Engravings of Wraith

by Kiera Dellacroix

  “Clear!”

  “She’s not responding.”

  “Hit her again.”

  “Doctor.”

  “I said hit her again.”

  “Doctor, she’s gone.”

  “HIT HER AGAIN!”

  Part Eight

  I

  Or I may simply be a single drop of rain,

  But I will remain.

  —W. Nelson

  Martin knocked on the door and waited in the hall until a woman he assumed was Bailey’s mother answered the door.

  “Can I help you?” she asked and the accent confirmed his assumption.

  “Yes, Mrs. Cameron. I’m Martin Satterfield,” he said. “Mr. Watts informed me that Piper is staying with you, may I speak to her, please?”

  “Come in,” Doreen said and Martin entered the room. “She’s awake, but won’t get out of bed. Let me go tell her you’re here.”

  “Alright,” Martin said and waited patiently until she returned and waved him in.

  He entered to see Piper sitting up in bed with huge dark circles under puffy eyes. He hoped that whatever Bailey had left her would cheer her up, although he suspected that it would have an effect that was completely opposite.

  “Hi, Piper,” he said pleasantly. “I have something for you.”

  Piper turned wary eyes in his direction. “What?” she asked, her gaze dropping to the bag he held in his left hand.

  “Bailey asked me to give you this when you got settled in here,” Martin said, trying on a smile that didn’t quite work.

  Piper extended a hand and Martin gave her the bag. “Please, leave me,” she said clutching the bag tightly to her chest.

  “Alright,” he said reluctantly as Bailey’s mother gently pulled him out of the room.

  “What did you give her?” Doreen asked as soon as the door closed.

  “I don’t know,” Martin said. “Bailey made it quite clear that I was to give it to her though.”

  “I hope…” Doreen started but stopped at the anguished wail that came from Piper’s room and closed her eyes. “You’d better go.”

  “I’m sorry,” Martin said earnestly as he hurriedly left the room.

  Doreen sat on the sofa when he left, letting the tears run silently down her own face as she listened to Piper wail out her grief.

  ———

  The week passed with no word and Doreen became extremely concerned with Piper. She only left her bedroom to go to the bathroom and barely touched any of the food that was brought into her. Either an indifferent silence or a crying jag met every attempt she had made to talk to her. Both Martin and Mr. Watts had made several attempts to visit her, but both were turned away, sometimes harshly.

  Finally putting her foot down, she prepared a huge a breakfast and marched determinedly into Piper’s bedroom, sitting down with her tray on the edge of the bed.

  Piper watched her with distant eyes and scowled when she saw the tray in her hands.

  “I’m not hungry,” she said hoarsely.

  “Wouldn’t my daughter want you to take care of yourself?” Doreen asked and saw the sting of hurt cross Piper’s eyes.

  “Bailey’s dead,” Piper said callously.

  “You don’t know that,” Doreen said ignoring her own pain at the statement.

  “Yes, I do,” Piper said, bringing a hand out from under the covers to lay a necklace on the bedspread. “She left me that,” she choked, her eyes beginning to tear. “She never, ever took it off.”

  Doreen gasped as she recognized it and reverently picked it up, caressing the inscription on the back. “Her father gave her this for her fourteenth birthday,” she said sadly.

  Piper just nodded and wiped at her eyes.

  “That doesn’t mean she’s gone, child.”

  “She transferred all of her money and holdings into my name,” Piper sniffled. “She left me a note, but I don’t have the courage to read it.”

  “You should,” Doreen said.

  “I can’t,” Piper said wretchedly. “She told me once never to give up on her, you know?”

  “She’s quite capable, child. Don’t give up on her.”

  “This is all my fault,” Piper said miserably. “If I had listened to her she would be okay.”

  Doreen reached across the bed and slapped Piper smartly on the cheek. “You listen to me,” she said crossly. “She may be your lover but she’s my daughter and I won’t let you give up on her, because I can’t. That girl walked through hell to save you and she let herself die a slow death over the years for her brother and myself. If she’s in God’s hands right now, I won’t have you sitting around and making her sacrifice a vain one. Do you understand me?”

  Piper sat in shock, one hand cupping her stinging cheek and looking at Doreen with wide eyes.

  “I said do you understand me?” Doreen asked again angrily.

  “Yes.”

  “My daughter loves you and if she’s left this world, you’re going to live the rest of your life honoring that. Bailey would want you to carry on and believe me, you can do it, and because you love her, you will do it,” Doreen said with flashing eyes. “Now, I want you to eat everything I brought you and then I want to see you bathed and ready to walk with me outside in an hour. Understand?”

  “Yes,” Piper said contritely.

  “Good,” Doreen said with satisfaction, leaning forward to place Bailey’s necklace over her head. “Bailey treasured her father as she obviously treasures you,” she added rising from the bed and walking briskly from the room.

  Piper watched her go and stared at the door for several moments, bringing a hand up to cup the crucifix around her neck. She caressed it lovingly and brought it up to her lips for a tender kiss. With a shuddering sigh, she picked up the tray and reluctantly began eating the breakfast Doreen had brought in.

  ———

  James Hoake walked into the Situation room and glared severely at the disheveled forms gathered around the table.

  “Director,” Bob said, standing from his seat.

  “This operation is over as of right now and everyone is dismissed until after the first of the year.”

  “But…” Terry protested rising for his chair.

  “Sit down, Terry,” James ordered. “It’s over. How many do we have left?”

  An uncomfortable silence encompassed the room.

  “Don’t make me repeat myself,” James warned.

  “Nine,” Keith said finally. “Six of which are hospitalized.”

  “Holy God,” James said unbelievingly. “Congratulations, Terry. You’ve managed to rather thoroughly destroy the Organization.”

  “We can rebuild, I’ll make it a priority,” Terry promised quickly. “But Cameron…”

  “Shut up,” James interrupted. “Bailey Ann Cameron died on the operating table at Bethesda Navy four days ago.”

  Terry gaped and fell into the back of his chair.

  “She sustained several wounds when she all but annihilated all of our operatives. I received a visit from her at home and she made several demands. All of which I intend to honor,” he explained. “Terry, I’ll review your hand in this after the New Year, but right now, I want all of our remaining operatives to stand down and we’ll continue this discussion when we reconvene in January.”

  “She’s really dead?” Terry asked.

  “Yes,” James said. “And I’m sure we’ll all soon regret it. She took several precautions to make sure we’d pay the price if she died. Bob, Keith, remain with me a minute. The rest of you are dismissed now.”

  “But…” Terry said.

  “I said now,” James interrupted and glared at him darkly until he very reluctantly and sheepishly made his way out of the room.

  “Get comfortable, gentlemen,” James said as soon as they were alone in the room.

  II

  I am stretched on your grave, And will lie there forever.

  If your hands were in mine, I’d be sure we’d not sever.

&
nbsp; —P. King, S. O’Connor

  On the fourteenth day at the embassy, Piper dressed smartly and put on her best jewelry. She took great pains in applying her makeup and styling her hair before emerging from her room and taking up vigil with Bailey’s family, Martin, and Major Watts.

  They gathered in a large receiving area to patiently wait for word or the Major’s cell phone to ring. She had struggled through the last week but Doreen had hovered above her constantly, always quick with a slap when she sank into despair or equally as adept in providing comfort, whichever she felt was appropriate at the time. She kept Bailey’s note on her person at all times but still hadn’t mustered up the courage to read it, much to Doreen’s dismay.

  The day dragged on painfully until almost one in the afternoon when the Major’s phone rang and everyone turned anxious expressions on the man as he answered it stiffly.

  “Watts,” he said and his face fell.

  Doreen grabbed Piper’s hand tightly and waited worriedly until the Major hung up.

  “Was it her?” Piper asked fearfully.

  “No,” Jeremy said sadly. “But I was informed we should have a visitor in a few minutes.”

  “Really?” Piper asked not daring to hope.

  “That’s what I was told.”

  “Who?” Doreen asked.

  “I wasn’t informed,” Jeremy said, standing. “I’ll wait outside if you don’t mind and bring our visitor in when they arrive.”

  Piper chewed on her lip nervously and held Doreen’s hand tightly until the Major reentered the room a quarter of an hour later carrying a long cardboard tube and leading an olive skinned man dressed in a gray business suit. The man held a briefcase in one hand and a small wooden box in the crook of his other arm. She went very still and followed the man with hooded eyes as he stopped, setting the briefcase on the floor at his feet and looking carefully at the gathered faces.

  “I’m Keith DeSilva,” he said tonelessly. “I’m here to inform the Cameron family that you have been granted American citizenship and are free to do as you wish.”

  “I’m also here to inform Martin Satterfield that he has been exonerated of all charges and is free to live anyway he chooses, without worry for his life,” Keith said pausing to clear his throat uncomfortably.

  “It’s also my sad duty to inform you that Bailey Ann Cameron died almost two weeks ago in Bethesda.”

  “No!” Piper screamed bolting from her chair, ignoring Doreen’s anguished cry and Martin’s quiet curse. “Where’s her body?” she asked shaking uncontrollably.

  Keith took the wooden box from under his arm and presented it to Piper. “She requested cremation. I’m very sorry.”

  “Oh God no,” Piper said crumbling.

  “Miss Cameron was in surgery for the better part of a day before she finally passed over,” Keith said regretfully. “I’m very sorry.”

  “NO!” Piper screamed loudly, running from the room in tears.

  Doreen stood up and took the box from Keith. “Did she say anything?” she asked tearfully.

  “Not that I’m aware of,” Keith said.

  “My baby,” Doreen said and Ryan embraced her tightly.

  “Her sword was to be given to Miss Tate,” Keith said, gesturing to the tube in Jeremy’s hands.

  “I’ll see that she gets it,” Jeremy said.

  Keith picked up his briefcase and withdrew three envelopes, which he also handed to Jeremy who took them without comment.

  “I’m very sorry,” Keith said again to the people gathered who either didn’t hear him or didn’t care to respond. He looked at Jeremy who nodded and led him, unnoticed, out of the room.

  “Damn it,” Martin said quietly as he wiped at his eyes.

  ———

  Piper ran hysterically back to her room and locked the door behind her. She raged destructively around the room, finally collapsing in a corner and bringing her knees up her chest, sobbing uncontrollably, her breath coming painfully. She wept until the light coming through the window was gone and Doreen finally had the Major come in and unlock the door.

  Doreen entered alone, sadly taking in the shattered room and lowering herself to the floor to take a seat next to the sobbing Piper, putting an arm around her.

  “Read me her note,” Doreen said sadly.

  “I can’t,” Piper sniffled.

  “Would you like me to read it to you?” Doreen asked gently.

  Piper sniffled and dug the note out of her pocket. “Please,” she said, handing it to her.

  Doreen took several deep breaths as she unfolded it and put on her glasses.

  “It says...” she started.

  Piper,

  As a person who has spent the majority of her life not on speaking terms with God, I want you to know that each day I spent with you I thanked Him. And as you read this letter know that I’ve much to be thankful for. Because of you, I lived more in the time we spent together than I did in all my years prior; and because of you, a soul in danger of dying was given the gift of happiness.

  My sins are of such magnitude that forgiveness could only be found in fantasy. A fantasy that became reality when I met you, for you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. At some point in my life, I must have done something right because having you was the greatest gift I ever received.

  I know I never said the words, mainly because I was afraid to. Afraid for reasons I can’t explain, even to myself. Foolish, I know. But since meeting you I’ve found myself afraid of things I know are irrational. The idea of someone like me having been blessed with the love of someone like you, was something I dared not ever hope for or allow myself to even dream about. Having you, if only for a short time, made my whole life worth living. I wish I had the words to let you know how much you mean to me. To say I love you doesn’t seem adequate enough to convey the depth of my feelings. But know that I do.

  I love you. I love you beyond measure. You’ll be with me always. You became my life and all that I was and all that I become belongs to you.

  “…Yours now and forever, Bailey,” Doreen finished in tears and enveloped a wailing Piper in her arms. “It’s alright, child,” she whispered. “It’s alright...”

  ———

  Piper approached Martin three days later with a determined look on her face. He saw her coming and experienced a quick moment of indecision as to whether or not he should run or hold his ground when he noted her expression.

  “Martin,” Piper said sternly as she took a seat across from him.

  “Yes?” he asked uncertainly.

  “What are your plans now?”

  “I don’t really know,” he said with a shrug.

  “I want you to come work for me.”

  “Huh?” Martin said confusedly.

  “I want you to come and work for C-Corp after the first of the year,” Piper said. “Bailey left me the company, and I could use you.”

  Martin considered a moment. “I think…” he said slowly, “… I think I’d like that.”

  “Good, then it’s settled,” Piper said with a nod of satisfaction. “I want you to come home with me and the Cameron’s for Christmas.”

  “Home?” Martin said. “You mean with your family?”

  “Yes, we’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I’m planning on calling my parents tonight.”

  “Alright,” he said with a smile. “I’ll call my mother too. I need to let her know that I’m alive.”

  “Great,” Piper said rising from her chair.

  “Piper, are you okay?” he asked gently before she could walk away.

  “No,” she admitted.

  “You should be proud of her,” Martin said sadly.

  “I am,” Piper said with a smile and a quick wipe at her eyes. “Very proud,” she added as she walked off in search of the Major.

  She found him smoking and talking to the mysterious Andrew in the courtyard, who he dismissed as he saw her approach.

  “Good morning,” he said cautiously
.

  “Good morning, Major,” Piper said. “I’d like to talk to you for a bit, if that’s alright?”

  “Of course,” Jeremy said. “Shall we walk?”

  “Yes,” Piper said, falling into pace beside him.

  “What would you like to discuss?” he asked pleasantly.

  “I wanted to let you know we’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow.”

  “I see,” Jeremy nodded.

  “And I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for us,” Piper said. “And all that you did for her.”

  “No thanks necessary,” he said politely.

  “She thought you were a good man,” Piper said. “And I agree.”

  “I’m saddened beyond words to have lost her, as I know you are,” Jeremy said. “I wanted very much to continue my friendship with her.”

  “I think she would’ve wanted that too,” Piper said sadly. “Where will you go now?”

  “Home to my wife and boys,” Jeremy said.

  “Doreen said Bailey left something for me?” Piper asked.

  “She did indeed,” Jeremy said and waved at Andrew who approached. “Would you retrieve Miss Tate’s package from my room, please?”

  “Of course,” Andrew said and disappeared.

  “Who is that guy?” Piper asked curiously.

  “Andrew?” Jeremy asked and Piper nodded. “A valued assistant and an extremely lethal bodyguard.”

  “Ahhh,” Piper said with a little grin.

  “There are many things I would like to know about Bailey,” Jeremy said. “I know now isn’t the time, but I hope that you would consider a correspondence.”

  “I’d like that,” Piper said. “Did you know she was in a British prison when she was sixteen?”

  “No, I didn’t,” Jeremy said with raised eyebrows.

  “She killed the officer that ordered his men to fire upon the crowd that contained her family.”

  “Really?” Jeremy asked with interest.

  “Yes, sixteen years old and she killed that man, despite the presence of several other soldiers,” Piper said. “She killed a prison guard who attempted to rape her at that same age.”

  “My God.”

  “She was in prison for the better part of a year,” Piper said sadly. “They beat her constantly and I know they tortured her. But you know what?”