“More or less,” Aunt Breanne admitted. “So are you. I take it this isn’t the first time you’ve seen this little trick of his?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve s-seen the show before. Weeder sh-shot him.”
Aunt Breanne nodded. She looked over to Payne, who was still trying to catch his breath. Stroking his hair, she looked back at me. “You looked like you were in pain, too. You were, weren’t you?”
“I’m okay right now,” I said. “Can we just leave it at that?”
Aunt Breanne smiled. “Fair enough. I think we need to get away from here, call the fire department. Can you two walk?”
Payne and I got up. We turned to look at the blaze. “Wow, your grandfather is down another car. He’s not going be happy.”
“Don’t remind me,” Payne groaned.
“I guess we should also call him and my uncle while we’re at it,” I said. “Although it’s getting harder to—hey, what’s he doing here?” I said and pointed to a man coming around the blaze from the other side.
“Who?” Payne asked. “Where?”
“Right there.” I pointed to the man. He was staring at the fire, stunned.
“Honey,” Aunt Breanne said. “There’s no one there.”
“Payne, right there!” I insisted.
Payne looked right where I was pointing. “Bristol, there’s no one there. Maybe you just need to lie down.” I heard his words, the way he said them, and understood. But it was too late. I could see Aunt Breanne had already guessed the truth.
“What happened?” the stranger asked. “How the hell did I get here?”
There seemed little point in pretending now.
“Do you know anything about our car blowing up?” I asked him. “Did you do this?”
“Why would I do that?” he asked. “I don’t know you. Why would I mess with your car? I don’t understand this! Oh my God. I’m dead, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” I said gently. “I’m so sorry.”
The man started to weep. He shook his head as acceptance settled in. Then he was gone.
I tried to ignore the way Aunt Breanne was looking at me. Together we headed for the house. Aunt Breanne kept the blanket around us both. Before she left for the phone, she gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I understand,” she said. “Thank you for finding my son.”
Sitting on the couch, watching her go, I felt completely undone.
“What did you expect?” Payne asked.
At this point, I really had no answer.
It didn’t take long before the place flooded with two fire trucks, three police cruisers, my grandfather’s old jalopy, and the latest car that Varick McKnight had pulled out of nowhere. I was told it was an Audi Rs8. It was white with black panels and looked like it went from zero to vroom in nothing flat. Every firefighter and deputy stopped and gawked when they saw it pull up. One cop, a huge accumulation of mass muscle wrapped in a six foot seven frame with dark skin and a shaved head, looked like he was ready to weep over it. He stood there, wanting to touch it, but afraid to lay his hands on the car.
Varick McKnight ignored them and headed straight for the house, where Payne and I were watching from the window. Payne had already changed into clean clothes he’d kept at his Aunt’s.
“Boy,” Varick said to Payne after he was satisfied that Payne was unharmed. “You may not be aware of this, but most people drive the same car more than once.”
Payne winced. “Sorry.”
“Think nothing of it,” Varick said. “As long as you and Bristol are okay.” Varick McKnight looked to the corner where my grandfather sat. “It’s been a long time, Gregory. I trust you’re well?”
“I’m still alive and as ornery as ever,” Grandpa responded. “Before we get started, I’ll tell you that, begrudgingly, I’ve learned to nearly like and respect Payne, despite certain character flaws such as being a McKnight and your grandson. Just thought you should know.”
“Well, such praise,” Varick said. “In kind, I will say that although I’ve had very limited contact with Bristol, I’ve found her to be upfront, honest, and trustworthy. She must not take after your side of the family much.”
Both Varick and Grandpa sneered. Aunt Breanne came in, handed Varick a cup of coffee, reached up to kiss his cheek, then proceeded to point a finger at her former father in law. “Don’t start. These two have been through enough.” She whirled on Grandpa with the same finger. “That goes for you, too. I’ll get you a fresh cup.”
I leaned into Payne’s ear. “Have I told you how much I love your aunt?” Payne tried to hide his snicker.
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened and my uncle entered. He did a quick scan of the room. His eyes settled on Grandpa. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I heard there was coffee,” Grandpa responded and held up his cup.
“Dad.”
“My granddaughter was nearly blown into tiny pieces,” Grandpa said. “She needs family here. Not the police.”
“I’m both,” Uncle Mark insisted.
“We’ll see,” Grandpa responded.
“Just keep quiet, both of you,” Uncle Mark warned. Then he turned to me. “Okay, what happened?”
“Well,” I started, “Payne’s car went kaboom.”
Uncle Mark groaned. Varick leaned toward Grandpa. “I’m beginning to see the family resemblance.”
Grandpa just grinned.
“Bristol,” Uncle Mark said as he sat on the edge of the coffee table to be eye level. “Enough is enough. Somehow, you keep getting put in situations where you’re nearly killed. I can’t help but notice this started since you and Payne met.”
“Payne has nothing to do with it,” I responded. “Uncle Mark, don’t even go there.”
“Then tell me where else to go,” he said. “I told you from the start I liked Payne.” He shifted his gaze to Payne. “You know that’s true, son, but I need to know why the two of you keep nearly getting killed. That’s two times. Three if you count the cow.”
Aunt Breanne came in with a fresh pot of coffee and cups. She immediately filled Grandpa’s and Varick’s and then fixed one for Uncle Mark.
“Thank you,” Uncle Mark said. “Bristol, it’s not enough to tell me it’s not his fault. I need to know what’s going on here. I love you. I want to protect you. Both of you. Talk to me, please.”
“Uncle Mark,” I said. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I know without any doubt that Payne isn’t to blame.”
“I want to believe that,” Uncle Mark said. “To believe you. But I need to know more.”
“Sheriff,” Payne said. “Please believe me. I would never do anything to put Bristol in harm’s way.”
“Payne,” Uncle Mark responded. “Give me another explanation. Otherwise, I may have to tell you and Bristol that you can’t see each other anymore.”
“No, you can’t,” I yelled. “That’s not fair. Payne hasn’t done anything wrong!”
“I’m ready to be convinced otherwise,” Uncle Mark said.
“You’re wrong here, son,” Grandpa declared. “Payne’s not the problem. He’s the reason you still have a niece.”
“Dad, you’re not helping,” Uncle Mark said. “I’m trying to understand. I can’t help her if I don’t understand what’s happening. Bristol needs to talk to me.”
“She needs our family now,” Grandpa countered. “Not the damn sheriff. Sometimes you just can’t be both.”
“If I may,” Varick said. “Your niece is in trouble. She needs the support of both of our families.” He paused and looked at me. “She shall have it.”
“Since when are the two of you on the same side of anything?” Uncle Mark asked.
“It’s been known to happen,” Grandpa added. “Once every couple of decades or so.”
Uncle Mark was about to say something when Pinky came in. Uncle Mark went to talk to him. I took the moment to look over at my grandfather and Varick and mouthed a sincere thank you.
&nbs
p; A moment later, Uncle Mark came back. This time he didn’t sit down. He stood there with his hands on his hips. “There appears to be a body under your car. I’m guessing that whoever it turns out to be will be the person who did whatever to make your car go, as my niece said, kablooey…”
“Kaboom,” I corrected.
Uncle Mark ignored me. “I don’t suppose you can shed any light on why he’d do this,” he asked. “Was this random? Was he targeting Bristol? Payne? Both? McKnights in general? Blackburns?”
“Uncle Mark,” I said. “There’s no one for you to go arrest. I’m very grateful that you took me into your home, made me a part of your family when you didn’t have to. I love being there. If you want me to leave…”
“Is that what you think?” Uncle Mark asked. “Bristol, do you think any of this makes me love you any less?”
The sincerity in his voice moved me.
“Sherriff,” Aunt Breanne said. “Don’t you see what’s happening here? Weeder killed Jared long before Bristol arrived. I know better than anyone how hard you worked to get justice for my baby. But you couldn’t. It’s not because you’re not good at your job. I think you’re a great sheriff and a wonderful man. You’ve been a good friend.”
“That’s kind of you to say,” Uncle Mark responded.
“I’m not done,” she said.
Looking stunned, Uncle Mark gestured for her to continue.
“The reason why you weren’t able to catch Weeder is because it was something that law enforcement couldn’t handle. Now I know you want to say that you believe in the law. So do I, but you and I both know that this town is different. I know you only want what’s best for Bristol, but you can’t give it to her with a badge. Not this time.”
Uncle Mark scowled. He turned when Pinky stuck his head in again. Moving over to the door, he spoke in private to the deputy. When Pinky stepped out this time, Uncle Mark let the screen door shut. Then he closed the main door and locked it. Stepping back to the center of the room, he looked at me and sighed. I waited, certain that he was going to put his foot down or something, but when I looked in his eyes, all I saw was love.
Uncle Mark reached to his badge and pulled it off. Tossing it on the table, he gave me a reassuring smile. He sat down on the coffee table again and took my hand. “Okay, talk to me.”
I was scared to death, but what could I do? I looked over at Payne, who clearly wanted me to do what my uncle had said. I looked over to Aunt Breanne, who smiled, and then finally over to Uncle Mark with his patient eyes. “I want to,” I mumbled. “But I’m scared. I don’t want you to look at me and see a freak.”
Payne squeezed my shoulder. Uncle Mark kissed my fingers and said one word: “Never.”
“All right,” I said, forcing myself to take a deep breath, “here goes.”
Chapter Fifteen
Going Out On A Limb
“Let’s start with Jared,” I said. “First off, I may have been less than truthful about how we found Jared. I’m really sorry, but…”
“Let’s not worry about that now,” Uncle Mark said. “We’re starting fresh. Tell me now. How did you find where Jared was buried? Did someone show you?”
“Yes,” I answered. “I followed… Jared,” I said. I saw shock and disbelief register on Uncle Mark’s face. Varick looked impressed. Grandpa just smiled.
“You followed Jared?” Uncle Mark asked. “Is this the first time something like this has happened?”
“No,” I answered. “I’ve been able to talk to the dead since I was little. It’s okay. They’re mostly nice.” I looked to Aunt Breanne. “Jared loved you so much. He was worried about you, about the fence being painted, and you being alone and stuff.”
Aunt Breanne, with tears in her eyes, smiled.
“Okay, go on,” Uncle Mark urged.
I explained how we came to follow Jared to Weeder’s and heard Eli barking from within.
“How did you get in?” Uncle Mark asked.
“Can we just say the door?” I asked.
“Never mind,” he said. “Go on.”
“You know how I told you that Weeder heard voices?” I waited for Uncle Mark to nod. “Well that part was true. What I left out was that I could hear them, too.”
“Hold on,” Uncle Mark said. “These voices spoke to you?”
“No, but I could hear them,” I clarified. “I don’t think they liked that. They told Weeder to kill me, too. He tried but Payne saved me. If not for Payne I would be dead right now.”
“Then I owe him big,” Uncle Mark answered. “Tell me about these voices.”
“I’ve heard them a few times,” I answered. “In dreams, while awake. I describe them as shadow creatures because when I see them that’s all I see. Shadows. I’ve seen them outside our house, and they were there yesterday at the McKnight’s. I heard them outside before we were attacked.”
“Attacked?” Uncle Mark exclaimed. “You were attacked, and I wasn’t told? Bristol!”
“Sorry,” I answered.
“Leave the girl alone,” Grandpa ordered. “She’s telling you now, isn’t she? Besides, what could you have done? You can’t slap cuffs on disembodied voices.”
“Dad, please,” Uncle Mark scolded. “Okay, fine. You’re telling me now. No more secrets. Tell me about the attack.”
“I’ll answer that,” Varick offered. “The front door was blown into splinters, we have an elevator for the staff that was destroyed, and there was approximately two point five million in damages to arts and antiques.”
“What?” I exclaimed. “Did you say two point five million? As in dollars?”
“Now listen,” Varick said. “You don’t worry about that. It wasn’t your fault.”
“No,” Grandpa added. “It’s Varick’s fault. It’s what he gets for having two million in art and antiques in his house.”
“As opposed to a singing fish on a wall?” Varick retorted. “The point was, they could have been killed. As it was, my grandson Archer was injured by Bristol and Hunter as he accidently stumbled into a trap they had set for their attacker.”
“Actually, I think I was right in braining poor Archer. I know, I know,” I said when I saw Varick’s reaction. “Archer isn’t to blame. I think you’ll understand when I get to the cow and the homeless guy.”
“Cow?” Aunt Breanne asked.
“Homeless guy?” Uncle Mark asked.
“I’m getting there,” I insisted as I continued to talk about that night. “When we left the diner, Payne was driving, safely. I got one of my feelings that I sometimes get…”
“Wow,” Grandpa said. “You’re just full of goodies, aren’t you?”
“I yelled for him to stop,” I continued, “not knowing why but knowing it was important. Payne did. That’s when we saw a cow in the middle of the road. It was just standing there, staring at me. Like a mean cow.”
“A mean cow?” Uncle Mark asked. “Bristol, cows don’t act mean. They’re cows.”
“Well, this cow looked mean.” I explained how it never mooed. “Then I saw what looked like smoke rise from it, and it started acting like a cow again.”
Everyone had a similar stunned look. I knew the possessed cow would get their attention.
“When the explosion happened tonight,” I continued, “I saw a ghost of a homeless guy that I’ve seen around town. That’s probably who you found under the car, but he was confused. He had no idea who we were or how he got there. I don’t think he was lying. He’d have no reason to. I think he’d been possessed.”
“Like the cow?” Uncle Marked asked.
“Yeah,” I confirmed. “So to sum it up, I can see and speak to ghosts and other mystic creatures of unknown origin. Along with other goodies as Grandpa said. And for whatever reason these shadow creatures want me dead. And then there’s Kayden McKnight.”
“Kayden?” Varick asked. “Dear, he committed suicide years ago. He had always been sick.”
“Varick,” Aunt Breanne said. “Kayden came
to me before he died. He said he saw Jared’s ghost, too. I think what Bristol’s saying is he revealed his ability, and then he was dead. Was it suicide, or did these shadow creatures get to him somehow?”
The room was silent as everyone thought about what was said. Uncle Mark got up and paced. I watched him as Aunt Breanne made me drink some coffee. Finally, Uncle Mark stopped pacing.
“Okay, let’s assume these shadow creatures did in fact kill Kayden McKnight,” he said. “We know they’re the ones who at least influenced Weeder to kill Jared. All of this before Bristol arrived. So, they’ve been here for a while, and no one knew about them. Bristol can hear them, see them, more or less. She can and has exposed them. That would be motive enough for them to want her dead.”
“You’re talking like a sheriff again, son,” Grandpa warned.
“Supernatural or not,” Uncle Mark answered, “these aren’t random events. In that way, they are just like any other crime. Gathering information is the first step to stopping them.”
“And just to be clear,” Grandpa said. “When you say stop, do you mean read them their rights and give them a trial?”
“No,” Uncle Mark answered. “I mean kill them.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Varick said, rising to his feet. “We need to have a meeting to discuss this. Both of our families. I say we choose a place and each bring a few members.”
“We can use the lodge,” Grandpa volunteered. “I can make some calls and get people there within the hour.”
“Hold on,” Uncle Mark said. “We’re tired. Bristol and Payne have been through enough for one night. She’s been safe so far in my house. Why don’t we do this tomorrow? Maybe at noon.”
“There’s something else to consider,” Aunt Breanne offered. “These shadow creatures may not think Bristol’s still a threat. Everyone here knows now. They’re exposed, damage done. Maybe they won’t go after her anymore?”
I liked the theory, but somehow I didn’t think it would be that easy.
“Maybe,” Uncle Mark said, “but we shouldn’t assume it’s the case. Is there any chance that Jared had the same power as Kayden and Bristol?”
Vision of Shadows Page 24
