STAINED GLASS, BY RICHARD DAVIES & LILI TURKZADEH, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT AUTHORHOUSE.COM & BOOKSTORES! A NEW EDITION. A romantic mystery novel unlike others written. Catherine is a happily married woman who seems to have everything until she falls in love with the man of her dreams. The dreams are so real that she feels certain that this man exists, and sets out to find him. Thus begins a mystery that takes many twists and turns until it reaches a shocking, unexpected ending!

Excerpts from Stained Glass by Richard Davies and Lili Turkzadeh.

New Edition now available at Authorhouse.com and bookstores!

Stained Glass is a romantic mystery novel, unlike most written.

The story centres on Catherine Colonessi, a young married woman who appears to have everything.

A beautiful home in Beverly Hills, a successful husband, and wonderful teenage son.

All seems to be well, until she falls in love with a man in her dreams.

These dreams are so real, and sequential, that Catherine finds difficulty in separating dreams from reality.

She feels sure that Benjamin, the man of her dreams, exists, and tries to find him.

Thus begins the mystery which takes many twists and turns, until it reaches a shocking, unexpected ending.

Beverly Hills. Present.

Catherine was awakened suddenly...

Griselda, her housekeeper, was knocking on the bedroom door. An instant later, the door almost burst from it's hinges as Adrianna entered in typical dramatic fashion.

“Come on Cathy. I ‘m running late. Some of us have to work for a living.” She added, tongue in cheek.

Griselda, who had tried unsuccessfully to prevent Adrianna from entering, gave a look of disapproval and returned to her housework.

Adrianna was Catherine’s older sister by one year. They were of Italian descent, and as like, yet unalike as sister's can be. Both had raven black hair, and olive skin. Adrianna was a very attractive women, and Catherine a timeless beauty.

“Just give me a minute hon.” Catherine entered her bathroom.

“I'll get us cappuccinos.” Adrianna said, as she left the room.

A short time later she found Adrianna and Griselda in the kitchen.

“I 'll be doing hair and then lunch with madam. She'll bring me home afterwards.” She informed Griselda before they left the house.

Outside, the sun was already warm, and promised a hot day.

Catherine's house on Maple Drive was smaller than many of the dwellings in Beverly Hills. It was a impressive Mediterranean style two level home of terracotta, marble and Italian stone.

As they drove towards the nearby shopping district, Catherine looked out of the car’s window and thought about her life. She had lived in that house ever since she married her husband Franco, eighteen years earlier.

Her parent's Paulo and Anna had immigrated to the United states, as many had after the Second world war. They were both from a small town in Italy, and maintained strict old world beliefs. Their own marriage had been arranged, and they strived to continue the custom once Adrianna and Catherine were of age.

Catherine was just fifteen when she was introduced to Franco by her father, and wed at sixteen. Their son Franco Junior had been born a year later. It seemed as if it was just yesterday, to her.

“So where’s that husband of yours this time?” Adrianna asked as she drove.

“That husband’s name is Franco, if you don’t mind. He’s in Milan. It’s that time of the year again.”

“How come you never go with him on his trips, anymore? You used to.” Adrianna replied, and suddenly swerved passed a slower moving car. “Damn tourists!” She shouted after them.

“Be careful Adi.” Catherine gasped at her wild manoeuvres.

After a time, she regained her composure. “It gives Franco some time to bond with his father.”

“Like two peas in a pod.” Adrianna added with sarcasm.

Unlike her sister, she had rebelled against her parents, and refused to be married, be it arranged or otherwise.

Catherine had not been on a business trip with her husband for many years. Franco did not ask her to accompany him; she did not pressure him to go. They tried it when Junior was a baby, but it was extremely stressful; But now Junior was away at school following in his father’s footsteps, Catherine could have joined Franco any time but for some

reason chose not to.

“You’re quiet this morning.” Adrianna commented as she pulled her car to a screeching stop outside of Pierre’s beauty salon, on Rodeo Drive.”

“What? Oh sorry. I was miles away.”

Adrianna smiled and kissed Catherine on her cheek. “See you for lunch.” She waived and then gunned the car into traffic, to the blaring protests of aggravated drivers.

Catherine watched as her sister raced with another vehicle along the street, shook her head, and entered the salon.

“Bon Jour, Catherine.” Pierre was waiting for her at the front desk. “And how is my beauty, ce matins? I see Adi is still taking on the world.”

Catherine laughed as they hugged.

Pierre was not really French. He was actually born, Billy Bob Buford, in Butte, Montana, but had changed his name, amongst other things and moved to Los Angeles when he realised that his life-style was different from that of his cowboy neighbours. Pierre had been Catherine and Adrianna's hair stylist for many years. He was the proprietor of the now famous salon, and personally chose his own clientèle; the large staff took care of the other customers.

“What does Madame want me to do with her merveilleux chevaux, today?”

“The usual.” Catherine replied, and settled into the chair.

He styled her hair, and gave her an update on the local gossip, while she listened intently, and chuckled at his entertaining stories. She always enjoyed her visits with Pierre.

“C’est finis!” Pierre said, as he gave a flamboyant gesture. “Well, ma belle? What do you think?”

“It looks great as always. Thank you baby.” Catherine replied.

They walked arm in arm to the reception area.

“Give my love to madame?” Pierre said and watched her leave.

Catherine had some time before before her lunch date with Adrianna, and decided to do some window-shopping.

The stores in Beverly Hills pride themselves on their stunning window displays, and are in constant competition with each other.

As she glanced in one of her favourite boutiques, something caught her eye. It was an objet d'art, and Catherine stopped to take a closer look. It appeared to be a stained glass design.

“Pardon me for bothering you miss, but what do you think of it?” Catherine was joined by a man who seemed equally interested in the same item.

“I love it.” She said.

“Thank you, but I am still not entirely satisfied.” The man replied. “You see, that top right corner needs more work, but I am always pleased to hear another’s point of you.”

“Is this yours. I mean, did you make it?” Catherine asked.

“Yes, guilty as charged I’m afraid;” and they turned to face each other...

Finally, he broke the silence.

“My name is Benjamin. Benjamin Northam.” He held out his hand and Catherine responded by grasping it tightly.

“I’m Catherine. I was thinking of buying your work.”

“Oh God, please don’t buy it from here. They will absolutely overcharge you and I can create the same thing, if you like, for a nominal price…or what about free?”

She laughed. “Yes I would like that very much, but of course I'd want to pay for it…

“Look…I know this is rather forward of me,” Benjamin asked hesitantly, “but would you be my guest for lunch? I haven’t eaten since this morning and wondered if…?”

“Where would you like to eat?”

“Oh, would you mind choosing, please? I am not at all familiar with this area. I only came here today to deliver my stained glass to this store.”

“I know just the place and its real close. Let's go.”

Benjamin was tall, slim and forty years of age. He wore a casual suit and open necked dress shirt.

She excused herself and quickly called Adrianna on her cell phone to cancel their lunch date. Adrianna did not mind as she was very busy that morning. She was the proud owner of a very successful gift boutique business close by on Beverly Drive.

It was still early when they entered the little corner bistro. The owner showed them to a table.

“The pasta is great, here,” she told Benjamin as their waitress arrived.

“That sounds first rate to me.” They ordered pasta dishes and a bottle of the house wine.

“Your stained glass work is really wonderful. Where did you learn the technique?” Catherine asked, over drinks.

“My father taught me; It's a trade that has been in our family for generations, back in England. He was mostly a repair and replacement glazier so he taught me all the tricks of his trade. I just took it a stage further.” Benjamin smiled as he fondly remembered his parents... “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but would you like to visit my work shop after lunch?”

“Yes, I want to.”

The food arrived and it was as good as Catherine had promised. Benjamin ordered another bottle of wine. They ate, drank, and talked about many things.

“I'm parked on Canon Drive, near Santa Monica Boulevard, I think?” He said when they left the bistro. “The thing is you see...I’m lost.” He added with a boyish grin.

“We're real close if you know the short cuts. Walk this way!” And he laughed.

After a short time Benjamin spotted his parked vehicle. “I was certain that it was lost forever.”

He opened the passenger door for Catherine.

“I like your car. What is it?”

“It is a Jaguar.”

“That's what I have.” She replied. “But I've never seen one like this, before?”

“It's old, like me.” He smiled.

Benjamin drove through Beverly Hills, and at Sunset Boulevard turned towards the coast.

Catherine paid little attention to the journey. She was solely interested in him.

She told him how much she loved to sketch, and planned to attend an art school at one time, but it was one of those fantasies that never happened. He told her that his passion was oil painting, and had some of his work exhibited, but the glass work paid the bills.

The sky became cloudy as they drew nearer to the coast. A fine sea mist filled the air; unusual for the time of year.

He turned onto a smaller side road just before they reached the coastal highway.

The road quickly became narrower, and Catherine realised that she was now as lost as he had been in Beverly Hills. She wondered how 'wild driving' Adrianna would have negotiated the sharp bends in the road. It was lined with thick undergrowth, and all at once climbed steeply. Then, just as suddenly they were again in the open.

Benjamin pulled into a driveway.

“Here we are.” He gestured towards a small cottage.

Catherine quickly got out of the passenger side and stood on the summit of a cliff that overlooked the ocean.

“That's an astonishing view.”

“I know. I am very lucky.” Benjamin joined her.

The house was a Cape Cod style home constructed of stone and wood, and Catherine thought it looked unusually old for Southern California.

“Let me show you the workshop,” Benjamin suggested, and they walked the cobbled pathway that lead to the cottage.

“Oh my, that’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Jasmine is my favorite flower. Did you do this?” Catherine admired the stained glass window in the front door.

“Yes I did.” Benjamin said proudly. “I am so delighted that you like it, because I feel that it is my best work.”

“I don’t like it. I love it.” Her hand slipped into his. “Let’s go inside.”

Benjamin unlocked the front door and held it open while she entered.

“I’ll get us drinks. What would you like?”

“Do you have wine?”

“Yes. Please excuse me; I will be back in a jiffy! Make your self comfortable.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

She looked about the house. It had a cosy living room, and felt as though it had been unchanged for years. Catherine noticed an oil painting on the wall, and wondered if it might be Benjamin’s work. Just then, she heard a noise from the direction of the kitchen.

“Are you OK.?”

“Yes. Thanks. I’ll be right there.” He replied.

A burnished silver frame on a side table caught her attention. Catherine recognized a photograph of Benjamin with his arm around a young woman.

He reappeared, holding two glasses of wine.

“Sorry about that. Had to find clean glasses...That marvellous woman is my sister, Louisa.” He said with pride. “She lives just a stone’s throw from here. Cheers.” He handed her a glass.

“To us.” She replied.

“I’m in love you know.” He said quietly.

“ So am I.”

They slowly drank, and then he came to her.

Benjamin took their glasses and placed them on the table. She knew what was about to happen and waited in anticipation. Their lips finally met for the first time. They kissed passionately. Catherine had never kissed a man, any man, in that way. She felt light-headed; did not want it to ever end.

It was Catherine who led Benjamin by the hand up the staircase towards the bedroom. She seemed instinctively to know the way. Neither one spoke. She undressed him. He did the same to her, and they made love. They flowed as one; explored each other as children; were as passionate as young lovers. Their hunger seemed insatiable, and they made love until both spent and exhausted, fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Catherine was suddenly awakened.

“Miss Catherine?” It was Griselda knocking on the door. Catherine was confused.

'How does Griselda know where I am?'

She turned to Benjamin, but he was not by her side. Panicked, she quickly looked around the room, and then she understood.

She was in her own bed, and had been dreaming.

'But how can a dream be so real and so detailed?' She thought.

Catherine had never experienced one like that. She closed her eyes tightly in an attempt to return to it.

The door suddenly flew open and Adrianna came rushing in.

“Come on Cathy. I ‘m running late. Some of us have to work for a living.”

A tremor went through Catherine’s entire body as Adrianna spoke exactly the same sentence as she had in her dream.

“What’s the matter babes? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost? Do I look that bad?.. Are you are all right?” Catherine’s face was ashen.

She stared at Adrianna for some time, and then finally spoke.

“Oh...yes, sorry...I...I just had the most amazing dream. I wasn’t sure where I was, for a moment. I'm still kinda confused... Ever had one like that?”

“All the time. Now look Sleeping Beauty. Its 8.30, and we’re late. I hate to be the one to bring you back from la – la land, but you have an appointment with Pierre at 9, and I would like to make an appearance at the store sometime this week.!”

“Sorry. Just give me a minute.” Catherine said as she arose from her bed.

“I'll get us ...”

“Cappuccinos, yes I know.” Catherine interrupted.

“You are so weird.” Adrianna replied as she left the room.....

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She made entries in her diary;

6a.m.

‘All I can focus on is how good I feel when I’m with you...Your voice, your touch - make me shiver. I count the minutes until we meet again... You have turned my world upside-down. Your smile warms me to my very bones... I feel as one with you - attached to you by some unseen force, which entwines our hearts. My memories of others have become muddled, because of you... I know that you are awake before I am. I sense it, the same way we can feel the warmth of the Sun in the sky, when still asleep.’

A tear appeared in her eye as she closed her diary, knowing that he was but a dream.......

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“What can I do for you Mrs. Colonessi?” Peter Webster sat at his desk.

“I want you to find someone, Mr Webster.”

“I see. Call me Peter. I make no guarantees. Mr Petri is a good man so I'll listen to what you have to tell me and then I'll decide if I want to take your case. Sound fair?”

“Very fair.” Catherine opened her purse, took some sketches out, and handed them to Peter. “I want you to find this man. His name is Benjamin Northam.”

He studied the sketches. “No photos?”

“No. But these should help. That's a good likeness of him.”

“When did you last see Benjamin Northam, and where was it?” He asked, as he took notes.

“...The other day at his house. It's somewhere here in Santa Monica, I believe.”

“So, you've been to his house, Mrs. Colonessi?”

“Oh, yes... But I can’t find it. I’ve tried, but it’s not where I thought it was, I guess.”

“Interesting... OK. Here's how it works. Before I decide to take your case, I 'll need to do a background check on you. It's standard procedure. I have to make sure that you are on the up and up. Is that going to be a problem?”

“No, no problem. I just need you to find this man, quickly...It's important that…”

-----------------------------------------------------

“Please don’t open it, yet. We must have champagne for this occasion.” He poured two glasses.

Catherine felt like a child, waiting to open a present.

“What is it?”

“A toast to Catherine and Benjamin. May nothing ever come between us.” He said.

“Yes, to us.”

“All right, now you may peek.”

Catherine slowly opened the lid. Inside, she found a smaller Limoge box. She quickly opened it. There, before her was a diamond ring, sparkling in the flickering candle light.

“Oh! Benjamin.”

He had quietly slipped out of his chair, and knelt beside her.

“Marry me Catherine. Make my life complete.”

“Yes. I will marry you, my darling.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Thank you.” Benjamin placed the ring on her finger, and they kissed.

He swept her up into his arms, and carried her to the bedroom....

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“We're starting our landing approach. Please make sure that your seatbelts are fastened and all seats are in their upright position. Thank you for flying American.”

The plane descended through the cloud cover, and Baltimore airport, shrouded in rain, slowly became visible.

What Catherine had told him during that last telephone conversation startled his curiosity. He wondered if something had happened to suddenly change her mind about the search, and hoped it wasn't anything bad or criminal? Peter had been a detective for too long and was suspicious of everyone.

He had finally found a Benjamin Northam, artist, after a lengthy internet search. There wasn't much information. He had two paintings put on show at Baltimore National Gallery some years before, and every exhibited artist was listed in the website's archives. Northam was apparently a local artist from Ocean View, Maryland.

Peter had not informed Catherine, because he was smart enough to know that Benjamin Northam meant more to her than just a good friend, and he did not want to give her any false hopes.

It was a long shot to be sure, but it was all Peter had uncovered, and he didn't like to give up. ...