The Chair by Michael Ziegler Read Free Book Online Page A

Catherine, I knew what must be going on in Ara’s mind. She was sizing Catherine up and comparing her with what she had anticipated. I felt awkward as I was trying to explain who this striking blonde in boots was standing next to me, both of us pointing weapons at another bizarre looking woman holding her hostage. I couldn’t tell her about the island, as it would compromise the people who wished to remain unknown.  It took awhile, but I managed to make up a suitable story, leaving out some details between Ara and myself, of course, that I knew she would certainly not want to hear. I told her there was a city somewhere in England that Ara and Paxton were from. The chairs were some sort of scientific experiment gone awry still in the experimental stage, causing Ara’s father to go missing. Catherine excused herself and left to freshen and clean up while Ara and I had to quickly decide what to do from there.
    “I better not go back just yet Richard… as Paxton said, they’d be waiting for me.” She leaned her back up against the wall looking a little bewildered.
    “What do you mean you better not go back yet? You mean we , I’m staying with you!”
    “No Richard, Catherine must be freaked out and she needs you here now. The chair and my father are not your problem; you don’t need to get any further involved in this.”
    “I don’t like anyone, especially a young punky girl like Paxton to tell me what I can and can’t do; I’m going back with you and see this thing through.”
    “And leave Catherine here wondering what’s happening to you again? No, I don’t think you could live with that.”
    Gently grasping her arm I looked in the eyes. “Look, Catherine is safe and she’ll be alright.
    As for me, I didn’t ask for all this, but I’ve been mixed up in it till now and I’m going to see it through; now let’s find your father and get that chair back!”
    She looked at me smiling that certain kind of smile. I was sure she was wondering if I was somehow beginning to show my concern for her now over Catherine.
    I was torn and had to be truthful about it; my confidence had been shaken and I was beginning to feel mixed emotions about everything now, but I also knew playing this thing out would make the picture clearer for me.
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER
    SEVEN
     
     
     
    W e found both trackers and carried them to the lower floor in the same room that the chair had occupied. It was getting late and Catherine had been worn out by the whole ordeal with Paxton. All three of us got into Catherine’s motor car and drove off to her flat. Upon arriving, we pulled around onto her street and parked in front. We walked in through the complex and around the first building. Her flat was up the steps on the second floor and three flats down. Catherine and Aura walked in first and when entering, I headed straight for the lav.
    Catherine, trying to be fair minded, made an offer. “Ara, you might as well stay here with Richard and I until it’s safe for you to go back to where ever it is you came from.”
    “Oh, uh, thank you Catherine; I ah, think you better talk to Richard about that; I believe he’s decided to come back with me to help find my father and recover the chair.”
     “What? Isn’t there anyone else that can help you with those things, I’ve been worried sick over him and I don’t want him in any more danger, please tell him to stay.”
    “I’ve told him he should stay but it seems he’s made up his mind.” She shrugged her shoulders.
    Catherine immediately walked over and found me already sitting in the living room.
    “Richard, you’re going back with her to…to where; someplace that I have no way of contacting you, or to know what’s going on? It’s all too confusing and I just don’t like it!”
    She lit a cigarette, took one puff and sat down on the couch staring off into space. “Who is this woman anyway? All of a sudden out of nowhere you two are together mixed up in some kind of