Chapter 5

Gretna

“I don’t know of any other founders,” Alex remarked as they strolled back up Main Street.

“Well .. I didn’t imagine it, Alex!” Jack exclaimed wretchedly. “I had an entire conversation with the guy.”

“I’m not arguing that with you, Jack,” she protested. “I’m just saying I don’t know of any other founders. When I was here before, I didn’t meet everyone, not to speak to or exchange business cards with. Some of the people here live out in the woods. We’ll ask Jason, okay? He’ll know.”

“Okay,” Jack agreed, subsiding.

“Don’t let it spoil our vacation,” Alex urged. “We’re here to .. experience things. Learn new methods. Stretch ourselves.” She glanced sideways at him. “Nic likes you. So does Noah. I can tell.”

“They’re nice guys,” he nodded, but he seemed a little subdued. “I mean, it’s nice the way they just accept me the way they do. Nice I don’t have to explain anything.”

Alex sighed inwardly. He seemed to be finding Gretna an effort but only because he felt he had to. The people here did accept him, just as he was, but .. that didn’t seem to be enough.

“Jack, please, relax. You don’t have to prove anything, not to me, not to anyone.”

He halted. “But I do, Alex. I don’t know what exactly, but .. I do. Well, I have to prove I spoke with that guy if nothing else. If I don’t, it’ll eat me alive. You’ll just have my word for it – ”

“Your word is enough for me,” she cut in, her eyes concerned.

“Thank you, but I need more.” He raked a hand thru his hair. “I’m starting to doubt my own mind.”

“C’mon, let’s go see Jason.”

Reluctantly, his feet dragging, Jack trudged along behind her to the intersection and turned the corner. He hadn’t lied. He really was starting to doubt his sanity. He ran the entire conversation thru his head again, searching for clues, a hint, anything to tell him he was right. But there was nothing there beyond the memory of what had happened.

Maybe I shouldn’t go anywhere alone while I’m here. If Alex is always with me, I’ll have a witness the next time he shows up. And .. what if he doesn’t show up again? Then .. well, I’ll just have to chalk it up to weird and can’t be explained. This is crazy. I have a gaping hole in my memory an’ yet I can remember him so clearly.

“What did he look like?” Alex asked.

“I don’t know,” Jack replied and winced. Maybe he couldn’t remember him so clearly after all. “It was getting dark anyway an’ I was in the woods. He was even deeper in shadow. It was just an impression. But his voice sounded quite old. I can guess that he was around this high,” he said, holding up a hand, “because his voice came from around that level. And he said he was one of the founders.”

Alex pushed open a gate and stepped into a paved courtyard.

“Then he must have been, and we will track him down. We’ve got all week.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re not crazy,” Jack,” she said, putting a hand on his forearm. “I believe you.” Alex smiled. “Now, let it go for a while and come meet Jason.”

Jack straightened his shoulders as Alex rang the doorbell. A moment or two later, Jason opened the door and his face broke in a broad smile.

“Alex! And this must be your friend. Hello. I’m Jason, community leader and the town’s healer. Come on inside.”

“We’re not keeping you from your patients?” Alex asked.

“Not at all. We’re all blessed with extraordinary health here. To be honest, I’m kept more busy with community affairs than I am at being a doctor. Can I get you anything?”

“We’ve just come from seeing Nic at the diner,” Alex replied, then turned to officially introduce her companion. “This is Jack.”

“Hi,” Jack said, holding out his hand.

Jason took it, shook it, and held onto it for a moment before releasing it. “A fellow psychic,” he commented. “Doubly welcome then. You were right to bring Jack here, Alex.”

“Well, I know I’m going to learn a few new things,” she smiled. “I hope Jack will too.”

“He will,” Jason nodded. “Come into the lounge. Let’s get comfortable. What is it you do, Jack?”

“I have a show in Vegas,” Jack answered. “They think I read their minds but I don’t. I either shake their hands or touch something they own, an’ I see .. images. I know their names, where they’re from, family members, pets .. an’, more often than not, good things in their future. Sometimes, it’s bad stuff too.”

“That must be difficult for you,” Jason murmured. “Do you tell them?”

Jack shrugged slightly. “Not out straight. Jeez, I mean, they pay money for this. I’m not gonna tell ’em they’re gonna die in a plane wreck or a bus crash or a street mugging’s gonna go wrong. I .. advise them to take another plane or bus or to avoid a certain area for a while. I ask them to do it for me. Whether they do or not, I don’t know but I do know I tried my best to stop the bad stuff going down.”

Jason nodded. “Admirable. You’re to be commended. And you also .. help Alex?”

“Yeah, at times. When I can. If I’m asked. Sometimes even if I’m not asked. Alex and her friends are good people.”

“Yes, they are. They saved us from a path of self destruction. Since they visited, we’ve gone from strength to strength.”

“Is Marcus still here?” Alex inquired.

Jason shook his head. “No. He moved on in the spring after you were here. He .. couldn’t accept the changes. We didn’t force him out, Alex. We did everything we could to help him an’ Jennifer, but .. they left. They said Gretna was .. too old for them. They needed the excitement of a big city.”

“What did Marcus do here?” Jack asked, looking from one to the other and back.

Jason hesitated. “He was … I suppose you could say he was our law enforcement, and he took the job very seriously. But, then, the laws changed and Gretna became more open. Marcus felt it was a mistake and, so, he left.”

“And .. he was a psychic too?”

“Yes, in a very specialized way. Marcus and Jennifer were the only ones who could do this. They used their minds as weapons.”

“Oh … ” Jack thought about Marcus running headlong into Nick’s wife. He thought about what might have happened next. “Well, yeah, I can see why he’d want to go away, after that.”

“I hate to say it but .. Gretna’s better for him and Jennifer moving on,” Jason admitted. “A cloud moved on with them. So .. how are you, Alex? How was your journey?”

“I’m very well, thank you. I was feeling the strain before I left the city but, now I’m here, I feel rejuvenated,” Alex replied. “Gretna has a special magic. It takes a stressed soul and massages it until it’s at peace. The journey was good. We flew to Vancouver and drove the rest of the way. We would’ve called round yesterday but we were both pretty tired. And the air’s so pure here that we slept like a couple of logs.”

“Good. I’m pleased to hear it. And Derek? Rachel? They’re all right?”

“Everyone’s fine. Rachel’s in London right now – ”

“Oh, at the parapsychology conference,” Jason commented, nodding. “I read about it in one of the journals. I didn’t see her name listed as attending.”

“It was a late substitution,” Alex grinned. “Rachel’s giving the keynote speech on the final day.”

“Then it will be well thought out and excellently delivered.”

“Peri’s in Hawaii with Rachel’s daughter, just on vacation. And Derek and Nick are holding things together back home.”

Jason nodded. “They must come back sometime, if only to give us their seal of approval.”

“When I tell Nick that Marcus is gone, I’m sure he’ll consider it,” Alex smiled.

Jack leaned forward slightly. “Jason, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Jack. There are no secrets here, not anymore, not between those of like minds.”

“Who are the founders of Gretna?”

“Now ..? Only Dominic and Noah. Why?” Jason frowned.

“But .. there has to be at least one other. I’ve met Nic an’ Noah, and it wasn’t them.”

Jason frowned. “What wasn’t them?”

Jack’s mouth worked but no words came out. Jason glanced at Alex.

“Last evening, just after sunset, Jack went out to explore in the woods,” she began.

“I went down the trail to the stream. There’s a pond there. And .. I saw, no, I met … There was someone else there,” Jack corrected. “A guy. He sounded old. He … We spoke. To be honest, it scared me. I never heard anyone else arrive but he could’ve been already there. I thought I was alone an’ then he started to talk. And he told me he was one of the founders. I just .. wanna know who he is.”

Jack sat back. “Okay, let’s be straight here. No secrets. It could’ve been Nic or Noah, but they never said anything to me in the diner about already having met me by the pond. They both acted like they’d never seen me before today. Would they play a trick like that?” He watched Jason carefully. “Cos, if they would, it’s pretty mean. They’ve gotten me wondering if I’m just a little crazy.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed.

Jack promptly held up his hands. “It wasn’t my idea for me to come here. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone. I’m just asking the question, okay?”

“I understand,” Jason nodded. “And it’s a reasonable question to ask. I was merely thinking. I often do that thing with my eyes when I’m concentrating, Jack. I wasn’t attempting to accuse you. I don’t believe you’re crazy. You say you met and spoke with this individual, so you must have. As to who he is … In the old days .. it might have been possible for Dominic to disrupt someone’s equilibrium by pulling a trick like that but that was in the old days.”

“Dominic was against the change,” Alex recalled.

“At the time of the vote, yes,” Jason agreed. “But that was then, Alex. Since that time, Nic has embraced the philosophy. He’s seen it working and he knows it’s right. He wouldn’t slip back into bad habits. Not any bad habits,” he added, glancing at her. That was one secret which was best never mentioned again. “So, if it wasn’t Dominic, who might it have been ..?”

“Have there been any new arrivals?” Alex inquired.

“Several. We number one hundred twelve now. But they know they’re not founders.”

“Jason, I hate to disillusion you but some people say they’re more than what they truly are. It makes them feel big. Important. It’s still a lie,” Alex pointed out.

“I realize that but the people here .. wouldn’t do it. Lying to others is not the reason they live here. And, don’t forget, for much of the year, we’re alone in Gretna. Lying would serve no purpose.”

“All right, then there has to be another explanation,” Alex declared.

“I agree,” Jason said. “And I will find it. This is your vacation, Alex. I suggest you go do what you meant to do and leave this mystery to me. I’m the community leader. It’s my responsibility to discover who has disrupted Jack’s mental balance and given him such cause to doubt.” Jason looked to Jack. “Does that satisfy you?”

“Yeah,” Jack said. “And .. I'd like to help.”

Jason’s head angled. “In the search?”

“For one. Alex says I don’t have anything to prove – ”

“You don’t,” the other man agreed.

“I think I do. Y’see .. I might wanna come live here. Alex says everyone does something an’ I don’t know yet what I can do. If I’m gonna be a responsible citizen .. I have to prove I’m worthy. I can’t start under a cloud of suspicion.”

“I see.” Jason was silent for a moment. “Very well.”

“Jack, this is supposed to be a vacation,” Alex said on a half sigh.

“Sooner I get to the bottom of this, sooner I can try all that other stuff. I won’t be able to give it my full concentration, Alex,” Jack replied. “You go try painting with Picasso or whoever .. an’ leave me to help Jason figure out the rest.”

“How about we split your week?” Jason suggested. “If we haven’t located this man by the pond by Wednesday evening, you let me continue alone and you spend the rest of your time here exploring your gift.”

Alex was nodding her encouragement.

“Okay,” Jack agreed. “Let’s do that.”

“Okay.” Alex rose. “I’m going to find Noah’s cabin and try painting. Jack, will you make your own way home?”

“Sure.”

“There’s a recital tonight in the hall. Corinne’s learned to play the piano and Althea has a special piece for her to perform. Mozart. A new work.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Alex smiled. “I’ll see you there.”

Jason went with her to the door. “Don’t worry. Jack will be fine.”

“I hope so,” she sighed. “He can be so .. driven, even when there’s no need.”

“I’ll take good care of him, Alex,” he promised. “You enjoy your session with Noah and we’ll both see you tonight.”

“Right,” she smiled and walked away.

Jason slowly closed the door and paused there for a moment or two.

Where to begin, he thought …

*****

“You found me then,” Noah smiled as he opened the door. “Come on inside. There’s another here today.”

“Oh?” Alex blinked.

“You remember Innogen, don’t you?” Noah asked.

“Of course! She’s already a very talented artist.”

He led the way thru to his studio. “An’ now, of course, she has no memories to draw so she comes here to channel instead. Innogen?”

The blind woman’s head had already turned toward them. She hesitated then smiled. “Alex. Alex from the island house in San Francisco Bay.”

“That’s right! How are you?” Alex asked warmly.

“I am very well. Thank you. I never forget a voice. It’s good that you’ve come back. Are you channeling today?”

“I want to try,” Alex replied. “It’s something I’ve never done before. I’m hoping Noah can help me learn.”

“He’s a very good teacher. You just have to put your trust in him. I’ve been painting for .. over a year now. Such beautiful works of art.” Innogen smiled, sensing Alex’s frown of confusion. “I can’t see them on the canvas but I see them in my mind. Whoever possesses my body knows what the finished work will be and I see what they see. It’s very satisfying.”

“I’m pleased for you,” Alex said.

“Now,” Noah gently interrupted, “I’d advise eating, drinking, and visiting the restroom before you start. This is often a long process because not many artists, especially the old masters, like to leave a work in progress. And you, my dear, will have no idea of the time which is passing. So a drink of water, something light to eat, go pee. Then the basics will be covered and you can give yourself over to the art without having to worry about anything.”

“Right,” Alex laughed.

“There’s a recital tonight. Did Jason tell you?”

“Yes, he did. I’d love to go.”

“We’ll try our best. We may be a little late, it all depends on the scale of the projects.” He looked past her. “You all set, Innogen?”

“Yes, thank you, Noah.” She had a brush already poised in her hand.

“We’ll see you later then,” Noah nodded. “C’mon, Alex. I’ll talk you thru the prep while you eat lunch.”

He fixed a tuna and mayo sandwich for her and provided orange juice as well as water. Alex sat at the table in the tiny upstairs kitchen.

“Really, there isn’t much preparation to do,” Noah began, sitting opposite her. “The old masters know they have an outlet here an’ I think they wait in line. They see a body sitting there, waiting to be possessed, they move in. What you have to do is .. empty your mind of all thought, become an empty vessel. For us, that’s easy. For you, used to living in a big city, it may be harder. It isn’t enough to not think, that’s just like telling your inner voice to shut up. You’ve got to empty your mind. Make it a blank canvas. And the other thing is to not resist being possessed.”

He leaned forward. “This isn’t like a scary movie. It isn’t possession by demons or devils. This is temporary, Alex. Nothing to fear. A ghost, a soul or spirit, will use your physical body as the tools to do a job. When the job’s done, it leaves again. There’s no conversation between you an’ whoever’s using you. You are not aware of it happening. You may see the picture in your mind or you may not. I think Innogen is granted that as a thank you. Me, I don’t see what I’m painting till the session’s over. You think you’ll have a problem with any of that?”

“Possession is such a charged word,” Alex remarked.

“Sure. You’re right. But the spirit has to possess your body so you can channel for it. If you fight them, they can’t use you. People have a big thing about ‘being used’ as well as ‘being possessed’. They don’t like the idea. Maybe if you imagine it as .. providing a service.”

She nodded. “Okay. Yeah, I can do that.”

“It may not happen. Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t, okay? There’s always tomorrow. And, maybe, painting isn’t your forte. You could try composing. Or writing. Leila’s nearly finished a new manuscript by Dickens.” Noah shook his head. “She says it’s the most satisfying thing she’s ever done in her whole life.”

Alex’s eyes were shining. “It must be. To .. help someone like Charles Dickens write a new manuscript .. yeah. I see what you mean. It’s providing a service.”

“People here are trying new things nearly every day,” Noah commented as he stretched out his legs. “And, it often starts just by .. sitting quietly, stilling those ever active thoughts, and letting yourself open up to the possibilities. And, if nothing happens,” he grinned, “at least you get a nice rest.”

Alex finished her sandwich, drank the juice and water, then visited the restroom. She studied her face in the mirror for a long moment.

Alex, Jack is in the best hands. He has his little mystery to solve and it probably isn’t a mystery at all. He’ll be fine so don’t let your thoughts dwell on him. Put him from your mind. You have to be open to the possibilities.

She went to find Noah again. Innogen was already working, her sightless eyes wide open yet useless, and a dreamy, pleased smile curving her lips.

“You come sit here,” Noah invited. “Comfortable?”

“Yes.” Alex settled herself. “Thank you.”

“Okay, just .. pick up the brush. Any brush. It doesn’t matter. It’s .. almost like a signal that you’re here and making yourself available. Relax your shoulders, breathe deeply but not too deep. Keep it regular. Close your eyes. Empty your mind … And wait.”

Alex selected a brush. She relaxed and closed her eyes. She felt like she was drifting gently into sleep. A chill breeze wafted over her cheek and then her body stiffened very slightly. Her eyelids fluttered open and she studied the blank canvas. Then, with determination, she turned to the palette and began mixing paint.

“See you on the other side,” Noah whispered, smiling.

*****

While Alex made her first ever foray into the realm of channeling, Jack Chivikian was waiting for Jason to finish up his paperwork. Only it wasn’t paperwork, it was computer input. Jason had let Jack sit in his office while he typed so he could answer any questions Jack thought to ask.

Jack, however, was lost in thought and busily trying to answer the questions on his own.

Alex said Gretna was high tech but in a discreet way. I didn’t know what she meant .. till now. I mean, this place is .. so low key. Log cabins. Handicrafts. Arts. The science seems to be purely mental. And then .. what do I find? They keep their records on computers.

“It’s quicker,” Jason remarked.

“Are you reading my mind?” Jack frowned.

“No, it’s just easy to guess from the expression on your face and where you’re looking in the room. Writing up notes takes a long time. This is quicker.”

“I thought you said people here are blessed with amazing health.”

“They are, but I still have to keep their notes up to date. Plus, keeping the notes here means I don’t have to file them in a cabinet. I used to do that, but the system was too easily tampered with so I changed it.”

“And what if your computer crashes?” Jack asked.

“I back up to CDs. But, if it’s a serious crash, I call Nathan on his cell phone. He runs the computer store and he’s a very good engineer.”

“And what does Nathan do in his spare time?” Jack inquired.

“Keeps our weather on an even keel. We grow all our own food. He makes sure our plants get rain when they need it and sunshine to prosper. A poor harvest for us would be a disaster. Thanks to Nathan, we don't have to worry. You’re thinking of moving here?”

The question caught Jack a little off balance. “Thinking of it, yeah. Yesterday, it was all I wanted to do. Vegas is … Well, it never shuts down, y’know? Yeah, you can find peace an’ quiet but you have to leave town to do that. Or shut yourself inside, with the air conditioning on, so it’s never silent. You don’t hear nature. There must be birds but .. I’ve never heard them sing, not like they do here. Alex says I’m a big city guy an’, eventually, the quiet here would drive me nuts. Maybe she’s right. And I don’t know how I could handle a Canadian winter. Are there rules about living here all year round?”

“You’re thinking of living here in the summer and staying in Vegas during the winter.”

“The way I see it,” Jack replied, wondering darkly if Jason could read his mind, “I could do my show during the late fall, winter, early spring, then come back here and give that money to Gretna. I’m not much of an arts an’ handicrafts guy, y’see. But you must need hard cash to buy .. whatever. Plumbing supplies. All the stuff you can’t make yourself. It’d be my contribution. Would that work?”

Jason nodded slowly. “There’s no rule about it. Nothing to say you can’t.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming up next,” Jack said with blunt honesty.

Jason smiled as he switched off the computer. “Your senses are accurate. Your contribution would be a valuable asset. However, your dedication to what Gretna represents may be viewed with cynicism. The people here are only human and they react in completely human ways. They don’t become saints when they enter the valley. They are special and this community provides them with the solitude and space to be normal, to live ordinary lives and practice extraordinary abilities. For one of the residents to leave, regularly, just because of the season … They will doubt your loyalty. In truth, our winters here are not as severe as they might be. We are naturally sheltered anyway and Nathan does what he can to tweak the weather so we avoid the heavy snow and bitter chill.”

“So .. it’s all or nothing,” Jack commented.

“It tends to be. But there is no rule which states, once here, you must stay. You may find, after a season or two, that Gretna really isn’t where you need to be.”

“On the other hand,” Jack responded, “I may find it is.”

“That too,” Jason nodded.

Jack lapsed into thought again and Jason rose, came around his desk, and sat down opposite him.

“Can I ask you a question?” he inquired.

“Sure,” Jack nodded.

“The man you met by the pond. You said you spoke with him.” Jack nodded again. “What did he say?” Jason asked. “Do you remember?”

“Of course I remember! It was only yesterday. He said … You mean, from the start? Everything?”

“If you can. It may assist me in identifying him.”

“Okay. Well, he began by saying ‘evening’. I jumped an’ he said he didn’t mean to startle me. I said I thought I’d been alone an’ that it was a really beautiful spot. He agreed, said he often walked out there at sunset and that this time of year was his favorite. I asked him if he lived here all year round, because, y’know, I was thinking about living here an’ I figured I’d ask him what the winters were like. He said he was one of the first, that he helped found the community. He said he’d gotten very tired of living out in the world. He had a vision – a dream, I guess – of a place where people like us could be accepted. Like a monastery but without the vows. Then he asked me if I was a visitor. Is any of this helping?”

“It sounds the kind of thing Dominic would say but it’s too soon to judge. Please, go on.”

“I told him I’d just arrived today, I was staying with a friend in the cabin at the end of the trail, that I’d be here a week. I said I’d wished I’d known about Gretna before because I really liked it. And he said I didn’t have to leave.” Jack fell silent for a moment. “I realized that he was right. I wanted to tell him that I had a life outside, that I was needed, but the truth is I don’t an’ I’m not. My show … Mind reading shows aren’t like David Copperfield or Siegfried and Roy, those guys with the tigers, y’know? I don’t get booked into the really big casinos. Yet they’re illusionists an’ I’m the real deal. They make millions an’ I don’t. I make enough, don’t get me wrong. I live a very comfortable life but .. I could easily give it up. Anyway, after I realized he was right, he said Gretna isn’t for everyone. Some psychics need to be out in the world, they come here an’ find it too slow an’ dull. But the others, the ones who hurt, who are damaged, they stay. They know when they get here. Gretna has a powerful call an’ it can heal, given time. He told me to enjoy my stay an’ to think about it, and he said I’d be welcome here.”

Jack shrugged. “That was it really. I said it was nice meeting him an’ that I’d best be getting back, an’ I left.”

Jason was frowning.

“What?” Jack questioned. “Did I say something wrong? You did ask.”

“No, nothing wrong.” Jason shifted slightly. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. Did he touch you in any way?”

“Excuse me?” Jack queried, his eyebrows rising.

“Shake hands. Touch your shoulder, or upper arm.”

“No. We kept our distance. I didn’t really see him. It was getting dark and he was leaning against one of the trees. But he was there. I know it.” He blinked. “Why are you so surprised?”

“He didn’t touch you at all .. yet he knew you.”

“Alex says, in a way, you all know me,” Jack shrugged.

“As another psychic, yes. But he knew you. He knows your secret.”

“My sec ..? What secret?” Jack exclaimed.

Jason stood. “You don’t remember. Don’t tell me you do because I know differently, and, deep inside, so do you.”

“Where are you going?” Jack frowned.

“We’re going to the pond. I want to see where all this happened. Will you show me?”

“Okay.” Flustered, Jack rose to his feet. “What secret, Jason? C’mon, you can’t leave me hanging like this! Okay, so I got some gaps in my memory. An’, even then, they’re not really gaps. It’s more like .. fog, y’know? Nothing’s really clear. Impressions. But that isn’t a secret.”

“Did you hit your head?”

“No-o. Least, I don’t think I did.”

Jason hurried him thru the courtyard and into the street. “We’ll take the short cut. So there’s no physiological reason why you can’t remember?”

“Not that I remember, no,” Jack stated.

“Hmm. Jack, I need to think for a while. I must ask you to remain quiet.”

Great, Jack thought. My vacation in a really nice place is turning into a week in Weirdsville. Why couldn’t I just do what Alex wanted an’ forget all this? I could be painting right now. Or strolling thru the woods. Or even visiting some of the stores an’ spending money. But, no. I’m on a forced march with the local mayor to go look at a pond. Jack, sometimes, you really know how to screw things up.

*****

Alex sighed deeply and opened her eyes. She felt rested, superbly relaxed, and a little thirsty. She blinked and stretched, as if waking first thing in the morning, then saw the canvas.

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “It’s amazing … ”

“Alex ..?”

She turned. “Yes, Innogen. I’m back.”

“Did you paint?”

Alex glanced back at the canvas. “Yeah. I don’t remember a thing but .. it’s in front of me so I must’ve .. provided a service.” She leaned in closer. “Matisse.” She smiled. “You’re very welcome.”

“Could you get me a glass of water?” Innogen asked.

“Oh, sure!”

Alex rose and headed for the stairs up to the kitchen. Noah was still working, his face a blank mask, the hand holding the brush sweeping and dabbing at the canvas before him. Alex paused for a moment to admire the painting then went to get the water. When she returned with three glasses, Innogen had carefully moved away from her easel.

“Here.” Alex guided her hand to the glass.

“Thank you. What time is it, please? Before, I never had a problem with knowing the time but, since I started channeling, I lose myself so completely that I forget what day it is.”

“It’s .. wow, it’s nearly six.”

“I must make a move,” Innogen promptly announced. “If I don’t go now, I won’t get to the recital in time. Will you tell Noah?”

“Of course.” Alex didn’t ask if Innogen could find her way home. She obviously could and had been doing that for a long time. “I’ll see you later.”

Innogen smiled. “Yes, you will.”

The door closed behind her and Alex went to watch Noah make the finishing touches to his canvas. He put down the brush, sighed, shuddered slightly, and sat up. For a second, he didn’t seem to know where he was, but then he smiled. “I do love Picasso. Always such a bold painter.”

“Hi,” Alex said, handing a glass of water to him.

“Hi yourself. Did you ..? Oh my!” He rose to study her canvas. “Wonderful. Alex, that is astonishing.”

“Not quite my own work but .. I do feel I’ve achieved something today.”

“And it is something you can take home with you. Next time, it’ll be even easier. You’ve proved yourself a worthy vessel.” He straightened. “We need to fix supper an’ then get going. Innogen get away all right?”

“Yes, she did. Let me help with supper,” she offered.

“It doesn’t take much to warm over microwave meals,” Noah chided. “But I'd like the company.”

Alex laughed. “Okay. Noah,” she continued, “these paintings … ”

“Uh huh?”

“They go to the art gallery and they’re sold. What do people think they’re buying?”

He grinned. “They don’t think they’re buying originals, that’s for damn sure! They can’t be forgeries because these have never been painted before so they can’t be copies, right? I think they see the artists’ names and they kinda mentally insert ‘in the style of’ in front because that explains how new works by old masters can be on sale for a fraction of the normal price and how they could even be painted in the first place. And, of course, the old masters don’t care how much they sell for because they don’t need the money an’ all they wanna do is paint.”

“It works for everyone,” Alex remarked.

“It certainly does. I can’t think of a better way to spend my twilight years. So .. what’s the deal with your friend Jack?”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought he was coming by today as well.”

Alex shrugged. “Something came up.”

*****

Jack shrugged. “This is it. I was standing .. here. And he was .. over there.”

“Where exactly?” Jason asked.

Jack triangulated, fixing the position of the voice he’d heard. “Er .. here. Yeah, definitely here,” he stated, walking to a tree and leaning against it. “I’d say he was a little taller than I am. His voice came from around this level,” he added, waving a hand at about the top of his head.

“Mmm.”

“Jason, what were you thinking about? I was quiet all the way here.”

“I was wondering if I could trust you.” Jason drew in a breath. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I can, not with this. It’s something .. best forgotten.”

“With what? Is it to do with the old guy I spoke with?”

“No.” Jason shook his head. “Something else entirely yet .. still pertinent to your other dilemma.”

“What other dilemma?” Jack demanded.

“When did you first realize you had .. fog in your memory?”

Jack blinked. “Why?”

“It’s irritating you, Jack. You’re aware that it’s there. It may not be interfering with your daily life or your work, but it rankles. It prevents you from being whole.”

Jack went to argue, but, again, the words lodged fast in his throat. Jason had spoken the truth. It did irritate him that he couldn’t recall details.

“I don’t know about .. preventing me from being anything, Jason, but it does irritate. Not all the time, just .. some of the time,” Jack admitted, his voice reluctant.

Jason nodded. “It’s why Alex brought you here.”

“It is? She never said.”

“But she did, in a roundabout way. She hoped you would learn things.”

Jack was hopelessly confused now and could only nod.

“And I said you would.”

“Yeah, you did. So ..?”

“You’re damaged, Jack. You hurt.” Jason leaned forward. “Take my hands.”

“I’m not damaged!” Jack exclaimed, taking Jason’s hands anyway. “I don’t hurt. Well, I hurt occasionally. Usual aches an’ pains. But I’m not da – ”

Jack sucked in a strangled breath and clutched hard at the healer to stop himself keeling over. His eyes widened, the blood fled from his face. He felt sick. Sick and horrified.

“I thought she was my friend,” he choked. “How could she do that to me ..?”

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