Haunted Tales

by Terri Reid

  “What the hell?” Bradley asked, turning on the sirens once they got on to Highway 26 and headed out of town. He punched on his radio. “Connect me with the Polo Police Department,” he said. “I want to have a detective in the room with detainee Mitch Howse so I can ask him some questions concerning a crime in progress.”

  They waited in tense silence for several minutes before they were connected to a speaker phone. “Okay, Chief Alden, we have him here,” the voice on the other end said.

  “Howse, Viv Kutchens has kidnapped Mary O’Reilly,” he said. “Viv’s dressed as a soldier and has Mary at knifepoint. We are heading to intercept her, so if there is anything you can do to give us insight and maybe save Viv’s life, I would suggest you start talking right away.”

  “She thinks she’s Vic,” Mitch said into the phone. “It started after she learned that Vic had been killed in action. She’d appear at my house, dressed like Vic, talking like Vic, and she’d visit with me for a couple of hours. But she’d never remember anything about it later.”

  “Sounds like dissociative identity disorder,” Ian said. “They used to call it split personalities, but now they understand more about it.”

  “When she was Vic she was pretty hard on Viv, blamed Viv for everything,” Mitch continued. “I was always arguing on Viv’s behalf. Then, one day she came to the house. She had blood on her clothes, and she told me that Kristen Banks was dead.”

  There was silence on the other end for a few moments. “It was an accident,” Mitch said. “And what could I do? Vic was the one who was there at the school, but Viv would be the one who got punished.”

  “So, you covered it up,” Bradley said.

  “Yeah, there was nothing we could do about her death,” Mitch said, “and everyone said it was an accident. So I just went along with things.”

  “Then what happened?” Bradley asked.

  “After a while, Vic went away,” Mitch said. “And Viv seemed to be leading a happy, normal life. But then, a couple of weeks ago, Vic showed up at my house again. He was dressed in old Army fatigues, and he was upset because someone was looking into Kristen’s death.”

  “About the time Andrew started looking into it,” Bradley surmised.

  “Vic was talking about protecting Viv,” Mitch said. “And I tried to tell him that I’d take care of her, but he kept going on about making sure nothing happened to Viv. I tried to keep everyone away from the school, but somehow…”

  “Vic killed again,” Bradley said.

  “She’s sick,” Mitch pleaded. “She’s real sick. Please don’t shoot her.”

  “I’m not promising anything,” Bradley said. “She’s got my wife. But I’ll do my best to bring her back and get her the help she needs.”

  Chapter Fifty-four

  Viv pulled the SUV into the dark and deserted parking lot of Oakdale Nature Preserves and followed the tree-lined path back behind the old dormitories into the woods. Mary took an unsteady breath. This was not a good place to be.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Mike said. “We’ve been in tougher fixes than this.”

  “Yes,” Mary whispered. “But this time, I don’t know if I can get through to her.”

  “Who are you talking to?” Viv asked.

  “The reason Andrew asked me to help him find out the truth behind Kristen’s death was because I can see and communicate with ghosts,” Mary said to Viv. “I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but the ghost of Vic is sitting next to you in your car.”

  Viv shook her head and blinked rapidly. “No, that’s impossible,” she said. “I’m Vic. I didn’t die.”

  “Well, okay,” Mary said. “He must be an imposter. But he sure looks like Vic. Is there anything I can ask him to prove he’s not who he says he is?”

  Viv jumped out of the car and came around to the back seat. She opened the door, grabbed the rope around Mary’s hands and pulled her backwards. Mary tripped out of the car and landed hard on the leaf-covered ground.

  “You think you’re so smart, just like those psychologists they used to send us to when we were kids. Well, I don’t believe you,” Viv said, brandishing her knife. “And now you are going to die.”

  “Listen to yourself, Viv. You sound like Mom,” Vic cried. “You sound like Mom when she was crazy.”

  Mary took a shaky breath. “He just said you sound like your mom,” she repeated. “When she was crazy.”

  Viv’s breath was labored, coming out in gasping sobs. “No,” she said. “It’s a trick.”

  “Remember how you used to hide me when Mom was on the war path?” he asked. “She’d beat you, but you’d never tell.”

  “You’d let your mom beat you,” Mary said,. “so Vic would be safe.”

  Viv lifted the knife over her head. “No, I don’t believe it!” she screamed. “You’re lying. You’re all lying. And now you’re going to die.”

  Mary rolled onto her back and kicked Viv in the stomach with all of her might, connecting and sending her rolling backwards down the embankment.

  “Get up,” Mike called, standing next to her. “She’s coming back.”

  Mary rolled onto her side and struggled to get into a sitting position without the use of her hands. It just wasn’t working. “I can’t,” she breathed. “I can’t get up.”

  “You bitch!” Viv screamed, grabbing small tree trunks and pulling herself up the embankment. “You can’t escape me.”

  “Remember when you killed mom?” Vic screamed. “Remember when we promised we’d never tell anyone else. You did it to save my life.”

  “You killed your mother to save Vic’s life,” Mary breathed. “You saved him.”

  Reaching the top of the embankment, her knife clutched in her fist, Viv froze. “How did you know that?” she asked Mary.

  “Vic told me,” Mary pleaded. “He’s here. He’s been here all along, trying to help you.”

  “She found out about me,” Vic said. “She was punching me and calling me a queer. She said she’d beat it out of me.”

  “He said that your mother was beating him because she found out he was gay,” Mary repeated.

  Shaking her head, Viv dropped to her knees. “I’m not gay,” she cried roughly. “I’m straight, and I loved Kristen.”

  Vic walked over to his sister and knelt by her side. “I thought you understood,” he said.

  “He thought you understood,” Mary said.

  Viv ripped her hat off her head, allowing her hair to spill down. “Being gay is what killed him,” she cried, sobbing harshly. Her voice sounded feminine again as she stammered her words. “He went on a suicide mission because of it. He gave his life for Mitch because he loved him.”

  “I loved Mitch,” Vic said remorsefully, “but he didn’t love me. We actually talked about it.” He laughed sadly. “Mitch was pretty surprised to find out how I felt. But we were honest with each other. It’s ironic really; the person he loved was the only other person I ever really loved. Mitch loved you.”

  Mary closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Okay, that is not my story to tell, she thought.

  “Viv,” she breathed. “Vic didn’t commit suicide. He was a soldier, and he did what he thought was right. It had nothing to do with his sexual preferences and everything to do with him being brave and noble. Don’t take that away from him.”

  Viv looked up. “I don’t believe you,” she said, her voice low and raspy once again. She picked up her hat and stuffed her hair back inside of it. “This is a trick, and you’re lying to me. Vic isn’t dead. I’m Vic.”

  Standing, she lifted her knife. “And now you’re going to pay,” she cried, dashing forward towards Mary.

  Chapter Fifty-five

  The crack of the bullet echoed in the woods, and the knife Viv was holding tore out of her hand and back into the underbrush. Then Bradley walked out of the woods, his gun drawn and pointed at Viv. “I want you to put your hands on your head and drop down to your knees,” he ordered. “Now!”

 
; “Who are you?” Viv screamed.

  “I’m Master Sergeant Bradley Alden, 75th Regiment,” Bradley said. “And Private, I need you to cooperate with me.”

  Viv immediately put her hands on her head and knelt down. “Sir. Yes, sir,” she shouted back.

  Bradley walked forward and quickly cuffed Viv’s hands behind her back. He helped her stand and started to move her toward the road.

  Thinking only Bradley had arrived, Mary was surprised when she felt a tug behind her as the ropes around her wrists fell away and then strong hands helped her to a sitting position. She turned around to find Ian squatting next to her. “Ian?” she said, “What are you doing here?”

  He smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her waist to help her to her feet. “Well, darling, it’s Halloween,” he said. “Where else would I be but with the O’Reillys?”

  “Ian, would you mind?” Bradley asked, motioning to Viv.

  Ian nodded towards Bradley and then looked at Mary. “Can you stand on your own, darling?” he asked. “I can promise you it’ll only be for a wee moment.”

  “Yes,” she said with a nod. “Yes, I can.”

  Hurrying over, Ian took possession of a handcuffed Viv and nodded. “I’ll take her back towards the car,” he said. “Give you two a moment.”

  Bradley hurried over and wrapped his arms around Mary, just holding her for a moment. “I’m so sorry I didn’t answer my phone,” he whispered. “I’m never going to forgive myself…”

  She looked up at him, placed her fingers on his lips and met his eyes. “Good shooting, Tex,” she said. “And good timing.”

  He pulled her tightly against him again. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Are you really okay?”

  “I’m fine, only…” she paused.

  “What is it sweetheart? Anything you want.”

  “Could you please help me find a restroom?” she asked. “It’s been a really long night.”

  Chuckling, he guided her to the bathrooms that were located on the other side of the dormitory building. “One of my officers will pick Viv up, and then we’ll go back home,” he said.

  “Oh, good,” Mary said. “I am so looking forward to a little peace and quiet.”

  Chapter Fifty-six

  Bradley helped Mary out of the car and, with his arm wrapped around her waist, guided her up the stairs into their home. “I can walk, really,” she said to him.

  “You’re just lucky I’m not carrying you,” he growled softly. “I don’t think I’m ever going to let you out of my sight again.”

  “I really did try to contact you,” she said.

  “I know,” he replied, kissing the side of her face. “I was distracted with too many things. But that will never happen again, I promise.”

  “Distracted?” she asked. “Distracted with what?”

  Before he could answer, the front door of their house burst open, and a chorus of voices filled the yard. Mary looked around. Her entire family, the Brennan clan, Rosie and Stanley were all coming out to meet her. When Ian walked up from behind them and joined the group, she was nearly overwhelmed. She turned to Bradley in total confusion. “What?” she began.

  “Happy Baby Shower,” Bradley whispered.

  “A baby shower?” she squeaked, tears filling her eyes.

  “Kate and Rosie, along with your mom, have been planning it for weeks,” he said. And then leaning closer, he whispered, “those witches.”

  “Oh,” she said, clapping her hands over her mouth. “They were buying…”

  “Baby shower stuff,” he said. “Surprised?”

  “To say the least,” she replied, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you.”

  An instant later she was caught up in a flurry of hugs and well wishes.

  “Mary, my sweet girl, are you okay?” her mother asked.

  “Fine, Ma, really,” Mary said. “I’m more hungry than anything else.”

  “Well then, why didn’t you say so?” her mother replied. “I’ll run in and start making you a plate.”

  “My own Mary-Mary,” Timothy said, wrapping her up in a big embrace. “Please forgive me for sending you out like that and not listening to you.”

  “Da, how were you to know that would happen?” she asked. “You were just trying to give me the surprise of my life. And I love you for it.”

  “I would have died twice over if anything had happened to you,” he said.

  “I’m fine, Da,” she said. “Really.”

  Sean was the next one to greet her, shaking his head. “Always getting yourself in trouble,” he said, giving her a gentle hug.

  “Yeah, you should talk,” she replied, returning the hug.

  “We O’Reillys are sure badasses, aren’t we?” he asked.

  She chuckled. “Yes. Yes we are.”

  It took another ten minutes for everyone to wish her well and then be shooed back into the house for refreshments. Bradley walked with Mary up onto the porch and guided her to the swing at the far end. “I thought I’d give you a moment to catch your breath before you went in,” he said.

  She leaned back against the wooden slats and breathed in the cool autumn air. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s just what I needed.”

  The door creaked open, and Clarissa peeked her head out.

  “Clarissa, sweetheart,” Mary said, her arms outstretched. “Come and sit with us on the swing.”

  Clarissa ran across the porch and threw her arms around Mary. “I was so worried about you,” she said. “Especially when Andrew told me the soldier had a knife.”

  “You spoke to Andrew?” Mary asked.

  Clarissa nodded. “Maggie showed me how to see ghosts when I touch her,” she said. “And when Maggie saw the ghosts at the house, I touched her hand, and then I talked to them.”

  “Clarissa and Maggie were the ones who told us who’d taken you,” Bradley said. “They are the heroes tonight.”

  Mary laid her head on Clarissa’s head. “Thank you so much,” she said.

  “The ghosts looked scary,” Clarissa said. “Do they always look scary?”

  “Not always,” Mary said. “Especially…”

  She paused as she looked over and saw Andrew and Kristen gliding onto the porch. “Bradley,” Mary said. “Do you think you could sneak Maggie out here? There’s something that I’d like the girls to see.”

  Within a few moments, Maggie and Bradley were out on the porch with Clarissa and Mary. “Maggie, you and Clarissa hold hands,” Mary said. “And Bradley, you hold on to me. Now, can you all see Kristen and Andrew?”

  “What are we? Show and Tell?” Kristen asked.

  “Well, actually, yes,” Mary replied. “I hope you don’t mind too much.”

  “But what are we supposed to do?” Andrew asked.

  “You’re supposed to go home,” Mary replied “Because you’ve completed what you needed to down here, now you get to return to other side.”

  “But how?” Kristen asked.

  “Just look around for a light,” Mary said.

  Suddenly, both Kristen and Andrew were engulfed with light, and the scary features from death that had marred their bodies slowly disappeared as they were made whole.

  “I see the light,” Andrew said with a wide smile. “Thank you, Mary.”

  He turned and started to walk away from them until his body faded from view.

  “Thank you, Mary,” Kristen said, and then she looked at Maggie and Clarissa. “And you two, you make sure you study hard so you can grow up to be whatever it is you want to be.”

  She looked up at Mary, tears in her eyes, and nodded. “Whatever you do, don’t name your dog Kristen.”

  Mary laughed, tears in her voice. “I promise I won’t,” she said.

  “And you,” Kristen said finally, looking at Bradley. “Don’t get fat.”

  Bradley nodded in her direction and smiled. “Thanks, I won’t.”

  Kristen turned around and walked slowly away until she, too, faded into the light.
/>   “That was the best thing ever,” Clarissa said.

  “Yes, it’s pretty cool,” Mary agreed.

  “They’re not scary when they’re ready to go to heaven, are they?” Maggie said.

  “No, they’re not,” Mary agreed. “They’re all cleaned up and ready to go home.”

  Chapter Fifty-seven

  Mary entered her home and nearly didn’t recognize it. Blue balloons, streamers and confetti were everywhere. A beautiful floral arrangement with blue, white and yellow flowers stood in the middle of her table surrounded by an incredible amount of food. A large folding table was filled with packages wrapped in an assortment of blue wrapping paper, and next to the table stood an antique-looking rocking chair with a bright blue bow attached to it.

  Mary’s smile was a little watery as she looked around the room at her friends and family. “You’d think someone was having a baby boy,” she teased as she wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks. “Thank you so much. I am completely overwhelmed.”

  “Well, sit yourself down so the party can begin,” Stanley said. “That there rocking chair looks like the perfect place fer you to be.”

  “Stanley and Rosie’s gift to you is the rocking chair,” Bradley whispered.

  Mary walked over and stroked the beautiful, golden oak chair with oak leaf and acorn carvings on the back and the sides. “This is just gorgeous,” she said, turning and hugging Rosie and Stanley. “I have never seen anything so beautiful.”

  Stanley sniffled and smiled at Mary. “Well, try it on fer size, girlie,” he said. “Take it out fer a spin.”

  Mary sat on the chair and relaxed. Pushing off, she rocked back and forth several times. “Oh, it’s just perfect,” she said.

  Margaret appeared at her side carrying a plate of food. “Now that we finally have you sitting down,” she said, “I thought I’d try and get some food inside of you.”

  Mary looked at the plate that was filled with a mini-sandwich, some vegetable sticks and dip, a little bit of fruit salad and three large slices of cheesecake. “What kind are these?” Mary asked, pointing her fork at the cheesecake.