A thousand questions flooded my mind, but I could ask only one at a time. “Where were you when my parents and Lucy were killed? I know my parents had you down in their wills as our legal guardian, but the police couldn’t find you.”
“I know, dear. I’m awfully sorry about that, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“Why not?”
Her silence pulsed with fear and anxiety. “Where are you, Simon? Can anyone hear your part of this conversation?”
I grimaced. “No. Is all this secrecy because of my uncle?”
“Yes, Simon.” She paused, then asked, “Has he harmed you?”
I didn’t want to upset her further, so I skirted the truth. “I’m all right, but the man’s demented.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come get you, but after the accident I had to follow your parents’ instructions if I was to keep Lucy safe.”
My head began to spin. My breath came in deep gasps. “Lucy? You’re saying she’s alive?”
Aunt Grace laughed. “Very much so and wanting to speak to her brother.”
I swallowed, too dazed to speak. Lucy was alive! When I found my voice again, I asked, “Lucy’s with you?”
“Right here. Hold on a second.”
My heart thumped as I waited. A minute later, the familiar voice I knew and loved so well sounded in my ear.
“Hi, Sy-sy.”
“Hello, Lu-lu.”
“Where are you?” Lucy asked. “I miss you so much.”
“I’m in Buckley, New York. And I miss you, too.”
“When can you get here?” Lucy asked.
“Very soon. Where are you?”
There were scraping sounds and Aunt Grace returned to the phone. “We can’t tell you where we are, Simon. It isn’t safe.”
I blinked, trying to absorb what she was saying. “Why can’t I come live with you and Lucy? I want us to be together.”
“I know you do, dear, but I can’t take the risk. Your uncle Raymond’s a monster who preys on girls Lucy’s age.” Her breath caught. “Even speaking to you is an awful risk. He has people working for him, people who stop at nothing.” She tried to stifle her sobs, but I knew she was crying. “Look what they did to your poor parents.”
Here was confirmation, if I had any lingering doubts. It felt like someone had punched me in the chest. “When can I talk to Lucy again?”
“I don’t know, Simon. Maybe not for a while. Please don’t call this number again. I’ll be changing it tomorrow.”
“But, Aunt Grace—” The phone went dead.
CHAPTER NINE
HOT TEARS STREAMED down my cheeks. Lucy was alive! Aunt Grace was looking after her, but she wouldn’t let me come live with them. No, I had to stay here in Buckley, with my devil of an uncle and his diabolical plan to take over my body. It wasn’t fair!
Life isn’t fair. So my father had told me when I’d lost the spelling bee because my word was ten times harder than the one the winner had to spell. He’d said it when I twisted my ankle days before the most important meet of ninth grade. “Life isn’t fair,” Dad used to say, “but we do the best we can, given the circumstances.” In this case, the best I could do was to help keep Lucy safe and out of Raymond’s clutches.
I sniffed, furious for having wasted energy feeling sorry for myself. I ran through my conversation with Aunt Grace. Then I sat back and considered what she’d said—and what she’d left out.
She must have met my parents that night to get Lucy shortly before they were killed. Were my parents planning to bring me with them, wherever they intended to go? I suddenly knew why they’d been driving to Vermont. Their plan had been to leave me with Mom’s college roommate in Toronto.
I bet Aunt Grace could tell me what had sent my parents fleeing and where they intended to go. She’d told the authorities that Lucy had been in the car to protect her from Raymond. The one article I’d read said her body had fallen into a snow-covered ravine and couldn’t be retrieved until spring. I grimaced. I hadn’t the heart to read more about it, though I should have.
My parents must have been terrified, knowing Raymond was hunting them down. They’d thought they were protecting me by keeping me in the dark about the Davenports’ history. I’d have been better prepared if I’d known.
I longed to see Lucy. If I could tweak her braids, hear her giggle at my silly jokes again, I’d know there were some good things left in this world. It was just the two of us now. It was my responsibility to teach her about important things, like how to deal with boys.
I’d figure out a way to see her, whether Aunt Grace approved of it or not.
Great-Aunt Lucinda can help me find Lucy! I stood, ready to head over to her house, when I remembered I had to contact her first, in case someone was spying on me. On both of us. Damn all this spying and hiding! I was thoroughly sick of it!
At any rate, the twins were expecting me. Meeting with a bunch of kids who had no chance of changing Raymond’s mind about the playing fields was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn’t back out. I had an obligation to support Andy and Pol. The twins were the only friends I had and I didn’t want to alienate them. They were already put off by my lack of interest. I’d stay a while, then contact Lucinda.
Darkness fell as I jogged over to their house. Lights, muted by gauzy drapes, shone from the downstairs windows. A wave of longing for my own home and my own family swept over me. I wiped away the tears that had filled my eyes and rang the doorbell.
Pol opened the door. “Hey, Simon. I’m glad you decided to come tonight.”
“Told you I’d be here, didn’t I?”
I followed her into the den, where chairs had been set up for the meeting. Three boys and two girls, fellow camp counselors and classmates, chatted as they munched on chips and nuts.
Andy caught my eye and hurried over. “Yo, Simon. Did you get a lot of signatures? I’ve got more sheets if you need them.”
“Signatures?” For a moment, I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Come on, man! Get with it!” Andy shook his head in despair.
“Oh, right. The petition. I only got a few names so far, but I’ll take another sheet.”
“Really?” Andy broke out into a grin. He poked the boy closest to him in the ribs. “Hear that, Ken? We’ve got Davenport’s own nephew on our side.”
The doorbell rang and Pol went to answer it. Three more kids joined the group. By the time Andy called the meeting to order, there were sixteen of us altogether.
I leaned back in my chair by the fireplace, impressed by Andy’s gift of leadership. He gave an upbeat introduction to the reason for the meeting, then had us introduce ourselves. This led to a lively discussion that he managed to control without hurting anyone’s ego. Pol collected the petitions a few had managed to fill, and asked who needed more forms. I took one, feeling bad for my deception. I had no intention of getting any signatures, but I needed to give the impression that I was involved. If I didn’t show an interest in their project, Andy and Pol would turn their backs on me.
Andy read off a list of people in the community who supported keeping the playing fields for sporting activities.
“You’ve done a great job, bringing in almost three hundred names, but we need at least a thousand by the next city council meeting, which is in two weeks. We need to make the council view this is a serious issue for the town. We have to show them we have right on our side.”
Andy’s friend Ken, a skinny boy with acne, grumbled something about my uncle. It must have been scuzzy, because the kids sitting near him giggled. When Ken caught me looking at him, he flushed and turned away.
“Did your dad speak to a lawyer yet?” I asked.
“Yes,” Pol said. “Mr. Bayard is looking into it for us. He said it’s going to take some time because he needs to find the deed to the land and the document detailing the town’s use of the land.”
“You mean they’re missing?” a girl exclaimed.
The room buzz
ed with comments.
Andy frowned. “It’s not so much that they’re missing, but they’re difficult to locate. The documents are over a hundred years old. There was a fire in the records room in the Sixties and all the old papers got dumped together. It could take some time before they find them.”
If they found them. The kids were so naïve. I felt sorry for them. My uncle was an astute businessman. I had no doubt that he possessed a copy of the deed to the property as well as any document outlining the town’s permission to use the property.
I grew restless and wanted to leave. I had to speak to Great-Aunt Lucinda! I stood when Andy had his back to me, heatedly explaining how civic responsibility makes a difference to one of the girls losing interest in the project.
I was surprised when Pol followed me outside.
“Well, good night,” I said, eager to be on my way.
She nudged my shoulder. “You didn’t collect any signatures.” It was a statement, not a question.
I opted for the truth. “Nope.”
“Something’s going down with you, something big.”
I met the intense gaze of her blue-green eyes. Again I decided not to lie. “Something huge, but nothing I can talk about.”
Pol studied me in the shadow cast by the overhead light. It felt like she was peering into my soul. She treated me to one of her rare smiles that lit up her face. “Any time you want to spill what’s on your mind, let me know. I’m a great listener.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
I waved and jogged back to the schoolyard. I didn’t pass one person, but I didn’t feel lonely. The icy shell that had protected my heart these last few months was melting. I felt warm and cozy, the way I’d felt sitting in front of a fireplace after a day out on the ski slopes. Pol was all right. She was nobody’s fool, as my mother would say. She was a good friend, regardless of how many signatures I brought in or didn’t.
She was my ally.
When the elementary school came into view, I headed for the side entrance where I’d sat speaking to Lucy and Aunt Grace earlier in the evening. I had to talk to Lucinda. She had psychic powers. Maybe she could tell me where Aunt Grace had taken Lucy.
Aunt Grace didn’t want me to join her and Lucy, but surely she’d take me in once I explained the danger I was in. Lucy needed me. I needed Lucy if I was going to keep my sanity and escape Raymond’s diabolical plan.
I closed my eyes and repeated the numbers: 4-8-6-1. 4-8-6-1. 4-8-6-1. I repeated it again and again in my mind.
Enough already! Lucinda’s irritated voice resounded in my head. I hear you. I hear you!
I laughed aloud, delighted to have connected with her so easily. I opened my mouth to speak, then realized I only had to think the words.
This is better than owning a Bluetooth.
A blue tooth? What kind of strange objects do you kids come up with these days?
Forget it. Aunt Lucinda, I gotta see you right away.
Come by the house. Keep an eye out for spies, but I don’t sense that anyone’s following you tonight.
I wonder if anyone followed me to the meeting at the twins’ house. They’re organizing opposition to Raymond’s condo plan.
Tell me about it when you get here.
I looked around before setting out for Lucinda’s cottage. Though it was dark out, I saw everything as clearly as if it were daylight. I heard cats and other creatures prowling around lawns, caught snatches of TV dialogue coming from the houses I passed. My hearing was keener now, as was my sight. Lucinda was right! My uncle’s infusions were sharpening my senses. I’d have to work at closing myself to random sights and sounds, but right now they served an excellent purpose.
Lucinda greeted me with a hug and led me into the kitchen. My aunt’s home felt familiar, as though I were a frequent visitor and not here for the second time.
“It’s like I’ve always known you,” I said as she placed a glass of milk and a piece of apple cake before me.
She patted my shoulder. “That’s because we’re kin. God knows you deserve to have a relative who cares about your well-being.”
I looked up at her. “I spoke to Lucy! She’s alive, but our aunt Grace won’t let me come live with them. You have to help me, Lucinda!”
“Whoa!” Lucinda stuck out her palm. She dropped into a chair and faced me. “Start over, Simon. Slowly.”
I drew a deep breath and explained how I’d managed to contact Aunt Grace and that Lucy and I needed to be together. “We can’t even talk, Aunt Lucinda, because Aunt Grace keeps on changing phone numbers. You have to help us! I know you can.”
Lucinda pressed her lips together. She looked dead serious. “Remember that girl you told me about—Melissa Gordon?”
I nodded.
“Another little girl was killed this evening. It was on the radio.”
My pulse began to race. “That lousy, dirty—”
“She was nine years old. Lucy’s age.”
I blinked. “But Lucy’s his niece!”
“Meaning her life force is the strongest, most premium kind of fuel for Raymond.” Lucinda grimaced. “Don’t forget my brother. My grandfather killed him.”
I wouldn’t give up. I couldn’t. “I have to see my sister! I’ll make sure no one follows me there. Aunt Grace managed to keep Lucy hidden all these months.”
“You mustn’t try to see Lucy! Don’t contact her. Your aunt is keeping her safe. She knows what she’s up against. Raymond would come after you—twice as fast and twice as hard—if he knew Lucy was alive.”
“But how would he know?”
Lucinda turned away. “He’ll find out somehow.”
Her words defeated me. I was alone again. Only now it was worse, because I couldn’t join my sister. “I thought you’d help me get away from here. I want to stay with Aunt Grace and live with Lucy.” My voice broke. “You’ve no idea how hard it’s been for me.”
Lucinda came to stand behind my chair. She wrapped her arms around me. They were bony, but comforting.
“You have to be strong a while longer. We’ll defeat your awful uncle. Then you and Lucy can be together.”
I turned to face her. “How? How are we supposed to defeat this devil who kills and controls and means to turn me into a zombie?”
“We’re working on it. Have you been practicing closing your mind?”
“Yes.”
“Keep at it. Day and night. Have there been more infusions?”
“One.” I snorted. “But Raymond didn’t find it much of a success.”
“Good. That proves how strong you are.”
“He’s powerful, Aunt Lucinda.”
“You’re stronger,” she insisted. “Keep practicing your closing skills. Soon you’ll be able to do it in your sleep.”
“I have some of his memories. I kind of know how he manipulates situations so they go his way.”
Lucinda sent me a sharp look of concern. “Don’t let it go any further.”
“Right.” Like I could control what was happening to me. I stood and let out an enormous yawn. It had been a long day. “I’d better get going.” Absentmindedly, I slipped my hand in my pocket and pulled out the folded petition form Andy had given me.
“What’s that?” Lucinda asked.
I explained and was puzzled by the huge grin that wreathed her wrinkled cheeks.
“What’s so funny, Aunt Lucinda?”
She was laughing so hard that for a minute she couldn’t answer. “Your uncle Raymond, that’s what. I can’t wait to see his face when we put a stop to his precious condo plans.”
CHAPTER TEN
I GAPED AT LUCINDA. Maybe she really was going senile.
“Simon, dear, you’re talking about the land behind the shops on Elm Street?”
“Yeah. The town uses it for Little League and soccer games. Four games can go on at the same time.”
“Beyond it there’s a stretch of woods?”
“There are houses there. No woods, I don’t
think.”
“Of course! My grandfather sold off that parcel of property. He needed the money at the time.”
“I don’t see how you can stop Raymond from building his condos?” I yawned again.
“Simon, that property—where the kids play baseball and what-have-you—is Davenport land. It belongs to all of us, not just Raymond. That includes you, me, and Lucy, for that matter.”
Excitement coursed through me. I was no longer tired. “Really? You mean Raymond has no right to build condos on that property?”
“Not without our say so. Though, judging by his actions, he doesn’t see it that way.”
“Do you have a copy of the deed?”
“I should.” She blinked. “Let’s see, it’s somewhere in the spare bedroom. Or maybe in my safe deposit box. Or did I give it to my lawyer to keep in his safe?”
I felt a stab of disappointment. “Don’t you know where it is?”
“Not offhand.”
“We need that deed, Aunt Lucinda!”
“Don’t badger me, Simon. I promise you I’ll find it. Now go home and get some sleep. I’m growing weary myself. And practice closing your mind. Practice, practice, practice.”
I walked home in a funk. I’d counted on Lucinda’s help to find Lucy. Instead, she agreed with Aunt Grace. And she wasn’t concerned that Raymond was out to destroy me! Oh, no. She insisted I was stronger than Raymond!
The situation was a disaster and I didn’t know what to do. I kicked a rock and sent it flying across the road. Meanwhile, Raymond went on killing little girls and making plans to build condos. Raymond could do whatever he liked, whenever he liked, and no one had the power to stop him.
I unlocked the front door and entered the dimly lit hall. Raised voices were coming from my uncle’s office. At first I thought it was the television. Then I realized my aunt and uncle were arguing.
I pressed my ear against the door and listened.
Aunt Mary was sobbing. “I will not, I cannot help you any longer!”
“You must, Mary. You promised when we got married.”
“That was before I knew what you and your family were about.”
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