The Time Heiress Read Online Free

she’d want to make these training sessions a priority if she’s so desperate to make this journey.”
    “True. But the most important thing is that you be prepared. You’re the guide. So, anyway, coming back up toward Twelfth Street, you can see that where this little alley used to be there is now a store front, and inside, our portal lab.”
    “I can’t wait to see it tomorrow for real. Let’s see some more of the area.”
    The floating image continued up Broadway to Union Square, then wandered westward, along Fourteenth Street, down Sixth Avenue and then turned east onto Waverly Place with its solid little brick houses, well-cared-for gardens in the front, and lace curtains fluttering at the windows. It continued along Washington Square Park, down Lafayette to Fourth Street. Here and there a tenement building made an appearance. Laundry flapped from makeshift lines strung wall to wall. The scientists wandered down the holographic streets where a bakery snuggled up to a butcher shop, which neighbored a cheese shop, set up next to a cobbler. Make-believe people, appropriately attired for the era, went on about their business.
    “Amazing how little the actual streets have changed,” Cassandra commented.
    “It will be fascinating to experience. I envy you. I remember the thrill of trying to fit in—of passing yourself off as someone you’re not.”
    “I never really thought of it as a thrill.”
    “Maybe it’s better, then, that I’m not going. I supposed the thrill is not a very scientific reason for traveling.” 
    “Honestly,” remarked Cassandra, “I’m fairly nervous about what we may encounter. Although the layout of the city hasn’t changed since the 1850s, other things have. We’ll have to be cautious no matter what we do or where we go. It was a chaotic time in New York.”
    He turned to her, his face serious. “Cassandra, promise me you will stay away from any rough areas. If you think someplace or someone seems even the slightest bit sketchy, just steer clear. I can’t have you getting curious and ending up in a compromising situation.”
    “I think I’ll know what and whom to stay away from.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
    “We’ll be keeping a low profile.”
    “But I’m sure your simply being there will attract enough attention. You’re both so beautiful.”
    “Well, Evie maybe, but you overestimate my charms.”
    He took her hand and kissed it. “She doesn’t hold a candle to you.”
    “Now you’re just lying.” She laughed, and stood. She gathered up the empty food containers and tossed them into the recycler. “But, whatever you say.” She kissed him on the forehead. “I better get going.”
    He stood up and grabbed her arm, pulling her in close. “Why don’t you come home with me tonight?”
    “You know I have to get up early!”
    “Okay, then I’ll go home with you.”
    She laughed. “It wouldn’t make any difference. I wouldn’t get any sleep.”
    “I promise I’ll let you sleep.” He kissed her neck.
    “No, Nick, I can’t."
    “Come on—” He tightened his embrace while continuing to kiss her neck and face.
    “Nick.”
    “We can do it right here,” he whispered to her.
    “No!” she said, squirming out of his grasp.
    He turned back to the hologram of New York City, his face hot.
    “Nick, don’t be angry.”
    He took a deep breath and turned back to her, forcing a smile. “I’m not. I just don’t get enough time with you. And soon you’ll be gone.” He sat back down at her desk and stared at the hologram.
    “Goodnight.”
    He heard her close the door. Ordering all the power in the room off, he sat in the dark, staring straight ahead at nothing.
    *****
    New York City was as beautiful and changeable as Cassandra had ever seen it on an April morning. Flashes of bright blue sky flirted from behind the skyscrapers, only to be overcome by clouds frantically whipping past. The scent of the ocean blew in with them, the