Have a great day now. Bye." The door had slammed itself shut in their neighbor's face before Mrs. Hillard could register what had just happened, and Phoebe threw her body against it, hands covering the wood, her back supported by and resting against the sturdy frame. She closed her lids, and just stood there, exhaustion displaying itself across her complexion, her brown hair tied back away from her face, a few stray strands hanging freely on either side.
"Day go from bad to worse?" he asked her gently, bringing himself down to Alex's level, as he caught her in a small hug, her arms wrapping themselves around his neck.
"Mommy's just mad because of the fight."
"Is she?" Cole looked up at Phoebe. "What was it about?"
"You know, maybe the fight isn't the point here, Cole."
"Are you jealous?"
She tensed rather briefly. "I beg your pardon?"
"Mrs. Hillard's probably around eighty years old."
"And what does that make you? You've been around a lot longer than she has."
"Yes, but I've got a secret."
"You're as mortal as the rest of us now, buddy."
"She was just flirting. Nothing to get worked up about."
"She hates me."
"Phoebe, c'mon. She's just lonely. She's no different than my father these days."
"Did you tell her about him? Because knowing her, she'd be on him in five seconds flat. Good genes and all that."
He let go of his daughter, much to her dismay, and lifted himself back on his feet, clasping his hands together. His unshaven face projected warmth when a fairly sly grin slid across it. "Do you want to go upstairs?"
"I should have laid a great big kiss on you while she was still standing there. Would've served her right."
He laughed. "So what happened?"
"With Mrs. Hillard?"
"At the school."
"Eleanor Sullivan came up to me in gym and pulled my hair," Alex volunteered, "and she did it for no reason, Daddy."
"Ally-"
"So after we went back in to change into our other clothes, I set her shorts on fire."
"The gym teacher gave her detention. They could have expelled her, considering, but they still don't know where the fire came from."
"Lucky for us," Cole muttered.
"I'll say. So. Anything new to report?"
"You mean besides my affair with someone's grandmother?"
"Cole."
He simply walked up to her, lowered his head, and brought his lips to hers, gathering her into his arms, her hands coming up to rest themselves upon his back, while his gingerly cradled either side of her face. "Don't worry, I'm not going to run off with her. It was awfully tempting, but I'm fine right here."
She smiled, breathing him in. "Good, because I'd have to come up with some kind of a love spell to get you back."
"Speaking of spells, Piper said one's disappeared from The Book of Shadows."
She frowned. "And you were going to tell me this, when?"
"As soon as you were done telling me how much you hated our tiny little neighbor."
Alex just giggled, all too aware of the affection her parents were showing for one another, her profile one big smile.
"How's Laurel?"
"She's with Prue. She's still going on about the confession yet, and Andy's more or less up in arms about it. I told him it was the last time I take you somewhere with me."
She playfully hit his arm, as she let him lead her into the other room, Alex following close behind. "Liar."