by Linda Wisdom
Chapter 7
Keely didn’t need many hints to tell her it wasn’t her day. She couldn’t find an important file in her computer and hated to think it was lost. Steffie had borrowed, without permission, her favorite pale blue blouse and promptly spilled orange juice on it at breakfast Then Keely ruefully noticed there was a suspicious leak under the commode.
“It may as well be Friday the thirteenth,” she groaned, sorting through her clothing for her oldest jeans and then discovering they were in the hamper. She shrugged and slipped them on. “Oh, well, they’ll just get dirtier anyway.”
She loaded cleaning supplies into the back of the Blazer and drove out to the school to pick up Steffie.
“I was going to ask Lisa if she wanted to come out and help,” her daughter told her as she climbed into the car, “but she has glee club practice.”
“I’m sure she would enjoy that a great deal more than cleaning a filthy old house,” Keely said dryly as she drove away from the school grounds.
“Think we can do some in-line skating this weekend?” Steffie asked as she scrunched down in her seat and pulled off her shirt. She quickly pulled on a shirt her mother had brought for her.
“Sure. I need the exercise,” Keely replied as the car sped down the road until they reached the side road leading to her family home. As she drove up the winding lane, she felt that same disquiet she’d felt the other time. She deliberately tamped down her feelings and shored up any uneasiness that threatened to creep in.
The house didn’t look different. Just a house that needed painting, landscaping and some tender loving care. So why did she feel as if something horrible would happen to her the moment she stepped inside?
Keely swallowed the bitterness creeping up her throat as she climbed out of the truck. She walked around to the back to pull out the cleaning supplies and met Steffie who came around from the other side.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just sell this place and buy the house we’re leasing?” Steffie asked, grabbing a mop and bucket filled with bottles of household cleaners and floor wax. “Think of all the work we’d save ourselves. A lot of new owners love a fixer-upper.”
“The owner of the house we’re leasing doesn’t want to sell.” Keely took another bucket and cleaning rags.
“Aha! You had thought of it, too!” Steffie laughed as she made her way up to the front porch. She stopped and tipped her head back in order to look up. “Such a sad house,” she murmured.
Keely stopped short at her daughter’s comment “Why would you say that?”
Steffie turned around at the sharp note in Keely’s voice. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s vibrations or something, but it just feels so sad inside. Do you think someone who’d rented the house since your parents lived here had something unhappy happen here?”
“I don’t know.” She straightened her shoulders and headed for the door. “And speculating about the former tenants won’t get the job done.”
“Oh, boy, she’s launching into her big-bad-boss routine,” Steffie muttered with a teasing smile as she picked up her supplies and waited while Keely unlocked the door and pushed it open.
The soft creak as the door swung open grated on Keely’s nerves. She stepped inside and immediately felt that smothering sensation try to overtake her. She refused to give in to the weakness and instantly turned to her left
“I’ll start with the kitchen,” she announced. “Why don’t you start dust mopping the floors in the living room?” She didn’t stop to think why she didn’t even want to look inside that room.
Steffie nodded and pulled out the necessary tools.
Keely walked into the kitchen and pulled up the shade in order to have a better look around the small room. After thirty years, she didn’t expect to remember anything. She stared at faded wallpaper that needed to be replaced, appliances that were sadly out-of-date and probably didn’t work and scarred cabinet doors. She walked over to the sink and wrinkled her nose at the rust stains marring the white porcelain.
“Mom, should I have these horrifying memories of here?” she whispered, looking around her as if she might see the ghost of her mother standing nearby.
For a moment her vision wavered and she was positive she could smell the spicy aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and hear a woman’s voice. As quickly as the impression emerged, it disappeared.
Keely gripped die counter because she was afraid her legs couldn’t hold her up. A second later, she heard the raucous sounds from Steffie’s portable stereo. Anything she might have been able to dredge up dissipated under the everyday sounds.
She turned on the water to fill the bucket and with gritted teeth she began scrubbing cabinets and counters. The entire time she worked she felt a cold sensation along her shoulder blades, as if someone was watching her. She tried to ignore the feelings until it got so strong she’d look up and around, even going so far as to glance out the window and open the back door, but each time there was nothing. Even that assurance didn’t ease her mind. Not when she was positive she could detect a faint aroma of cigar smoke drifting in from outside. All the while she worked in the kitchen she kept looking over her shoulder.
“I don’t have to clean out the fireplace, do I?” Steffie shouted. “It’s disgusting and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are spiders and maybe even bats living in the chimney.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have a professional come out to clean that,” Keely assured her, relieved to have a reason to leave the kitchen. She walked through the house to the living room and looked around. “You have done a great job!”
Steffie picked up a dust mop that was black with dirt “This is only a fraction of the crud I got up. Didn’t anyone ever clean around here?” She grimaced as she wiped her grimy hands on her shorts.
“Not for the past few years.” Keely frowned as she glanced toward the stairs. Why did they make her feel uneasy? As if they were the basis behind something horrible. The only conclusion she could come to was that she might have fallen down them as a child and had been afraid of them after that
As it was, she had no desire to climb them to check out the second floor. She knew she would have to conquer this fear sooner or later; right now, she’d prefer it be later.
“Mom.” Steffie moved toward the window. “It’s starting to get dark;”
Keely had already uneasily noticed that the room was growing dimmer. And she hadn’t thought to bring any flashlights.
“Why don’t we pack up?” she suggested. “We’ll stop in town and pick up a pizza on the way home.”
“Sounds good to me.” Steffie hurriedly piled supplies in the bucket. “And garlic bread.”
“Naturally.”
Keely likewise hurried. She couldn’t help but wonder— if she felt so apprehensive about the house now, how would she be able to live in it?
The little girl was afraid. She hated to hear the loud voices coming from below. She didn’t want to leave her bed, but she wanted her mommy even more. Her stuffed dog helped her feel braver as she climbed out of bed and crept toward the door. Where was the night-light? Why was it so dark? It wasn’t supposed to be dark like this. It wasn’t dark before, was it?
She made her way to the top of the stairs. From there, she could see everything. No! It was dark down there. She could hear the angry voices but couldn’t see anyone down there. Were there ghosts or monsters making all the noise? She was afraid to look. Afraid of what she might see. And the lady’s song about the white rabbit was so clear, as if she were on the stairs with her.
Then the screams ripped through the air.
Keely bolted upright in bed. Her heart pounded so violently she wasn’t aware of her nightgown sticking to her sweat-slick skin. She drew up her legs and rested her forehead against her knees. Her mouth was open as she struggled to draw much needed air into her lungs.
“What does it mean?” she whispered. “Why do I dream of a small child crying?”
At that exact second the telephone ran
g. She jumped, covering her mouth to stifle a cry. She leaned over and snagged the receiver before it could ring a second time.
“Hello?” she said softly, wondering if she was letting herself in for a crank call.
Instead of a voice, the soft strains of a song came over the receiver. The same song from her nightmare. Keely moaned and quickly replaced the receiver. She backed up until she was plastered against the headboard and her arms looped around her drawn-up knees as she stared at the phone. It wasn’t until dawn before she felt brave enough to allow herself to fall back asleep and even then she didn’t relax her defensive pose. She feared she’d only dreamed the phone call. Even if it didn’t feel like a dream.
“At least we don’t have to worry about a lot of traffic here,” Steffie said as she sat on the Blazer’s tailgate and pulled on her in-line skates. She busied herself with her helmet, knee and elbow pads next.
“Or you gawking at the boys playing volleyball when we go to the beach,” Keely teased, as she tucked her ponytail up under her helmet. “Or if we’re at the park.”
“Okay, okay, I get the message,” Steffie groused, as she secured the protective padding. “But I noticed there were times when you watched a few guys, too.”
“Of course I did. I may be over thirty, but I’m not dead,” Keely said cheerfully, standing up. After Steffie stood up, Keely pushed up the truck’s tailgate and made sure it was locked. “We still should keep our ears and eyes open for traffic.”
Steffie nodded then pushed off. Keely quickly followed.
Mother and daughter had spent many a weekend in-line skating either at a nearby park or at the beach and enjoyed the exhilaration the speed afforded them.
Keely had always enjoyed the fresh bite of salt air and the breeze the ocean gave them. Out here, they had the fresh air, but instead of smooth concrete they had a rougher surface to navigate and potholes to avoid as they rolled over the roads.
Since the night she had dreamed of the crying child and the phone call that could have been a dream for all she knew at this point, Keely hadn’t been sleeping well. She hoped the exercise would tire her out enough to get a decent night’s sleep.
She could see Steffie racing ahead of her, the girl laughing as she spun around.
“Such great hills,” she shouted, bending her knees slightly as she sped up.
“Just keep an eye out for cars,” Keely shouted back.
They skated until they both felt pleasantly tired and had to stop to take a rest, each taking half of a large boulder set just off the road.
“We need to do this more often,” Steffie said. “I told Lisa I’d teach her to skate. Maybe her dad would like to learn, too.” She gave her mother a sly smile.
“Oh, sure, the good sheriff can catch criminals as he rolls down the sidewalk.” Keely drank from her water bottle. “I don’t think this is his style for exercise.”
Steffie rolled her eyes. “Okay, smart guy, what do you think is his idea of exercise?”
Bed pillows tossed to the floor. Sheets pulled back. Keely abruptly shook her head to dispel the picture forming in her mind.
“Something a little more he-man than in-line skating,” she answered, pushing herself off the boulder. “Come on. We should get back. We’re going to be sore enough as it is since we haven’t done this for a while, and there are more hills here.”
“After all the hard labor you’ve put me through, this was nothing,” Steffie scoffed, pushing off.
Keely was content to follow behind Steffie and enjoy the pull of tired muscles. It wasn’t until Steffie half turned around and a look of horror crossed her face that she had an inkling something might be wrong. Steffie braked to a quick stop and made wild motions with her hands.
“Mom, be careful!” she yelled.
At that moment Keely realized there was something behind her. By then, it was too late. A large truck sped past her so close she promptly lost her balance and fell head over heels. She heard Steffie’s screams as she finally landed on her back.
“Mom! Mom!” Steffie kneeled by her prone form. “Are you all right?” Her hands fluttered over her as if she were afraid to touch her.
Keely closed her eyes for a moment as she took inventory. “You never realize just how hard the ground is until you’ve landed on it,” she groaned, slowly sitting up.
Her daughter’s face darkened with fury. “The idiot never stopped. You could have been killed!” As she looked at her mother, her eyes filled with tears. “It was as if he were aiming for you.”
A chill entered Keely’s blood. “Honey, that’s the last thing I wanted to hear.” She winced as she straightened out her legs.
“Oh, Mom,” Steffie whispered, staring with horrified fascination at Keely’s legs, which were speckled with bits of gravel and blood.
“Just help me up, okay?”
Steffie grabbed Keely’s arm and steadied her movements as she slowly got to her feet. She kept hold of her mother as they slowly rolled down the road.
By the time they reached the truck, Keely felt slightly nauseous from the burning pain running up her legs and along her arms.
“You have to see the doctor,” Steffie insisted after helping Keely take her blades off and climb into the driver’s seat. “You know, if you feel too bad, I could drive you.”
Keely shot her an all-knowing look. “I’m only injured, Steffie. Not dying.”
“Don’t even say that!” She hopped into the passenger seat and quickly fastened her seat belt.
Keely swallowed a groan as she pulled out onto the road. The spots of blood on her arms and legs didn’t help her peace of mind
By the time they reached the medical clinic, her stomach was rolling over and over. With Steffie’s help she was able to climb down and hobble into the clinic.
“What happened to you?” Allison asked, running over to take Keely’s other arm.
“Skating accident,” Keely explained.
“A truck sideswiped her!” Steffie said at the same time.
Allison’s alarmed expression told Keely which statement she preferred to believe.
“It was an accident,” she insisted. “The driver probably didn’t see me.” She allowed the receptionist to lead her into a back room and settle her on the examination table. Steffie followed her in.
“The doctor will be just a minute,” Allison told them as she left, closing the door behind her.
A soft knock on the door alerted them to their impending visitor. Melanie stepped inside with a smile on her lips. Her smile dimmed when she noticed Keely’s ragged condition.
“My, you did a good job on yourself,” she observed, moving forward to better examine her injuries. “Allison
said you were out in-line skating?” She arched an eyebrow in question as she glanced up at Keely. “Why?” She looked as if she couldn’t understand why anyone would do such a thing.
“It’s great exercise,” Keely explained. She let out a hiss when Melanie probed one of the wounds.
“Have you ever done this before?” she asked.
Keely shook her head.
“Then I’m afraid you’re not going to like the treatment I have to use for this.” She walked over to the intercom and buzzed the office. “I’m going to need the wire brush in room three.”
“Wire brush?” Keely yelped, automatically drawing her legs up and wincing as pain shot up her calves.
Steffie turned green and stumbled to her feet “I think I’ll wait outside,” she announced, making an unsteady way to the door.
“Did you hear Keely Harper ended up taking a header while in-line skating?” Rick stuck his head in Sam’s door. “I guess those cute little shorts of hers didn’t cover enough skin so she ended up with a pretty bad case of road rash.”
Sam looked up. “She fell?”
“Her kid says a truck sideswiped her.” Rick shook his head. “Man, a looker like her ending up on the road had to be a sorry sight.”
For a brief second Sam wondered what
it would feel like to wipe that cocky grin off his deputy’s face. He suspected the younger man didn’t uphold the letter of the law the way he should, but so far, he hadn’t been able to prove a thing. He knew the day he did was the day he’d kick that guy’s butt out of a job.
“Maybe one of us should have a talk with her,” he said slowly.
Rick shook his head. “The lady says it was an accident. It’s the kid who disagrees.”
“That kid has a pretty level head on her shoulders and I wouldn’t discount anything she has to say,” Sam said in a tight voice. “I suggest you stop by the Harpers and find out what happened.”
Rick’s handsome features were marred by his scowl. “Shouldn’t we wait for someone to file charges?”
Sam chose to ignore his sarcasm. “I’d like to see some paper on this.”
The deputy eyed Sam closely. “You got a reason for wanting this?”
Sam wanted to tell him better men than him had tried to stare him down and lost. But he knew the younger man still felt his oats too much. He figured his cocky swagger said it all.
“Since I’m the sheriff here, I don’t need a reason,” he said in a level voice that didn’t quite disguise the steel in his tone. “Why don’t you run out there now?”
Rick’s expression was ugly as he turned away. “Yes, sir!”
Sam put down his pen before he gave in to his first inclination and threw it. He didn’t want to admit he didn’t like the idea of Keely being injured. Especially, if as Steffie said, it was deliberate. The Harpers hadn’t lived here long enough to have any enemies. What could bring this about? He was determined to find out.
“Are you sure you don’t need anything. Mom?” Steffie hovered over her parent.
Keely winced as she shifted her body. More aches and pains were making themselves known as the pain medication wore off.
“No, I’m fine.” She cocked her head at the sound of a car driving up.
Steffie ran to the widow to peer out “It’s Sam!” Her smile just as quickly disappeared. “Oh, it’s Rick. What does he want?” She walked to the door and opened it