BLACK VELVET ROSES

by Marianne Spitzer

  The salesman smiled. He knew it was a sure sale and he didn’t need to write down her information. Everyone knew she was a Malone and her word was good as gold.

  ########

  Randy’s phone went to voice mail and she told him she had made a quick visit to Kyle and Becky’s and was now off to grab some lunch at Kay’s diner. She’d call later. Taylor was going to meet her at Kay’s.

  She pulled in and parked. Walking in the door always made her feel at home and safe. It was the first place she found after her kidnappers had dropped her off. When Kay realized her predicament she called the police, gave Kellie hot chocolate, and kept her safe until the police arrived. Kay was as happy to see her as Kellie was to see Kay.

  “Take any booth, hon. I’ll be there in a flash.” Kellie watched Kay balance four plates and carry them to a nearby booth.

  Taylor arrived and slipped into the booth across from Kellie. She pushed papers in front of her. “I copied this off the Gotz Manor web site. They’re going to be back open this weekend with a free tour Saturday. It’s still closed on Sunday, we could go then.”

  Kay took their orders and disappeared behind the counter.

  “Great, it gives Hunter and Cole enough time to make plans, but since they work this week, they won’t have time to plan a major attack. Those two are dangerous when left alone. Remember when they lived in that basement apartment? I wonder how they survived.” Kellie took a sip of soda and smiled.

  Taylor began to laugh remembering the apartment and how the two of them lived. “It’s a good thing Andrea and I rescued them.”

  “I’m happy Cole found her. She’s good for him. I can’t imagine if Emma was still around how bad things would be. She played him. It was sad.” Kellie shook her head.

  “Yes, it was, but she has several years in prison to think about it. She was fortunate she wasn’t aware that Mrs. Casey had you kidnapped or she’d be in until she’s old the way her odd cousins will be. Mrs. Casey is up there in years, I wonder if she’ll ever get out.” Taylor bit into her cheeseburger.

  “They’re in prison because Emma wanted a share of the Malone money and wouldn’t say anything. I would have been happy to share. It’s sad.” Kellie picked up the pages Taylor had printed. “We only have a few days until Sunday. Oh, Randy told me he has a special job all weekend. He’ll be worried about me, but I can’t put this off. The sooner we finish with these spirits, the sooner I get rid of my spirit stalker. Are you sure you can face the house again?” Kellie looked straight in Taylor’s eyes knowing she couldn’t hide her feelings.

  “I’m sure, Thomas is gone and I want to rid that house from my memory. I hope the rest of the week goes by quickly,” she said as she stirred her ketchup with a fry before taking a bite.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The week seemed to fly by and Randy wasn’t happy Kellie was going to the Gotz Manor House without him, but Cole and Hunter promised to keep her safe. Hunter also promised to call with hourly updates.

  Deciding that taking two vehicles would be the safest idea, Cole and Andrea followed Kellie’s SUV into the Gotz Manor drive. As she approached the house, Kellie noticed the police tape had been removed. “Beth was right, looks as if they’ve finished their investigation. I still don’t believe for a moment that Nicki and her boyfriend died accidentally. We’ll find out today. I’m sure the ghosts know.”

  Taylor, sitting in the passenger seat, said, “Are you sure they’ll speak with you?”

  “Yes, I promised I’d be back. They know I’m here to help them.” Kellie watched Cole back his car up close to hers through her rearview mirror. It was his idea to have the cars facing opposite directions in case one way might be blocked. No one knew exactly what to expect.

  Hunter, sitting in the back seat, leaned forward and asked, “Do you think they’ll want me there. The ghosts will remember me from when we were here before. They saw me try to hurt Taylor and watched helplessly as I shackled her to the wall.” He dropped his head and stared at his boots.

  “Honey, we know it wasn’t you. Thomas possessed your body. They know it, too and they’ll know you’re here to help them.” Taylor reached from the front seat to run her hand down Hunter’s cheek.

  Cole and Andrea walked up to the SUV. “Is everyone ready?” Cole asked.

  Andrea looked a bit apprehensive. “I think so, but please stay close to me.”

  “Right at your side,” Cole smiled.

  Kellie, Taylor, and Hunter left the SUV and the five friends stood and looked at the house. “I know Randy wanted to come along and protect me, but I couldn’t ask him to give up a lucrative weekend job. Sunday work pays well.”

  “He cares for you more than you know,” Cole interjected.

  “I know,” Kellie responded, “which is why I promised one of us would call him every hour so please try and remember if I get too busy.”

  Her friends laughed. “He sure does care,” Andrea added.

  “He made me promise, too,” Hunter said.

  “Enough about me, let’s see if we can get into the house.”

  ########

  “They’re here. They came back. She kept her promise. Do you think we’ll get to leave today?” June was excited.

  “I hope so, we have to help her all we can,” Will answered.

  ########

  “Claudia said I can draw from my own power so let’s see if she’s right.” Kellie climbed the steps and tried to open the back door. “It’s locked.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. She heard a gasp from Taylor and opened her eyes. Her hand was glowing. She touched the doorknob again and it opened on its own.

  She looked at her friends and said, “Claudia was right. Ready?” They followed her through the open door.

  As soon as Kellie stepped into the kitchen she felt a small hand slip into hers. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me June. Remember I told you my brother Will and I were killed by Thomas when we fell down the stairs?”

  “Of course I remember, but last time you didn’t tell me your name. June is a lovely name.”

  “Thank you, miss.”

  Kellie’s friends stood in awe as they watched her having a conversation with no one although they knew Kellie could hear the spirit.

  “Would it be okay if you appeared so I can see you? It would make our conversation easier.” Immediately the little girl appeared with her brother at her side.

  “Hello, Will.” Kellie smiled hoping to make him feel comfortable.

  “Hello, miss. The rest are waiting in the parlor. Follow me, please.”

  Kellie turned to her wide eyed friends and said, “The rest are in the parlor. We’re supposed to follow Will. C’mon.”

  She turned and began to walk toward the parlor chatting with whoever walked at her side. The others followed closely behind.

  ########

  As Kellie entered the parlor she saw the other five spirits waiting for her. They were misty beings, but she could see enough of their features to differentiate between them. She turned and asked June, “Could they take a more solid shape the way they did when we were in the basement?”

  “Oh my,” said Andrea. “I need to sit down.” She, Cole, Hunter and Taylor sat close together on the sofa. Kellie found a chair to sit in while she spoke to the spirits.

  Kellie could see the white light glowing in the corner. “Why haven’t you gone into the light? You would be safe and at peace?”

  “We can’t leave Miss Genevieve alone.” A pretty young woman with brunette hair and beautiful brown eyes curtsied in front of Kellie.

  “Who is Miss Genevieve and may I ask your name?” Kellie asked as she interlaced her fingers. Another ghost? She thought.

  “Yes, miss. I apologize. I’m Millie. The other ladies are Louise and Elsie. We all worked for the Gotz family and were killed by Thomas. The young men were stable hands and were also killed by Thomas when they discovered what he was doing. Their names are Leo and Frank.”

  The two male gh
osts bowed and smiled at Kellie. They then stood erect with their hats in their hands.

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve also met June and Will. I thought that was all, but now you mention Genevieve.” Kellie shuddered. She didn’t think she could do what they wanted.

  “Yes, miss.” June said. “The house won’t let her go and it also won’t let Constance and Simon leave.”

  “Do you know why?” Kellie leaned forward to listen to June.

  “Miss Constance was going to move away with Mr. Simon after they were married. The house didn’t want her to leave and stole them. They are in the attic.”

  “I read a story about how they disappeared; I didn’t know it was true.”

  “It’s very true, miss.”

  “What about Genevieve?” Kellie took a deep cleansing breath and continued. “Why is she still here?”

  June dropped to the floor in tears and Will ran to her side. “She was our cousin. June loved her very much. It was horrible.”

  Kellie sat back and thought for a moment. She looked up, “Millie, you said you’re here to watch over Genevieve. Do June and Will need to be here also? It seems June is in pain when she remembers.”

  “No, miss. They chose to stay close to us. They were afraid to leave.”

  “If I’m going to help all of you, I’ll also need to help Genevieve. It seems we’ll need to battle the house for her. I think the children should be safe. They should go into the light.”

  “We have tried, but they are worried about Genevieve.”

  “June dear, there is no longer any reason to worry about her. I’m here to help. I want you to take Will’s hand and walk into the light. You’ll be safe and at peace. The others will follow soon. I promise.” She held out her hand to June.

  June ran to her and threw her arms around Kellie’s neck. She thought the hug would be icy cold, but there was warmth coming from June. She held her for a moment and June asked. “You will keep your promise?”

  “I will.” June loosened her hug, took Will’s hand and walked into the light. It became brighter for a moment and the children were gone.

  Kellie dropped her head and began to sob.

  Millie said, “Don’t cry, miss, you sent them to heaven. They were good, God fearing children.”

  “I know,” Kellie said as she looked at Millie. “I’ve never experienced anything like this and it’s overwhelming. Soon you’ll all join them. Tell me, how do we find Genevieve so she may join you?”

  ########

  Before Millie could answer, the house began to shake. Cole said, “Is that an earthquake?” The windows rattled and the chandelier swayed back and forth. Pipes rattled in the walls and the heavy knocker on the front door began to bang against the wood. With each bang, the sound became louder.

  Kellie stood and yelled, “Stop!” The house was instantly quiet.

  “How did you do that?” Andrea whispered.

  “I’m not sure. I’m trying to do what Claudia told me to do.” She dropped back into the chair feeling a bit tired.

  “We’ve been here a little over an hour, I’m calling Randy.” He dialed and said, “Yes, all’s well. She’s fine. Two spirits have gone into the light. Yes, for real. Will do.” He slipped his phone into his pocket and said, “Randy says to tell you he loves you and he’s thinking about you.”

  Kellie felt a warmth flow over her body and her strength return. She thought Claudia was right. My friends will give me strength.

  ########

  “Before I can help any of you, I need to know about Genevieve. Why she isn’t here with you and why she can’t leave with you. June was traumatized by something that happened to Genevieve. I need to know the entire story before I can do what needs to be done.” Kellie stood and looked out the windows. “I feel this has something to do with glass and sunshine.”

  “You are right, miss, I think we might communicate with Genevieve in the sunroom. Would you like to go there?”

  “Yes, we’ll all go.” She followed Millie and the other spirits. Her friends followed her.

  Finding a nice spot near the window, Kellie sat down. “Please tell me about Genevieve and why June was troubled enough to cry.”

  “Yes, miss,” began Millie. “Genevieve and June were close in age and cousins. They spent summers together and some holidays. They both died the same summer. It was very tragic. This sunroom was not part of the original house. Mrs. Gotz loved flowers and growing herbs for healing. She begged her husband for close to a year to add the sunroom so she could grow her precious herbs all year long.”

  “It’s a beautiful room,” Taylor said. “Mrs. Gotz must have loved growing plants here.”

  “No, she never did. After Mr. Gotz finally gave in to her pleadings, he ordered the wood and windows for the sunroom. The windows were stored in the shed out back, but the lumber was piled outside the house. The wood pile was where the door to enter this room is now. Genevieve loved to play with the boys and run and jump. She loved to climb the pile of lumber and pretend it was a mountain. Her mother scolded her, but it did not stop her. One day she was climbing and stood at the top watching the cook and her son gathering vegetables from the garden. She called out and waved at them. The little boy waved back and the cook was going to tell her to get off the pile of wood. It was unsteady and not safe. Genevieve slipped and fell onto the top of the wood. When she didn’t get up, the cook ran to see if she was all right. She wasn’t.”

  “Oh, no,” tears filled Andrea’s eyes. “She was killed in an accident?”

  “Yes, she had tripped on a split piece of wood. When she fell, a large splinter on the top of the board stabbed the side of her neck. By the time the cook reached her, she was bleeding badly. The cook tore off her apron trying to stop the bleeding while her son ran for help. It was too late. When the others ran out, the cook’s apron was red from blood and Genevieve had stopped breathing. The butler picked up her body and carried it into the house. We were all working here at the time and saw the amount of blood she lost. We knew she was gone. The cook blamed herself. She knew she would never wear the apron again even if she could clean it. It was burned immediately in the burn barrel out back. We all sat with her and cried.”

  Taylor was also crying by the time she heard the story, “That’s why she doesn’t leave because she died a tragic death.”

  “There is more and it is the house that keeps her here.”

  “More,” asked Kellie. “How can a house keep her here?”

  “When the doctor arrived and examined Genevieve and looked at the pile of wood he said there was no way she could have survived. She bled to death on the wood pile. The family began making funeral plans and ignored the wood. Her blood soaked into the wood and since it was right next to the house, some ran down and soaked into the foundation of the house. After the funeral, Mr. Gotz insisted the sunroom be built. Mrs. Gotz no longer wanted the room. She was so sad she didn’t come out of her room for weeks. Her husband insisted and since he was a frugal man and lumber was expensive, he insisted the blood stained wood be used. It was during the construction that June and Will died. It was declared an accident. Two children playing on the stairs fell to their deaths. Mrs. Gotz nearly lost her mind. The doctor gave her strong medicines and tonics for months that made her sleep most of the time. ”

  “That explains a lot,” said Hunter as he stood and examined the wall near the door. “Her blood is part of the house. It gives it life and perhaps Genevieve does, too which is why it will not allow her to leave.”

  “Yes, sir, that is what we have believed for years. It is also why we won’t leave her alone. Will you be able to help us, Miss Kellie?”

  “This is more serious than helping June and Will, but we are all going to try our best. I have never battled a house before.”

  The house began to groan and rattle. “Stop, I said,” shouted Kellie. The house was quiet again. “I seem to have some influence. Let me make a call.”

  Chapter Eighteen

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sp; Kellie listened and slid her phone back into her pocket. “Claudia said she has no clue what is going on here. Her connections are very quiet today. She told me to use my instincts and it will come to me.” She stood and strode across the sunroom, turned and began to walk back. She stopped, looked in the spirit’s direction, and said, “Millie, are you able to get Genevieve to talk to you and maybe to me. She could explain how the house is holding her.”

  “I can try, miss.” Millie disappeared.

  Andrea walked to the doorway between the sunroom and the library. “It seems crazy to think that blood on a few boards could keep a child’s ghost hostage or give a house power of any sort.”

  Her eyes opened wide and she grabbed the top of her head. “Let go,” she screamed. Andrea was yanked backward by her hair into the library. By the time her friends reached the door, they saw her being dragged across the floor by an invisible force. The door between the two rooms slammed shut. Andrea’s blood curdling screams grew louder.

  Hunter and Cole were kicking and hitting the door. It wasn’t budging. “Maybe I can find another way into the manor,” Hunter said as he ran out the sunroom’s door leading to the garden. All he managed to do was remain locked out of every door he found.

  Andrea’s screams of, “Fire, help me,” were all Cole needed to hear before he tried to use a table to bust down the door.

  “Wait, let me try.” Kellie concentrated as hard as she could and the light that appeared earlier returned. The door opened at her touch.

  Cole raced into the room as the fireplace burst into flames. Andrea was trying not to be pulled into the fire by holding on to the leg of a large chair. Sparks shot in every direction. When one hit Andrea’s arm, she nearly let loose of the chair leg. Fear overcame the pain and she gripped the chair leg tighter.

  Kellie held her hand up as she had before and yelled, “Stop.” The invisible force stopped pulling on Andrea, but the flames grew and one flew straight at Kellie’s hand. Her breathing increased and her heart raced. She braced for the burn she would feel momentarily. The large flame fizzled just before it hit her hand.