Garden of Sorrow (Book 4 of Psychic Visions, a paranormal romantic suspense) (8 page)

He shoved his chair back, stretching out his arms to rotate his shoulders. He needed a break. Glancing at his watch, he swore, stood and raced out of his office. He was going to be late for his meeting with the mayor – a very perturbed mayor who'd just received another threat this morning, according to the early phone call.

The mayor's favorite café around the corner had become a steady lunchtime gathering place. Two blocks away, it catered to a varied clientele. The food was good and always came hot. Kevin didn't care about much else. This was their third such meeting at the same place. So far, the mayor had proven to be a creature of habit.

John Prescott stood talking on his cell phone outside the restaurant. Seeing Kevin, he finished his call and smiled at him. "Good to see you. Life is busy these days, isn't it?"

They walked in and were immediately seated in one of the far corners. At the exact same table as last time. "It's too damn busy. Our town is growing and it's hard to stay ahead." Kevin couldn't resist passing on a reminder that the town needed more law enforcement officers to keep everyone safe. "Could use more staff."

"Noted." John moved into the corner and took the far side of the table, his back to the wall, where he could watch the rest of the restaurant. He didn't look at the menu, choosing instead to order his regular hot sandwich and salad from the waitress.

Kevin waited his turn, then ordered the special, a hot roast beef sandwich and mashed potatoes. One good meal today would hold him for a long time. Who knew when he'd get home tonight? Besides, if their lunch meeting followed their regular pattern, they'd eat quickly, and then go walk in the park while they discussed personal stuff.

Sure enough, today was no different.

Once outside, John led the way into the large park in front of Bradford's Central Hall. Once away from the crowds, he wasted no time. "Any news?"

"Nothing, John. Absolutely nothing."

This whole blackmail mess felt wrong. There had to be more to it. Kevin felt it. To this point, the mayor had received threats, but no demands, except to say that the mayor had better step up and tell the truth –
or else
. It was the last part that bothered Kevin. He hadn't spent all these years on the force without gaining a deeper, darker understanding of humanity. In this case, blackmailers usually had something to use as a bargaining chip. Only the mayor denied such a thing existed.

The mayor lowered his voice, his body almost vibrating with tension. "Kevin, this is unacceptable. I need answers. Hell. I need more than that. I need solutions, damn it." He clenched his fists, glaring at the bright, sunny gardens surrounding them. "This asshole is going to ruin my life," he spluttered to a stop, then started up again. "I can't sleep for worrying. What the hell is going on here?"

John, as a politician, had faced criticism and verbal abuse before, but he told Kevin it was never like this. For the last ten years, he'd served the citizens of Bradford well. The public record showed he'd been a businessman in Redding, California, before then. The timing had been perfect for his move here, as the locals here were more than ready to get rid of their corrupt politician. Through the years, John remained a popular figure, easily being re-elected.

"I'm looking, but I haven't found the answers yet," Kevin stated.

"Then you'd damn well better find them fast," the mayor grumbled. "Before this asshole makes good his threat."

Kevin got the message. But he couldn't help wondering what the mayor might be hiding. He'd once probed gently to see if he could find out, but had hit a wall immediately. It happened that way sometimes.

As he walked back to the office, Kevin's mind once again turned to Alexis. Had Stefan called her? Instinct said he had. A twinge of unease settled in his stomach. Stefan's looks often stopped women in their tracks. It wasn't Stefan's doing and in no way did it affect their friendship, but Kevin found himself hoping that Alexis wouldn't react like all the rest.

Stefan kept his love interests private, but generally the relationships were short and intense. Stefan had said once that his potential partner wouldn't show for another few years, and that would happen only if she found him. When Kevin had asked for an explanation, the answer had been even more confusing.

"Energy, like colors or musical notes, have to combine to make the right kind of music, or I don't go there, no matter how willing or how gorgeous the woman is. Especially for a long-term relationship."

Colors?
What did that have to do with anything? It boggled Kevin's mind.

As did the thought that he wanted Alexis for himself.

He couldn't help but wonder if Alexis blended with his colors, creating potential to make the right kind of music.

And if they did, how long before they could start to sing their colorful song together?

***

Alexis drove carefully to the address Stefan had given her on his business card. The driveway, lined by tall trees, appeared well kept and normal. She wasn't sure what she expected, but considering what this man could apparently do, it wouldn't be an ordinary home. She followed the curve of the road and hit the brakes.

What the hell?

The gardener in her was stunned. Both the transmitter and receiver in her were overwhelmed…with joy. Gently she parked her truck to the side, and got out. She took several steps forward, tears in her eyes.

It was apparent in this setting that she was but a green student to a master when it came to gardening or plant health. All the bushes, flowers, even the trees looked like they were on steroids. The house itself twinkled through the greenery that both hid and guarded it from prying eyes. One side of Stefan's house was all glass that reflected the late afternoon sun. The rest was crafted from logs. Some of them so huge she'd wished she'd seen the trees before they'd been felled. Evergreens bordered the top of the property and they glowed with some otherworldly shimmer.

Everything was alive in a way she had never seen before. Birds twittered and sang in the garden as she stood in awe.

"Were you planning to come in or just stand there?"

Stefan.

She didn't bother to glance at him. Her gaze was desperately trying to delve deeper into the miracle in front of her.

"Earth to Alexis."

"I'm here. I'm just…overwhelmed." She'd never seen roses with blooms so big. And the colors. Everything practically radiated joy. Wood carvings peeked out from parts of the garden, catching and holding her attention. Such craftsmanship.

"Don't be. You're very talented with plants as well."

That caught her attention. "No," she said. "I'm skilled." She waved her arms around her, and added, "This…is talent. I don't even recognize some of these plants."

"I'm a bit of a collector. Have plants from all over the world." He grinned.

She stared for a moment then grinned back. "And you are too damn good looking, too."

This time he chuckled. "But only temporarily. Once you get to know me, I won't look that way at all."

She frowned and walked closer. "Why? Does the troll in you shine brighter the better I get to know you?"

He stepped inside and motioned her to enter, but she couldn't. She stalled at the open front door. Made of wood, it was as if she saw Tolkien's tree Ents coming to life. Faces had been carved, making unique use of the wood grains. She shook her head and walked in. "You didn't answer my question."

She followed him through the house, loving the unique space, the bright lights…and oh my God, the stained glass windows. She spun around trying to take everything in, and realized she couldn't. The walls were covered with paintings that drew her in and wouldn't let go.

"I don't need to."

Had she insulted him? She hoped not. Damn her unruly tongue. She studied Stefan's features carefully. He didn't appear to be upset.

He motioned her to a chair. "We'll start right now. And we'll keep it short. I want to show you how to protect your space and how to run the energy you need for your system. I'll show you several techniques to help you meditate. From there, all kinds of skills can be worked on."

"Like?" Alexis sat where he pointed.

"Talking safely with ghosts, for starters."

She flushed. Dare she ask about the safely part? But he was already giving her instructions to sit comfortably and take several deep breaths. She tried to let the questions go and followed along.

And hoped she could trust where he led.

Forty minutes later, she was still hoping.

"Okay, we'll try to put all this into practice right now, then call it a night. Close your eyes. Focus on deep breathing. One breath in… Let it out slowly. And again. As each thought flits into your mind, acknowledge the thought exists, then let it slide away. Let it go. Let them all go. Let the thoughts drift in and then drift out. Just like your breath. Deeper breaths, longer exhales. Feel the tension drain away.

"Now think of a favorite place where you'd like to be. A waterfall, a beautiful meadow. One or your favorite gardens perhaps. See yourself there. Be there. Smell the fresh air… Feel a breeze on your skin."

Alexis walked forward toward a waterfall she'd loved as a child. She was on the path through an open meadow. The grass was high, the sun hot. The sound of the water beckoned. She felt so alive. Strong. Vibrant. She tilted her face to the sun and smiled.

Feels good, doesn't it?

She turned to answer Stefan, somehow not surprised to see him in her mediation.
Yes, it does.

Good. Now let's work on your energy pathways.

She followed his instructions and saw the energy in her body glow as he pointed out how to move it up the meridians that crisscrossed her body. He showed her how the little hiccups in the meridians could be smoothed out and how to increase the energy as the two of them moved about.

She lost track of time in this alternate world. It was as if there were just the two of them in a whole new world.

Actually it is a new world. It's a different facet of the old world – but in a whole new way. For you. For me and many others, this is a place we come to often.

She could believe it.

There's someone else here as well. Someone hoping to say 'hi.''

She turned to look at him. Lord, he looked different. Surreal, glowing even. At the beginning of this exercise he'd looked like he had when she'd arrived at his house. Now he looked…well…ghostly.

He laughed.
That's because we crossed into a new dimension. We're on the 'dead' side of life so to speak. The other side. An alternate plane of existence. And because we are here, at least this much inside the energy field, there is someone who wants to see you. Someone who has stuck around instead of travelling into the light. Someone who has waited a full year for this moment.

A glowing purple-gold light stepped out from behind him.

Alexis stared. The form became more distinct. Clearer. More easily identified.

Her heart stopped. Then raced forward. Her feet unknowingly did the same. She ran into the wide open arms ready to receive her.

Lissa!

A
lexis's week disappeared under a heavy load of work and practice sessions. She went to work each day, impatient to end her work day in time for her sessions with Stefan or to work on her lessons at home. And to have more visits with her sister.

Focusing on her day job, she raked, weeded and hoed her way down the rows and beds. The plants were reaping the benefits of her developing skills. The colors of her flowerbeds no longer erratically jumped and zinged around. As she practiced being calm, loving and centered, the plants followed in kind. The colors of some were less exuberant perhaps, but all were healthier looking.

Who'd believe that stilling her mind and opening her chakras, a concept Stefan had shared with her, could actually happen in the first place? Or that when the chakras were open, the energy moved through the body in a healing way that automatically spread outward to others?

If only she could learn to calm her thoughts. After only two sessions with Stefan, she'd already learned so much but mastery of that knowledge was a long way off.

"Hey, Alex!"

Alexis turned to see Scott striding toward her.

"What's going on, Alex? Lately, you're taking off like you've got a hot lover stashed somewhere. It's not like you." Scott's long shaggy hair flipped in the wind with his shaking head. He stopped to take a closer look at her. "You don't, do you? You'd tell your good buddy, Scott, wouldn't you?" he teased.

"Are you nuts? You'd post it in the newspapers if I told you. I'm not quite that naive." Her heart warmed at the sight of him. "No, I've found someone to help me with the Sight."

His laughter stilled as he grew serious. "That's good, that is. Just don't be believing everyone out there. There're plenty of charlatans in this world."

"This one isn't." She was dead certain of that. Stefan had such incredible abilities and she knew he hadn't even found his own limits yet. Currently, her practical psychic work centered on controlling her energy so she could respond to Stefan's telepathy in the same way – with mixed success. She still didn't know if her telepathy would work with anyone else, although she suspected she might be able to communicate that way with Kevin, eventually. According to Stefan, Kevin had far more than just basic psychic abilities. Stefan had refused to elaborate, insisting instead that she ask Kevin herself.

Unfortunately, she hadn't seen the irritatingly sexy detective in days.

***

Later that day she arrived at Stefan's for their prearranged training session. She pulled up beside Kevin's truck and parked.

A little nervous but excited to see him. She knocked on the front door and took a step inside, calling out, "Stefan?"

"We're in the solarium," came the voice from deep in the house.

Figured. Stefan appeared to live in that room. She headed to the room where she'd gone for most of their practice sessions. "Hi."

Stefan sat in his big corner chair and beamed at her. She glanced around for Kevin but there was no sign of him. She raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that Kevin's truck out front?"