SUMMER OF EVIL

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Yes, I’m serious. Look for a lake, dark, and sunshine. Okay, we will.” She looked at Taylor. “I think he thinks I’m crazy.”

  Taylor giggled. “Well, you do call him first thing in the morning with the oddest things.”

  “That I do, I don’t blame him, but he’s going to check,” Kellie said.

  “That’s good. I’m calling in sick today. I’m still tired.” She dropped back onto her pillow.

  #####

  The following week members of the Malone Springs Children’s Charity unanimously agreed to name the house and property they inherited “The Lydia Thernstrom Women and Children’s Center.” A committee was formed to address the issue of including women in their charitable endeavor.

  “I love the idea of helping moms and kids,” Clarice said. “I look forward to heading this committee. When are we able to see the property so I can tell everyone about it?” The corners of her mouth turned up as her eyes drifted between Taylor and Kellie.

  Kellie said, “We can go anytime everyone is free. Who would like to see it?” No one volunteered. “My schedule is open, how about anyone else?”

  “If we wait until Saturday, I’ll be there,” Taylor said.

  “Count me in,” Clarice added. “I can’t wait to see it.”

  A voice from the back of the room asked, “Are we sure we want to do this? I heard it’s haunted.”

  Murmurs could be heard moving through the group of women.

  Kellie cleared her throat, “There are vague rumors about the monastery being haunted, but rumors abound when an abandoned building is involved. The house doesn’t have a reputation of being haunted. Remember, Lydia lived there until five years ago when she agreed to move to an assisted living apartment. She never saw ghosts.”

  She looked out over the group of questioning faces and continued, “Okay, Taylor, Clarice, and I will visit the property on Saturday. Clarice will be able to report back to the committee members, and we’ll discuss it at next month’s meeting. Any questions?”

  The room was silent.

  “Meeting adjourned,” Kellie said and sat down at the table.

  #####

  Their meeting room emptied and Clarice walked over to Taylor and Kellie. “It’s just the three of us that want to check out the property. What time do you want to meet at Lydia’s house? I have to drop my mom off for a beauty appointment that morning, and then I’m free. My sister will pick her up.” Clarice bounced her fingers together and smiled. “This will be fun.”

  “What time is her appointment?” Taylor asked?

  “Nine.”

  “We can meet at nine-thirty and I’ll see if I can get a building inspector to be there, too. It would be nice to know what we are getting ourselves into before we invest any money.” Kellie said.

  “That’s true,” Clarice added. “Call Clifford’s Inspections first. Bill Clifford checked my mom’s house before she sold it. He’s friendly, reasonable, handsome, and single.” Clarice blushed.

  Kellie smiled, “I’ll call him first and tell him you recommended his company. I hope he’s available for your sake.”

  Clarice blushed deeper. “Me, too. I have to run. See you Saturday.” She waved as she hurried toward the door.

  “Let’s hope Bill is available for Clarice’s sake. I think she has a crush on him,” Taylor said.

  Kellie nodded and searched for the inspector’s number on her phone. “I’ll call first thing in the morning. Do you want to go to Kay’s for a piece of pie before we go home? Those cookies April brought didn’t look appetizing.”

  “Agreed, I could use a piece of Kay’s pie whatever she baked today,” Taylor said grabbing her purse.

  #####

  Kellie made an appointment for ten the following Saturday with Clifford’s Inspections.

  Bill Clifford said, “I have been curious about that monastery for a long time. I’d enjoy checking it out. Since it’s for the Children’s Charity, I’ll donate my services. Will Clarice be there?”

  “Yes, she, Taylor O’Neil and I will meet you there.”

  “Great. Did you need the house inspected, too? It is quite old. I wouldn’t charge for that either.”

  Kellie tapped her chin with her index finger, “I didn’t think about the house since Lydia lived there, and it has been cared for since then. If you would like to check it out, that would be good since children will be living there. It’s very kind of you to offer your services. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem at all, I’ll see you Saturday.”

  “Bye,” Kellie said. She smiled and murmured, “Clarice was right; he’s a nice guy.”

  She dialed Clarice’s number and heard a quiet squeal when she told him that Bill asked if she would be there on Saturday.

  “Did he really ask?” Clarice said.

  “Yes, I wouldn’t tease you. Wear your prettiest work clothes. That place is old and most likely dirty, but you can look beautiful and dusty.” Kellie smiled.

  “I need new jeans. I’ll shop after work, see you Saturday,” Clarice broke off the call.

  #####

  Kellie and Taylor arrived at Lydia’s home before nine o’clock on Saturday morning. Kellie stood and stared up at the large house.

  “I have never been here before; this home is lovely. It’s not as large as the other mansions I have seen, but it’s a stately home,” Kellie said to Taylor who was also staring at the house.

  “I agree. It looks as if it has been well maintained. The paint is fresh, and the brickwork is clean. The gardens are still being watered and weeded. Lydia made sure her home remained beautiful. Do you want to go inside before Clarice arrives?” Taylor asked.

  “Yes, if there are spirits, I want to see if I can feel them. You’re used to my connection with them. I think Clarice is a bit too sensitive to deal with spirits. Let’s go in.”

  Taylor and Kellie walked up the brick stairs holding wrought iron handrails. Kellie inserted the key into one of the two oak doors while admiring the etched glass in the door’s windows. The large door swung open silently. Kellie stepped into a home that rivaled a museum.

  Kellie turned and said to Taylor, “I can’t believe this house is completely decorated. Mr. Roylind said the family has removed what they wanted. Everything else belongs to the charity. I can see furniture in the parlor. This gift is more than I would have expected even from Lydia.”

  Taylor disappeared into the dining room. She peered around the corner and said, “Wait until you see this room. They left the entire dining set. There’s a table that seats twelve. This will be wonderful for the kids. For some reason, no one took the china. It’s a beautiful set. Do you think we can sell what we don’t need? Unbreakable plates work better with the kids,” she laughed.

  “I’ll ask Mr. Roylind or better yet, I think I’ll have Deborah call him. If all of this belongs to the charity, we should be able to sell it. Some of the furniture isn’t a good idea around the kids. There’s a brocade sofa and chairs in the parlor along with heavy oak tables. Come and look at the crystal lamps. These would be broken the first day,” Kellie said.

  “They’re beautiful,” Taylor said as she walked into the parlor. “Have you sensed any spirits yet?”

  “Not at all, let’s check out the rest of the house.” She walked toward the hall, stopped and listened. “I don’t feel any spirits. That doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding.”

  The fully equipped modern kitchen surprised them. “For some reason I was expecting a wood burning stove,” Taylor said.

  “I agree, but it’s all stainless steel. A double stove and ovens, that’s an industrial size refrigerator and dishwasher,” Kellie added. “Here’s a pantry big enough to hold a month’s worth of groceries.” She turned in a complete circle to take in the enormous room.

  “There’s a full-size redone bathroom and laundry room next to the back door. Lydia had this house updated where needed. The rest looks like it hasn’t been touched for over a century,” Taylor called from down
the hall.

  “It’s going to save a lot of work and money. I hope the rest of the house is as beautiful.”

  “I can’t wait to see the upstairs.” Taylor ran up the back stairs she found off the kitchen. Kellie followed her.

  They discovered fully furnished bedrooms. A master bedroom and four smaller rooms, plus two more modern bathrooms surprised them.

  “Lydia knew how to live in style and comfort,” Kellie said.

  “I half expected to find outhouses until I saw the bathroom downstairs,” Taylor said.

  “I’m happy to find two large bathrooms. We have one for boys and one for girls. We’ll be able to use the house right away while the monastery is being remodeled. I doubt it was kept up this well,” Kellie said peeking behind a shower curtain to find a modern tub and shower.

  “Good idea, one more floor to check out. Any spirits yet?”

  Kellie shook her head. “Not yet?”

  “Let’s go up,” Taylor said. She grabbed Kellie’s arm. “Do you hear whistling?”

  “Yes, it’s coming from upstairs. Maybe someone is working up there. That tune sounds vaguely familiar.”

  The attic was divided into two large rooms. One was empty, and the other contained a dozen or more boxes. Kellie and Taylor couldn’t find anyone working.

  “Who was whistling,” Taylor asked?

  “I don’t know, but I recognize the tune. It’s an old song. I have a music box that plays the tune.”

  “Who was whistling, was it a human or spirit. Are you able to tell?” Taylor asked squinting at Kellie.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t feel a spirit here now, but I sense one has walked these two rooms recently. Hmm, I think the tune is Beethoven’s Fur Elise.”

  “I don’t hear it now so maybe the spirit is gone. I wonder what’s in all the boxes.” Taylor mused.

  Kellie shrugged. “We’ll form an unpacking committee,” she said and smiled. “I’m not going through all of that. Maybe there are things the family wants and didn’t get up here. I’ll ask Deborah to call Lydia’s niece, she loves to call people more than anyone I know.”

  Taylor looked out the window. “Clarice just pulled up. “We should go downstairs and meet her.”

  “Okay and she’ll be happy to hear I didn’t see any ghosts. Let’s not mention the whistling,” Kellie said as she headed down the stairs.

  #####

  Clarice climbed out of her car wearing a new pair of dark blue jeans and a light blue t-shirt with multi-colored butterflies covering the front and up and over the left shoulder. Her short bouncy brown hair looked freshly cut and blown dry. It wasn’t her usual casual straight style. Light purple glasses couldn’t hide the sparkle in her deep brown eyes.

  “Hi,” she waved. “When is Bill going to be here?”

  “He said ten; do you want to see the house before he arrives?” Kellie asked.

  Clarice ran up the steps, “Did you find any ghosts?”

  Kellie shook her head, and Clarice ran past her into the house. Kellie and Taylor could hear her call out her pleasure as she ran from room to room. Her voice was muffled, and they knew she was in the attic.

  Kellie whispered, “I don’t think she hears any whistling.”

  Taylor shrugged. “You’re not with her. It must have been a ghost.”

  Clarice was smiling as she returned to the foyer. “This house is wonderful for what we need. If the monastery is half this nice, we can expand our charity sooner than we hoped.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Kellie said.

  Clarice sat at the dining room table admiring the décor and furnishings. “I’m glad you didn’t hear any ghosts or hellhounds,” she said looking at Kellie.

  “Hellhounds? What are you talking about?” Kellie stared at her.

  “I watched a show last night about ghosts. Hellhounds protect ghosts and graveyards. I was worried if there was a ghost in the house, they might be near.” She leaned forward staring straight back into Kellie’s eyes. “You don’t suppose there are any near the monastery graveyard, do you?”

  “No, Clarice, I don’t. I have seen spirits in houses, graveyards, and my bedroom, but none of them ever had a hellhound.” Kellie twirled her hair around her right index finger.

  “Whew,” Clarice let out a long breath. “Those hounds are scary. They are huge black dogs with red eyes and fiery breath.”

  Taylor bit her tongue to keep from laughing and asked, “Did you see one on the show? How do you know what they look like?”

  Clarice shivered and wrapped her arms around her chest. “The person narrating the show described them. He went into great detail.”

  Kellie reached out and touched her arm, “Don’t worry Clarice, there aren’t any hellhounds near here. I think I hear a truck.”

  Clarice jumped up and smiled, “It’s Bill.”

  “I’m glad it wasn’t a hellhound,” Taylor whispered.

  Kellie tried not to smile but thought, “I pray I never see one.”

  Bill Clifford met the three women outside of Lydia’s house a little after ten o’clock.

  Clarice was blushing before he got out of his truck.

  “Hi,” Bill said. “I checked the local building inspector’s office for records on the house and several building permits were issued for improvements over the past forty years. Each passed final inspection including the newer furnace and air conditioning systems.” He glanced down at his clipboard. “Since we’re starting early, we should check out the monastery. I think it might take me all week. Next Saturday, I’ll bring my partner, and I’ll check the house while he does the roof and then we’ll both go over the roof at the monastery. I have a feeling that’s where you’re going to have problems.”

  Kellie nodded. “I think you’re right. We’ve walked through the house, and the bathrooms and kitchen look updated and I didn’t feel any drafts or see water spots on any of the ceilings.”

  Bill lifted his hand and pointed at the house, “That’s good to hear. It may be in near perfect condition. Shall we see how bad the monastery is?”

  #####

  As Kellie stood on the steps of Lydia’s house hoping Bill was right, Wills was sitting at his small table with his open laptop. He typed “Kellie Conley” into the search box, and several links appeared. He noticed the most recent concerned her as president of a children’s charity. The article bored him, but he was intrigued by the picture accompanying the article. It was a nice clear picture of four women standing in front of the local library where they held their meetings. Two of the women meant nothing to Wills. He would know Kellie anywhere, and Taylor’s red hair was still as vibrant as when they were kids. “Monday,” he thought, “I’ll find the closest library and print this picture.”

  Wills smiled as he closed the laptop. “Soon girls you will be mine. I can’t wait to play. It has been a long time since I’ve seen you.” He laughed, stood, and strolled to the beach for a swim.

  #####

  On the way to her SUV, Kellie’s phone rang. She looked at Taylor. “It’s Claudia.”

  Taylor bit her lip. “Answer it. I doubt it is good news.”

  “Hi Claudia. Yes, I’m wearing it now. I put it back on the night Holly appeared in my room. What? Two of them, you’re sure. Okay, if I do I’ll let you know.”

  Taylor was in the SUV when Kellie finished her call. As they drove to the monastery, Kellie filled her in on the half of the conversation she couldn’t hear.

  “Claudia asked if I was wearing my amulet. She’s concerned the spirits might try and pull me to them the way Katrina May did before she entered the light.”

  “Spirits? She said spirits? How many? Did she tell you?”

  Kellie took a deep breath. “She senses one spirit here at the house and another at the monastery. She said one is sad and the other evil. The evil one travels between the two buildings.”

  Taylor rubbed her temples. “Here we go again. Could that be who was whistling?”

  “There’s more.”


  “How many more?” Taylor’s eyes widened.

  “They aren’t here, but Claudia senses Wills has killed again, and those spirits may try and contact me, too.”

  “No, no, no,” Taylor dropped her head into her hands. “This can’t be happening.”

  “I don’t like it either. Don’t let Clarice know. She’s looking for hellhounds. If she knows there are two spirits around she’ll convince herself that she’s seen them.”

  “Okay, but what about Wills. Do you think he’s coming back here?” Taylor glanced over her shoulder as they drove.

  “I hope not,” Kellie said. “I can only handle one problem at a time.”

  By the time they pulled up to the monastery, Kellie could feel a headache building.

  Chapter Six

  Kellie and Taylor drove out of the driveway headed for the monastery. Clarice followed in case her mother called, and she’d have to leave. They arrived at the monastery before Bill.

  Clarice ran over to Kellie’s SUV and climbed into the back seat to wait.

  “I hope this inspection goes as well as the one for the house. If it does, we can start renovating. I have a long list of volunteers willing to work or donate supplies. The county loves the idea of having a place where women can feel safe along with the children. I never thought we’d have room enough for everyone. God rest Lydia’s soul. I think she knew this would happen,” Clarice said. She was bouncing in her seat as she watched for Bill’s truck. The fact they were both single helped Clarice’s excitement.

  “He’ll be here soon, Clarice. Are you going to ask him out for coffee today?” Taylor asked.

  “I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do. He might think I’m easy.” Clarice hung her head.

  Clarice was fifteen years older than Kellie and Taylor, and Kellie thought her ideas were sweet even if a bit old-fashioned. “Clarice, today it is perfectly okay for a woman to ask a man out. It’s only coffee, not a weekend rendezvous.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll ask him. Let me show him down to the cellar and talk with him. Oh, he’s here,” she muttered as she hurried from the car.