OLD MAN MALONE RETURNS

by Marianne Spitzer

Kellie fought back tears as she watched her husband walk to his car, and drive away from her. Taylor hugged her and said, “He’ll be back.”

  “I’m not sure I want him back. He has hurt me too much.” Kellie gently pulled away from Taylor and looked her strait in the eyes. “I can’t understand what I’ve done wrong.”

  Cole and Andrea decided to go back to their apartment. Cole didn’t need a home aide any longer. “I’d like some privacy. Did you forget we’re newlyweds? We need some time alone,” Cole grinned. Kellie, Taylor, and Hunter headed for the hotel.

  ########

  Detective Stellion kept Kellie apprised of what was going on at the mansion. They had broken through the main wall and found the small room.

  The crime scene specialists located human remains in a very shallow grave. It was inside the small room the old man described. The specialists carefully removed the soil covering the bodies. Each bone was painstakingly removed and handed to Dr. Webster’s assistant. The remains were in poor condition after years in damp soil and being in contact with lye. Dr. Webster was sure he’d be able to shed some light on the investigation. They uncovered the remains of two females.

  Kellie feeling the need to distance herself from the mansion had spoken with the owner of Springs Cemetery, and arranged to have her mother’s urn exhumed and reburied in a new plot. The mayor didn’t give her any problems with her request this time. Alexis was reburied a short distance from Kellie’s mom and dad keeping her family together. She purchased a new head stone and had it engraved “Beloved Mother.” She didn’t want the old man near any of them.

  Hunter would call Drew and tell him what Kellie was doing. Drew wondered each day if she was going to become as crazy as the old man. Sitting at his desk, he mumbled, “What difference does it make where that urn is buried. It’s only ashes. She never even met her. Kellie is losing it.”

  ########

  The sheriff phoned Kellie and asked her questions about her grandfather’s papers and dealings. He said they were going to investigate the property. Kellie asked if she could accompany them. The sheriff agreed. He doubted a search would turn up anything.

  Taylor took a day off from work to accompany Kellie. They met the sheriff at nine in the morning. “Good morning, Sheriff Haster. I’m Kellie Adamson and this is my friend Taylor O’Neil”

  The sheriff shook hands with them and asked, “You really believe there are bodies buried out here? It’s a major accusation.”

  “I know, sir, but you have the list of the dead and what else could SE side or SW side mean. It has to be a direction.”

  “I read over the papers you found. Those could be directions or anything else, but we’ll err on the side of caution. We’re starting with the side going up to the trees.” After an hour of searching for anything out of the ordinary, neither the humans nor the dogs came up with anything. Kellie was sure they were missing something.

  The sheriff glanced at Kellie, “We’ll go over the back, but this property has acres to cover. I don’t have the funds or man hours for that kind of search. You can hire your own search team if we come up empty.” The sheriff turned his back on Kellie and strode toward the back of the building.

  “Excuse me, sheriff, but there aren’t many trees here. Maybe they were buried on the other side where the patients couldn’t see.” The sheriff spun and glared at Kellie, “I know how to do my job.”

  Taylor had meandered over to the opposite side of the small grove of trees. Kellie couldn’t see her, but she heard Taylor’s frantic voice call out, “Kellie, sheriff, come here.”

  Kellie hurried to where Taylor stood, and couldn’t believe what she saw. The sheriff strolled over tired of his search. He stopped and stared. Growing out of the snow in several spots were perfect, pale pink roses.”

  “That might be your proof, sheriff.” The sheriff’s jaw dropped and he nodded.

  Calling the handlers over, the sheriff said, “Check these areas where you see roses.” The dogs wandered close and sat next to the roses each time. The sheriff mumbled, “Guess the girl was right.”

  The dogs confirmed what Kellie already knew. There were remains buried under those eight rose bushes. Ten other bushes bloomed behind the asylum and ten more bodies discovered. Try as they might, they couldn’t find more. Each grave was marked with a flag and the sheriff said the bodies would be exhumed and taken to the coroner’s office where they would try to identify them.

  Kellie walked back to her SUV with a heavy heart. “I know there are twenty women buried out here. Where are the other two? We can’t leave them.”

  “Maybe more roses will bloom while they are working or more than one body is in a grave,” Taylor said trying to boost her friend’s spirits.

  “Maybe,” she said as they got in the SUV and headed back to town.

  ########

  “Veronica, they didn’t find us. They are going to leave us here. They found the others.”

  “Don’t worry, Gracie. She will know we are here.”

  “How will she ever know? She could not see our roses.”

  “She has the gift my mother gave me. I will visit her dreams.”

  “Will she believe her dreams?”

  “Yes, Gracie, I believe she will.”

  ########

  Kellie was tired when they arrived back from the asylum, but she needed to make a call. She needed to rid herself of the mansion as soon as possible. She’d never live there again. The friendly owner of the antique shop answered.

  “Hello, I was in your shop recently and purchased a lovely figurine. You gave me your card in case I ever wanted to sell any antiques. We spoke about my home. I own the Malone mansion.”

  “Oh yes, I remember. How are you and what can I do for you?”

  Kellie knew the news would hit the paper soon, but she wasn’t in the mood to discuss detail. “I have found the mansion is too much for my husband and me. We’re purchasing a smaller home and I would like to sell most of the antiques in the mansion. Would you be interested, or know a dealer who might be interested?”

  “I’d love to see what you have to offer. If it isn’t what I usually sell, I can put you in contact with the right dealer.”

  “Thank you, I’ll call you soon.”

  Kellie felt relief and pain after the phone call. Less than two years ago she was struggling with bills, and worried she would lose the home she had shared with her parents. Now she owned the largest home in town and had more money than she ever dreamed possible. Life should be wonderful. It was far from it. She was related to a killer, her marriage was in trouble, and she had lost a baby she didn’t realize she was carrying. She didn’t think a person could feel so much pain for a child they never knew existed until it was gone. The baby was made from her and Drew’s love for one another. Now she doubted that love. She turned her face into the pillow and cried herself to sleep.

  A loud splash of water woke Kellie at three in the morning. She leaped out of bed. Someone was in her bathtub. The hotel suite was empty and quiet. The sound was so real it couldn’t be a dream. Walking back into her bedroom, she stopped. She sensed a presence. Not exactly sure what it was, but Kellie knew she wasn’t alone. She had sensed the presence before.

  “Is someone here?”

  A soft voice whispered, “Tell them Gracie and I are in the well.”

  “Veronica, is that you?” A shiver ran down Kellie’s spine.

  “Yes. Please tell them to find us and take us home.”

  The presence she sensed left. She rushed into the bathroom again. “Veronica, are you here?” The bathtub was dry. Kellie knew she had heard the splash. “Veronica?” Spinning in a circle looking in all directions, she felt nothing. Veronica was gone. She rubbed her arms to calm the goose bumps covering them.

  Kellie jumped back onto her bed. She grabbed the phone. While kneeling in the middle of the bed, she called her Uncle Mike.

  Nearly breathless, she began to babble, “Uncle Mike, they were here. Veronica and Gracie.
The reason they can’t find their bodies is because they’re in the well. You have to find them. Oh my God, they’re in the well. They never buried them. Someone tossed them in the well. No wonder we didn’t see any roses, the roses are in the well.”

  A groggy Detective Stellion said, “Slow down, Kellie, who’s there and who’s in a well. Catch your breath.”

  She took a deep breath and exhaled, “I heard a splash of water. Thinking someone was in my bathroom I checked, but my bathroom was empty. When I went back to my bedroom, I sensed a presence. I’m not crazy, I’m really not. I asked if someone was there, and Veronica answered me. She told me she and Gracie are in the well. That’s why the sheriff didn’t find roses for the last two bodies. The roses are also in the well. Uncle Mike, you have to help them. They need to go home. You have first names; please find out who they are. My grandfather did this.” She burst into sobs and dropped prone on the bed.

  Mike let her cry and when her sobs subsided, he said, “It’s the middle of the night. I’ll call the sheriff first thing in the morning. I’ll do what I can to help him locate their families. Get some sleep. You have class tomorrow, don’t you?”

  “I’m sorry I bothered you. I didn’t think about the time. Good night.”

  “Wait, you woke your Aunt Rita. She wants you and Drew to come to dinner on Sunday, and tell Taylor to come with Hunter.”

  “Okay, see you on Sunday.”

  For the second time that night Kellie cried herself to sleep. Fortunately, tomorrow was a short class day for her.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Check out this review - http://www.thenewsinbooks.com/substitute-creature-a-review/Spring break arrived, and Kellie needed the time off. She was keeping her grades up, but the events of her personal life made it challenging. Knowing her grandfather was the most heinous person to ever live in town caused Kellie a good deal of heartache. She worried each day more of his evil would be revealed. She cried herself to sleep each night. Being on her own was difficult, but knowing that if Drew cared she wouldn’t need to suffer alone. It hurt terribly.

  Drew was at his parents. He told her as long as she was involved in the investigation he needed his space. She gave it to him. He had told her more than once that her foolish investigations could cause him his job. It took her awhile, but she began to realize that when he said “for better or worse” it meant better for his life not theirs together.

  When the ground warmed enough, all the skeletal remains at the asylum were successfully removed. The two remains buried in the Malone cellar were also removed. Tests proved there were remains in the bottom of a well at the back of the asylum property. Pink roses were found floating on the water. It was a difficult task to remove the bones that were found. Many were broken from the fall. One person at a time fit into the well and removed each bone as it was found. Both bodies were intertwined and curled into the small space. The county coroner said it was possible they were alive when they were thrown into the well.

  ########

  Kellie brought flowers to the well. Her heart broke for the women tossed away like trash. Deciding against roses since that might have been all the women saw during captivity, she brought a brightly covered bouquet of carnations. Kellie leaned the flowers against the well and bowed her head in prayer. She felt peace sweep over her. Convinced that helping these women return home was the proper thing, Kellie smiled as she walked back to her SUV.

  Hunter shared the fact that Kellie was taking flowers to the asylum with Drew. He became more convinced that she was losing her mind. He slammed the phone down and mumbled, “Why can’t she be normal?” He stood and walked to the window and glanced in the direction of the mansion. He mumbled, “This is all her fault. Why did she have to be related to that man? None of this would have happened if she lived a quiet life.” He kicked the wall.

  ########

  Kellie was pleased that Randy could move the gazebo. It would be a gift to the neighborhood.

  “Since I’m not going to be living here, the gazebo is too beautiful to be hidden in the back yard. We can move it to the lot across from the graveyard. Children play in the lot all the time. I’ll give it to the city.” She walked around the gazebo and gazed off into space. She remembered all the fun memories the gazebo held.

  Randy agreed. “I think it’s great. It’s a beautiful gazebo. Won’t you miss it at your new home? I could have it moved there. You were married in the gazebo.” He stepped up into it and sat on the rail.

  Kellie turned to look at the gazebo again, hiding the tears she felt forming in her eyes. “I can always visit it across the street. Maybe you can build a new one for me.”

  “Anytime. My guys will start working on the move this week.”

  “Great, have a nice day. Call me when it’s moved.” Kellie hurried to her SUV before Randy saw her tears run down her cheeks.

  “I will.” Randy waved.

  ########

  Kellie had her bedroom set, her mother’s painting, Veronica’s figurine, and a few personal things picked up and stored until she moved. She also stored the items from Drew’s office. Even if Drew didn’t want them, most of the items had belonged to her dad. Hunter and Taylor stored all their things at their parent’s homes. Mrs. Bailor, the antique store owner, purchased most of the paintings, tapestries, knick knacks, and small wood pieces. Another dealer who accompanied her bought nearly everything else in the mansion.

  Kellie walked through the empty mansion one last time making sure she didn’t forget anything. Hesitating at the front door she let her mind wander back to before she moved in. Her life was so different before she became a Malone. Part of her was excited about the wonders she has experienced and part of her shuddered at the horror she lived through. She closed the door behind her and walked to her SUV. Her cell rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Kellie.”

  “Uncle Mike, what’s up?”

  “You’ll be happy to know an investigator from the sheriff’s office called, and they located Gracie’s family.”

  “Oh, how wonderful.” Kellie smiled, her heart warmed by the thought.

  “She was barely eighteen when she was committed. Her husband didn’t care for her behavior after she gave birth to her first child. There were notes in the family bible. It sounded as if it might have been post-partum depression.”

  “How sad, they murdered her, she never saw her child grow up.” Sitting in her vehicle parked in front of the mansion, Kellie rested her forehead on the steering wheel.

  “I know. This is a rotten case. They also had a single letter sent from the asylum. She mentions making a friend. Her name was Veronica Knight.”

  “Veronica, she spoke to me” Kellie looked up and smiled.

  Mike fought a small laugh. “Yes, if you say so.” His voice turned serious, “They found her family. Both families were told the young women ran away.”

  “Maybe they tried, were caught, and the orderlies tossed them in the well as punishment, and they drown. This is horrible, but I’m glad their families know the truth.”

  “Newspaper and TV coverage have helped identify a few more women. There were many names listed. Your grandfather and Morgan took in women from all over the state and possibly out of state. We may never find all the families.”

  “A Malone was responsible for their deaths, and I will pay for the remains to be properly buried once the investigation is complete. Any woman left unidentified will get a proper burial, and not in a potter’s field somewhere.” Kellie gripped her phone tighter.

  “I’ll pass the information along. You have done a lot for these women and brought peace to many families.”

  “Maybe, but it’ll never make up for the horror the old man caused them. Thanks, Uncle Mike.”

  ########

  May brought the preview of summer warmth. Classes were over, and Kellie was looking forward to having the summer off. Cole was back to his old self. He told them all he was finally a man again as Andrea hid her face and
blushed each time he said it. Kellie and Taylor had found two houses on Crystal Court, a few blocks away. They didn’t sit side by side, but they were kiddy corner which was close enough for them both. They planned to find two perfect lots for their dream homes.

  Randy and his crew had moved the gazebo to the lot across from the mansion and small graveyard. Taylor and Kellie sat on the gazebo steps looking at the Malone mansion. Both young women sat for several minutes before speaking.

  “It is hard to believe so much horror took place in that house, and we lived there without knowing.” Taylor said.

  “We went through enough with the old man. If we knew bodies were buried in the cellar, we never would’ve stayed.”

  “Remember when Cole was drunk and said bodies were buried in the cellar before we moved in.”

  “That’s right, and I was upset with him. I’ll have to apologize.” Kellie looked at Taylor and smiled.

  People were beginning to gather near the gazebo. Children ran and played ball in the field behind it. A county sheriff’s car pulled up. Kellie waved. She recognized the officer.

  “Hi, Kellie. I’m sorry, but this isn’t a personal call. I have papers to serve.” He held a packet of papers with a bright blue cover page. He signed it and handed it to Kellie. He signed another form, and told her to have a good day.

  “Someone’s suing you?” Taylor’s brows knitted as she looked at the papers in Kellie’s hand.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised with all that has gone on.” She looked at the papers, and Taylor heard her catch her breath.

  She looked at Taylor, tears welled in her eyes. “They’re from Drew. He petitioned for divorce. I don’t know why I’m surprised. We haven’t been together for months, and he wouldn’t be happier now.”

  “Why?”

  “I picked up a brochure at school. There’s a satellite campus about two miles from the asylum that offers classes in paranormal studies. I signed up.”

  “Why not, if it interests you?” Taylor reached for Kellie’s hand again.

  “It really does. I thought the old man haunted me because I had his money, but after Veronica spoke to me, I think I can communicate with the dead on some level. I want to explore it. It would drive Drew crazy.”