by Anne B. Cole
He nodded, and she hugged him for it.
“You have to go home and get some sleep. I don’t want you to fall asleep on duty.” She bit her tongue.
Did I just seal Ryan’s fate? Am I predicting how the curse will take its next victim?
“I think I’m crazy.”
Ryan shook his head. “You’re afraid.”
“I’m fine. It’s light outside. I’m good. Just pick me up tomorrow morning, like you planned. You’re right. I do need to get out of here for a few days and, and maybe Chuck can get my mind off Sam.” She began to panic. “I think Sam has moved on, and so should I. Please don’t call him, or my family.”
He tousled her hair and walked into the kitchen. After taking time to rinse his coffee cup in the sink, he approached her. “Go upstairs and change. We’ll go to the station and run a check on your family. At the hardware store, we’ll pick out a new hinge and latch. After I fix the door and lock you in, I’ll go home and get some sleep. Promise me you won’t leave the cabin?”
“Promise.” She had planned to get a run in, but needed to research her notes before Thursday morning. The new idea of Sam being cursed bothered her.
“I’ll run a check on Sam, too,” he added. “You should call him.”
Gretta’s heart throbbed with the possibility of endangering Sam, but she had to know he was safe.
An hour later, she sat beside Ryan at the Sheriff’s Department in front of several computers. Within minutes, they confirmed her family alive and safe.
Next, he ran checks on Sam, including the latest purchase on his credit card. It showed he bought gas and groceries after having lunch at a fast food restaurant two days before.
“Safe and sound,” Ryan said.
“Let’s go.” She needed to keep any connection to her family and Sam as limited as possible.
With a sigh, he stood and headed to the door.
Gretta followed Ryan to his truck. A similar door latch and hinge were purchased before they returned to the cabin. In an hour, he repaired the door, and tuna sandwiches were served for lunch.
“Cookies for dessert?” Ryan pulled a new stick of chocolate chip dough and a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator.
She grabbed two glasses and poured the tea as Ryan sliced a thick slab of dough and offered the knife to her. She held her hand up in refusal.
“You? Turning down chocolate chip cookie dough?” Ryan asked.
“Oh, I’m going to eat it. I just don’t need a knife.” She tossed the entire tube on her plate.
Ryan chuckled and took a bite of sandwich.
Ignoring her own sandwich, Gretta peeled back the cookie dough wrapper.
“Chuck likes cookie dough,” he teased.
She glared at him, took a bite, and plopped the stick of dough on the table. “Ryan, go home and get some sleep.”
“Okay, but first, the rules. No leaving the cabin and no sitting on the porch.” He glanced at the cookie dough on her plate. “I don’t care if you eat the whole stick. You’re not to go running.”
Gretta sighed and wrapped the remaining dough. “House arrest? Chuck may look pretty good by Friday.”
“I’ve never shown you a picture of him for a reason.” He took out his wallet and laid a photo of his brother on the counter.
Chuck stood in a tight white tee and faded blue jeans at the edge of a river bank. His well-defined upper body caught her attention first, but he had Ryan’s eyes and she stared at them longer than she intended to. River rafting with Ryan, Rachel, and Chuck sounded like fun, if he behaved.
Ryan’s finger touched the corner of her mouth, breaking her stare.
“What? Cookie dough?” She licked her lips.
“Drool. Easy, now. I told you Chuck has had a few bad relationships.”
“Who are you watching out for?” she teased. A smile tugged her cheeks for the first time all day.
“Both of you.” He picked up his ball cap, with the sheriff's department insignia on the front, and walked to the door. “Turn the alarm on after you lock the porch door and don’t come out. I’ll pick you up at six, tomorrow morning.” With a final stern look, he left.
Gretta waved as he backed out of the drive. She locked both doors and set the alarm. Depositing the plates and glasses in the sink, she heard the muffled crying again. It sounded louder and appeared to be coming from the pantry. She opened the pantry door, thinking Emeye may have been trapped inside.
No cat, so she pulled out the garbage can, the vacuum cleaner, a broom and dust pan, a pair of gardening boots, and a bucket containing several umbrellas. Dust filled the air, as she swept it clean. Emeye trailed in and sneezed.
“Bless you. This really is a huge closet.” It stretched several feet beyond where the kitchen and cleaning items were stored. In the far corner, she could see the back side of the stairs leading to the second floor. A thick black wire led from a small hole at the top of the stairs all the way down into the floor of the pantry.
She remembered the Glenns told her the house had been wired for satellite television before the original owner realized he had little to no reception. No noise had sounded during this time. Maybe Emeye had been playing on the steps, and she heard her through the hole. She reorganized the pantry and headed upstairs.
The cat stood at the top of the stairs, staring out the loft window. Gretta scooped her up and followed her gaze. A fox squirrel stood on a tree branch, chattering incessantly.
“Is the squirrel tormenting you again?” she asked Emeye. The little cat growled and twisted to look out the window. They watched the squirrel scamper from one tree to another. It pulled a peach from a small tree and carried it in its mouth as it climbed a huge oak. Emeye squirmed out of Gretta’s arms and jumped to the floor.
Throughout the remainder of the day, Emeye didn’t leave her side.
Killer
Damn squirrel.
The man in the red flannel shirt wiped rotten peach off his shoulder and thought about shooting the annoying creature. Instead, he moved out from under the tree and pulled his favorite electronic toy out of his shirt pocket. After he adjusted the focus, he pressed a button and the video feed zoomed in on the girl.
Oh, Gretta. Snooping where you don’t belong. You think you’re safe, but you’re not. I have you right where I want you to be.
Chapter 41
Prediction
Katarina
Shivering, Katarina descended the narrow stairs to Purgatory-In-Tartarus. With each footfall, her limited energy swirled downward, replaced with hopelessness.
As the hem of her dress skimmed the final step, an awed silence enshrouded her. Despairing eyes of one soul caught her attention. Focused on the task at hand, she looked away, wanting neither respect nor admiration from members she didn’t care to become close to.
“Stupid cursed ring,” she muttered, making her way through the endless crowd of spirits.
The soul of a young man tugged her skirt, leaving his other arm draped around a younger boy.
“I can help,” he offered. Before she could respond, he pulled his hand back to comfort the cringing boy in his arms. “Never mind.”
Katarina noted the man’s dark hair and accent. Greek. Pity swamped her. “There is hope for the boy, for you too.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “I deserve to be here.”
“No. You’ve been cursed. Have faith. Someday you will be released.” Katarina touched the man’s arm. He looked at her with fierce determination.
“I will not leave Konstantino. He is like a brother to me.”
“Keep your attitude and spirit. Your kindness to the boy will not be overlooked.” She quickly looked away, realizing how much she had sounded like Roxana.
Katarina heard Minnie’s
wailing. She quickened her step through winding tunnels crowded with suffering spirits. In an alcove, she spotted Roxana and Lucy crouched beside Minnie’s swaying body.
“Luck. Love. Longevity. Distance. Damnation. Dagger.” Minnie’s chanting wavered between whispers and shrieks.
Roxana began to pace, visibly frustrated. “I believe this is a premonition, but I don’t understand,” she fretted as Katarina drew closer.
“Concentrate, Minnie. What are you trying to tell us?” Katarina growled.
“We’ve learned much.” Roxana stood and took a step away from Minnie. “Luda broke the love curse and she ended the distance spell.”
“Tatiana will allow the longevity curse to be broken.” Katarina glanced at Roxana, who readily agreed. “The only curses left are Victor’s damnation of anyone who wears the ring, and the bad luck curse.”
“Dagger, dagger. First and last, beyond your reach. Protector of the young one, you must seek,” Minnie intoned before reverting to her rant.
“Victor?” Lucy searched the shadows. “I know who he is.” She ran through the twists and turns of the soul filled purgatory.
“What is she spouting about?” Katarina grumbled.
“Lucy has a unique talent. As she speaks to others, she calms them. They open up to her, reveal their pasts. She has been searching for the pirate named Kadir,” Roxana replied.
“I forgot to tell you. Kadir Haty is trapped within The Unlucky. Peter keeps him there for entertainment. I will confront Kadir and find the truth behind the treasure and this bad luck curse.”
“Good, very good.” Roxana smoothed the skirt of her dress and returned to Minnie, who continued her eerie mantra. “If Lucy can find Victor and he grants permission to break the curse of damnation, we will only need to work on the curse of bad luck. The dagger—” She clapped her hands together. “The jeweled handled dagger Sam spoke of when he was entwined within Lorenzo, he claimed it to be cursed.”
“Dagger, dagger, dagger . . .” Minnie’s voice jerked in rhythm with her swaying body.
“Peter said he was released from Tartarus because he had been killed by a cursed blade. Could the dagger Minnie is going on about be the same one?” Katarina wondered.
“Shh. I believe Minnie is ready to tell us something.” Roxana clutched Katarina’s hand. Together, they watched Minnie’s head lower, and slowly rise. Her eyes, no longer gray-blue, flashed bright white.
“Luck, Love, Longevity. Distance, Damnation, Dagger. First and last, yet to conquer. Danger surrounds descendants of thee. A union is their sanctuary. Sacrifice to the gods must be made. With hope and recognition, evil depths they will evade.” She fell silent, ending the prophecy.
“I had hoped the sacrifices had already been fulfilled with Justin and Raja. How many more innocent people must die?” Katarina fumed.
“First and last, yet to conquer. Luck, Love, Longevity. Distance, Damnation, Dagger. First and last, yet to conquer.” Minnie picked up where she left off, whispering the rhythmic chant.
Roxana squeezed Katarina’s hand. “Gretta and Sam are in danger. Until we confront whoever placed the bad luck curse, they’re not safe.”
“A union?” Katarina beamed at the thought. “Roxana, how did your husband die?” she inquired.
Roxana’s forehead creased. “What does that have to do with—”
Comprehension broke over her face in a dawning smile. “He died in his sleep. We were both ninety, and he told me he was ready to go.”
“Henry lived beyond ninety-nine. We lost track of the years. Nothing bad ever happened to him.” Katarina giggled as wonderful memories flooded her mind.
“You were married to Henry?” Roxana stepped back in surprise.
“Private ceremony, only the priest knew. Henry took his religion very seriously. He wouldn’t . . . not until I became his wife.” Katarina felt more warmth in Purgatory-In-Tartarus than ever before. “A union will keep Sam and Gretta safe. We must encourage them.”
“Your distant grandson will need little encouragement,” Roxana teased.
“I’ve seen the way your descendent pines over Sam,” Katarina chimed.
Together their quiet laughter sent rippling hope throughout the sorrow-filled area.
Minnie’s mournful cry brought Purgatory-In-Tartarus back to its gloominess.
“It may be difficult to convince them. In their time, people don’t wed as young,” Katarina mused.
“And their parents—”
“Will need to be persuaded.”
“Entwined within Ruby, you can charm their parents. Do what you must. I’ll keep watch over Gretta,” Roxana instructed as they walked to the steps leading out.
They found Lucy kneeling beside the man and boy Katarina had spoken to earlier. She stood as they approached. “Roxana, Katarina. This is Victor.” She pointed to the young man, still cradling the terrified boy.
“Victor?” Katarina questioned, remembering him only as an older adult.
“I’ve been told souls here take on the likeness of themselves at a happy time in their lives.” Lucy looked to Roxana for approval. Roxana, who appeared in her mid-forties, nodded at Katarina with a raised brow.
“Henry and I were extremely happy,” Katarina quipped, but her attention remained focused on the man who had hurt her granddaughter, Anya. Gretta had been entwined within Anya and had claimed Victor beat Anya before he cursed the ring.
“Ladies, we need to discuss the curse of damnation with Victor.” Lucy’s matter of fact tone refocused the group. A wave of peacefulness settled over Katarina.
“You’re right, Roxana. Lucy has a powerful calming presence. Without her, I would have strangled this man for what he did to Anya.” Katarina’s fury faded further as Roxana knelt beside him.
“Victor, you cursed Anya, Lorenzo, and anyone who wears the ring,” Roxana boldly accused.
Victor gripped the child tighter to his chest.
“Do you know how many people have suffered because of your damnation curse?” Katarina hissed.
“I will do what I can to help you, but please, don’t release me. I must stay with Konstantino.” Victor cried.
Katarina spat, “We wouldn’t waste our powers on you.”
Roxana shot her silent disapproval before refocusing on Victor. “If you help us, I will do my best to help the boy. You have my word.”
Lucy eyed Katarina, who folded her arms in defiance, but found herself in agreement.
“I apologize for the curses I uttered to Anya. I had been drinking, but it is not an excuse for my actions. I grant permission to end the ring’s curse of damnation.” Victor hung his head to his chest. “What I did is unforgivable.”
Lucy approached him. “Don’t dwell on the past. Konstantino needs your strength and hope.”
Katarina’s anger with Victor surged.
“Roxana needs your help. I will stay with Victor and Konstantino.” Lucy’s voice sang inside Katarina’s head, dispersing the hatred she had held against Victor.
“Katarina, Roxana, for all the suffering I caused you and your descendants, I am sorry,” Victor stated with sincerity.
His words tore through Katarina. His apology and dedication to the boy touched her heart.
“When the last of the curses are broken, I will make sure you and Konstantino are able to leave this place.” Katarina looked away, uncomfortable with the conflicting emotions she encountered.
“Roxana and I have work to do,” she announced over her shoulder. She approached the foot of the stairs. “Let’s go. You can break the damnation curse once we get out of here.” Taking Roxana by the arm, Katarina began climbing the stairs.
“Wait, Roxana. It’s very dangerous. The bad luck curse is more powerful than all the others. Sacrifice must be made.”
> The urgency in Minnie’s voice beckoned Katarina to spin around. She could sense the way Roxana silently comprehended Minnie’s warning.
“Emeye isn’t safe,” Minnie added, barely above a whisper.
“Who’s Emeye?” Katarina demanded.
“We’ll be back as soon as possible,” Roxana stated and started up the stairs.
Katarina saw Minnie fall to her knees, keening in sadness. A shudder ran up her neck as she followed Roxana’s trailing skirt out of Purgatory-In-Tartarus.
Chapter 42
The Note
Sam
“These figures don’t add up.”
Sam scrolled through the spreadsheet a second time, searching for an error. The estimate for the excavation and installation of a new playground for the local elementary school didn’t match the bid his best friend, Tony had submitted.
For the past three weeks, Sam had been working in the office for Lina Construction. His boss and owner of the company, Hank, had welcomed both Tony and Sam back to work, not as physical laborers, but on the business side. Tony had thrived under Hank’s tutelage, learning everything from bidding to drawing blueprints.
“What were you thinking, Tony? Your bid is thousands under cost,” Sam grumbled to himself.
He dug into his jeans for his phone as the door of the work trailer opened. In walked Tony, with a clipboard full of notes and diagrams.
