“Something is protecting us,” Kellie said. “It could be Marilyn’s grandpa. I don’t know. I have sent spirits into the light and fought off the shadow with the light from my hands, but controlling the weather is unchartered territory for me.”
Kellie pulled her cell out of her pocket hoping to call Claudia, “No bars, between the rain and being under the bridge I can’t get a signal.”
Another rifle shot echoed.
Taylor asked, “Can you shoot a ghost? Will her grandpa be able to kill Elias? Is that possible?”
Marilyn shrugged.
Hunter added, “Maybe he wants to scare Elias and drive him this way so Kellie can get a hold of him with the power in her hands.”
“You have more faith in me than I do, but if he comes back, I’ll try my best.”
“Don’t you remember your battle with the shadow last fall? You killed the shadow by turning its evil back onto it so maybe you can do the same here,” Hunter smiled hoping to give Kellie some needed courage.
She sat down next to Marilyn and Taylor.
“We’ll have to wait. It’s dark and raining. We can’t get home in this storm.”
The small cemetery remained dry during the storm, and Hunter gathered twigs and loose brush. He started a small fire to keep them warm.
Chapter twenty-two
The wind picked up and began to spin in miniature tornadoes near the edges of the small cemetery. The howling winds were unnatural, and Kellie could feel the evil swirling within them. She stared into the tornadoes as they passed and occasionally she would get a glimpse of Elias.
“This is his last stand,” Kellie murmured. “I need to be ready for anything.”
As soon as the thought entered her mind, one of the tornadoes flew through the cemetery directly at Kellie. It picked her up and threw her to the ground several feet away. The fall knocked the breath out of Kellie, and she pushed herself to her knees. A second tornado flew past her, but she dropped to the ground and it flew over her head.
She drew in a deep breath and yelled, “Elias, stop. I have had enough. Face me like the man you once were, and we’ll see who’ll win.”
#####
The wind slowed, and the tornadoes diminished. The rain and lightning stopped abruptly allowing the moonlight to brighten the area. Elias stood at the edge of the road looking down at the small cemetery and Kellie.
“Thanks to your friend, I am not able to enter the cemetery. You will have to come up to the road to meet with me.” His misty form became solid, and Kellie saw a man where the ghost had stood.
She began to walk up the hill when Hunter grabbed her arm. “Wait, you can’t go up there. I’m sure they never blessed the road. They would never bury anyone in the road; I’m sure. You said Elias and the boy would float from the house to the tunnel. I doubt they were blessed either. He’s trying to get you where his evil has power.”
“I’m sure he is,” Kellie said. Her lip twisted as she glanced off into the distance for a moment. She took Hunter’s hand and said, “Sit with Taylor and Marilyn. Please hold their hands. Remember Claudia told us we’re always stronger together. Do your best to concentrate your thoughts on me. Elias has no idea of what power I have and Claudia has told me I have more than I know. Together we can do this.”
She continued her walk up the hill, and Hunter hurried to the young women’s side relaying Kellie’s message.
Elias stood on the road and waited for Kellie to walk within a few feet of him.
“You are brave, but cannot win. I am stronger.” He lifted his hand, and black smoke began to pour from his palm.
Kellie lifted her hand, and white light shot across to Elias and he screamed. The black smoke disappeared.
His evil laughter filled the air, “You want to be nasty. I can be as nasty as any. You stand alone and face me young woman. You do not stand a chance.”
“She is not alone,” Grandpa Price’s voice boomed behind Kellie.
Elias laughed again and lifted both hands forming another black tornado. It came directly at Kellie.
She threw up her hands and yelled, “Stop.” White light flew from her fingers and surrounded the tornado. It disappeared in a flash of white light.
Elias began to form another black tornado when Kellie threw up her hands and shouted, “I have had enough of you, Elias. It’s time for you to go.” She felt grandpa’s hands on her shoulders, and strength run down her arms. The light that flew from her hands surprised her. It was nearly too bright to look at when it surrounded Elias.
The scream emitting from where Elias stood sounded like a wounded animal as the white light disappeared into the ground. The scream continued and the ground shook. When it stopped, Kellie knew Elias wouldn’t return. Grandpa released his grip on her shoulders and floated down to Marilyn’s side.
Hunter and Taylor hurried up the hill to see if Kellie was all right.
“I’m fine and much better than Elias,” Kellie said as she pointed to the black spot on the road. They watched as Marilyn and her grandpa embraced, and he disappeared. Marilyn hurried up the hill to meet them.
“Grandpa is going to watch over my mom. I told him dad is angry. He said he’ll be sure to take care of her. Now I won’t have to worry. It’s past dinnertime. Is anyone hungry? We’ll go to the diner, my treat,” she smiled feeling safe for the first time in weeks.
Fortunately, Kellie’s SUV was parked close by and they didn’t have to remain in the cemetery long. Kellie felt only peace as she drove out toward the highway.
#####
The following morning Marilyn cooked everyone a big country breakfast. Taylor and Hunter would be heading back to Malone Springs. Kellie promised to stay an extra day and help Marilyn look for records on the names of the people buried under the bridge.
Marilyn’s phone rang. “It’s my dad, please excuse me.” She walked into the parlor to take the call. After her call with her dad, she phoned her mom and then walked back into the kitchen.
Marilyn started, “Dad went home, and he and mom are getting along fine. He spoke with the sheriff, and the case is officially closed. I knew that would happen the morning I took the journal copy to the station. Dad also said he spoke to the pastor at church who is friends with an elderly, retired priest. The priest said he would be happy to bless the cemetery. I didn’t tell him what happened last night.”
“I think that’s for the best. You said you would include it all in your book. Once they read it you’ll have your hands full explaining,” Kellie said as she finished breakfast.
“Hunter, whatever you did last night worked,” Marilyn continued, “but I think the town will be happy with an official blessing.”
“I think your right,” Hunter said as he stood and looked at Taylor. “Are you ready to head home?”
“Yes,” she smiled and hugged Kellie and Marilyn.
“I’ll be home tomorrow,” Kellie said.
Marilyn and Kellie waved as Hunter and Taylor drove down the drive and then climbed into Marilyn’s car headed to the courthouse to search for death records.
#####
As they approached the doors, Kellie said, “I’m glad we have the death dates or it would take us quite some time. Records this old are most likely bound in those large leather journals. I have searched for records using them before and it can be time consuming.”
Kellie was right. After Marilyn had explained to the clerk what they were looking for, they were escorted into a small room with a shelf of thick black journals with gold binding and lettering. Marilyn pulled the year they needed and began to look.
It didn’t take long to find all the records they needed and make copies. They were shocked by the causes of death. Many were listed as pneumonia or influenza. A few listed consumption and several of the men were listed as accident victims either from gun shots or falling from trees or horses. Not one man’s cause of death was listed as hanging even though several of the spirits still had nooses around their necks. Katrina May’s deat
h was listed as drowning. One listed a young woman who died in childbirth. The male child was also dead, and cause of death listed was ‘stillborn.’
Kellie looked at Marilyn and said, “I didn’t see any woman with a baby when the spirits went into the light. I pray they didn’t kill the child, too.”
Marilyn scrunched her eyebrows for a moment and said, “There was one young woman who was crying the entire time I saw her. Maybe they assumed the child might be affected if left with the mother and buried him elsewhere. Usually they bury mothers and stillborn infants together. She could’ve been the crying woman.”
Tears filled Kellie’s eyes, “That is cruel, but they’re together now. Katrina May was a murder victim. Her official cause of death should state that. Elias gave her a poisonous concoction and her brother drown her. They all should be listed as murdered, but no one would believe us. The same doctor signed all of these and not one word about the madness or witchcraft they used as an excuse to kill them. I think the entire town was in on this and not just the four families Shuland blamed.”
“I agree and it’ll all come out in my book. I’m ready to go. You?” Marilyn glanced at Kellie.
“Yes, I’m ready and finished with this mystery. I’ll be happy to relax a bit now.” Kellie took a deep cleansing breath and followed Marilyn out of the courthouse.
#####
Relieved to be home after their battle with the Carnfelder ghost and long drive, Taylor walked into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She glanced out the kitchen window and called to Hunter to come into the kitchen.
By the time he had run down from upstairs, Taylor was out on the patio staring at the partial wood construction in Kellie’s backyard.
“What is that?” Taylor asked as Hunter joined her on the patio.
“Looks like the foundation of a gazebo. Did Kellie say she was having one built?”
“No, look, there’s something taped to her patio door. Taylor hurried over and pulled the brochure and letter off the door. “I need to call Kellie.”
Kellie’s cell rang, and Caller ID let her know it was Taylor. “Hi, I’m glad you made it home safe.”
“Umm, yeah we did, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“Is something wrong?” Kellie’s face tightened.
“I don’t know. Did you plan a new gazebo for your backyard because the foundation for one is here?”
“No, well Randy asked me, and I was thinking about it, but he’s gone.” She began to pace around Marilyn’s parlor.
“They left a brochure of a beautiful gazebo as big as the one you had at the mansion, but a different style. There’s also a letter.” Taylor looked at the letter she held in one hand.
“Read it to me, please.”
“My Dear Kellie, Randy left his construction company to Chris, Tony, and me. I think he was worried I might need more income and Chris and Tony were his closest friends and best workers. The guys said the brochure I’m enclosing hung above Randy’s desk in his work trailer and he said it was what he was going to build for you. We wanted to start it right away so you could enjoy it all summer. It’s what Randy would have wanted. Be well my dear, Sue Jensen.”
“Oh no, I never wanted or expected them to build the gazebo now that Randy’s gone. What do I do? I can’t tell them to tear it down.” Kellie dropped into a chair and held her forehead with her free hand. A tear formed in the corner of her eyes, and she blinked it away.
“There’s more. Mrs. Jensen left a huge wooden pot next to the deck with a note in it and a large garden gnome.”
“No, no, no, not a garden gnome. I can’t have one at my house.” Kellie shuddered.
“I understand. I’m freaking out, too. I’ll never forget old Mrs. Castor across the street with all those creepy gnomes in her yard. Remember, Wills Berner told us how they would come to life while we slept and steal our breath?” Taylor moved further away from the wooden pot.
“I sure do, my mom got so upset that summer because I cried every night if she opened my bedroom window for cool, fresh air. The gnome has to go.”
“There’s more,” Taylor added.
“More gnomes,” Kellie’s voice raised in pitch.
“No, in the note she said she hopes you enjoy what she planted. She wrote that she looked hard to find the perfect plant. Mrs. Jensen also wrote that the nursery explained it would grow well and not to worry if it doesn’t.” Taylor’s voice began to break. “There’s a guarantee attached. If it dies, you can get another.”
“What’s wrong? I hear it in your voice. Did she buy me a Venus Fly Trap or something similar?”
“No, it’s worse than that, Kellie. It’s a rose bush. It’ll produce peach colored roses. There’s one small bud on it now.”
“Roses, not again. It must be another warning. I’m leaving here soon. I’ll be home in a few hours.” She slipped her phone in her pocket knowing she had to explain to Marilyn why she felt compelled to return home.
Breathing deeply, she murmured, “Why is it always roses? Will the spirits ever leave me alone?”
#####
Midway on her trip back home, Kellie stopped for coffee. She called Chris and knew she would have to lie. Pressing the speaker button she laid the phone on the console next to her.
“Hi Kellie, it’s nice to hear from you. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing better, Chris. Thanks for asking. How are you and the guys? It must be hard to keep working and how is Mrs. Jensen? I heard you started a gazebo in my yard.” Kellie took a sip of coffee with one hand and ran the palm of her other over her knee.
“Mrs. Jensen is doing as well as can be expected. She sees the gift of the gazebo as a memorial to Randy. The guys just keep pushing and working to honor Randy. We decided to keep the name Jensen Construction.”
“That’s nice of you, but what about the gazebo?”
“Oh, yeah, it’s something Randy planned and we’re honoring Mrs. Jensen’s wish and building it in his memory. You don’t mind?”
“No, not at all,” Kellie said. “There is one small problem. Mrs. Jensen left me a rose bush, and I’m allergic to roses.” There she said it; she lied, but it was necessary. She couldn’t bear the thought of the roses growing in her yard.
“No problem, I’ll put the planter in my truck. Mrs. Jensen can keep the bush at her place, and when I bring the planter back you can grow whatever you want. It should stay with the gazebo. The wood matches and we’ll stain it to match whatever color you choose.”
“Thanks, Chris. I’ll be home in about an hour, and I’ll see you if you’re still there.” Kellie shook her head.
“Yup, we’ll be here. It is our first big project since Randy. Umm and we’re going to finish it.”
“Great, bye.”
“Bye.”
#####
Kellie got back on the road, and an hour passed slowly. It seemed the traffic was creeping along, but she knew it was her apprehension. Maybe with the roses gone, her life could get back to normal.
When she drove close to her house, she saw Chris’ truck parked on the street. The small bud Taylor mentioned had bloomed into a huge peach rose, and it made Kellie shudder. Pulling into her garage, she rushed into the kitchen and stopped cold. Chris had moved the planter, but left the gnome sitting on the railing of her deck staring straight into the house.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
The End
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed it. For more information on all my books, future Kellie Conley Mysteries, and short story mysteries please visit my web site Marianne Spitzer, Author, Amazon site Marianne Spitzer on Amazon, my blog Musings Under the Willow Tree., Facebook page Marianne Spitzer, Writer or follow me on Twitter @MarianneSpitzer
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