Shadows Of the Night
part 7
"Mr. Crane, you're certainly milling about quite late into the night."
"It's done," Crane said simply.
"Done?"
"I've got her, boss. She took in every word of it."
"Really?"
"Yep. Didn't think she'd actually turn out to be that gullible. But I guess we learn as we go, hmm?"
"Now, now. There may just be more truth to that story than you think. I...certainly wouldn't go as far to say that it never happened. I mean, you know as well as I do that anything's possible out here."
"Wait. You mean, I just- I thought all of that stuff about that woman was just something they made to cover up the real-"
"Oh, she was murdered. And rightfully so. In fact, I'd say her life could have been a real soap opera. What, with two men on her trail?"
"So who are they?"
"Who are who, Mr. Crane?"
"You know who I'm referring to. I mean, don't you have anything specific on them yet?"
"I met the gentleman this evening. Mr. Cole Turner. He and his lovely wife, Phoebe Halliwell, and their little daughter, Alexandra. So cute, so innocent- the very apple of her father's eye."
"Halliwell," Crane whispered. "Halliwell. You know, the more I think about it, haven't we heard that some place before?"
"The phone book?" Sterling quietly suggested, rolling his eyes at his opponent.
"No. In another kind of book. In fact, prior to this, I could have sworn I heard great talk about them in the Underworld."
"That's preposterous. They're not even the slightest bit-"
"Are you absolutely sure about that? Given what we have at this point, I would beg to differ, boss."
"What do you mean?"
"The sister. I suspect her curiousity concerning the portrait goes beyond a simple hobby. She wasn't even supposed to be wandering off. Which, I suppose if you actually set some rules here? Maybe the guests would be much better off in cooperating with us in the scheme of things."
"I beg your pardon?" Sterling inquired, shooting his friend a glare, as he he gently placed his hands in front of him upon his lap.
"Look, I'm not trying to tell you how to run your ship, but if I were-"
"Well, you're not," came the adamant reply. "If you may, leave them all to me. I understand Mr. Turner's been having a bit of a dilemma already, and I thank you for that, but-"
"Wait. What dilemma?" came the confused reply.
"Mr. Crane, playing dumb is not one of your strong points."
"And I'm not joking. I have no idea what dilemma you're talking about."
"The one with the lights? In their cabin? He seems to think the ship is malfunctioning, but....I think we all know better, don't we?"
"I haven't done anything with the lights," he offered honestly, shrugging.
"Oh, come on. This is no time to be-"
"But I'm not," he said again, a bit more loudly. "All I did was drop them off at the cabin when they first arrived. I haven't been by it since, and I haven't tampered with any of the controls either."
"So...what? You just expect me to believe it all happened on its own?"
"Yeah, well, you're the story expert, right? Why don't you tell me, Mr. Sterling."
"I don't find that the least bit funny, Crane."
"And I wasn't trying to be. I've only done what you've asked of me, and nothing more."
"Have you?"
"Yes. I have. I followed the sister, and that was all. As far as it went... Besides, what would messing with the lights prove? They don't seem like an easily scared bunch. I'm sure you've seen that yourself."
"Well, I do know that Mr. Turner gave me a warning tonight, and from here on out? I think we should be extremely careful in what happens next."
"And just what happens next?"
"Oh, Mr. Crane, why the lose the element of surprise? It's the best part."
"So what's going on with the-"
"I have the summoning spell, I just need to make sure we put it forth at the exact moment it comes calling."
"Do you really think it'll still accept our offer? I mean, truth be told, boss, our time wears thin."
"We're placing over a hundred people up for auction. What do you think? Prize goes to the highest bidder, and well...we really shouldn't have any problem with that, should we now?"
"So what's your take? I...I mean, what you think really-"
"I think they all got what they deserved. Harsh? Maybe. But given time to think about it, we all have a fate that lies in wait, just hoping we'll claim it a lot sooner than expected. They saw there was no way out, and gave into that fate. It's as simple as that."
"So how do you know we'll even survive this, given past circumstances?"
"Oh, I could almost bet on it."
"Mmm... Boys, boys. Making bets when I'm nowhere in sight? How very rude of you," a female voice suddenly added, as her figure calmly let itself into the room. "Talking of taking over the world without me again?"
"Never," Sterling assured her, unaffected by her sudden invitation.
"By the way, nice haircut," she murmured, offering a sly smile in this direction.
"Thought you'd like it."
"So. Shall we get down to business?"
**********
"Daddy, Daddy, get up. Get up," a small voice beckoned, as the petite frame stuck its head over the edge of the top bunk, the eyes focusing themselves in on the body below.
Cole Turner's lids flickered briefly, as he flung an arm out over the side, his lips parting slightly. He offered a short groan, as he gently rolled over onto his stomach, his hand gently smoothing out the space to the left of him- only now realizing it was completely empty.
"Daddy," Alex continued, smiling, as she shot him a small wink. "I know you're awake," she giggled softly.
"Daddy is probably just happy he doesn't have to get up for work," Phoebe sided, padding across the carpet to her husband, still clothed in a set of pajamas. She brushed a strand of long brown hair over one shoulder, as she gently sat beside him. "In fact, I'm sure he's not even thinking about any of his cases now either, is he?"
"Mmm," came the groggy reply, as Cole let a bare foot emerge from the covers beneath.
"I got you some breakfast," Phoebe whispered, as she placed her face closer to his, offering a half smile at his scruffy profile. "Eggs, toast, orange juice, pancakes-"
"Jam?" he mumbled, finally revealing his set of gorgeous blues, as they met hers with a happiness she hadn't seen in a long time. Arching himself up onto his elbows, he sighed. "I love you, you know that?"
"Forgot the jam," she responded. "So it may not be love just yet. But...if you want to eat right this very minute, I want you out of that bed, and I want you out now."
"Is there a....shower involved, by any chance?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not unless you want to share it with the elderly couple down the hall," she joked, uttering a short laugh.
"You really are making things difficult for me, aren't you?"
"Always, honey."
"Daddy, can we look around today, can we?" Alex questioned brightly, as she helped herself down the ladder, her small hands encased securely upon the wood.
Cole grinned at his daughter, as she went into his arms, looking up at him with a defiant expression, as her eyes narrowed suddenly. "You promised."
He nodded, putting his nose to hers, as he turned completely serious. "Yes. And as a parent who cares deeply about his child's well being, I fully intend to keep that promise, sweetie."
"Really?"
"Really. We'll go anywhere you like."
"I want to see the picture," she told him excitedly.
"Picture?"
"The one Aunt Paige saw. I wanna see it."
"And you are just such a good listener, you know that? Unfortunately though, that picture is now off limits."
"Why?" she asked sadly, her face dropping in expression.
"Because if Mr. Crane catches us looking at it too, I think it'll make us just a bit too obvious."
"Paige said Crane did seem willing to spill after awhile though," Phoebe pointed out. "Maybe...if we got him to talk, he might just say more the second time around. Of course, there's also the possibility that he figures Paige has already told us."
"Yes, and we all know how your sister loves to run her mouth off," he quipped.
"And will you ever stop blaming her?" she responded, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Nope."
"Didn't think so. So....you know, this breakfast is getting awfully cold over here, and if a certain someone still wants it, he better hurry up and get dressed."
"Mommy, will you take me to see the picture of the lady?" Alex pleaded.
"You heard your father, Alex."
The little girl silently masked her disappointment as she slumped back down to the floor below.
"Oh, great. Make me out to be the bad guy," he murmured, his voice just above a whisper.
"Well, technically, you're not that far off," his wife added, shrugging.
He playfully threw a pillow at her, laughing in spite of the situation. Alex stared at him from her spot on the carpet, as she crumpled into a sitting position, one leg piling itself on top of the other. He hated letting her down- hated denying her the right to do what every kid should have the right to do. But given the way the trip had gone up until this point, he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to make anymore enemies just yet. But his nerves were still on the brink of collapsing from the night before, and nothing had changed the incoming suspicions he'd since acquired. It was an almost familiar sense, and yet he knew nothing of any true intentions on behalf of Sterling regarding the journey itself. And it certainly wouldn't hurt him to have just one more look at what Paige had seen, despite the consequences he may have to suffer for his actions. Maybe it was best to at least attempt another shot.
"What are you thinking?" Phoebe asked, studying the blankness that had since taken shape upon his face. "Cole?"
"I'm- I'm thinking maybe it wouldn't be the most responsible thing to do....but then again, when have I ever considered myself responsible?"
"Then I'm coming with you," she said matter of factly.
"No, you aren't."
"What? Cole, we're in this together, and if you find something-"
"You'll hear about it," he finished. "Trust me."
"You know, to be honest, I just don't understand this so called fascination you seem to have with-"
"It's not a fascination, Phoebe. I just-"
"You just want to continue seeing what Sterling is up to, so you can blow him in for something. Tell me I'm wrong. I mean, that's all this has become about, hasn't it?"
"Something happened here, and- and you know, why am I even justifying myself to you, anyway? Just last night you seemed extremely willing to take my side for anything. Or did that just slip your mind as well?"
"I am on your side," she said softly. "But...but I just don't want to see you get hurt. Cole, I'm really not liking anything about this place either....and if we wanted, I'm sure you could just shimmer us back at any minute, pretending like we never even went through with any of it. But...but I'm not entirely sure trying to get a confession out of this guy is the best answer. For starters, you might not like what you hear."
"You haven't had a single premonition since we boarded, have you?"
"No, but-"
"It doesn't mean anything? Well, on the contrary, I think it does. When I was the...." he stopped himself then, thinking a moment, as he took a deep breath. "Anything could be blocking your ability at any time."
"What about my powers, Daddy?"
"Well, that's what I was hoping to put to the test today, Ally. If you can use them, then it might just mean we're not exactly in the danger that I thought we were...and this-"
"Does this mean we can go see the picture?"
"You know, in all fairness, what have we really got to lose?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, only our lives," Phoebe repeated.
"Honey, that's why I'm taking Paige."
"What?"
"And if he's in fact out there waiting for us, so be it."
"Cole-"
"You stay behind with Melinda, alright? Just...watch her for a little bit, and the three of us should be back soon."
"Never say I'll be right back," she advised him. "It almost always ends in disaster."
"But I will," he assured her. "I've always come back, haven't I? I've never stayed away for too long."
"If something goes wrong, you shimmer right back here, got it?"
"It's gotten," he sided, as he disappeared around the corner with a pair of a jeans and a sweater.
"I'll be holding you to your word, Cole Turner."
"Yes, and don't you go running off with any mermen while I'm gone either."
"Mommy, what does he mean?" Alex asked, suddenly confused, as her mother placed a small sweatshirt over her daughter's head, as she reluctantly held her petite arms out above her.
"Your daddy tries to make mommy upset by speaking in riddles," she finished, glaring in her husband's direction.
"Oh, I'm sure you understand that one just fine," came the sarcastic reply.
"Keep that up, honey, and you'll be doing the grocery shopping for a week."
"Saying we ever get out of this alive," he reminded her. "Remember....or did we forget?"
**********
"I can't believe you."
"Hey, neither can I, but you came, didn't you?"
"Only because of Phoebe," Paige Matthews uttered, shedding a grimace at her brother in law, as she hugged her arms tighter to her chest, offering a brief shiver in response.
"Spooky down here, isn't it?"
"Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say that. I...I mean, I certainly wasn't scared in the slightest yesterday."
"Oh no?"
"Nope. Not at all."
"Daddy, it's freezing down here," Alex commented, finally speaking up, as she gently trailed a small hand along the wall, her fingers touching the decayed wallpaper, the roughness of it rather sharp and full of a great many bumps.
"You know, they used to say you could almost feel it when someone's spirit was right in the same room as you," Cole started. "Just the fact that a place seemed to be lower in temperature in one spot more so than the other. At least, it used to be a common belief among quite a few. You don't really hear much about it now. Though I'm sure quite a few ships have been associated with hauntings to begin with."
"Temperature? You mean, like that time that you supposedly messed around in the manor when nobody was home, so Troxa could be found?" Paige quipped.
"And just how would you know what I did?" he snapped, halting in step, as he turned to face her. "I don't believe there was an entire list of all my faults sitting there when you arrived, was there?"
"No, but Phoebe's told me everything, believe me."
"Well, come to think of it- you have been in each other's shoes already, haven't you? I mean, literally of course."
"Yeah, and if it weren't for you figuring it all out, we could have been a lot better off in Piper not finding us out. But I bet you loved the look on my face when it was Phoebe who flung your butt to the ground though. Because honestly? This whole time you've been with my sister? You've been nothing but an extreme annoyance on my part."
"Paige, you haven't yet seen annoying."
"Oh really?"
"Look, I thought we understood each other before. And I thought we could finally see that I'm not such a bad guy. But my guess is a year means absolutely nothing to you. I let you stay in my house, Phoebe's not charging you rent, and you still act like I'm the one who's giving you an instant deathmatch here."
"And I told you, that I'm fully aware that you only want the best for your daughter. But that's no reason to alienate me in the process."
"Alienate you? Alienate- oh please. You have got to be kidding me."
"You wouldn't help me with that case," she noted, looking up at him with a stern expression.
"Because that's something-"
"I do consider you experienced," she admitted then, her voice not far from a whisper. "And...and I could have really used the guidance, you know?"
"Yes, and every lawyer has to make their living somehow, right?"
"What?"
"My services are not free, Paige. I work for a well known firm in San Francisco who pride themselves on the amount they make in this business. I have a wife- a family to support."
"Daddy, what's that?"
"Honey, what are you talking about?"
"It's over there," she said quietly. "In front of us, Daddy. On the back wall."
"What- Ally, there's nothing there, sweetie. I don't see-"
"There," the little girl indicated again.
It was then that his eyes settled upon the shape directly ahead of them, cloaked in shadows. It just set there, almost as if it had been observing the scene before it the entire time. A transparent black in color, it shone like a rather faded crystal along the dampness of the walls, as it slowly crept towards the ceiling. Cole's frame of vision caught the objects around him in full force at that moment, falling upon the set of tables, chairs, and broken glass scattered upon the ruins of the floor. The curtains hung in light tatters all around them, as large pieces had been torn from the pictures tacked to either side a few feet above them, their content caked in a deep black charcoal for color.
Paige had also caught these surroundings that had sprung up around them, her expression going completely white from the shock. She backed up a single step, moving closer to Cole, as she widened her eyes in response. "I don't remember this room."
"Where's the picture?" he asked her, never breaking his gaze.
"Picture?"
"Paige, the picture...the one that was supposed to-"
"I don't know," she uttered, raising her voice. "It...it was supposed to have been in this exact- I just...don't....remember any of this."
"Daddy, what's happening?" Alex questioned fearfully, as she threw her outstretched arms out to him.
Cole scooped his daughter up quickly within his grasp, as her arms wasted no time in securing themselves a little too tightly around his neck. "It's okay, sweetie. It's....okay. Just stay close to Daddy, alright?"
The room filled itself with a vibrant light, as the aged chandeliers suddenly bathed the room in a deep glow. Candles caked with layers of dust suddenly came to life, as sparkling silverware took their places at the tables around them, glasses filled with water sat beside floral patterned dinner plates. An instrumental piece filled the silence, as if invisible hands had suddenly commanded an entire orchestra to take their cue in playing for a handful of guests, the tone incredibly saddened in speech, as it never changed pace. The shadow ahead of them had since flown to the ground below, and ever so slowly, its form became a great deal more vivid. Hands sprung up from the crumpled mass, and a pair of legs began to emerge from the lower half, as a mane of long blonde hair took shape.
"Well, this can't be good," Paige whispered.
"Pretty much an understatement," Cole echoed. Holding out a hand, he prepared a lightening bolt upon it, deperately trying to contain the sudden feeling of uneasiness that had crept into his system.
Ghostly silhouettes began to appear at each of the tables, women and men talking amongst themselves, their eyes completely averted from the three strangers that had invaded the privacy of their celebration. Laughter rang out, as if it could have been so much more real than it appeared, the voices carrying heavily through the air..
"Think it's also one that this place just happens to be extremely haunted now?" she filled in.
"Yeah, I'd say that's about right."
"Cole Turner," the being finally spoke, as she grew beyond her own transperancy into full fledged flesh and blood, her hair gathering itself into an upward mass of blonde curls. "I've been waiting for you."
Still holding the ball of blue within his grasp, the ex demon narrowed his eyes at her. "Waiting?"
"Perfect night for a party, wouldn't you say?"
"Yeah. If you like to party with the dead," Paige quipped, as she turned back to Cole.
"Who are you?" he asked, ignoring his sister in law.
"Oh, now don't you want to take three guesses? It isn't any fun if you don't guess," she cried out cheerfully, her hands taking her dress in a small curtsy.
"The devil?" Paige tried.
"Great job, Paige. Just the thing to say to a potential demon to make their day, and hope to maintain a growing friendship."
"I...I mean, no offense or anything," she then added.
"The devil?" the voice returned, her tone still coated with a thick sense of laughter. "Oh...I'm so much more than that."