Chapter 19

Catherine locked up the wedding gown pieces in her safe after Louise and Helen left. She met Vincent at the basement door. He held her hand as they walked the tunnels

"Can we stop at the Chapel?" she asked. There were a few lights lighted near the Chapel, one reflected softly on the pool. In the Chapel one large candle burned in a glass holder suspended from the ceiling.

"What are you thinking?" Vincent asked.

"How perfect it is for the wedding. It’s small and intimate. Everyone will want to come to see you wed. Will they mind if we make it just family for the ceremony and ask everyone to the reception."

"I don’t think they will mind. That’s what happens most of the time when someone down here gets married. The Chapel cannot hold everyone."

"Where will we have the reception, where the Easter lunch was held?"

"No, we have a new chamber called the Chamber of Lights. A small amount of daylight filters in and there are many ledges for candles. It’s not far from here. I’ll show you."

"Let’s sit by the pool for awhile. It’s so peaceful, even the pipes are muted."

They sat on a stone bench beside the pool. He put his arms around her protectively, lovingly. "Catherine, what’s troubling you," he asked softly. "I can feel your happiness is being overshadowed by something heavy in your heart."

She looked deeply into his blue eyes, then buried her face in his shoulder. "I was so happy today, planning my dress and other things for the wedding with Helen and Louise. I was beginning to feel everything would be okay. Our dreams could come true."

"What happened?"

She told him about Amanda Northrup’s visit. He felt her tremble against him

"I began to feel afraid, Vincent. That all our happiness will be taken away. You’ve always been able to give me your strength. Today I need it so badly."

"Catherine, we don’t lead a simple life. We have always had to fight for our happiness, our dreams. I don’t think God would separate us again after ten years of being apart. He just brought us back together. We might have to fight forever to keep our happiness but we will have it, all our dreams too."

She reached up and gently ran her fingers over his face, across his prominent eyebrows, wide nose, fine hair covered muzzle, his sensuous lips. "That you can believe in God is a wonder."

"He brought me you, Catherine," he whispered. He lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss that warmed her heart. The tenderness of it eased her soul. She felt safe. She felt loved.

He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He had to feel the whole length of her against him. She’d asked for his strength, but gave it back tenfold. His arms tightened, he couldn’t bring her close enough. His mouth came down on hers, his tongue pushing into the warm moistness. She set off aches in him that pulsed and throbbed in his blood. His desire for her beat at him.

"Catherine," he broke the kiss. She touched his lips with her fingertips, her eyes dark with passion.

"Catherine," he tried again, resting his forehead on hers. "We said we’d wait until our wedding."

"We did," she sighed regretfully. She took his hands in hers, kissed the fur covered back of each. She rubbed her cheek against their softness. "I guess you better show me the Chamber of Light."

Vincent showed her the large chamber, small rays of light filtered in through narrow crevices The room looked big enough to hold all the community. There was plenty of room for long wooden tables, musicians, even room to dance. The light kept it from looking cold and impersonal. Decorated she could see it looking lovely.

He led her back to his chamber, showed her a newly chiseled opening leading from his room to a small alcove. "I knew this space was here and we would just have to make a doorway. I thought this could be our bedroom after we’re married. It would be more private then my room which could be made into living quarters For now I made it into a guest chamber for you and put your things here."

"I love it. It will be a perfect bedroom," she smiled at him. "There is even wall space and room for that big bed of yours. I have a beautiful brown leather couch in storage that will look good where your bed is now. I think you’ll like it, there is a chair too. We just have to figure out a way to get them down here. The couch is quite big. I have some other pieces of furniture I’d also like to bring down."

"Mouse is good at getting things down here. I’ll speak to him."

She exclaimed over the beauty of the fan quilt covering the bed.

"Mary made it years ago. She thought you would like it. She and Ruth Ann fixed the room for you." The women had thoughtfully brought in a bed, a pretty floral covered chair, a vanity with a mirror and a small chest of drawers with a large hurricane lamp.

"My space is your space to do as you wish Catherine." He looked longingly at all his books thinking she would want to move them out.

She felt she could read his mind, "Don’t worry Vincent," she laughed. "The books can stay. I’ll make very few changes and I’ll be sure they will make you happy. Rather than take anything away right now I just want to fit in some of my things, especially my lions and some quilts."

He showed her one more area he felt could be connected to his chamber. Behind what would be their bedroom was a small space. He shined a light through a small crevice, "I thought you might like this for your own. It can be connected to the bedroom through this opening and I think I can open it into my main chamber."

She slipped her arms around his waist. "It will be perfect. Thank you." She kissed his cheek and let her lips slide to his mouth, linger.

"You’re welcome. Can I interest you in some dinner?"

"Sure, I’m starved."

They stopped by JV’s room. He was avidly reading Harry Potter. "Mom, dad, I’m almost finished reading this book. It’s great"

"I’ll have to get you the second book," Catherine said, hugging him.

"I’m taking your mom for a late dinner. Are you hungry?"

"No thanks, I want to finish the book."

"Don’t stay up too late."

"I won’t, dad."

Vincent took her to the main dining room and showed her where food was kept warm for any late diners. He also showed her where all the fresh and canned goods and sweets were kept. "I think I mentioned we can eat here or cook in our chambers or even bring cooked food back to eat. I don’t cook so I usually eat here unless JV wants just the two of us to eat together or with Father. You can decide what you would like to do."

"I guess a combination. I can cook some things but it would be nice to have someone else do the cooking occasionally, especially on a busy work night. Sometimes we might want dinner alone or up at my place. There must be some things you’d like to bring up there, maybe some books." She gave him a big grin.

He smiled back at her. "Some books, I’m sure. William is still chief cook. He puts out a menu every Monday for the week. People can decide what they want and let him know." He showed her the menu, "It looks like it was a seafood night. What would you like?"

She chose salmon, asparagus, brown rice and mixed fruit for desert. He chose the same. They had the dining room to themselves. "Everything is delicious. Do we wash our dishes since we are late?

"No, William has people who cook and clean up. Everyone here has a job of some sort. Some work with William, some sew with Mary and Ruth Ann. We have teachers, artists, workers. Father and Mary and a few other women take care of any medical problems."

"What about you, Vincent? Do you still do a little of everything? Labor, teach, guide, protect." She stroked his face with her hand.

"I guess I do." He took her hand and kissed her palm.

"I can help with sewing of course."

They headed back to Vincent’s chamber. "I guess you’ve grown down here over the past ten years," Catherine said.

"Some. Old people have died, children have been born. Some have stayed and some have moved back Above and become helpers. Some new people have joined us. Many you knew are still here. The children have grown up so you may not recognize them. Samantha is a teacher and an herbalist. Kipper helps Mouse with his inventions and many of the repairs we need. Jeffrey and Zach have been learning the pipes from Pascal."

"What about Elizabeth and Narcissa?"

"Both women are very elderly now. Elizabeth still paints the tunnel walls. I’m sure she’ll add our wedding. Narcissa is still hard to find in the lower tunnels but she lets us keep track of her on the pipes."

They arrived back at Vincent’s chamber. JV was sound asleep. Catherine tucked his covers around his shoulders and kissed his head. At the entrance to her room she put her arms around Vincent’s neck, "Goodnight," she whispered.

"Goodnight," he brushed his lips over her brow.

She held him a little longer then went to her bed alone.

Vincent was up and gone in the morning. He left a breakfast tray with a note and a red rose.

I have to teach a reading class this morning. I’ll send Mouse to the shop,

you can show him what you want brought down. See you tonight. V

Catherine dressed, then went to look for Mary and Ruth Ann. She found them both in the sewing chamber with a few other women working on her quilt. "You’ve done so much already."

"We’ve been working on your cloak too." Mary said.

Catherine pulled embroidery designs out of her briefcase to show her and Ruth Ann. "This is the lion, lioness and rose design I want quilted in the middle of the quilt. This similar design I want on the cloak with roses and leaves along the hem. This smaller design of a lion and leaves can go on any of Vincent’s or JV’s clothes where you think fit."

"Catherine, I know Vincent doesn’t want you in the shop at night. Before you took over Nancy let a group of us sew there two nights a week. Don’t you think it would be safe for us to continue." Ruth Ann asked her. "There are things we’d like to do for the wedding but also things to sew for the people down here. The light is so much better in the shop. And we could use one of your sewing machines"

"It’s amazing what people throw away," Mary said. "We re-cut, discarding the ruined and sewing the usable. We can sew totally new outfits out of what others discard."

"Let me check with Vincent and Diana and I’ll let you know. These people are not after you. You should be safe. I’m not great with clothing but I can help with quilts, blankets." Catherine told them. "New or old fabrics, whatever you want me to do. I can also get you any new fabric and threads you’d like. It doesn’t have to be just for quilts. I can get any fabric, even yarn, from my distributors. Mary, Ruth Ann, thank you for making my room so pretty and welcoming."

"You’re going to be part of our family soon Catherine. We want to do all we can to make you and Vincent happy." Mary hugged her and smiled to herself. Catherine was in for a big surprise when she saw all that was being done for her and Vincent.

"I think your designs would be wonderful on the vests Vincent and JV will be wearing," Ruth Ann was looking them over carefully

Catherine left copies of the designs with the sewing group and headed for her shop. Mouse was waiting for her at the door. ‘Hello, Mouse."

"Vincent says you have some things to come Below. He wants me to check the apartment , make sure no one is there."

"Yes. Some of the things are quite heavy. You’ll need more people."

"Mouse can get."

She had a room in the corner of the basement full of things she had brought from California. She showed Mouse the big leather couch and a matching chair.

"Need wheels," Mouse said. "Move later."

She took him up to her apartment so he could check it over. She showed him the things she wanted to move. "After I pack this trunk it can go Below. I want to move some of my lions but I think I’ll leave the cabinet here. I still have to sort out what clothes to leave here and which to take."

"Cold Below. Need warm clothes," Mouse told her. He was fascinated by many of her quilts.

She remembered he used to have a pet raccoon. She went to the large wooden wardrobe full of folded quilts. She handed him one. "For you Mouse. For all your help."

He opened it. His eyes sparkled, "Like Arthur," he laughed. The quilt was of a family of raccoons, mom on a branch of a tree and the babies peeking out of a large hole above her. "He died a long time ago. Thank you Catherine." He hugged her and the quilt. "Let me know when you want things moved."

Louise started a new jacket class that morning. She was going to surprise Catherine with her demo jacket. It was going in the wedding trunk Ruth Ann and Mary were filling. She had six women in the class. One woman, Bertha, asked a lot of questions about Elizabeth Collins. Louise suspected she might be one of the "plants" Catherine had mentioned. Louise kept her answers vague and finally told the woman to talk to Elizabeth.

After class Louise told Catherine about Bertha and all her questions. "She wanted to know a lot of personal things about you, where you grew up, your fiancé, what he does, when and where you’re getting married."

"I’ll let Diana and Joe know. I’m meeting Jenny for lunch and then seeing the jeweler. I’ll be back before closing."

She called Diana before leaving the shop. Jenny and Devin were already at the restaurant when she arrived. Devin was playing up the role of Jenny’s boyfriend. Catherine told him about the woman in the shop. "For someone who wanted a lot of information she didn’t speak to me at all."

"She needs more orders first," Devin said.

"How are the wedding plans going?" Jenny asked her.

Catherine looked at Devin and raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, my lips are sealed. Vincent’s good. He doesn’t try to worm secrets from people."

"It’s hard for me to keep anything from him. Our bond lets him know too much. He knows I’m looking at rings today. He wants to wear a ring so asked if I’d have Benny do matching rings for us. We came up with a design we both like."

After lunch she and Jenny went to the jeweler. Devin browsed the area watching for any of Northrup’s people. Catherine showed Benny Levine the designs of the lion and rose she wanted etched into simple gold bands. The short, bald man studied the design. "I can do this Ms. Collins." She gave him a string circle measurement of Vincent’s finger.

"Can this design of a lion be done as a stud about the size of a nickel for my husband and one with a lion cub for my son?"

"No problem."

"I’m also looking for a pocket watch for a Christmas present. Something quite old that can be engraved inside,"

"I have a few in the safe," he brought out a velvet lined tray with four watches laying on it.

Catherine saw the one she wanted immediately. Its soft gold color drew her eye. Leaves and a rose were engraved on the front. The original chain was still attached and the watch worked. She told Benny what she wanted engraved on the inside and on Vincent’s ring.

He promised everything would be ready in time for the wedding.

Devin came into the shop. He slipped Benny a note from Vincent without Catherine seeing. "I didn’t notice anyone connected to Northrup around." He flagged a cab for her and he and Jenny waved her off.

Catherine brought her two favorite quilts Below. Remember and Love Remembered to hang in her room. She also brought two wooden quilt hangers. She showed Vincent a small battery operated CD player. "Is it okay to play this down here? I don’t want to disturb anyone. I have earphones too."

"You can play all the music you want."

"I’ve added some different types of music to my collection." She put on Michael Bolton’s Greatest Hits and player it softly. When I Promise You came on she held out her arms, "Dance with me Vincent."

He gathered her close. She whispered the words along with the song.

"I’ll love you forever, I promise you. This might be a nice piece to use at our reception."

They swayed to the music lost to time. "I like it Catherine."

"I guess we better go to dinner," she sighed.

"JV is bringing it for all of us. Father will be joining us."

She cleared off the table, placed the rose he had given her in the center with some candles. By the end of the evening JV was yawning. Catherine could see Father was also tired. "I think you two better go to bed," she hid a yawn of her own. "Me too."

"Father, I’ll walk you back to your chamber." Vincent helper the older man up, handed him his cane.

Catherine noticed Father limped much more than ten years ago. "Goodnight Father," she kissed his cheek. He took her hand and Vincent’s, brought each to his lips, "I’m sorry I had so many doubts about your love. I can see how happy you both are. I wish you nothing but happiness."

"I’ve found the two loves of my life again. The three of us make a whole," tears glistened in her eyes.

JV put his arms around her waist and Vincent leaned down to kiss her forehead before leaving with Father.

"I guess you think you are too old for me to tuck into bed," she said to JV.

"Yes, but you can anyway, mom. You have catching up to do."

"Call me when you’re ready."

She tucked the blankets around him.

"Mom, I’m glad you’re alive. I’ve wanted a mom so much. I love you," he reached for her. "Dad’s the best but I missed having a mother."

Catherine held him tightly, tears burned her eyes. "I’m here now, JV. I won’t let anyone separate us again," she kissed his cheek.

Vincent watched them silently from the doorway. The two most important people in his life. He would do his best to keep them safe.

Before he slept he said a few prayers to God to watch over his family and give him the strength to protect them.

There were no classes on Friday. Catherine blocked the stairs to the second floor so she could work on her wedding dress. Helen and Louise covered the shop for her. Ruth Ann had given her the cloak so she could work on the embroidery. She would do roses and leaves along the hem in a small design. On the back she would hand stitch the heads of a lion and a lioness and a few roses, all sewn in threads the same color as the cloak. She wanted the design to be very subtle.

Ruth Ann told her she could hang the gown and cloak in her chamber when they were finished. Not that Vincent would peek but he had no wardrobe tall enough to hang them that wasn’t full of books. He promised to find some for her clothes and quilts as soon as possible.

Catherine found time to work on her portrait family quilt. Her wedding present for Vincent. She had never quilted her own image and found it difficult.

Diana called in the afternoon to say she and Joe would stop by after six to tell her about the body found in Catherine’s grave.

Vincent joined her before they arrived.

Joe and Diana brought dinner when they came. "I grabbed some burgers and fries. We may be awhile. Let’s eat first." Joe placed the food bags on Catherine’s dining room table.

Catherine couldn’t eat. She felt sick thinking about what Joe would have to tell her.

He brought out all the reports. "The woman’s name is Charlotte Randall. She was reported missing six months after you were kidnapped, Cathy. She was thirty years old, married, a school teacher in Brooklyn. I talked to her husband. She was pregnant. I guess we’ll never know what happened to the baby. He always felt she was dead but of course had no body. Now he’ll have some closure. We’ve already released the body to him. She was killed with morphine." He placed photos of Charlotte Randall on the table. "She looked a lot like you, Cathy."

"I’ve had people watching Northrup. He hasn’t put a step wrong. The Tenko woman, your nurse, was found dead in San Francisco a few years ago. The police report states she was mugged. We are keeping a watch on the doctor who treated you. He is still working at Bay General in San Francisco.

"Wells tells me he’s noticed someone following Jenny occasionally. He hasn’t left her alone. Have you noticed anyone hanging around you or the shop, Cathy?"

"Not until yesterday. I didn’t see her but Louise said there was a woman, Bertha, in class asking a lot of questions about me. I told Diana about Amanda Northrup’s visit."

"Diana said you believe Northrup is Pope.’

"Yes, even though it’s been nine and a half years since I’ve seen him. His hair is a different color and he no longer wears a mustache but I’m positive it’s him."

"Cathy, I’m sorry, but now that I have the results of the autopsy, I have to turn over all the information to the police commissioner. I can wait until Monday but then it will be known that you are alive. Nothing will say where you are or have been so you shouldn’t be bothered by the press right away. They will start digging."

Catherine had been gripping Vincent’s hand tightly while Joe was talking. "We can’t let JV above Vincent. They’ll be watching for him."

"Joe hasn’t told you, he thinks someone in the office has been paid for information," Diana told them. "Monday, when everything becomes public, they’ll tell Northrup the police know you are alive. He’s going to want to know if you have your memory back. He’ll know something is going on just because there was a reason to dig up your grave. Only Joe and I know you have your memory back. And it will stay that way."

"Are you sure there are no other people you had contact with, Cathy?" Joe asked.

"Yes Joe, the others are dead. Gabriel, the doctor who delivered JV, Moreno. I’m sure there are men who worked for Gabriel but I don’t know if they would be trying anything on their own."

"After all these years I still can’t believe Moreno turned bad." Joe looked at Vincent, "You killed him."

"Yes, after he tried to kill Elliot Burch and me. I have two bullet scars in my chest to prove it. You arrested Burch."

"What happened on the Compass Rose?"

"Gabriel tried to have Burch double cross me, set a trap so I’d be killed at the boat. At the last minute he told me it was a trap. He took a bullet meant for me and then Gabriel blew up the Compass Rose. I don’t know how I managed to get to Catherine’s grave where I collapsed. Diana found me and nursed me back to health."

"Catherine!" Joe exclaimed.

"What."

"What are you doing?"

"What?" She looked at Vincent’s hand. Blood dripped beneath her fingers where she gripped his so tightly. "Oh God. I’m sorry, Vincent." She burst into tears.

"Catherine, It’s all right," he put his arms around her.

"How many times have you almost died for me."

"I’ll always fight for you, Catherine." He held her tightly, kissed the top of her head.

Diana pulled Joe out to the balcony. "Let’s give them some private time."

"He said you saved him."

"Yes."

"Is that why you wanted to quit the case?"

"That’s when I got to know him and learned how much he loved Catherine, Joe. He was trying to find out who killed her and he was getting better results than we were. And he was trying to find his son. He gave himself up to Gabriel to save his son."

"He was in that electrified cage we found, wasn’t he. How did he get out?"

"He is very strong, was very determined to save his son. Don’t ask too many questions Joe, I can’t give you the answers."

"Why?"

"Because you’re the District Attorney, Joe. You’ve met Vincent now. You know he can never be seen by anyone up here. He’d be put under a microscope, literally."

"Yeah, I know. Diana, I know Vincent attacked Gabriel, there were long, deep slashes on his face."

"Yes."

"A bullet killed Gabriel. Not Vincent.’

"I know."

"Did you kill Gabriel, Diana?"

She looked at him. How much could she tell Joe. How could she tell him the truth so he’d understand. He was so black and white about the law. "I....."

Catherine came to the door, "You can come back in."

"We’re not finished," Joe told Diana.

"What do we do now?" Catherine asked.

"Hang tight. Keep your eyes and ears alert. Be careful," Joe said. "Don’t go anywhere alone."

"I’ll always be near," Vincent put his arm around her. "Is it safe for Catherine to continue working in her shop?"

"She should be okay if she doesn’t work alone. If Northrup learns she has her memory back she should stay Below. Catherine, your picture will be on the news Monday. Everyone will want to know where you are, where you’ve been for ten years. Why you’ve been in hiding. No mention will be made of your amnesia, Vincent or your son. Some of your customers may recognize you. You’ve aged beautifully and still look a lot like you did then."

"Thanks, Joe."

"You might want to avoid the shop Tuesday and Wednesday."

"I’ll see how things go. I can always leave, especially if news people find me."

"This may be your last weekend of peace," Diana mentioned.

"I’m going to spend every minute I can with Vincent and JV."

"We’ll leave you to enjoy it. Come on Joe."

"I’ll be in touch, Cathy."

Joe hailed a cab, "Diana, our conversation is not finished."

She put her arm under his and rested her head on his shoulder, "Don’t ask questions you won’t like the answers to, not yet."

The cab stopped at her loft, she touched his cheek with her fingers and kissed his lips softly. "Goodnight Joe."

He grabbed her hand, "Diana."

"Goodnight Joe. See you Monday."

He released her hand reluctantly, "Goodnight, Diana."

Chapter 20

 

"Can you take all weekend Catherine," Vincent asked after she locked the door behind Joe and Diana.

"No," she sighed. "I’m doing an all day seminar on my quilts with a catered lunch. I have twenty-five people coming I can’t cancel now. I wanted to stay here tonight. I have so much to get ready, do you mind."

"I’ll stay with you, I’m not letting you stay here alone. Can I help you with anything?"

She hugged him, "Yes, come up to the workroom."

He helped her arrange tables and chairs and set up demo stations at the sewing machines. She set up a screen and projector.

"I want to change six of the hanging quilts if you’ll help me with the ladder." She pointed to a pile of quilts. When the six were hung and spotlighted the way she wanted, he stepped back to admire them.

"Catherine , you do with fabric what others do with paint. I don’t know which one I like best. They are all so different. You don’t display your lion?"

"No that’s just for me, us now."

"I love the one you did of JV. I guess I love them all......because I love the artist." He turned to her and gave her a quick firm kiss. "You better get some rest."

"What about you."

"I’ll make sure every floor is safe and locked up then keep watch."

"She knew many nights he got little sleep. "I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll be up early, don’t leave before I get up."

"I won’t

Vincent had water on for tea when she awoke. She tied the sash of her robe and joined him in the kitchen.

"I see you still wear slinky nightwear."

"Slinky?"

He ran his hands down her arms, "Slinky, silky, sexy, beautiful."

"I didn’t think you noticed such things."

"Only on you. You are beautiful. Mine."

She smiled and put her arms around his neck, her lips brushed across his cheek, "I love you so very much."

He could feel every curve she pressed into his body. He deepened the kiss, drinking her in. "You don’t make it easy not to make love to you Catherine."

"It’s not easy for me either. Are you heading Below?"

"I’ll wait until Louise and Helen come. You will not be left alone.’

"The seminar runs from ten until four. I asked them to come at eight to help me finish setting up. Then they’ll take care of the shop. I’m glad Joe is waiting until Monday to release all the information about me. This way I can concentrate on the seminar and not have to answer questions about me."

"Catherine, do you remember Michael ?"

"Yes, the young man from Below I took in who got accepted into college. You were jealous of him I remember."

"Um, yes, well he’s a correspondent with one of the major TV networks here in New York. I understand he is back from an overseas assignment. Maybe he can help with the publicity of all that is going to happen to you."

"If I gave him an exclusive maybe all the other networks won’t bother me.

"We can only hope. I’ll get in touch with him today and see if we can meet with him tonight. If we take the initiative maybe things will go smoother."

Her seminar and luncheon were a huge success. Each of her six quilts was totally different from the others. The fabrics were different, the techniques were different, the quilting was different. Samples were at each machine for people to try. Everyone was given a quilted bag and packet to take home. She allowed photos of her quilts but no one could use a flash.

"I don’t mind someone trying to copy my quilts. Even if you use the same fabric, threads, embellishments, it will not look exactly like mine. We all sew a little differently. .And you’ll find you might want to put your own touch on the quilt. If I have a quilt I don’t want copied I don’t show it publicly. Only my loved ones see it.

"Name your quilts, sign them. Quilt what you love, not what you think you should. Don’t worry about being perfect. Only God is perfect."

Lunch was like sitting down with family. Catherine had found most quilters very friendly, outgoing people. Men were quilters too. Four came to the seminar, one with his wife who also quilted.

One of the ladies asked, "Your quilts are so diverse, how do you find the time to work on so many different ones?"

"Before I had the shop, I would sew and quilt most of the day. I had no family or interruptions. With the shop I have great help. I’m getting married soon. I’ll set aside certain hours every day, just like anyone going to work. I frequently get up very early to sew. If I’m really into a project I’ve been known to sew all night," she laughed. "You need very good light for that."

"Does your fiancé quilt?" one of the older women asked.

"No," Catherine laughed trying to picture Vincent with a needle and thread. "He is very helpful with the heavy work and hanging quilts."

The day was such a success Catherine decided to do another seminar in the fall.

Louise and Helen had stepped in to listen to her when the shop wasn’t busy. After everyone left Louise told her, "You know who is impatiently prowling around the basement waiting for you. He’s early."

Catherine sighed, "He’s here to protect me. There have been some new developments in the case. The police now know who was buried in my grave. This information will be released on Monday along with my picture. By Tuesday if any of our customers recognize me this place will be a zoo. Should we close?"

"Most of our customers are very nice people. They might stop by but only to give you support," Helen said.

"We’ll ignore the publicity hunters, "Louise said. "If it gets too hectic go Below. We’ll cover the shop."

"Catherine, hurry."

"Something is wrong. Vincent would never call up with the shop still open. Please, close for me." She ran down the basement stairs to Vincent. "What’s wrong?"

"We must hurry. Michael wants you on the six o’clock news tonight. There has been a leak about you being alive. Joe is spitting nails trying to track down who found out about you."

"Do you think two days will make that much difference?"

"It’s not that. Joe’s mad because the information was to come only to him and wait for his approval before being released. He agrees with Michael about an interview. I made arrangements for them to meet this afternoon. Michael wants to do the interview in a hidden, safe place that will give no idea where you are."

"Vincent, do I still have amnesia?"

"I guess not. It’s all or nothing now. Joe wants to smoke out Pope."

"JV?"

"He is safe Below."

"Jenny?"

"I don’t know."

"Take me to Michael, Vincent."

"It is not far. We can reach it easily through the tunnels. I’ll be near, Catherine."

They ran a few blocks in the tunnels. Vincent stopped at a ladder and climbed up first knocking four times on the door. The knock was returned and the door opened.

"Vincent? Did you bring Catherine?"

"She’s here."

He jumped down from the ladder . He could tell she was frightened but saw the determination in her eyes. He hugged her in support and kissed her swiftly. "Go Catherine. I’ll be right here."

"Michael." He reached down to help her, his hand firm. He was tall, almost thirty. His wavy dark brown hair was quite thick. His face had matured handsomely over the years.

Over ten years ago he’d had a young man’s infatuation for her even though he knew she and Vincent loved each other. She had given him a place to stay Above when he started college. He felt he had betrayed Vincent. That Vincent had understood, had even told him how could anyone help but love Catherine, had made him determined to make them both proud of him. He had been as devastated as everyone when he heard she had been murdered. He knew only Vincent’s son, JV, had kept Vincent from lying down at her grave and dying. If he could help now he could repay some of the debt he felt he owed them both.

He had only learned a few hours ago that she was alive. He would have to call on all his reporter’s grit to stay calm for the interview. "It’s wonderful to see you alive, Catherine," he hugged her for a moment. "I’ve spoken to Vincent and Joe Maxwell about what questions to ask you. Don’t volunteer anything, just answer my questions. No hint as to where you are, that’s why this hidden room. I’ve worked with my cameraman for three years. He’s saved my life a few times and I his. You can trust him. Meet Joel Evans."

"Joel," she shook hands with the tall, lanky man with carrot red hair and a face full of freckles.

"Welcome back from the dead, Ms. Chandler."

Michael pointed to a comfortable chair, "Sit and relax for a few minutes Catherine while we check the lighting." He gave her a compact "In case you want to powder your nose, but you look great."

He was no longer the shy young man she knew from the tunnels but a confident correspondent who traveled the world.

"Ready?"

"One question, Michael. Do we know each other?"

"You can say you knew me in my college years. Be vague. Hey, Best Wishes, I hear you and Vincent are engaged. Don’t mention that on TV though. My questions will be pretty specific. We don’t have much air time today. I’d like to do another, longer interview later."

"Joel, camera on."

"Good evening, I’m Michael Richmond with an exclusive interview with a woman who it has been believed was murdered nine and a half years ago, Catherine Chandler. Ms Chandler, you were kidnapped ten years ago."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The man who kidnapped me, Gabriel, believed I had a book detailing corruption and graft in New York City."

"Did you?"

"Not when I was kidnapped."

"Did you know the man who kidnapped you?"

"Not at the time, no. I got to know him afterwards."

"Did he ever get the information he wanted about the book?"

"I don’t know. He drugged me. I hadn’t been able to decode the book and had given it to someone else."

"Why didn’t he kill you, Ms. Chandler?" Michael continued to question her.

"He found out I was pregnant. He wanted my child. I don’t know why."

"What happened?"

"After my son was born, he drugged me. I woke up in a hospital in California with no memory." Michael, please, don’t ask me about JV, she thought.

"When did your memory return?"

"Only just recently."

"What did you do, Ms. Chandler?"

"I talked to my old boss, Joe Maxwell. He told me Gabriel was dead. He would have my ‘body’ exhumed."

"You’ve been in California all this time?" Don’t ask what I do.

"Yes, I thought that was my real home."

"You’ve lost ten years of your life."

"Yes," Catherine whispered, tears in her eyes.

Michael signed off. "That’s all they need to know now. We can do a more in depth interview another time and go over the questions together."

Joel noticed her ring, "You’re engaged, Miss Chandler."

"Yes," she smiled looking down at her ring.

"While you had amnesia or more recently?"

"I got engaged at Easter, to my son’s father."

"Your story sounds like a novel. Someday Michael can tell me everything. When we’re covering a story in the back of beyond," he slapped Michael’s back. "I’ll get this over the wires to the studio. I doubt they’ll do any editing. They can’t trace this place."

"Will you interview with me again Catherine? I have a lot of questions and I’m not the soft hearted boy I used to be. I’m a hard hearted reporter."

"Maybe, at least I hope you’ll be fair. I may not answer all your questions, Michael, especially if they might endanger my son or Vincent."

"The fairy tale continues."

Joel returned, "Fairy tale, it sounds more like a Stephen King novel. We made the six o’clock news, Michael. Another coup for you. Maybe we can cover the wedding."

Catherine smiled, "My wedding will never be in the news, Joel. It is private, beyond private."

"We’ll see, eh Michael."

"She’s right Joel. It will never be on camera," he said, seriously. "Bye, Catherine. I’ll be in touch. You know the way out."

She heard Joel say, "If we promise no cameras will we be invited to the wedding? That’s one classy lady."

"I don’t know," Michael answered.

"Do we watch the news?" Catherine asked Vincent."

"I guess it’s best to know what is going on."

"We’d better run, then."

She tuned the TV to Michael’s station. Joel was right, the station did not edit her interview. The newscaster finished with a question, "Where is Catherine Chandler now? Why was her memory taken from her? Does this all go back to Gabriel or is someone else responsible?"

"Catherine, is there anything you would like to bring Below before news people find you?" Vincent placed his hands on her shoulders and rubbed gently at the knots of tension.

"I’m working on some projects and some wedding things."

"Let’s pack up what you want and go Below."

She went to the safe and gave him the container with the quilt and supplies she was working on and got the wedding things. "I need some more clothes and some sewing supplies from upstairs. Do you think this will be over soon?"

"I don’t know. If Pope feels threatened he’ll act right away."

"Did Devin bring Jenny Below yet?"

"I don’t know. I’m sure he’ll bring her as soon as he thinks he should for her safety."

They brought everything to the room Catherine was using that would soon be their bedroom. More changes had been made. The doorway had been enlarged. Some of her quilts were waiting to be hung and a big wardrobe had been brought in. She went to the wardrobe. "It’s beautiful, Vincent. It looks so old."

"It is old. Father sent it for you. He had it buried under books in his chamber."

The wardrobe had been newly waxed and polished. Lavender wands hung inside. She hung her clothes and wedding things in the wardrobe.

"Come see what’s been done to your room."

"Oh," tears filled her eyes. "You did this in only two days and watched over me too."

"Mouse and Kanin and I, and some of the others helped."

She circled the room. A rose brocade chair flanked a small round wooden table. A wardrobe with shelves was in the process of being restored, also a small lady’s desk. ‘I’m refinishing a wooden chair for you. I don’t know if I can bring in an electric line for a machine and a light."

"I don’t need electricity. I can use my machine at the shop or one of the treadle machines in the sewing room. Maybe enough candles or a hurricane lantern to sew by hand would be nice."

"I can do that. Tell me anything you want to add or would like to bring down from your place."

"My cabinet and my lions would look good in here."

"I’ll bring them down for you when the room is finished." He pulled out two wooden racks from behind the wardrobe. "I found these in a storage room. Ruth Ann tells me they can be used as quilt racks. I’ve cleaned them up for you. I also found these two pieces of wood I think might make nice quilt hangers."

She didn’t know what to say. He was making a special, cozy place just for her in his world. She slid her arms around him, laid her face on his chest. "Thank you for loving me so much, Vincent. Thank you for my room. I love it. I love you."

He rested his cheek on her hair, his arms encircled her. "I hoped you would like it. When it’s finished you can arrange it the way you like." He couldn’t help himself, he had to kiss her.

JV peeked in, "Are you two kissing again."

"We’re still catching up," Catherine laughed.

"Do you like your room, mom?"

"I love it."

"I saw these in the storage room when I went with dad." He handed her two brass candlesticks with roses etched in them." I cleaned them for you."

"They’re beautiful." She ran her fingers over the roses. "I’m going to put one in my room right now."

He handed her a cloth wrapped package of hand dipped candles. "These will fit." She put three candles in the holder and lighted them all and put it on the dresser.