The Mystery of Chad Harris: Fate Delivers Us, Chapter Fourteen
 
 

The Russells and Chad were eating breakfast, when the doorbell rang. The maid went to answer it, and into the dining room walked George.

" George! Hey…you didn't tell us you were coming today.", TC said, getting up and shaking George's hand.

" Well, I finished in Picayune, and thought I'd come back and touch base."

George walked over to Madelaine, took her hand and kissed it. " How are you, Miz Madelaine. You look as beautiful as ever."

" And, you're still a charmer, George Alexopoulos."

George went and did the same to Piccola. " Miz Piccola."

" Mr. Alexopoulos."

TC offered George a seat, and the maid brought him a cup of coffee.

" So, Mr. A, did you find out anything about Crystal?", Chad asked.

" Some things. But, I don't really want to get into it with you, until I've finished my  research. I basically came to get the list of vendors for the Medallion."

" The Medallion?", Madelaine asked.

" Yes, Mama. You knew that Chad had come down because of research into his Medallion. Well, the professor gave Chad a list of people that he believes could have made it."

" I find that hard to believe. A list? How can he be sure?"

" He's not, Mrs. Russell. But, it's all we have to go, and we've got to try, right Mr. A?"

" Exactly, Chad. I'll do the legwork and see if we get anywhere. I've got a flight out in 2 hours. Chad, you want to go get the list?"

" Sure." Chad gets up to get the list from his room.

" George, it seems so unlikely that anyone could help Chad in his quest. Do you think it's possible to try and find out his origins?", Madelaine asks.

" I have to say that it's going to be difficult. But, I don't know. No one ever commits the perfect crime, Miz Madelaine. Twenty years of law enforcement has taught me that. And, just as there is no such thing as the perfect crime, there's no such thing as the perfect coverup. Somewhere, out there, is the proof about Chad's parentage. "

" You sound certain, George.", Eve comments.

" I am. All we need is a break in luck. Nobody ever has constant good luck or bad luck. Sometime, luck will change. You just have to be prepared when it does."

" Listening to you, Mr. A, I almost believe you.", Chad says, returning to the room, and handing the list to George.

" You should, Chad. I have faith. One of these days, these clues will all gel into a theory. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have travel arrangements to make. Miz Madelaine, I need access to a phone line, so that I can make them online."

" Certainly.", Madelaine gets up and leads George to her home office, complete with a phone line that she uses for her home computer.

"So, what are you kids going to do today?", TC asks.

" Whitney and I were going to walk around. She seems to know a lot of the history, and since is the closest that I've ever come to a vacation, I thought I'd make the most of it.", Chad said.

" You and Whitney together?", Eve asked.

" I'm sure you will have a good time.", TC said, cutting Eve off at the path. " Simone?"

" There's a new art show at the museum, Daddy. Previews, and since Grandmere is a member, she gets to see it first. Miz Piccola and I are going."

" I would love the company, Theodore.", Piccola adds.

" Of course. Well, your mother and I…we'll be spending the night at the Hotel Maison de Ville. We've heard how special it is, and I wanted to see it for myself."

" Have a good time, Daddy.", Whitney said.

" Thanks, Princess. I know we will."

George came back into the room. " Well, all my arrangements have been made, and I've made initial contact with an old FBI buddy who retired in the Caribbean. I should leave for the airport now. Chad, next time I see you, it will probably be back in Harmony. I should have a better report then. Miz Madelaine, thank you for your hospitality, and I hope to see you again soon."

" Same here, George. "

" Bye, everyone.", George said, as he left the room.

Madelaine looked at Piccola, who seemed to telegraph to her that she had to keep her cool, which she did.

" Well, Simone, don't you think that you should change?"

" Grandmere, what's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

" Surely you jest, Simone. Eve, don't YOU see the inappropriateness of Simone's outfit?"

Eve looked at her mother-in-law and bit her tongue. " Honey, you're going to a museum. It should be a little more formal."

Simone rolled her eyes, but muttered, " Alright. I'll change.", and left the room.

" I have to wonder Eve, what 'Do' you allow the girl to wear when she's at home?", Madelaine not-so-innocently asked.

Eve was about to respond when TC spoke up. " Mama, I think Eve and I need to get packing. I arranged for us to be able to check in early. We'll see you later, Mama.", TC said, going to kiss his mother on the cheek.

Chad totally observed this exchange with just a little bit of glee. He had never seen anyone go near 'putting down' Eve Russell as Madelaine had just done. Having been on the receiving end of Eve's ice storms more than once, he knew how much it stunk. He was amazed; Eve was an amateur compared to Madelaine Russell, and Chad once again reminded himself never to get on Madelaine's bad side, for he felt that she could become a slab of ice to those that she disliked.

Once TC and Eve were gone, Chad spoke up next. " Whitney, you want to go?"

Whitney smiled and nodded. She went to kiss both Madelaine and Piccola goodbye.

Now that they were alone, Piccola and Madelaine made their way to the sunroom.
Piccola spoke first. " George is very determined."

" Yes, he is. Do you think he'll be successful."

" No. "

" You heard what he said."

" Yes. And, I have no doubt that he's an excellent investigator. But, there aren't enough clues, Madelaine. He will investigate, and wind up at a dead end."

" He's so determined, Piccola. This isn't just another case. I can tell how much he likes Chad. He has an emotional investment in it, which might make him continue when other detectives would quit."

" It doesn't matter how good he is. The trail is dead. The truth about Chad Harris will remain a mystery. "

Madelaine was about to respond, when she heard Simone call out, " Grandmere. Miz Piccola?"

" We're in the Sun Room, Simone."

Simone comes in, dressed in a conservative, but, elegant suit.

Madelaine smiles. " Now, THAT is an appropriate outfit for an occasion like today."

" Thank you, Grandmere. Miz Piccola, you ready? Mister Jim is outside, ready to take us."

" Certainly Chile. Let me go fetch my pocketbook, and I'll be ready to go."

Madelaine watched as Piccola and Simone left for the museum. Then, Eve and TC came downstairs with their overnight bags.

" Mama, you have the number to the hotel, in case anything happens."

" Everything will be fine, Theodore. I hope the two of you have a good time.", Madelaine says with a smile. TC kisses her goodbye, as does Eve, and they drive away.

Madelaine closes her front door, and begins to walk around the living room of her house. She finds herself looking at various pictures of TC that filled the room. She finally picks up one of TC and her late husband, taken six weeks before her husband died. So many memories flooded back to her. The bond between them was so strong. There wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for the two of them. Anything.
 
 

Eve nearly squealed with delight, as the bellhop opened the door to their room.

" Oh, TC. It's just like in the brochure. This is so….so…"

" I know. Absolutely terrific. " TC tipped the bellhop as he left.

Eve threw her arms around her husband. " You have NO idea how happy I am to be here with you. Just the two of us." Eve kisses her husband.

" I know. I've been thinking about this all yesterday. "

" TC, we won't have to leave this room."

" While that is tempting, Dr. Russell, I have an evening planned, and I wanted us to enjoy it."

There is a knock on the door, and TC goes to answer it. He comes back with several boxes and hands them to Eve.

" What's this?"

" A gift. I was hoping that you'd wear it this evening."

Eve opened the boxes to find a complete outfit ready for her. The dress was a dark ivory satin that she knew would hug her body just so. And, he had shoes and a purse to also go with the outfit.

" TC…"

" You need to change."

Eve went into the bathroom, and showered and changed. When she came out, TC was dressed in his tuxedo.  She, of course, took his breath away. He didn't understand how she could still be as beautiful as the day they met all those years ago.

TC took her arm and they went downstairs to an awaiting horsedrawn carriage. TC made sure that Eve made it in, and she just hugged his arm. She couldn't think of anyplace else that she wanted to be.

The carriage took them down to the river, where they got out. The walked up to a Riverboat, and a gentlemen spoke to Eve:

" Welcome, Dr. Russell. Aboard the Riverboat Princess."

Eve walked onto the boat, and was led into a ballroom. A ballroom that was empty, save for an elaborately set table for two.

" TC, what is this?"

" My surprise. "

TC held out Eve's chair for her, and she sat. He then took his own seat.

" TC…HOW did you do this? Are we the only ones here?"

TC nods. " Yep. It's a secret."

" TC!"

TC laughs. " Ok. One of the major partners in the boat is Mama's godson. The boat won't officially be open for another six weeks, but, they have to take it out, to make sure that it's running. Well, in order for it not to be a total bust, and to get the staff broken in, they're renting the boat out."

" TC! RENTING?!"

" Don't worry, Eve. It wasn't outrageous. After all that Mama did to help him get his gambling license, calling friends on the Gaming Commission, introducing him to the right people, it was the least he could do. And, he was happy to do it. "

" So, it’s just the two of us."

" And a skeleton crew."

A man walks up. " Mr. And Mrs. Russell…..dinner is served."

Eve saw a group of waiters come out with several dishes, and served them a little of everything. They ate the dinner.

" I can’t believe everything was so good."

" They hired an excellent chef. I told them to wait on dessert. I thought we’d do a little dancing and a little gambling first."

" Dance…how?"

TC turned to nod at the Head Steward and the next thing Eve knew, about a dozen men, carrying instruments were setting up at the edge of the room, and they were wheeling in a piano. Eve just looked at TC in awe, and in a few minutes, the music began to play.

" May I have this dance, Dr. Russell?"

" Absolutely."

Eve and TC went to the center of the dance floor. Eve loved being in TC’s arms like this. There was no place safer. She just let him lead, and they were floating across the dance floor.

" They’re good, TC."

" Yep."

" I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be than here with you."

" You know I feel the same. I know that you had problems with me inviting Chad."

Just the mention of his name tensed Eve up, and TC could tell. " TC, this night is about you and me. We can discuss Chad anytime. Not now."

TC kisses her on the cheek. " Ok, Baby, not now."

Eve closed her eyes as the song played. Though there were no words, she knew all the words to the song, because she used to sing it often.
 

How can I tell you what is in my heart?
How can I measure each and every part?
How can I tell you how much I love you?
How can I measure just how much I do?

How much do I love you?
I'll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?

How many times a day do I think of you?
How many roses are sprinkled with dew?

How far would I travel
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?

And if I ever lost you
How much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?

Title:               How Deep Is The Ocean (How High Is The Sky)
Written by:      Irving Berlin
 

Eve opened her eyes and lifted her face from TC’s. She had tears in her eyes, and TC’s smile turned to a face of worry.

" Eve, what’s wrong?"

" I…..I…I love you, TC."

" I know that, Baby."

" No, I REALLY love you. You have no idea how much."

" Yes, I do. I know that I’m the luckiest man in the world."

" Always, TC?"

" Always, Dr. Russell."

Eve put her arms around TC’s neck and placed her head on his shoulder. The closer she got to him, the happier she would be. She loved him, totally. Completely.

Eve didn’t even notice the time that had passed, when the band leader gave a motion to TC.

" Uh, Eve, I think their time is up."

" Really?"

TC looked at his watch. " We’ve been dancing for over an hour."

" Funny, it seems like a few minutes."

" Ready for dessert?"

" Sure. "

They had a strawberry shortcake that was absolutely divine. The cake itself was so light, it nearly floated off the plate, and the combination of strawberries, with the whipped crème just melted in Eve’s mouth. She and TC took turns feeding one another dessert. When they were finished, TC kissed Eve.

" They’re ready for us to gamble."

" I don’t want to. Can’t we just go outside and enjoy the air."

Eve got up, and walked towards the door, out on deck, while TC informed the Steward. TC joined Eve on deck. The water was calm. There was a little thickness in the air, but, the air was warm and soothing.

" I love coming down here.", Eve admits.

" I know. You’ve always enjoyed our visits."

" Maybe it’s the atmosphere. The slowness. But, there’s something that makes me at ease."

" When I was a little boy, and Mama used to bring me down here for part of the summer, I loved riding the riverboat too. Even though it’s more developed now, there are still parts unspoiled. All of my roots are along this riverbed. Mama’s family arriving here in the 1700’s, and Daddy’s ancestor Russell escaping from these parts in 1810. I do feel a kinship with these parts. "

They stood at the edge of the riverboat, watching the paddle as the boat made it’s way down the river. They didn’t need to talk, and Eve always liked that about them. They could sit for long periods of time, just enjoying one another’s company. It had always been that way.

They finished up their trip, and thanked the crew. TC had arranged for the horsedrawn carriage to meet them at the boat. They made their way back to the hotel. TC had ordered some brandy, and he offered her a glass. He went to the CD player, and put on a favorite song of his.
 

Maybe it's because the kiss you gave me, touched my heart and went right through.
I can't tell you why, I only know that I fell helplessly in love with you.
How I fell in love with you!
 
 

Eve took TC’s hand, and began to dance with him. She kissed him softly, then more passionately. Sometimes, she couldn’t help herself. She told herself that she just wanted to keep ‘the spice’ in her marriage. She couldn’t admit to herself the darkness from which this sprung.

Eve pushed TC down on the ottoman in the living room.

" Eve!", TC said, but, before he could say anymore, Eve had covered his mouth with a wild kiss. TC couldn’t say anything because before he knew it, his jacket and tie were off, and Eve was already unbuttoning his shirt, and trailing kisses down his chest. She then moved back up to his neck and nuzzled him, all the while, her fingernails were clawing into his back. TC moaned.
 

I could say you're grand and therefore I care for you so.
But there is a why and wherefore and I'd like to know.
Maybe it's because the star I wished on, made a certain wish come true.
 
 

Before he could get comfortable and into a rhythm, Eve stood up before him, and let the satin dress fall flat on the floor, leaving her only in her strapless bra and panties. TC maneuvered the bra away from her, and took just a second to take in her nude body. He was already hard with desire for her, but, he was still stunned how much he ached for her, even after all these years. Yes, he loved her, but, when Eve did things like this, it drew nothing but the most primal connection between them. The look in her eyes, on her face, it was like he was looking at a stranger. He didn’t understand it, but, he couldn’t help himself. She was like a siren, breaking down any and all barriers that he had, forcing herself upon those parts of his manhood and soul that he kept for himself for self-protection.

TC could feel Eve unzipping his pants. She was in control. Complete control, and they both knew it. TC felt himself inside of her, and released a moan. She was driving him out of control, and over the brink, between her kisses, her hands and her hips. TC thrusts to meet her desires, and the two of them realize that they are near their climax. As it overcomes both of them, they both moan out loud for one another, and enjoy the moment.
 

Or it just should be that you were meant for me, and maybe I was meant for you.
Maybe it's because the song we danced to, told a story old and new.
I can't figure out just why it came about.

Track Title:               Maybe It's Because
Written by:                Irving Berlin
 

As they come back to their senses, slowly, Eve looks into TC’s eyes, and before he can ‘correct’ himself, he betrays his darkest, innermost thoughts. For she has confirmation of what he has told her, but, she might have thought was just ‘talk’: that he would do ANYTHING to keep her. Anything.