Far and Away

by Fern Michaels

  With that thought in mind, she knew she had to get to Ida, and if she needed the aid of a member of the clergy, then so be it. Still, there was that small, still voice in her head that told her, no, this was not demonic in the sense of needing a priest but demonic in the sense of the evil quality of a person who hadn’t managed to find their way to the other side. Sophie knew better than to ignore her gut instinct. This entity who’d destroyed her house was powerful, but not as powerful as she.

  “I’ll send you to the other side, you son of a bitch, and when I do, I hope you burn forever in the fires of hell.”

  “Sophie.” She heard Goebel call out to her. He’d used the front door, too.

  “In the kitchen,” she answered.

  “My God! What on earth happened?” he asked as he observed the destruction. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m going to find out, trust me. I’m a bit shook-up, but I’ll be okay,” Sophie said, as they both stared at the mess.

  “Think we should call the police?” Goebel asked her. She knew he wasn’t asking her because he didn’t know what had happened, but because he knew she would know if this was a supernatural event or just another break-in.

  “You are the police, and no, we don’t need them here. I would hate to try to explain this to them. Even though they know we do psychic investigations, I’d rather keep this between us.”

  “I hate to tell you this, but there’s more bad news. Abby brought the twins over to Toots’s, and Ida came downstairs. Toots said she was sure that Abby and the kids didn’t see her, but she rushed them out of the house so fast that she knows Abby isn’t going to forget about it or let it go.”

  Sophie felt her heart sink to her feet and back. “That’s not good. I need to keep Ida somewhere safe until I find out exactly what I’m dealing with. When I saw this”—she pointed to the kitchen—“I felt sure it had to be some demonic thing, but it’s not. It’s connected to that woman in my dream, or vision, whatever. I went to my séance room when I arrived and just sat there, waiting to see if I could make contact with . . . well, you know the routine, but I had the oddest experience.” She told him about the door and what she’d seen when she looked out the window. “I think it’s imperative that we speak with this Dabney man tonight. Maybe he can tell us something that will send me in the right direction.”

  “Would another séance help?” Goebel asked as he trudged through the unholy mess that had once been their beautiful kitchen.

  “No. At least I don’t believe it would at this stage. Later, I’m just not sure.” Confused by the turn of events, Sophie wandered through the kitchen, careful not to step on the glass.

  Goebel frowned, his eyes taking in the scene around them. “I need to start cleaning this up. We’ll have bugs if I don’t.” He headed for the pantry, where they stored the cleaning supplies.

  “Stop!”

  He did.

  “Don’t go in there, okay? It’s much worse than this,” she said, gesturing at the mess surrounding them.

  For once, Goebel didn’t listen to her. He stepped inside the pantry. “Son of a bitch!”

  Sophie stood next to him. “I told you not to go in there.”

  “Soph, get real. I live here, too.”

  What was she thinking? That she could hide this from him? Take care of it without his knowing? Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that you worked so hard in here. I know how proud of it you were. I was too, and now look at this.” She splayed her hands out in front of her. “Totally destroyed.”

  A loud crashing sound caused both of them to look up. “It’s coming from the attic. Follow me,” Sophie called out as she rushed through the debris in the kitchen and up the staircase.

  She’d been meaning to get Goebel to do whatever was necessary in terms of safety so that she could return to the attic and look in those trunks she had located in the corner. But after the lack of results with the séance and everything else that had been happening, she had forgotten to mention it to him. And she had almost forgotten about what had happened when she had gone up there.

  But there was no more time to spare. Someone or something was insisting that she go back inside the dark, dank space and find whatever it was she was supposed to find.

  Remembering that the light had been too dim to navigate safely around the floorboards that had been prepped for whatever remodeling was to take place, Sophie grabbed a flashlight before starting up into the attic. Pushing the heavy door aside, the late-afternoon sunshine penetrated the dusty panes of glass only enough to illuminate particles of dust dancing in the air, suspended for a few seconds before settling on the old wooden beams. She stepped inside the small space, stopping when she was greeted with such a foul odor, unlike anything she’d ever known, that she was forced to cover her mouth and nose with her hand. Suddenly, Ida flashed around the edge of her thoughts, and she knew then that, without a doubt, the key to finding out what or who had possessed her lay here, somewhere in this pile of ancient dust and rotting wood.

  Now all she had to do was find it.

  GETAWAY

  Chapter One

  Chester greeted Abby at the back door, sensing that she needed his assistance. He leaned against the heavy frame to keep it open when she entered with Amy on one hip and Jonathan on the other. Once inside, she stooped down, allowing the twins to wiggle out of her arms. “Thanks, Chester,” she said before giving her longtime best friend a rub between the ears. “I swear you’re more human than animal.”

  “Woof! Woof!”

  Once inside and seeing that Amy and Jonathan were occupied with a scattering of toys they’d left on the floor this morning, she found her godmother Mavis’s cell phone number written on a notepad next to the phone. Quickly, she punched in the digits. Mavis picked up on the third ring.

  “Yes, dear.” She didn’t bother with hello. Abby smiled. She knew Mavis was fascinated with the ability to see who was calling.

  “Did I catch you at a bad time?” Abby asked.

  “Of course not, Abby. Wade and I were getting ready to close up for the night.”

  Abby could only imagine what closing up for the night consisted of since Mavis and Wade operated a funeral parlor. There was no way that she was about to ask.

  Peeping around the corner to make sure the twins were safely occupied, her voice grew serious. “Is there anything going on with Mom that I need to know? I stopped over earlier, just to say hi and let the twins visit, and we were no more settled in than, the next thing I know, she’s practically tossing us out. She didn’t bother with an explanation, either.”

  Abby was more than concerned. Normally, her mother would practically have to beg her to stay longer just so she could play with her grandchildren, but that hadn’t been the case today.

  She could hear Mavis’s intake of breath across the ether. “I haven’t seen your mother since we attended the séance at Sophie and Goebel’s. She did have a little too much to drink that night. Wade insisted we drive her home even though she said she was fine. Of course, I knew better. I haven’t spoken to her since then, so as far as I know, everything is fine. She and Phil were talking about their upcoming trip to New York for his book launch.”

  Mavis was so kind, but sometimes she could be a bit long-winded.

  “Yes, she mentioned the trip the other day,” Abby said. “Do you think Sophie or Ida might know what’s going on with Mom? It’s just so unlike her to act . . . well, never mind. Mom does act weird, a lot, but I’ve never seen her act this way around the twins.”

  “I’m sure everything will be just fine. I wouldn’t worry too much, dear.”

  Abby thanked her and ended the call. She punched in Sophie’s cell phone, and it went straight to voicemail. She tried her home number, and no one picked up. “Weird,” she said to herself. With Ida next on her list, she punched in her number. It rang at least ten times, then Abby hung up. That left Bernice. She called her mother’s house, knowing the odds of Bernice�
��s answering the phone were in her favor.

  And, sure enough, Bernice answered on the first ring. “Thank goodness you called,” Bernice said.

  Abby’s heart raced. “What in the world is going on?”

  “I’ve been sworn to silence, but your mother told me if you called to tell you she was just fine, and not to worry.”

  “Oh, great. That’s just great. Seriously, Bernice, is there something going on with her that I should know? She tossed me and the kids out so fast, I was too shocked to question her. Now I know something is wrong because she would insist on speaking to me if there wasn’t.” At least that’s what Abby thought. She and her mother didn’t keep secrets. At least none that she knew of. Of course, there was the matter of the Informer, but Abby hadn’t cared that her mother had purchased the struggling tabloid behind her back. She thought it truly proved what lengths a mother would go to for her child. Had the situation been reversed, she was sure she would have done the exact same thing for her kids. Like mother, like daughter.

  “Abby, your mother is fine. Physically, at least. Now, as far as her mental state goes, I’ve questioned it for the past thirty-plus years.”

  Abby grinned. Leave it to Bernice. “Yeah, I understand where you’re coming from. But still, this isn’t like her at all, and I need to know what’s going on so I can help fix whatever it is.”

  She heard Bernice’s sigh. “Do you think the twins are old enough to be in the wedding? I was thinking ring bearer and flower girl.”

  Abby pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it. Maybe Bernice was the one she needed to be concerned about. “I’m not falling into your trap, Bernie,” Abby said, knowing she hated being referred to as “Bernie.”

  “Look, I understand where you’re coming from, but I really don’t know what’s going on with your mother. Ida’s upstairs in your mother’s room, Sophie and Goebel went home. Well, I think that’s where they’re at. She left in a rush, and he wasn’t far behind her. I’m as much in the dark as you, and you know your mother. When she wants us to know something, she will tell us. If it were life threatening, she would have told us. I wouldn’t worry if I were you,” Bernice said. “I was serious when I asked you about the twins being in the wedding. Since they’re practically walking, I thought it might be fun to see them in action.”

  The visual of Amy and Jonathan walking down any aisle without her trailing behind made her laugh out loud. “We’ll see, Bernice. I’m not sure if they’re steady on their feet enough yet, but they change daily, so I will give it some thought.”

  “Good. I’ll tell your mother to call you as soon as she’s able,” Bernice said. “She’s going to do my wedding. What do you think of that?”

  “God knows she’s had enough experience, so it should be perfect. She loves doing that stuff, so I can’t wait. I’m happy for you, really. You’ve been alone all your life,” Abby said, then felt a bit sad.

  “No I haven’t, kid. I’ve had you, your mom, and my son Daniel. You’re my family, and that will never change, you got that?”

  Abby’s eyes filled with tears. “I feel the same way, and I know that Mom does, too. Now”—she knuckled her eyes—“before I start blubbering, let’s stop this lovey-dovey stuff. Just know you’re loved, and make sure to tell Mom to call me as soon as she thinks it’s appropriate to let me in on what’s happening over there.”

  “Will do,” Bernice promised, then hung up.

  “Sure you will,” Abby said.

  Her reporter instincts had been dormant too long, she thought as she observed the twins still playing on the floor. It was high time she did a bit of investigating of her own.

  Chapter Two

  “Who’s there?” Toots asked.

  “The police,” Bernice answered sarcastically. “Who were you expecting?”

  Toots peeked out of the small crack between her bedroom door and the door frame. “What do you want?” she asked none too nicely. “I’ve got a . . . situation in here.” She wasn’t about to tell Bernice the full version of what Sophie suspected, at least not until she was 100 percent sure. In the meantime, her job was to keep Ida occupied, and that was almost impossible. She’d given her a double dose of an antihistamine to knock her out. The last thing she wanted was the entire gang asking questions.

  “Abby is worried about you,” Bernice told her. “She thinks you’re mentally deranged. She’s considering having you committed.”

  Toots yanked the door open and stepped out into the hallway. “Shhh, I don’t want to wake Ida.” She inched her bedroom door almost shut, leaving just enough of an opening to see Ida lying on her bed. “Repeat what you just said.”

  “Abby’s worried about you,” Bernice repeated. “And frankly, I’m beginning to worry myself. What in the hell are you and Sophie up to now? Don’t tell me nothing, because I don’t believe it for one little second. You’re hiding something from me, and I want to know what it is. And I want to know right now, this very second.”

  Toots considered telling her the truth, but sure as shit Bernice would mention it to Robert. It would scare the poor old guy half out of his mind, and who knew what could happen then. The old guy could have a heart attack or something. She trusted Bernice to the ends of the earth; she’d been like a sister to her for almost all of her adult life. But right now just wasn’t the time to tell the whole truth and nothing but. Time for a little bit of embellishment. “Ida’s having some of her old issues resurface and doesn’t want anyone to know.” There, that should cover them, at least until Sophie came up with a plan.

  Incredulously, Bernice asked, “You mean that germ stuff?”

  Toots nodded. She hated lying to Bernice, but right now it was for the best. She didn’t want to frighten her or Robert, or anyone else for that matter. And she would do whatever it took to keep Abby, and her beautiful grandchildren, safe.

  “Please don’t tell me I have to Clorox this place down now? I can’t stand the smell, plus I’m too old to get down on my hands and knees to scrub the floor.”

  “No, no, don’t even go there. I wouldn’t expect you to clean like that anyway. I’d send her to a nuthouse first.” Toots smiled. “If Abby calls again, explain this to her, but make sure she keeps it quiet for now.”

  “No, I am going to do no such thing. When Abby calls again, and you and I both know she will, I’m going to insist she talk to you. And you can tell her whatever lie you want.”

  Bernice had a way of cutting right through the flesh and hitting the bone. Toots had taught her well. She grinned. “Bernice, I’m doing this for her own protection, and the twins’, too. You are going to have to trust me on this one,” she added.

  “I suppose I can. What about the wedding? Are you going to be able to fit this in between all of your mysterious callings? I would hate to have to hire one of those overpriced wedding planners.”

  “Damn, Bernice, you’re acting like a virgin bride! Of course I can fit this in. As you can’t seem to stop reminding me, I am quite experienced. Once the date is set, I’ll take it from there.” Toots had connections all over Charleston. For that matter, she had connections all over the country. She could whip up a wedding in a matter of hours if she had to, but she wasn’t about to tell that to Bernice.

  “Two weeks? Robert and I discussed it, and at first we thought we wanted to get hitched next week. But then we changed our minds and decided on two weeks. Is that enough time for you, Miss Planner of Weddings?” Bernice asked.

  “I’ll arrange for you and Robert to get your marriage license tomorrow. Once that’s finished, why don’t you set the date then? Just in case there’s an issue, you know, red tape and all,” Toots added.

  “All right, I guess I can live with that. But I am not fielding any more telephone calls for you.” Bernice shook her head and headed downstairs.

  Toots took her cell phone from her pocket. She’d missed several calls from Abby. Before she had time to rethink her decision, she dialed Abby’s cell.

  “Mom
,” Abby said. “What is going on now? You scared the daylights out of me. Why the need to toss us out?” Abby did not sound like a happy camper.

  “Dear, I didn’t mean to scare you or the twins. There is a . . . situation that requires my and Sophie’s undivided attention. It’s one of those psychic things, just a little closer to home.” This explanation didn’t make one bit of sense to her, and she knew damn well that Abby wouldn’t fall for it, either, especially given the cockamamie story about carbon monoxide at Sophie and Goebel’s house that Abby had been told.

  “As long as you and Sophie aren’t being hurt in any way, I’ll accept your explanation. For now. I just wish you would trust me enough to confide in me.”

  “Oh, Abby, I trust you more than anyone in the world. You need to trust me when I say this isn’t something you need to involve yourself in. The outcome could be very . . . let’s just say you’re better off not knowing right now. When and if the time is right, and you need to know, or there is no reason for you not to know, you have my word I’ll fill you in on everything. Can you live with that for now?”