Dan Riley waited outside Coopers smoking a cigarette and pacing up and down. He scanned the incoming cars and smiled when he saw Kellie pull in behind the wheel of a red SUV. He dropped the cigarette, stomped it out, and mumbled, “She looks more like a soccer mom than a ghost fighter.”
Kellie climbed out of her vehicle still wearing her green jogging suit and matching jacket. Her blonde hair pulled high in a ponytail, and her freshly washed face made her look more like a teenager instead of a thirty-something mom.
The middle-aged reporter stared her up and down before he caught her eye, “Good morning again, Kellie.”
“Hello, Mr. Riley.” She smiled what she hoped was a convincing smile. She never completely trusted the nosy reporter, but he did have the reputation of getting to the bottom of a story.
He held the door for her, and the hostess led them to a table in the nearly deserted restaurant. Kellie counted on arriving after the breakfast rush for some privacy.
Dan Riley sat across from Kellie in the rear booth and ordered coffee and a slice of apple pie. Kellie ordered tea, and when the waitress left, she leaned closer to the man and asked, “What can you tell me about the bodies found drained of blood?”
He leaned back and smiled, “What makes you think I know anything about that?”
“You have sources. I’m sure one has told you something worth hearing.”
“Maybe,” he answered. “But I have questions for you, too.”
“We can help each other. What do you want to know?”
He waited until the waitress placed the cups and his plate on the table before he answered. “I’d like you to give me an exclusive about your abilities. Shall we say how you manage to kill ghosts.”
“I can’t kill ghosts. I can send them where they can do no harm.”
“And how exactly?”
“My ability is inherited from my biological mother. Tell me about the bodies.”
He smiled and slid a forkful of pie into his mouth. He chewed slowly and swallowed. “One was a night janitor here in town, the other a homeless man in Oaklin.”
“How do they know they were drained of blood?”
“I get to ask something first. Explain your ability.”
“It’s part of me. When I’m in danger from a spirit, I can use my mind to call up the power to fight it.”
“Interesting. I can tell you neither body had any visible open wounds.”
“That’s impossible.”
He shrugged. “Do you think the incident in the park has anything to do with these attacks and if so, what are you going to do about it?”
“First question, the answer is yes. Any idea how the blood was drained?”
He shook his head. “The only strange thing was a set of finger impressions on the chest of each man.”
Kellie frowned. “The answer to the second question, yes, I plan to fight it as soon as I know what it is.” She lifted her cup and took a sip. “What else do you know about the dead men?”
He leaned back stirring his coffee vigorously with his spoon. “My source said to quell any hysteria; the police will report the men’s deaths as suicide. What type of evil is roaming our streets, Mrs. Noles?”
“I don’t know, but I believe it gains strength from the blood.” Kellie finished the last of her warm tea. “Can we make a deal?”
“Deal?”
“You let me know what you learn from your sources. My uncle is doing his best to keep me away from this investigation. In return, you’ll get whatever I know about this entity and an exclusive after I rid her from our lives?”
“Her?”
“I think so.”
“Deal,” he replied just as the waitress appeared to refill his coffee cup.
Kellie leaned forward and whispered, “Did your source give you any indication what the coroner thinks caused the blood loss.”
“No, I wish I knew, but those finger impressions left bruises. They could be related.”
Kellie nodded and pulled her wallet from her purse.
“No,” Dan said. “It’s on me. Keep in touch.”
“Thank you. I will, and I hope you do, too.” She stood quickly and left the reporter sitting in the booth as she hurried back to her SUV.
Kellie pulled her phone from her purse to check for missed calls and messages. She read a text from Lance.
We need to talk in person somewhere quiet.
She texted back:
Kay’s Diner 1 pm
Lance replied immediately that he’d be there and Kellie headed home. She mulled over the information she heard. No visible wounds on two men drained of blood. She knew both were killed at night. The police deciding to list them as suicides made sense if whatever happened to them was beyond anything the coroner ever saw. Death from an evil entity hungry for blood wasn’t something he’d list on a death certificate, but it would fit what Lance and Kellie knew about the new evil. At least Kellie hoped she knew that one fact. The rest of what the entity was remained a mystery.
~ * ~
Kellie skipped lunch. She knew she couldn’t go to Kay’s without ordering a burger and fries since she had the best in town. She arrived fifteen minutes early so she’d have time to place her order, but Lance, having the same idea, was there waiting for her.
Kellie sat in the booth and told Lance about her conversation with the reporter.
Lance said, “That makes sense. I did some research, and while I can’t be certain, we may be dealing with a madness wraith.”
“A wraith is a spirit or ghost. Where does the madness come into the picture?”
“The legend goes back to the ancient Egyptians. I found vague references to her all through the readings I discovered at the university’s library. They have an astounding amount of research available on the subject of evil beings. In one text there was a copy of a professor's notes and the name Cansha handwritten in the margin.”
“Interesting,” Kellie answered as Kay walked over to the table carrying a chocolate malt.
“Hi, Kellie, I saw you come in and made this up right away. Double chocolate just the way you like it,” Kay explained as she set the large glass in front of Kellie.
“Thanks, Kay,” Kellie smiled. “This is my friend Lance Cain.”
“Nice to meet you, Lance Cain. Hope you stop by more often.” She winked at the handsome young man and added, “Your lunches will be up soon” before she headed back to the kitchen.
Kellie pulled the wrapper off her straw and took a sip of her malt. She looked at Lance with mischief dancing in her eyes. “I think you have a new friend. She likes you.”
“She’s old enough to be my mom.”
Kellie giggled. “I think she knows what she likes.”
Lance groaned.
“Okay, tell me more about what you learned before our food gets here. What makes you think this entity Cansha is our spirit?”
“I’m not positive, but there’s mention of a blood and organ consuming creature going back centuries long before the vampire became part of the culture. The professor whose work I read went back through the centuries and compared many myths and folklore about these creatures. The consumption of blood and organs seem to be a common thread. Whether Cansha is the entity here or one like her, I don’t know. She was named only once, and the professor wrote that she was contained, but unfortunately, he didn’t mention how. One thing he was positive about is she started as a human promised eternal life by consuming blood and over time morphed into an evil being. I’m not sure if she is a spirit although she is also referred to as the madness wraith,” Lance explained and then quieted as Kay set their meals on the table.
Lance smiled and thanked Kay.
“Sure thing, sugar,” Kay replied, and Kellie giggled again.
They took a few minutes to eat part of their lunch before Kellie asked, “I don’t understand the madness. Where did that come from?”
Lance stirred the ketchup on his plate with a french-fry before he bit in in half and
replied, “The lore says the creature bleeds her prey slowly and with our knowledge of modern medicine the brain would malfunction under such terrible treatment. None of the victims had wounds and doctors never considered blood loss as a reason for their madness. If the person died, she would also consume the organs for strength. People centuries ago needed a reason and believed an evil spirit was the cause. The wraith of madness or madness wraith became a popular excuse.”
Kellie sipped her malt faster than usual enthralled with Lance’s explanation. “This might explain what is going on. Was there any mention of how bleeding the person happened without a wound?”
“It was said she could pull blood through the skin without breaking it.”
“That would explain the fingertip impressions and bruises. Even if she didn’t need to break the skin, wouldn’t it leave bruises?”
“I’d think it would.”
“If Ronnie Donahue drank blood and somehow found out about this madness wraith and possibly thought he might gain extra strength from her, how did he get her here and what does the wishing well have to do with all of this? Also, how does fire fit into her strength?”
“Fire is a natural element, and she survives on the life force of blood and organs. Somehow through the centuries, she learned to beat death and control what she may believe is the strongest element.”
Kellie nodded. “I understand. Why is she here now and where did she come from? Knowing her name gives us some strength over her.”
“Yes, I agree. One of the books I read didn’t mention her by name, but the description fit. It seems she was trapped in time and could only be released through a blood sacrifice and a wish. The blood sacrifice could be the college kid, Zachary, and maybe Ronnie found a way to make a wish with blood or a spell or whatever.” He shrugged.
“We need more information. We practiced controlling elements, but that seems to be a way to fight her but not contain or eliminate her. Could we wish her away?”
“That would be nice, but she was possibly wished here through a blood sacrifice. We can’t do that to wish her back. We have to eliminate her,” Lance insisted.
“You have an excellent point. We also need to find Ronnie Donahue and his girlfriend Alyssa. They know what happened. I truly wish people would stop playing with things they don’t understand. One of these days they’re going to get themselves killed. They already caused the death of at least three people. Any idea what we do from here?” She finished her burger while Lance stared out the window obviously in thought.
“I’ll do more research. You keep the lines of communication open with Riley and talk to Claudia. She may have learned something from her spirits. It surprises me that one of them hasn’t given her an idea what we’re dealing with.” Lance looked at her and tapped the table with his index finger. “I think there’s something simple yet important that we’re missing.”
“We’ll figure it out. Maybe Claudia’s spirits can help us find Ronnie and Alyssa. That would be a start,” Kellie offered. “I’ll visit her tomorrow. I better get going. I have a few things to do before the girls get out of school.”
Kellie waved to Lance as she walked toward her SUV. Her phone rang, and she noticed the call was from the girl’s school. Her face paled as she listened and she grabbed the edge of her car for support. Lance, seeing the look on her face, ran over.
“What’s wrong, Kellie?”
She held up her hand. “I have to call Max. Damn voicemail. Max, it’s me. The girl’s school called. A man tried to abduct them. They’re safe and unhurt. I’m on my way over there now.” She slid the phone into her pocket and glanced at Lance. “I’ll call you later.”
He nodded and Kellie drove off faster than legally allowed praying for her girls and that she wouldn’t be stopped for speeding. She made it to the school in record time. A small group of people were standing near the parking area along with a squad car. She heard more sirens in the distance. When she spotted the girl’s teacher, Mrs. Wilber, she ran towards her. She saw Hope and Faith clinging to the teacher’s skirt.
“Mommy,” Faith called out and ran toward Kellie. She scooped her daughter up into her arms and walked to Faith’s side and knelt down and hugged her.
“What happened,” Kellie looked up at Mrs. Wilber.
“I wish I knew. We just returned from the field trip to the pumpkin farm. A man was jogging down the street. When he neared the bus, he ran toward your girls and did his best to grab them up, one under each arm. They screamed and fought like little wildcats. He let go and reached for their hair. Somehow, they pushed away, and I thought lightning had hit the school. A flash of bright light flew out from where the girls stood, and the man ended up in the Maple tree across the parking lot. The police are waiting for the fire truck to help him down and arrest him.”
Kellie didn’t hear the paramedic van pull up or Max walk up behind her. Hope saw him first and yelled, “Daddy.” She flew into his arms, and he held her close.
“Did I hear you correctly? The girls and a white light threw that man into a tree?” Max asked.
“Of course,” Hope said. “Faith and I threw him far away so he couldn’t hurt us.”
Mrs. Wilber stood silent, and Max said, “We need to take the girls to the hospital.”
Kellie followed him to the van with Faith in her arms. He handed Hope to his partner and then took Faith from Kellie’s arms and handed her into the van. He turned to look at Kellie, “You can follow us to the hospital.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, it’s against the rules.”
“Bend them. You work for the department, and if you don’t allow me to go with my daughters, you’ll find yourself in the tree next to that creep.” She glared at him with fire dancing in her eyes hard enough he thought her look would set him ablaze on the spot.
“Fine,” he mumbled and allowed her to sit in the back with him and the girls.
The E.R doctor said both girls were fine except for the scratches on Faith’s knee from when she fell after the man dropped her. The nurse placed a big smiley face sticker on her shirt because she didn’t cry when they cleaned her knee and Faith beamed with pride.
When they walked back out toward the waiting area, they saw Detective Stellion waiting for them. “How are they?” He asked.
“They’re fine, Uncle Mike,” Kellie answered. “Faith has a skinned knee, but that’s all.”
Mike leaned against the wall and motioned with his head for Kellie to come closer. Max wanted to hear what he said so he told the girls to sit, and if they were good, he’d take them out for pizza. The girls jumped onto a small leather sofa and held hands while whispering.
Mike spoke softly, “I thought you might want to know the man who tried to abduct the girls is Ronnie Donahue. He’s refusing to speak. Do you have any idea why he’d want the girls?”
Max spoke up, “Most likely because he’s responsible for that severed head and the evil lurking in town that Kellie seems to think she can control.”
“More evil,” Mike stared straight into Kellie’s eyes.
“I told you something came out of the wishing well, Uncle Mike,” Kellie insisted.
“I’ve heard enough,” Max said. “I’m taking the girls to my parent’s house where they will be safe. Mom can homeschool them until it’s safe enough for them to return to their school.”
Kellie turned her head slowly to look at Max and uttered one word, “Don’t”
“Is that a threat,” he snapped.
“Hey,” Mike said. “She didn’t threaten you. “What’s wrong?”
Kellie answered, “It isn’t a threat, it’s a warning.”
Mike scowled, and Kellie placed her hand on his arm, “Don’t worry Uncle Mike, Max and I are just having a small disagreement about raising the girls.”
Mike nodded.
Kellie walked away from the men and asked the girls, “Who’s ready for pizza?”
The girls jumped off the sofa and took their mom’
s hands. Kellie looked at her uncle and asked, “I left my car at the school. Can you give us a ride?”
After a quick trip to the school, the Noles family retrieved Kellie’s SUV and headed for their favorite pizza place.
Chapter Nine
After their pizza dinner, Kellie drove Max to the fire station to pick up his truck. He followed her home and didn’t say a word to her once they arrived home. Max watched TV while she bathed the girls and readied them for bed. He helped tuck the girls into bed and went back down to the living room to continue watching TV. Kellie went into her office to call Lance. She needed to speak with someone about the situation, and they needed to try and figure out what Ronnie Donahue wanted with her daughters.
“Hi, Kellie. I’ve been waiting for your call. How are Hope and Faith?”
“Okay, Faith has a skinned knee, but that’s all. Ronnie Donahue tried to grab them when they came back from a field trip. I don’t know what he wanted with them, but the girls saved themselves. They’re not sure how they did it, but they pushed him away with white light, and he flew clear across the parking lot and landed near the top of a huge Maple tree.”
Lance laughed. “Good for them. You knew the night of the fog that they helped increase your white light’s strength. Why do you sound surprised they might have their own?”
“I’m not, I don’t think. Well, maybe a little. I didn’t expect it. The girls told me they did it on their own without any help from Miss Annabelle. I hoped she was the one responsible only because I would rather the girls grow up without any special abilities. I don’t want them fighting spirits all their lives.” She leaned her cheek in her palm and leaned on her elbow.
“Don’t stress over it or you may miss a clue or lose strength yourself. We need to figure out what Ronnie wanted with the girls. He evidently needed both of them or he would have tried to grab just one. He may know how to communicate with our wraith and if so, she may want the girls.”
“I thought about that, too. If she had them, I’d lose my mind and refuse to fight her. I’d trade her freedom for my babies. She must know that. The girls are guarded against her evil, but Ronnie is human and could get close to them. However, if they hadn’t fought back, I’m sure their protectors would have taken care of Ronnie. He’s lucky he only ended up in that tree.”
DEADLY WISHES Page 8