Lena (Gypsy Spirits Book 3)

by Marianne Spitzer

  “He’s safe in California.”

  “Yes, but Daniel and Garret made the blood pact. The witch will expect her payment soon. Something will happen to bring Michael back and then Daniel will stop at nothing. Please warn the others. We’ll talk again.”

  Steve rolled over and jumped out of the bed. He called for Deb. She heard him from the main house and ran to see what was wrong. They both hurried back to the main house to deliver Josef’s message.

  Annamarie listened, “That can’t be. Michael is safe in Oregon or Washington right now. There must be some confusion going on.” The phone rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Sam said. “Keep discussing this. I’ll be right back.”

  Steve insisted, “Josef said we had to be careful. Daniel will stop at nothing and he wants Michael. That’s all I can say.”

  A pale faced Sam returned from the study. “That was my uncle. Dad tried to call us while we were at the funeral. Then he called my uncle to let us know mom fell last night and broke her elbow. They set it for her at the local hospital, but said she might need surgery. She wants to do that here where she knows the doctors. They’re on their way home. The plane took off ten minutes ago.”

  Annamarie threw her hands over her face and her tears flowed. “No, no! Once Michael is here, Daniel will do all he can to try and take him.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Daniel mumbled to himself while Garret planned his next trip to Oaklin and what he would do when he was able to possess a body. Women and food were on the top of his list. Daniel said, “We have to stop Annamarie and soon. Occupy her mind and time with something so consuming she lets her guard down. I’m getting a feeling Michael will be home soon. We need my mother and her friends for this. Let’s go. I can possess my mom long enough to find what I need and you can keep guard. Their spirits flew to the Logan’s.

  George was at the office. Maureen was home alone. “This will be easy, keep watch.” Daniel’s spirit flew through the wall and into his mother’s mind. He flitted through her memories. Finding the reason for his mother’s fear of Annamarie, he could use the fear of Maureen’s black spot to have her think Annamarie was cursing her again. First things first though.

  He popped a thought into Maureen’s mind that she needed to plan a party with all her lady friends. As she thumbed through her address book, Daniel made a mental note of every name and address. When Maureen closed the book, Daniel gave his mom a terrible migraine and the fear the spot was back.

  He left her body and watched her fumble for some pain meds. She lay on the sofa with a dark cloth over her eyes. He left the house and told Garret to follow him. They were going to visit each of Maureen’s friends. They’d enter their minds and make them susceptible to Maureen’s suggestions concerning Annamarie.

  While they were gone, Maureen’s fear grew with the pain in her head. She knew the black spot must have returned.

  “It’s been years since I’ve had one of these headaches,” she mumbled through tears. “Why now, why is Annamarie doing this again. It has to be her. I hate her. I’ll kill her somehow and it’ll be over. My friends will help. She’ll wish she never met me.” The pain meds kicked in and Maureen drifted off into a light sleep.

  Daniel and Garret planted the thoughts in a dozen of Maureen’s friends. On the way back to the cabin, Daniel flew through his mother’s home and removed the pain he planted in her head. He and Garret flew back to the cabin. Maureen woke pain free thinking the meds had worked. She phoned her doctor for an appointment. Making sure the spot hadn’t returned was first on her agenda.

  Annamarie was concerned about leaving Lena alone while she and Sam made the hour drive to pick up Michael and Sam’s parents. Theo and Paula came to the house to stay with Lena. Deb and Brian were there. Steve had to report to the sheriff’s office for his shift.

  Paula looked at Annamarie, “We’re safe in the house. You know that. Get Michael and bring him back here before Daniel can hurt him.” She hugged her daughter tightly.

  “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  Lena called to her mom, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep them safe.” As odd as it seemed to put your family into the hands of a fifteen year old, Annamarie knew Lena was right.

  As Sam and Annamarie drove to the airport, Maureen was busy making plans. She phoned each of her friends and invited them to lunch in Oaklin. Maureen explained they would do a little shopping before they had lunch. Her friends were agreeable and would meet at Maureen’s home the following morning.

  Maureen found thirteen new pens in her office supplies and dropped them into a small bag and then into her purse. Each of them would need a pen. She laughed when she thought of how Annamarie would feel.

  Michael ran full speed toward his parents as soon as he saw them. Sam grabbed him and lifted him in the air. “I have really missed you, son.”

  “Me, too,” Michael smiled. Sam set him down to help his dad find the luggage. He helped his mom sit down next to Annamarie and Michael.

  Annamarie asked, “How did you break your elbow?”

  “I’m not sure. I was walking across the room and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. I think I tripped because of my slippers. I keep walking out of them and Gary told me I’d fall one day. I did. He threw the slippers away,” she smiled.

  “Grandma was very brave, she didn’t cry at all,” Michael said.

  “I’m sure she was brave. You’re just like her. You’re brave, too.”

  “No, I’m not, Mommy. I was scared. I was crying. A nice nurse sat with me while grandpa went with grandma to get an x-ray. They let me sit in the room when they put her cast on.” He hugged his mom and blinked tears away.

  “The hospital was very understanding. Kids usually have to stay in the waiting room, but they let Michael in the exam room with Gary and me.” She reached over with her good hand and ruffled his hair.

  Sam and Gary walked up with the bags. They loaded the car and everyone headed back to Oaklin to drop off Gary and Mona and then home to Timmus Woods.

  Lena and Michael were happy to see each other. They danced around the parlor laughing and crying. Brian was happy to see his friend and the two boys ran off to play with Brian’s car track. Annamarie collapsed on the sofa happy they arrived home without any difficulties.

  Sam sat next to her with his fingers interlaced. His shoulders showed his tension. “Do you think it was an accident?”

  “Yes,” Annamarie reached for his hands. “Those slippers were bound to trip her up one day and if Daniel could cause your mom to fall, he would’ve been able to grab Michael. His reach isn’t that far. Your mom and dad are safe.” She looked deep into his eyes and smiled.

  He nodded and smiled back.

  Around nine the next morning, thirteen ladies between the ages of fifty-five and sixty-three climbed into three luxury cars and headed toward Oaklin. These women were the pillars of Timmus Woods’ society. Two sat on the city council, one sat on the hospital board, four were married to some of Timmus Woods’ most prominent citizens, Maureen was the most important real estate agent in the area, and the other six were well respected in Timmus Woods.

  They were headed to the Oaklin five and dime. They pulled into the small parking lot next to the five and dime. Each was on a mission. They would each purchase a package of ten sheets of colorful stationery and envelopes. Maureen had told them they needed to complete a project. At the register the young clerk gave them an odd look. Maureen spoke up, “We’re using them for a local charity event. We thought they’d get more attention than the usual fliers.”

  The clerk smiled, “That’s a unique idea. Good luck with the event.”

  The ladies waved to the clerk as they hurried to the parking lot. Maureen said, “We need someplace where we can all sit together and fill these out. I have a lot of pens.”

  One lady’s eyes brightened, “How about the local library. They have big tables.”

  “Great idea,” said Maureen. “Let’s go”

&nbs
p; The ladies piled back into the cars and headed to the library.

  Finding a large table, they each pulled out a chair and sat down. Maureen handed out the pens and Annamarie’s address. “Everyone know what to do?” They all nodded. “You can add anything you want in the note as long as it relates to Annamarie leaving town or being a witch.”

  “Do you have any suggestions?” A gray haired woman asked peering over her glasses.

  “First, be sure to print. Second, add something like ‘We know you’re a witch,’ ‘Get out of town before it is too late,’ or ‘Burn witch burn.’ Print anything that will unnerve her. Also, you can switch cards back and forth so the address printing is different than the message. I want her befuddled.”

  Thirteen women sat and began to print Annamarie’s address on one hundred and thirty envelopes. When they finished, they began to giggle like children as they added their hateful messages. Stuffing the envelopes, one woman asked, “Won’t the post office wonder about all of these going to Annamarie?”

  “Probably,” said Maureen, “but it’s illegal to send hate mail so we’re not going to mail them.”

  “That’s true, but how do we get them to her and how will we know if she gets them?”

  Another little lady in black glasses spoke, “My grandson is spending the summer with us. He can ride his bike in the middle of the night and drop them on her porch. He’ll keep the secret or he’ll have to go home. He hates his step-father.”

  “Perfect,” Maureen said as she placed the envelopes into a bag. “Annamarie will call the sheriff and Greta will blab it all over town.”

  They left the library giggling and whispering. The women returned to their cars and headed for lunch at the best restaurant in town. It would be Maureen’s treat.

  When they arrived at the restaurant, the valet helped the women from their cars and watched them as the doorman opened the door to the restaurant. The valet knew he would have a large tip coming.

  As they approached the doors, the women’s personalities changed. Each became the elegant, well-mannered women the employees expected. They had dined there several times. All traces of the juvenile behavior had disappeared.

  A lovely lunch was enjoyed by all. Good food, flowing wine, and fun conversation. The valet was indeed happy when the women left for home.

  Garret heard Daniel’s laughter echo through the cabin. “What’s so funny? You haven’t said a word for hours and now you laugh. I’m bored. Let’s do something.”

  “I sensed my mom’s return from writing all the notes to Annamarie. She and her friends think what they did was fun. None of them will ever admit they were part of the mass delivery. It’ll drive Annamarie nuts. What I have planned next will be more fun.”

  “What?”

  “Listen.”

  While Daniel explained his plan to Garret, the husband of one of Maureen’s friends walked out of his garage and closed the door behind him. He carried the large wooden project he had been working on while his wife was at lunch and placed it behind his garage. Making sure it was well hidden in the bushes, he smiled at the good job he had done.

  Maureen’s car pulled into the driveway and she dropped off her friend. She walked over to her husband and both waved at Maureen as she pulled out of the drive.

  “How was your lunch, dear?”

  “We had a nice time. We shopped a little and then had a lovely lunch. How did you spend your time?” She pulled off her white gloves as they strolled back toward the house.

  He shrugged, “I puttered in the garage. I’m hungry. I think it’s time for my lunch.”

  “It is getting late. I’ll prepare something as soon as I change.” She smiled and walked to the bedroom.

  Two days later Annamarie’s doorbell rang. She answered and the mailman stood on the porch. “Hi, Mr. Hopkins. Do I owe some postage?”

  “No, but there’s a box on your porch addressed to you. It was here when I arrived. Looks like rain, didn’t want it to get wet.”

  Annamarie’s eyes grew large and she asked, “Oh, a surprise package for me?”

  “Yes, not sure where it’s from, but it’s addressed to you. Have a good day.” He turned and walked down the stairs.

  “Lena, come here please,” Annamarie called out.

  Lena came bounding down the stairs. “What’s that,” she laughed.

  “Mail for me.” Annamarie opened the box and reached in. She pulled out a handful of identically sized notes in various bright colors. “Each one is hand printed to me, but there’s no return address.”

  Annamarie tore the first one open. “Oh my goodness, listen to this. ‘Leave town while you still have time witch.’”

  “What?” said Lena. “Try another one.”

  Annamarie felt tears form in the corner of her eyes as she opened the next, “The punishment for witchcraft is burning at the stake. Move away.”

  Lena ran down the hall toward the north wing calling out, “Aunt Deb, Aunt Deb.”

  Deb met her at the double doors. “Lena, what is it?”

  “Somebody wants mom dead. Come and see this.”

  Annamarie had torn open three more. They were all similar. Deb read them and said, “I’m calling the sheriff.”

  Annamarie dropped to the floor and tore open one note after another. She threw them as far as she could away from her creating a strange pile of rainbow colored hatred on her parlor floor.

  Deb said, “Greta’s sending Steve. I also called the garage. Sam’s coming right home.”

  Annamarie seemed oblivious to her friend’s remarks as she continued to tear open notes and read the hatred within. By the time Steve and Sam arrived, she had torn open every one.

  Daniel, aware of the torment he was able to feel coming from Annamarie, began to laugh again. “I think she received the letters.”

  “Are you sure?” Garret asked.

  “Very sure.” His diabolical laughter continued.

  Sam called Annamarie’s name twice, but she ignored him as she stared at the pile of notes she had tossed away from her. He walked behind her, slipped his arms under hers, and pulled her to her feet. He turned her around and she blinked. Realizing he was there; she threw her arms around him and began to sob. “They want me dead, Sam. Who would do this?”

  “I don’t know. Sit over here while Steve takes care of this.” He led her to the sofa. She curled into a ball and Lena sat next to her.

  Steve pulled on a pair of rubber gloves and picked up the box. “Not much here, hand printed address. No postage. Someone must have placed this on the porch. He looked through the notes. They’re all from the same company. We’ll find out where they’re sold locally. Someone would remember a sale of all these different colored envelopes.” Steve began to place the notes back into the box.

  Deb had been standing silently in the doorway watching. She fought back tears and gripped her hands tightly to keep them from shaking as she watched her best friend breakdown after reading the hate written on pretty notecards. “I think I have seen those for sale at the five and dime in Oaklin. Each color was in its own package. Someone must have purchased several packages.”

  “Thanks, Deb. We can look into that. It might help us figure out who did this,” he looked up and smiled at his wife and son who had come in to stand next to his mom. “Hi, sport, smile for me. Everything is going to be fine.” Brian smiled back at his dad.

  Steve picked up the box and stood. “If anything else happens, call the office right away. I wish I had an idea who would do this. It seems so childish, yet well thought out and threatening. We’ll let you know what we find out.

  Annamarie was happy the notes were out of the house. “Daniel’s behind this. Steve’s right. It was juvenile, but did a good job of terrifying me. It’s what he would do. I don’t know how he did it. This took some time.” She rubbed her face with her hands.

  Lena added, “Mom’s right. I think it was Daniel, too. He must have possessed a human to write those notes. Someone had to help him.
If Garret was with him, they could have possessed two people. They might be going out of town to do this since we can recognize their eyes.”

  Annamarie wiped the last of the tears from her eyes, “I’m afraid you’re right, Lena.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Steve set the box of notes on the table in the back room of the Sheriff’s Department. Greta had called the sheriff since there were death threats involved. He arrived at the station carrying a cup of coffee and a half-eaten sandwich. Greta looked up, “Hi, Steve’s in the back room.” The sheriff glanced at her as he passed her desk.

  The sheriff walked in to find Steve trying to sort out the notes. He found that if he placed them in piles according to color, the writing was different. Matching the writing mixed up the colors. He was scratching his head when he heard the sheriff’s voice, “Who would threaten anyone with fancy notecards?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. Deb said she thinks they sell these in Oaklin. I can take a run and check it out.” Steve shrugged.

  “Good idea,” the sheriff took a sip of his coffee. “Let me know what you learn when you get back. Hopefully it’ll be a quiet day and I’ll be in my office.” He took a bite of his sandwich as he walked toward his office.

  It didn’t take Steve long to find his answers. His first stop at the five and dime in Oaklin answered his questions, but left him with more. The teenage clerk remembered the sale of the cards to a group of “old women.”

  “How old?” Steve was writing in his notebook.

  “Really, really old. Old like my grandma or great grandma. They were dressed weird in fancy old lady clothes and they wore white gloves and it was hot out.” The sales girl wrinkled her nose and stuck the tip of her tongue out. “Old people give me the creeps.”