Murderous Envy (The Veils of Parallel Times Book 1)

by C. J. Carson

  Arriving at the Summit, I told Jake I had a box in the back of my car. “Do you think you could carry it in for me? It’s not too heavy, but it’s quite bulky.”

  As we entered the front door, Guile greeted us. “Good afternoon, Ms. Callahan, how are you this fine day?”

  “Hello, I’m fine, thank you. How about yourself?”

  He chuckled. “Couldn’t be better.”

  “I have a favor to ask.”

  “What might that be?”

  “I was wondering if you might keep this large gift down here until tomorrow.”

  “That will be no problem. When you are ready, just ring the front desk and we will be happy to bring it up to your apartment.”

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary.”

  “I insist, really, that is what we are here for. Have a great afternoon.”

  We walked through the lobby, got in the elevator, and headed up to the apartment.

  “I don’t know about you, Jake, but I am ravenous.”

  “I am, too! The smell coming from this takeout bag isn’t helping either.”

  When we got to the apartment, I used my key for the very first time to open the door. “Hello, we’re home!”

  Claudia echoed back. “We’re in the pantry, looking for some candles. I think I can speak for both of us when I say we are starving!”

  Rounding the corner of the kitchen, Jake held up the large takeout bag. “That is a good thing because we have plenty to eat.”

  Claudia had set the mood with a little soft music in the background and had already set our places at the island. “Okay, let’s light these candles and eat this feast you brought us.”

  After we all sat down to begin eating, Josh couldn’t wait any longer. “So, what was so important that you let Payne interrupt your moving day?”

  “It’s kind of a long story. Jake, do you want to start this conversation?”

  “Sure! Payne called us to the station because he received the files for a case that NYPD has been working on. They believe it is likely the guy who attacked Allie, and their suspect may be one and the same. We had no idea the file was not simply just a couple of folders, but several boxes of files.”

  Josh turned to Jake, and then me. “What? Boxes of files? How long have they been looking at this guy?”

  “Look, Josh, New York wasn’t the first place he had turned up. It was only one of the four cities they can trace his activity to. They really have no idea how widespread this whole thing may be. According to NYPD, he has been looking for someone he refers to as his greatest adversary. It is becoming increasingly clear; I might just be that person.”

  “Allie, this is just crazy. What makes them think a young woman like yourself could be any type of threat to someone like him?”

  I looked around the island at each of them. “It seems he knows about my gifts. Maybe they are what makes me a threat to him. I think he may know and understand them even more than I do at this point. Who knows, maybe he has gifts as well but wants to use them for something more sinister. I could be the person who could get in the way. There is more, though! It appears my grandfather could be indirectly connected to this, too.”

  I shrugged and looked at my best friend. “All I can say is, this is looking much bigger than I could have ever dreamed, no pun intended. For that reason, I am so glad we moved here with all the security they offer.”

  I grabbed Josh by the hand, giving a gentle squeeze. “I would just like to forget all of this for a while and enjoy this great food with our friends.”

  Claudia passed me a sandwich. “I’ll second that!”

  Chapter 27

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I WAS CUTTING CHICKEN to put in our salad for lunch and Claudia was busy setting up her studio and unpacking the rest of her supplies. I thought it would be a good time to have her gift brought up. I called the front desk and a cheerful voice on the other end answered. “Good morning, this is Guile, how can I help you?”

  “Hello, Guile, this is Allie. Do you think you could bring the package I left with you up in the next hour?”

  “I can bring it up right away if that’s okay.”

  “That would be perfect, thank you so much.”

  Within five minutes, I was answering the door.

  “I have your package, Allie. Where would you like me to leave it?” Guile turned back to the door. “I also have a visitor for you. I don’t know, she claims to be your mother, but I couldn’t be sure. She looks more like your sister.”

  “You’re quite charming, Guile, and yes, this is my daughter. Thank you for showing me up to her apartment. That was kind of you.”

  “It was my pleasure, ah, Allie’s mom.”

  She gave him a wink. “It’s Christina Callahan.”

  His face turned bright red. “Allie, where can I put this package.”

  “Could you just slide it behind the couch in the living room?”

  He set it down and turned back to the door as quickly as he could. Passing my mother in the doorway, he looked back. “Well, Christina, have a wonderful visit.”

  I pulled my mother into the apartment by her arm. “Come in. I see you have already made a friend here.”

  “What a nice gentleman, and what an amazing place to live.”

  Claudia came into the foyer. “I know, right? Wait until we show you around. It is just perfect for us.”

  Handing me the cheesecake, she snickered. “I would say it’s probably perfect for anyone!”

  “Thank you for the dessert, Christina. You know that is not just your daughter’s favorite, it is mine, too.”

  I started into the kitchen. “Claudia, why don’t you show Mom around while I put this cheesecake in the refrigerator.”

  “Sure thing, come on in, let’s get you past the entryway. We have lots of space.”

  I put the dessert away and joined them in the living room. “What do you think, Mom?”

  “I think it’s amazing, but if I am totally honest, I am going to miss visiting you at your place on the beach.”

  After showing her the rest of the apartment, we sat down to eat. Mom started off the conversation. “So, tell me, Allie, any new information about your case?”

  “Well, there are some new developments, but before we get into all that, I have a question. Do you have any idea what caused the rift between Grandfather and the elders of the tribe?”

  She picked up her glass of water, took a sip, and paused, as if in deep thought. “I wondered when you might get around to asking me about that. I can’t believe you or Mark haven’t been curious about it before now. To be honest, I don’t know if I have all the exact details, but I know there was an enormous disagreement about a tribal heirloom that was in your grandfather’s possession. My understanding is that the elders and the current holder of it decide who it is to be passed to.”

  “Mom, I don’t understand why something like that would cause the tribe to exile him.”

  “Hold that thought, you two.” Claudia went into the living room and returned with the box George had given me. “Could this be the heirloom you are talking about?”

  “Oh, my God, that’s it! I haven’t seen that in years. Apparently, it has been passed down from one generation to the next. My understanding is that the recipient is usually a medicine man or a healer of some sort. It has always been passed on to a full-blooded Indian, of which only one was a woman. Her name was Catori, and she was your great grandmother. Your father once told me her name means spirit.”

  Claudia looked up from the box. “Well, apparently this thing is now smack-dab in the middle of this case.”

  “I can’t be sure, but I believe they shunned your grandfather from the tribe because he and the elders could not agree on who the next recipient of this heirloom should be. As a custom, there was a retreat for the elders of the tribe where they would determine who was worthy and trusted enough to receive the heirloom. There were two candidates being considered.”

  Now truly confused, by brows furr
owed. “Two candidates? Who were they?”

  “Well, even though you are not a full-blooded Indian, you have many gifts. I think part of the problem was that you did not embrace them at an early age. You were only nine. As the granddaughter of a medicine man, you were one of the considered recipients. My understanding is the other person being considered was an older, but still a young man. He was the fifteen-year-old great, great-grandson of one of the tribe’s greatest warriors. All I know is when your grandfather returned from the retreat, he still had that box in his possession and never spoke to them again.”

  Reaching over, I unlatched and opened the box. “Mom, I think the contents of this is really what this guy might want.”

  “That is probably true, Allie, but only someone in or close to the tribe would understand that.”

  “Are you saying you think this is one of the tribe members?”

  “Look, I don’t know for sure, but that would make the most sense.”

  Claudia leaned over to look inside the box. “That doesn’t add up. Why would someone in the tribe be looking all over the country for you? It’s not like you have ever left the area to live somewhere else.”

  After a long pause, Mom sighed. “Unless he is someone who was taken out of the area by a parent or grandparent. Perhaps Grandfather was not the only one who was outcast by the tribe. It’s just something to think about.”

  Claudia stood up and tugged at the bottom of her shirt. “Dessert anyone? I say we change the subject for a while.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. What do you say, Mom?”

  As the afternoon went on, we ventured down memory lane, reliving all the moments we had in common. I could never remember my life when Claudia wasn’t in it. It was quite curious that we all had the same memories, but each of us had a little unique twist on them.

  About four-thirty, Mom stood up from her seat. “Girls, unless I get going, you’re going to need to feed me again.”

  “We don’t mind. We’ll feed you again.”

  “I appreciate that offer, and as much as I would love to take you up on that, I have a previous engagement this evening.”

  Chapter 28

  AFTER MOM LEFT, CLAUDIA AND I spent the evening unpacking the rest of our things. When I unpacked my last box, I walked to Claudia’s room and peeked in.

  “Hey, Claudia, do you have a minute?”

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Come into the living room. I have something to show you.”

  She stepped out to see the large wrapped box I had pulled out from behind the couch. “What is that?”

  “A little housewarming present.”

  “Allie, you should not have done that!”

  “Okay, I’ll take it back.”

  “No, I didn’t say that!”

  “Well, open it then.”

  She tore the paper off and opened the box. Inside, she found the note. “Should I open this first?”

  “No, open the box. That came with your gift. It is a note from its original owner. I don’t even know what it says.”

  Opening the box, she slid out the easel and her face lit up. “Oh, Allie, are you kidding me?”

  We took it to her studio and set it up. She looked up at me. “Allie, you have no idea how much this means to me!”

  “I hope so. I picked it especially for you. I went into the store and poof, it jumped right out at me. I knew right away I had to get it for you.”

  “No, Allie, that is not exactly what I mean. This is more special than even you could have known.”

  “Well then, I’m really glad I got it for you.”

  Tears were streaming from her eyes.

  “Claudia, what is it?”

  “My grandmother was an artist, and she had an easel just like this, given to her by her mother, who was also a painter. She and I would paint together all the time. When I was old enough, she would let me paint on her easel. This could not touch me more; it is an amazing gift.”

  “Claudia, your grandmother’s name wasn’t Mary, was it?”

  Her eyebrows rose in amazement. “Yeah, how did you know that? Oh wait, that’s a silly question. You seem to know everything these days.”

  “The owner of the store told me the original owner’s name was Mary Buchanan. I thought, what a great coincidence that she had the same last name as you.”

  “Allie, you don’t think?”

  “I don’t know what to think anymore, but it gets better. When I was leaving the store, I asked the owner at the register to thank the woman who assisted me. She swore she was the only one there and claimed it must have been another customer.”

  “Well, Allie, that’s possible.”

  “Yeah, it’s possible, but Claudia, the woman’s name was Mary.”

  Claudia sprung to her feet. “OMG! Are you kidding me? Do you think it’s possible?”

  “Anything is possible, but if you’re going to ask me if that was your grandmother—”

  “I was, but—”

  “Wait, Claudia. She appeared to me in flesh and bones. As real as you and me!”

  “Allie, this is just crazy!”

  “You aren’t kidding. Hey, let’s open the note that came with the easel!”

  “That’s a great idea!” Claudia took a deep breath and sat down to open the letter. Her hands trembled as she opened the envelope, took out the letter, and unfolded it.

  “To Whom It May Concern,

  “My name is Mary. I am not the original owner of this easel and I would like to briefly share its history. Please know that it is worth more to me than the sum of its parts. It was a gift to me from my mother. Her father lovingly made it when she was just a young teenager. I have used it to paint the images in my life that meant the most to me. I have shared this easel with my loving and talented granddaughter. Every paint splatter you find on it has great significance. I hope you love and enjoy it as much as I have. I pass this note on to anyone who finds this very cherished easel in their possession.

  “Yours respectfully, Mary Buchanan.”

  Claudia threw herself into my arms. “Oh, Allie, how can I ever thank you?”

  “I think it’s your grandmother we should thank. She is the one that led me to that gift. This is getting to be so overwhelming for me, but I have to say, in a good way. In some ways, the more I discover about my gifts, the less fear I have.”

  “One thing is for certain; you can stay ahead of your stalker if you keep this up.”

  I walked over to the easel and ran my hand over the edge of the wood. “Claudia, you’re a genius! That’s it! I need to stop waiting for him to strike and go on the offense.”

  “Allie, what are you talking about?”

  “Clearly, he thinks I can stop him. Maybe that is the problem. I have been feeling that he knows more about my gifts than I do. Maybe I can get ahead of him and he knows it.”

  “Wow, Allie, going on the offense is a scary thought.”

  Leaving the room, I called out to Claudia. “Come on, I want to try something!”

  I grabbed the box and set it down on the coffee table and started rambling. “The answer has to be here. Right here in this box and he knows it. That is why he is so desperate to get to me. He knows I can stop him and the answer is right here, but I don’t know where to start.”

  “Okay, Allie, what comes to mind is your grandfather’s advice. He said you need to listen and let the information come. It has been unfolding to you pretty quickly. Maybe it can’t be rushed.”

  “I don’t know, Claudia. If I am going to get ahead of this guy, it needs to be on my terms and my time, not his. I’m going to see Payne in the morning and I think I will take this with me. I also want to fill him in on what Mom had to say as well.”

  I no sooner got the words out before my cell phone rang. “Speak of the devil, it’s Payne.”

  “Hello, Detective Payne, how are you this evening?”

  “I’m fine. I am calling to speak to you and Claudia. Could you put me on sp
eakerphone, please?”

  “Sure thing.” As I reached down to put the phone on speaker, Claudia was walking out of the room. “Wait, Claudia, he wants to talk to both of us.”

  She turned on her heels and walked back toward me. “Does he have good news? Has he caught the guy?”

  “Slow down, Claudia! No, we didn’t find the suspect, but I have good news. First, the apartment complex you are living in has agreed that we can post an undercover officer at the desk in the lobby day and night. We have also posted a detail outside for around-the-clock surveillance. In addition, I am trying to get you some full-time protection.”

  I was in shock. “Don’t you think that is a little much?”

  “No, absolutely not! After going through some of the files with officer Johnson, I think we have underestimated this guy and I believe we have been a little slow on the uptake.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Detective Payne! All of those precautions will help me feel much safer until you catch this guy.”

  “Payne, there are some things I need to talk to you about.”

  “That’s fine, Allie. I would like to see you and Jake at the station in the morning. We can talk then. I also think I would like you to help us continue going through these files. The more eyes we have going over them, the better chance we have to figure this all out. I’ll send a car over for you at about nine in the morning. Does that sound okay?”

  “Sure, see you in the morning.”

  Chapter 29

  THE NEXT MORNING AT EIGHT FIFTY-FIVE, I received a call from the lobby. It was a voice I didn’t recognize.

  “Hello, is this Ms. Callahan?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “This is Charles at the front desk and I am just calling to let you know your ride is here and is waiting at the front entrance.”

  “Thank you, Charles. I’ll be right down.”

  As I walked through the living room, I heard Claudia in her studio. As I stepped in, a large grin came across my face. “Looks like someone got an early start this morning.”

  “I know, right? I couldn’t wait to paint on this easel. I have to tell you, Allie, it has inspired a new painting.”