SUMMER OF EVIL

by Marianne Spitzer

  “He looks broken hearted,” Taylor whispered.

  “This is horrible. I can’t believe Clarice is gone. Uncle Mike just pulled up,” Kellie answered.

  Bill walked back to the birdbath with his head down watching his feet as he walked. He tipped the birdbath and slowly poured the water onto the grass. He looked up at Kellie and Taylor, “I’ll go up to Lydia’s house and get a few buckets of clean water to wash that away.”

  They watched him exchange a few words with Mike before he drove away.

  #####

  Mike walked up to the two pale young women and asked, “How the hell did this happen?”

  “We don’t know, Uncle Mike. She was terrified when we heard the strange howling again. We heard her yell ‘hellhound’ and couldn’t find her. Bill was on the roof, and he saw her running away from the building,” Kellie said.

  Mike replied, “He told me that. What did you see?”

  Taylor was crying, and Kellie continued. “Nothing. Bill ran ahead and found her first. We followed, and he tried to save her life, but she was gone. There was so much blood.” Kellie brushed the tears off her face. “I’ve never seen so much blood. She wasn’t out of view long. It was maybe two or three minutes. I don’t understand. Bill saw the wound before he tried to stop the bleeding and thought she’d been stabbed.”

  “Stay here,” Mike ordered and he strode toward the side of the building and headed around the side.

  Taylor mumbled, “He’s going to be mad. He won’t let us come back here.”

  “We’re adults and the charity owns the property. He can’t keep us away,” Kellie said. She crossed her arms, twisted her lip, and glanced at Taylor.

  “He could declare the property a crime scene for a year. That would do it and if he thought it would work, he would.”

  Kellie sighed and agreed. “Yes, he would try. We’ll convince him that we’ll stay away until he finishes the investigation.”

  Taylor shrugged. “Hope it works.”

  Bill returned in his truck and removed two five gallon white buckets from the back of the truck. He dumped one bucket of the clear water over the bloody grass area and the second into the bird bath then emptied it. He walked back toward his truck. Bill looked over his shoulder at Taylor and Kellie, “I’m going to walk back and see Detective Stellion and Clarice. She shouldn’t be alone. Are you going to call her folks?”

  “I’m not sure. I think Uncle Mike will do it,” Kellie answered.

  Taylor’s tears returned. “He did care about her. I feel as if I should hide in a cave. I’m tired of losing people.” She leaned against Kellie and grabbed her hand.

  “Me, too.”

  #####

  Staring at the trees across the drive, Kellie heard a vehicle approach. Taylor saw it first.

  “Not again, here comes the coroner’s van.”

  Kellie looked up in time to see Dr. Webster wave at her from the passenger seat. She waved her fingers back.

  “He’s wearing his favorite brown suit again. I hope he doesn’t want to speak with us. I know Uncle Mike said to stay put, but we’ll get sunburned if we sit out here for too long. Let’s go peek out of the kitchen windows. Maybe we can see when he’ll be back to talk to us.”

  “Good idea,” Taylor said as she stood. “I have a feeling we’re going to get a lecture.”

  “I don’t know why, we didn’t do anything.”

  “Uncle Mike doesn’t need a reason.”

  “True,” Kellie said. “This has been a horrible day. I want to go home. I know Uncle Mike will get mad, but I’m calling Cole. He has to let Andrea know before the news gets wind of this. She and Clarice have been working together on the donations.”

  Right on cue, the local television station’s van pulled up. The voice of the reporter who drove Kellie to distraction after her grandfather’s evil dealings came to light floated into the monastery.

  “Yoo Hoo, is anyone here?”

  Kellie spun on her heel and doubled her fists.

  Taylor grabbed her. “Let me handle it.” She stormed to the foyer of the monastery. “Get out of here. This is private property. Detective Stellion is in the back. Do I need to get him to show you the way?”

  The cameraman was recording, and Taylor shouted, “If this appears on TV tonight I will sue you. Believe me, Kellie and I will not tolerate your behavior again.”

  “Humph, I figured she’d be here.” The young woman tugged on her suit jacket and ran her hands through her hair before she stepped in front of the camera. “We’re here at the …”

  Kellie strode into the room holding her phone. “You’re trespassing. I’m calling 911 to have you removed.”

  The reporter shook her head and walked out the door. The cameraman turned his head and smiled in Kellie’s direction.

  Taylor whispered, “I don’t think he likes her either.”

  #####

  Kellie finished her call to Cole as Mike walked in the monastery door. “I thought I told you to wait.”

  “We did,” Taylor said. “It was hot and we didn’t want to get sunburned, so we came back in here. There’s nothing to investigate in here.”

  “Maybe, but Clarice was inside when she heard what she thought was a hellhound. Maybe the sound originated inside.”

  “I don’t know if it did, Uncle Mike,” Kellie added. “It sounded as if it came from the building, but I think it was Luther’s ghost.” She tapped her foot and stared at him.

  “Is that why she ran outside?” Mike stared back at her.

  Kellie shrugged.

  “Have you seen anything strange here?” He walked through the kitchen checking the doors and cabinets.

  “Not since the body in the cellar. This is the first time we have spent much time here since we found the body. Was Bill right? Did someone stab Clarice?”

  She knew before Mike looked at her that he wouldn’t answer. “I can’t say, the coroner will determine that.”

  “Figures, you’re supposed to be the smartest cop in town and never tell me anything.”

  “Don’t be a smart aleck.”

  She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Then stop treating me like a kid. Clarice was my friend. She died when she was here with me. Dead people talk to me. You listen and ask questions then, why not now? If I have to answer you, you should answer me.” She stood her ground and refused to let him see her tears.

  “I give up. You’re as stubborn as your dad. God rest his soul. I could never win an argument with him either. When I know anything, I’ll call you. Is that good enough?” Not waiting for an answer, he turned and went back outside.

  Taylor said, “Oh boy, he’s angry. I’m surprised he didn’t yell.”

  “He's acting nice because of what happened today.” She pulled out her phone and texted Mike that she and Taylor were going to Lydia’s house to wait for him if he needed to talk to them again.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  #####

  Neither Kellie nor Taylor was in any mood to do much in Lydia’s house. They sat in the parlor and discussed what to do.

  “It’s too quiet in here,” Taylor said as she pulled out her phone and pulled up a music list. “That’s better. Now we won’t hear every odd crack and groan.”

  Kellie leaned back on the floral sofa and said, “Bill saw Clarice running toward the graveyard. We weren’t far behind. When we got there, she was already dead. You can see for hundreds of yards in all directions from where we found her. She must have been killed by a spirit.”

  “Luther’s?” Taylor asked while rubbing her hands together.

  “He seems to be the likely suspect. I can’t do anything until he appears. Using my white light only works if the spirit is in front of me. I’m able to do other things like getting out of the trunk at the Gotz Manor, but I was in danger and Claudia helped over the phone. I feel calm and safe here. There’s nothing I can do.” She leaned back and blew a breath out through her nose.

  “You sound as stresse
d as I feel. Next time we come here we need to bring a tea kettle and some tea. I would love a cup right now. I can’t believe Clarice is dead. I feel like screaming. I can imagine what Hunter will say,” Taylor said.

  “Cole was upset and worried about telling Andrea, but it is better coming from him than someone else at work or the news. He was going to tell her as soon as we hung up.” Kellie’s phone rang. She glanced at Taylor. “It’s Andrea.”

  Staring at the Caller ID on her phone for another moment, she scrunched her face. She took a deep breath and answered.

  “Hi, Andrea.” Kellie did her best to sound as cheerful as possible. “Yes, I know. Please don’t cry. I don’t want you to get sick. Okay, but let Cole spoil you and try not to overstress. We don’t have an answer. Yes, I know you were working with Clarice on the donations. That’s wonderful. I’ll tell Taylor. When Uncle Mike lets me know anything, I’ll call you. Love you.” Kellie dropped her head and set her phone on the coffee table.

  “I take it she’s upset,” Taylor said.

  “Yes, she is. People have been bringing donations into work and Cole has them stored in one of their spare bedrooms. She’s lost and confused about what to do without Clarice. She said Clarice organized everything. We have to find someone else to help her.” Kellie stood and stretched. “Waiting for Uncle Mike is getting to me.”

  “Me, too. Someone will volunteer to help Andrea.”

  Kellie rolled her eyes. “Deborah is going to have a field day with this. She’s going to think she can tell us all what to do or get the mayor involved. That man annoys me.”

  Taylor tried to smile. “You can handle him. Just threaten to call that annoying reporter. That might work.”

  Kellie nodded and said, “Finally, here’s Uncle Mike.”

  #####

  Kellie met Mike at the door. “Come in. What did you learn? Who killed Clarice? Do you have any idea? What did the coroner say?”

  “Take a breath, Kellie. You know I can’t tell you police business.” He slid a hand in his pocket and raised his eyebrows.

  She balled her fists and placed them on her hips. “Taylor and I aren’t just anybody. We were there when she died. You’re our uncle, and you know about my abilities. What if her ghost shows up? I need some answers.”

  Mike turned and slammed the door. “I don’t have any, okay. I have a dead woman lying in an overgrown graveyard. If anyone ran off they would have left a trail or stomped on the weeds and tall grass. Nothing was disturbed except where the two of you, Bill, and the paramedics trampled the area when they tried to save Clarice. There are no witnesses or suspects. The case is cold before it had a chance to heat up. Do I believe it was a ghost? I don’t know what to think.” He strode across the room, spun on his heel and glared at Kellie. “Was it a ghost?”

  “I don’t know Uncle Mike. I’m sorry I upset you; she was our friend.” Kellie sat back down next to Taylor and glanced at Mike out of the corner of her eyes.

  Mike dropped into a chair and tapped his hands on his knees. “What I tell you goes nowhere else. I’m only telling you in case Clarice’s spirit does visit you. Doc believes she was stabbed the way Bill said. The odd thing is when they moved her; they found a knife under her body. Doc said it looks similar to the knife we found in the monastery basement. It was old and rusty.”

  Taylor leaned forward and looked at her Uncle Mike. “Luther Wentz killed Clarice the same way he killed Adelaide. I think he’s angry with all of us for finding her. If he bricked up a wall, he wanted to keep it secret. Luther must have been insane in life and now in death.” She pursed her lips hard and rocked back and forth. “I think he wants all of us dead. He’s angry.”

  Mike shrugged and shook his head. “It’s hard for me to accept that a ghost is responsible.”

  “Well,” Kellie said, “We all heard the howling. Clarice screamed about a hellhound. She may have seen a vision. If Luther’s spirit is real, he could have a hellhound. They’re supposed to guard graveyards. Maybe he has one to keep people away from Victor’s grave. For all we know, he killed Victor, too.” Her eyes pleaded with Mike to understand about the spirits.

  “I’m not sure what to think. I’ll do my best to investigate. I sent Bill home. You should leave, too. I have to notify Clarice’s family.” Rubbing his hands together, he took a deep breath. “This is the part of the job I hate.”

  Kellie and Taylor hugged Mike, and they left together.

  Chapter Nine

  Three days after the coroner released the body of Clarice Winters, the city of Malone Springs held a funeral for one of its favorite citizens. The Winters family had resided in the town as long as the Malones and several other prominent families.

  Clarice’s parents, Harry and Veronica, were active in civic affairs and owned the local hardware store. Her brother, Brad, taught history at the high school and coached Varsity football, another brother, Steven was a lawyer living in New York, the youngest sibling, Cynthia, was a stay at home mom with three children under the age of ten. A close-knit family, the children, did their best to console their parents.

  #####

  Kellie was tired of funerals and black dresses. She wanted to remember Clarice’s life not her death. She dressed in a navy blue suit with a white blouse. Taylor, feeling the same as Kellie, rang her doorbell wearing a simple light brown dress. Both young women were dressed appropriate, but not depressingly dark.

  The church was filled with most of the city residents. Pink flowers covered the front of the church. Everyone knew Clarice loved pink and remembered her with her favorites. Clothed in a pink dress, Clarice appeared to be sleeping. The softness of her skin in life was preserved in death.

  Bill, dressed in a dark suit, spoke to Clarice and walked back to a pew. His face was pale and pain was hidden behind the tears he tried to keep from forming in his eyes.

  Clarice’s brother Steven gave a moving eulogy and most of the mourners cried before he finished.

  Kellie and Taylor were concerned about Andrea’s health, but she sat stoically through the service. Cole insisted she remain behind when the others went to the cemetery, and they met everyone for the luncheon.

  Cole agreed to stop hovering long enough to let Andrea sit with her charity friends and he sat with Hunter and other men being ignored by the women gathered at the table of charity members.

  #####

  Andrea had taken the day off and Cole wanted to drive her home. Kellie suggested he could return to work and she’d take Andrea to her house. Taylor had also taken the day off and the three could spend a few hours catching up. Kellie asked him to occupy Andrea for a bit since she needed to speak with Claudia first.

  As the mourners hurried to their cars after the funeral luncheon, Claudia caught up with Kellie and Taylor. They walked outside and sat at a picnic table between the church and parking area.

  “Is something wrong?” Taylor asked grabbing the amulet she wore around her neck.

  “Yes and no,” Claudia said. The wind blew her short dark brown hair into her face. She brushed it away and smiled. The new bright red streaks in her hair made her look younger than her forty plus years.

  Kellie sat, placing her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand. She looked up at Claudia. “You should sit and tell us what’s wrong.”

  Taylor sat next to Kellie swinging her legs over the bench. Clutching her purse to her chest, she bit her lip waiting for Claudia to speak.

  Claudia nodded and sat across from them. “I have heard some chatter about the evil in the woods walking again.”

  “What?” Taylor mumbled. “There’s more evil besides Luther’s ghost?” She dropped her head into her hands.

  “I don’t like where this is going, but tell us Claudia. We need to be prepared.” Kellie placed her hands on the picnic table and drew in a deep breath.

  Claudia looked at Kellie, “I have heard rumors for years about an evil that lives in the woods near the old monastery. It was held at bay by the monks when the mo
nastery disturbed it. Some say Luther learned how to control it. Before the monastery closed, the evil asked for a blood sacrifice, and he killed the monks. Years later the evil asked for another blood sacrifice, and he killed Adelaide. Some believe the evil killed Luther, and he lives in the woods protecting the evil from detection and doing its bidding.”

  “It’s bidding? What does it want?” Kellie asked her eyes opened wide staring at Claudia.

  “Blood.”

  “Blood, that’s all you can say,” Taylor moaned. She pushed away from the table, stood, and walked to a nearby tree. She leaned against the tree feeling her heart pounding in her chest and neck. She closed her eyes to stop the wave of vertigo. Bile rose in her throat, and she fought the urge to lose what she had eaten minutes earlier.

  Kellie hurried to her side. “Are you all right? You’re pale and shaking. Do you want to wait in the car while I speak to Claudia?”

  “No, I needed to walk away for a moment. I’m okay. We have to hear what she has to say.” Taylor followed Kellie back to the bench and sat down. “I’m sorry, Claudia.”

  “No need to apologize. I understand and telling you this right after Clarice’s funeral makes it worse, but you need to know. I couldn’t wait.” She interlaced her fingers bouncing them on the table.

  Kellie said, “Please continue.”

  “There aren’t any legends or stories that I have heard about. I only know a bit now because of the spirit chatter and the fear they feel. It resides in the woods but can move wherever it wishes. From what I have heard, Luther kept it satisfied with an occasional sacrifice of a drifter camping near the area,” Claudia took a breath and pulled a sheet of paper from her purse.

  “What is that?” Taylor asked.

  “This was on my dresser when I woke this morning.” Claudia pushed the paper across the table.

  Kellie and Taylor looked at the rough drawing of trees, several crosses, a small square, and a red spot.

  “What’s this supposed to mean?” Kellie asked.

  “Occasionally, a spirit that doesn’t speak will leave me an image. I believe this is a warning that Clarice’s death was caused by Luther to appease the evil.”