Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past)

by Danielle Rose-West

One way or another, Callie would get what she deserved. Once that redheaded bitch was out of the way, Jason would soon come back to her. Things would be as they were meant to be. Nobody kept Lucinda from what belonged to her. Nobody!

  Chapter Twenty

  Silence reigned inside the van. Callie squirmed in her seat. They’d been parked outside the Lazy Boy for the past half hour, but neither one of them had moved an inch. Callie had finished telling Jason of the events that had taken place since that fateful letter had arrived, but so far he’d said nothing. The lights from the B&B windows shone into the van and lit his features clearly, but she couldn’t read his expression.

  Callie hoped she hadn’t made a mistake confiding in Jason. She’d desperately needed to talk to someone. Normally it would be Jade, but Callie had kept her friend in the dark over the events that had taken place. She knew Jade would be down the motorway before she’d finished explaining. The last thing she wanted to do was to cause her flatmate to panic, and there was no doubt that Jade would freak if she knew Callie was under threat. Jason had been the safer option or so she’d thought.

  “Please say something. Even if it’s to say that you think I’m crazy. At least then I’d know what you were thinking.” Callie twisted her hands in her lap.

  Jason glanced at her. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, but nothing came out. She’d never seen him stuck for words before. It wasn’t a good sign.

  He shrugged and ran a hand down his face. “I’m not sure what to say. It’s such an outlandish story.”

  “I know. If it hadn’t happened to me, I’m not sure I’d believe it either.”

  Callie bit her lip and instantly regretted it. She could taste Jason on her tongue as if his mouth was still on hers. Her heart ached. The kiss they had shared had been like touching heaven. She’d never wanted it to end. Callie had never experienced such perfection in her entire life, as if she and Jason were made for each other. For that one sweet moment, she’d felt like she belonged to someone. If only it hadn’t ended. She had no idea how she was meant to forget it and just be friends with him. Why could nothing in her life ever be simple?

  “I didn’t say I don’t believe it.” Jason twisted in his seat to fully face her. “It’s just hard to comprehend. You actually saw this girl, Sophie, before you ever saw the picture? And there’s no possible way that you may have seen her somewhere before?”

  “How? I’ve never met any of my family before coming here. Today was the first time I saw Sophie in any way, except in my visions.” Callie’s throat tightened with emotion. “I didn’t even know she was a real person, let alone a dead family member.”

  Jason stared out the front windscreen, his brow furrowed. “It’s just a thought, but did Sandra ever leave anything for your adopted parents to pass on to you? Perhaps a few family treasures. Maybe pictures? Maybe you saw the photo years ago and forgot?”

  Callie cast a withering glance in his direction. “Don’t you think I’d have known every little thing left to me from my birth mother? This is Sandra we’re talking about. Can you see her leaving me little tokens from my blood relations?”

  “Okay, you have a point.” Jason sighed and rubbed his hands over his thighs. “So, what are you saying? You’ve seen Sophie’s ghost?”

  “I don’t know what other explanation there is.” Callie hoped it wasn’t too much of a stretch for him to consider. She needed someone to believe her. “Sophie showed up just before I was due to travel here. She warned me to stay away. Turns out that warning was right. Someone has been trying to hurt me ever since I arrived here.”

  Jason blew out a breath. “So, the fall down the stairs wasn’t an accident. You were pushed. Then there’s the car incident and you said something about a photograph?”

  “That’s right. That’s what I handed to the officer after the car incident. I couldn’t bear to look at it.” She shivered. The image was forever emblazoned on her mind. She was sure she’d never stop having nightmares about it.

  “I’m somewhat confused,” Jason scratched his head. He propped his elbow on the back of his seat. “If Lucinda is the culprit behind these incidents, why would your ghostly aunt turn up before you came here? She wouldn’t have known Lucinda was a threat to you beforehand, would she? Doesn’t this mean that Lucinda couldn’t be the one doing these things?”

  Callie shook her head. She shoved down the surge of jealousy that welled up at his defence of his ex. “I understand your reasoning, but if Sophie’s coming to me from the ‘other side’,” she stuck her fingers up in the air quotes sign, “how are we to know what she’d know or when. Can’t the dead see the future or something? I’m sure I read that in a book on this kind of stuff.”

  “This is just too weird.” Jason scrubbed his face with his hands. His eyes looked slightly wild. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here having this conversation. Did we just drop into the twilight zone when I wasn’t paying attention?”

  “If you think it’s weird, imagine how I feel!” Callie laughed wryly. “I’m the one that’s experienced Sophie’s visits first hand.”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready to confront the concept of ghosts. Let’s just deal with the threats to you. That is something I can at least get my head around.” Jason rubbed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “You don’t have to get involved with that.” Callie shifted in her seat, awkward with the turn of the conversation. “It’s not why I told you all this. I don’t expect you to fix things for me or anything. I just needed to get things off my chest with someone.”

  “I can understand why. How have you kept this all in without exploding?” He cast her an incredulous look. “I think it would have driven me nuts.”

  “I honestly don’t know,” Callie admitted. “It’s been something of a burden to say the least.”

  “Well, you don’t have to bear it on your own. I’m here to help. After all, we are friends, right?” He grabbed her hand and squeezed her fingers.

  Callie’s heart soared and plummeted all at the same time. She gazed at his face and practically melted in her seat. Why did he have to be so damn handsome? It would be so much easier if he didn’t make her heart pound and her palms sweat. She didn’t want to fall for him, but she was very much afraid that she had.

  “Yes. We’re…..friends.”

  She hoped he didn’t catch her hesitation or the hitch in her voice. She didn’t want just friendship with him. Callie wanted so much more. Her heart yearned with desperate longing when he was near her. She couldn’t pretend it was anything else. The tragedy was that he wanted nothing more from her than her friendship. How was she to cope with the situation when it hurt so damn much?

  “Then let me help you. I suggest we cover all bases. We can’t assume that Lucinda is behind all your problems. Maybe Sophie was warning you about someone else. It would be foolish not to look into your family history. If Sandra won’t give us the information we’re seeking, I think we should try approaching a different person.” Jason stared at her expectantly, as if she should know who he meant.

  Callie’s mind refused to function. She stared at him, completely lost. “Who? When I asked Uncle Max about my father, he refused to tell me anything. He’s totally loyal to Sandra.”

  “What about Trish? You said she would have told you who your father was had she known. Chances are, she knows about Sophie.” Jason cocked an eyebrow at her.

  Callie’s heart raced. “Only if she and Max were together at the time.” She sat up straighter in her seat, breathless with the thought. “Do you think it’s possible?”

  “Why don’t we find out?” Jason started up the van and shot her a wicked grin.

  “What, now?” Callie squeaked. “Jason, it’s heading for evening. Isn’t it rude to turn up this late unannounced?”

  “Callie Price! I never took you for the shy, wimp out type. Where’s your courage?” He laughed at her.

  “I think I lost it when some oaf knocked me off my feet the other d
ay!” Callie swatted at his arm and grinned broadly. “Seriously, I’m not sure this is such a good idea. Max will probably be home.”

  “He won’t. I happen to know he’s gone to Taunton with Mitch for a business meeting. He won’t be back until tomorrow. This is the perfect opportunity. Trust me,” Jason released the hand break and drove slowly out of the car-park, “I’ll charm the answers out of Trish. She never could resist me!”

  Callie rolled her eyes. “That’s if your big head can get through the front door to apply your talents!”

  Jason’s laughter filled the van. They fell silent as he traversed through the narrow streets towards the outskirts of town. Callie felt sick with trepidation. She found it hard to stay still in her seat. Her mind ran over several versions of what to say when they arrived at Trish’s home. Nothing sounded right.

  She glanced over at Jason. He seemed so supremely confident. She had to admit she was glad he was by her side. It was a relief not to be alone with her worries. The strain was definitely starting to erode her nerves. Now that Mr Cunningham had destroyed her hope of leaving town, she needed all the help she could get to dig to the bottom of this mess.

  “We’re here.” Callie’s stomach rolled at Jason’s announcement. How had they arrived so fast? She wasn’t ready!

  Jason pulled the van to the side of the road in front of a large house. An iron fence with a gate surrounded the property. Callie guessed the place had to have at least five bedrooms, probably six. It was hard to see in the dim glow of the street lights, but it appeared that everything was extremely well kept. From experience, Callie knew a house like that would cost a small fortune to purchase.

  No wonder Mitch and her grandmother had accused her of being after money. She hadn’t paid it much notice before. She could kick herself for her stupidity. They were minted. Obviously this was what her grandmother had meant about the family reputation. It was ridiculous in Callie’s eyes. As if anyone would care about an illegitimate child in this day and age. Who did her grandmother think the Fuller’s were? The Royal family?

  “Are you going to stand there staring all night, or are we getting this investigation under way?”

  Callie jerked and glanced at Jason. At some point during her wool-gathering, he’d slipped out of the van and stood on the pavement staring in at her. The small smile tugging on the corners of his lips made her heart flip over.

  “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect all this.” She waved her hand at the house as she climbed out of the van and slammed the door shut. “I thought it would be another cosy cottage like Sandra’s home.”

  “The Fuller’s are kind of loaded. Mitch doesn’t really have to work for me, but he wants to learn every aspect of the car industry, in a business not run by his dad. He’s intending on entering the family business in a couple of years.” Jason rounded the van and tugged on her arm. He led her toward the gate. “Come on. You won’t find your answers standing on the street.”

  He opened the gate and pushed her gently through it. Callie dragged her heels as they walked up the long driveway. She didn’t hold out much hope that this encounter would turn out any better than her disaster with Sandra.

  Jason rang the doorbell and shot her an encouraging smile. Callie grimaced back and ran her sweating palms down her coat. The door swung open and Trish stood framed by the light behind her. She stared at them, surprise written all over her face.

  “Hello, dears. I didn’t expect to see you two so soon. What brings you here? Is there anything wrong?”

  “Sorry to drop in unannounced, but Callie here wondered if you could help her with something.” Jason waved a hand in her direction. “It’s rather delicate and may take a little time. Could we come in?”

  “You do realise that Max isn’t home.” Trish clutched at her throat with one hand. “I thought you knew he was at a meeting tonight.”

  “We kind of thought that you’d be able to help us with this, actually.” Callie was pleased to note that her voice sounded steady. No trace of her anxiety bled through……….she hoped. “I’m not sure Uncle Max would be the right person to ask, under the circumstances.”

  “I’m not sure what help I can be, but you’re welcome to come in.” Trish stepped back from the door and opened it wider.

  Callie stepped through the doorway and into a large hall. She could hear Jason’s coat rustling as he entered the house behind her. Automatically, Callie scanned the area with a critical eye. The space was large and airy. A wooden seat sat to one side with a coat rack next to it. The floor was covered with black and white tiles.

  Callie resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose. That type of floor design was a pet hate of hers and made her shudder every time she saw it. The professional in her wanted to rip the tiles up and start again. She’d never understood the enticement for that pattern anywhere in a home. It was so clinical and depressing.

  “Just hang your coats up and if you don’t mind, I would appreciate you taking off your shoes. The carpet in the living room is cream and I don’t want it to get dirty.” Trish smiled warmly. “Would either of you like a drink?”

  “We’re fine, thank you.” Callie slipped her coat off and hung it on an arm of the rack. She bent over and tugged her shoes off, placing them under the wooden bench. “We’re not here to put you to any trouble. We shan’t stay long.”

  “It’s no trouble. You’re family after all.” Trish swept ahead of them. Her soft fluffy slippers barely made a sound as she walked. She led them into a large living room where a fire blazed in the old stone fireplace. It lit the room with a warm, cosy glow.

  Callie fell in love with the space instantly. The thick carpet cushioned her feet with a velvety caress. She couldn’t blame Trish for worrying about it. Who wouldn’t! She scrunched her toes into the thick, luxurious weave. It was heaven. She sighed blissfully.

  “Please, sit down. No need to stand on ceremony here.” Trish perched herself on the end of an easy chair. Callie and Jason sank down onto the sofa opposite her.

  Trish folded her hands in her lap. “Now, what did you come all the way here to ask me about?” She gazed at them expectantly.

  Jason glanced at Callie, then back at Trish. “We were at Sandra’s earlier.” He cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Callie had the chance to look through some old family photos and she was particularly interested in a certain family member she saw in one of the pictures.”

  Callie almost choked. She had to admire the way Jason phrased the events. He made it sound as if Sandra had allowed Callie access to the family album. It was incredibly clever.

  “Didn’t Sandra fill you in?” Trish frowned, clearly puzzled.

  “She grew upset when I asked her about it.” Callie decided to follow Jason’s lead and be as evasive as possible. She couldn’t be sure that Trish would open up if she knew Sandra was dead set against Callie knowing anything about Sophie. “I didn’t want to push further, since it obviously caused my mother pain. I was too worried to ask Uncle Max, in case it upset him too. Jason suggested you might be able to appease my curiosity instead.”

  “Goodness, I’m intrigued. Who are you talking about?” Trish clasped her hands together, her face slightly flushed.

  Callie drew in a deep breath and prayed for the best. “The picture was of a little girl. Sandra did tell me that it was her younger sister, Sophie. Do you know anything about her?”

  Trish gasped and her hands flew up to cover her mouth. Evidently Callie had shocked yet another person. It would seem she was getting to be an expert on that.

  “Oh, my goodness. I never thought to hear that name again. Nobody in the family ever talks about her.” Trish stared at them, her face a mixture of shock and sadness. “I should have realised who you meant as soon as you said Sandra grew upset. She was very close to Sophie.”

  “Please, can you tell me what happened to Sophie? I have to know,” Callie pleaded.

  “Yes, I know what happened.” Trish hesitated. “I’m not sure even I can put
words to this. Are you sure you really want to know?”

  “I have to.” Callie jerked as Jason covered her hands with one of his large, warm palms. He pried her fingers apart and she suddenly realised she’d been clutching her hands together so tightly that she’d practically cut off her circulation. Trish glanced at their hands, one brow raised.

  “I can see this means a lot to you.” She wiped away a tear as it slid down her cheek. “It would seem Sophie still has the power to capture a heart, even from a photograph.” Trish climbed to her feet with a heavy sigh. “This is not an easy story to tell. I’m going to need a brandy if I’m to get through the recounting of it. I’ll fetch you both one as well. Believe me, you’re going to need it.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Callie glanced nervously at Jason. “What do you suppose could be so awful that Trish thinks we need a brandy to hear it?”

  Jason smiled grimly, his face strained. “A child died. No matter how it happened, that’s always a tragedy.”

  He released her hand with one final squeeze. Callie resisted the urge to snatch his warm palm back to hers and cling on for dear life. She was being foolish. She was a strong, independent woman who could cope with anything. So, why did she feel so lost without his skin touching hers?

  Callie fiddled with the edge of her sleeve. Nerves clawed at her insides. Now that she was here, Callie wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what Trish had to say. A sense of doom settled over her shoulders and Sophie’s sweet young face sprang into her mind so vividly that it left her shaken.

  “Here we go.” Trish sauntered back into the room, balancing three glasses of brandy in her hands. She set two down in front of Callie and Jason, taking the third back to her own seat.

  Jason pushed his glass away. “If you don’t mind, I’ll give it a miss. I’m driving.”

  “Of course, how silly of me. Just leave it, dear.” Trish waved her hand airily and settled down into the cushions on her chair. She crossed her legs. “Now, about Sophie. Where do I begin?” She licked her lips and regarded Callie with her head cocked to one side. “I guess the first thing is to tell you that I wasn’t around when Sophie was born. She came as a late surprise to your grandparents. I didn’t know her until later, when Max and I became a couple. She was about three, I think, at the time.”