BLACK VELVET ROSES

by Marianne Spitzer

  BLACK VELVET ROSES

  (A Kellie Conley Mystery)

  By Marianne Spitzer

  © December 2013

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  Acknowledgements

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience when I disappeared into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Book cover designed by Laura at LLPix

  Black Velvet Roses

  A Kellie Conley Mystery

  Chapter One

  Kellie approached the west side doors of the Oaklin County Court House and the doors automatically opened. A guard greeted her as she passed through the metal detector. He wished her a nice day after she didn’t set off the alarm. The shadow passed through without being noticed. Kellie strode toward the elevator and rode it to the second floor with several other people. Wearing a new sapphire blue suit, sensible heels, and a clutch purse, her blonde hair was pulled up in an attractively braided bun. Regardless of what her last name was at that moment, or what it would be in an hour, people would see her as a Malone. She needed to act the part in certain situations. This was one of them. Finding courtroom 274, she was early. Kellie glanced at the list of cases posted next to the door. Adamson vs. Adamson was the second listed. It would be over soon.

  She walked across the hall to a window and placed her coat and purse on the bench beneath it. The shadow stood across the hall unnoticed. Kellie wondered how so much could happen in less than two years. It was early February. Their wedding seemed like a lifetime ago. Memories clicked off in her mind, some happy, some sad. She had lost a child before she knew she was pregnant. Her grandfather’s evil spirit was gone forever, and her mother’s spirit had joined the light and was at peace. No one could come to a conclusion how Austern had met his death. Claudia, the medium, said the old man didn’t possess Austern’s spirit. She saw Austern’s spirit at peace in the light. The Malone mansion no longer existed. When the ground is leveled and sod planted, it will appear to be a large empty field. The horror that took place there would be soon forgotten.

  All but two of the bodies discovered at “Petal Gate Rest” were identified and returned to their families. Kellie had the two remaining women’s remains buried side by side in Springs Cemetery. All the identification available was two sets of initials. She had a single headstone engraved with their initials, year of death, and the words “Friends Together Forever.”

  Kellie took the summer courses in paranormal science offered at the college satellite campus. Deciding she wasn’t interested in becoming a ghost hunter, she did learn more about her ability to hear the dead. After what she had been through, she didn’t want to deal with spirits again. The shadow smiled. She had aroused the spirits. They would always call to her.

  Charity work interested her. No longer desiring to teach, she would finish her current semester of graduate school. That dream included Drew and a different life. She had the money now to help people, and starting a charity appealed to her.

  There were happy moments. Kyle and Becky had a healthy baby boy in late summer. Being an aunt was a new, exciting experience. The rehab center had helped Sandra to communicate through eye blinks and a few small words. Everyone, including Detective Stellion, now believed she witnessed the old man run her down.

  Cole and Andrea were married between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Taylor had been right. Andrea picked a sparkling snow theme for her wedding, and the Christmas green bridesmaid’s dresses were gorgeous. Glittery snowflakes and tiny white lights decorated the hall at the museum. Fortunately, Kellie was able to stand up with Andrea’s brother, and Drew stood up with Cole’s seventeen year old sister. Drew ignored Kellie all night, but his teenaged partner babbled at him non-stop. Kellie had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. It served him right. Andrea invited Peter. Kellie had gotten close to her biological father over the past year. He was there many times when she was struggling with her dissolving marriage.

  Randy approached Kellie at the grocery store one Saturday morning and asked her out to lunch. She agreed and while she felt attracted to him; she declined his offer of dinner and a movie some evening. It was too soon. He said he understood, but would ask again. Kellie secretly hoped he would.

  Before Cole and Andrea could return from their week long honeymoon, Cole’s grandma passed away unexpectedly. Her funeral was just before Christmas. She had been close to Cole. He took it hard. Grandma Burnett left everything to Cole and his sister.

  Casey was too young to inherit a sizable amount of money. She and Cole came to an agreement. He would keep his grandma’s large home, and they would cash in the stocks and bonds and set up a trust for Casey to use to attend college.

  Taylor and Kellie would be neighbors. A small farm sold on the other side of town and a developer purchased it. Kellie and Taylor had recently toured several new homes and knew which home they each wanted. They needed lots. When they heard of the development, they were the first to purchase two huge lots at the back of the property. Their homes would sit side by side at the end of a cul-du-sac. They added all the amenities of their dreams to the four bedroom homes. The houses were under construction, and would be ready sometime in April. It would soon be time to choose colors for the walls. Kellie watched the snowflakes flutter outside the window as she wondered about all that had transpired. The shadow watched Kellie knowing he would soon be visible to her.

  “Kellie,” a quiet voice called her name.

  She turned knowing it was Taylor before she saw her. The two young women hugged. Taylor’s eyes began to tear.

  “Don’t cry. I’m not. I’ve shed enough tears over Drew. It’s time to move on with my life. He chose this. Drew gets his wish.”

  Kellie saw her lawyer. Further down the hall she saw Drew walking with Hunter and Cole.

  “Here comes the posse,” she whispered. “Maybe we should go into the courtroom.” They could hear Andrea’s heels click on the floor as she rushed past the guys to catch up to Kellie and Taylor.

  “Sorry, I’m late. I drove; Cole got out first, and I had to find a spot to park.”

  Kellie and the girls sat on one side of the courtroom three rows back. When Drew and the guys entered, they sat on the other side as far away as they could. The shadow stood near the door.

  Kellie whispered, “This is like a twisted wedding. We have the bride’s side and groom’s side, except it’s an ending not a beginning.”

  Taylor nodded still fighting tears. Andrea took Kellie’s hand.

  The first case was postponed and “Adamson vs. Adamson” was called. Kellie joined her attorney at a table in the front of the courtroom. Drew and his attorney sat at a similar table a few feet away.

  The judge read over the papers and said, “This is a very cut and dried settlement. Neither of you want anything from the other. Mr. Adamson are you aware you signed a very solid pre-nup? This court wouldn’t be able to overturn any of it.”

  “Yes, your honor. I asked for the pre-nup. I don’t want anything from her.”

  “Her,” Kellie thought. That was all she was now. A nameless person in his mind referred to as “her.”

  The judge addressed Kellie.

  “I see the only item you have petitioned for is to retain your maiden name.”

  “Yes, your honor. I don’t want to carry Dre
w’s name.”

  “You have your wish. Divorce granted.” He rambled on with more legal talk, but Kellie knew it was over, and she was a Conley again.

  She walked out with her attorney. He shook her hand and said, “If you need me Kellie Conley, just call. I’ll send you the paperwork.”

  She said, “Thank you,” as he hurried down the hall.

  Taylor took her hand. “C’mon, we’re going to the diner for breakfast. Hunter told me Drew planned on Coopers, of course. Kay makes the best French toast at the diner. It’s time to forget about calories, and eat a gallon of blueberry syrup.”

  That made Kellie smile and the three young women headed out for breakfast. The shadow followed.

  Chapter Two

  Rufus barked at the door chimes. “When are you going to get used to the chimes?” Kellie said as she opened the front door. She greeted the mail carrier with a smile. He handed her a letter addressed to Kellie Malone-Conley, Old Malone Mansion, Malone Springs.

  The mail carrier said, “The Postmaster says this must be yours even though the mansion is gone. You’re the only Kellie Conley or Malone in the city.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She took the envelope and the rest of her mail into the house. She sat down at the table to read the letter and finish her coffee. “Not again,” she mumbled as she read the letter.

  It began: Dear Miss Malone-Conley, I read in the paper that you can speak to the dead. I believe my aunt’s house is haunted. We need your help. Aunt Marge is elderly and being tormented by something evil. I live with her. I have seen it. Please help us. Sincerely, Beth Devenly.

  Beth included her address and phone number at the bottom of the letter. Kellie tossed it on the table. The town Beth lived in was fifty miles away. She dropped her head to the table and spoke to Rufus who was nudging her leg, “What am I supposed to do? If I help this girl, people will never leave me alone. I don’t want to talk to the dead for the rest of my life, but she sounds desperate. Maybe I should call her and find out more of her story.” Rufus barked twice. Kellie laughed. “I think you understand me.”

  ########

  The shadow watched through the glass in the sliding door leading from the back deck to the kitchen. Rufus could see him. He stayed out of the house and as far from Rufus as he could. The shadow didn’t want Kellie to become aware that an entity was near until it was time.

  ########

  When Kellie woke the following morning, she decided to call Beth. She had tossed and turned all night wondering what might be going on at the aunt’s house. Beth seemed frightened. Maybe she could help. Settling into her favorite chair with a cup of coffee, she dialed the phone number.

  “Hello,” Kellie heard an elderly female voice answer.

  “Good morning, my name is Kellie Conley. Beth wrote me a letter. I was wondering if I could speak with her please.”

  “Certainly, hold on.” Kellie heard the phone clunk against a hard surface, most likely a table and the elderly woman’s voice call for Beth.

  “Hello, this is Beth.”

  “Hi, this is Kellie Conley, you wrote to me.” Her knee bounced up and down as she spoke. Another mystery made her nervous.

  “Oh, yes, thank you for calling back. I‘m worried about my aunt’s safety. She refuses to leave this house. We believe it’s haunted. My cousin’s coming to try and help convince Aunt Marge to move. I was hoping you could also help us.”

  “If your house is haunted, none of you should be there, but what makes you think it’s haunted?” Kellie bit her lower lip as she listened.

  “It all began last Sunday after church. We arrived home to find a large flower box on the front porch. It was tied with a bright red ribbon. We couldn’t find a card.”

  “What made you suspicious of the delivery box?”

  “I brought the box into the kitchen and we opened it. It contained a dozen black velvet roses. Aunt Marge grabbed the box and hurried toward the back door. She only stopped long enough to pick up a box of matches. By the time I caught up with her, she had tossed the flowers, box and all into our leaf barrel. She struck a match, stood back, and watched it burn. We heard an eerie screech that seemed to emanate from the leaf barrel. I thought there might have been a field mouse caught in the bottom of the barrel, but my aunt believed we were hearing evil.”

  “Did she say why she burned them?” Kellie’s fingers drummed on the table.

  “She looked at me, with tears in her eyes, and said ‘they mean death.’ After that, she wouldn’t speak about it again.”

  “Would I be able to stop by this afternoon? Perhaps she’ll tell me more.”

  “Thank you, my cousin will be here, too. Perhaps all of us can find an answer.”

  Beth’s aunt lived in a very rural area. Kellie wrote down the directions just in case her GPS wasn’t up to date on the hilly, wooded countryside surrounding Aunt Marge’s home.

  ########

  Kellie opened her SUV’s door, and Rufus jumped onto the front seat. He leaped over the seat and stretched out on the back seat. Kellie knew he would be asleep by the time they reached the highway. “We’re off boy, ready?” Rufus barked once and laid his head back on the seat.

  The shadow took the opportunity of Rufus’ departure to enter the house and walk close to Kellie’s belongings. Her investigations of the possibilities of other entities didn’t interest him. He would bide his time.

  Kellie’s drive was uneventful. Beth’s directions were flawless. She pulled into the drive of a huge three story home with an odd shaped two story extension on one side. The house was well kept. Painted white with old-fashioned black wood shutters and lace curtains adorned all the windows. A large wrap-around porch ran the length of the front of the house and disappeared around the side of the house without the extension. A lovely, floral wreath hung on the front door. Bushes and flowers enhanced the area below the porch and along the sidewalk and driveway. Kellie turned the car off, and Rufus was immediately alert. “Enjoy your nap?” Kellie laughed.

  Beth hurried down the front steps to meet Kellie as she and Rufus alighted from the SUV. “I’m so happy you could make it. Come in and meet my aunt and cousin.”

  Introductions were made. Kellie said, “It’s nice to meet you all. Is it Mrs. Devenly?” she asked Aunt Marge.

  “Please call me Aunt Marge.” She invited Kellie to sit in the front parlor. Rufus had settled on the front porch.

  “Thank you,” said Kellie. “I understand you have had some odd occurrences. Beth told me about the dozen roses. Has there been anything else?”

  Aunt Marge nodded. Beth’s cousin, Janelle, rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and leaned back in her chair.

  Beth began to explain. She rung her hands and looked directly into Kellie’s eyes. “The dozen roses were only the beginning. We hear strange noises at night. Footsteps, doors slamming, a weird laughter that’s barely above a whisper.”

  “Don’t forget the other roses,” said Aunt Marge her hands trembling in her lap.

  “My aunt burned the dozen roses, but we’ve received others. A few were left on the porch in a black vase. Some were scattered around the back yard.”

  Kellie said, “It could be kids. Is there anyone who wants to buy your property that might try to scare you away? Can you think of anyone who would do this?” She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, and her hands under her chin.

  “No, but it gets worse. Two nights ago, Aunt Marge woke up and found a black velvet rose on her pillow. Whoever is doing this was in the house.” Beth took Aunt Marge’s hands in hers to help her stop trembling.

  Kellie nodded as she tried to come up with a few logical solutions.

  Aunt Marge stood and said, “I’ll make some tea.”

  Janelle offered her own impressions. “Beth lives here with Aunt Marge. If they move and sell the house, she’ll make sure she gets a huge chunk of the money. Half of this house should be mine. They won’t get away with this. I think Beth is responsible for the roses.” Her cold stare at
Beth made Kellie suspect Janelle didn’t care much for her family.

  “Janelle, are you insane? Aunt Marge is sure something evil is here. The house does have a history,” Beth snapped returning her cousin’s stare.

  “A history?” Kellie’s mind raced.

  Janelle retorted, “History or not, I’m going to make sure this house gets sold, and I get my share. I’ll report Aunt Marge to Adult Protective Services saying she isn’t well enough to live here.” She kicked at a small table knocking magazines to the floor.

  They all heard plates and tea cups break. Beth jumped up and hurried to her aunt’s side. Aunt Marge’s face was pale, and her hands shook. “There’s nothing wrong with me. You’d do anything to get money from me, Janelle. You’re as bad as your mom. What she did to my cousin was unforgivable. She took his money; you’ll not get mine.”

  Janelle’s face was red with rage, and her clenched fists hit the sofa cushion. “You’re old and batty, Aunt Marge. I’ll make sure this house is sold.” She stormed off down the hall. Kellie heard a door slam.

  ########

  Beth made sure Aunt Marge relaxed on the sofa. “Please keep her company while I clean up the broken dishes.”

  Kellie smiled.

  “Of course,” said Kellie. “Do you feel up to talking, Aunt Marge?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I should be used to Janelle.” She sighed, wiped a tear from her eye, and glanced at Kellie.

  “Beth said this house has a history. Are you able to talk about it?”

  “Yes, my grandfather, Bertram Devenly, built this house. He owned a local hotel, the general store, and rented out all the farmland that surrounds the house. My grandfather did very well and amassed a small fortune. His brother, Albert, tried many get rich quick schemes, but none ever worked. He became a bankrupt, and needed my grandfather to support him. They were on very bad terms. My grandfather allowed him to live here with his son, but not in the main house. He wanted his brother to learn that he must work to earn something in life. He had him build the addition on the side of the house. Albert wasn’t very good at carpentry. You can see that it is odd shaped and sits at a weird angle. It’s solid and has withstood time, but it takes away from the charm of the house.”