Stolen Skye (Book One, The Skye Trilogy) (24 page)

“Well, I know I’m not your father, but I’m proud of you.
I just wanted you to know it.” He busied himself with things that didn’t need his attention on the counter. It felt good to hear what he thought of me, but a small part of me felt ashamed. I doubted he would be as proud if he knew the whole truth of my past.

“Steve, I hope you know I love you, even if I sometimes suck at showing it.”
I hugged his argyle sweater from behind.

“I love you too, kid.”
We didn’t say anything else, but went about taking the drinks to Ari and my mother. After a very cordial meal and more visiting, I asked if I could talk to Ari privately to discuss my living situation and the Paris trip. He agreed and we decided to take a walk. The day was very brisk and overcast. Ice still clung to the tree limbs and a dusting of snow covered everything. Steve and my mother busied themselves in the kitchen while we put on our coats. Once we were a safe distance, I looked up at him as I walked beside him.

“Thank you for the beautiful necklace.
Why did you get me a present?”

“Is that not customary?
Sylvia led me to believe it was.” He was mocking me. His breath puffed out of his lips like clouds when he laughed.

“Yes, it was just very nice of you.”

“I can be nice, Evelyn. I’ve tried once or twice before.” He smiled and tucked his gloved hands into his coat pockets.

“Right.
Well, I know that. All of this is very nice of you. Being here, helping me.”

“Of course.
You’re a friend. Now, we’ll leave for Paris tomorrow. The jet will pick us up in Newport, so you can drive us south tomorrow morning and pack whatever else you think you will need. And get your household in order for a long absence.” He was back to business.

“How did you even get here?
Kelly was going to his son’s place.”

“It’s called Virgin Atlantic.”

“Oh, right.” I forgot there was more than one way to travel. I pondered how far I had come in such a short amount of time. “So, what do I tell the others? Bounce or Finn will call soon to find out if I’m coming. Should I tell them about you coming here?”

“Let’s get that taken care of right now.”
He pulled out his phone and pressed a button, placing it to his ear.

“Finn, Merry Christmas.
I wanted to let you know that Evelyn has decided to join us in Paris. We leave tomorrow.” After a moment of silence, “Yes, I’m here in Boston with her.” And, after much more silence, “Here she is.” He turned to me and handed me the phone.

“Hi, Finn.”
I braced for impact.

“Why exactly is Ari in Boston?”
He sounded baffled, but very interested.

“He came here to help.
He met my mother and offered me a job. It’s perfect really. There was also something Kelly told me that upset me. I had some bruises when he flew me home to Boston before the accident.”

After a long pause, “Evelyn, may I speak with Ari please?”
His voice was raised slightly and I handed Ari back the phone with an apologetic look on my face.

“Yes?”
He showed no emotion as I watched his face. I pretended to not be able to hear Finn on the other end sharing his thoughts on the situation.

“It was better that I handled it alone,” Ari interjected when he had the chance.
“Besides, you should be thanking me. Please remember, coming here to help wasn’t something I needed to ask permission for.” I heard Finn’s emphatic response.

“Evelyn, he’d like to speak with you again.”
Ari calmly handed me the phone.

“Are you okay?”
Finn asked, sounding a bit out of breath and genuinely mad.

“Yes, listen, I’m glad he’s here.
He made everything easier with my mother, and now I don’t feel as bad about leaving. Once I get there we can try and figure out the money thing.”

“I wish you would’
ve told me about the bruises, but I’m glad things are easier with your family. I’m sure he had the best intentions, but it pisses me off that he didn’t tell us. I don’t like surprises, and he has been full of them this month. Promise me you’ll be careful?”

“Yes, I will.
I’ll see you tomorrow. Merry Christmas.” Ari was staring at me intently, motioning for the phone back. “Ari wants to say goodbye.”

“Finn, since you’ll get there first, please arrange with the hotel that Evelyn has her own room.
I’m sure you understand. See you tomorrow.” Ari flipped his phone shut and turned to escort me back toward the house as if no conversation had taken place.

“He seems upset.”
I looked up at him to see if he understood why.

“Evelyn, Finn’s like a lot of the children opening presents as we speak.
He has a gift he’s excited for. It’s understandable, the need to protect it.” He bowed his head against a burst of snow from the wind striking a tree beside us.

“I take it I’m the gift, but I don’t feel like one.
I’ve already caused more trouble than I’m worth, apparently.” I wiped some of the snow off my face and dusted off the front of my coat.

He turned to me, furrowing his brow.
“Why would you say that… more than you’re worth?”

“Well…
you. You told me I was valuable once, but you didn’t come after me. People don’t tend to abandon things they treasure.” I kept my face down so he couldn’t see it. I knew he had felt it was for my own good, but it still stung. I was sensitive about being left behind. It had felt like a central theme to my existence thus far. He placed his gloved hand under my chin and gently raised my face so I could see his clearly. His dark hair and pink cheeks against the white backdrop of the trees made him look almost angelic, but there was sorrow in his expression.

“Evelyn, I wish I could do some things differently.
I’m trying to make them better. It would please me very much if you could forgive me for a bad choice. I had my reasons, but they were in an attempt to spare you some unhappiness. It seems I failed anyway, so please, tell me you forgive me and know that you are important… to all of us.” He waited, anxious for me to understand.

“I forgive you, but don’t hurt me again.
I’m not good at recovery, despite what everyone thinks.”

“You have my word.”
A smile spread across his face as he turned from me, and we made it back up the walk to the house. Steve and Sylvia were having coffee in the living room.

“Evelyn, Steve had a great idea.
For my 65th birthday next year, we thought we might go to Europe and we could visit you, wherever you are or in Scotland. Where is your home exactly, Ari?” My mother had been making plans in our absence.

“Ah…
north Scotland, in the Highlands.” He smiled and then took a long sip of his coffee.

“Yes, but what town?
Steve has been before. I’ve always wanted to go.”

“Near Broadmoor on the Cuillin Sound.”
He placed his cup and saucer down on the table and looked for any recognition in their faces.

“Oh, beautiful country.
The Isle of Skye, correct?” Steve was aware of the area, apparently. The name sounded familiar and then I remembered my alias. I saw Ari look from me quickly as he responded to Steve.

“Yes, it is beautiful.
The most unspoiled place I have ever been, actually. I am happier there now, than anywhere else in the world. It wasn’t so when I was a child, but that was a long time ago. My home there gives me peace. I hope to live there permanently after the wedding. That’s why I need Evelyn so badly. There’s much to be done. However, if it works in your travels, I’d love to have you visit.” He smiled and crossed his legs. It felt like he was deliberately not looking at me.

“What’s the nearest big city?
We can start thinking about some of the jumping off places.” My mother was already formulating a travel itinerary.

“Edinburgh is probably the easiest city to travel in and out of.
It’s about 150 miles south.” Steve answered her question. Quickly, Ari clasped his hands together, and changed the subject. He asked my mother when he might hear about the museum’s interest in his drawings. They continued down that line of conversation while I went over the prior one in my head. Perhaps it was just coincidence that he was from Isle of Skye and I was named Evelyn Skye for the Scotland job. Bounce had said Brinks had chosen my name. Still, he acted so strangely, even for Ari. I couldn’t entirely dismiss the suspicion in my mind.

After sharing the details of our stay in Paris, Ari bid my mother and Steve goodbye.
“Sylvia, you have my contact information. Please don’t hesitate to call me, anytime. Thank you again for a wonderful holiday.” Ari stood and I offered to walk him out after my mother released him. They told him they looked forward to seeing him soon as Steve shook his hand vigorously. Back out in the cold without a coat, I had one more question.

“Is there something about the Isle of Skye I need to know?
You were weird in there. Does it have anything to do with the name Evelyn Skye?” I insulated myself from the cold, crossing my arms over my body, waiting for an answer.

“Yes, you need to know that you’ll be spending some time there soon.
With regards to your name, you chose it, not me. Pick me up at the Ritz Carlton on Avery Street, at 10 AM.” He nodded a goodbye as he casually walked toward a Lexus SUV I assumed he had rented… I hoped, anyway. Despite his dismissive answer, I sensed there was a connection between the name and his home. Maybe it was nothing, but whatever it was, I promised myself I would figure it out. It was important, if for no other reason than because it appeared as if Ari really didn’t want me to.

Chapter
19. Purveyors

The drive south with Ari in the passenger seat was interesting.
He spent a good deal of time writing notes on a legal pad and staring out his window. After about thirty minutes of intermittent, friendly conversation, I asked about Paris, since we would be there that evening. “So, is there anything you actually need me to do in Paris? You mentioned needing some help.”

“Yes, if you agree to it, I’d like for you to accompany me on New Year’s Eve.”
He continued to make notations on his pad.

“What does that mean?”
So much was happening that night, I struggled to understand what my role in all of it could possibly be.

He placed his pen down and turned to me with his half grin.
“Well, I pick you up at an agreed upon time, and you and I walk beside each other and make polite conversation.” He laughed at my incredulous expression.

“You know what I mean.
You aren’t talking about me… participating in what you are planning to do?”

“Not really
.,, It’s just better that I have a companion with me. It’s not an event one would go alone to. New Year’s Eve is also a big chance for my start-up venture, and I could use your assistance.”

“What start-up venture?”

“Evelyn, back when you were with us, we toyed with the idea of beginning a service of sorts.
It never happened, but it has influenced the type of jobs we have taken over the last couple years. I learned crime early and it was all I knew for a long time. The others as well. It isn’t an excuse, but it’s harder to leave behind than you might think. When you are really good at something, it’s hard not to want to do it. Anyway, I believe with the right promotion, the six of us could really begin our business more formally now.”

“What business?”

“Well, the name we owe to the Queen, but I want us to actually become purveyors. We would seek out and return irreplaceable items for our clients. Royalty, governments, businesses, people… everyone loses something they can’t get over. We find it for them and take it back. In floating the idea amongst a couple of people, I already have requests for my services from three clients. It won’t be completely without some danger. Anyway, I can’t take credit for the idea. It started years ago, with you.”

“What do you mean, with me?”

“After you helped us get back the Royal Rose Collection and we had the knighting ceremony, you proposed the whole thing at the lunch. ‘We should become official purveyors and hunt down only wonderfully fantastic things, and return them to our clients’, you said. We all joked about it, but you and I discussed it on and off. Bounce and Brinks are already on board. I haven’t really discussed it with Finn yet, and, well, Raven has more of a compulsion for crime than a choice. However, if everyone is in, I think it could be quite lucrative.”

“So, I would help you how in all of this?”

“I need
someone to interview potential clients, assist on the trips, traveling with the team, providing some surveillance as needed, and, of course, all other duties as assigned.”

“So, you need someone to help you and the others potentially risk your lives discovering and stealing back priceless items?”

“Correct.”

“Can we consider this Paris trip a probationary period before I agree to more?
This is all pretty overwhelming right now.”

“Of course, Evelyn.
You can be a part of all of it, or none of it. It’s up to you.” His voice had been full of some excitement during the reveal of his plan, but he turned back to his note taking with a hint of disappointment.

“What you describe though, the restoration of things people love, I see the value in that.”
Despite my inability to fully understand the proposal, I didn’t want to discourage the idea.

“It’s my path; others can come along if they choose.”
He glanced out the window and began putting his things away.

“Why are you doing this?
Changing so much?” I was trying hard to get him. I realized I was coming in at the middle of the story, not remembering the past or fully understanding the present, but it all seemed sudden, even to me.

“I prefer to see it as evolving.
I have no desire to commit the same crimes of my youth. Saving things feels more… inspiring.” He zipped up his case, smiling at me.

We were close to my island now.
There had been some snow, so I drove slowly over the bridges and through the streets of downtown. My house looked like a picture postcard covered in white, but someone had been kind enough to dust off the steps. Ari got our bags out of the car and brought them inside.

“Can I make you some coffee?
It won’t take me too long to get ready.” We had a couple of hours before we were meeting the jet.

“Yes, thank you.”
After taking off his coat, Ari wandered through the living room, picking up picture frames and perusing my modest book collection. My house seemed a lot smaller with him in it, somehow. Just as I turned on the coffeemaker, there was a knock at the door. I turned to Ari, unsure of what to do.

“Are you going to answer that?”
He waited for me to make a decision.

“Is it okay to, I mean, with you here?”

“Yes, I’m your employer, remember?” I looked out the window, it was Jasper. It was good to see him. I probably did need to tell him about going to Europe for a longer period, but I hadn’t figured all of that out yet. No time like the present.

“Hey, Jasper, come on in
.” I held the door for him. He was dressed for play, not work, in a sweater and jeans.

“Evy, you look great, all flushed and fierce, what’s going on?”
He hugged me and then walked into the living room, coming to an abrupt stop when he saw Ari.

“Jasper, this is Ari Cameron.
Ari, this is my friend, Jasper St. James.” They regarded each other for a moment and then shook hands.

“Jasper, Ari is a collector in Europe
. After meeting my mother at the museum, he has hired me to be his personal assistant for a few months.”

He turned from Ari and looked at me with the wide eyes of someone who approved wholeheartedly.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Jasper.” Ari inclined his head with a smile.

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Mr. Cameron.
Please forgive me, I didn’t know Evelyn was back and then I saw her car. I should have called first.” Jasper slipped into his professional persona.

“No, I’m glad you came, I wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
I tried to get him to relax.

“When are you leaving?”
He looked at me with surprise.

“In about an hour and a half, we are going to Paris today.”

Jasper smiled at me wildly.

Ari looked at each of us, “Evelyn, why don’t you both go get some coffee or whatever and visit.
I’m fine to wait here. I have some calls to make.” He must have sensed this was all happening quickly for my friend. I appreciated the chance to be with him privately.

“If you don’t mind, that would be great.
Jasper, do you want to go get some coffee with me?”

“Yes, very much.
Mr. Cameron, it was very nice to meet you. Evy, I’ll be outside when you’re ready. We can walk down to Witch’s Brew.” Jasper shook Ari’s hand again and winked at me as he walked out to the curb.

I turned to Ari, “Thank you for that.
He’s probably about to burst with all sorts of inappropriate questions.”

“Take your time.”
Ari unpacked his briefcase.

“Packing won’t take long.
I barely unpacked from the last trip. Here’s the remote for the TV if you need it, and everything else is relatively easy to figure out.”

“Evelyn, I’ll be fine.”
He took a seat on the couch. I turned a couple lights on for him and placed a mug by the brewing coffee.

Before I hit the pavement, Jasper attacked.
“Evy, are you kidding me? You’re leaving for Paris with that? You’ll be pantless before takeoff.” He put his arm through mine and we walked down the wintry sidewalk.

“Jasper, it’s not like that.
He’s engaged.” I laughed at his colorful imagination. I could see what he was so subtly alluding to, but Ari was taken.

“Engaged isn’t dead, I’m just saying.”
He cringed after I punched him in the shoulder, laughing loudly. We sat in the window at Witch’s Brew and I told him the whole story about how he had appeared at the museum and my mother immediately befriending him. Jasper thought it was incredibly romantic, minus the fiancé of course. He was very envious over me going to Paris on a private jet. The conversation was easy, and again, I felt really good being able to introduce two friends to each other.

“He is gorgeous.
Don’t lose your heart to him. Maybe he has a brother.” Jasper looked at me with hope in his eyes.

“No, but about a hundred cousins.
I’ll keep you posted.”

“He looks almost familiar.
I’m probably confusing him with some Calvin Klein underwear model.”

“You wish, but just because meeting one is your life-long dream,” I teased.

“Listen, I’m happy to take you guys to the airport, it’s just down the road.
Do you want me to check on the house while you’re gone? I still have a key.”

“Yes, that would be great.
Brutus is with my mom, but I’m nervous about leaving everything alone for so long.” We talked about other household things and I told him I wasn’t sure if I’d be gone for months or not.

“I’ll call Cecelia and tell her about everything after she gets home from Florida.”
I knew Jasper would probably call her immediately, but I felt I could wait until she was home and I knew more about my future.

“She’s not going to believe this.
All of it, Evy, it sounds perfect for you.” We walked back to the house discussing Jasper’s hotel drama. Ari was still on the couch with a mug of coffee beside him when we entered.

“Jasper has offered to drive us to meet the jet.
We’re going to go upstairs and get me packed. Do you need anything?”

Ari looked up and smiled.
“No, I’m fine. Thank you, Jasper. That’s very kind of you.” He returned to his notepad while we climbed the stairs to my room. After Jasper’s extensive help, which was more like thinly veiled criticism of most of my wardrobe, I had two bags packed and was ready to go. He started sifting through the shoes at the bottom of my closet and I realized he was awfully close to the gym bag gems.

“Jasper, do you mind taking these downstairs for me?
I just want to freshen up before I go.”

“Sure, sure.”
He straightened quickly responding to some of the urgency in my voice, and began lugging my bags down the steps. If he was going to be checking on the house, I wanted to make sure I hid the stones someplace better than my closet. Taking a cue from The Princess and the Pea, I placed them between my mattress and the box spring. I tested to make sure you couldn’t feel them. After brushing my hair and teeth again, I was ready to embark on another trip, this one potentially a good bit longer than the last.

Ari and Jasper had the bags loaded into his Ford Explorer, and we were off to Newport Airport.
I noticed Jasper glancing at Ari in the rearview mirror. He caught me catching him and smiled. There wasn’t much conversation, as there wasn’t one of us who knew exactly what to make of our trio. Out of politeness, I imagined, more than real interest, Ari attempted to make a start.

“So, Jasper, what do you do?”

“I’m the Guest Relations Manager at a local hotel, the Harbor View. Evelyn and I worked together. She hired me her second week there. We were friends pretty much instantly.” Jasper retold how we met.

“Ah, well, here we are.”
Ari quickly closed the subject as we turned into the airport entrance. Jasper wished me a happy new year, telling me to get some for him, while he slapped my behind when Ari wasn’t looking. Vince arrived to collect our bags, and I hugged Jasper one more time before making my way to the plane.

“He seems like a good friend.”
Ari waved back to him as we walked together behind Vince.

“Yes, he is,” I responded.

“Never more than that?” Ari didn’t look at me or he would have seen my face give him his answer.

“Ah, no.
Never more than that at all.” It was so absurd to think about, I didn’t even try to explain further. We were at the plane and Ari and Kelly embraced. I went back to the seat I had sat in before. It had been dusk when I flew with Finn. So much of what waited for me then had been hiding in the dark… a mystery. A desire to understand the past had given me the courage to try. This time, looking out at the shining winter day, I knew most of what lay ahead and was excited to discover more. As Ari strapped himself into his seat across from me, I smiled at how good it felt, for once in a very long time, to look forward to the future.