All Taylor could do is watch helplessly as Thomas and Kellie spun across the roof. Head over heels Thomas spun her knowing she would lose her balance and be at his mercy.
Andrea reached for Max’s hand. “She needs our strength. You reach for her. We’ll stay connected.” She held her hand out to Cole. The three of them ran toward Kellie.
Taylor looked up at Hunter with tears filling her brown eyes. “She needs us, too. Let me go. I have to help her.”
He reluctantly nodded and followed behind Cole.
Kellie felt herself flipping head over heels again and again. She knew her white light must be keeping her balanced since she didn’t feel dizzy at all. When Thomas finally stopped, he spoke to Kellie. “It’s time for you to die.”
“I don’t think so,” she replied and felt Max’s hand on her arm. “It’s time for you to go to hell.” Strength surged through her, and she pushed Thomas back toward the fiery gateway. Black tendrils pulled him back faster.
The door leading from the library to the roof burst open, and two uniformed officers raced toward them. Lance and Mike were right behind them. Claudia walked onto the roof with her bright chartreuse cape billowing behind her.
Thomas let out a screech that rivaled anything Kellie heard before and the vortex flew straight up and disappeared into the clouds.
“He’s gone,” Hunter sighed. “Taylor is safe. We all are.”
“No,” Kellie said. “He’s not here, but he isn’t in hell either.”
“But,” Hunter insisted. “I saw the funnel disappear at the same time as the flames. They must have devoured him.”
Kellie shook her head. “When you pulled Taylor away, Thomas began to get the upper hand. He’s extremely strong. By the time Max and the rest of you connected again, I was ready to push him into the fire. When he saw Lance and Claudia, he knew he couldn’t win. He stopped fighting me and used his strength to leave. He escaped.”
“She’s right,” Claudia commented. “You’ll have to get him with the plan you and Lance conceived.”
“What plan is that?” Mike roared. “Kellie is forbidden to do anything like this again. I’ll arrest her and lock her in a cell to keep her safe if I need to.”
“And I’ll send good spirits to free her,” Claudia replied marching over to stand face to face with Mike needing to look up as he towered over her short frame. “Thomas must be contained, and only Kellie and Lance can accomplish that task.”
Mike swore under his breath trying to get a grip on the problem. All he could do is bark at people. Andrea was his first target.
“Andrea,” Mike snapped. “Call your mom. She’s freaking out. She keeps saying Kellie’s dead and driving Rita and Gina crazy.”
She bit her lip wanting to defend her mom, but Mike scared her at the moment. She turned her back and pulled out her cell phone.
The conversations quieted as Andrea called her mom. The last thing Mary Lou needed to hear was chaos on the other end of the call.
“Yes, Mom, we’re fine. All of us. Of course, that includes Kellie. No, she’s not dead. I wouldn’t be this calm if she were dead.” Andrea rolled her eyes and reached for Cole’s hand. “I promise, Mom, each of us is absolutely fine, and we’ll be back to Taylor’s soon. Please calm down. I don’t want you to scare Nathaniel. Oh, ok good. Breathe Mom, we’re all fine. Love you, too.”
Andrea turned to her friends. “Mom’s a bit shook up, but it’s okay. All the kids are napping now. Things are fine at home.” She did her best to smile.
Taylor glanced at Kellie and grinned. “At least, the kids slept through this.”
Kellie broke out in a stress busting laugh. “I wish I could have.”
Taylor hugged Kellie and whispered, “Are you sure your plan with Lance will work?”
“It has to. I’ll let you know when we’re ready. I need all of you there. I’m worried about Hunter. He was scared for you today.”
“He’ll be more afraid if Thomas isn’t stopped. Let me handle it. I bought a new sapphire blue teddy.”
Kellie laughed harder, and Taylor joined in. Hunter and Max looked at each other in confusion.
“What is the matter with the two of you? Stop laughing. This is serious,” Mike said.
Kellie ran over and hugged him. “Don’t worry, Uncle Mike. Things are going to work out just fine. You need to take it easy.” She kissed his cheek.
“I want to hear about this plan of yours,” Mike insisted.
“Sorry, no, I can’t tell you. We’ll all be safer if no one knows until Lance and I need your help. What you need to do is get all the videotape and clear Travis’ name. That was my goal with this encounter. I didn’t honestly expect to send Thomas to hell. He’s powerful. Lance and I will get him, but please make sure Travis’ family can grieve their son as a victim and not a criminal.” Kellie stared directly into his eyes.
Mike groaned. He knew that determined look all too well. He’d seen it since she was old enough to try and get her way.
His officers pulled him out of his thoughts. “We searched every inch of the roof sir, couldn’t find a thing.”
Mike nodded. “Write up your report and head back out on patrol.”
“Yes, sir,” the officers said in unison.
Lance strode over to Kellie and Max. “This played out pretty much the way you expected. He’ll be after you now. Are our plans still viable or do you think he’s too strong?”
“No,” Kellie answered wrapping her arms around her chest when the wind blew dry leaves across the roof. “He’s vain and arrogant. He proved that when he confessed to killing Molly. He’ll want to get even and think he has the upper hand. If he thinks he can get to Taylor in the bargain, he’ll let his guard down. It’s evident that destroying him may be next to impossible, but, for now, containing him is the answer. We’ll work on his elimination once he’s no longer a threat. Perhaps Claudia can come up with an answer.”
Hearing her name mentioned, Claudia strolled over to discuss the situation with Kellie and Lance. A light mist rolled in, and she pulled her cape tightly around her.
“You’re discussing Thomas’ eventual destruction. I’ll research what I can and speak to my spirit advisors. We’ll come up with an answer. For now, we should go inside. I think it’s going to rain harder, and the head librarian needs some assurances that crazy people haven’t invaded the library. She’s not happy that we rushed in and out through the rooftop door.” Claudia turned and strode toward the open door her cape billowing behind her like a great wild bird.
Mike followed Claudia through the door, and the seven friends quickly hurried after him. Mike stopped dead in his tracks when he came face to face with an angry librarian. He never realized anyone could use such a forceful and harsh tone in a whisper.
“Do you have any idea what kind of disturbance you caused in my quiet library. You ran through here like a bunch of wild animals and didn’t wait for the key to the door. If it is broken, you will be sorry. I know who you are Mike Stellion, and I’ll see to it that you’re banned from the library.” She crossed her arms and stared at Mike.
Mike tried to whisper back, but his voice was louder than he thought, “You can send a bill to the city for any repairs. We were here on police business.”
Lance's interruption broke her scowl.
He spoke up in barely a whisper. “Sorry for the noise ma’am, but the door is fine. It isn’t broken.”
“That’s impossible,” she murmured while walking toward the door. She glared at each of Kellie’s friends as they passed her in the storage room. “This door has a deadbolt that can only be opened with a key.” She checked it, and the door worked perfectly.
She turned and squinted at Lance. He smiled. “I told you we didn’t break it.”
Mike grabbed his arm. “You were at the door first. How did you open it without breaking it? I saw you pull on it. It was locked, and then it opened. I thought you unlocked it.”
“Professional secret,” Lance laughed.
Mike shook his head and stormed out of the storeroom.
Kellie slowed her pace giving Mike enough time to leave the building before her. She didn’t need another confrontation. The librarian didn’t smile but didn’t scowl at her either. Kellie decided to wait a month or longer before returning to the library. She pushed the front door open and stepped out into the rain.
The television reporter stood next to her van covering herself the best she could with a large umbrella bearing the station’s logo. When she spotted Kellie, she rushed across the street.
“Here we go again,” Kellie said to her friends and hurried down the stairs. Heading to the corner to try and get to her vehicle before the reporter caught up with her proved fruitless.
“Miss Conley, Miss Conley, please wait. I’d like a statement. You called for the press conference remember,” the reporter called.
Kellie stopped and turned. The woman was right, she’d asked for the press to be present. She spoke directly into the camera. “Please, my name is Kellie Noles. Mrs. Max Noles. I assume you were able to record everything you heard Thomas say. I would appreciate it if you didn’t let this story die until the police have cleared Travis’ name completely. Also, Thomas possessed his body and killed him. That young man did not commit suicide. Be sure people know that. His family needs to know that. Thomas is still nearby somewhere. I will find him and eliminate him. You have my word. Thank you. That’s all I have to say.” Kellie turned and hurried to her SUV with her friends and the reporter on her heels.
Max stopped the reporter. “You have her statement. That’s all for today. I’m taking my wife home. Don’t follow us there or you’ll be dealing with Detective Stellion.”
Max slid behind the wheel of the SUV and started the engine. Rain poured down in sheets, and the TV reporter still stood there calling questions Kellie couldn’t understand.
Kellie sighed. “I think I better put out a detailed press release after we get home. They’ll camp on the street again if I don’t. The neighbors don’t deserve the craziness that comes when the press descends on us.”
~ * ~
Max pulled into his garage and parked the SUV. He and Kellie followed their four friends to Taylor’s house. Before they closed the door, they were barraged with questions.
Mary Lou sobbed as she hung onto Andrea’s shoulder. “My poor baby. I was so worried about you. You might have been killed. What would have happened to Nathaniel? What is wrong with you? Better yet, what is wrong with you, Cole?” She turned, and her eyes landed on Cole.
He swore under his breath and knew daggers and fire would shoot from her eyes at any minute as he waited for the expected assault. “You promised to protect my daughter. What kind of man are you? I’m taking her and Nathaniel home. Andrea wants a divorce.”
“I do not, Mom,” Andrea insisted looking her mom squarely in the eyes. “Settle down. You’re overreacting again. Everyone is fine. I'm all right. Cole and I are happy. No one is divorcing. Mom, please sit down. Why don’t you call dad?”
“I should do that,” Mary Lou mumbled as she made her way to the kitchen with her cell phone in hand. “He won’t be happy; I can tell you that right now.”
Cole hugged Andrea and whispered, “No, he won’t after she unloads on him.”
Andrea punched him in the arm and smiled. She reached down and picked up Nathaniel and held him close to her chest.
Max and Kellie each held one of their daughters and spoke with Rita. She explained, “Mike called and told me you were okay, but he’s upset. It goes against every grain of his fiber to believe a ghost is responsible for that young woman’s murder even though he heard the confession with his own ears.”
“I know,” Kellie answered. “He didn’t seem happy when we left the library, but he knows the truth now.”
“The whole town knows,” Rita answered. “The entire event was live on TV.” She reached out and tickled the girls and made them giggle. “Good thing Gina was here. She helped keep Mary Lou calm.”
Rita glanced over at a calm Gina speaking quietly to Hunter.
Taylor walked over and hugged Rita. Her aunt smiled and said, “You’re sure you’re okay, honey. I worried when I saw you rush toward the building and then appear on the rooftop. After Wills Berner had kidnaped you, I didn’t think I’d ever be that frightened again. Today proved me wrong, but I’m proud you stuck up for Kellie and helped her. You two have been invincible since you were three.” She wrapped her arms around Taylor and a wiggling Ethan.
Hunter sat down next to Taylor and lifted Ethan from her arms. “How’s my little man?” Ethan’s gurgles made Hunter laugh. He reached for his wife’s hand, and she gripped it tightly. She couldn’t remain angry with Hunter.
Mary Lou appeared back in the living room shouting orders. “Miles is not happy about this. I interrupted a meeting. He said he’ll speak to you about your behavior at dinner. Get the baby’s things. We’re leaving.”
“The hell you are,” Cole stated.
“That’s enough, Mother. I’m not going with you. I’m going home with my husband and son where I belong. Tell father he can call me, but he can’t change my mind.” She leaned against Cole and ran her fingers back and forth over her forehead.
“Well,” Mary Lou declared. “We’ll see won’t we?” She reached for her purse and stormed out.
Cole said, “Next time we need a sitter, we’re calling my mom.”
Andrea nodded in agreement.
Gina took a cue from Mary Lou’s departure and stood. “I think it’s a good thing that we leave and let you have some quiet time. It’s been quite a day.”
She and Rita hugged everyone and walked out together.
Cole checked out the window and said, “Your mom left. I think we should go home before she gets the idea of calling out the Army and showing up at the house.”
After saying their goodbyes, Kellie and Max followed Cole and Andrea outside. They waved as their friends drove off and headed home for a peaceful evening.
Chapter Eight
Max and Kellie stopped at Cooper’s for lunch following church services the next morning. After settling the girls next to them on the booth seat and ordering coffee and orange juice, Max looked up from his menu and caught Kellie’s eye.
“What?” She asked lowering her menu. “Something’s on your mind. I could tell this morning. In church, your mind wandered especially during the sermon.”
“The pastor preached about the evils dwelling among us. I know he mentioned heavy drinking, drugs, and general debauchery—his favorite word—but I think he watched you on the news yesterday.”
“I’m sure someone in the congregation called him to let him know. He didn’t seem any different than any other Sunday. He wished us a blessed day and said he’d pray for our family. He’s said that before.” She smiled hoping to convince him that life was still normal for them.
Before Max could respond, the waitress appeared to take their order. When she walked away, Max whispered. “He saw you fight an evil spirit. I think the entire congregation did. Couldn’t you feel a bit of tension in the church as if they waited for something to happen?”
“I did, but they should be happy I was there in case something did happen.” She smiled at Max again.
“Kellie.”
“I know. I know. Seriously, what is bothering you? You were tense last night, before church, and more so now. I can’t change what happened yesterday. I can’t keep Thomas from trying to come after me. All I can do is make the first move and beat him at his own game.” She took a sip of coffee keeping her eyes glued to Max over the top of her cup.
“I know, and that’s what worries me. I have a bad feeling about you and Lance confronting Thomas again. I think that feeling is shared by our church friends, and the pastor was doing his best to warn you about evil without coming straight out and saying don’t do anything. He knows you well enough that you won’t listen to him or me or anyone. You’re stubborn Kellie Noles.”
>
Kellie opened her mouth to answer him when the waitress reappeared with their meals. After she had set the plates down, she leaned over and whispered to Kellie, “I saw you on TV yesterday. Thank goodness there are people like you to combat evil. I never really believed in ghosts until now. You’ll get rid of him for good, right?”
Kellie nodded, “I promise.”
The waitress smiled and hurried off to refill their coffee cups.
Picking up her fork, she said, “Please let’s talk about this later. I’m hungry.”
A frowning Max agreed.
~ * ~
Taylor and Hunter sat down at her parent’s table for a Sunday family dinner. Taylor fussed over Ethan and Hunter scowled. Taylor’s dad watched them both before he spoke.
“Okay, you two, what’s up?” Joseph Stewart asked not taking his eyes off his son-in-law and daughter. “Does this have something to do with yesterday? It was quite a show, but your mom explained it all when she came home. I can’t say I approve of putting yourself in danger, but I know you’d walk through fire for Kellie. Is that what’s worrying you, Hunter? You wonder what Taylor might get into.”
“She’s crazy, sir. She won’t listen to reason. We have a child, and she thinks she’s invincible. I tried talking sense to her. I tried grounding her. I forbade her to do it. I ran out of options. Then she comes walking out in a new blue teddy she bought thinking she can change my mind.” Hunter ran his hands through his hair.
Joseph’s eyebrows rose, and Gina bit back a laugh at the over abundant amount of information.
Taylor slugged Hunter’s arm. “Really? You’re telling my parents that? What’s next?”
Hunter’s face turned red and he glanced at his father-in-law. “I’m sorry, sir. That was a bit out of line. I’m frustrated and worried.”
“Understandable, but by now you should realize that when Taylor sets her mind to something, she’ll follow through.” He glanced at his wife who was nodding in agreement.
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