Meanwhile, Vincent sat in his chamber, alone and silent, acutely tuned into his bond with Catherine. As he sat at his writing table, resting his chin in his hands he thought of her, and of how much he was missing her.
Shaking himself from his melancholy, he walked over to his wardrobe, and slipped his vest on over his shirted tunic. As he approached his chambers threshold, he stopped momentarily before he reluctantly left the comfort of his pensive aloneness, and he then went to his Father's chamber.
Dreamily, Vincent walked through the tunnels, the way he used to walk before Catherine was in his life. Back when he would become lost in his thoughts, and imagine another kind of a life, the kind of life he has now, since he found Catherine.
He realized he was growing more and more addicted to her closeness, and now with Catherine above, he once again walked below in his world, dreamily through the tunnels, alone and heavy-hearted and he felt even more lonesome than before...
As he approached his Father's chamber, he wondered, what it was he was wanting to show him.
And so as Vincent arrived, Jacob was so pleased to see his son had remembered their tentative plans. And eagerly he said, "Ah Vincent! Come over here will you my boy?"
Vincent walked over to his Father's side, and looked over the map Jacob had spread out atop his wooden drafting table.
Jacob assuredly said, "It is here I believe Paracelsus must be inhabiting. It is the only remote location I have assessed to be livable."
Thoughtfully, he explained, as he pointed to the different areas on the map, saying, "I have eliminated some of these damaged closed off tunnels. And...with the information you, and Pascal had supplied me about the pipe that hosted the tapping...I then correlated all this information, and from what I know of the lower levels, it...well Vincent, it has to be here."
Angrily, Vincent asked, "If that is true Father, and Paracelsus IS living there, how can we stand idly by and let him exist so near to us? Something must be done!"
In an effort to calm his son, Jacob said, "Yes, yes I know Vincent...but what? The way is not yet clear to me."
Vincent paced as he lamented, "All I know is he captured Catherine once...we must stop him before he attempts to do it again!"
Jacob in an unbelievable manner noted, "Nothing short of annihilation will stop him Vincent. Are we prepared for a battle? Are you?"
Resignedly, Vincent said, "As I told you once before Father...I will do what ever must be done."
Compassionately...he reminded his son, "Vincent...that is not who you are. It will be up to all of us to protect the tunnels. Not just you."
Jacob then in a calm manner urged, "Let's take assessment shall we, and see what more we can find out before we get all worked up. I have asked Pascal to be extra diligent as he monitors the pipes, and who knows...perhaps it is nothing Vincent.
Vincent in agreement concededly said, "Very well then Father, we shall wait..."
He then thought about another subject he wanted to broach with his Father, concerning Paracelsus. Carefully he mentioned, "There is something more I want to speak to you about."
Vincent stood with his back to his Father, and as he fiddled with a chess piece, he softly asked, "Do you recall as we stood in Catherine's chamber, and you revealed to me that it had been Anna's?"
Jacob nodded thoughtfully and said, "Of course..."
Vincent paced a bit as he continued, "Since that day, I began thinking...wondering...speculating..."
Vincent hesitated going any further, knowing that talking about Anna pained his Father, because he had great regret for not being able to help her, but there were things Vincent needed to know.
And so Jacob asked, "Yes, speculating?"
Vincent stepped up to Jacob and said, "It is about Anna, and about her death Father. Perhaps it is too difficult for you to talk about."
Talking about Anna was painful for Jacob. He viewed his inability to diagnose Anna, a devastating failure from his past, and he would regret it...until the day that he died.
He softly said, "It is Vincent...but I realize you have questions. I will answer them the best I can."
Jacob braced himself, steadying his stance, and sighed heavily as he resignedly allowed Vincent his inquiry.
Vincent nodded, and proceeded, feeling compelled by his need to know. He began by telling Jacob, "I have claimed Anna's old desk from the restoration chamber, I chose it to have as my own, and inside a locked drawer was her journal...and something she wrote haunts me Father. She wrote the days were growing fuzzy and her awareness, was fading...I wonder if it is possible, Paracelsus could have been responsible in some way, perhaps he was drugging Anna in such minute quantities that they could not be detected...and he slowly poisoned her."
Jacob hobbled over, and as he set his walking stick to the side, he leaned on the table instead. Slowly nodding, he indicated he suspected the same. Regretfully he revealed, "Yes, that thought had crossed my mind as well Vincent, Peter's too. We had our suspicions something may be amiss."
Vincent asked, "Had you ever confronted Paracelsus with this suspicion Father?"
Shaking his head he said, "No...around the time Peter and I out ruled and dismissed Anna's illness as being related to her miscarriage...it was too late. Paracelsus had taken her away to the catacombs, where she had died."
Vincent comforted his Father, by placing a strong hand on his shoulder, and said, "I see..."
Jacob raised his head, and angrily said, "Do you? Do you Vincent? Because I don't! We should have done something...I should have done something...anything!"
Vincent reconciled, "What is done is done Father. It was wrong of me to make you speak about such a painful time. Causing all the sorrow to resurface. Forgive me Father."
Woefully, Jacob then said, "You think talking about it brings me any more pain Vincent? Any more than I already own? It does not, for the pain is with me always."
Self-consciously, he looked to his son, and said, "I fear I must seem like a failure in your eyes."
Vincent hugged his Father and said, "Never a failure Father. Don't ever think that. Though you could not save Anna's life...you saved, and you gave me mine! And you have made it a rich, wonderful life."
Jacob clutched his son, thankful for the loving words that Vincent, his beautiful son had gifted him.
Meanwhile as the girls headed for the Police Station, Jennifer turned to Catherine and asked, "Aren't you going to miss all of the excitement of everyday life up here Cath? I mean the tunnels are fun and all, but the city is so alive!"
Catherine answered truthfully, as she admitted, "I suppose parts of it I will, but for me there is no life when I am not near Vincent. I am content with my decision, and I can't imagine ever changing my mind."
Catherine smiled and cajoled, "Come on lets get the depo over with, and then stop and see Joe too. Maybe he will give us clearance to go back into my apartment."
Catherine anxiously added, "Then I can move out, so you can move in!"
Loving that idea very much, Jennifer excitedly said, "Yes awesome! Sounds good to me!"
The depo went relatively quickly. The two girls stuck to their original stories, as not to implicate Vincent in any way to the apprehension of the 3 thugs. However a court date would soon be set, and they would have to testify at the hearing.
This was upsetting to Catherine especially, as she still had an intense respect and a knowledgeable love for the law of their land. Laws that she studied, executed, and followed in her chosen profession. However, the trial could be months away, and she would worry about that when the time came.
As they entered her old office building, Catherine felt a melancholy as she passed acquaintances, and stopped to talk to the friends she had made during her tenure at the DA. But it was Joe she missed most of all, and she knew it would be emotional to see him again.
Catherine looked at Jennifer nervously before she knocked at Joe's door, and she said, "Well here we go Jen!"
From the other side of the door, they could hear Joe bellow, "Yea, yea come in!"
As the two girls entered, he continued shifting and speed reading through papers and asked, "Make it quick will ya, I gotta be in court in 10 minutes!"
Catherine raised a brow and said, "I'll try to Joe!"
The sound of his old assistants voice, caused Joe to look up, and happily said, "Hey Cath, and Jen! What brings you to the salt mines?"
Catherine explained about the depositions they had to officially supply for the police, and wanted to just stop by and see him.
Joe apologetically said, "Ah what timing, I am in a rush this morning. You know what it's like around here Kiddo?"
Catherine apologetically said, "We'll come back another day when you're not in a hurry Joe. Oh yes, before we go...we were wondering if we could re-enter my apartment yet."
Joe cautiously said, "Yes, Cath, but just keep looking over your shoulder will ya."
Turning to Jennifer he added, "You too Jen...be careful!"
He shook his head in wonderment as he said, "You know I still cannot believe you two took out those three thugs!"
Joe turned somber as he then said, "Cath, I miss you around here you know."
Catherine hugged him and said, "I hope so, at least a little bit. Well, we'll get out of your hair. Love ya Joe."
He hugged her back, and tried to hide his emotions, as he gruffly said, "Yeah, scram!"
Catherine tearfully smiled, and said, "Sure Joe, see you around."
Jennifer turning to follow Catherine out of Joe's office, said too, "Bye Joe."
Standing at his door, he softly said, "Bye Jen, see ya Radcliffe..."
As Catherine and Jennifer stepped back outside, Catherine reflectively looked back up at her old office window. As she took a deep breath, she smiled at Jennifer and said, "I'm hungry!"
Jennifer agreeing with her said, "Me too! Let's go to "Sheldon's", I am dying for a Rheuben on toasted Rye! And on the side, the biggest kosher dill pickle that OLE Sheldon can fish out of the pickle jar for us!"
After an early Lunch, the girls then headed for Harvey's hardware store. Jennifer remembering she was out of Turtle food, said, "I will meet you back here in 10 minutes. I have to run into "Paulz Petz Parlor", to pick up some food for Gonzy."
Catherine agreed, and said, "OK, if I am not out in front of the store, come and find me. I may have a hard time deciding."
As Catherine searched for the right varnish to refurbish Anna's old desk for Vincent, Harvey came up and assisted her on the correct type of application she needed. "Thank you Harvey, I believe this color will be just perfect! Thanks."
Harvey then asked Catherine how she was doing since her Dad had died. To which Catherine admitted, "I am getting by Harvey. I still miss Dad so much, but I have some wonderful friends and that really helps."
Nodding, Harvey said, "Well you always have a friend in Harvey here. Keep your chin up Cathy."
Catherine thanked him saying, "I will Harvey, and thanks for your help."
Just as Catherine was about to leave Harvey's store she heard a familiar voice say, "Cathy?"
As Catherine turned around she surprisingly said, "Elliot!"
To be continued
Chapter Three
Shaking himself from his melancholy, he walked over to his wardrobe, and slipped his vest on over his shirted tunic. As he approached his chambers threshold, he stopped momentarily before he reluctantly left the comfort of his pensive aloneness, and he then went to his Father's chamber.
Dreamily, Vincent walked through the tunnels, the way he used to walk before Catherine was in his life. Back when he would become lost in his thoughts, and imagine another kind of a life, the kind of life he has now, since he found Catherine.
He realized he was growing more and more addicted to her closeness, and now with Catherine above, he once again walked below in his world, dreamily through the tunnels, alone and heavy-hearted and he felt even more lonesome than before...
As he approached his Father's chamber, he wondered, what it was he was wanting to show him.
And so as Vincent arrived, Jacob was so pleased to see his son had remembered their tentative plans. And eagerly he said, "Ah Vincent! Come over here will you my boy?"
Vincent walked over to his Father's side, and looked over the map Jacob had spread out atop his wooden drafting table.
Jacob assuredly said, "It is here I believe Paracelsus must be inhabiting. It is the only remote location I have assessed to be livable."
Thoughtfully, he explained, as he pointed to the different areas on the map, saying, "I have eliminated some of these damaged closed off tunnels. And...with the information you, and Pascal had supplied me about the pipe that hosted the tapping...I then correlated all this information, and from what I know of the lower levels, it...well Vincent, it has to be here."
Angrily, Vincent asked, "If that is true Father, and Paracelsus IS living there, how can we stand idly by and let him exist so near to us? Something must be done!"
In an effort to calm his son, Jacob said, "Yes, yes I know Vincent...but what? The way is not yet clear to me."
Vincent paced as he lamented, "All I know is he captured Catherine once...we must stop him before he attempts to do it again!"
Jacob in an unbelievable manner noted, "Nothing short of annihilation will stop him Vincent. Are we prepared for a battle? Are you?"
Resignedly, Vincent said, "As I told you once before Father...I will do what ever must be done."
Compassionately...he reminded his son, "Vincent...that is not who you are. It will be up to all of us to protect the tunnels. Not just you."
Jacob then in a calm manner urged, "Let's take assessment shall we, and see what more we can find out before we get all worked up. I have asked Pascal to be extra diligent as he monitors the pipes, and who knows...perhaps it is nothing Vincent.
Vincent in agreement concededly said, "Very well then Father, we shall wait..."
He then thought about another subject he wanted to broach with his Father, concerning Paracelsus. Carefully he mentioned, "There is something more I want to speak to you about."
Vincent stood with his back to his Father, and as he fiddled with a chess piece, he softly asked, "Do you recall as we stood in Catherine's chamber, and you revealed to me that it had been Anna's?"
Jacob nodded thoughtfully and said, "Of course..."
Vincent paced a bit as he continued, "Since that day, I began thinking...wondering...speculating..."
Vincent hesitated going any further, knowing that talking about Anna pained his Father, because he had great regret for not being able to help her, but there were things Vincent needed to know.
And so Jacob asked, "Yes, speculating?"
Vincent stepped up to Jacob and said, "It is about Anna, and about her death Father. Perhaps it is too difficult for you to talk about."
Talking about Anna was painful for Jacob. He viewed his inability to diagnose Anna, a devastating failure from his past, and he would regret it...until the day that he died.
He softly said, "It is Vincent...but I realize you have questions. I will answer them the best I can."
Jacob braced himself, steadying his stance, and sighed heavily as he resignedly allowed Vincent his inquiry.
Vincent nodded, and proceeded, feeling compelled by his need to know. He began by telling Jacob, "I have claimed Anna's old desk from the restoration chamber, I chose it to have as my own, and inside a locked drawer was her journal...and something she wrote haunts me Father. She wrote the days were growing fuzzy and her awareness, was fading...I wonder if it is possible, Paracelsus could have been responsible in some way, perhaps he was drugging Anna in such minute quantities that they could not be detected...and he slowly poisoned her."
Jacob hobbled over, and as he set his walking stick to the side, he leaned on the table instead. Slowly nodding, he indicated he suspected the same. Regretfully he revealed, "Yes, that thought had crossed my mind as well Vincent, Peter's too. We had our suspicions something may be amiss."
Vincent asked, "Had you ever confronted Paracelsus with this suspicion Father?"
Shaking his head he said, "No...around the time Peter and I out ruled and dismissed Anna's illness as being related to her miscarriage...it was too late. Paracelsus had taken her away to the catacombs, where she had died."
Vincent comforted his Father, by placing a strong hand on his shoulder, and said, "I see..."
Jacob raised his head, and angrily said, "Do you? Do you Vincent? Because I don't! We should have done something...I should have done something...anything!"
Vincent reconciled, "What is done is done Father. It was wrong of me to make you speak about such a painful time. Causing all the sorrow to resurface. Forgive me Father."
Woefully, Jacob then said, "You think talking about it brings me any more pain Vincent? Any more than I already own? It does not, for the pain is with me always."
Self-consciously, he looked to his son, and said, "I fear I must seem like a failure in your eyes."
Vincent hugged his Father and said, "Never a failure Father. Don't ever think that. Though you could not save Anna's life...you saved, and you gave me mine! And you have made it a rich, wonderful life."
Jacob clutched his son, thankful for the loving words that Vincent, his beautiful son had gifted him.
Meanwhile as the girls headed for the Police Station, Jennifer turned to Catherine and asked, "Aren't you going to miss all of the excitement of everyday life up here Cath? I mean the tunnels are fun and all, but the city is so alive!"
Catherine answered truthfully, as she admitted, "I suppose parts of it I will, but for me there is no life when I am not near Vincent. I am content with my decision, and I can't imagine ever changing my mind."
Catherine smiled and cajoled, "Come on lets get the depo over with, and then stop and see Joe too. Maybe he will give us clearance to go back into my apartment."
Catherine anxiously added, "Then I can move out, so you can move in!"
Loving that idea very much, Jennifer excitedly said, "Yes awesome! Sounds good to me!"
The depo went relatively quickly. The two girls stuck to their original stories, as not to implicate Vincent in any way to the apprehension of the 3 thugs. However a court date would soon be set, and they would have to testify at the hearing.
This was upsetting to Catherine especially, as she still had an intense respect and a knowledgeable love for the law of their land. Laws that she studied, executed, and followed in her chosen profession. However, the trial could be months away, and she would worry about that when the time came.
As they entered her old office building, Catherine felt a melancholy as she passed acquaintances, and stopped to talk to the friends she had made during her tenure at the DA. But it was Joe she missed most of all, and she knew it would be emotional to see him again.
Catherine looked at Jennifer nervously before she knocked at Joe's door, and she said, "Well here we go Jen!"
From the other side of the door, they could hear Joe bellow, "Yea, yea come in!"
As the two girls entered, he continued shifting and speed reading through papers and asked, "Make it quick will ya, I gotta be in court in 10 minutes!"
Catherine raised a brow and said, "I'll try to Joe!"
The sound of his old assistants voice, caused Joe to look up, and happily said, "Hey Cath, and Jen! What brings you to the salt mines?"
Catherine explained about the depositions they had to officially supply for the police, and wanted to just stop by and see him.
Joe apologetically said, "Ah what timing, I am in a rush this morning. You know what it's like around here Kiddo?"
Catherine apologetically said, "We'll come back another day when you're not in a hurry Joe. Oh yes, before we go...we were wondering if we could re-enter my apartment yet."
Joe cautiously said, "Yes, Cath, but just keep looking over your shoulder will ya."
Turning to Jennifer he added, "You too Jen...be careful!"
He shook his head in wonderment as he said, "You know I still cannot believe you two took out those three thugs!"
Joe turned somber as he then said, "Cath, I miss you around here you know."
Catherine hugged him and said, "I hope so, at least a little bit. Well, we'll get out of your hair. Love ya Joe."
He hugged her back, and tried to hide his emotions, as he gruffly said, "Yeah, scram!"
Catherine tearfully smiled, and said, "Sure Joe, see you around."
Jennifer turning to follow Catherine out of Joe's office, said too, "Bye Joe."
Standing at his door, he softly said, "Bye Jen, see ya Radcliffe..."
As Catherine and Jennifer stepped back outside, Catherine reflectively looked back up at her old office window. As she took a deep breath, she smiled at Jennifer and said, "I'm hungry!"
Jennifer agreeing with her said, "Me too! Let's go to "Sheldon's", I am dying for a Rheuben on toasted Rye! And on the side, the biggest kosher dill pickle that OLE Sheldon can fish out of the pickle jar for us!"
After an early Lunch, the girls then headed for Harvey's hardware store. Jennifer remembering she was out of Turtle food, said, "I will meet you back here in 10 minutes. I have to run into "Paulz Petz Parlor", to pick up some food for Gonzy."
Catherine agreed, and said, "OK, if I am not out in front of the store, come and find me. I may have a hard time deciding."
As Catherine searched for the right varnish to refurbish Anna's old desk for Vincent, Harvey came up and assisted her on the correct type of application she needed. "Thank you Harvey, I believe this color will be just perfect! Thanks."
Harvey then asked Catherine how she was doing since her Dad had died. To which Catherine admitted, "I am getting by Harvey. I still miss Dad so much, but I have some wonderful friends and that really helps."
Nodding, Harvey said, "Well you always have a friend in Harvey here. Keep your chin up Cathy."
Catherine thanked him saying, "I will Harvey, and thanks for your help."
Just as Catherine was about to leave Harvey's store she heard a familiar voice say, "Cathy?"
As Catherine turned around she surprisingly said, "Elliot!"
To be continued
Chapter Three
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Two |
