Lost and Found (Beyond Fairytales)

by Linnea Alexis

  With clipboard in hand, Bob climbed the stairs after the boy. Eli stepped aside and motioned for Haley to go first. He rested his hand on her waist and followed one step behind her up to the second floor.

  Bob stood in front of unit 202. “This is it, Mrs. Monroe. Go ahead and unlock it.” She unlocked the door and turned the light on inside, revealing a space the size of a walk-in pantry.

  Eli draped his muscular arm across her shoulder and squeezed it. “Go on in, babe. I’ll be right here.”

  His cell phone rang. “Sorry, I have to answer this.” He placed his cell next to his ear. “Hello, Parker? Hello? The reception is lousy in here.” Pointing to the open door, he said, “Go ahead and take a look inside the unit. Holler if you need me.”

  This was it. The moment Haley had waited for since discovering Allen’s deception. As she stared at the open door, a swarm of nerves bounced around in her stomach. What if the unit was filled with a lot of disappointment and a big bunch of nothing? Before entering the small room, she drew in a deep breath to slow down her racing heartbeat.

  “Here goes,” she murmured and stepped across the threshold.

  The young boy brushed past and entered ahead of her. He wove his way around the boxes and crates inside the unit. He stopped in front of a large wooden crate and tapped it with the pipe Nicodemus had handed him.

  Haley watched with wide eyes, mesmerized. She forced herself to speak. “W-what’s he doing?”

  “What’s who doing?” Bob asked, looking up from the clipboard.

  “The boy.”

  “What boy?” he answered, looking around.

  “Can’t you see him?” The boy appeared so vivid, so real, she couldn’t understand why no one else noticed him.

  The corner of Bob’s mouth twitched, and he gave her an it’s-time-to-call-the-men-in-the-white-coats look. “I don’t see anyone, ma’am.”

  Had she lost her mind? She rubbed her temples. “There’s a young boy in here, dressed in white, and he’s trying to open a crate with some sort of pipe.” She met Bob’s bewildered gaze. “Are you sure you don’t see him?”

  Bob’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. Surely, he considered her crazy. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I don’t see anyone resembling who you describe.”

  Had the boy directed her to the heirlooms missing from her store? She tried opening the crate, but it was nailed shut…and she wasn’t in the habit of toting a hammer. “Can you open this for me? I’d like to look inside,” she told Bob with conviction.

  Eli returned from his phone call. “How’s everything going, babe? Find anything yet?”

  “I think so.” Her voice trembled.

  Bob entered the unit, and the boy backed up to allow him access to the crate. His actions drew no response or reaction from Bob. Or Eli.

  Bob pulled a penknife from his pocket and pried the crate open. He removed a metal box and handed it to Haley.

  She eased the box open. Her chin trembled. “These were my grandmother’s favorite pearls. They’re part of my inheritance.” Allen had stolen the jewelry after all.

  She fingered the pearls, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She returned the heirloom to the box and closed the lid. “I was afraid I’d never see any of the jewelry again.” Holding the box close to her heart, she smiled at the boy. “How can I ever thank you?”

  The boy swept past her and stopped in the middle of the hallway. He stared straight ahead, both hands gripping the pipe.

  Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairway.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bob and Eli turned to face the stairway.

  “No one’s allowed up here. This is a private viewing,” Bob jogged toward the stairway. “Who’s there?”

  No one answered.

  “It might be Parker,” Eli said. “I just got off the phone with him. He said he was on his way here.” He strode toward the stairs. “Parker? Is that you?”

  The footsteps sounded closer.

  Frozen, they waited for the visitor to reveal himself.

  Revolver raised, Dillon stepped onto the second floor.

  A jolt of fright to Haley’s stomach nearly felled her. God, no. It hadn’t been an overactive imagination or paranoia; Dillon had been following her, after all. She hugged the box containing her treasure near to her heart and inched her way to Eli’s side. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her close.

  Dillon glared at Haley with an intensity that chilled her bones to the marrow. He cocked his head and sneered. “Eli and Haley, we just keep running into each other, don’t we? When I found out about the auction, I had to come check it out for myself. And here we are. Together again.”

  “You worked for Allen, didn’t you?” Eli said, tightening his hold on Haley. “That’s where I know you from.”

  “Give the man a cigar.” Sarcasm dripped from Dillon’s remark. “Allen and I were business associates of sort until the son of a bitch cheated me. Stole from me.” He pointed the gun at Haley. “Like you, I’m here to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. Your husband ruined my life. Robbed me. He owes me. And now I’m here to collect. Whatever he hid in these units belongs to me. Even the box you’re protecting, Haley.”

  She couldn’t breathe. She shook her head slowly and clutched the box tighter. This wasn’t just for her; she held her family’s heirlooms for future generations as well.

  “Hand. It. Over.” Dillon’s eyes darkened with rage. He was going to kill them, and neither she nor Eli had a gun.

  More footsteps on the stairs.

  Parker came into view, pistol drawn.

  “Put the gun down,” Parker shouted, aiming his weapon at Dillon. “No need to use violence. We can settle this peacefully.” He stepped into the hallway and moved away from the stairs. His focus never left Dillon.

  In a trance-like state, the boy walked with purpose past Haley. He still carried the pipe Nicodemus had handed him. Gripping it in his right hand, he pointed it at Dillon, who didn’t respond. How could he not notice the youngster? He stepped closer to Dillon, who aimed his revolver at Eli.

  The lad lifted the pipe and jabbed Dillon in the stomach.

  Wide-eyed, Dillon looked down at his stomach and backed up. “What the hell?”

  He poked Dillon again and again and again, each time harder than the last. Each stab backed Dillon up farther and farther.

  No one reacted to a young child taking on a man with a gun. Didn’t anyone see him but her?

  Panic and confusion showed on Dillon’s face. Still gripping the gun, he waved his arms, struggling to hold onto the weapon and keep his balance.

  The gun discharged, its recoil catching him off balance. He lost his footing and toppled backward down the steps.

  Parker cursed and bolted to the end of the hallway. He looked down the stairs. Whatever he saw drew another curse from his lips.

  The boy dropped the pipe on the floor. He took a step back and faded into the wall.

  “Who’s in charge around here?” Parker yelled.

  Bob raised his hand. “I am, sir.” Color had drained from his face, and his voice shook when he answered.

  “Seal off this building. It’s a crime scene now.” Parker holstered his revolver.

  Mouth agape, Bob answered, “We run a legit company. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

  “And chances are it’ll never happen again. The auction’s over. Shut it down. Now.”

  Visibly shaken, Bob made a hasty exit down the stairs.

  Eli winced and grabbed his shoulder. Blood ran through his fingers and down his arm. He leaned against the wall and slid to the floor.

  “Someone help Eli. He’s been shot.” Haley dropped the box and knelt next to him. “Eli!” Tears streamed down her face.

  “It’s nothing, babe.”

  Parker rushed to Eli and crouched next to him. “Let me take a look.”

  “Will he be all right?” Haley asked between sobs.

  “I’ll know in a minute.” After examining the woun
d, Parker said, “You’re lucky, Eli. Looks like it might only be a flesh wound, but it’s deep. It could have been a lot worse, considering you caught a stray bullet. A few inches either way might have been fatal.”

  Haley held Eli’s face in her hands and kissed him. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. This is my fault. You wouldn’t have been shot if you weren’t trying to help me.”

  “Bullshit,” Parker snapped. “At the Renaissance faire, Dillon recognized Eli as Allen’s lawyer. He knew Eli would eventually put two and two together and figure out who he was. And he knew I was a cop. People like him don’t like cops. He was a thug who worked for loan sharks, and your late husband. Guess Allen bilked him out of a lot of money. Neither of you will ever have to worry about him again.”

  “Is Dillon…dead?” Haley said.

  “Looks like it. A couple of my men are checking him out as we speak,” Parker said. “One of them called an ambulance. It should be here any minute…along with the local sheriff.”

  Parker extended a hand to Eli. “We need to get you to the hospital. Can you make it down the stairs by yourself, or should I call for a gurney?”

  “I can make it. I just need a little help getting to my feet.”

  Parker pulled Eli up and wound his arm around his waist.

  With his free hand, Eli grabbed the railing and limped down. Haley picked up the metal box and followed close behind.

  Eli eased himself down on the next-to-bottom step.

  “Can I lock my jewelry in your car? Some of the pieces are pretty expensive,” Haley asked. “I don’t want to lose them again.”

  Wincing, he dug the keys from his pocket and handed them over.

  She brushed her lips against his. “I’ll be right back, babe.” Clutching the box, she inched near Dillon lying on the ground. She hesitated, unable to look away, and studied him for a second, trying to detect the slightest movement. She saw none. Satisfied he was dead, she started past him.

  Someone grabbed her leg.

  She screamed and tripped.

  The metal box flew from her hands, and she fell on the ground next to Dillon. His hand gripped her ankle.

  He turned to face her.

  He opened his eyes, and when she met his gaze, evil stared back at her. A cold shudder slithered down her spine. She tried breaking free from his vise-like grip, but he held on fast.

  She screamed louder.

  His lips curled in a slow, sinister smile. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. A deep, wicked chuckle sounded in his throat. He closed his eyes. His grip loosened.

  Haley crawled away from his body and reached for the metal box. She collapsed on the ground, buried her face in the crook of her arms, and wept.

  “Ma’am, are you all right?”

  She looked into the face of a policeman, who reached for her.

  “I am now.” She accepted his hand, and he helped her to her feet.

  Parker passed her the metal box and Eli’s keys, which she handed back.

  “Keep them. I’ve changed my mind about locking it in Eli’s car. I think I’ll just hang onto the box a little while longer.”

  “Can’t say I blame you.” He pocketed the keys. “It seems Dillon found out Allen had hidden the stolen goods. He’s been stalking you since before the Renaissance faire, hoping you’d lead him to where Allen hid the money. He even dated your business partner so he could track your movements. It was no accident he showed up here. Thank God, it’s over.”

  “It’s over,” Haley repeated with a sigh. She wiped her eyes. So Dillon was Kate’s new beau. “Poor Kate. This is going to kill her. She really liked the guy. How did you find out he was stalking me?”

  “Eli recognized him at the Renaissance faire and asked me to run a check on him. After doing some digging, I found out he was a thug with a rap sheet a mile long. He was a violent dude. Your husband screwed him royally by withholding compensation for services rendered. So Dillon decided he’d get paid one way or another. And Allen paid with his life.”

  She shook her head. “God, poor Allen. I had no idea.”

  Parker crouched in front of her. “Allen knew what he was doing. He didn’t want to get his hands dirty, so he hired Dillon.”

  “I feel so bad for Kate.”

  “She should consider herself lucky their so-called relationship ended before something bad happened to her.”

  Sirens sounded in the distance.

  Parker patted Haley’s shoulder and stood to face the approaching ambulance. “Take care of Eli while I take care of business.” Parker hurried to meet the EMTs.

  She sat next to Eli, rested her head on his good shoulder, and said a prayer of thanksgiving that he had survived the gunshot.

  Parker and two male paramedics rushed over.

  Haley stepped away so the EMTs could do their job.

  The taller of the two opened a medical bag and took Eli’s vitals. The younger paramedic cut Eli’s shirt off and examined the wound.

  “Looks like the bullet’s still lodged inside, and you’ve lost a lot of blood,” he said to Eli and pulled out antiseptic and bandages. “We’re going to stabilize you and wait for a helicopter to airlift you to the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. It’s one of the best hospitals around and much better equipped to handle gunshot wounds.”

  Palm Springs? Her gaze locked with Eli’s. Neither could hide the smiles forming on their lips.

  The coroner’s vehicle pulled into the driveway.

  “Upstairs is all clear,” an officer shouted on his way down the steps.

  Did “all clear” mean there was no one on the second floor? If so, what had happened to the young boy?

  Nicodemus hobbled toward her. “Did you happen to see a metal pipe upstairs?” he asked a policeman. “I gave it to the boy.”

  The policeman shrugged. “I didn’t see a boy.”

  Nicodemus winked at Haley. “Perhaps the boy left the pipe on the second floor. Would you check, please?”

  A policeman tipped his hat and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

  Something about the boy bothered her. “Nicodemus?”

  “Yes, my dear.”

  “Who was the young boy?”

  He cocked his head. “Didn’t you recognize him from old photographs? That was Allen when he was a lad.”

  “But Allen’s dead.”

  “He most certainly is. The young lad was his ghost. Guilt oftentimes follows a spirit into the afterlife, you know, but we are all given a second chance to make things right. Greed was Allen’s greatest sin, and his tortured soul was plagued by guilt. His spirit couldn’t rest until he had righted a great wrong. Allen can truly rest in peace now. He has returned your treasure. He did not die of natural causes, incidentally. He was murdered. He stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Dillon, the man who killed him, but the money he stole should be more than enough to pay off his debts and yours, don’t you think?”

  “But Allen was a man when he died. Why did he return as a child?”

  Resting a gnarled finger on his chin, Nicodemus pondered his response. His eyes sparkled.

  “Because he could?” he cackled, seeming to enjoy his answer.

  The policeman returned and handed Nicodemus the pipe.

  “Many thanks to you, young man.” He turned to leave. Leaning against the metal pipe for support, he waddled toward a van with his name painted on the side in bold letters.

  “Nic-o-de-mus, please don’t leave us. Nic-o-de-mus, please don’t leave us,” the crowd chanted.

  “I must, for I have many places to visit and many tales to tell. Look for my return at next year’s Renaissance faire. Until then, I bid you all farewell.” He turned and waved to his fans, who followed him to his van.

  The paramedics helped Eli onto a gurney and wheeled him to the ambulance.

  “Can I wait with him until the helicopter arrives?” Haley called after them.

  “You sure can, ma’am. It should be here shortly.”

&
nbsp; Parker touched her arm. “You can ride with me to the hospital. We can talk along the way. There are still a lot of questions needing answers. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to drive Eli’s beloved Jaguar. Right, Eli?”

  Eli lifted his hand and flipped him off.

  “Once they patch him up and discharge him, I’ll give you both a ride back here from the hospital so you can get your cars or stay the night or whatever you decide.”

  “Don’t count on him going home today,” the shorter paramedic said. “He’ll need surgery to remove the bullet still lodged in his shoulder.”

  Eli was raised into the back of the ambulance, where one of the paramedics rechecked the dressing on his wound and the other hooked up the IV.

  “Eli.” Haley rushed to the back door.

  The taller paramedic offered her a hand. She climbed inside and sank down by Eli’s side. He had paled and his eyes were half closed. Holding his hand, she burst into tears. “I’m so sorry, babe.”

  “Don’t say that. None of this is your….” His eyes closed.

  She stifled a scream. “Is he?”

  The paramedic shook his head. “Just sleeping. We gave him something for pain.”

  “Thank God.”

  “Don’t worry, ma’am. He’ll be in good hands. You can see him at the hospital.”

  In the distance, helicopter blades whirred. Help was on its way.

  ***

  Haley sat next to Eli’s hospital bed, waiting for him to wake up. The surgery to remove the bullet had been successful. Monitors blinked and beeped next to and behind his bed.

  He opened his heavy-lidded eyes to study her. “Haley, is that you?”

  “Yes, sweetheart, it’s me.”

  His fingers grazed her cheek. His gaze settled on her eyes with such intensity, it pierced her soul.

  He kissed her hand. “I’ve never been in love before, so this is all new to me. But I want to be with you. And I want us to be completely honest with each other from now on.” He cleared his throat. “My name is Eli Anthony Libertini. My birthday is June sixth. I was born in Chicago thirty-two years ago.” His eyes misted. “We have something special, Haley. I lost you once, and now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to let you get away again. I know we can do this. Together.” His voice trembled. “I love you, Haley. I truly do.”