Page 5 of Enkindling

He was a few inches taller than Officer Reynolds and well-built. His outfit was simple – long, black trousers, leather shoes, a simple red flannel shirt left untucked with long sleeves that had been rolled up to the elbow, and a dark cloak slung over his shoulders, which he had been wearing when I had seen him earlier in town. Like the other men around him, he had a rapier hanging from his waist, but he was starkly casual compared to them. The most notable difference, though, was the obvious gap in years. Where Officer Reynolds’ smooth features and easy manner were the clear markers of his youth, Will’s face was rugged and hardened in ways that only age could achieve. Only one of the three officers present seemed to be older. He was still as good-looking as I remembered him and possessed an unmistakable vitality and presence befitting a man in his prime, but his bearing was that of one with long and varied experience in the world. His eyes, in particular, were arresting.

They found mine, now, and he instantly directed his steps toward me, the two officers following in his wake. The pounding in my ears seemed to intensify with each footstep. I stood transfixed, gazing upon a veritable ghost and yet a man alive. I knew I was praying internally, but whatever thoughts went into that were far from coherent.

He stopped right in front of me, and we stared at each other in silence.

I cast about in my thoughts for something to say – anything – but came up empty.I’m staring at a ghost, I told myself.But he’s right here! This is real…

“Hello, Kathleen,” Will said, breaking the silence almost immediately, and I realized belatedly that his arm was hanging in the air between us.

“H-hi…” I managed and took his hand rather clumsily, still half expecting to slip right through him. But he was solid. He washere.

“It’s good to see you’re doing well. Not going to collapse on me again, are you?” He looked me over thoroughly.

I flushed. “S-same…” I stuttered, eyes still wide. I shook my head a little to clear it. “I meant it’s good to seeyou’rewell.”Dammit, Kathy, get it together!

He released my hand, and it fell limply to my side again. I hadn’t been able to look away from him even once, but his attention was already elsewhere, his eyes sweeping over our surroundings. “So, this is where you live? Seems nice.”

“Not mine,” I responded instantly, even as I wondered why. “Rented… This is where I stay for the time being. The university…” I didn’t even attempt to turn to see what was holding his attention. Only Will mattered.

“Right,” he said as he continued to look around contemplatively. “Well, I have a few things for you back in the cab. I’ll get them for you in a second.”

The contrast between us was glaring. Where he was calm, cool, and collected, and completely capable of paying me no mind, I was a blubbering, flustered mess reduced to staring at him helplessly like some cornered rabbit or some besotted schoolgirl – I didn’t know which. I was aware of this, and it annoyed me greatly.

Thankfully, the oldest officer came to my rescue. “Pardon me, professor, sir,” he said stepping forward and clearing his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I believe we have a bit ofbusiness to attend to. I am Captain Geoffrey Smith. This shouldn’t take long.”

“Of course, captain.” I turned to shake his hand and managed to find my tongue at last. “By all means.”

Will surveyed him coolly, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his cloak still draped over his shoulder.

“Professor Cruz, we’ve had a chance to question this man,” the captain pressed on. “Now, I’d like you to confirm what he’s said. I’m only doing this to avert suspicion. He insists you know each other. He’s responsible for your fainting spell earlier, and he’s gone so far as to spend money unsolicited on your behalf. He says you’ve known each other for quite a long time. It seemsto me you do know each other, but I must be sure of the circumstances of your acquaintance for your safety. You’ll pardon my saying, but your greeting just now seemed less than warm.”

“I understand, captain,” I replied. “He told the truth when he said we’ve known each other a long time.”

“Do you mind telling me how long?”

I thought for a moment, not because it was hard to remember but because of the sheer length of time, it had been. I could neverforget the first time I met William Carter. “Sixteen years, captain.”

“Hmm,” the captain murmured, stroking his beard, and looking at Will. “The gentleman is rather laconic for my taste, but that is indeed the number he gave us on our way here. So, he’s family then?”

“A friend of the family,” I responded, fighting the urge to have a bitter laugh at that.

“And am I to understand that this man is no threat to you?”

I smiled at that. “None at all, captain. I might even say I’m safer with him than I am with yourself and your fine colleagues.”

The captain cocked an eyebrow and threw a glance at Will. “Oh? Very well, then.”

“I assure you, captain. You have no cause for concern. My episode earlier was caused only by the fact that I hadn’t seen him in years and was certain I would never see him again. I’m still having trouble believing all this is happening.”

“I see…” The captain had been observing us both very intently, and now he seemed satisfied enough, though he had some lingering misgivings. “I apologize. I have nothing on him that would justify detaining him. It’s just we’ve been able to get some little precious things out of him. He’s not one for words.”

“Sounds about right, captain,” I declared with what cheer I could muster. “But he is a dear friend.”

“Well, that’s that, I suppose,” the captain announced with a sigh. He turned to Will. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but we’re just doing our job, Mr. Carter.”

“You’d have been fools not to,” Will remarked.

The captain let out an amused snort. “You’re right, at that. Notwithstanding, we’ll be keeping an eye out. Professor Cruz, we remain at your service. Mr. Carter, I’ll be seeing you again, I’m sure.”

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