Deadly Prophecy: A Second Sight Series Spin-Off

by Heather Topham Wood

  “Okay then,” she said, swallowing hard.

  He smiled. “Okay then what?”

  “I won’t wish away my gift ever again because what we’re doing is too important to stop. I’m going to believe things will get better. There is more than one fate written in the stars for me.”

  He could hear the resolution in her voice, although Kate had no idea what she was doing to him. She was clueless how he would later take the conversation as proof that they would be together one day. Her words and the way she stared at him—it could be the beginning of the end. Because, at the moment, he realized he just might be falling in love with her.

  Chapter Ten

  “What’s wrong with her head, Radha? It’s so big that she keeps falling over each time she crawls.”

  Radha shot him daggers from across the room. “Shut up, Declan. That’s some goddamn way to talk about your niece.” He didn’t reply, fighting the urge to point out how she had cursed like a sailor in front of her daughter since he arrived half an hour ago.

  Being inside his sister’s apartment was surreal. After not talking for five years, he had picked up the phone and dialed her cell number. The vision of Kate was the final straw. Without a change, he was destined to spend his life in the same way Kate feared: alone and forced to have intimate visions of her in love with someone else.

  His deep insecurities had made him hope the cell number was long out of service. In spite of this, Radha had picked up on the second ring. After he managed to mumble a meek greeting, she huffed, “Well, it’s about fucking time I heard from you.” Minutes later, she went on to break the news that he was an uncle. Radha insisted he travel to her apartment for a visit the next day. The idea of a family reunion made him itch all over, but he had no solid justification to avoid seeing his niece.

  Radha and Declan had radically different personalities, but surprisingly they had always gotten along well. She had moved out of their childhood home the day she turned eighteen. She must’ve suffered guilt over leaving him alone with their mom at such a young age because she’d spoiled him each time she came around: taking him to R-rated movies, buying him as much junk food as he wanted from the corner store, and giving him his first taste of alcohol.

  To be honest, her dismissal hurt worse than his mother throwing him out of the house. Since his father died, he always thought it was Radha and Declan versus Finola Brayden. Radha and their mother were well known around the family’s Bayonne neighborhood because of the shouting matches. When he was left homeless, she was supposed to act as his savior. She had protected him countless times before. But she hadn’t. Radha sided with his mother. Through his visions, he confirmed Radha and Finola believed the best thing for everyone was for Declan to never show his face around there again.

  Yet Declan wouldn’t hold the past against her. He was a wheelchair-bound, depressed drug addict at the time. Not his “best self.” As much as he had ribbed her since arriving, he was actually happy to see her. She hadn’t changed much since he had seen her last besides chopping off her long strawberry blond hair to her shoulders. Her brown eyes had the same light dancing inside of them.

  “So, you have a kid,” he started with a smile.

  “I do.” Radha had more curves too, likely from her pregnancy. The extra weight looked good on her. “Lulu is nine months old now.” Declan looked back at his niece as she crawled around the floor of Radha’s living room. Despite her big head, she was kind of cute. Since he arrived, she stared at him with her big blue eyes. He had tried to make a few goofy faces at her, but her serious expression never wavered. She was on. His personal goal was to get a smile out of her before leaving his sister’s apartment.

  Declan wasn’t thrilled with his sister’s current living arrangements. The apartment was definitely a fixer-upper: old carpet, outdated wallpaper, small, and cramped rooms. The baby kept bumping into crap each time she started to crawl around. His sister had gated areas off to keep Lulu safe, but that left less room for her to explore than a prison cell.

  “So, where’s your husband?” Declan was almost afraid to ask the question. If the apartment was any indication, Lulu’s father wasn’t working on Wall Street. Very few personal details were exchanged during their phone conversation. Radha dodged most of the questions he had fired at her. She insisted they catch up when she saw Declan in person.

  Radha snorted. “I’m not married. Lulu was a very happy surprise, but I’m not with her dad anymore.”

  “Sorry, Radha. Hope he’s at least helping you out with money to raise her.” Lulu grabbed onto the coffee table, coasting her way closer to Declan. When he held out a hand to her, she preceded to bite his finger. He let out a laugh as the little monster gnawed with her two tiny teeth on his thumb. Without a doubt, Lulu had Brayden blood flowing in her veins.

  Radha pointedly ignored his comment before saying with forced levity, “You probably remember her dad from the neighborhood… Joseph McDonough.”

  His throat felt tight as he pictured scrawny Joey McDonough in his head. “The meth dealer? Radha, you can’t be serious.” He failed to mention that Joey was one of his biggest suppliers when he needed painkillers to support his habit. Despite being nearer to Radha’s age, Joey had been a fixture at high school parties. All the teenagers would kiss his ass because he was able to score drugs, but they would call him a loser behind his back.

  “Don’t take that tone with me, Declan. Joseph told me all about how you used to tap him every day for more and more oxy.” Her brown eyes softened when she noticed his hurt expression. “Look, Joseph stopped dealing about a year after you left. He asked me out a few months later and for some reason, I said yes. Once I got to know him, I saw there was a lot more to him than the ‘meth dealer,’” she said, using air quotes. “Actually, he’s the reason I told you to come over to meet my daughter. He taught me everyone deserves a second chance.”

  “Okay,” Declan said with obvious skepticism. “Then why is this changed man not here with you?”

  Her eyes were weary as she looked over at Lulu. “I got pregnant after we’d been dating for a while. I work at the makeup counter at the mall and Joseph had a job as a bartender. We didn’t have enough money to make rent and buy all the baby stuff we needed. The plan was for him to make a few sales to customers who he’d had dealings with for a long time. Get enough money and then get out of the business again. He got busted a month before Lulu was due.”

  Declan sensed Radha wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. He decided a better response was to sympathize with her predicament. “That’s horrible, Radha. I’m sorry.”

  Her shoulders pulled back while she tilted her chin up defiantly. “We’re fine. Money is tight, but Lulu doesn’t go hungry. Mom agreed to watch Lulu two days a week while I work, but you know how she can be.” Declan nodded in understanding. Becoming a grandmother wasn’t likely to mellow out Finola Brayden. Declan was willing to bet she was born with a permanent scowl etched on her small features. Radha added, “The other three days a week the baby is in daycare.”

  “So, has Joey met the baby?” Declan sidestepped the topic of his mother. Reaching out to Radha was a completely different animal to seeing his mom.

  “Yes, I brought her to the jail a couple times, but it’s not the best place to bring an infant. He’ll be involved more once he’s out. He says he’s done with the dealing. He found Jesus in prison and doesn’t want that life any longer,” she said, drawing Lulu into her arms. She began to bounce the baby on her knee.

  “I didn’t know Jesus was lost.” Radha laughed softly. He continued in a more somber voice, “I’m sorry things haven’t turned out that great for you.”

  She waved me off. “I’m fine, I swear. And I have zero regrets. Lulu is the best thing to ever happen to me.” She gave her daughter a tickle on her belly. Lulu squealed, making it clear she was capable of joy. Her ruddy cheeks vibrated as she giggled. “So, what’s your life look like? Sorry for the sobriety quiz before letting you come over, but I
have a daughter to look out for now.”

  “Sort of hypocritical since her father is in jail for drugs.” Reclining back into the couch, Declan felt the scratchy fabric against his arms. Declan assumed the floral monstrosity was a curbside pickup.

  Radha appeared unfazed by his opinion. “Joseph only dealt, never used. He always told me that was why he made so much money.”

  “Thanks for sharing a drug dealer’s secrets for success.” He bit down on his lip before answering. “I’m opening a psychic investigation business. Last year, I found a partner who has the same abilities as I do. We’ve been working missing persons cases, finding people and then receiving the rewards once they’re returned safely.” He was sugarcoating his job, but he didn’t want to get into the trail of dead bodies he had come across in his line of work. Giving Radha the press release version of KD Psychic Investigations was important to him. If Radha relayed their conversation to Finola, Declan wanted to come across as a success.

  “And you’re still doing the psychic thing?”

  Something inside of him balked. “Well, it’s not exactly something I can turn on and off. I see the visions even if I don’t want to. Might as well make a career out of it.”

  “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I understand Ma wasn’t too happy when you went around talking about seeing visions. One of the reasons I assumed you called me was because you had put the psychic stuff behind you.”

  “I called because I missed my sister,” he admitted quietly. “I don’t know if I want to talk to Ma again. Our last fight was really ugly. Has she talked about me a lot since I moved out?”

  Radha shook her head. “No, but don’t take that as ‘she doesn’t care.’ She’s not an easy person to love. I get it. We still fight all the time.” She kissed the top of Lulu’s head before continuing. “You should call her, Dec. Honestly, we don’t know how much time she has left.”

  Declan felt like Radha had split him wide open with one simple sentence. The thought of the life seeping out of the fiery Finola was incomprehensible. “What do you mean? She’s sick? Why didn’t you tell me on the phone? What’s wrong with her? Cancer like Aunt Ellen?”

  Tilting her head to the side, Radha observed him quietly for a second. He wasn’t sure what was going on in her head, but he felt overly exposed. The sensation was novel since he was the one who normally exposed others. But he no longer had insight into the inner workings of his family. Declan had no clue about Lulu because the Brayden family had been filed deep within his subconscious for a very long time. When Kate tried to bring up his family, he always shot her down quick. They were non-entities in his life and he would never again invite the pain of having psychic flashes of their lives without him.

  But the thought of his mother dying extinguished his rage for her. He was perfectly fine with never seeing her again as long as he knew she was alive and well. Things weren’t always bad between them. After his father died, something had hardened inside her and any maternal kindness disappeared. All of those wasted years he had shut her out because of his own hurt pride. All along, his mother could’ve believed wholeheartedly her actions were an act of kindness toward him. Many families actually believed an addict needed to hit rock bottom before recovery. In rehab, he had learned how the idea had a counter-effect. Addicts needed support as they tried to get clean. How could he blame his mother for falling victim to widespread misinformation?

  He felt himself choking on the regret.

  Radha lifted her eyebrows as she spoke. “No, she’s not sick… yet. But she stopped going to the hair salon and wearing makeup. She’s giving up—”

  Declan groaned in frustration. “Christ on a cracker, Radha, you had me scared for a minute. Just because she’s not wearing eyeliner doesn’t mean she’s dying.”

  “Think what you want, but I’ve seen it before. I have a group of seniors who come in regularly for makeup applications each week. As soon as one of them stops making the trip, I know it’s only a matter of time. There’s an instinct inside of us all. The women think to themselves, ‘Fuck putting on my face. I’m going to die soon anyway.’ And what do you think happens next?” Radha leaned forward with Lulu remaining on her lap.

  “They find new makeup artists who aren’t crazy?”

  “No, their friends come in a few weeks later with copies of their obituaries,” she said smugly.

  “So, you’re telling me you think Ma is going to die because she stopped wearing makeup? Does she have any actual medical symptoms?”

  “No, but your skepticism is hilarious. Not five minutes ago, you were telling me how you use magical powers to find missing people.” She blew her bangs out of her eyes. “I’ve told her to go to the doctor for a checkup. But she won’t listen to me. But if you’re back around, maybe you could talk her into it?”

  “Not likely,” Declan said. As he saw Radha’s face fall, he amended, “I mean I doubt she’ll listen to me, but if you’re seriously worried I could talk to her with you. Just give me time. I’m working on a new case and I’d like to resolve it first.” His world was full of too many women who drove him insane. Did he really want to invite his mother back into the mix?

  “Good. Thank you,” she said with the tension seeping out of her voice. “I really am glad you called. I’d love for Lulu to grow up knowing her uncle.”

  “Can I hold her?” he asked suddenly. He surprised himself. When he first got to Radha’s, he regarded his niece as a little alien with drool coming out of her mouth. But something about being around his sister and Lulu was bringing out a softer side he never knew existed. Radha nodded, carrying her over to Declan. Lulu squirmed for a moment, frightened to leave her mother’s arms, but stayed still once she turned to stare at him.

  “How are you, little baby person?” he said in a low voice. Her eyes widened as if she was hanging on his every word. He got a distinct old-soul vibe from her. “I’m your Uncle Declan. I’m sorry I was late to meet you, but I’m here now. And I’m going to kill it as an uncle. I’ll teach you all the bad stuff your mom taught me.”

  Radha swatted at him playfully. “Stop trying to corrupt my daughter.”

  “I want to help, Radha,” he said. “I have money now. A lot of money.”

  She shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t need your money.”

  “I’m sorry, but yes you do.” He held up his palm to silence her. “You obviously love your daughter and you’re trying your best. But without Joey helping out, how are you going to afford raising a kid? Girls are expensive, too. I’ve been with a lot of chicks and they want pricey-ass things like Michael Kors purses, MAC makeup, and Lululemon yoga pants.”

  “I shopped at TJ Maxx growing up. So can Lulu.” She continued to shake her head over the thought of taking any cash. He understood her reluctance. She was the older sister and he was the younger brother. In many aspects, he was frugal, but he warmed to the idea of spoiling his niece.

  “Radha, I have more money than I know what to do with. Let me at least pay for something. Maybe I could cover the daycare bill each month?”

  The offer felt good to him—it felt right. He was always worried about money, never seeming to amass enough. Yet his stress over money had never lessened with his successes. Maybe the time had come to scale back on his ambition.

  “Of course the money would help. But I can’t expect you to do that for me. We haven’t talked in years. I cut you out and never tracked you down to see if you were okay.” Her cheeks colored as she stared at the fraying carpet.

  “If it makes you feel less guilty, just remember I’m helping because of Lulu,” he countered. He gave the baby a slight squeeze as a ghost of a smile crossed her lips. Secretly, he celebrated the victory.

  Radha’s eyes shone as she finally nodded in agreement. A silent understanding passed between them. The past would be forgotten. In exchange for absolving Radha of her guilt, he’d have her and his niece in his life. His loneliness wouldn’t be as all-consuming as it had felt for way too long.


  Chapter Eleven

  The backyard was quiet as Brianna stumbled out the backdoor onto the small patio. Although the height of tourist season, the building storm clouds overhead had obviously sent their fellow vacationing neighbors into hiding indoors. Her eyes landed on a lone wooden swing centered in the yard. Her footsteps were unsteady as she made her way to the covered swing.

  Once under the awning, she listlessly moved back and forth. Her face told of her despair: swollen eyes, tear-stained cheeks. Letting loose a strangled sob, she rocked the swing harder. The back door rattled, startling her into stillness. Turning away from the door, Brianna swiped at her tears with the back of her hand. After taking a collecting breath, she looked back toward the source of the interruption. Chelsea was striding toward her with two bottles of beer in her hands.

  “What’s going on with you, girl? Every time I turn around, you’ve disappeared again.” Chelsea laughed easily, not picking up on Brianna’s dark mood. “I thought we could watch a movie or something while the boys are out fishing.”

  “Looks like a bad storm is coming. They’ll probably be home soon,” she replied softly.

  Chelsea shrugged. “All the more reason for you to come inside. We’ve got plenty of beer and Taylor got into Adam’s weed stash….” When Brianna didn’t reply, Chelsea took the bench seat across from her. Her features pulled together as she studied Brianna. “What’s going on with you?”

  “I’m fine. Not in the partying mood, I guess.”

  Chelsea crossed her arms as she stared at her. “We’ve all noticed. Look I’m sorry if we crashed your romantic getaway, but when I texted you about coming, you wrote back how excited you were about us all getting together.”

  Brianna shook her head vigorously. “I’m not upset about that. Honestly, I’m glad you’re here.”