The Haunting at Sebring Hotel (A Riveting Haunted House Mystery Series Book 13)

by J. S. Donovan

  Stephen smiled, “It's not about what you feel. It’s about what He’s done. That’s what faith is. Do you believe it?”

  “You know I do,” Fritz said, taking offense.

  Stephen said, “I’m talking about real faith. Not just believing there is a God, but trusting Him.”

  “How? He’s brought me to the end of my rope. I’m living out of a suitcase!”

  Stephen struggled to let out his next words, but it was the truth. “Maybe He’s not the one you should be blaming. A lot of things happen that aren’t in His will, but they still happen. It doesn’t mean He’s not the head honcho, but that we make our choices. Sin often leads to death. Thank God we have a savior in Christ.”

  Fritz asked, “But where’s He at today? I’m still in the same spot.”

  “Where does the Word say He is?”

  “In my heart,” Fritz said, defeated.

  Stephen shouted, “Hallelujah! Now, why don’t you talk to Him? He’ll help you get this stuff sorted out.”

  Fritz checked his watch. “I gotta get going.”

  Stephen said, “The breakthrough will happen. You got to push, get close to Him, and let Him do the rest.”

  Fritz nodded in deep thought. He said, “I’ll see you around, Father.”

  Head down, he walked to the lobby and out of Stephen’s sight.

  Stephen took a deep breath.

  Anna returned in the middle of the afternoon. Walking around the hotel, Stephen waved at her. She smiled back, but her happy expression was faked and forced. Stephen made a mental note to talk to her later. Though unknowingly, the residents at Club Blue were his flock. He wanted to nurture them, groom them, and lead them to good pastures.

  Stephen turned the corner to the back of the hotel, happy to get some exercise. Andrew Warren sat on a stone bench and tossed seeds to the crows. They flocked to him, pecking around the grass and cawing at each other. The gentle-looking old man wore a checkered wool sweater vest over a long-sleeve sweater. His finely-combed hair was reminiscent of Mr. Rogers.

  “May I?” Stephen asked.

  Warren tossed another handful of seeds to the crows. “Be my guest.”

  Stephen lowered himself to the cold stone slab. He interlocked his fingers.

  A crow tilted its head at him. Caw!

  Stephen laughed softly. “All God’s creatures.”

  “He’s not doing a very good looking after them.” Warren’s voice had an edge.

  Stephen glanced at his ring. “You’re a Freemason, right?”

  “Proudly,” Warren replied.

  “Why?” Stephen asked.

  The question caused the old man pause. Warren turned to Stephen. “I’m not buying your crackpot religion.”

  Back in the clergy, a statement like that would’ve offended Stephen. Now, he was fascinated. Stephen said, “Okay. You made up your mind. I acknowledge that.”

  “Then why are you still here?” Warren asked.

  “I was hoping to get to know you,” Stephen replied.

  Warren glared at him.

  The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. Stephen stood up. He smiled kindly. “Have a wonderful day, Andrew.”

  The old man returned to feeding the birds.

  Stephen walked away. Fallen leaves crunched under his feet. He was curious about Warren’s hostility toward God. Freemasons believed in God and were open to a variety of faith joining them. Still, Stephen hadn’t met many Freemasons and had little understanding. Perhaps it was the concept of religion Warren despised.

  Stephen returned to the lobby. Anna stood behind the counter, reviewing her laptop. Her mouth was crunched to the side and her shoulders were tensed.

  Stephen approached. “Hey, how are you?”

  “Good,” Anna lied. She faked happiness. “You look well, Father. Is there anything I can get you? Towels? Shampoo?”

  “Everything is perfect, thank you, though,” Stephen said.

  “I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your stay,” Anna replied. She typed something. The screen reflected on her glassy eyes.

  Stephen lingered. Even though he’d worked with people his whole career, he was still uncertain how to approach certain topics. He cleared his throat and said, “I was wondering if you had anything you wanted to get off your chest.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, but I’m fine, actually,” Anna replied.

  “Ah,” Stephen said agreeably.

  An awkward silence filled the room.

  Stephen said, “Your boys did a fantastic job while you were away.”

  Anna’s face lit up. “Really? I mean, I expected nothing less.”

  “They’re really starting to step into their own,” Stephen replied. “Identity at their age is a big deal. They’re constantly bombarded with where to go to college and how to make friends and what clubs to join. I, for one, don’t miss those days.”

  “They’re good kids,” Anna said. “I’m hoping that we’ll get a chance to spend more family time together. Not that we don’t ever talk, but it’s getting harder.”

  Stephen said, “You’re not doing this alone.”

  “You’re talking about God?” Anna asked suspiciously.

  “That, but myself, as well.” A small smile grew up his face. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  Anna said, “That’s nice, but I have to figure out certain things myself.”

  “Understandable. If you ever just want someone to listen, I’m always available.” Stephen waited a moment, hoping she’d accept his offer. Not getting a reply, he started for the elevator.

  “Stephen,” Anna said.

  The priest stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Yes?”

  Anna asked, “You’re serious about that secret thing.”

  “Full confidentiality,” Stephen promised.

  Anna breathed in through her nose. She tapped her fingernails on the counter’s desk. Hesitant, “There’s something that’s been on my heart for a while. Are you available to speak now?”

  “Absolutely,” Stephen said, excited about what the Lord would do in the woman’s life. Anna led him to her office and asked him to shut the door.

  She leaned on the lip of the desk and crossed her arms, making herself tiny and guarded. She regretted inviting Stephen. He made sure to keep clear boundaries between them. He wasn’t there to hurt her, but to help. Posture and position mattered in situations like these.

  “What’s on your mind?” Stephen asked.

  “I’ve been…” She searched for the right word. “I guess, overwhelmed. With this job, the boys, and everything else that’s been happening has really pushed me to my limit, you know?”

  Stephen listened to her, extending silent sympathies.

  “It's like nothing ever goes right for me,” Anna said. “I work hard. I try my best to be a good mom. It’s all falling apart now. Frankly, I don’t know if it’s me or some sort of divine retribution. Whatever this rough patch is, I’m getting sick of it.” She glanced up at Stephen. “So, like, what do you think the problem is?”

  Stephen thought about it. “I don’t have enough information to say. When do you feel like things turned unfavorable for you?”

  Anna looked bitter, but the emotion was directed at herself. “I married this guy. I thought it would be true love and… he beat me.”

  “I’m sorry, Anna.”

  “Don’t be. I was the one who married him. And shared his bed for nineteen years.”

  Stephen said, “You were trapped. Your children might’ve been in danger. None of that is your fault.”

  “You expect me to believe that when I stood by as he struck my boy?”

  Stephen said, “It's not a black and white situation.”

  “Isn’t it your God with all the rules? I neglected my children. I submitted. I’m just as bad as James.”

  Stephen said, “Maybe you could’ve run away with them or called the police, but what happened, happened. Nothing will change that.”

  Tears welle
d up in Anna’s eyes. She avoided looking at Stephen.

  He took a step closer. “Anna. I understand. I mean, I’ve never lived through something like that, but God saw, and He knows your story.”

  Anna set her jaw. Her frustration and sadness turned to anger.

  Stephen said, “You have every right to be angry, but the bad things in your life are not some strange, twisted punishment. Sometimes, bad things just happen. Maybe it was a demonic thing, but could’ve just been a trial. I don’t know, but the Lord is good. The walk of faith isn’t a cakewalk, and I can’t promise you that every problem you have will go away. But you won’t ever be alone.”

  “Until I screw up again,” Anna remarked.

  Stephen looked at her sympathetically. “We all make choices we regret. It’s grace that saves us.”

  Anna raised her voice. “So I just believe and suddenly everything is okay? You don’t understand what I’ve done.”

  “And you don’t understand God’s mercy,” Stephen said gently. His own eyes watered at Anna’s expense.

  “I killed him, Stephen.”

  The air was sucked out of the room.

  Anna covered her mouth. Her hands trembled. “Oh no.”

  Stephen stood, petrified.

  Anna rushed to him and grabbed his upper sleeves. A tear rolled down her cheek. Her eyes stared deep into Stephen’s. Desperation shook her voice. “Please. You can’t tell anyone. They’ll take away my children. They’ll take away everything. Please, Father,” Anna moaned in sorrow. “I should’ve never said anything.”

  Stephen gently hugged her. “Shh. It’s all right.”

  Anna sobbed into his shoulder. She hugged him so tight he could hardly breathe. Stephen gently rubbed her back and continued to speak comforting words to her.

  They stayed like that for a long while.

  Stephen hadn’t felt the embrace of a woman for so long he forgot how warm it felt. He focused his thoughts on the predicament before him. Anna’s story tore at his heart.

  She pulled away from him. Her face was red and wet with tears and snot. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”

  Stephen opened his mouth, but the words lodged in his throat. “I…”

  Anna pleaded, “I’ll do anything. I just want to be free of this torment. I just want my boys to live a good life. That’s all.”

  Stephen said, “I’m here for you.”

  Anna pushed her body closer to his. “Promise?”

  Stephen’s heart raced. Her face was mere inches from his. Her desperate, beautiful eyes melted him.

  “No one else can know,” Anna said. “They’re already looking at me. One misstep and my life is over.”

  Stephen took a deep breath. He let go and carefully distanced himself from her, no longer allowing her body heat to dictate his decisions.

  “Stephen?”

  “You murdered someone,” he said.

  “What about grace? What about my family’s safety? James would beat Justin and verbally abuse Asher. He did things to me I can’t even put into words.”

  Stephen said, “I’m sorry, Anna…”

  “What does that mean?” she asked, crying again.

  “I…” He felt like he was tearing his own heart out.

  Anna trembled, she was so terrified. “Stephen, please.”

  “I… I promise I won’t tell,” Stephen compromised.

  Anna looked like a giant weight was lifted off her. She gave Stephen another quick hug. “Thank you, Stephen. Thank you for listening. I don’t have anyone else.”

  Stephen pursed his lips.

  Anna noticed the snot stains on Stephen’s inner shoulder. “Oh gosh. I’m so… so sorry.”

  “It’s nothing, really,” Stephen replied.

  “No, no. Let me clean up.”

  “You don’t have to—”

  Anna had already grabbed the tissue box from the desk and started to wipe Stephen’s uniform. He waited for her to finish. She wiped her own eyes. “I should probably get back out there.”

  “Right.”

  Anna thanked him again. Taking the tissue box, she hurried to the bathroom.

  Stephen lingered in the hallway. His mind was divided. He knew in situations like this, the police had to be contacted. Anna would lose everything. She returned from the bathroom after fixing her make-up.

  “We’ll talk soon,” she said as she hurried back to the lobby counter.

  Stephen replied with a smile and returned to his room.

  He walked a few paces before falling on his knees. “Oh, Lord. I messed up. I really messed up.”

  What now?

  “I don’t know. I call the police, I guess, but I gave her my word,” Stephen lowered his face to the floor. “God, her children. What will happen to them? Who will look after them? And this place where you’ve called me to settle. I thought I’d have a great purpose here.”

  You do.

  “Not if she goes to jail,” Stephen said.

  Rest.

  “Easier said than done,” Stephen replied.

  He rolled on his back and stretched his arms out to the sides. “I should’ve listened to you more.”

  The hours passed. Stephen fell in and out of rest, never coming to a clear solution to his problem. It was his duty to report crimes to the police. That was that. The Bible talked about obeying the laws of the land. Stephen’s mind kept going back to grace and mercy. He cared about Anna and her family. Though they had hardly gotten to know each other, Stephen imagined this relationship going somewhere. He wasn’t under the same restrictions that he was when he was part of the clergy. He could marry now. He wasn’t in love with Anna, but she was an attractive woman and had a certain charm. He knew such things shouldn’t change the facts of her crime. If every murderer was shown mercy just because they had a family or were well-liked, there would be anarchy. However, forgiveness was the most powerful agent of change.

  Stephen believed that Anna had only killed her husband out of necessity, but she could’ve gone to the police anytime. He didn’t judge her for her actions, but since Stephen knew about the murder, he’d be held responsible if he didn’t report it. His conscience gnawed at him. His confusion made it difficult for him to make a decision. Worry drowned out the voice of God.

  “Okay, I’m doing it,” he said to himself.

  He knew he needed to tell the police, but first, he was going to give Anna a heads-up. Also, he planned on going to the police station directly. Face-to-face, they might be more understanding when he told them Anna’s motive. The eyes were the windows to the soul. That one-on-one encounter couldn’t be beaten.

  Shoes tied, he stood up just in time to hear a low creaking noise. Stephen looked over his shoulder. The wall mirror was open like a door. A figure stood in the darkness.

  32

  All Hallows Eve

  In the early morning, Anna stood on the stepladder’s top rung and taped the final swirl of pumpkin-shaped “Christmas” lights to the ballroom’s final support column. A small smile rested on her pensive face. She stepped down from the ladder and walked back a pace, gazing across the fully-decorated lobby. Pumpkin lanterns dangled from the ceiling. Fat orange candles stood at the center of every table. Ribbons weaved around the backs of the chairs. She’d deliberately avoided any skeletons and tombstones. Any décor centered on death was a big no-no. She brushed her dusty hands on her suit pants.

  Her mind felt clearer since her confession. It wasn’t a wise choice to tell the priest her darkest secret, but she felt a release. Stephen gave his word, too. If he went against it, it would be between him and God. Anna still wasn’t sure about this whole faith thing. She had too many questions and not enough faith to ask. Maybe one day she’d cross that bridge. Until then, she was going to live like the new her now. Because she had no secrets, the past felt like it was finally dying and Anna planned to rise out of the ashes, guilt-free and ready to improve. Fear still crept into her thoughts. The priest could betray her. The York police might
find evidence. Some sort of scandal could ruin Club Blue forever.

  Justin and Asher descended the ballroom stairs. Justin wore his house cleaning uniform and Asher was dressed for school. His thumbs were behind his backpack straps. His glasses’ lenses were scuffed. Both the boys had gone to bed early the night before. They hadn’t gotten a chance to catch up last night. The entire family was exhausted.

  Anna gestured them to approach and gave them a family hug. Keeping one arm around each one, she said, “I missed you guys.”

  “Mom, we need to talk,” Asher said.

  Anna pulled away. “Did something happen?”

  Justin said, “The serial killer we talked to you about. He’s in the hotel.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Anna said.

  Asher replied, “The spirits told us, Mom.”

  Justin nodded soberly.

  Anna’s anger flared. “You know we don’t have time for these kinds of jokes.”

  Asher said, “We both saw them. There was a fat man, a woman with a cut throat, and a man without the face. I watched videos of them being killed before the film roll burned.”

  “What?” Anna asked.

  Asher explained. “One of them showed the woman getting stabbed in the head.”

  A brief image of the skeleton Anna found flashed in her mind. A knife was found in her head. She never told the boys about that. The police hadn’t released that information to the public either.

  Justin said, “We were going to tell you last night, but we were too tired.”

  Anna turned her back to them and gathered her thoughts.

  The boys traded looks.

  Gaining some semblance of control, Anna turned back and spoke to them again. “Did they tell you who the killer is?”

  The boys shook their heads.

  Justin said, “Only that he’s around.”

  Asher added, “I think it’s the concierge, but it could be anyone.”

  “Thank God we have Agent Cameron around,” Anna said.

  Asher said, “He’s running his own investigation but doesn’t want us involved.”

  “Screw that, though,” Justin said. “He’s only going to make things worse by withholding information.”

  Anna said, “He’s the most competent person we have. If he wants to work secretly, we have to let him.”