Sinister Awakenings

by Marianne Spitzer

  Chapter Four

  Kellie hung up the phone and sat back in her desk chair. She set the press conference for two o’clock Saturday afternoon in front of the fountain. She knew she’d be able to convince the reporters to attend a meeting anywhere she decided. Now, she needed to convince her Uncle Mike she wasn’t crazy and that he needed to attend and listen.

  Even if he doesn’t, she mused, he’ll see it on the news and read it in the paper. He has to listen to the public. She smiled when she dialed his number.

  “Hi, Uncle Mike. How are you? How’s Aunt Rita?”

  She listened and a frown formed on her face.

  “Don’t be cranky, please. I know you’re busy. I’m going to help. Have you found the girl yet?” She began to pace in a circle as she listened.

  “Okay. Cadaver dogs are a good idea. She might not be in the woods. Uncle Mike, I know you don’t like to hear about ghosts, but Travis didn’t kill the girl, Thomas did.”

  She held the phone away from her ear and let him rant a bit while she slipped upstairs to check on her sleeping girls.

  “My turn, Uncle Mike. Please listen. Molly, the missing girl, has red hair. Thomas loves red hair. Remember what happened to Taylor? I have a gut feeling and Lance and Claudia agree that Thomas killed her. Then he kept Travis unconscious until he decided to cause more havoc. Thomas woke him and forced Travis to kill himself. It’s what Thomas does best.”

  She dropped onto the sofa while she patiently listened to everything her uncle said.

  “Believe me, it’s a misconception that all ghosts can do is float through walls and make noise. Some have learned to possess people, move things, and physically hurt people. Thomas has been dead long enough to learn to do all of it. I’m going to confront him. He has an ego, and he’ll brag about what he’s done. All you need to do is be at the city square near the fountain on Saturday at two. I’ve called a press conference, and I’ll expose Thomas.”

  Her eyes flew open wide when she listened to her uncle’s answer.

  “You cannot forbid me to do this. Max tried and failed. He said he got the idiotic idea from you. No, I’m not calling you an idiot. Listen, please. I can do this.”

  She listened for a moment and then answered. “Sure, you can make the area off limits, but I’ll set up a private press conference on private property if I must. I won’t invite you. You can just watch the news. I’m doing this Uncle Mike. I’d rather some of the public witness his confession, but if all I can do is get it on tape, then that’s what I’ll do. I refuse to let him win and hurt Travis’ family. Think how they feel not to mention the grief both his family and Molly’s family are going through. Okay, so you haven’t found her, but believe me, you will. I would try to contact her myself, but if I do, Thomas will know my plans. I’ll call Claudia. Okay, thanks. Bye.”

  Kellie tossed her phone on the sofa and watched it bounce twice. She dropped her head in her hands and pulled her hair back away from her eyes. Before she could reach for her phone and make a call, it rang.

  “Hi, Claudia. You did? Good. Uncle Mike won’t believe me if I tell him where Thomas buried Molly. Would you call him? That’d be great. He said they have cadaver dogs searching, but if he buried her that close to the river, they might give up looking. I think they’re concentrating on the woods. The plans for Saturday are set. See you there. Bye and thanks.”

  She heard one of the girls gurgling through the baby monitor. As she walked up to check on them, she sent Taylor a text.

  All set for Sat @ 2

  Call Andrea for me.

  Aunt Rita will watch the girls

  Kellie pushed the phone into her back pocket and hurried to the girl’s room just as she heard the second twin join her sister in a gurgling conversation.

  ~ * ~

  Max switched shifts with another paramedic to be sure he was home on Saturday. He woke before Kellie and started the coffee. He knew the girls would wake Kellie soon and she would feed one while he changed the other and then they’d switch. Most mornings the girls were patient as if they knew Kellie couldn’t feed them both at once. They were big enough now that their meals also included a bottle. Again, they were patient and wouldn’t drink from the bottle until they each had a share of mom’s milk. Max was baffled by the entire scenario. Kellie’s laugh and remarks that she and the girls understood each other didn’t help. He stared out the kitchen patio door wondering what the future held. Could the girls and Kellie communicate somehow? The thought nearly gave him a headache. Maybe he needed a son he could relate to, but the thought of a third child was too much so early in the morning. He heard the girls babbling through the intercom and Kellie’s soft voice.

  “Good morning, my angels. Who’s hungrier this morning? Hmm, Faith. Okay, you’re first.”

  Max hurried upstairs to give her a hand with Hope while Faith ate. He smiled when he rounded the corner and saw Kellie sitting in the big rocker with Faith and Hope babbling happily in her crib.

  My girls, he thought. How empty life was before they entered my life.

  Kellie lifted her eyes, saw Max, and smiled. “I think Hope is waiting for you.”

  “Good morning, my lovelies,” Max answered, and Hope’s babbling increased in both speed and volume.

  “I know she recognizes your voice,” Kellie commented.

  Max walked to Hope’s crib, and before he could say a word, she let out an excited squeal.

  He walked to the changing table and changed Hope’s diaper. Then he traded babies with Kellie and changed Faith as Kellie fed Hope. When she finished both girls were grumbling, and Max knew it was bottle time.

  ~ * ~

  Cole slammed cabinet doors in the kitchen while he waited for the coffee maker to finally produce enough coffee for him to pour a cup.

  “What is wrong with you?” Andrea asked when she walked into the kitchen carrying Nathaniel.

  “I don’t like the idea of you getting anywhere near that maniac again. Don’t you remember when you were trapped in the bug filled elevator or when he pulled you across the room by your hair? You could have been injured or worse if you ended up in or near that fireplace.” He yanked a mug off the shelf and slammed the cabinet door.

  Andrea watched Cole pour a mug full of coffee and take a sip. His face relaxed a bit. She didn’t understand how coffee calmed him.

  “Feeling better,” she asked.

  “No. You should stay home with Nathaniel. I don’t want you going.”

  “Kellie needs all of us there this afternoon. Nathaniel will be fine. He’ll be with my mom at Taylor’s house with her mom and Ethan. Kellie’s Aunt Rita is watching her girls right next door, and I’m sure they’ll all be together. The houses are protected. Everyone will be safe. We’re protected. Kellie is the one in danger.” She sat Nathaniel in his highchair and began preparing his oatmeal.

  “Maybe,” he mumbled. “I still don’t like it.

  ~ * ~

  A very similar conversation took place in Hunter and Taylor’s kitchen.

  “I don’t like this at all, Taylor,” Hunter insisted. “I know we have to help, but Thomas is a huge threat to all of us especially you and Kellie. He hates her, and he wants you. He wants to torture and kill you. Aren’t you afraid to do this? We could go somewhere until it’s over. Anywhere. I don’t care. I’ll take you and Ethan to a place of your choosing for as long as you want.”

  Taylor wrapped her arms around her loving, concerned husband. “I love you, Hunter. I love you more than I ever thought possible, but I can’t leave. Kellie needs my help. Besides, no matter where we went, Thomas could find me if something happens to our amulets. Remember when we were in the car accident? What if something like that happened again? If either of us was rushed to a hospital and needed a CT scan, the first thing they’d do is remove the amulet. If we fought them, we’d be sedated. As soon as someone removed the amulet, Thomas would be there before they could get us into the scanner. He’d kill the hospital staff, and I’d be gone. No matt
er where we were, he could find us in a heartbeat.”

  She lifted her face to meet his gaze, her dark brown eyes saying much more than her words. Hunter kissed her breathless and mumbled against her lips, “Okay, we’ll do this, but once Thomas is gone, were going on a long vacation.”

  “Agreed.” She buried her head into his chest and sighed. She needed a vacation, too. “Somewhere warm please with white sand and crystal clear blue water.”

  “I told you anywhere. You pick the spot.” He smiled down at her.

  ~ * ~

  Kellie’s cell rang. She looked at Max. “It’s Uncle Mike. I hope he doesn’t yell again.”

  She took a deep breath and answered. “Good morning, Uncle Mike.”

  Her face saddened as she listened. She nodded several times and then said, “I know you’re busy, but don’t forget to be near the fountain at two. Bye.”

  Max asked, “What did he say. You look as if he gave you bad news.”

  “Bad news yet, but not unexpected. They found Molly’s body near the river in a shallow grave. Uncle Mike begged me not to get nosy and inquire about the condition of the body. It must be terrible. I know Thomas is sadistic, but I don’t think Uncle Mike fully believed me until they found her. He didn’t argue at all about coming to the press conference.”

  Kellie felt tears prickle the backs of her eyes thinking of how Molly suffered. Max sensing her pain, walked toward her. She backed up. “Don’t hug me. You’ll make me cry. I have to put the tears away until this is over. They’ll weaken me. Anger will strengthen me, and I need the anger and hate. God forgive me, but I hate Thomas with every cell in my body. Hell is too good for him. Lance’s plan is better.” She turned quickly and poured another cup of coffee.

  “Why won’t you tell me about his plan? You can trust me.” His eyes bore into hers. She knew he felt left out.

  “No one will know until the last minute. We can’t take the chance. I’m not singling you out. No one else knows. It has to be this way. It will keep us all safe. I can’t take the chance of losing you. You and the girls are my life.” She took a sip of coffee and then walked into his arms for the comfort he offered.

  Kellie glanced over her shoulder when she heard the knock at the patio door. She saw Taylor with Hunter right behind her holding Ethan.

  Max released his tight hold on her and said, “I’ll let them in.”

  As soon as Hunter and Taylor entered the kitchen, Ethan let out a loud squeal. Both girls answered with squeals of their own. Rufus barked and ran circles around the kitchen table.

  Kellie laughed. “They recognize each other already. It’s sweet how they like to just babble at each other.”

  “Yeah,” Max mumbled. “I’m still not sure I like the idea of the girls being around boys.”

  “Don’t worry,” Taylor said patting his arm. “It’s okay. I’m sure he’ll marry one of them, and the other will marry Nathaniel. We’re a big happy family.”

  Max groaned, and Hunter nodded. “I understand. I swear she’s planning a wedding already.”

  “Coffee?” Max directed his look at Hunter.

  “Thanks, but I can get it.”

  Kellie and Taylor returned to the kitchen after settling Ethan down with the girls. At three months, the kids loved to pat each other and grab the others hands and faces. They gurgled in their own language and laughed. Rufus sat guard next to the play yard his ears perked at their every sound.

  “They are so adorable,” Taylor gushed.

  “I know,” Kellie agreed. “They love being together.”

  Max stared at the ceiling while Hunter took a gulp of coffee.

  “Let’s get down to business,” Kellie said. “We need to discuss today. I hope it all works out. I can’t go into the plan Lance put together, but I’ll tell you what I intend to do today since I can’t capture or eliminate Thomas. All I can try to do is get him to confess to killing Molly and then let Lance begin his plan. Oh, by the way, Uncle Mike called. They found her body this morning where Claudia directed them to search. I can use that to rattle Thomas, I hope.”

  It was close to noon when Taylor said they needed to leave. “Mom will be here soon to watch Ethan. We’ll be back about half-past one, and we can drive together. Cole and Andrea are bringing Nathaniel and her mom to our place about one.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Kellie said. “Aunt Rita will be here about the same time to watch the girls.” She hugged Taylor and smiled. “Thanks. I need to get that evil creature away from you before the next missing redhead is you.”

  Kellie felt Taylor shudder. “This is personal for Hunter and me. We’ll do what we can,” Taylor whispered.

  Hunter slid the patio door closed after Taylor walked out and Kellie turned toward the living room to speak with Max.

  “I need to talk with you, and I’d like you to listen to me without interrupting, please.”

  Max sat holding one of the girls and agreed.

  Kellie picked up their other daughter and sat next to him on the sofa.

  Kellie took a deep breath. “I know we discussed what I plan on doing this afternoon. If something, anything goes wrong you can’t run to help me. Trust me to know what I’m doing and know that whatever is happening it’s the right thing. It’s what must happen. I’m strong enough to fight Thomas at least until he confesses. Then I need to get away so the rest of the plan can take place. If I don’t get away, if the unthinkable happens don’t do anything. You’re not strong enough to fight him, and you have to be here to take care of the girls. I don’t expect anything to go wrong, but I can’t worry about you while I battle Thomas. I can’t worry about the girls. Promise me.” She hugged Faith against her chest and kissed the child’s head.

  Max sat holding Hope and looked into Kellie’s eyes for several minutes before he spoke. “How can you make me promise not to fight for you? How do I stand by and know you need help? Don’t you know I would run into a burning building or dive into a frozen lake to help you? I love you, Kellie. What kind of life would I have without you?” He shook his head but kept staring directly into her eyes.

  “I understand that. I can’t imagine life without you either, but we both know our girls have to come first. One of us has to be here for them. Please do this for the girls and me. I’ll do all I can to be careful and safe. I promise. I don’t want to die and not have a life with you and the girls.” She wiped a tear away from her cheek.

  Max stood and walked across the room bouncing his daughter in his arms. He turned and looked at Kellie.

  “The best I can promise you is I’ll try. It goes against my nature not to protect you, but I’ll try to do it your way. Promise me you’ll watch your back. Thomas is diabolical from all I’ve heard. He’s a strong spirit. Stronger than Gertrude and she was difficult.”

  Kellie walked up to him and hugged him with one arm while holding Faith. He hugged her back while the girls babbled and reached out to grab each other. Their antics broke the tension, and the Noles family burst into laughter.

  ~ * ~

  Rita arrived while Kellie was making lunch. She occupied the girls and Max and Kellie did their best to eat. Kellie knew she needed food to keep her strength up, and Max forced himself to eat so Kellie would, too.

  A short while later Hunter, Taylor, Andrea, and Cole were outside the patio door. Max opened the door, and they hurried inside.

  Taylor hugged her Aunt Rita and said, “Mom and Andrea’s mom are at my house with Ethan and Nathaniel. They’d love it if you spent the afternoon with them.”

  Rita answered, “I’ll do that. Mike told me what’s going on and about the girl they discovered this morning. I think being with others will help my nerves while I wait. I want a call as soon as everything is over. Remember call me. I know Mike will forget.” She looked at all six young men and women.

  Each of them answered in the affirmative, hugged her, and left the house headed for Kellie’s SUV.

  Max started the vehicle, and before he shifted into revers
e to leave the garage, he asked, “Everyone ready?”

  He heard mumbles of “as ready as we can be” and “yes” and “I think so.”

  Kellie reached for his hand and smiled at him. “It’ll be okay. Trust me,” she assured him.

  He glanced back and shrugged. “I hope so. I do trust you. It’s Thomas that worries me.”

  Chapter Five

  Max pulled into the public parking lot that also doubled as a lot for library visitors. He made sure he backed the SUV in a spot closest to the street and the city fountain. He glanced at his passengers and said, “In case of a quick retreat. Always be prepared.”

  “Great idea,” Hunter agreed. “Can never be too careful.”

  “Do you think having a quick getaway in a car can save any of us from Thomas?” Andrea asked doing her best to hide the panic in her voice.

  “It’s not for a getaway,” Kellie offered. “It’s in case you have to follow Lance or me. Thomas won’t know you’re here. None of you will take off your amulets. You’ll stay hidden. I’m the only one he’ll see. Taylor will keep my amulet. We’ll stay close to each other even though Thomas won’t know it. I can clear my mind and ignore Taylor’s close presence.”

  Max slammed his fist onto the steering wheel. “I still don’t like this. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I agree,” Cole shouted from the back seat startling Kellie. “He’ll kill one of the women. He’s tried before.”

  Kellie took a calming breath and turned to face Cole. “I know you’re worried. You’ve been through a lot. Why don’t you take Andrea home? Pick up Nathaniel and we’ll call you when it’s over.”

  “The hell he will,” Andrea insisted as she was climbing out of the car. “We were together when this started. We’re going to end it together.”

  Cole shrugged and followed his wife. Taylor hurried after and glanced back at the car.” Are you coming, Hunter?”

  “Yeah,” he grumbled. “Cole has a good point, but I’m coming.”

  Kellie leaned over and kissed Max. “It’ll be okay. I refuse to let anyone get hurt.”

  “Does that include you?” Max’s blue eyes searched hers.