Ronnie looked at Kellie then Lance and back to Kellie.
“What do you want to know?”
Kellie softened her voice hoping she could play good cop, “I believe you know how the madness wraith was wished into the park through the wishing well. She’ll kill more people than the two men already dead. I’d like to do what I can to keep our town safe and send her back to wherever she was before.”
Ronnie laughed. “Are you crazy? If I admitted to knowing anything about that, they'd prove that I killed Zach and cut off his head. I’m not going to prison.”
“They have Alyssa’s journal,” Kellie retorted. “The police know what happened.”
Ronnie shook his head. “She does drugs. You can’t believe a word she says or writes. Anyway, she hates me for what happened. We broke up, and she left town for good.”
Lance looked at Kellie, and she stepped back against the wall. He walked closer to the cell and said, “Okay, listen up. I’m not sure how you and Alyssa did it, but you brought an evil creature to Malone Springs. Do you know she’ll kill anyone who gets in her way? She tried to kill Mrs. Noles here earlier today. She’ll go after the people you care about. She’ll kill Alyssa,” Lance paused to gauge Ronnie’s reaction.
Satisfied he was starting to get through to the man, Lance continued, “You don’t seem overly concerned. This wraith is monstrous. She draws the blood from her victims through their skin with her fingertips. At times, she kills quickly if she needs the blood or feels she might be seen. Other times she takes time, often several hours to drain the blood. That’s why they refer to her as a madness wraith. She can drive her victims insane slowly as she draws out their blood. She may not go after Alyssa since she seems to be hiding. My best guess is she’ll go after your aunt.”
“No,” Kellie gasped. Tears ran down her cheeks uncontrollably. Her fear for Mrs. Donahue was real. Although, Claudia protected her now, the thought of the woman coming to any harm caused Kellie pain.
Ronnie jumped from his cot and rushed to the bars. Gripping them in his hands, he yelled, “You’re crazy. There’s no such thing.” He shook visibly, and Lance knew his description frightened the man. It was time to bring him to his knees and get answers.
“The wraith likes to kill at night. Your aunt injured her knee or hip recently didn’t she? Maybe her pain medication may keep her asleep during the attack. I would hate to see her wake and feel the cold fingers press into her and draw her blood out. She might be afraid enough she’d have a heart attack which would be easier than the death she’d suffer by being bled to death. However, I heard your aunt’s a strong woman. She might live long enough to suffer through the physical pain and lose her mind.”
Kellie knew Lance spun a story for Ronnie’s benefit, but she couldn’t stop the tears and openly wept. She threw her hands over her face.
Ronnie dropped back down on the cot and wiped tears from his face. “Mrs. Noles, I heard you fight spirits. Please keep my aunt safe. We never meant for any of this to happen. Alyssa had nothing to do with it except to witness my actions the night Zach died. It was my idea, and Maisy helped me. She studies supernatural beings and thought it might be fun to try and bring one here. I never thought it’d work. She’s safe, though. She’s hiding at her grandparents for a while.”
Kellie dried the tears from her eyes and walked up to the bars. “Maisy who?”
“O’Neil, her cousin Hunter lives down the street from my aunt.”
Kellie’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh no, I know Maisy. She’s at Grandma and Grandpa O’Neil’s. They’re the sweetest people you’d ever want to know. If something happens to them, I’ll kill you myself. You won’t need to wait for the wraith to come for you,” Kellie yelled at Ronnie.
Lance put his arm around Kellie to try and calm her. “Okay, Donahue, it’s time you explain everything. We don’t have much time before the police kick us out and if you expect Kellie to help anyone, we need answers now.”
Kellie and Lance listened while Ronnie explained everything that happened and what he knew. Kellie had heard enough and was happy when her uncle unlocked the door and told them their time was up. She strode past Mike without a word, grabbed her purse and phone from the guard on duty, and pushed her way out the door into the cool evening air. Lance followed her and took her by the arm to keep her from falling.
Lance pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m going to call Claudia to see if she can protect Hunter’s grandparents. Call Hunter and see if he can get Maisy to help us. She may listen to him better than if we just show up.”
Kellie nodded and dialed Hunter’s cell. “Hi, how are you? Doing as well as can be, thanks. I have a favor. Lance and I spoke with Mrs. Donahue’s nephew down here at the jail. He said his girlfriend isn’t responsible for helping him bring the evil here, but your cousin Maisy helped him. She’s hiding at your grandparent’s farm. Could you ask her to speak with us? I need to know what she did to bring that creature here and maybe I can figure how to send it back. Okay, thanks.”
Lance looked at Kellie. “Don’t’ worry; Claudia said the entire farm is now protected. Is Hunter going to help?”
“Yes, he’s going to talk to Maisy.”
~ * ~
Hunter slid his phone into his pocket mumbling, “I’m going to strangle her.”
“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked.
“Can you believe of all the people in town, my wacky cousin Maisy helped Ronnie Donahue bring whatever caused that awful fog into our lives.”
Taylor’s face paled at the memory of that night. “Maisy? Why?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. She’s hiding at our grandparent’s farm. Maisy could get them all killed. I’ll call you if I’m going to be too late.” He kissed Taylor’s cheek and rushed out to the garage. Taylor stood at the window until his taillights disappeared and then pulled the drapes tightly closed.
Hunter did his best to keep to the speed limit until he pulled onto the highway. His grandparent’s farm was a fifteen-minute ride from town, but he made it in a little over ten. Before he reached their drive, he could see the soft golden glow of Claudia’s protection over the house and acres of land. Since he began wearing the silver medallion Claudia gave him over five years ago, he’s able to see the mystical things around him the average person never dreamed was there.
He slammed on his brakes since he drove up the drive too fast and his grandfather opened the door as he bounded up the porch stairs. “Hunter, come in. Is everything all right? You seem to be in a mighty big hurry, son.”
“I am, I need to see Maisy.”
“Maisy?” His grandfather raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
“I know she’s here, Grandpa,” Hunter answered and shouted, “Maisy, I know you’re here. Come and talk to me before I have to look for you.”
His grandma came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, “Mercy me, Hunter, what’s all the fuss about?”
“I know Maisy’s here, and I have to talk to her. Hiding her won’t help. She’s in more trouble than she can handle alone. Her wild side finally caught up to her, Grandma. Tell her to talk to me, please.” Hunter pulled a chair out at the kitchen table and sat.
Grandma looked at her husband and said, “Tell Maisy to come down now.”
While Grandpa disappeared up the stairs, Grandma set a plate in front of Hunter with a slice of apple and a slice of pumpkin pie. “You never can make up your mind, so I gave you both. You’re stressed and need the food. Eat up.”
Hunter agreed and finished the apple pie and half the pumpkin slice before Maisy strolled into the kitchen still wearing her bathrobe.
“What?” she snapped at Hunter when he glared at her.
“You have a lot of explaining to do, Maisy. People are dead, and you’re partly at fault. I know you probably didn’t realize the creature you brought here might kill, but it has. You need to speak to my friend Kellie and tell her what you did. She’ll send it back.”
“Absolutely not, I don’t give a damn what your friend says.” After hearing her grandma gasp, Maisy added, “Sorry for the language, Grandma.”
Hunter dialed Kellie’s number and explained the explanation. He listened and smiled, “I’ll tell her.”
“Okay, Maisy, you don’t want to help, but whatever you planned on doing is not happening. Kellie’s psychic friend placed protection around the entire farm. It will keep the female entity you wished into existence from communicating with you. Also, you can’t leave the farm to find the spirit. You can test it yourself if you don’t believe me, but may I suggest you go slowly. Walk to the end of the drive and slide your foot past the property line. You’ll feel a slight tingle. If you move any further, the feeling will increase. Before your foot gets off the property, the protectors around the property will knock you on your butt, and you’ll be unconscious for several hours. You won’t die, but you’ll be sore for several days.”
Maisy grunted. “You can’t do that to me. You have no right.”
Hunter lost his temper and yelled, “You have no right to do what you did. You made a pact or promise to that evil woman and she nearly scared Taylor to death, Kellie’s girls were almost abducted, Kellie was attacked, and so far, three men are dead. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I just wanted my boyfriend to suffer for leaving me and then come crawling back. I read if you make a wish and promise your heart, it’ll come true. He already has my heart so I thought it’d work, Maisy confessed.
Hunter slapped his forehead and rubbed his fingertips across it. “Kellie said a wish made from the heart was powerful. You didn’t just make a wish; you gave that female entity the power of your heart. She won’t let you live after she gains enough strength by bleeding as many men as she needs. We must stop her. You’re going to tell Kellie what you did.”
Maisy sat and stared at Hunter without saying a word.
~ * ~
Kellie walked into the kitchen to find Taylor sitting at her table speaking with Max. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m worried about Hunter. He was angry after your phone call. He tore down the street on his way to his grandparents. What did Maisy do?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” Kellie said as she made her way to the fridge and poured a glass of water. “I need to ask Maisy. All I know is that the Cansha was wished here and gains her strength from blood and fire. She hates men, too. If we find out how she arrived here, we might be able to send her back or better yet, destroy her. Lance helped me learn how to harness the elements we may need to fight her.”
Taylor’s eyes grew big, and she asked, “You can control elements? Which ones? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Water and the wind. Both are used to battle fire which is Cansha’s greatest strength.”
“What about the fog?” Taylor hugged Kayla tighter remembering the night the fog encircled the house.
“Cansha wanted to frighten the girls. She can’t touch them, but if she controls things near them, she must have thought I’d forget about dealing with her. She didn’t know the girls aren’t afraid of clowns or fog. I still feel terrible that you were so frightened,” Kellie reached out and took Taylor’s hand.
“Ethan still doesn’t understand how Hope and Faith tossed Ronnie Donahue across the parking lot. He was still on the bus after the field trip, but he saw it all. I tried to explain in simple terms. Hunter is adamant about keeping this away from the kids. I think that’s why he’s furious with Maisy,” Taylor explained and rubbed small circles on Kayla’s back to settle the wiggling child.
“That’s the reason I didn’t want you involved with this entity. You need to stay away from it. I want to keep you, Hunter, and the kids safe.”
“Can you do it alone? What about keeping the girls safe?”
“Did Max tell you what happened when we went for our nature walk?”
Taylor nodded; her eyes watering with unshed tears. “You could have died.”
Kellie shifted in her chair and took a long drink of water. “I know, but I didn’t. Now we know more about the girl’s abilities. I think they’ll be safe. Max isn’t happy with their abilities either, but it’s part of who they are.”
Max grunted, and Kellie rolled her eyes. Where was the understanding he showed in the woods just a few hours ago? She felt as if she were on a roller coaster.
Max asked, “You’ve been out for quite a while. Did you plan dinner?”
“Yes, I have a batch of beef stew in the freezer. I’ll heat it and make biscuits.” She stood and walked back to the fridge and pulled a large casserole dish out of the freezer and placed it in the microwave.
Kellie’s phone rang, and she pulled it from her pocket. “It’s Hunter.” She answered, “Hi, yes, we can do that. All right. Thanks, I’ll tell her.” She pressed the end button and slipped the phone back in her pocket. “Hunter says he’s on his way home. His grandma is sending an apple pie for you.”
“What about Maisy?” Taylor lifted her eyebrows.
“He said she'd meet with Lance and me tomorrow morning. Say a prayer she gives us the answers we need.”
Chapter Eleven
The girls had just finished breakfast and Kellie sent them upstairs to collect their backpacks for school when her cell rang. She recognized the number as Dan Riley, the news reporter.
“Good morning, Mr. Riley. What can I do for you?”
“Call me Dan please, Kellie. We could help each other. I have information to share.”
“I have something you might want to research,” Kellie replied.
“Ladies first.”
“You called me. I think you should give me a bit of the info, at least.”
Kellie could hear Dan’s throaty laugh, “All right. There were two more deaths.”
“The creature causing the murders is a madness wraith.”
“Okay, whatever the hell that is, but these two men were hunting and reported missing by their wives. The bodies were found near their hunting cabin and drained of blood. No visible wounds.”
“I’m not surprised. The creature’s name is Cansha. She gains strength through consuming blood,” Kellie shared.
“I don’t think that’s something I can put in the paper, but it gives me research possibilities. Anything else you care to share this morning?”
“Not yet. Call me if you hear more news, Dan. I’ll do the same. Enjoy your day.”
Kellie ended the call and texted Lance.
Two more deaths. I’ll meet you at the farm at 10.
His response was simple.
Okay.
It was Kellie’s turn to drive the kids to school. After dropping them off, she ran two errands and headed to Hunter’s grandparent’s farm. She wasn’t sure how she would convince Maisy to help them, but she’d try her best. She didn’t like the idea of frightening her the way they had with Ronnie Donahue, but one frightened girl was better than another dead man. She pulled up fifteen minutes early hoping to visit a bit with Hunter’s grandparents.
Grandma O’Neil met Kellie on the huge farm house’s wraparound porch. Kellie loved the beautiful white house with its dark green shutters and window boxes empty now that the first frost visited the area a week earlier.
“Come in, my dear,” Grandma O’Neil said opening the front door wide.
“Thank you, Grandma O’Neil. It’s so nice to see you again.” When both women were inside the warm house, Kellie embraced the elderly lady.
Grandma O’Neil said, “I made pies yesterday. I have apple and pumpkin. Hunter didn’t eat all of it last night, and I sent a pie home with him for Taylor and Ethan. I always make one or two extra for company. Let’s have coffee and pie before your friend arrives. I believe you might need the fortitude to meet with Maisy. I love that girl with my whole heart, but she attracts trouble and seems to enjoy it. From what Hunter said, she might have bit off more than she can chew this time.”
“I believe she did,” Kellie agreed and followed the kind woman into her
large country kitchen. A large pot on the stove simmered with what Kellie thought might be chicken. “Mmm, are you making chicken soup?”
“Yes, it is the perfect weather for soup. Sit, and I’ll bring us some pie and coffee.”
“Please let me help,” Kellie asked and poured the coffee while Grandma O’Neil cut two slices of apple pie.
They shared a pleasant conversation, and Kellie answered numerous questions about Max and the girls until the doorbell rang announcing Lance’s arrival.
Kellie patted Grandma’s hand and stood. “You drink your coffee. I’ll get the door.” She hurried to greet Lance and invite him in to meet Grandma O’Neil.
Lance followed Kellie to the kitchen and said, “Grandma O’Neil, I’d like you to meet my friend, Lance Cain.”
“Hello, young man. Would you like coffee and pie?”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. O’Neil and coffee would be great, thanks.”
“Call me Grandma, everyone does,” she answered and set a cup of coffee on the table.
Lance smiled, “Thanks, Grandma.”
“We need to speak with Maisy. You may be uncomfortable with what we’re going to discuss,” Kellie explained to Grandma.
“I understand, dear. I’ll call Maisy down and join my husband out in the barn. I’m not sure what he’s doing this morning, but I enjoy spending time with my horses especially since I’m no longer able to ride.”
She walked over to the stairs and called up, “Maisy, come down here now. There’s someone here to talk to you.” Grandma returned to the kitchen, slung her coat over her shoulders, and walked out the back door.
“She’s a nice lady,” Lance commented.
“Yes, she is. I’ve known her since Taylor began dating Hunter.”
Their conversation was interrupted by footsteps on the stairs. Maisy walked into the kitchen barefoot wearing jeans and a green t-shirt. Her long red hair was pulled back and hung loosely down her back.
Kellie breathed in slowly gathering her thoughts before she spoke. “Maisy, we talked to Ron at the jail yesterday. He said you are responsible for whatever arrived out of the wishing well in the park. So far, the creature you summoned is responsible for at least four deaths, terrorizing my family, nearly killing me, and has Taylor in fear of her life and her children’s lives. You need to explain now.”
DEADLY WISHES Page 10
