To Barns’ delight, minutes later, Rachelle walked over to Mira with a huge smile on her face. “David told me everything, Doctor Cullen. I’m sorry I doubted you and I will forever be indebted to you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Mira gave her a warm hug. “I’m just so glad your daughter’s back home now and you both can move on with your lives.”
Just then, Mira’s cell phone rang and she politely excused herself. It was Rosie.
“Mom, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all day!”
“I’m sorry, honey; I’ve been tied up.” Mira was laughing inside, though she had nothing at all to laugh about when she was literally tied to the sacrificial table. She had no intentions of telling Rosie and Sara about that. “Is everything okay at home?” she asked.
“Yeah. When are you coming back?”
“We’re leaving tomorrow. I’ll be home before noon.”
“Swell. Bye then. I love you.”
“I love you too, honey.” Mira slid the phone back into her pocket and followed the others into the house.
* * * *
On their way to the airport, Mira and Barns stopped at the precinct where they met again with Detective Paige, at her request.
“I’ve just got a couple of questions for you two before you leave,” Paige said after they all sat down.
“Doctor Cullen. We’d like to know where exactly the children were found. I know you said you didn’t know the name of the place, but by your instinct you were led there. I understand you’re a psychic.”
Mira cleared her throat. “I guess others would say that, but I wouldn’t,” she replied. “I’d say that just like everyone else in the world, I have a gift. It may not be the same one you have or Doctor Barns here has. I guess it’s an extra sight that I believe has been given to me in order to help others.”
Paige nodded as Dr. Barns looked on.
“As for where the children were found, I think I can answer that now. Do you still have that map?” Mira asked.
“Sure.” Paige retrieved it from her drawer and rolled it out on the desk again. They stood up.
“It’s right here.” Mira pointed.
Paige looked up at her curiously. “Are you sure about this?”
“I am,” Mira replied.
“This place is about fifty miles on the outskirts. About seventy miles south of Highway 60. Quite secluded. You mean to tell me they were there all the while?”
Mira nodded. “I see that in order to get there from Highway 60, one would encounter a lot of rough terrain not easily accessible—but accessible, nonetheless. That’s why no one would’ve thought to travel that route for the missing kids. It wouldn’t have made sense, considering the circumstances.”
“So, how exactly did you two get there? We’ve heard some crazy stories from the kids. Don’t know what to believe. You didn’t take a helicopter or anything, did you?”
Barns quickly glanced at Mira who shook her head. “No, we didn’t. It’s a mystery as to how we found it, but you know what you have to do to get up there.”
Paige was struck by Mira’s insight and though keen for more details, was impressed by her poise. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” she said.
“What?” Barns asked.
“In a couple of days you two did what law enforcement couldn’t do in three years.”
“It’s all Doctor Cullen here,” Barns replied. “Without her, none of those kids would be home today with their families and neither would our Priscilla.” He looked appreciatively at Mira.
Paige smiled. “Well, then, both of you have a safe trip. Thank you for doing what it took to bring those children home again, and I assure you, we’ll find Alan Wales and Ruth King, if it’s the last thing we do.”
* * * *
Three days later, police converged on the deserted compound in question and found Rosetta Gotlieb’s decomposing body on the floor of the “holy” shed.
Alan Wales and Sister Ruth King’s lifeless bodies were seen floating in the nearby pond. The skeletal remains also discovered in the pond were determined to be that of Trinika Sampson, Head of the English Department at Apex Christian School. The autopsy revealed her cause of death was due to a clean severing of the carotid arteries in an act of decapitation. Her head was never found.
As for Wales and King, their cause of death was marked undetermined.
It remains a mystery to this day.
~ The End ~
A Faint Whisper
Cornelius Saga Series - Book 12
Dedication
To My Awesome Dad
Daddy, you passed on while I was in the middle of writing this book. I will never forget one of the last compliments you made concerning my writing. I will do my best to continue to make you proud as you look down from Heaven. Thank you for being my earthly father and for helping me to complete this story for my wonderful readers. I will love you forever.
~ Rest in eternal peace. ~
1
_________________
The glaring sunlight made its grand entrance into the living room the moment Sara Cullen drew back the heavy curtains. She loved the way it greeted her most mornings—awakening her senses and massaging her wrinkled skin. Looking out the window at the clear, blue sky, a subtle smile crept across her face; she just knew it was going to be a great Saturday. Perfect for doing a little gardening after a hot cup of decaf, she pleasantly thought.
It was bound to be a fairly quiet day too, though most days at home were. Mira and Bobby were off to New York looking to find the perfect wedding dress and groom’s attire.
Sara took her coffee out to the front porch and sat in the red and blue striped lounge chair. She and Mira had enjoyed many days out there, especially on weekends when Mira was off from work. Now, her adult daughter was going to be a bride and someone else’s Sweet Pea, as she affectionately called her. She was about to leave her childhood home to make Bobby a wonderful wife.
Sara sighed happily as she thought of them finally tying the knot and taking their years of courtship to a new level of life-long wedded bliss. She thought of Michael and how proud he’d be of his daughter—if only he were here to watch her walk down the aisle. Yet, gaining assurance from his other-worldly appearance a few years ago in their very home when she needed him the most, she knew he’d see his baby make that long-awaited move right from where he was. He, Karlen, Andy and all the rest who’d passed on and loved Mira since she was just a child.
The decaf was perfect and tantalized the tongue each time Sara indulged in a sip of it. Birds harmoniously chirped all around the trees as her mind continued to drift on things of old, wildly imagining all the new possibilities in store for all of them. Indeed, the Cullen family was turning a new leaf and soon her son, Wade, and his family will be back home in Mizpah again—this time for Mira and Bobby’s wedding. Life couldn’t be any sweeter at that moment in time and Sara savored every second of it.
After the coffee, Sara returned indoors and rested the empty cup in the kitchen sink. She reached into a drawer and retrieved a long pair of yellow, rubber gloves and slipped them on, then grabbed the pruning shears. Heading back outside into the front yard, she inhaled deeply, allowing the fresh morning air to fill her lungs.
She caught herself humming as she stepped onto the manicured lawn that Bobby hadn’t failed to tend to even in all the years since Michael had passed. It wasn’t important that he didn’t live there; the people who did were like his very own family. And for a long time, Mira was not even his girlfriend; just the one girl he’d admired and desperately wished felt the same way about him. He cherished the day he learned she’d come to love him and now they’d finally set a date for their wedding, the Saturday before Easter, just a little more than two months away.
Sara wiped the pebbles of sweat from her forehead and turned when she heard vehicles approaching. She noticed a white moving truck and a light green Suburban pulling up to the house directly across the street, where the Fo
r Sale sign standing on the front lawn now had the red diagonal Sold stamp across it.
A man, a woman and a young girl, who appeared to be in her late teens, all stepped out of the Suburban while two men dressed in blue overalls exited the moving truck. One went to the back and opened the large, sliding trunk as the three from the jeep quickly headed to the main door of the house. Sara had spent many days in that house when Rebekah Sinclair was dying of a rare blood disease. She’d visited the elderly lady for hours at a time when she didn’t have much at home to do. Furthermore, her expertise as a nurse came in handy, especially toward the end when Rebekah’s symptoms intensified. Her care-giver never failed to run across the street or pick up the phone and call Sara when Rebekah had a strange bout of something or the other. The best and most peaceful part of her last year of life was being able to spend her final days in the house she and her David had lived in for fifty-three years. He’d passed on five years earlier and now she, unlike him, was able to take her very last breath in the comfort of her own home. She refused to remain in hospital. It didn’t take long for her sons, Mike and Hewitt to put the old place up for sale after she’d gone on to eternal glory. They had no use for it anyway as they both had nice homes of their own in Oakland and a large textile business to run.
Sara noticed the slender woman with narrow features, glance back at her as she waited at the door, while the man, Sara presumed was her husband, attempted to unlock it. Sara was about to hail, but the woman abruptly turned again when the front door opened. She didn’t have a pleasant face, but Sara wasn’t immediately put off by it. She stood for a few minutes and observed as one by one, pieces of furniture were being lifted into the house by the guys in overalls.
“New neighbors?” Rosie asked, behind her.
Sara jumped, as she hadn’t heard her granddaughter approach. “Yes!” Her hand flew to her chest.
“Sorry, I startled you, Nana,” Rosie said.
“No worries. I was nosying around a bit, you might say. Guess it serves me right.”
Wearing a pair of black slacks and a purple shirt, Rosie folded her arms and watched the scene across the road. The girl returned outside and hurried to the jeep where she retrieved a medium-sized package. She and Rosie made eye contact and the newcomer hailed. Rosie and Sara hailed back, before she went into the house again.
“She seems nice,” Rosie remarked.
“Yes, she does. Not so sure about the woman though,” Sara replied. “But it won’t stop me from being neighborly. I’ll just wait until they’re settled in before I go over and introduce myself. Wanna come?”
“Sure. I’m going to catch up on some homework. Call me when you’re ready.” She turned to leave.
“Homework, this early? You haven’t even had your breakfast yet!”
“I’m not hungry right now. Figured I’d get a head start so the rest of my day will be just for me.”
Sara smiled as Rosie disappeared into the house.
The woman exited the house again and looked straight across the street at Sara. Sara immediately raised her hand, and with a menacing stare, the woman shook her head slowly. It was clear to Sara that she didn’t want to be bothered by anyone and Sara was left to consider whether or not she was about to respect her wishes.
2
_________________
Three hours after the new neighbors arrived, the doorbell rang.
Forty-five-year-old Cindy Morrison, wife and matriarch of the Morrison family opened the door. Standing on her porch was the woman she’d seen across the street and a young girl next to her boasting a cheerful smile.
“May I help you?” Cindy asked, bluntly.
“We didn’t mean to disturb you,” Sara started, “but we thought it only right to introduce ourselves and welcome you and your family to the neighborhood, since we live right across the street there. Folks around here are not intrusive; we kind of mind our own business, but I thought it would be nice to say hello.”
Quietly, the woman stared.
“My name is Sara Cullen and this is my granddaughter, Rosie. My daughter, Mira, lives with us as well, but she’s away for a few days, so you’ll get to meet her a little later on.”
“The name’s Morrison. I’m Cindy.” She sighed. “Look, Miss Cullen...I appreciate your efforts to be neighborly and all, but I’m really a private person and I’d prefer for my family and I to just be left alone. I hope you don’t mind, but this is the way we choose to live our lives.”
The smile melted from Rosie’s face. She couldn’t believe her ears.
“Well, um. I must say I’m pretty shocked to hear that,” Sara replied, “but in any event, we’ll be sure to respect your wishes. Just wanted to introduce ourselves and to let you know if you ever need anything, we’re right over there. Don’t hesitate to come by. The offer’s still open.” Sara was clearly taken aback by the woman’s brutal assertion. “Um...this is for you all.” She handed Cindy a basket of coconut tarts. “Made them just this morning. Hope you enjoy them.”
“Thank you,” Cindy responded, reluctant to accept the gift.
“Okay, then. Take care,” Sara said. She and Rosie quickly walked down the walkway. They couldn’t get home quickly enough.
“What a scrooge!” Rosie exclaimed as she slumped onto the sofa and reached for the TV remote.
“I’d say!” Sara sat next to her, “I must admit that I haven’t met anyone quite like her around here before. All of our neighbors are pretty sociable–at least to some degree, and that’s so important in this day and time because with so much foolishness going on, you never know when you’re gonna need each other. But Mrs. Morrison has made it clear that they don’t want to be bothered, so we must respect her wishes.”
“I’m all for respecting her wishes,” Rosie replied. “Who wants to be friendly with someone like her anyway? Reminds me of the Grinch.”
“Stop it!” Sara tapped Rosie’s knee. “That’s not a nice thing to say.”
“Who cares about being nice? Mrs. Morrison doesn’t. Why should I?”
Sara rolled her eyes. Rosie was getting feistier than ever, but she knew she couldn’t rightly blame the teenager because Mira was the exact same way at her age.
* * *
“Who was it at the door?” John Morrison asked his wife, after his shower. A white towel was wrapped around his waist, the edge of which was tucked at the side. John Morrison was six feet tall and carried about fifteen pounds of extra flab around his midsection. Despite that, he was strikingly handsome with dark features and brown eyes.
“Our neighbors across the street,” Cindy told him, staring out the front window; her arms folded.
“What did they want?”
“They came over to welcome us to the neighborhood and brought this.” She handed him the basket.
“Why didn’t you call us? I would’ve loved to meet them.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?” He grimaced.
“Have you forgotten why we moved here, John?” she asked. “It was for peace and solitude, and a new start.”
“Would us meeting our neighbors interfere with our new start, Cindy?”
“You know how I feel about our privacy.”
“That’s you, Cindy. Not me and not Ashley. You have to stop trying to control our lives. You’d be better off getting a grip on your own.”
As he turned to leave, their daughter was quickly making her way downstairs.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Your mother just chased off our new neighbors.” John was visibly annoyed.
“You’re kidding!”
“Nope. They left a treat though. Smells delicious too. Taking it in the kitchen.”
Ashley hurried behind him.
Cindy turned again toward the window and stared directly across the street at the Cullen residence. Although she didn’t care for the strangers, she couldn’t help but admire their lawn and how well-kept it was. She was always a lover of beautiful landsc
apes and had seen many of them firsthand on her job as a realtor. Moving to Mizpah was a great opportunity for her to explore the market there and to hopefully sell even a fraction of the properties she did in Colonsboro, with all things considered. Mizpah was not as large as her hometown, but she’d done adequate research before they left and the real estate market was pretty healthy there as well. Setting up her own online real estate company in the city seemed like a smart move, and she was strapped with impressive credentials.
Cindy made her way over to the Fazioli piano in the corner of the large living room and sat on the cushioned seat. She remembered the day it was delivered to their former residence six years earlier. It was indeed the prettiest sight she’d ever seen. Playing the piano, even as a child, tended to relax her like nothing else could and as an adult, many times, it was her only reprieve from the stressors of life. As she gently pressed the keys and soothing music oozed out, a stream of thoughts flowed through Cindy’s mind. Some were of good times, then those of times she wished she could forget. But she knew if she played the melodies long enough and consistently enough through challenging times, she could eventually block out everything that proved itself mentally and emotionally venomous. And this new start in a new city was exactly what she needed–what they all needed. Leaving life as they knew it was not an easy thing for any of them. John had requested a transfer from the Accounting firm he’d worked at for twelve years to their branch in Mizpah, and Ashley was uprooted from her school with only one more year left before graduation. Not to mention she now had to start from scratch to make new friends in an entirely new city. None of them really wanted the change, but deep inside Cindy knew they needed it.
The Cornelius Saga Series (All 15 Books): The Ultimate Adventure-packed Supernatural Thriller Collection Page 72