Becky thought it unwise to get too close any faster. “I really appreciate the offer, but I want to just unwind over a burger downtown and get back to the room. I need to check in with my boss, too. Can we do supper another time?”
“Sure,” said Lizzie, “My husband will be home in just a couple of minutes. How about meeting him before you go?”
They talked about Summer for a few more minutes before she came down from her room. Shortly after that, Lizzie’s husband, Guy, arrived from his work at the airport. He and Becky talked for about twenty minutes, before she left.
As she drove back toward her motel, Becky couldn’t help but debate her thoughts about Guy. On the surface he seemed nice enough and was friendly toward her. However, something about him didn’t sit right with her. It was just a feeling; nothing concrete. Maybe it was partially fueled by his seeming disinterest in helping Lizzie find out what was going on with their daughter. She wondered if he was hiding something.
She decided to detour into the Snag Bar on Broadway Avenue before reaching the motel. She’d heard about the beautiful but rustic wooden bar and the reputation for having good burgers, beer, and atmosphere. It seemed like a good spot to have an evening bite before calling Bert.
It wasn’t long after she sat at the bar before a younger man, apparently one of the skiers in town, hit on her. He was a handsome guy, probably in his late twenties or early thirties, with dark hair and blue eyes. She didn’t mind having some company while she ate so accepted his request to sit with her. Alex, as he introduced himself, was from out of town, someplace in eastern Iowa. They chatted while she ate her burger and finished a lager beer. He picked up her tab before she could pay it.
Becky wasn’t naïve, she knew where this could go. It was tempting. She’d been divorced for about five months now and hadn’t been with a man that entire time. She didn’t know if she was ready now. What was clear was the loneliness that she increasingly felt. Was this the answer to that feeling, though? She debated that question for another ten minutes as they talked.
Alex finally got to the question she knew was coming. He invited her to his motel for a “night cap.” She knew it was for more than a drink.
She took a silent and long inhale. “Alex, I just got divorced not long ago. I’m flattered by your interest, but I’m just not ready for that. You’re a great looking guy and very nice, but I just can’t. Not now. I hope you understand.”
Alex’s look of disappointment said everything. However, he was gracious as he said good-bye and rejoined his table of friends. Becky quickly left the bar and drove back to the Beartooth Hideaway Inn. She hadn’t noticed the lone man who was sitting in a dark corner of the bar and who left while Alex was hitting on her. In her distracted state, she didn’t pick up on him as he followed her to her motel, staying a block behind with his dark, two-door pickup.
Safely settled in her room, she struggled to understand the buyer’s remorse she felt at not accepting Alex’s offer. She needed companionship, and she wanted a man’s touch again, but she wanted more than that. Certainly not just a one-night stand thing. Something kept her from taking that plunge. What was it?
She called Bert’s number. It was time to check in and tell them about the day with Summer’s family. As the phone rang, she knew she’d made the right decision.
Becky told Bert and presumably Norah about her time with Lizzie, Summer, and Guy. When she had recounted the major events, she asked if he had any suggestions or if Norah could offer any inputs.
Bert apparently put down his phone to talk with Norah. Becky could hear him in the background but didn’t hear Norah. Soon, he returned to the phone. “I think you’re on the right track, Becky. You must understand what’s in that child’s head if you’re going to help her. Norah said the same thing, and she is sensing that the two pictures are very significant. Something is hidden in those drawings. If you find out what that is, you’ll probably find the answers to the child’s dilemma.”
Becky told them about her plan to spend the next few days, as long as it took, really, to get to know this family and Summer. Especially, she wanted to spend time with Summer. She would immerse herself into the family and see if Summer would open up more with her. Bert told her that he and Norah both agreed with that approach.
They talked for a few more minutes about non-business stuff. Nothing in particular but Becky enjoyed just having a regular conversation for a while. She liked Bert. She felt she’d like Norah, too, as she got to know her. If she got to know her. That relationship was a little perplexing. The first night when visiting their house, she felt like Norah was there, even though Bert said she wasn’t. It was an eerie feeling.
After saying good-bye and good-night, Becky changed into her pajamas and leaned back in bed with a glass of beer. It was a good time to recap her time with the child and let the beer relax her into sleep. This case was more than a job to her. Today, it became a passion to understand and eliminate the fear, the demon, which seemed to haunt this small child. After readying for bed, she turned the light off and pulled the covers to her chin. Tomorrow was a new beginning. She closed her eyes and asked the darkness one last question. “What’s going on with you, Summer?”
Chapter Four: Digging up Bones
Friday morning, January 5th, 2018, greeted Bert and Missy with clear skies, light breeze, and five below zero temperature. They were both animated and full of energy as they took their morning walk into the mountains north of the house. This would be a short walk of about a half hour. Just too cold to stay out a lot longer, even for Missy. Walks were as much for Bert as for his animal. He always welcomed the time in nature, and it helped him clear his mind and think.
Norah chose to stay with the house this morning. Her inputs and ideas had been key in first finding and then updating the little two-bedroom log cabin years earlier. It was the fulfillment of a dream and became her sanctuary when they weren’t out of town on a case. She was attached to their home nearly as much as to Bert. Both held her to them.
When Bert returned, he fed Missy and let her into the living room. She loved to lie on a rug a few yards away from the fireplace. After her usual couple of spins, knocking down the invisible grasses ingrained in her genetic code, she yawned, laid on her side, stretched, and went to sleep. Bert chuckled as he watched her ritual and then told Norah he thought it might be wise to go see Robert in Nebraska soon. They’d check the weather channel again in a minute, but last night’s report seemed to favor the trip sooner rather than next week. Norah was also watching Missy and smiling. She nodded.
Bert paused to drink in the beauty of his spirit wife for a moment. Her shoulder-length, auburn hair seemed to literally shimmer as she stood near the front picture window. Her round face, wonderful smile, and laughing eyes betrayed the often-warped sense of humor that always lurked just below the surface. She always had a nice, trim figure and great legs. Even as a spirit, Bert could see the beautiful woman who won his heart many years earlier and still held it today. He sighed a deep, longing sigh. He hoped she wouldn’t see the lone tear that slowly slid down his right cheek. The TV gave him the reason he needed to turn away.
The morning’s weather report called for several more days of clear and cold weather, but the talk was now focused on what appeared to be a significant winter storm expected to move across the region by the middle of next week. Bert just nodded to Norah, and then called Robert in Nebraska City.
He talked briefly with Robert, asking if it was okay for them to come there the next day, Saturday. Robert was enthusiastic about that and said he’d been able to get as much of the information as possible. Bert told him they could be there probably around mid-afternoon Saturday, January 6th. They’d have to scramble around and leave by noon today. It’d require an overnight stay somewhere, probably in west Nebraska.
“Robert seems relieved that we’re coming there soon,” he told Norah. “He’s anxious for us to get started. We’d better start getting ready and try to leave before noon,
if possible. Also need to do a quick call to Becky and let her know. See how she’s doing. Looks like we’re all going to be digging up bones in these two cases.”
“Yes, she’s probably at the Hayden’s by now. I hope she can begin to understand what’s going on with Summer. I’m starting to get a strange vision, Bert. It’s a scary one, because it feels like I’m being drawn into a portal. Then it vanishes. One second it rushes at me, and then it’s gone. I hope it doesn’t mean this child is going to be taken in some way or disappear. You’d better warn Becky to watch for something like that.”
“Oh wow, that’s scary, Sweetheart. I’m going to call her in just a minute, soon as I get a coffee.” Bert fixed another coffee, sat down in front of the picture window, and called Becky.
Becky answered on the fourth ring. “Hello, boss, how’re things down there in the tropics? Kinda mild up this way; a balmy 12 below zero this morning still. Might need to wear socks today.” She laughed.
Bert laughed back. “I guess we’re having a heat wave compared to that. Only five below here now. How’s everything going there?”
Becky was upbeat. “I’m having coffee with Lizzie right now and she’s treating me to eggs and toast at her house. We’re waiting for Summer to get dressed. Then we’re going to take her out window shopping around town. The kids don’t go back to school until Monday. A chance to spend some time with her.”
“Fabulous!” Bert said. “Sounds like you’re on a plan. I wanted to pass along a couple things.”
“Okay, shoot.” Becky responded immediately.
“For one thing,” he said, “Norah’s having a vision you should know about. Are you on the phone speaker?”
“No. Just you and me.”
“Good. I think the client doesn’t need to hear this; at least not yet. Norah sees something like a portal and she’s disappearing into it. Very quickly. She’s concerned that Summer might somehow be taken or vanish. We don’t know what to make of it beyond that. Just be aware and keep a sharp watch. Norah’s visions may take a while to understand, but they’re usually significant.”
Becky took a moment to collect her thoughts before she replied. She didn’t want Lizzie to hear the sudden concern in her voice. “Okay, Bert, I’ll do that. What else do you have for me?”
“We’ve talked with the Nebraska client, looked at the coming weather, and decided to drive over to Nebraska City now to meet with him. We’ll leave just as soon as we can get packed up. We’ll have to stay overnight somewhere, probably in west Nebraska.”
“I understand,” she said, “drive carefully, boss. Don’t want to lose you two. I mean you three; I’m sure Missy is going with you.”
He smiled at that. “Yup, she’s a part of the team. You’ll get to know her in time. She’ll love you. You’ll love her, too. Well, good luck up there. Tell Lizzie that we say hello and can’t wait to meet her someday. Bye for now. Call anytime if you feel the need.”
Bert disconnected the call and turned back to Norah. “She’s aware of it and has a plan going, Sweetheart. I’d better get ready. It’s over thirteen hours to Nebraska City.”
He gathered up their bags and gear, placed Missy’s favorite blanket in the back area of the SUV. The doghouse, as he often referred to it. An hour before noon, they pulled out of the driveway and began the drive toward the Nebraska Panhandle and Interstate 80.
***
In Red Lodge, Becky and Lizzie gathered up Summer and went to Lizzie’s van. It was time to do some serious shopping. At Summer’s insistence they drove first to a sweet shop for some hot chocolate and a donut. Becky felt her waistline and looked at Lizzie. Lizzie just smiled and nodded in understanding. More temptations to try to ignore, thought Becky. Last night wasn’t enough, apparently.
A half hour later, they left the store, feeling only a little guilty. The ladies had split a bag of glazed donut holes with a cup of tea, while envying the child as she snarfed down a whole cinnamon roll.
“Oh, to be young again,” Becky said wishfully. “Would you mind if I get something for Summer, maybe clothing of some kind?”
“That’s fine,” said Lizzie, “there’s not much that she needs, though. There’s a neat western store on the main drag. Lots of temptations. We’ll go there. It’s one of my favorite places to browse.”
“Oh God, more temptations.” Becky silently braced herself against her shopping DNA. She’d been noticing that Summer seemed to be cold, despite the heavy coat and hat. She thought about something like a balaclava with an animal face and ears; or maybe a scarf. Hopefully the western store would have something like that.
They hurried inside the store to get out of the bone-chilling cold. A young man ambled over to assist them. While Lizzie followed Summer to the youth section, Becky asked this lad if he had any balaclavas or scarves. He led her to that section of the store. Only the scarves seemed to have some potential. Becky picked out a brightly colored scarf with animal patterns. The young clerk asked if she’d like to try it with the little girl first, just to be sure she liked it. That seemed like a good idea, so they strode over to where Lizzie and Summer were looking at vests.
“Hi little lady,” the clerk said to Summer, “let’s see how you look in this.” He leaned forward and gave a quick wrap of the scarf around Summer’s neck.
Summer let out a scream that caught the attention of the entire store. She ripped frantically at the scarf and threw it on the floor as she ran to her mother and threw up her arms. Her screams were turning into tears and sobs. She grabbed her mother’s neck tightly as soon as she was picked up and buried her face against Lizzie’s neck. Three shocked looks were on the faces of the adults.
The clerk and Becky simultaneously began to apologize to the child and mother. Becky was shocked as she realized she was witness to one of the “other things” which Lizzie had referred to. What just happened, she wondered.
“Oh my God,” Becky cried out. “I’m so sorry, Lizzie, what did we do?”
Lizzie was also confused. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen her react so strongly to a scarf before. This is a first.”
Becky instinctively stroked the child’s hair as she clung to her mother. In doing so, she felt an intense sense of fear. It was clear that this young girl was petrified of the scarf. Or was it having it placed around her neck?
She needed to know. Becky picked up the scarf and held it normally in front of herself. She moved casually around behind Lizzie so that Summer could see her. As she did this, she watched Summer’s reaction. The child clutched her mother tighter but didn’t seem to get any more intensely afraid. Becky moved the scarf in her hands. “See, Summer, this is just a scarf. It keeps you warm. It won’t hurt you.”
Standing about three feet away, Becky slowly wrapped the scarf around her own neck. She snuggled into it and tugged it up to her chin, keeping out the imaginary cold. The child continued to watch her intently, but her demeanor didn’t change. It’s not the scarf, Becky thought to herself.
Becky removed the scarf and slowly moved it toward Summer. The child instantly reacted, nearly cutting off the circulation to her mother’s neck. She began to whimper. Becky knew if she moved it any closer, Summer would begin to scream again. She brought the scarf back down and handed it to the young clerk. He’d been watching everything with almost bug-eyes. He didn’t know what to think or say. He took the scarf and returned it to the rack.
“She’s afraid, deeply afraid, of having something around her neck,” Becky said to Lizzie. “Has she ever had an incident with something around her neck, perhaps making her gasp for breath for a second or two?”
“No, not to my knowledge,” Lizzie replied. “I guess we’ve tried to get her to wear a scarf a time or two several years ago, and she refused. I don’t remember this much reaction, though.”
It was obvious to Becky that this mother was going through her memories, trying to find any such incident. “Then maybe the individual is a part of this, not just the scarf, not just the wrapping it
, but a stranger doing it?”
Lizzie nodded. “That could be it, Becky. When we tried to get her to wear a scarf, she kinda pitched a little fit about it and we quit pushing it. Nothing like with the clerk, though.”
“So, the question becomes, what happened to her to give her such fear?” Becky reflected on her own question. They left the store without buying anything and moved on to another.
There were no other incidents with Summer and the child acted completely normal again. They browsed through three other interesting shops, and then decided on pizza and a shake at the Red Lodge Pizza Company. Becky discovered that Summer loves meat and veggie pizza and chocolate shakes. While they were eating, a young woman entered carrying an infant.
Summer pointed to her and told her mother, “look mommy, that lady has a baby just like mine.”
Into the Light Page 5