Uncharted Territory (An Angela Panther Mystery Book 3)

by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

  I shook my head. "I really don't know a lot about him."

  "I'm not gonna tell you. I don't wanna spoil it for you. You'll have to have him tell you some time. It's pretty incredible."

  "So I take it you're going out with him again?"

  She nodded. "Tomorrow night."

  "Oh. Wow. That's quick."

  Her smile sank. "Do you not want me to?"

  I grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Let me make this as clear as I possibly can so we can stop talking about it, okay? I. Am. Fine. Go out with him and have fun. Fall in love. Have great sex. Do whatever it is that'll make you happy. You deserve it."

  "I love you."

  "I thought you loved my mom?"

  "I love her too but I really love you."

  "Feeling's mutual."

  ***

  I picked at the idea of talking to the girls' parents but couldn't decide what to do. Mel was right, it could go well or blow up in my face. It wasn't a decision I could make on my own, so I did what most women would do. I asked my mom.

  She fluttered around my bedroom. "You got a tough one there."

  "I know."

  "Could go okay but it could end up bein' bad."

  "I know."

  "Hold on." She flitted through the ceiling.

  I sat on my bed and waited.

  And waited.

  "Hello? Ma?"

  She shimmered back in with Tiffany and Caroline in tow. "My daughter here wants to bring the black blur and you two to a family gathering. Give you all some closure and send you to the other side."

  "I'm not sure my father is ready," Caroline said. "He's very lost."

  "Maybe what he needs is some forgiveness from his family," I said. "And if you two talk with your parents first and tell them you're okay and that you want them to forgive him, maybe they will. Then we bring him in and he gets that forgiveness and all of you can move on."

  Tiffany eyed Caroline. "I would really like to talk to my parents. They need to know I'm okay."

  "I can call Detective Price and see if he can get them all together today," I said. "I think it's better to do it now than wait."

  "I can talk to my father and prepare him," Caroline said. "But I'm worried that my mother won't forgive him."

  "I'm a little worried about that too," I said.

  "All you can do is try," Ma said.

  "I agree." I rubbed my temple. "Okay, so you two go talk to Caroline's dad. I'm going to call Detective Price and get a meeting set up. Keep tabs on me so you can be there when I need you."

  The girls nodded and then shimmered away. Ma hung out while I called Price.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  PRICE AND I SAT in his car in Tiffany Stark's driveway.

  "So you think they cleaned up the puke?" he asked.

  "Oh please don't bring that up again. I already feel bad enough."

  "For trespassing or puking?"

  "Yes."

  He laughed. "It's pretty funny."

  "No, it's not. You promise you won't mention it?"

  "I guess, but only since you helped find Tiffany's remains."

  "I wish I could have done that sooner."

  "Angela," he said, leaning his back onto the inside of his car door. "Most of the time a case doesn't work out how we want. We're lucky to have any kind of success and finding Tiffany, even though she's dead, is a huge success. You should be proud of what you did. Because of you, her family will have closure. So many families don't, you know."

  "I know, and thank you. I needed to hear that."

  "You're welcome. So, I've explained who you are and what you've done for their daughter. They're open to talking to you. Especially Sheri. She's very much looking forward to it, actually."

  "So you told them what I do?"

  He nodded.

  "Okay. Then let's get this party started."

  And we did.

  ***

  The Stark house didn't smell like dead cat or trespassers' barf, and I was thankful. Tiffany's parents, her grandmother, and her aunt were all in the great room waiting for us. My stomach did triple back handsprings, and I wished I'd put on extra deodorant because I was sweating like crazy. Ma shimmered in, winked at me, and said, "You've got this." I hoped she was right.

  After a brief introduction, I told the family how I came to help Tiffany.

  "So she came to you before she passed?" Sheri Stark asked.

  "Yes."

  "How does that work?" Caroline's mother Carol, asked.

  "I honestly have no idea. I've never experienced that before and it took a while to realize she wasn't actually dead, er, uh, deceased then."

  "Why didn't she tell you where she was?" Tiffany's father asked.

  "I don't know that, either. I do know she wasn't able to stay with me for more than a minute or two at a time, so that could be why."

  "What about my Caroline? Have you seen her?" Carol Saunders asked.

  "I have. Actually, she's part of the reason I'm here." I stood and paced the great room. "Right now the girl's are with Caroline's father."

  They all made gasping sounds, and I watched Tiffany's father's entire body stiffen.

  "I know it sounds crazy, but I don't think things are the same for people once they've passed. Both Tiffany and Caroline have forgiven Mr. Saunders and they've told me they want him to heal so he can cross over. They believe to do that, he needs your forgiveness, too." I tipped my head toward Tiffany's father. "All of you."

  "I'm not sure I can do that," Alan Stark said.

  "What happens if we can't?" Sheri Stark asked.

  "I'm not sure," I said. "But I don't think the girls will move on without Tom Saunders going with them."

  "So we need to accept his apology in order for our girls to have peace?" Alan Stark asked.

  I nodded. "And for you all to have peace, too. This isn't just about him for your daughters. This is about all of you, too. It's about everyone finding peace."

  Just then Tiffany and Caroline shimmered in.

  "Yes, we want them to know we're okay and that we're not hurting. That they can get on with their lives and know we'll see them again," Caroline Saunders said.

  "They're here," I said.

  Sheri Stark stood. "Tiffany baby, oh my God. Tiffany!" She burst into tears. Price grabbed the box of tissues on a side table and handed it to Alan Stark. Caroline's mother and the girls' grandmother cried, too. I swallowed back the lump in my throat.

  "Mommy," Tiffany said. She floated close to Sheri Stark. "I'm here, Mommy. I'm here."

  Her mother rubbed her own arm. "I'm cold. That means she's here, near me, doesn't it? I've watched shows about this."

  "Yes, she's next to your arm now."

  "Tiffany, baby, my little girl. Are you okay? I'm so sorry, baby. We did everything we could to find you. I didn't know. I didn't know it was Tom. I'm so sorry." She burst into tears again and Alan stood behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and she caved into him. "My little girl," she cried.

  "It's okay, Mom. I'm okay." Tiffany faced me. "Please tell her. She needs to know."

  "She wants you to know she's okay," I said.

  "Tell her that Uncle Tom wasn't mean to me. He didn't hurt me. He was confused. He was so heartbroken about Caroline."

  I told them everything both Tiffany and Caroline said. For over an hour I played messenger between the girls and their family. Tiffany explained why she couldn't tell me where she was, saying she simply didn't know. She explained that she tried hard to transport herself to her mother or father and even Price but every time she did, she saw only me. I wasn't sure why that happened but I promised the family that if I ever knew why, I'd make sure to tell them.

  The girls stressed how important it was to forgive Tom Saunders. They wanted to move on and they wanted their family to move on, too. They said they forgave him already and asked the family to give Saunders a chance to apologize because he was a good man at heart, a good dad. He was just lost.

  When Tom Saunders
appeared, he wasn't a black blur. He was a beaten down, sad spirit who needed exoneration from the people he loved, the people who loved him. He needed to forgive himself but he couldn't until they absolved him of his sins.

  And they did. Carol, the girl's grandmother, and Tiffany's mom all accepted his apology. Alan Stark was the last but he finally acquiesced and broke down in tears.

  Price even used a tissue himself.

  I went through ten of them.

  As the family offered Tom their forgiveness, his energy lightened and the dark surrounding him lifted. He let off a slight, sparkling radiance, as did the girls. By the smiles on their faces, I knew it was time to say goodbye.

  "They're ready now," I said.

  "Tell my mom I love her to the moon and the stars and that one day I'll be with her again but that for now, she should live her life and be happy. There are many great things coming her way," Caroline said.

  Tiffany also said goodbye to her parents, who cried and hugged and promised to take care of her little brother and never let him forget her.

  Grandma Saunders finally spoke. "Tom, you are a good man and I am so proud of you. You made mistakes and have paid for them dearly. I know you regret your actions and that you're ashamed but don't be. No one will ever understand what you went through, how you felt. I wish you hadn't gone through any of it. I wish you hadn't taken your life. I want you here with me but we will be together again, this I know to be true. For now my precious boy, fly with the angels and visit me in my dreams. I love you."

  I grabbed another ten tissues. Nothing beat the unconditional love and forgiveness of a mother. Nothing.

  ***

  "Wow." That's all Price could say about it as we drove back to the police station.

  "I know."

  "Do you think I could call you some time?"

  My eyes widened. "I'm flattered, but you know I'm married, right?"

  He shook his head. "Not for that, Panther. If I need you on a case. Like Aaron does."

  "Oh."

  "Your friend is more my type anyway."

  "She's got that certain something, that's for sure," I said.

  "Well? Think I can?"

  "If you think you can keep our relationship under wraps for the time being, sure. I'm happy to help."

  "It will be in a completely unofficial capacity. I can't pay you though."

  "I know. Aaron doesn't either. I'm a freebie."

  He smirked.

  "You know what I mean."

  "I know."

  "She's gone out with Aaron, you know."

  "I know. I can wait."

  "Confident aren't you?"

  "Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic, and leave it at that."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Thank you for helping with the Stark case."

  "Any time, Price. You're good people."

  "So are you, Panther."

  ***

  The next day I ran around town picking up burgers, propane for the grill, and new throw pillows for the couch because I wanted them, and Mike coming for dinner was a great excuse to buy some.

  Jake and Emily spent the day cleaning, while Josh complained that he shouldn't have to since it wasn't his friend coming. He lost that battle and ended up washing the inside of the windows, what Emily considered to be the worst chore ever. She snickered as he wiped and whined.

  Mike arrived at five o'clock. We sat on the deck, sans Josh, who we let have his best friend Turner over so he didn't stress out Emily. Jake and I casually grilled Mike about his family, school, future plans, his intentions with our daughter, and his net worth. Okay, we didn't really grill him on his net worth, but I wanted to.

  Ma hung out with us and brought a friend, too. June Carter was probably the sweetest ghost I'd ever met, and I completely understood why my mother loved her.

  After dinner, Jake, Emily, Mike, and I sat around the fire pit and chatted some more.

  "So have you always dressed like this?" I asked Mike. He wore a pair of nicely pressed beige shorts and a button-down collared shirt with his wannabe Topsiders.

  "Mom," Emily whined.

  "What?" I smirked. "He's got a great sense of style."

  She shook her head. "Like, you're so embarrassing."

  "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, Mike, but I do think you dress well."

  "My mom loved how boys dressed in the eighties, when she was in high school, so she always dressed me like this and I guess I liked it enough to keep it up."

  "Your mom's a smart woman," I said. "I think the preppy look is great."

  "It's like, called frat now, Mom. Not preppy," Emily said.

  "Oh, sorry. Frat. Either way, it's swag."

  "Please stop," Emily whined.

  I winked at Mike and we both laughed.

  "It's gnarly, totally," Jake said.

  "Dad, seriously," Emily said.

  "What? Gnarly is a hell of a lot better than swag."

  Emily blushed. "Whatever."

  My cell phone beeped with a text from Aaron.

  "Doesn't your daughter work at that café on Highway 20?" he asked.

  I typed back, "Yes, why?"

  "One of the managers, Michelle Stevenson, was just killed in a head-on collision leaving the café. Thought you'd want to know."

  "Oh, that's sad. I'm not sure I know her, but I'll let Emily know. Do you need my help?"

  "Nope. Just wanted you to be prepared. I know how dramatic girls get about this stuff."

  "You have no idea. Thanks." I set my phone down and got back to the conversation.

  "Everything okay?" Jake asked.

  "Yeah," I said. "Just Aaron letting me know about something at…" I stopped myself when I saw a woman hovering behind Mike. A woman I recognized from the café. She smiled at me, and my heart sank.

  "Mike, I just realized I don't know your last name," I said.

  "Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "It's Stevenson."

  The End

  Thank you for reading Uncharted Territory, the third book in the Angela Panther series. If you liked the book, please feel free to leave a review on the online retail site of your choice.

  For more information

  about Carolyn and her books, visit:

  carolynridderaspenson.com

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  https://www.facebook.com/carolynridderaspensonauthoror

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  Read on for a sneak peek into Carolyn's

  contemporary romance novella,

  The Inn at Laurel Creek

  Available now

  PREVIEW OF

  THE INN AT LAUREL CREEK

  BY CAROLYN RIDDER ASPENSON

  "I DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES," I told Stan Brinker, the owner of The Inn at Laurel Creek Bed and Breakfast. I'd just checked in, and as we walked to my room the old man told me stories of miracles and romances that happened when people stayed at the one hundred and twenty-two-year-old home.

  "You don't got to believe me," he said. "Just you wait and see. All sorts of miracles happen here." He pointed to a set of opened French doors at the end of the hall. "Seems a lot of them happen right out there, too." He dragged my suitcase to the last door on the right, right next to the French doors, labeled the Serenity Suite, and opened the door with his key.

  That's just what I needed, too. Serenity. "Thank you, Mr. Brinker," I said, grabbing hold of my suitcase and pulling it into the room. "Like I said, I don't believe in miracles but if I do happen to see one, I'll make sure to let you know."

  "It's Stan to family, and anyone that stays with us here at the Inn is family, you hear?" He tipped his beat-up, brown cowboy hat toward me and smiled. "You have a mighty fine stay, Ms. Howard. My wife, Lou, serves dinner in the dining room at six o'clock sharp. Tonight's fried catfish, her specialty. You ought not to miss it. If you need anything before that, just holler at one-a us. We're here to please."

  "Thank you," I said, closing the door behind him.

>   I flung myself onto the four-poster bed. "Ah, serenity," I said out loud. "Exactly what the doctor ordered." I scooted to the top of the bed and lay my head on the pillows. They were soft and fluffy, and all I wanted was to bury my head into them and sleep for five days straight. Unfortunately, sleep wasn't what I came to the Inn for. I'd come to have a little me time, to gather my thoughts and figure out how to mend my shattered heart. I was determined to pick up the broken pieces of it that Matthew Bollander left three months ago when he walked out of my life and straight into the arms of another woman. While Matthew and his fiancée—yes, it happened that fast—spent the weekend with friends and family during their elaborate southern wedding, I intended to move on with my life. I didn't know how, but I had five days to figure it out, and I'd be damned if I wouldn't succeed.

  I dragged myself off the cozy bed and meandered around the room, inspecting every corner and knickknack, my hand sweeping over the furniture like a kid in a candy shop. The soft pink chair, pushed into the corner by the window, reminded me of my grandmother's. I plopped onto the cushion and wiggled into the seat. "This one's just right," I said. "Perfect spot to list the reasons I'm better off without Matthew."

  I dragged myself from the snug, cushy pink patterned chair and wandered over to the fireplace, a bricked in, old school one, with three logs all set for a relaxing fire. I imagined sitting next to the fire that night, working through my emotions with a bottle of Alto Adige Pinot Bianco. I opened my suitcase, took out the bottle and placed in on the dresser, and then unpacked the rest of the suitcase, placing my toiletries in the bathroom.

  "Oh wow," I moaned. "That tub is amazing." An old-fashioned copper claw-footed tub sat in the corner of the room, surrounded by candles in all different shapes and sizes. A white velvet robe lay over the tub. I picked it up and held it to my face. The silky smooth material melted into my skin. "Perfection."

  I finished unpacking, changed into a fresh pair of cut-off jean shorts and a tank top, grabbed my journal, my iPod, a pen and my ear buds and headed downstairs. Lou was dusting furniture in the main sitting room. "Hi," I said. "I'm Carly Howard. I'm staying in the Serenity Suite."