Lance leaned forward leaning his elbows on his knees. “If the spirit was summoned for a particular reason, it may be dormant again. It killed for Lavinia and killed again when the girl read the spell. It’s all that makes sense. What worries me is that the diary is still in the hands of the police. If anyone on the force reads the spell to see if the girl’s story is true or if the diary is returned, who knows if Olivia will try the spell again. I need to find that diary and destroy it. I’m just at a loss as to how to do it.”
“I know Olivia. What if I tell her I need the diary and see if she’ll ask for it back?” She rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself up on her elbows looking directly at Lance.
He shook his head. “I doubt the police will release it to her until they solve this murder, and they can’t solve what they don’t believe. If for some reason, she can get it back, I’d be willing to pay her a couple of hundred dollars if she brings it to me without reading more spells.”
“Sounds like a plan, but we need to figure out how to help her get it. I don’t think we can steal it. It may be a small town, but the police are vigilant,” Hannah said quietly.
“Don’t worry; I have no intention of trying to steal anything much less something from a police station. I value my freedom.” He glanced at the bed and saw Hannah fast asleep. Lance smiled and turned in his chair and opened his laptop.
~ * ~
Kellie’s cell rang, and she smiled when she looked at the caller ID. “Hi, Lance. I’ve been thinking about you.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“Well,” she answered. “To be honest, I’ve been worried.”
“You feel it, too?”
“Yes, I spoke to Claudia today, and she feels something, too. She said her spirit guides were concerned for both you and me.”
“Why you? Did she say?” Lance scowled knowing the spirits were usually correct. How could Kellie be in danger?
“No, there isn’t anything specific. I don’t know since I’m not anywhere near you nor am I investigating. However, knowing her spirits the way I do, I’ll be watchful. Something is out there, Lance. I just don’t know what it is besides evil.”
“I have an idea.” Lance filled her in on all that he found out and what Hannah knew. He also explained what he thought was a human element and Hannah’s attack.
“I think you’re right. Someone, not something sent the message for you to stop investigating. I’m sorry your friend was injured. You both need to be careful.”
“We are. She’s staying in my motel room for protection right now.”
“Uh huh, protection,” Kellie’s voice held a hint of humor.
“Seriously, Kellie, she’s in danger. I can help keep her safe until this is over.” He rubbed his forehead and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I know. Just teasing,” she smiled. “Please be careful. If I get a sense of anything at all, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, tell Max I said hi and hug the girls for me.”
“Will do.” They both disconnected the call.
Lance noticed Hannah watching him. “Kellie, huh. Should I be jealous now that we’re living together?”
Lance shook his head and glanced down at the floor. He raised his eyes and said, “We’re not living together. You are here for protection. Kellie is a friend. We’ve dealt with evil spirits before.”
“Kellie, Kellie, hmm that name sounds familiar. Hey is that Kellie Conley something or other. The girl who chases and kills ghosts? I saw her on TV when that ghost fought with her on the roof. You didn’t tell me you knew her.” Hannah was sitting on the edge of the bed. “This is exciting.”
“Yes, Kellie Noles is a friend. She doesn’t kill ghosts. She helps the good into the light and heaven. The evil ghosts end up in hell.”
“You believe in heaven and hell?”
“Of course, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Hannah answered. “I wasn’t sure you did since you fight ghosts. Some people believe it’s some type of magic that you use, and it doesn’t fit with their idea of heaven, I guess.”
“Maybe not,” Lance shrugged, “But, I don’t use magic. I have some abilities. Kellie also has abilities. We fight evil. No magic just whatever our bodies are capable of. No spells either which makes me concerned about what kind of spirit was conjured up. I walked around the lake area. I felt the spirit had been there but isn’t there now. If it’s only awakened by a spell, it’ll be easier to control. Destroy the spell and the spirit sleeps. I need that diary. Any suggestions?”
“Nope, but I’m hungry. Let’s go to the diner for lunch. Later we can get a burger at the bar for dinner. You’ll meet more of the town’s folk that way. Maybe someone has more information. Could be I’ll figure a way to get that diary.” She rolled off the bed and stood but plopped right back down. “Wow, they told me to move slow. I better listen. I nearly fell over.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just not used to taking it easy.”
“I also want to visit the Wallace’s property,” Lance reminded her.
“Okay, and we need to stop at my place and let me get more clothes.”
“You have a place? Wouldn’t it be better if we stayed there? It has to have more privacy. Maybe a couch I can sleep on? I thought you lived at home.” Lance raised his eyebrows waiting for her answer.
“I do, sort of. I live in the garage apartment at my folk’s house. I don’t think we should stay there.” She stood again slowly.
“Agreed,” Lance said. He held out his hand. “Lunch first?”
Hannah took his hand, and they walked to the diner. It was nearly noon, and the diner was busy. Her uncle stared at them both when they took a seat in an empty booth.
“I don’t think your uncle approves,” Lance whispered.
“It doesn’t matter. He never approves of anyone I date.”
“We’re not dating.”
“I know, and you know. They don’t,” she grinned. They think we’re lovers.”
Lance groaned.
“Okay, we’ll change the subject. Tell me all about Kellie Conley. It must be exciting to work with her.”
Several people sitting at the counter turned to look at them after Hannah’s comment. A few people in surrounding booths leaned toward them.
Lance leaned forward and whispered again, “Don’t mention her name. No one knows why I’m really here. Remember I’m supposed to be researching an article.”
Hannah bit her lip hard. “Sorry, let’s talk about something else. Do you want to visit the Wallace place right after lunch?”
“Shh, don’t let anyone know what we’re doing.”
“If we go to the Wallace place,” she whispered back, “everyone will know anyway. This is a small town.”
“Okay,” he leaned back in the booth. “Let’s order lunch.”
After Lance had paid the lunch check, they walked toward his car holding hands.
“Do you really think people will believe we’re together? I don’t think people are stupid. They’ll figure this out.”
“No, they won’t. Everyone in town thinks I’m a bit wild. Having a lover from college come visit is something they’d expect,” she said and flashed him an endearing smile.
He smiled back and answered. “Okay, I suppose I can pretend to be your boyfriend.”
“Lover,” Hannah giggled.
“Boyfriend,” he insisted and held open the passenger side door for her.
They drove in silence until Hannah told Lance where to turn. He drove down a dirt road into the woods. “Are you sure this is the way?” He saw a large home in the distance and added, “Okay, let me ask the questions, please.”
“You better let me pave the way first.” Hannah insisted. “They like me. Remember you’re a stranger.”
Lance nodded.
He slowed as he approached a split off on the road. The road veered left and right, but he could still see the home straight ahead.
“Straight,” Hannah answered before he asked. “The other roads lead to different houses. “Told ya it was a big family.”
Lance saw a man sitting on the porch of the large gray house. The medium shade was freshly painted and not weather worn. Better to fit in the surroundings he surmised.
“That’s Kirby Wallace. He’s a nice guy. I went to high school with his son and daughter. He and my dad are friends. Let me introduce you,” Hannah offered.
When Lance parked the car, Hannah popped out and headed for the porch. “Hi, Mr. Wallace. How are you today?”
“Just fine, Hannah. Thanks.” His gaze scrutinized Lance.
She smiled that smile Lance knew all too well. Innocence, but he knew her mind worked in every direction but an innocent path. Hannah was up to something.
“This is my boyfriend, Lance Cain. We met at college. He’s a writer and doing a story on the murder at the lake.”
Lance strolled forward and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
Kirby shook his hand, and Lance thought his fingers would go numb.
“What can I do for you,” Kirby inquired.
Lance swallowed wondering how to approach the subject.
Hannah jumped in with both feet after she took a seat on the porch. “Lance is looking into all the different angles of the murder and came across something weird.”
“Weird?” Kirby stared straight at Lance.
“More like an interesting quirk in history, sir.”
“I’m listening.” Kirby leaned back in his chair.
“I’m sure you know the lore surrounding Lavinia and her child since it’s believed her son was the first Wallace to settle here.”
Kirby nodded. Lance swallowed again.
“Well, sir, from what I’ve gathered, the girl at the lake had a diary she found in your great-grandma’s attic that might have belonged to Lavinia. People are saying she read a spell and conjured up a vengeful spirit that killed the young man at the lake. Rumor has it that it’s the same spirit who supposedly killed Lavinia’s child’s father.” He smiled slightly hoping the man wasn’t going to throw him off the property.
Kirby interlaced his fingers and leaned forward.
This is it, Lance thought. The man is going to assume I’m crazy and go find a rifle to escort me off his property.
Kirby looked at Lance, then at Hannah, and back to Lance. “That’s about the long and short of it. I just have no idea how to keep it from happening again. Do you?”
Chapter Sixteen
Evan Wooten sat in the chair opposite the desk of the Police Chief, Ryan Casden. He glared at the man, his step-father, while holding a book on Civil War history.
“Are you serious about me reading this entire book and doing a detailed report? What did you do to mom to get her to agree with you?”
Chief Casden lifted his eyes and glared at his step-son. He did his best to count to ten before answering. “I didn’t do anything to your mother. This report was her idea. I only suggested you read the book here where I can be sure you don’t get into any more trouble.”
“I didn’t do a damn thing wrong.”
“Watch your language, son.”
“I’m not your son.”
The chief shook his head and looked at Evan. “Do you want to read the book in a cell? I have an empty one.”
“No, I’m fine,” Evan mumbled opening the book.
The phone on the chief’s desk buzzed, and he answered it. When he finished speaking, he looked at Evan. “I have to go out on a call. You read and take notes.” He tossed a yellow legal pad on the desk.
“Can I, at least, get a bag of chips and a soda to help me stay awake.”
“Yeah, you have money?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, stay out of trouble and read. The officer upfront will keep an ear open for any more mischief.”
Evan nodded.
When he heard his step-father’s footsteps disappear down the hall, Evan smiled. “This was easier than I thought.”
Maybe he would survive getting grounded over the stupid skinny dipping incident at the lake and even reading the boring book if he could get to Olivia’s diary. What she promised him if he succeeded would be worth anything he needed to go through. He knew his step-dad kept an extra set of keys in his desk drawer. How much could be stored in the evidence room in this place? The town never had any real crimes until the night of the bonfire.
Evan listened at the door. It was quiet. He slipped the keys from the desk and headed for the break room and the vending machines. Instead of turning right at the end of the hall to buy his chips and drink, he turned left and walked to the evidence room. This was one time he was thankful his step-father had given him a tour of the jail three years earlier just before he married his mom.
He had tried three keys before he heard the lock on the door click open. He slipped into the room and found a storage box sitting by itself on the middle shelf of a metal shelving unit. It was from the night of the bonfire. He opened the box and pulled the diary out. Evan hid the diary in his shirt, replaced the lid and the box then let himself back out into the hall. After he had locked the door, he headed for the break room and bought chips and soda. He smiled on his way back to the office knowing as soon as he was ungrounded, he would have the best night of his life with Olivia. She was worried the diary would get her in trouble. Technically, she stole it from her great-grandma’s attic. Her fear of being arrested as the reason their friend died would make her very grateful indeed. Evan smiled again. Maybe he could use her gratefulness all summer long. He dropped back into his chair in the chief’s office, opened his soda, and began to read.
~ * ~
Lance looked at Hannah out of the corner of his eye and then addressed Kirby, “Excuse me, sir, but did I hear you correctly? You believe the story about a spirit killing that teenager at the lake?”
“Of course, I do. Personally, I never saw the diary, but I knew it existed. Great-grandma used to tell all of us about the power of a spirit that protects the innocent from evil. The only problem is that the spirit was more evil than anything else. It didn’t care what or who got in its way if it was asked to avenge someone.” Kirby stood. “You two want a beer?”
Hannah answered, “Yes, please,” while Lance declined. Kirby returned in a couple of minutes with two bottles and handed one to Hannah.
He popped the top off the bottle and took a long draw. Wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve, he leaned back in his chair again.
“I’ll tell you what I know. First, the book is written in a language no one could translate. My great-grandma went on vacation back East one summer and took it to a few museums in the larger cities she visited. The closest answer she received was it was written in an archaic language but also in code. Whatever was written in the diary was meant for very few eyes only. She refused to allow anyone to keep it or copy any of the writing. She had a gut feeling it would cause trouble. She was right. Second, she told us one night she had a dream. In the dream, a strange man dressed in long flowing robes spoke to her. She didn’t remember what he said, but when she woke, she could read and understand the words in the diary.”
“Interesting,” Lance interjected. “Did she tell anyone what she knew?”
Kirby shook his head. “She said it was too dangerous.”
“If that’s the case,” Hannah mused, “why didn’t she destroy it?”
“It can’t be destroyed by any human means,” Kirby answered.
“What’s that supposed to mean,” Hannah stammered.
“We surmised since it was full of spells and mysterious stories that something unearthly would be needed to destroy it. She never told us if the answer was in the diary. I believe she knew, but she was afraid.”
“That make sense,” Lance said. “Many times an ancient book will have a warning of dire circumstances if it is destroyed.”
“You mean like curses on tombs and entrances to secret places,” Hannah asked.
>
“Exactly,” Lance answered.
“Before we discuss this any further,” Kirby said. “I have a question for you, and I’d like an honest answer.”
“Okay,” Lance agreed. “That seems fair.”
“You’re not here to write any newspaper or magazine article. You know that what happened at the lake is a paranormal event. The police don’t believe it so they won’t do anything, but you plan to rid us of this evil whatever it is.”
Lance sat silent for a few moments thinking about what to say while Kirby watched him.
“What makes you think that, sir?”
“I said you can call me Kirby and anyone associated with Kellie Conley is after spirits. We get the news up here, too. I saw her on TV. I think I saw you, too, but your conversation was overheard at the diner.” Kirby smiled at them.
“We just came from there; how did you know?”
Kirby laughed. “I may be prepared for every possible danger out here, but that doesn’t mean I’m not using every available technology. I’m a survivor, not a hermit.” He held up his cell phone. “A friend called me.”
“All right,” Lance admitted. “I’m here to destroy whatever the thing is. I met Hannah at the diner, and she’s helping me since people in town don’t talk openly to strangers.”
“Smart move. Any ideas?” Kirby finished the rest of his beer.
“Not without the diary. I hope it contains something to help me. If not, I have a friend that communes with the spirit world. She should be able to discover what is written in the diary, and if it can be destroyed, she’ll know how, I hope. So far, it seems the spirit must be summoned. If that is true, destroying the diary or placing it somewhere safe will be the easy answer. If not, I’ll need to look deeper into this.”
Kirby nodded. “The diary is the key.”
“Yes, and it’s locked up at the police station. Any suggestions?”
“Legally, it belongs to me. Olivia stole it from a house on my property. It doesn’t matter that the house is currently empty. We still use it when family or friends visit during the summer. It’s nicer and cheaper than a hotel, and we’re all close by each other. I can insist they give it back. The only problem is I’ll have to explain she stole it. That means Olivia gets into trouble. She’s family. They could charge her with breaking and entering and theft. She plans to go to college. I don’t want to mess up her life.”
Sinister Awakenings Page 15
