The Haunted Reckoning

by Michelle Dorey

  The

  Haunted Reckoning

  The Haunted Ones 5

  Michelle Dorey

  About This Book:

  From Best Selling Author Michelle Dorey, the latest installment of The Haunted Ones; tales of ordinary people facing unspeakable evil...

  Her courtroom victory becomes a haunted and eerie nightmare.

  Freshly minted Law School graduate Paige has just won her case. Her client Cory Smith needed her to obtain visitation rights for his daughter Aubree. Paige handled it perfectly—at the end of the hearing, Cory won.

  Her victory is short lived, because the next day Aubree and her mother are found murdered, and Cory’s the main suspect.

  Cory may have committed this horrid crime, but she was the one who made it possible. Paige is wracked with guilt. She can’t help but think of that poor little girl. Every night, she sees Aubree in her dreams.

  And then in the daytime.

  Aubree's spirit is calling out to her.

  Why is this happening?

  When her childhood friend Melanie appears out of the blue, Paige realizes there are greater stakes than her guilt. Deadlier stakes.

  Powerful evil is afoot.

  A child’s soul cries out in torment.

  Get your copy of this latest episode of ‘The Haunted Ones’ at this special New Release Price, only for a limited time!

  Copyright 2019, Michelle Dorey

  ISBN: 978-1-988913-16-2

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  Photo Images by Deposit Photos, used with permission

  Cover Art by Juan Padron

  https://www.juanjpadron.com/

  Edited by Paula Grundy

  https://paulaproofreader.wixsite.com/home

  Table of Contents

  About This Book:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Before We Begin…

  Please feel free to join my mailing list. I’ll keep you updated about new releases and special offers of my works. In fact, if you take me up on this offer, I’d like to give you a copy of my debut novel Crawley House just for signing up! It’s been a strong seller for me and I think you’ll enjoy it!

  Just click this link and follow the easy directions!

  Chapter 1

  CORY KNEW HE WAS EARLY to pick up his daughter, but he had to find out what his skanky ex was up to. He started the truck and blasted the heater to get the chill out of his bones. After sitting there for the better part of an hour, he was rewarded when the kitchen light in the small house across the street blazed. He could finally see the bitch.

  She stood at the sink, her jet black hair flowing over her shoulders as she turned slightly, her lips moving as she talked. She hadn’t changed from the work uniform even though she’d been home for a couple of hours.

  His eyes narrowed while his hands tightened on the steering wheel. She was nothing but a two-bit hustler from El Salvador. She should have counted her blessings that he’d married her to get her out of that shithole country. Instead the bitch had him arrested for assault and even got a restraining order so he couldn’t see his own kid.

  He snorted. With his daughter’s dark eyes and hair, the total Latino complexion, who knew if she really was his kid? His blond hair and fair skin was absent in Aubree. He wouldn’t put anything past his skanky ex-wife to screw around on him.

  Which was probably what she was planning to do as soon as he left with Aubree. No doubt she was waiting to get showered and changed into sexy clothes for some jerk she’d picked up somewhere. He could feel the vein in his temple pulse, his teeth crackling as he ground them.

  Screw it!

  He got out of the truck and crossed the narrow street. Even the neighborhood was seedy and what his father would term “starter or retirement” homes. She’d left their extended ranch for this? What a loser.

  After rapping on the door, he heard movement and Noele’s voice calling their daughter in from the backyard. That was another thing! She’d let a six-year-old kid play outside, and it was getting dark! He should have pressed for full custody when he’d taken her to court. He probably could have gotten it with that hotshot lawyer he’d hired. His mistake was just settling on extended visitation rights.

  The door opened, and she stood there, barely hiding her contempt in the tight line of her lips and eyes that looked right through him.

  “You’re early. You aren’t supposed to be here until five. Aubree isn’t ready, and I still have to pack her bag.”

  “Sorry.” It sounded as insincere as his plastic smile. “Can I come in and wait? It’s chilly outside, Noele.”

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. “You can stay in the foyer.” Without another word she spun and walked through the laundry room to call to Aubree from the backyard.

  He hated the fact that he checked out her ass as she walked away, but he couldn’t help himself. It was the thing that had first attracted him, and he wasn’t immune even after...what, seven years?

  Seeing the sway of her hips, the still-tiny waist and uniform that clung to every curve and swell of her figure, he felt a familiar stirring. Damn it! And she was probably going to be sharing that booty with some low-life later that night. His heart beat faster, and he could feel his blood boil.

  Her voice had that zesty Latino lilt when she called from the kitchen. “Make sure she goes to bed at eight, and have her back by ten tomorrow morning. I work noon to eight, and I want to see her before I leave her with Mrs. Noonan.”

  “Hey! Why not let me keep her till you’re off? I’ll bring her back tomorrow evening.” He made his voice sound upbeat. It sounded phony even to his own ears. The kid would drive him bonkers, but it was worth it if that would piss Noele off.

  She poked her head around the corner, giving him “the look”, lips twisted in scorn to go along with the eye roll.

  It had always made him see red, and today wasn’t any different. “I have that right, you know! I won in court if you recall. Aubree can stay with me for forty-eight hours, and you’ve got nothing to say about it. Especially if you’re not even here, pawning her off on a babysitter!”

  “Gilipollas de mierda!” She switched to English, losing the deafening pitch. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near Aubree! And so help me God, if you hurt her, I’ll—”

  His hand shot out before he knew it! The blow caught her on the side of her head, knocking h
er to the floor. He was about to follow up with another when movement from the doorway down the hall caught his eye.

  Aubree stood there, in her red plaid coat, her thumbnail between her tiny teeth while her eyes were wide, staring at him in terror.

  “Go outside, Aubree! Now!”

  At Noele’s words, Aubree spun around and disappeared into the laundry room. The door to the outside slammed shut behind her.

  In a flash, Cory was right on her tail. When he stepped out of the doorway she was across the yard, standing next to her sandbox. He called to her. “Aubree. Come here. I’m not going to hurt you.” She clutched at the buttons of the red plaid coat, and instead, backed away.

  “I said, come here!” Cory raced across the yard and scooped her up. Her small arms beat at his chest while she squirmed, trying to kick him with her feet. This was his daughter! Trying to hurt him and get away from him!

  He slammed the door after him and strode into the kitchen. Noele had gotten back on her feet and screamed when she saw Aubree pinned in the crook of his arm.

  “Leave her alone! I’ll call the cops! Put her down!”

  He smiled and let Aubree slip lower, setting her down on her feet while his hands cupped her small shoulders. There was satisfaction in Noele’s terror seeing him hurt her daughter. His hands lifted higher, fingers circling the tiny neck which he could snap like a pencil if he wanted. He brushed the child’s shoulders. “Nice coat. The red plaid looks good on you.” He looked up to Noele, his eyes filled with hate. “Brand new too. How’d you afford it? Got another job serving the public? You working at a strip club or something?”

  Noele lunged at him, reaching for Aubree while clawing at him trying to gouge his eye. But he was too fast; his fist caught her jaw, knocking her back on her ass.

  Blood poured from her mouth as she shook her head. Despite being dazed from the blow she was already trying to get up again. In one fell swoop he gripped Aubree with one hand while his foot planted on Noele’s chest pinning her to the floor.

  It was a macabre dance as Cory’s foot pinned Noele’s struggling form as he strangled the child. His grip tightened around Aubree’s neck, impervious to her frantic beating at his arms, her feet kicking his leg. All the while Noele lashed out, trying desperately to escape his hold on her chest, begging him to stop. It was rewarding watching her desperation. Served the bitch right.

  It ended way too soon. Aubree became heavier in his hands. He let go of her. The small lifeless body slumped onto the floor. The best part of it was the anguish and screams from Noele watching her daughter die.

  His chest filled and he became lighter. The fun wasn’t over. Noele’s pretty face would hardly be recognizable in the morgue. Lifting his foot, he bent over Nicole and moved in with his fists…

  Chapter 2

  “YOU COULDN’T HAVE KNOWN, PAIGE. These things... well, sometimes bad, monstrous things happen. Who knows why?” Sheila’s eyes glistened with tears for her friend.

  Once more Paige’s gaze was drawn to the photo in the newspaper. The dark-haired mother’s eyes accused her while the little girl’s were...

  Her eyes squeezed shut. Oh God, this couldn’t be happening! This couldn’t be true. Yet there it was in black, white, and living color screaming condemnation and horror. They were dead, brutally murdered, and she was to blame.

  “Sheila’s right,” Bradley said. He looked at the two women, sitting across from him on the leather sofa, in his office. “You did your job exactly as you were supposed to. You defended his right to custody to the best of your ability and knowledge. You aren’t responsible that in a fit of anger... hell... rage, that he snapped. That was his fault, not yours.”

  His voice and words barely registered in Paige’s brain. Her thoughts were on Cory Smith. He’d seemed so damn genuine in his desire to raise his daughter. He’d even broke down in tears at the prospect that he’d only see her once a month in supervised visits. Well, Paige took care of that wrinkle and got him full access with limited restrictions.

  And now they were dead. Great job, Paige.

  How could he have done this? There had to be a mistake. Some thug must have broken into the house and...

  Her voice cracked when she looked up at her boss and mentor, Bradley Peterson. “The police think he killed them. Is there evidence? You read the article. I haven’t had time yet to—”

  “They discovered the bodies yesterday afternoon.” Sheila eased closer to her on the sofa, placing her hand over Paige’s clasped fingers, “When the wife failed to show up at work for a second day, and there were no answers to their phone calls, they sent someone over. Her car was at the house, but she didn’t answer the door. Of course, they notified the police and...”

  “But it could have been someone breaking in. Some thief or drug addict who killed them.” But even as Paige said it—a desperate attempt to absolve her own guilt in this horror—she knew in her bones that wasn’t the way it went down.

  Bradley pushed away from the desk and sighed, “No, they’re pretty sure the husband did it. When I saw the article, I called a friend at headquarters. They checked where Cory worked, and he didn’t show up for work Friday night or on the weekend. It corresponds to their estimated time of death: Friday afternoon.”

  Paige sank lower into the sofa, no longer able to harbor a glimmer of hope. Of course, as the senior partner, he would call the police to learn more. His law firm had represented Cory Smith in the custody battle against the now deceased wife. The police were bound to contact the firm, so Bradley took the proactive step.

  He pressed a button on his phone. “Cancel Sheila and Paige’s appointments today, Beth.”

  Paige looked over at Bradley. He looked years older than sixty-one as he leaned back in his office chair. He might be all business, looking out for the firm’s welfare, but deep inside, contrary to popular opinion about attorneys, he was a deeply caring man.

  This was a tragedy they all had played a part in despite their protestations that no one could have foreseen this. Thanks to Paige’s skill in representing Cory, she’d given him the access he needed to do this. Up until that time, Noele Smith had been safe with a restraining order keeping her ex from any contact. Paige, with all the skill of an experienced trial lawyer, had driven a Mack truck through the gaping holes in the evidence supporting that order.

  “Come on, Paige.” Sheila rose to her feet, “I’ll drive you home and stay with you for a while. This is a tough thing to deal with.” She shot a look at Bradley, who nodded.

  Paige looked up at her, feeling the hot sting of tears behind her eyes. She took a deep breath, forcing her voice to answer. “Worse for Noele and Aubree though. Jesus. How could I—”

  Bradley leaned forward, staring at his clasped . “Take a few days off, Paige.” He sighed and looked up at her. “This is the law, and your job is to make sure that your client receives the fullest protection under it.” He glanced away, his voice gentle. “Sometimes it’s not really about justice, but it’s always making damn sure the rules get followed, and that’s exactly what you did.” He looked back to Paige. “It’s a shitty thing to happen so early in your career...but sooner or later you were bound to have an episode like this.”

  “It makes me question everything!” she said in a hushed voice.

  “Yeah, I know.” He shook his head slowly. “I wish you had had more seasoning before this happened, but it is what it is.”

  “I hate that phrase...”

  “Yeah, but it really applies here. There’s nothing more to do but accept that it happened, and it was beyond your control. There really isn’t any alternative, is there?”

  Paige shrugged.

  “Yeah, I understand. You just took a hell of a punch to the gut.” Now his eyes took on his “boss man” look. “Take a few days if you have to, but you’ll survive. You’ll be a better lawyer for it.” He took a case folder from the pile on the left and opened it, signaling the meeting was over.

  Paige swayed slightly when s
he got to her feet. The room felt askew as she trudged after Sheila. This was a nightmare that she’d never wake up from. Two people were dead! An innocent child, barely six years old. A mother trying desperately to protect her daughter in a system where the game was rigged. Cory had the cash to hire the best representation while Noele had been represented by legal aid. No way could she have won.

  And it cost them their lives.

  Chapter 3

  PAIGE WAS STILL STIFF FROM SHOCK as she stepped out of the car. The walkway leading up to the townhouse, was littered with leaves from the recent windstorm, and she’d have to rake them up soon. The leaf cleanup from the city was in a couple of weeks and...

  Damn! A fresh flood of tears filled her eyes, picturing the photos in the newspaper. It was the little girl’s face that set it off, so fresh and open. It was a school picture, from some professional outfit, replete with a set of giant crayons in the background. Dark wisps of hair framed her round cheeks, her mouth curved in a smile, and her brown eyes danced like a sprite. You could see from the photo she was a lovely, intelligent and feisty little girl. Just like in real life.

  But not anymore! Another sob escaped her throat, and more followed. She paused with the key in the lock, unable to turn it as her shoulders heaved.

  “Here…let me.” Sheila nudged Paige’s hand away and then pushed the door wide open. She pulled Paige closer, her arm draped over the younger woman’s shoulders. “Come on, Paige. I’ll make us some tea. Me mum always said there’s no problem that a nice cuppa wouldn’t solve.”

  Paige stepped into the house and toed off her shoes. But Sheila’s mother never killed anyone though, did she? No, that was Paige’s specialty.

  Okay, maybe she hadn’t directly killed anyone. But she sure as hell had enabled it to happen. What were the charges for an act like that? Manslaughter? Second degree?