Sinister Awakenings

by Marianne Spitzer

  “The girl?” Max queried.

  “Mike shook his head. “The chief said she’s a petite girl. No taller than five feet and can’t possibly weigh more than a hundred pounds. The figure on our security footage shows a much larger person. He’s going to keep me abreast of any new evidence.”

  “Maybe I’ll find out more when I head up there tomorrow. I spoke to Lance. He has a few ideas.”

  “You’re not going,” Mike insisted. “You have children. Max won’t watch them to allow you to go. I’ll refuse to allow Rita to watch them and Taylor will listen to Hunter after I speak with him.”

  Kellie blew out the big breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “You’re not being fair, Uncle Mike. This is a life and death situation.”

  “Exactly, and that’s why you’re not doing this alone. You’re staying right here where you belong.”

  “Where I belong?” Kellie huffed.

  Max walked between Kellie and Mike. “She won’t be alone. I’m going with her. The girls will stay with my parents.”

  Mike took a step closer to Max. “You like your job? One word from me…”

  Max retorted, “You like yours? I’ll lodge a complaint you are harassing my family and me for personal reasons.”

  The men stood there facing each other for a full minute before Mike spun on his heel and stormed out the door.

  Kellie threw her hands around Max’s neck. “You’re my hero. Not only are you going to help me, but you stood up to Uncle Mike.” She kissed him with abandon.

  Hope’s “da, da, da,” broke them apart.

  “I think she’s jealous,” Max whispered.

  Kellie scooped her up and said. “Get Faith. Time for a diaper change and a visit to Taylor to get our clean clothes. Then we’ll need to pack the girl’s things to take to your mom and dad’s.”

  “Hey, you didn’t tell me what Lance said.”

  ~ * ~

  Max heard Kellie gasp as he drove closer to their home. The damage caused by the fire was worse than Kellie imagined.

  “I can’t believe we lived through that,” she stammered.

  Max took her hand. “It looks a lot worse than it is. You’re seeing melted and twisted siding. The structure is sound. Imagine it with new siding. They will gut the living room. The back deck will look the same as the old one. I didn’t get the chance to tell you I spoke with the contractor who built our home and Taylor’s. He’s putting our house on the top of his list. Repairs will start tomorrow. He’ll follow the original blueprints and every detail of the house will look just the way it did before the fire. Do you want to walk through it while we’re here?”

  Kellie shook her head until she felt a headache start. She fought tears back and answered. “No, I can’t go in there with it like this. I have the memories of the flames on the stairs. I don’t want to see what those flames did. We could have lost the girls. When it’s finished, we’ll all go home together.”

  “Anything you want, honey,” Max replied. “I’ll stop by once a day to see how things are going. If you’re curious, I can take a pic each day, and you can see the progress.”

  “Maybe,” Kellie whispered and then smiled when they pulled into Taylor’s driveway. Taylor stood in the doorway holding Ethan. They both waved at Kellie. She bolted from the SUV and hugged her friend. Rufus bounded out the door and nearly knocked Kellie over. He ran past her to the SUV and barked at the girls. They waved their small hands in the air and squealed.

  Max called out to Kellie. “Come help me get the girls out of their seats. Rufus is trying to get in the car first.” He laughed as he did his best to push Rufus aside to try and take Hope out of her seat.

  Kellie ran back. “Down, Rufus.” He sat and whined until Kellie removed Faith from her car seat and let the beautiful golden retriever snuggle close to them both. “We’re all fine, boy. It’s okay.” She ruffled his fur and walked to Taylor’s front door.

  Taylor said, “We’ll have to sit in the kitchen. My living room is full of your clothes. Mrs. Donahue dropped the girl’s things off a little while ago.”

  “She’s such a sweet lady,” Kellie commented. “I ordered her a bouquet of flowers and a huge assortment of fresh fruit. I know she has a sweet tooth, so I had them add some chocolate covered strawberries. I thought she could use a treat for her kindness. It should arrive this afternoon.”

  “She’ll love that,” Taylor replied as she set coffee cups and a plate of muffins on the table. “Hang on, let me get the coffee.”

  Max and Kellie set the girls in the play yard with Ethan, and while the three began a conversation in baby talk, Taylor poured coffee and said, “Okay, tell me everything. I can tell by the look on your face that something’s going on, Kellie.”

  Kellie relayed everything Mike had told her and Max and then added what she knew. “I spoke to Lance. Claudia is up north with him. She felt it was imperative to be close by when Lance and I face this spirit.”

  “What? You and Lance? I thought he was on his own now. Uncle Mike is going to throw a fit. Can I come along?” Taylor leaned close to Kellie and looked her straight in the eyes. “You know I can help.”

  Kellie tried to smile but worry crossed her face. “Uncle Mike already threw his fit, but I’m still going. Max is going with me. You need to stay here with Hunter and Ethan. The girls will stay with Max’s folks.”

  “But, Taylor countered. “I can help.”

  Kellie’s phone chirped, and she read the text. “How does she know everything?” Max scrunched his brows waiting for Kellie to explain. “It’s from Claudia. She says not to worry; she protected your parent’s entire farm. They’ll be safe along with the girls.”

  Max shrugged.

  Kellie continued, “I had a vision, and I believe I will be able to decipher the diary writings. There is a way to destroy the book without calling out any of the spirits. The vengeful spirit already called up is one of the gentler spirits. It only kills in defense. There are other more dangerous spells. We must destroy the diary. Lance spoke to the diary’s owner, and he’s on our side. Evidently, he knew his great-grandma had the diary and hid it to keep everyone safe. I’m hoping not to need everyone this time.” She picked up a muffin and took a bite.

  Max ate two muffins while Kellie spoke and then added, “I don’t like the idea of her going, either, but she had the vision. Lance can’t decipher the diary alone. Even with Claudia’s help, they’ll be going into this blind without Kellie’s help.”

  Taylor agreed. “Hunter would strangle me and Cole swears Andrea will never go near a spirit again.”

  “I hope he’s right. If we need an extra person, Lance has found a helper. Her name is Hannah. She’s a college graduate working as a waitress while looking for a job. The diner is right next to his motel.”

  “Good for him,” Taylor smiled.

  Max raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, helper my foot. It sounds as if there is something between them.”

  Kellie explained about Hannah’s attack and that she’s staying with Lance.

  “I think I agree with Max,” Taylor added. “Oh, Max, if you run up to our spare bedroom closet, there are suitcases, so you don’t have to drag your clothes back to the hotel in plastic bags. I’ll wash the rest while you’re up north and drop off what needs to be dry cleaned.”

  Kellie looked at Taylor and said, “You know you are the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”

  “Better than friends, closer than sisters, right? It’s what we promised.”

  After Max had loaded the full suitcases into the back of the SUV and Kellie snugged both girls in their car seats, she waved at Taylor and promised to keep in touch while up north.

  ~ * ~

  Max rolled over and kissed Kellie. Her eyes popped open. “You startled me.”

  “Sorry, but I thought, Mrs. Noles that we’re in this luxurious hotel room without any children. I wanted to give you a proper good morning wake up and then a soak in that tub before we have breakfast and discus
s the trip.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “I love that idea.”

  Later, as they enjoyed breakfast, Max tapped his fork on his plate and looked at Kellie. “Do you think you can deal with this spirit without any more violence? What if the diary disappears again? Anyone could summon a spirit without knowing what they’re doing.”

  “I agree,” she took a sip of juice and set her glass down. “Claudia’s there. She’ll sense if the diary is in the wrong hands and if another spirit is loose. She can also tell us where the spirit is hopefully before there is trouble. Her help is vital this time.”

  Max wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Are you ready to leave?”

  “A quick stop in the bathroom, and we’ll go.” Kellie hurried to finish her business and prepare for the trip.

  ~ * ~

  Lance looked up from his phone and spoke to Hannah. “That was a text from Max. He’s Kellie’s husband. They’ll be here in a few hours.”

  Hannah looked up when she heard a knock on the door. Lance quipped,” That’ll be Claudia. I hope she chose something besides black today.” Hannah smiled.

  Lance opened the door, and Claudia swept into the room wearing dark jeans, a bright red t-shirt, and a sunshine yellow cloak. “Good morning, darlings. We have a busy day. Let’s get something to eat.”

  Hannah sputtered, “Um yeah, okay. Do you usually wear a cloak?”

  “Always, they have pockets, and I don’t carry a purse. You’d be surprised how often it comes in handy as a blanket or a privacy screen. Not to mention people assume I’m weird and usually keep their distance. That suits me fine since people tend to pry and get on my nerves. People are too judgmental. A perfect example is the man at the motel counter who called me a witch. The nerve. Plus, I love how it twirls.” Claudia turned around, and the cloak spun with her.

  Hannah had to agree. “Maybe I need to buy one.”

  “You’ll love them once you wear one,” Claudia insisted. “Now, let’s get to that breakfast. We need to eat hardy this morning. I sense a big day coming our way.” With that she rushed from the room her cloak sailing behind.

  “I like her,” Hannah whispered to Lance.

  “I do, too. She’s worth her weight in gold. I couldn’t do what I do without her.” Lance took her hand, and they followed Claudia to the diner.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Claudia slid into a booth and Lance and Hannah sat across from her. They had just picked up their menus when a young woman with long red hair slid into the booth next to Claudia.

  “Sorry to bother your lunch, Hannah, but I have to tell you something. Someone attacked Niki last night. She’s okay, but some guy grabbed her when she was heading to the back door of her apartment building. She called me this morning when she couldn’t reach you.”

  “I was in the hospital. I think my phone was on silent.”

  “That’s probably why,” the pretty redhead said. “She said the man didn’t hurt her but pressed to the ground and gave her a message. He told her to be sure you knew that if you don’t stop, the curse of the library ghost will kill everyone in town. That’s all I know. I’m meeting my aunt for lunch. She just pulled in. I don’t know what’s going on, Hannah, but please be careful.” She gave them a half-smile and hurried to another booth.

  “What the hell?” Lance stammered.

  “That was my friend, Lydia. She’s a bit of a drama queen but very sweet. She and Niki are two of my best friends. Someone knew if they attacked Niki I would take it personally. What’s going on Lance and what’s this about a curse?” Hannah stared straight into his eyes.

  Claudia answered, “There isn’t a curse. Whoever the attacker is, he’s trying to ramp up the fear in you and the entire town. I’m sure people will hear about this. Your fear is supposed to keep Lance from doing his job. If Lance goes home, Kellie won’t come. If they’re not here, no one will solve the mystery, and the attacker’s goal is accomplished.”

  “What goal?” Hannah queried.

  Claudia leaned forward and placed her hands on the edge of the table. “Revenge. I feel whoever is responsible is angry about a current situation. He wants to use the spirit to enact revenge and have everyone believe it is part of the same act as the lake and library incident. This is separate and whoever attacked Hannah and her friend set fire to Kellie’s house. I’m not clear as to what the revenge is, but it is not a curse. That I am sure of. Anyone else hungry?” She pushed herself back from the edge of the table and picked up her menu.

  Lance looked at Hannah and shrugged. “Let’s eat and let Claudia do what she does best…commune with her spirits.”

  ~ * ~

  Max pulled into the parking lot of the motel.

  “I hope they have a room,” Kellie said.

  “The sign said ‘vacancy.’ Why don’t you text Lance and let him know we’re here, and I’ll see if I can get a room.”

  Kellie pulled herself out of the SUV and stretched. She sent Lance a quick text. When she heard a door open, a bright ray of sunshine flittered down the stairs toward her.

  “Claudia,” Kellie said. “I’m so happy to see you here.” The two women hugged.

  Max smiled when he walked out of the motel office key in hand and saw Kellie and Claudia waiting for him. He breathed a sigh of relief knowing if Claudia was here, Kellie was much safer.

  “I have a room and a warning to be wary of the strange woman in yellow and red. I heard you showed up here dressed in black. Word is you might be a witch,” he smiled and hugged Claudia.

  “Yes, I am. Didn’t you know?” The extravagant woman admitted and hugged Max.

  “I’m sure everyone watching suspects we’re all a bit weird. We should go to our room and catch up. I need to know what we’re up against,” Kellie suggested.

  ~ * ~

  Max and Kellie settled in their room and then met with Lance, Hannah, and Claudia in Lance’s room.

  They exchanged what information they had and discussed ideas on what they could do. A knock on the door disturbed their discussion. Lance opened the door.

  “Please come in,” he said. Lance turned and said, “I’d like all of you to meet Kirby Wallace. He’s going to help us with the diary’s destruction.” Lance made the rest of the introductions.

  Kirby nodded and exchanged pleasantries with the group. He added, “I have some news you might find useful.”

  “Please sit,” Lance pointed to the only available chair. “Sorry I don’t have more room, but we can’t go out in public and discuss anything. It seems the town has ears, and everyone knows what’s happening quickly.”

  “I understand, and when it’s time to deal with the spirit or the diary, you’re welcome to use my land. No one will bother you.”

  “Thanks,” Lance answered. “What’s going on?”

  “I stopped by the police station to inquire about the diary. It seemed to me that they weren’t able to keep it safe. I wanted to lodge a complaint hoping to get it from them since they found it at the library yesterday. I used the valuable antique lie as the reason. I can’t believe the chief’s kid had the diary, but then Evan has always been a handful.”

  Hannah spoke, “Yeah, he’s been in a lot of trouble, and he hangs around with the same group of kids that Olivia does. Do you think there’s a connection, Mr. Wallace?”

  “I do, but no one was speaking, at least until my cousin’s wife, Olivia’s mom, came storming into the station while I was there. It seems Evan used the diary to threaten Olivia. I’m assuming he stole it from the police station and is responsible for whatever happened at the library. Olivia’s mom yelled at the chief loud enough everyone in the station heard her. Evan told Olivia she would go to jail for first-degree murder for conjuring up the spirit at the lake. The poor girl believed him.”

  “What a snake,” Hannah stammered.

  “It gets worse,” Kirby continued. “He threatened to turn the diary in and say he found her with it if she didn’t, umm, well, let�
�s say do his bidding all summer long. She broke down and told her mom.”

  “That’s unforgivable,” Hannah added, and the others sat stunned at the idea the teen would go that far.

  “The good news is that Hannah is not in any trouble. I told the chief he can’t arrest her for visiting her great-grandma’s home and borrowing a book. He agreed. I’m not sure what’ll happen to Evan, and right now I don’t care. The chief called me a bit ago and said the D.A. agrees, and they’ll release the diary to me in the morning. I told them I wanted to place it in a safety deposit box as soon as possible. They’ll do the paperwork, and I’ll pick up the diary. Now, what is it you want me to do with it?” Kirby leaned back and smiled satisfied that he’d helped them.

  Claudia answered, “As soon as you have the diary, please bring it here. Lance and Kellie will work out the details. I believe Kellie can decipher it, and we’ll learn how to destroy it.”

  Max spoke, “I have a question. Three young women were attacked, but only two were given a message for Lance and my wife. The first attack may have been a random act of violence. Also, our home was set on fire. I think the same person is responsible, yet this Evan kid was home when the fire broke out. He had a reason to keep us away. Hannah also doesn’t believe he attacked her. She said she remembered a more muscular man. The only other connection is your niece. Who else might want to protect Olivia?” He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his thighs.

  Kirby shook his head. “I have no idea. It makes sense that Olivia didn’t want any of you here to draw more attention to the fact she read the spell or whatever at the lake. My money would still be on Evan, but I don’t think the chief would lie to give him an alibi. From what I could gather from listening to her mother’s rant. Olivia has been terrified since the night at the lake. Maybe someone else is taking advantage of her or someone close to her is trying to protect her.”

  “Great,” Max answered. “What do we do about that?”

  “Let me speak with her,” Hannah insisted. “I know her. I dated her brother Devlin for a while in high school. I think she’d talk to me.”