“I’ll be here often enough to help,” Randy smiled as he pulled her to him and kissed her. “I should go check on my guys. Are you going to be okay for a couple of hours?”
“Yeah, I need to go to the library and do some research. I couldn’t find anything on my computer. The library has access to newspapers from all over the country. Claudia said this spirit is angry about something my grandfather did. He had business dealings all over the world. Maybe I’ll learn something.” She looked around the room. “Rufus will guard the house while I’m gone. Claudia said the spirit may get stronger. I need info before he comes after me.” She hugged Randy and said, “This scares me. I’m at a loss of how to protect myself.”
Randy kissed her and said, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll call to see where you are. I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“I’ll be okay at the library. I’ll call you when I’m through.” She closed the door behind him, patted Rufus on the head, and headed for her SUV.
########
The reference librarian knew Kellie by name and greeted her when Kellie approached her desk. “Hi, I need to do more research and I seem to be stuck.”
“What are you investigating now?” the librarian asked as she picked up her pen to jot notes.
“I believe my grandfather may have somehow been responsible for or at least helped cause multiple deaths in another state. It might be as far as either coast.” Kellie shifted from one foot to another trying not to let her embarrassment show. She was tired of dealing with her grandfather’s illicit business.
The librarian looked up and her and frowned. “Would these be separate deaths or multiple deaths occurring at the same time or place?”
“I believe they occurred together, but I’m not sure if my grandfather was personally involved. I can’t find any reference about him and any deaths out of state.”
“Did you try just looking for the deaths? Multiple deaths are unusual and should make the paper and possibly be on-line.”
“Great idea, I’ll do that.” Kellie smiled and headed toward the bank of computers at the back of the library.
After fifteen minutes she had found several multiple deaths caused by auto accidents, carbon monoxide, a flood, and a small plane crash. Her grandfather’s name didn’t show up in any searches with the victim’s names. Then she found the case of Roland Otto, his wife Miriam, and their thirty-one year old son, Gordon. She read Mr. Otto and his family were on vacation. One night Mr. Otto shot his wife and son in their sleep. He set the house on fire and then shot himself. Gordon, whose room was in a wing of the house, survived the fire. Roland and Miriam were burned beyond recognition, but Gordon was rescued before the fire reached him. The article said the son survived for eleven months in a coma. He had passed away just after the beginning of the year.
“Hmm,” murmured Kellie. “I wonder if I can link Mr. Otto with my grandfather. Claudia thinks the shadow began to follow me around the same time as Gordon died.” Her fingers shook as she typed in her grandfather’s name along with Roland Otto. Two articles came up on the screen.
The first was five years old and explained a new vacation condo development planned for the coast. There were several delays, but ground was broken a year before her grandfather passed away. Kellie saw a picture of her grandfather and Mr. Otto at the ceremony. It solved one mystery for her, she now knew what her grandfather looked like and she wished she had it two years before. It would have helped her identify the spirit that haunted her then as her grandfather’s.
“He’s gone now, but it is eerie to see his picture,” she mumbled. Reading on she saw that her grandfather was making regular deposits into the development account. When her grandfather died, Mr. Otto expected the insurance they had to cover the rest of the costs. He found out Frederick Malone had never bothered to buy a policy. Mr. Otto was left holding the bag for the rest of the development costs. He didn’t have enough money, was sued and forced into bankruptcy. He lost nearly everything.
“Wow, my grandfather was everything I ever thought he was and more. Evil is too good a word. When he faked his death, he had to know Mr. Otto would be held financially responsible for the project.”
She searched again for information about Mr. Otto, the development, and the deaths. What she found made her shudder. Mr. Otto had e-mailed his daughter explaining that he and his wife could never live in poverty. His son was a partner and he would never have a normal life. He chose to take all of their lives.
Tears filled Kellie’s eyes as she realized the old man was responsible for more deaths. The article continued saying the Otto’s daughter, Judith, was married to a lawyer and had two small children. Her father knew she couldn’t be sued and would have a decent life so he spared her. She refused to take her brother off life support, but Gordon’s organs began to fail and he passed away.
Kellie leaned back in the chair and mumbled, “No wonder he’s after me. He blames the old man for his death and his parents’ deaths. He’s seeking revenge. Gordon wants me dead.” She printed the articles, stopped by the librarian’s desk to thank her, and headed to her SUV. Once outside she pulled out her phone and called Claudia.
She explained what she had learned and Claudia told her she would see what she could find out. Having a name would help Claudia immensely.
########
Drew sat fidgeting in the waiting room of the psychiatrist’s office. He was thinking to himself. He knew better than to mumble. If the docs around there saw him talking to himself he’d never get out of this hole of a hospital. Today would be a visit with his parents. His friends didn’t want to see him again after the last visit. Well, not all of them. Cole did visit once to let him know that he’d have to change his attitude if he expected any of them to come back. He had thought it over and decided his attitude was fine. He didn’t need this place. He could fake his way through and then leave town forever.
He heard the door open and saw his parents enter. Thinking, here I go. It’s time to put on an act that will fool them all and get me discharged; he put his plan into action.
“Mom, Dad, I’m so glad you came,” Drew smiled. He stood and hugged his parents.
“You look so much better, Drew,” said Mrs. Adamson.
“I feel wonderful, Mom. The time in here has done wonders for me. I feel like a new man. I don’t blame Kellie for our marriage falling apart. I know it was me and my alcohol use.” He hugged his mom again.
The doctor had been standing in his office doorway listening, “Drew, I’m happy to hear that you feel that way. Let’s go into my office and talk. It’s nice to see you Mr. and Mrs. Adamson. Please come in.” He stepped back.
########
Kellie phoned Randy and told him she had learned a great deal. They agreed to meet for lunch in an hour. She headed to the mall to shop and kill a little time.
The shadow followed Kellie to the mall. He had been in the library and knew she had learned his name. That angered him. He knew she would have more strength to fight him now, but he was ready to enact his revenge.
When Kellie was walking to her car after leaving the mall, her phone rang. She noticed it was Beth Devenly. She took a deep breath hoping they didn’t have more ghosts in the house. “Hello,” Kellie answered.
“Hi Kellie, it’s Beth Devenly.”
“Hi Beth, how is everything?” Kellie unlocked her car and stopped when she heard why Beth had called.
“You told me you visited the Gotz Manor House on your vacation. It’s reputed to be haunted and I was wondering if you knew if there were spirits there. We don’t live far from it and our local news covers that area. It seems something horrible happened there and Nicki the tour guide and her boyfriend were found dead inside the house.”
“Oh no, Nicki was our tour guide. I can’t believe she’s dead. Do they have any idea what happened?” Kellie climbed in her car and sat. Her knees felt weak.
“No, they are calling it an accident under investigation.”
&nbs
p; “Thanks for calling, Beth. If you hear anything else, please let me know. Say hi to Aunt Marge.”
“I will bye.”
Kellie shook off the feeling the spirits in the house had killed Nicki and her boyfriend. The spirits would know what happened, but Kellie needed to wait for answers. Perhaps Claudia would learn more. She knew about the deaths before Beth called. Could the house be responsible, she wondered.
########
Drew answered every question his psychiatrist and parents asked him. He worded his answers exactly the way he thought they needed to hear. He lied about harboring ill feelings toward Kellie. He explained he understood why his friends were upset with him after their group meeting.
In his thoughts, as far as he was concerned, they were no longer his friends, but he told the doctor he looked forward to rebuilding their relationships.
The doctor smiled at Mrs. Adamson. “If Drew has a home with you until he’s able to find a job and prove he’s on the road to recovery, he could be released at the end of the week. He would have to go to meetings several times per week.”
Drew was agreeable and his parents said he could live with them. Mrs. Adamson was excited to have Drew home. Mr. Adamson had his doubts but gave his consent.
Drew hugged his parents and returned to his room. He sat on his bed and made plans. He didn’t have any money. He’d have to steal it from his parents before he left town. Drew still had his own car. Maybe he should have let Kellie buy him a new car, but he’d make do. Drew didn’t want to owe Kellie anything.
########
The shadow didn’t follow Kellie to the restaurant. He didn’t like to see her with Randy. That man gave her strength. Somehow when they were together, Kellie felt stronger. She didn’t understand how her friends helped make her stronger than when she was alone. Perhaps her confusion over her strength would play to his advantage. She might try to fight him alone. The shadow was going to the house. He decided it was time to face the dog and show Kellie what he could do. No one would be home to hear the dog barking. He would ignore the dog and move around the house at will.
Chapter Fifteen
Randy arrived at Cooper’s first. He waited in his truck for Kellie to arrive. When he saw the red SUV pull in, he hopped out of his truck and met her at her door when she reached for the handle. She looked up and smiled, “I’m glad to find out you’re a prompt person.”
“In my business, it’s a necessity. No one likes to wait for their contractor. Ready for lunch?” He took Kellie’s hand and helped her from the car and held it on the way into the restaurant.
Kellie enjoyed a salad and a bowl of chicken noodle soup while Randy dug into his steak sandwich and fries. She watched him eat and smiled. “How can you eat so much and go back to work? Hunter does the same thing. I’d be in a food coma.”
“We work hard …” He raised his eyes thinking maybe he said something wrong. Kellie stared at him. The corners of her mouth fought the smile she didn’t want him to see. He winked and the smile broke through. “I mean, men’s metabolisms are different maybe or we have larger muscles.”
“Okay, stop back-peddling before you go off a cliff,” her amusement was apparent.
They finished lunch and skipped dessert. “I need to get back to the job. My men can get a little creative when left alone too long.”
“I think they were great dealing with that centipede at Aunt Marge’s,” Kellie said sipping the last of her coffee.
“They’re a little leery about digging foundations now, but they’ll be okay.” He grabbed the bill and stood. Kellie waited while he paid and he walked her to the SUV. Randy’s kiss was warm and tender. “Don’t want the people inside to start taking pictures,” his smile was mischievous. “We’ll do better later.” He winked again.
Kellie climbed into her car. Later, she thought. Does he mean tonight later or in a few days later? She liked the idea of tonight, but worried their relationship was moving too fast.
########
Kellie parked in her garage, opened the door, walked through the laundry room, and into a nightmare. A black, sooty, smelly nightmare. She stood at the entrance to the kitchen frozen in place. Every spot in the room from ceiling to floor was covered in the black substance. The room was dark, but it was only one in the afternoon. “This is the shadow’s work. It smells like the soot used to write on my walls.”
Rufus, where’s Rufus? Her thoughts turned to her protective Golden Retriever. He always greeted her. “Rufus, where are you boy?” Hearing him whine gave her the courage to enter the kitchen. Two inches of sooty grime felt as if she was trudging through snow. She saw Rufus lying in the corner covered with a pile of the black substance. He sneezed and coughed. His breathing was labored.
“Rufus, are you okay?” She ran to him and began to dig him out from over a foot of heavy black soot. He was trembling and his legs shook when he stood. “What happened to you?” She tried to brush the soot from his fur, but it only flew around the room. “Let’s go outside and brush you off.” Soot began to fall from the ceiling like heavy snow.
Kellie stood. She was having a hard time seeing through the soot. Her chest hurt from trying to breathe. Anger flooded her. She threw her arms up in front of her face and screamed, “That’s enough.”
Blinding white light filled the room and in a heartbeat the light was gone. When Kellie opened her eyes, the room was clean. Rufus’ golden fur looked as if he had just been bathed. He jumped and barked at her. She wondered if he remembered what had just happened.
Kellie noticed her clothes were clean and nothing was in her hair. She was unsure if there had been soot anywhere else in the house, but a quick check with Rufus on her heels didn’t show a sign of soot anywhere.
########
The shadow watched from his safe spot behind the pine tree in the field. He could see the house and the bright light that cleaned away his soot. The shadow’s anger grew. His mother had been burned to nothing but a pile of soot covered bones. Kellie and that dog should have died in the soot. He meant to kill them. The soot was the only power he had. He wished he could set fire to the house. Each time he tried, he failed. He would smother them both in soot as soon as he learned to battle the bright light.
########
Kellie’s cell rang. She could hear Claudia’s frantic voice. “Are you all right? The shadow meant to kill you. It was fortunate you called on your strength to help you.”
“It wanted to kill me? It nearly killed Rufus. There was so much soot. It was hard for him to breathe. I don’t know where the bright light emanated. The light cleaned all the soot.” Kellie sat on a kitchen chair and took a deep breath.
“I know you learned more about Gordon today. Tell me what you know.”
Kellie explained all she had learned. “His parents died in a fire. Is that why he covers things in soot? My grandfather was also killed in fire, lived in soot, and liked to spread it around.”
“Yes, the soot is his strength. He chose it when he died. He, like your grandfather, refused to accept death. Both wanted revenge. Gordon’s death was tragic, but nature took its course. He couldn’t latch onto anything, but he connected with the sadness he felt after he died. He then knew his mother was dead. He hated his father for killing her. All that was left of his mother was bones and soot when she died. Although the house was torn down and the soot should have been long gone, he connected with it. The spirit world is fluid and Gordon was able to see what your grandfather had done and how he frightened you. Choosing soot would also remind you of your grandfather and cause deeper fear. It is his most powerful weapon, but yours is stronger.”
“Mine? You keep saying that. I don’t understand.” Kellie’s frustration turned to despair. She was afraid of what might happen. Tears rolled off her cheeks as she listened to Claudia.
“You have the strength to deal with the dead. You don’t believe it yet so you think it comes from other places. You credited the little girl at the Gotz Manor for the light that opened th
e door and fought Thomas’ spirit. It wasn’t her, it was you. Your anger and fear today brought it out. You summoned the light from your inner being to contradict what Gordon had done. You were protecting Rufus. Love, fear, and anger were your allies. Once you accept it, you will bring it out with just a thought. Then you will be able to fight Gordon before he can hurt you.”
“Okay,” Kellie said as she rubbed her forehead. “Does Gordon know I can do this? Also, how do I get in touch with it?”
“Gordon thinks the light came from somewhere, but not you alone. He knows you communicate with me and I think he’s assuming you were given a protective potion. He thinks your friends help you find the strength. Gordon will take that into account the next time.”
“Next time, hasn’t he learned a lesson?”
“No, he’s stubborn. He’ll try again. He feels he has beaten the dog and you will be next. If I were you, I wouldn’t leave Rufus alone again.”
“I don’t plan on it. Thanks, Claudia. If you learn more, let me know.”
“Will do.”
Kellie hit end and pushed her phone into her pocket. She walked into the living room and lay on the sofa. Rufus dropped next to her.
########
Kellie’s phone rang again and she saw it was Taylor. “Hi, what’s up? Shouldn’t you be at work?” She shifted to a more comfy position on her side and slipped the phone between her head and the throw pillow.
“Yes, but one of the cuts on my left wrist is infected.”
“Oh no, did you go see a doctor?” Kellie sat up.
“Yes, I was worried the new clinic would ask me a ton of questions. I went to see old Doc Wilbur. He knows I’m clumsy. I wore a long sleeve shirt so he only saw one wrist. I told him I was helping Hunter with a project and slipped. I fell right into a bucket of odd pieces of metal. He believed every word.”
Kellie laughed. “That man is a gem. What did he say?”
“He gave me a script for antibiotics, a tube of cream to help it heal faster, and a lecture on being safe. I breathed a sigh of relief when I told him I had a tetanus shot last summer. Kellie, he looked at me and smiled. You know what that meant?”
BLACK VELVET ROSES Page 13
