“I’ve got this,” Kayla whispered to herself. “I can do this on my own if given enough time.”
After looking through every book they had on the table, Kayla went to the computer Tyler was on, and started looking up the Blackwell family online. A few names popped up, and when a family tree page owned by a local descendant of a local Blackwell family member came up, Kayla searched through it. One H. Blackwell stared her in the face, but she saw it was a Henry and not a Harris.
When a shadow towered over Kayla and a sweet tone clapped her ears, she heard, “I couldn’t help but overhear you are researching the Blackwell family.” This woman had Carmel skin and was standing over Kayla with a six-foot frame. She startled Kayla when she looked up at her, this woman then backed up two steps. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, young lady.”
“That’s okay. I’m looking for a certain Blackwell male. He doesn’t seem to match what’s cropping up.” Kayla watched as this woman wearing a long dress sit in the chair next to her.
“I’m a Blackwell. My family intermarried with the Natives of this land back in the 1800s. that’s why I have natural features.” She was a bit shy, but forward with her heritage.
“I’m Kayla Decker.” She shook this woman’s hand.
“I’m Mel. Everyone calls me Mel for short.” She had the widened grin on her face. “My family came a long time ago from New Jersey. Its where a few cousins still are. Not everyone decided to brave the wilderness to trudge into an unknown town back in the day. They saw it as superstitious and untamed, but I see it as a place I now call home.”
“New Orleans is highly unusual, I have noticed.” Kayla adjusted her sitting position to stare at the woman.
“You are definitely not from around here, are you?” Her question fell to Kayla. “I can tell by the lack of our accent.”
“I’m from Northern California, but my family came from Georgia and before that Germany. But that was a long time ago too.” She nodded and turned to face the computer once again.
“We have all come from somewhere. Being here feels comfortable to me. I bet you are still adjusting to the energy of this place. It can be disconcerting to strangers.” Her words rang true.
“Yes, it can be. I’m looking for any information on a male Blackwell in recent times, not long ago. His name was Harris Blackwell.” Kayla tossed out that name, not knowing if this woman had heard of it or not.
“I’m not so sure I know it. We are quite numerous now, Kayla. The Blackwell family has spread far apart across America and the world. Let me think about that. What are you finding online?” Mel had enthusiasm dancing in her eyes when she leaned over Kayla to stare at the computer screen.
“I found a Henry Blackwell and a W. L. Blackwell. There’s an Elizabeth Blackwell too. A Liz Blackwell gave my boss an antique table, and I’m still wondering if she’s related or not to any of these Blackwell family members I’m researching.”
“In Northern California. I once had an uncle named Henry who moved to Sacramento, California in the mid-1900s. He married another Blackwell, no relation. But I’m not sure they had a daughter named Liz.” Mel was digging all this information from early recollection.
“Liz is actually an older woman who inherited the table and numerous other pieces from her grandmother, supposedly. The table was rectangular and very ornate. It has space for up to twelve people.” Kayla went on to describe it further.
“Wow, it must be wonderful. I might find something on it, give me some time to ask around.” She nodded and placed what she heard into memory.
“Yes, it was, I was in charge of cleaning it for the store. I actually enjoyed watching it shine from top to bottom.” Kayla allowed her smile to sparkle.
“Here is my number, and if something else comes up, let me know, Kayla.” Mel handed her a slip of paper with a phone number on it.
“I will. Thank you, Mel Blackwell.” Kayla watched the woman leave down the stairs. “I still need to find who you are Harris.” Kayla went back to her search of this mysterious man who was found dead in the river.
After delving deeper into the computer and typing names throughout social media, one photo popped up for her. It was from Harris. He was with a woman unknown to Kayla. No facial features told her this woman was with Harris in her dream. “Who are you two?” Kayla took a picture of him with her cell phone, and after writing down what information was there, she decided this was definitely the Harris Blackwell she was looking for.
After finding out the woman was a family member named Lizzie, Kayla wrote down what information she discovered, and thought about showing it to Detective Tyler when he came to pick her up. Another picture of a different woman was found. It appeared old, and the name was Elizabeth Blackwell. She had Carmel skin much like Mel. Was this the woman who owned the table and the screaming man standing near it? She couldn’t be sure.
Kayla set her sights on who Liz was in California and when she texted Tabitha, Liz’s number was texted back. Kayla thanked her for her phone number and after telling her what she found, Tabitha let her know that she could take a few more days to find out who Liz was and hopefully solve this murder.
“How did she know?” Kayla looked down at her phone and smiled.
Your father told me.
Kayla shook her head and scrolled through one more page on the computer that turned into about twenty pages. Only tidbits of this Eliza Blackwell cropped up. She was definitely the woman who owned the table. When a picture was found of it, Kayla grinned. “Liz, you are Eliza’s granddaughter, I bet.” The next picture guaranteed her assumption was correct. Another old photo stared back at her.
Nothing about Harris Green Blackwell, but at least she could learn something new from Liz. Kayla hurried from the library after replacing every single book to their rightful place, and taking her notes in her hand, she then called Liz after stepping outside the library. It rang twice and when a woman answered, Kayla, asked, “Is this Liz Blackwell?”
Chapter Nine
“Yes, this is Liz. How can I help you?” Her kind voice came through. Kayla lifted a brow and thought she sounded a lot like Lizzie from the airport.
Kayla cleared her throat and introduced herself. “I’m Kayla, and my boss is Tabitha. I wanted to ask you a few questions about the table you asked us to sell in the antique shop.”
“Tabitha let me know you’d be calling. What is it you need exactly?” Her hesitance came through loud and clear, and that was when she asked another question, “Is there something wrong with the table?”
Kayla’s thoughts twisted over one another. This woman knew her name, yet wasn’t saying it. All Kayla wanted to do was ask if she were the one who flew to New Orleans with her, but she held her tongue and decided to refrain from upsetting her.
“Do you know a Henry Blackwell, Liz?” Kayla’s mouth opened wide when she asked.
“Wow, I have not heard that name in years. He’s a corpse from the past to me.”
“Henry once owned the table with Eliza, his wife, my grandmother.” Kayla heard shuffling of papers on Liz’s side of the phone, and when she thought a breakthrough was happening, Liz coughed.
“He was my grandfather, and Grandma Eliza left the table to me, her only surviving grandchild. My sister died when she was two, and it had been Eliza and me ever since.” Liz went on to explain her parents died in a car accident when she was fifteen, and her grandmother took her in and raised her. Kayla already knew that was a lie, but again, she held her tongue.
“Was your grandfather still alive during that time?” Kayla already knew the answer, but she asked anyway.
“No, he passed away years ago from a heart attack, and I knew my grandmother was grateful too.”
“Why is that, Liz? People usually are not grateful when their spouse passes away.”
“He had horrid anger issues, and when he and my grandmother met in New Orleans, married and came to California, his rage only grew larger. It was beyond dreadful.” Liz exhaled. “I know
one thing, and one thing only, Kayla.”
She did know her name. “What’s that?” Kayla’s eyes narrowed.
“That man seemed to hate his entire family, and he hated living in California even more. He would take it out on his family over dinner every night he was home unless he was out drinking. Then he came home and took it out on my grandmother who endured his rage like a rag doll. She regretted marrying that man, and I didn’t blame her. After numerous years together, she was happy he finally died. She told me God did her a favor.” Liz shuffled more papers. “I actually have a lot of stuff concerning the entire Blackwell family. I could send you a copy on disc. If that works for you.”
“That would be great, thanks, Liz. Oh, and Liz, I do appreciate you answering my call.” Kayla was happy to be receiving the disc.
“No, problem, Kayla. What’s your address?”
“I’m actually in New Orleans right now, Liz. Can you send it to me here in this great city?”
“Tabitha raced through why you’re there in the city of Eliza’s birth. You’re researching all Blackwell family members, right?” Liz’s tone wavered from appreciative to apprehensive.
“Yes, I’m attempting to find information about a certain Blackwell male.” Kayla stepped out from under the overhang of the library and felt drops fall on her head. She quickly backed up and stood under a dry place once again.
“Maybe the disc can enlighten you. I’ll send it out today so you will have it for your research.” Liz wrote down the address to the hotel and the room number.
“Thanks for helping me out. If anything of substance floats to the surface, I will be sure to let you know, Liz.” Kayla said her good-byes and hung up when Detective Tyler pulled up to the curb and waved at her. She looked around for her umbrella and had forgotten it upstairs. When she raised a finger before her, Kayla trotted back inside the library to fetch it, the umbrella was right where she had left it near the computer upstairs.
After racing back down to the car when his voice whispered, “You forgot it, didn’t you?” Tyler stood near the car with the door held open.
“I did, but I found out more information about the Blackwell family, and Liz Blackwell from California is sending me a disc filled with her family gems. I hope there’s something in there about Harris. I’ll have to wait and see.” Kayla slid into the passenger seat and watched Tyler hurry around to the driver side where he got in, started the car, drove to the same spot they ate at before. This time, it was lighter in the attendance department. “I am beginning to believe Liz Blackwell is the same Lizzie I met before I arrived here in New Orleans. Is that odd to believe?”
“Nope, Kayla.” He wheeled the car onto the road and added, “I have never seen this place so empty before. It’s odd.” Tyler parked at their eatery, and together they made their way into the place. They sat at the same table as before. “Spill what you know about this murder mystery and this Lizzie or Liz Blackwell lady.”
“Well,” Kayla was interrupted by the waitress who took their orders and turned to leave. She bumped into a stranger near their table who was searching for a place to sit. “I discovered the owner of the table was Eliza Blackwell who was married to Henry Blackwell. Apparently, Eliza was happy when he died a few years ago.”
“Interesting, what else?”
“Liz’s parents apparently were killed in a car accident, but no records state that. Eliza took over Liz’s care from there. I’m not sure why, but Liz wanted to get rid of the table because her grandfather raged over it just about every night. The one thing I’m discovering, there are no coincidences.”
“You seem to know something about the table other than that. What kind of dream did you have concerning it?” Tyler sipped his water when the waitress served it to them.
“Sometimes, when I touch an object, I feel an overwhelming sensation. Rage is one emotion that crops up a lot, especially since I discovered that photo with the table.”
“Not all those dreams are pleasant, are they?” Detective Tyler sipped his water when the waitress brought it to them.
Kayla shook her head. “Nope, not all are good to know about. Each one leaves a mark inside me, and won’t shake until I address them now.”
“At least you have the disc of the family tree coming soon. It would be nice if it arrived in a day or so, right?” Tyler lifted his arms to receive their cooked meals. “Thanks.” He appreciated the food from the waitress, and when she left, he whispered, “I find this whole thing disturbing. No one seems to know Harris, at least I have not found anyone who is coming forward to claim the bodies.”
“That is weird. Henry Blackwell had a lot of money too. I wonder.” Kayla tapped her finger on the table.
Tyler looked up at her. “That look.”
Kayla had her fork in her mouth when she grunted. “If Henry were rich and we think he could have been, that would mean that Liz could inherit it all with Harris gone. How are they related?”
“You get a certain look when you’re onto something good. I saw it at the library when I left you to go back to work. You have a certain way about you when you connect with whatever it is you are diving into.”
“How do you know me that well, Tyler?” Kayla acted surprised when she swallowed her food down.
“I’m a detective, Kayla. Get used to that one.” He grinned.
“That’s true, you are. The whole thing is strange, isn’t it?”
“Not as strange as that.” A man said from a nearby table as he pointed at the window pane.
Kayla looked up and saw a man pressing his face against it with green slime all over his face. “What’s going on?”
The man shook his head from the other table. “It takes all kinds.”
“Go away!” Tyler yelled. He leaped up to tap on the glass. “This part of town gets a lot of weirdos who want to shock any newcomers to our city. Usually, it works, but not today. Leave!”
The guy took off when the waitress headed outside with a rag in hand, and when she went to wipe it off, Kayla could have sworn she saw a word written in slime on the glass. It read ‘leave.’
“Are you okay?” Tyler slid closer to Kayla. “Some people want to scare while others are simple entertainers. I don’t want to dissuade you from enjoying our wonderful city.”
Kayla pointed at the now smeared slime. “Did you read what it said, detective?”
“It was just a guy spitting up on the glass. They do it here and there. You get used to it when you live here.”
“I read what it said.” The man next to them glanced up at Tyler with his fork filled with steak.
“What did you see, sir?” Tyler leaned toward him.
“Leave. It said, leave. I don’t know who it was directed at, but that guy didn’t like one of you to stay here whatsoever.” He pushed steak into his mouth and chewed.
Tyler lifted his eyes to stare at Kayla. “I’m definitely not leaving your side while you’re in town.” He watched the waitress go outside with a spray bottle and another rag.
“I’m not frightened by this experience, and I cannot turn tail and run from this. My dreams might turn into something big, and even solve this mystery.” Kayla thought back to her visit to the library.
“Murder. It’s a murder, Kayla. This is not one of those cozy mysteries you watch on television.”
She acknowledged his words when she closed her eyes and thought back to her dream. It’s reoccurring, and it’s apparently telling her something important about Harris and what happened to him. When Kayla looked up and saw Mel leaving the eatery with a male by her side, something felt off to Kayla, and it took everything she had to hold herself in her chair.
“What is it?” Tyler moved toward her with a criticizing stare. “You seem puzzled by something.” He glanced around him and didn’t see anything out of place.
“That’s Mel. What is she doing here, and who is she with? That looks like the same man Lizzie at the hotel was with.” Kayla’s eyes were still on the woman who hugged the
man outside the window, and when they parted, Kayla leaped to her feet and wanted to trace after her.
“What are you doing?” Tyler had a hand on her arm.
“I thought… that looked almost like the man who grabbed me too, detective.”
“No, Kayla, please sit back down and let’s continue to talk about this. That man didn’t have a mustache, and this one does. Why are you willing to follow someone you don’t even know?”
“I guess you’re right. You’re definitely correct.” Kayla moved back into the seat and glared out the window. She exhaled with exasperation.
“You have a difficult time with people telling you not to do something, don’t you?” Detective Tyler paid the check and guided her from the building and onto the street where the sun was peeking through the partly cloudy sky.
“I like knowing my own reliability is correct in every situation. Without it, I feel out of control not knowing which way to go. When another professional tells me not to do something, there are pitfalls I’m not seeing.” Kayla slightly chewed on her lip when her eyes met Tyler’s. It was then she knew he wanted what she wanted—to find out who killed Harris and why.
“I get that, Kayla. I never thought about listening to my father until I started the police academy. It was then where I learned about a whole new world previously hidden from me by my father. He only wanted to protect me from evil surrounding each of us every day.”
“My father too. He appreciated the dreams I had growing up, and I also believe they unnerved him to a certain extent. I would describe a murder in complete and utter detail. No news organization ever received what I gained from sleep. It was as if I were privy to that kind of information while in my bed. When I was young, these dreams at first startled me, and then they frightened me, but they never totally disappeared from existence. When they came back recently, I decided to not allow them to overtake my sanity. I have now decided to embrace them instead of pushing them away.”
Kayla's Chronicles- Will Travel For Murder Page 10
