The Evil That Was Done (Secrets of Redemption Book 3)

by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

  I untangled myself from my bed and went to the bathroom to splash some cool water on my face. I was still somehow both hot and sticky and freezing cold. I debated a shower, but worried about waking Mia and Chrissy.

  Instead, I wet a washcloth and did my best to give myself a sponge bath before changing into a clean night shirt. While I was at it, I stripped the bed and put on clean sheets. I almost crawled back into bed then—oh, how I wanted to try and sleep some more!—but I was wide awake. There would be no more sleep.

  What to do until daylight? Hide in my bedroom until the sun began to touch the darkness? Go downstairs and risk running into Aunt Charlie at the kitchen table, waiting for me again?

  I had just about decided to settle into the recliner chair next to the window to watch the sun come up when I thought about Chrissy. Before, whenever I had dreams about Aunt Charlie, I found Chrissy sleepwalking.

  That was enough to inspire me to check on her. Mia, too, while I was at it. It wouldn’t take but a few seconds, just to make sure.

  Oscar watched from the comfort of the bed as I eased the door open. I envied his ability to dreamlessly nap at will.

  The hallway was silent. Both bedroom doors were shut. It certainly looked like I was the only one up and about.

  I pushed the door open a little wider, thinking maybe I didn’t even need to walk down the hall, after all. I could just ease out far enough to make sure the doors really were closed.

  In that instant, two things seemed to happen at the same time.

  Oscar suddenly hissed, his ears back, every tooth bared.

  And the quiet click of a door closing floated up from downstairs.

  For a moment, I could only stand there, frozen in place, as fear crept its way down my neck and into my chest.

  Was someone in the house?

  I flashed back to the last time I had a nightmare, only to hear that same sound of a door clicking shut.

  Only that time, Oscar hadn’t reacted.

  I turned to look at him. He was standing on the bed, his fur raised.

  What did that mean? Was the sound I heard someone leaving the house?

  Or someone coming in?

  My breath caught in my throat, and I forced myself to slowly step into the hallway, knowing I might never be able to move again if I didn’t start right then. The last thing I wanted was to spend the rest of the night trapped in the doorway of my room like a terrified mouse, until Mia finally woke up.

  Mia! I could wake her up for backup.

  Or ... maybe she was the one downstairs. Or Chrissy.

  I glanced at Oscar again. He had never reacted like that to either of them before. Moving as slowly and carefully as I could, I tiptoed into the hall. Chrissy’s room was first, and her door was shut tight. I gently turned the doorknob and peered inside.

  A mound of covers lay on the bed. As I watched, they dipped up and down, in time with a light snore.

  I closed the door. Chrissy didn’t stir.

  I headed to Mia’s room and cracked open the door. Mia was lying flat on her back, arms and legs splayed out like a starfish, clearly sound asleep.

  Now what? I hesitated, half in, half out of her room. Should I wake her up, so she could help me search the house? But what if the house was empty? I’d not only feel like an idiot, but I’d feel bad for having woken her for no reason.

  Then again, what if someone WAS in the house, a little voice whispered inside me. Did I really want to take that chance?

  I thought about Oscar.

  He had never hissed before.

  I crossed the room and gently shook Mia. She jerked awake, her body flailing. “What is it? What? What?”

  “Hush,” I said, putting my hand over her mouth. I leaned down to put my lips close to her ear. “It’s just me. I think someone is in the house.”

  I saw Mia’s eyes go wide and I dropped my hand. “What?”

  “I heard something,” I mouthed. “Downstairs. And Oscar hissed.”

  “Oscar did what?”

  “He hissed.”

  She rubbed her eyes and slid out of bed. “Okay, wait a second,” she whispered. “I’m still half asleep. What did you hear exactly?”

  “A click.”

  She stared at me blankly. “A click?”

  “Like a door closing.”

  Her eyes widened again. “Oh. Got it. Anything else? Footsteps?”

  I shook my head, starting to feel a little foolish. “No. Nothing else. But Oscar ...” my voice trailed off, and I was starting to wish I had just gone down the stairs myself.

  “We have to check it out,” she said. “Did you call anyone?”

  That hadn’t even occurred to me. I shook my head again.

  She patted her cut-off sweatpants she wore as a sleep outfit as if she was searching for something. “Oh wait, I think my phone is on the downstairs charger. Where’s yours?”

  I had to think for a moment. “Downstairs, too. In my purse, I think.” I was pretty sure I hadn’t taken it out when I had gotten home from The Tipsy Cow.

  “Okay. We better go downstairs then. Do you have anything we can use as a weapon?”

  “The bat.” My aunt had kept a bat in the small room we used as a house office, although Mia had more or less taken it over as her own personal college study room.

  “Yes! Perfect. I’ll go get it.” She crept out of the room and came back brandishing the bat. “Do you think it would make more sense to call someone rather than go down? Should we see if Chrissy has her phone in her room?”

  “No,” I whispered. Chrissy still hadn’t completely recovered from everything that had happened to her since moving to Redemption. She needed all the sleep she could get. “Let’s not disturb her. There’s two of us. We’ll be okay.”

  Mia nodded and hefted the bat. “Good plan.”

  I moved to the doorway and peered out. All was quiet and still. I glanced back to Mia and gestured. “After you.”

  Her eyes widened. “I thought you were going first.”

  “You’re the one with the bat,” I said.

  She paused, frowning. “Okay, you have a point.” She stepped forward, glanced up and down the hallway, took a deep breath, and started creeping down the stairs.

  I trailed after her, watching her pause on each step to frantically search the area, like some B-rated cop movie detective. Oscar padded along behind me, contemplating both of us with his amused and sardonic gaze.

  Needless to say, it was slow going.

  It also gave me plenty of time to wonder if I had just imagined the click in the first place. Nothing appeared to be out of place. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

  Man, I hoped I hadn’t woken Mia up for nothing.

  But, if it was nothing, why had Oscar reacted that way?

  Finally, we made it all the way down the stairs and proceeded to creep around. We were halfway through the living room when I had the bright idea to start turning lights on, which startled Mia so badly, she nearly whacked me with the bat.

  “Easy there, cowgirl,” I said, ducking out of the way.

  She dropped the bat with a clatter and put her hand to her chest, breathing hard. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “Yeah, I can tell,” I said, rubbing my own chest. “Look, there’s no reason for us to be prowling around down here in the dark. Chrissy has her door shut, so we probably don’t have to worry about waking her.”

  Mia reached down to scoop up the bat. “I’m too old for this.”

  Together, we searched the rest of the downstairs while Oscar supervised from the bottom step. There was no sign of an intruder.

  “I’ll check the doors,” Mia said from the kitchen while I hovered in the doorway. I never liked going into the kitchen after one of my Aunt Charlie dreams, even with all the lights on.

 
; “Locked,” Mia said, leaning the bat against the wall. “Maybe you imagined it.”

  “Maybe,” I said, but I still wasn’t convinced. I knew I hadn’t imagined Oscar’s reaction, for sure.

  I moved to the window and peered out. All was still and quiet in the pre-dawn hours. Nothing looked out of place.

  Except ...

  Near the edge of the woods, I could almost make out a dark, man-shaped figure behind one of the trees.

  Watching.

  I blinked and tried to focus. Was I really seeing what I thought I was?

  “Mia,” I called out quietly. “I think there’s someone out there.”

  “You’re kidding.” She quickly joined me at the window. “Where?”

  “There. By the woods.” I pointed, but now, squinting my eyes, I was less sure.

  Mia pressed her face closer to the window. “I don’t see anything.”

  “It’s like a shadow. By the trees. At least,” I amended, “that’s what I thought it was.”

  Mia screwed up her face. “ I really don’t see anything.”

  Behind us, Oscar decided to saunter into the kitchen and make himself comfortable on one of the chairs. He settled in, his green eyes narrowing, and proceeded to clean himself, totally relaxed and at ease.

  I glanced at him and sighed. There was no sign of the hissing, on-edge cat I had seen in the bedroom.

  I rubbed the back of my neck and stepped back from the window. “You’re right. There’s nothing there.”

  “It’s pretty dark,” Mia said. “There could have been something there that I just couldn’t see.”

  I took another look at the cat whose paw was straight up in the air. “I don’t think so,” I sighed. “I’m so sorry. I woke you for nothing.”

  Mia shrugged. “Better safe than sorry.” She yawned, her jaw cracking.

  “I hope you can get back to sleep,” I said.

  She shook her head. “I’m too awake now. I’ve got plenty to do for school, so it’s fine.”

  I headed to the kitchen. “Well, the least I can do is make tea. Or would you prefer coffee?”

  “I don’t care,” Mia said. “Whatever you want.”

  I dug out the coffee beans.

  Mia fetched her computer and set herself up at the table as I got us both a cup a coffee. I seated myself facing the window, so I could watch the grey dawn melt away as the sun peeked over the horizon.

  Next to me, Mia frowned in concentration and muttered to herself. I knew she was feeling both stressed and excited about the start of the school year. And it was exciting—finally, she was starting her journey toward her dream of being a lawyer.

  I thought about Chrissy soundly sleeping upstairs. She, too, had a full day ahead of her working part time as a line cook, seeing her therapist and doctor, and regaining her heath.

  And here I was … doing nothing but taking care of the house and garden.

  Sure, I had had a rough time since coming to Redemption. But, so had Chrissy, and yet she was able to hold down a job. And not just any job, but a job doing something she loved.

  What was my excuse?

  “I’ve got to get my act together,” I mused to myself.

  Mia peered at me over her computer screen. “Come again?”

  I hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “Just thinking,” I said. “Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “No biggie,” she said, picking up her coffee cup. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Just that ... it’s time,” I said. “I’ve puttered around here long enough. It’s time for me to get my head out of my ass and do something with my life.”

  Mia nodded, leaning back and sipping her coffee. “Sounds good to me. Do you know what you’re going to do?”

  I blew the air out of my cheeks. “I think I need to go for it,” I said. “See if I can start up my aunt’s healing business. Get back to painting and see if my art is any good.”

  “Makes sense to me.”

  I continued talking like she wasn’t there. “I could take an art class or two. That would be a good way to get back into it. And even if I’m not good enough to make any money at it, I could still pursue it as a hobby.”

  “Not to mention we’d both be students at the same time,” Mia said. “That would be fun!”

  “And, even if it turns out I can’t get the healing business up and going, at least I’ll know I tried. Which is more than I can say for anything else I’ve done in my life so far.” I pushed back from the chair and picked up my coffee. “Want a refill?” I asked Mia absently, my mind racing with possibilities.

  Mia handed me her cup, and I topped both of our coffees off before heading out of the kitchen.

  “Wait, where are you going?” Mia asked.

  “To The Studio,” I said over my shoulder, referring to the huge, open attic. “That’s where I’m setting up my office and my painting workspace. I’ve got a lot to do.”

  Chapter 4

  I got out of my car and paused for a moment. A part of me couldn’t quite believe where I was and what I was about to do.

  I was in the parking lot of A Good Yarn, which started out as a supply shop for knitters, but had since branched out. Now, it carried all sorts of arts and crafts supplies … and I was about to stock up.

  I was finally ready to invest in a fresh, new start for my art career, and I admit, I was practically giddy.

  I had spent the morning cleaning and organizing The Studio. I rearranged the space to create three workstations—one for art, one for preparing herbs, and another for doing paperwork. Not only that, but I was pleased to see that I had enough room for a loveseat and lamp, even … which I decided to turn into a little “thinking nook.”

  Of course, I was going to have to move everything that was already in there out—boxes and piles of newspapers and magazines and broken furniture. I wondered why Aunt Charlie had kept all of it, anyway.

  I was also going to have to find someone to help me drag the beautiful, antique maple writing desk that Aunt Charlie had used as a sewing table up from the family room. I always wondered why my aunt hadn’t used it in The Magic Room, where she had worked with her herbs, instead of having its beauty covered with stacks of random fabric in the family room, but that was my aunt. Eccentric. And a little strange.

  I started dragging Aunt Charlie’s business files up the stairs, but it was more exhausting than I had anticipated, especially since I hadn’t gotten much sleep. I decided to take a break and go shopping to fill my new space with art supplies, instead.

  I watched the people going in and out of the busy arts and crafts store--a couple of mothers trying to keep a gaggle of kids in line, a few college students dressed all in back and covered with tattoos and piercings—letting what I was about to do really sink in.

  I was going for my dreams.

  And it was about frickin’ time.

  I headed to the painting and drawing section and lost myself for at least an hour choosing all sorts of delightful tools like brushes, paints, paper, a sketch pad, colored pencils, and more. It was far more fun than I had anticipated.

  I carried my new supplies to a cashier, had a bit of a heart attack when everything was rung up (I had spent more than I had intended, but, on the other hand, you have to spend money to make money, right? And without art supplies, I wouldn’t be able to create anything at all), got everything bagged up, and was ready to go when I heard a voice behind me. “Becca, is that you?”

  I whirled around. Gwyn, Daniel’s ex-fiancée, was standing there staring at me. As usual, her white-blonde hair, cut in a chic asymmetrical style, was perfect, along with her makeup. She wore a pale-pink tunic with white shorts, and in her arms were several different-colored matte boards.

  “Hi Gwyn. How are you doing?” I asked, hugging my bags closer and simultaneously wishing I had
taken a moment to do my hair and dash on a bit of makeup. Maybe I should have chosen a nicer shirt and shorts, too.

  She gave me a wan smile. “I’m okay. Busy. But then I don’t have to tell you about that.”

  I nodded, wondering what exactly she meant as I shifted the packages in my arms. Did she know I was starting a business? Well, two businesses, actually. How could she, though? Had Mia or Daphne told her?

  “So, is the house ready yet?” she asked. “Or do you still have more work to do?”

  Mia must have told her, I decided. It was the only thing that made any sense. “It’s getting there,” I said. “That’s why I’m here, actually.” I gestured with my head toward my purchases.

  She glanced inside my open bags and furrowed her brow. “Are you redecorating?”

  I let out a little laugh. “Not sure I’m ready for that yet. No, I’m stocking up.”

  Her expression became even more puzzled. “Stocking up?”

  Maybe Mia didn’t tell her about my art. She must have only told her about the healing side of the business. “The Studio,” I said. “I’m getting back into art.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh. Well, that’s good, I guess.”

  I cocked my head, trying not to let her obvious surprise deflate me. “I forget, you didn’t know me years ago.” I let out a self-conscious laugh. “My dream was to become an artist. I have no idea if I can make it or not, but I figured it’s time to try.”

  Gwyn looked a little embarrassed. “No, that’s not what I meant. I was just surprised because it just seems ... I don’t know … odd, to start now, while you’re right in the middle of selling the house.”

  Now it was my turn to give her a confused look. “Selling the house? Where did you hear that?”

  A faint flush appeared across her cheekbones. “Ah, well,” she stammered, not meeting my eyes. “No one ... I mean ... I just assumed ...” she trailed off. “I mean, why would you stay?”

  “Um ... because this is my home now,” I said, as my stomach sunk to the ground. How many people shared her view? Was my business already doomed before it even got off the ground?