Chapter 7

Catherine, she was beginning to believe that was her name. Vincent was so sure. She had a son, JV. She was sure she'd be up all night but had fallen asleep as soon as Vincent left. The shop opened at ten. She had to make sure there was no evidence that Vincent had been here and straighten up the sewing room.

She hugged her Love Remembered quilt before returning it to the trunk and took her tea to the sewing room. She had made one major mess last night, all the tiny pieces of fabric went into the scrap basket, the bolts of fabric were returned to the shelves in the shop.

The shop was quite busy when Louise started her shift at eleven. She had a jacket class in the afternoon. Once Catherine got to know her customers better she would vary her hours and classes to meet their needs. Just before closing she saw JV slip in. His stricken look at seeing Winter in the Woods was no longer hanging made her stomach knot.

"JV,"she called.

"Elizabeth, did you sell Winter in the Woods already?" He asked sadly.

"No JV. I had to take it down. It’s up in my apartment on the couch. Go on up, I'll be there in a few minutes."

She joined him after locking up the shop. JV, her son? He had the quilt laid out on the floor in front of the lion quilt.

"Elizabeth, how come you made the lion's eyes look like my father's?"

"I don't know. That's just how I pictured them."

"I don't know which is my favorite quilt now."

She watched him stare at both quilts, touching first the lion's mane, then the snow on the trees. An idea for a quilt popped into her head. She got her camera and finished a roll of film on him. "Are you hungry JV? Did you have dinner?" We could go to McDonalds." She didn't know how long Vincent would let him stay or even if JV was allowed fast food.

"I'd love it. I haven't been very many times."

What kid didn't love burgers and fries? JV must not get Above much living below the city. Vincent certainly couldn't take him. She didn't know what the kids Below could do. Were there even any other children below? She hoped he wouldn't get sick since he ordered the works....burgers, fries and a shake. She ordered the same. They laughed at their shake mustaches and swiped fries from each other. The meal went too fast for Elizabeth.

"I need to stop at the grocery. Can you come with me, JV, and help carry some of the bags?

"Sure"

She noticed his interest in the book aisle. "What book would you like for helping me carry home my groceries?"

He reached for Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. "I've been wanting to start this series of books."

"Okay, put it in the cart."

Between the two of them they managed to carry her groceries to her apartment. "It’s almost eight JV. I want you to be able to visit again so you better head back. I'll walk you part way." She walked him through her door into the tunnel.

"Thank you for the book Elizabeth." He hugged her.

"Bring it back and we can read it together."

"I will. There is father," he said pointing to a light moving toward them. "Bye." He ran down the dark passage.

She closed the door and looked around her basement. How could she keep the door hidden from others? She didn't want anyone knowing about the tunnel entrance. She couldn't lock it, JV or Vincent couldn't visit. If she could mark off an area closer to the stairs just for inventory and set up this area as a private place for herself, maybe a small office. Most of the basement was finished because Nancy had lived down here. Did she know about the tunnels?

Elizabeth worked feverishly moving fabric and boxes of notions to shelves near the stairs. She set up a quilted screen she had made of the Napa Valley vineyards as a divider in front of the tunnel door. She pulled a chair and a lamp nearby and eyed a big, heavy desk. No matter how hard she pushed and pulled it would not budge. "Damn," she muttered. It would be perfect near the screen.

"Can I help?" Vincent asked behind her, startling her.

"How did you do that? Come in without making any noise."

He shrugged and pulled the desk toward the chair. "Say when."

"Perfect."

"I like what you've done."

"I didn't want anyone to find the door yet leave room for you and JV or Ruth Ann to come in. Did Nancy know about the door?"

"Yes, she and Ruth Ann are very good friends. She got many fabrics for Ruth Ann and her sewing group. The group makes most of our clothes remaking unwanted clothes, used clothes. Anything they can find they redo into something for anyone who needs it. Many of our helpers send store bought clothing, Ruth Ann and her group take the clothes apart and redesign and resew them using a piece of this and a piece of that to suit our needs. Many times they will even unravel old and new sweaters and anything made of yarn and re knit them into clothes and blankets. Look at what I have on....my cloak is made of many different things, leather, wool, cotton, suede, this silky stuff. My pants, my vest are made of many different fabrics or pieces of clothing also."

"I can continue to get her what she needs or wants."

"Thank you. How was your visit with Jacob?'

"I took him to McDonalds," she said apologetically.

"That's okay," he laughed. "As you can see that's not something I can do. I'm sure he loved it."

"He ate every crumb." Vincent laughed at her amazement. "He helped me grocery shop. I've missed so much, tell me about him."

He drew her to her chair and sat on the floor beside her. He told her about the night he found her after she gave birth to Jacob. "I thought you died that night Catherine." Tears ran down his face as he thought back to that terrible time. She rested her cheek on top of his head.

"I was so devastated I could not think. It took me awhile to remember what you had said....that we had loved....there was a child....and that he was beautiful. A lot of people helped me find our son. Some died in the attempt. It's a very convoluted story but in short our son was dying. I gave myself up to Gabriel, the man who kidnapped you and stole our son from you, in the hope of saving him. Gabriel thought my blood would help our son. Our blood was not compatible. All Jacob needed was to be with me.

"When I held him Catherine he looked at me with the most beautiful eyes. Your eyes. He was so beautiful. He started to improve and Gabriel took him away from me. He called Jacob, Julian. Called him his son. He tried to kill me and had decided to kill Jacob. I was able to save Jacob and Gabriel was killed."

"By Diana Bennett? You said she worked with the police?"

"Yes."

She felt there was more to Diana Bennett but didn't ask.

"All of us Below celebrated at a naming ceremony. I gave him the name Jacob, after Father, Vincent after me." He kissed her cheek, "and Chandler after you. He thrived with us. He is as all boys, lively, inquisitive , sometimes naughty. He loves to read and loves baseball especially the New York Yankees. I'm only sorry he is Below most of the time, not Above like other children. He grew up with me always near and doesn't understand why others will not accept me. He’s happy, outgoing. He has some opportunities to see things above but not like other children. Most of the children Below don't crave the outside world as he does. Maybe he can do things now with you Catherine."

"I'd love to show him everything Vincent even if it turns out I'm not his mother. Not Catherine."

Vincent laid his head on her lap. She stroked his hair. "You are Catherine, you are," he whispered. He rose. "I know you are Catherine. I'm part of you again Catherine. Just as you are a part of me. Wherever you go wherever I am, I am with you." He turned and left through the tunnel door.

Chapter 8

 

All week the quilt shop was busy. The classes were full, many customers made purchases. Elizabeth didn't see JV or Vincent. Ruth Ann brought her a message when she came Thursday to see if she had any fabric scraps.

Please meet me at the gate on Saturday after you close.

Vincent.

Saturday, Mrs Otis Northrup returned to the shop. "Where is that winter quilt," she demanded.

"I've taken in down from public display." Elizabeth tried to tell her calmly. "I told you last week it was not for sale."

The woman was very angry. She looked furtively around the shop as if she didn't believe Elizabeth.

Elizabeth saw JV arrive and dismissed Mrs. Northrup from her mind until she saw the woman coming down the classroom stairs, a smug look on her face.

Helen followed her saying, "Mrs Northrup those stairs and apartment are private. Those quilts are Elizabeth's private display. You are not allowed up there."

"That young boy was looking at the quilts," she huffed.

"He has permission to go up there," Helen said. "You don't."

"I want that quilt," Mrs Northrup told Elizabeth curtly. "I'll have it by next week, no matter what you say." She closed the front door loudly.

"What's wrong with that woman?" Elizabeth asked Helen.

"Her husband is important so she thinks she can walk all over anyone. She's not usually this disagreeable. Be careful Elizabeth, you don't want her for an enemy."

"What can she do to me?"

"She has many influential friends and could harm your business, make your life miserable."

"I wonder why she wants Winter in the Woods so badly? There are many other more beautiful quilts here. That one just means a lot to me."

"Maybe you better sell it to her," Louise said from behind the counter.

"No. I won’t let that woman intimidate me. Helen, did she say anything to JV?" She hadn't seen him since Mrs. Northrup left the shop.

"I don't know. I saw her go up the stairs and open your door. I stopped her as quickly as I could."

"I'll check on him." Elizabeth found JV in front of the lion quilt.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask if I could come in. That woman on the stairs scared me. I was looking at Winter in the Woods where you hung it just outside your door. She told me to take my last look because she was taking it. I heard Helen yell at her. When she looked away I ducked in here. Your lion gave me strength. I don't feel afraid of her when I look at him"

"He gives me strength and courage too."

"Is she taking Winter in the Woods, Elizabeth? I'll miss it but I know you have to sell your quilts."

"Not that one JV. It's one of my personal favorites. I told her it was not for sale. Don't let her frighten you. You can come in here whenever you want to sit by my lion." She ruffled his hair with her fingers. So much like Vincent's beautiful hair only shorter. Was he her son, this lively young boy with the big smile and green eyes and tawny gold hair who pulled at her heart?

"Would you like some lunch?"

"Sure. Can I have the peanut butter and jelly you bought the other night?"

"You're not allergic to nuts are you?"

"No. I'm not allergic to anything."

"The jelly is in the fridge and the peanut butter is in that cabinet. Here's some bread. Help yourself to some milk or juice. I have to go back to work."

"Thanks Elizabeth. Thanks for letting me come in here."

"Any time, JV."

Elizabeth kept a watchful eye for Mrs. Northrup but the woman did not return before the staff left and the shop closed. She wore soft gray wool pants with a matching silk blouse. She put on the quilted jacket she had made using Louise's pattern. She had used all different shades of blue batik with a few touches of green. The jacket would keep her warm in the cool, dark tunnels.

Large candle lanterns lighted the passage, making it easy to find her way to the gate where she found Vincent and JV waiting for her.

"Hi Elizabeth," JV said. We have a surprise for you."

Vincent closed the gate. "We would like to take you to dinner and a show." He offered his wool clad arm. She could feel the heat of his body through the soft fabric of the jacket.

"A show." She was totally surprised.

"Jacob and some of the other children are giving a concert tonight. Followed by songs and music by our adult chorus and musicians."

"We wanted to feed you first." JV said leading the way to their chamber. The big wooden table that had been piled with books when she had been there before was cleared and set for four.

Elizabeth looked at Vincent. "Father will join us." He pulled out a chair for Elizabeth and offered her some wine.

"Hello Elizabeth, I'm glad you could join us," Father said behind her.

A Chinese couple followed Father with plates heaped with food. "Lin and her husband Henry are helpers from above," Vincent explained. "They have a restaurant in Chinatown and frequently do dinners for us." He introduced them to Elizabeth.

"We are always pleased to do dinner for you and Father," Lin said in a soft voice.

"Do I know you?" Elizabeth asked.

Lin looked quickly to Vincent. He shook his head negatively. "No I don't think so. Maybe you've been to our restaurant."

"Maybe," Elizabeth said, puzzled.

"We brought your favorite, Sio Mai, JV," Henry said, offering Elizabeth the small steamed pork dumplings first. He placed a variety of hot dishes on the table, green beans with spicy garlic sauce, chicken with cashews, some steamed white rice. There were Cantonese fried noodles and vegetables, shrimp with black beans, the usual fortune cookies and Lin poured very fragrant jasmine tea.

"When I was in San Francisco I ate some very delicious Chinese food. This is the best I've had anywhere." Elizabeth grinned at JV. "I love Sio Mai too."

The couple slipped quietly from the room.

"Jacob tells me you have a fantastic collection of lions, Elizabeth," Father said looking at his grandson fondly.

"Grandfather, you have to see the one that looks like father."

"Come anytime Father," Elizabeth said.

"Father," JV turned to Vincent. "There was a lady in the shop today who was not very nice to Elizabeth. She was mad at her because she won't sell Winter in the Woods."

Both Vincent and Father turned to Elizabeth. "It's one of my private quilts. I told her it wasn't for sale and she got quite upset. I don't think I want her to have any of my quilts. I hope she doesn't come back."

"Father I have to get ready for the concert. See you later Elizabeth."

Father rose, "I must leave too. I'll see you both at the concert." He took Elizabeth's hand, "Vincent told me how positive he is that you are Catherine, I hope he is right. You look and sound like her. Her death was devastating to all of us, none more than Vincent. I hope you regain your memory soon, dear Catherine."

"Me too," she whispered.

"The concert isn't until eight, would you like a tour of my home?" Vincent offered her his hand, big, strong, the back covered in tawny hair. His sharp nails glinted in the candlelight. He enclosed her smaller hand gently and led her from the room.

"I've added some rooms over the years. This small chamber is Jacob's." The boy's room was as full of books as Vincent's The Harry Potter book she had bought was open on the bed. He had a few NY Yankees ball caps on top of a large chest of drawers. Aesop’s Fables lay on the chest with the hats. "That was your book Catherine. I was able to get some of your books and things before your friends and the police emptied the apartment."

"My friends?"

"Your best friend was Jenny Aronson. She never knew about us. Although you might have mentioned my name to her. At least I never met her. I don't know where she is now. You were close to your boss, Joe Maxwell. I believe he is still the District Attorney."

"Vincent, when will you tell me what you know about Catherine....my life?"

"Soon Catherine, soon."

"Vincent...... do I have parents, a mother, a father?"

His eyes were sad, "No, your mother died when you were ten and your father died less than a year before you…disappeared."

"Did he know about you?"

"He never knew me. After his stroke I went with you to the hospital one night and spoke to him. He was in a coma but I think he knew I was there. I told him I would take care of you for the rest of my life. I thought I could. I loved you Catherine and I couldn't save you." He pulled her close, held her tightly. She reached up, ran her fingers down his wet cheek. His anguish brought tears to her eyes.

"If I'm Catherine, Vincent, someone saved me."

His eyes searched hers, "We'll find the answers Catherine. We will. I thought we could sit over here Catherine. It's more private and people won't stare at you trying to remember where they've seen you. Everyone doesn't know you're alive."

He tucked her into a small niche full of pillows and a few blankets at the back of the music room. The room was quite cool as were most of the places she had visited so far. No wonder everyone wore such heavy clothing. She would check with Mary and Ruth Ann about what weights of fabric to order for the sewing group, maybe wool, corduroy, some flannels.

She enjoyed the concert. The youngest children sang first, songs about a teddy bear’s picnic with his friends. JV's group was mostly instrumental with JV and two other boys singing. JV also sang a solo. His young voice touched her heart. None of their music was familiar to her.

"The music was written for them," Vincent said.

"He sings beautifully," she shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"A little."

"Here." His arms went around her bringing her close to his warmth. He tucked a blanket around her knees. Her eyes closed as she listened to the men and women sing soft classical songs.

"Are you asleep?" Vincent whispered.

"No, I'm just enjoying the music," she sighed, unconsciously pressing closer to him. His lips brushed her hair, the scar by her ear, his heartbeat quickened. She reached up, gently stroked his cheek with her fingers. This man loved her....Catherine....so deeply. She had no memory of that love but he was already working his way into her heart. Her skin tingled where it touched him.

He took a deep breath, "The concert is over, I'd better walk you home."

She felt a chill as soon as she stood up away from his warmth. He draped his long, heavy, hooded cloak over her shoulders. "This will keep you warm in the tunnels." The leather and satin trimmed wool warmed her immediately. It smelled of him, spicy, citrus, sandalwood, musk. It also smelled of candles and smoke. She tucked her hand under his arm. The walk back to her apartment went too quickly. She returned his cloak, stretched up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you for the wonderful dinner and concert, Vincent." She went through her door and up to her apartment.

She'd left the stair light on when she left. The lights were out. Maybe she forgot. She flipped the switch at the bottom of the stairs and light brightened her way. She saw the destruction as soon as she headed up the third flight. Winter in the Woods was slashed to threads. "Oh, no, no," she cried. Could the person who did this still be in her apartment? Frightened, she turned to run back down the stairs and collided with Vincent.

"Catherine, what's wrong. I felt your terror."

"My quilt," she pointed to the hanging threads on the wall.

"Stay here. Let me check your apartment. He checked all the floors and found no one. "The service door to the shop was open. It looks like that is the way they came in. Come, stay Below, you'll be safer there."

She was frightened but determined to stay in her home. "I've got to call the police. Please go. I don't want them to find you."

"Catherine...first let me go with you while you check for any other damage."

They walked together through the rooms. It didn't look like anything else was damaged. Her apartment looked untouched. With trembling hands she opened her trunk to check her Love Remembered quilt. It was as she left it. Her Remember quilt hung on the wall undisturbed. She sighed in relief.

"Only Winter in the Woods, Vincent. Why would anyone do that?"

"Didn't you say a woman was really mad at you because you wouldn't sell it to her?"

"Yes but she said I had a week to decide. If she wanted to buy it why destroy it? I'd better call the police" She dialed 911. "They are coming right away. Go Vincent."

"I'll be nearby," he told her and disappeared down the stairs.

The police arrived quickly and scolded her for checking out her shop and apartment without them present. "There is no one here now Ms. Collins. Get better locks for your doors. We'll have a patrol car drive by more often and keep a look out for anything unusual. Maybe it was some kids. It's Saturday night, maybe they saw the door open and decided to do some mischief."

She knew she had locked the doors but maybe her locks were easy to pick. She thanked the police and shoved chairs under the doorknobs.

Vincent returned, "I'll keep watch while you sleep Catherine. Tomorrow you can get your locks changed. Go on up. I'll stay down here."

"Goodnight Vincent. Thank you for everything." Nothing disturbed her sleep, no dreams, no nightmares, no prowlers. Vincent was gone in the morning.

Chapter 9

Catherine called the locksmith to have all her locks improved and changed.

JV arrived in time for lunch. "Elizabeth, father told me what happened to Winter in the Woods," he hugged her tight. "Will you make it again?"

"I'll bury Winter in the Woods like an old friend. Some of the undamaged pieces I will save and use in another special quilt. I'm sorry it was destroyed, I know how much you loved it."

"I'm glad you were not hurt Elizabeth." He looked at the lion quilt. "How can you protect Remember?"

"I'm going to have to find a safe place to hide it and a few others. Enough doom and gloom, let's go to the park."

She spent a wonderful afternoon with her son. She was beginning to think of him as her son. They ate hot dogs and drank soda. At the children’s playground he pushed her on a swing. She watched him nimbly climb the monkey bars and snake around them. Did he get out in the sunshine often or spend most of his time underground with his father? How sad that Vincent could not join them. She had slipped her digital camera in her pocket and took many pictures of JV. She had an idea for her next quilt.

"Baseball season starts soon," he said excitedly. "Do you like the Yankees?" He pulled his Yankee cap more firmly over his hair.

"I guess now that I'm living in New York I'd better," she laughed. "Maybe we can go to a game together."

"I wish my father could go," he said woefully.

"We'll bring him back souvenirs. JV, there's an ice cream cart. Want some?"

He pointed toward some trees. "Behind those trees there is a tunnel entrance. Let's take father an ice cream too."

"By the time we find him won't it be melted?"

"He'll be there Elizabeth. He loves ice cream."

"Okay." She bought three chocolate covered vanilla ice creams on sticks and followed JV through the trees. No one saw them duck into the drainage pipe. JV opened the gate and pressed a hidden latch to open the door. He was right, Vincent was on the other side.

She held out the ice cream. "JV says you like ice cream."

"I do," he laughed, taking the frozen treat. "Jacob, I think you have already enjoyed yours." Chocolate was around the boy's lips. "Go wash up."

"Thanks Elizabeth, I had fun in the park with you." He gave her a big hug.

"Me too, JV. We'll go to a ball game soon. I promise. Like father, like son," Vincent had chocolate all over his mouth. She leaned over and licked it off his lips without thinking. She stepped back, blushing. "Sorry"

"Catherine," he put his hands on her arms, drew her close, pressed his lips to hers for a moment. "I'm not sorry," he said, releasing her.

"Vincent, how do you stand it, not being able to go out in the sunshine and play with your son?"

"I just do. There is no place for me in the world up here," he said sadly. "I try to find ways for Jacob to enjoy whatever he wants Above. When he is an adult he can choose to live up here or Below."

"Except for his hair he doesn't look like you," she said tentatively.

"No Catherine, he looks like you. He is beautiful."

"You are beautiful, too, Vincent."

He smiled down at her, "I'm glad you think so, most people do not."

"I have to head back," she sighed. "I have a lot to do before I open in the morning."

"You're welcome down here anytime." He showed her how to work the gate and door before leaving.

She stopped at an hour photo and picked the pictures she wanted developed. She had captured the laughter and excitement of JV in a few of the pictures. She had used the timer on her camera to take pictures of them together. She would frame one for him. There were two great shots of him on the monkey bars and eating hot dogs she would frame for Vincent and Father. Her favorite was a close up of JV smiling at her, his baseball cap rakishly tilted on top of his head. This one she would quilt.

She worked all evening on her quilt. It was midnight when she finished all her prep work. The design was down on the fabric and she had cut many of the fabrics she planned to use.

In the morning Louise and Helen noticed Winter in the Woods was not hanging in its usual place. Elizabeth told them about the break in and destruction of the quilt. Helen agreed with the police, she felt it was teenagers. Louise thought somehow Mrs. Northrup was involved. They were both concerned about her safety. She pointed out her new locks and gave them new keys.

Her shop continued to be busy. She sold one of her quilts to a woman giving it to her daughter as a wedding present. It was a New York skyline that happened to show the daughter's new apartment.

She worked daily on JV's quilt. His face was already looking out at her. She didn't want JV or Vincent to see it before it was finished so kept it tucked into a corner of her sewing room. She was also working on a commissioned quilt of Carmel and its famous seals.

Louise and Helen ran the shop most of the time, leaving her plenty of time to sew.

Mrs. Northrup never returned leaving Elizabeth to believe the woman did have something to do with the shredding of Winter in the Woods.

Elizabeth checked her new locks every night. Tonight she had been so engrossed in JV’s quilt she didn't realize how late it had gotten. Checking the back door she thought she saw someone moving furtively in the shadows. She turned off all the lights and continued to watch, ready to call 911 if necessary. Two men silently tried the windows and doors.

"Can you reach the fire escape?" she heard a hoarse whisper.

"No, it's one of those that gets dropped from above," was the gruff response.

"We've got to get those stones. The boss is really angry."

Elizabeth tried to dial 911. Her phone was dead. Her cell phone was upstairs and she was afraid they would break in before she could get it. She was terrified. What would they do to her if they found her here? Were these the same people who slashed her quilt? She'd be safe in the tunnels.

She turned to the basement stairs, heard a roar on her roof. All she could see was a black shape, illuminated in the city lights, jump on one of the men, crushing him to the ground. It turned to the second man hitting him in the neck, knocking him to the ground. The figure turned....Vincent.

She ran and opened her door, "Vincent, what happened?"

"I felt your fear, Catherine. These men were trying to hurt you."

"Are they....."

"Dead? No. I just knocked them out. You better call the police."

"My phone line is out. I have to run up and get my cell phone." She dashed up the stairs. "Vincent, I called the police. They are on the way. Go Below before they get here. I'll meet you there later." She could hear the sirens out front. "Go, Vincent, go. I'll be all right."

She ran to open the front door for the police and show them the two men unconscious in her yard.

"What happened?" the officer asked.

"These men tried to break into my shop. I think they cut my phone line as my phone is dead. I heard yells as I was calling you on my cell. That's what I found."

"You saw no one else?"

"No," She'd never mention Vincent. Let the police think what they wanted.

"Maybe they had another person with them or had a falling out," the officer said. "Or bungled the job."

"This one has a big gash on his shoulder, Sergeant," the second policeman said.

"Maybe he fell trying to reach the fire escape. Some of the roses have wicked thorns and some of them are broken."

"This one's face is all busted up. Maybe the first man fell on him."

"We were keeping an eye on your place during patrols. Maybe these are the guys who broke into your shop last week. Here comes the ambulance. They'll go to the hospital for now and we'll book them. Looks like they're regaining consciousness."

Elizabeth could hear the two men moaning, "What happened? What was that thing?"

"That thing was you two guys are under arrest for trying to break into this lady's shop. Frank, ride with these two in the ambulance. I'll follow you to the hospital. Ms. Collins, I'm Sergeant Ed Murphy. You won’t have any more trouble. I'm sure these are the men we are looking for."

"Thank you Sergeant. I hope you are right." She shivered after the police and ambulance left. She checked all the locks and ran to the basement, through the door behind the quilt panel. "Vincent," she called.

"I'm here Catherine," he answered. He slipped out of the shadows.

She ran to him, "You saved me, Vincent." She threw her arms around him. "How did you know those men were trying to break into my shop?" Her voice was still frightened.

"I just knew, Catherine. Our bond has returned. I felt your fear as you felt it." He held her close in a comforting embrace.

"You are not hurt? That was a long way to jump."

"No, I'm fine."

"Vincent, you mention this bond. Did we have this bond when you knew me before?"

"Yes Catherine, I felt what you felt, no matter how far apart we were. I'm part of you Catherine, just as you are a part of me. Wherever you go, wherever I am, I am with you. Your pain was my pain, almost as if we were one. I will never let our bond break again." His hold tightened.

She leaned back and looked into his face, his strong lion face. His blue eyes held nothing but love for her. She didn't know if she was ready for this and pushed away from him. He dropped his arms immediately. She felt a strange coldness where they had held her.

"Vincent, I heard one of the men mention they were looking for stones. I wonder what stones and how they concern my quilts?"

"Were your quilts shipped here straight from California or were they in storage?"

"I don't know. I don't think they were in storage but they could have been moved to another truck. The things I brought did not make a full load."

"Somewhere these stones got into one of your boxes, either by accident or on purpose. Have you unpacked everything, found anything unusual?"

"No. I still have a few boxes in the basement I haven't touched."

"Let's check them out." There were nine boxes she hadn't unpacked. Vincent brought them to her one at a time. Five contained summer things or things to use at the beach, clothes, sheets, beach towels, shells, even a beach umbrella. One heavy box had photo albums of her time in Carmel. These Vincent scanned avidly.

"A history of your life over the past nine years," he said quietly. There were many pictures of her with different quilts at quilt shows winning awards. She pointed to a picture of an older woman standing with her in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, "Emily taught me how to quilt when I was in the hospital."

He continued looking through the album. There were many pictures of the beach, the ocean, the mountains. "I used these for quilt ideas," she said.

He continued looking through the albums. "No boyfriends?"

"I'm a little old for boyfriends."

"Men friends," he persisted. He turned the page and stared at the photo. A picture she had forgotten of David on his sailboat. Her arms are around him and she is kissing his cheek.

"Does he mean a lot to you, Catherine?"

"At one time." She saw the stricken look he tried to hide. She gently stroked his cheek, turned his face to her. "He died last year of AIDS." Tears filled her eyes. "After I met Nancy, when I started having the dreams and nightmares, he pushed me to come to New York City to look for answers. He was the only one who understood my deep sadness at not knowing my life before I woke up in the hospital. He reminded me how short life can be. He told me not to stay in my cocoon of comfort in Carmel. His life partner, John, took this picture.

Vincent closed the album, "I'm sorry Catherine. There is one more box back there." He brought it to her. She looked at it in puzzlement. "This box isn't mine," she said. She pulled off the packing tape and opened the box quickly. It was full of ....junk.... as if someone had packed a can of trash.

"We'll have to go through all of it carefully," she said. She pulled one of the empty boxes closer. "As we sort over things we'll put them in here."

Vincent turned over a cereal box stuffed with paper and shook it, a cloth packet fell out. He handed it to Catherine. "I think we found the stones."

Gingerly she opened the packet. Inside were ten tiny plastic bags, each with what looked like cut and uncut diamonds of various shapes and sizes. "Now what do I do? Just turn them over to the police? If the police keep quiet about this the thief will think I still have the stones."

"That's not all, Catherine. If you are in the news before you know who you are and what happened to you, your life is in danger. I cannot lose you again," he whispered. "It would kill me."

Reaction to all that had happened that evening set in. "Vincent, I'm shaking. Hold me, please, hold me."

His arms enfolded her. He pressed his lips to the top of her head. "I'll protect you Catherine."

"You couldn't before," she whispered.

He drew her closer. "Many people conspired against us then. Most of them are dead now. I won't let any of those things happen again." He looked deeply into her eyes. She was lost.

"I believe you." She could feel the power in his body, the energy. His eyes never left hers. Slowly, deliberately, he lowered his lips to hers. "Catherine," he whispered, pulling her into him. His kiss deepened. Her arms inched around his neck. She buried her hands in his thick golden hair. She had made love to this man...she thought of him as nothing less than a man...bore him a child and those memories had been stolen from her.

"Oh Vincent," she breathed, resting her forehead on his chest. "Why can't I remember?

"You will remember, you will. We'll find the answers. It's almost four, you need some rest. Go on up, I'll keep watch."

"What do we do with the diamonds?"

"Do you have a safe or a secure place to lock them up?"

"There is a safe hidden under the stairs. I'll put them there with a few of my favorite quilts. Come upstairs. You don't have to stay in the basement."

He followed her up to her apartment. "Go to sleep Catherine. I'll keep watch until dawn."