Where Secrets Lie

by R E Gauthier

  Kelsey had already been thinking about getting the herbs, the small pot, and how she would get some of her blood. “I think I can manage everything else on my end. Text me when you have everything, and we’ll meet at the office.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cold Case Behavioral Unit Offices, Pittsburgh, February 24, 2012

  Nikki texted Kelsey two hours ago. It took them both three days to find everything they needed to perform the ritual described in the MacKenzie women’s book. Nikki located a woman, defined as the only expert in ancient Druidry and lore. Professor Amelie MacConnell taught Ancient Gaelic Studies at a University in Nova Scotia. Nikki was able to get a text forwarded to her about the history of Celtic Paganism. Nikki had also been successful in finding a piece of petrified oak wood made into a necklace. Kelsey searched and found agrimony, mugwort, amber, and angelica. Although she wasn’t so sure if she had the exact ingredients for the incense, Kelsey hoped they were the ones. Translating Ancient Gaelic to English wasn’t an exact science because local families had their unique names for things that may vary from the norm.

  Arriving at their office, Kelsey went about preparing to perform the ritual. Nikki wore all black as Kelsey had instructed her to as per the book’s instructions. The family of the person coming of age would wear black to thwart the spirits on the other side from seeing into this world. Kelsey was to wear all white. That instruction may have been the hardest to do right. Kelsey neither had or ever had many all-white clothes. A shopping trip proved fruitful where she found a white pantsuit. The woman at the store in Pittsburgh applauded Kelsey for wanting to break with fashion faux pas and wear white in late winter. Kelsey had only grinned and thanked her for the bag with her purchase in it.

  “Do you have specifics on amounts of each herb you need to burn?”

  Kelsey had read the part about burning the plants. “There is no mention of exact measurements. I’m thinking back in the days before weights and scales they used their hands and finger. It only says a handful of this and a finger of that. I’m not sure how important the amounts are like the ingredients themselves. I’m only burning it, not ingesting it. Speaking of which, did you disable the smoke detectors and sprinklers?”

  “Yes, I have and be glad you’re not drinking it because you could kill yourself. The text that Dr. Amelie MacConnell sent doesn’t give us much in the way of what to expect, except to say, there were those who believed that the gift of Second Sight was a mantle of immense responsibility.”

  “It did say though, that the folklore of the gift being a way into the World of the Dead was only that; Second Sight was a gift given to the unborn from the otherworld. I’ve found that a literal translation of the text in the book is not possible. Some words were ambiguous; meaning more than one thing.”

  “I for one, am glad that we’re not opening some portal to the dead today. I’ve seen too many Zombie Apocalypse references lately. I don’t want to see any dead or undead.”

  Kelsey chuckled. “I don’t think we’ll see them. The book describes the spirits taking on the body of items or animals. Plants, rocks, and animals in the forest would come to my ancestors.”

  Nikki shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to have a rock or a plant come up to talk to me either.”

  Throwing back her head in laughter, helped to alleviate some of the remaining nervousness inside Kelsey. “Okay, let’s see if we have everything.” She listed off the herbs and placed them inside the small pot. Taking the matches, she lit one and dropped it into the pot of herbs. “You’re sure the smoke detectors are disabled?” Kelsey asked Nikki again.

  “Yes, and I made sure the security system monitoring company knows we’re burning in here in a controlled way so that they won’t call the fire department. I also covered the sprinklers.”

  “Good. Now, let’s get this started. Put the necklace in that bowl.” Kelsey indicated to the glass bowl in the center of the table. “I’ll put my blood in.”

  “You didn’t tell me how you managed to get a vial of your blood.”

  Kelsey smiled. “It wasn’t anything crazy. I have someone who wanted to practice taking blood. My sister-in-law is taking a nursing course; she jumped at the chance to take my blood. Although, I admit she did find it odd I wanted her to give me the vial.” Kelsey removed the vial’s stopper and poured the blood on top of the stone.

  Nikki sneezed. “I might be allergic to one of these herbs we’re burning.” She sneezed again. “If I go into anaphylactic shock, promise you’ll get me to the hospital. I don’t want to die; I have so much more I want to do. Seriously my throat feels like it may close over.”

  Kelsey winked. “Get a drink of water. I read that the agrimony can cause dry mucous membranes.”

  Taking a few deep gulps of the water, Nikki nodded. “Okay, I do not have an allergic reaction. So, what do we do now?”

  Kelsey found the incantation. “I need to read this verse exactly as it’s written.” She took a deep swallow of water to quench her parched mouth. Then she began the chant in her ancestor’s ancient tongue. “Thoir solais don oidhche, a chì mi. Teaghlach de thrì, beannaichte a bhith, agus fìor mhath, air coinneachadh ri chèile, solas anam.

  Give light to the night, that I may see. The family of three, blessed be and true well met, my soul's light.

  Tha mo shinnsirean, mo sheann fheadhainn, cuimhnich orm mar a tha mi a 'cuimhneachadh ort. Seann fheadhainn, cluinn m’ ùrnaigh, agus bheir mi dhuit dìon

  My ancestors, my ancient ones, remember me as I remember you. Old ones, hear my prayer and give me your protection.

  Dìon mi bhon dorchadas. Fur agus itean, duilleag agus clach, cuidich mi mar a chuidicheas mi thu. Bidh spioradan na Talmhainn a 'cluinntinn mo ùrnaigh, Agus thoir dhomh do dhìon.

  Protect me from the darkness. Fur and feather, leaf and stone, aid me as I aid you. Earth Spirits hear my prayer and give me your protection.

  Diadhan agus ban-diabaich, a 'deàrrsadh, urram dhomh mar a tha mi a' toirt urram dhut. An toiseach a rugadh às an talamh, cluinn m 'ùrnaigh, agus thoir dhomh do dhìon.

  Gods and Goddesses, shining ones, honor me as I honor you. Firstborn of earth, hear my prayer and give me your protection.

  Do mo shinnsirean a chaidh air thoiseach orm, thig agus thug mi an dà shealladh dhomh. Thoir dhomh an solas agad a sheallas dhomh an dòigh chun an dachaigh againn.”

  To my ancestors who have gone before me, come and bring me my second sight. Give me your light to show me the way to our home.” Kelsey felt the words as she said them. After repeating the six verses, three times, she stopped and looked up from the book.

  The room fell away. Kelsey didn’t see Nikki or the table. The book was there but nothing else. Scanning her surroundings, Kelsey saw a large oak and the grass. A figure came to her, and she recognized the apparition as that of her mother. “Mom, is that you?”

  The wispy figure came closer, then a voice said, “Yes, Kel-Kel, it is I. I see you have finally accepted your gift. Where is your Nanna?”

  “I did this on my own. Nanna doesn’t want me to learn the truth. I needed to do this on my own.” Kelsey watched the wispy spirit-form spin around and then came back in front of her.

  “Knowing the truth may not be what you truly want. Remember when you know it, don’t use it to blame anyone but yourself. Your Nanna always knows what is best.”

  “Can you tell me what happened to Aisling, Aunt Cat, and Uncle Ethan?”

  “This doesn’t work that way. You cannot get the answers here.”

  “But you’re here, why did they not come as well?”

  “We don’t have any more time. I’m proud of you Kel-Kel, you’ve grown into a beautiful woman. Your gift will lead you, but be sure you want to know before you leave, please be careful.” The spirit-form then dissipated into the air, the same way it appeared.

  “But…what do you mean by not leaving if I don’t want to know?” Kelsey called out.

  Nikki stood across the table looking at Kelsey w
ith an odd look on her face. “Mack, why are you shouting? And are you talking to me? You were in a trance after you finished the verses. I was about to call an ambulance. What happened?”

  The fog in Kelsey’s head cleared out. For the first time in as long as she could remember, her mind felt open. A sudden feeling of worry struck her. She looked at the concerned image of Nikki, before her. I can read Nikki’s feelings. Taking a deep breath, Kelsey said, “I was in a place where I saw my mother, or at least her spirit. She spoke to me and told me she was proud of me. She also told me to be careful and that I need to be sure I want to know before I leave.”

  Nikki’s puzzled look mirrored the feeling inside Kelsey. “Your mother came to you? Wow, what was that like? What did she mean by not going before you want to know? That’s not cryptic or anything.”

  Kelsey told Nikki that her dead mother had come to her as if it happened on a regular occurrence. Thinking about it now even felt normal, how could that be? “You didn’t seem to think it was odd when I said that my mother came to me. I tried to ask her what she meant by that phrase, but she left before she could answer me.”

  “Mack, all the reading I’ve been doing about the occult, the spirit-world, and Ancient Druid beliefs, has me open to accepting just about anything. My parents instilled in me the curiosity to learn what explains the world around me. My grandmother said she saw her dead mother on her wedding day. I don’t know how to explain it, but I believe it can happen. I didn’t have a problem when you told me you had visions, so if you said your mother came to you, then who am I to have a problem with it? Do you think your mother is warning you not to look for the truth?”

  Kelsey smiled. She knew she had a great friend in Nicole Hyland, but today she realized just how blessed she was with Nikki in her life. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

  Smiling, Nikki said, “not much since you found the other half of your heart. But you’re avoiding my question.”

  “No, I don’t know how to answer it. Why would my mother not want me to know the truth about that night?” “

  “I don’t know; maybe she wants to protect you. How long before you know if all this has worked? Do you feel different?”

  Hit with a profound, abiding feeling of love, Kelsey could see into Nikki’s heart. “Well, I may not know about my visions, but I can feel your thoughts and feelings. I’d say that it is different. Before our little ritual, I could only sense Miranda.”

  Nikki smirked. “Really? So, what am I thinking right now?”

  Kelsey blushed. “Very funny. Miranda doesn’t have a sister; you already know she’s an orphan.”

  “Holy Shit. You can read my thoughts.”

  “It would seem as though I can.”

  “Wonder how long until you’ll have a vision. Do you need to concentrate on something to have one?”

  “Sometimes that has helped, but it’s not necessary.”

  “Try it. Concentrate on Paul Washburg’s photo.”

  Kelsey took the photo Nikki held out to her. Looking at the picture she concentrated on the features of his face. Closing her eyes, she instinctively took the necklace from the bowl. Clenching the cold, wet stone in her fingers, Kelsey drew a few deep breaths. She only saw blackness. “Sorry Nikki, I don’t think my visions will ever work in that way. If I’m going to have a vision, it will come, when it comes.”

  “It was worth a try. At least we know, your gift is stronger. Maybe in time, you’ll be able to control it better.”

  Kelsey thought about that possibility. “It would be nice, but let’s see how it helps me recall that night, and see what will come of it.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nanna’s House, March 12, 2012

  Kelsey woke from a very vivid vision. She saw Paul Washburg’s face come to her from the darkness. He was working on the mask of a man. The details of the vision were more precise than they had ever been. As she searched the silicon mask on the mold, she saw cheekbones that were wide, the eyes deep set, and the chin had a cleft in it. The hair on the top of the head of the mask was brown and looked very real. Paul Washburg worked from a series of photos he had on the wall in front of him. Kelsey couldn’t assess the man’s weight or height from the pictures, but she could see that he looked approximately mid-to-late twenties. His features suggested he was of Nordic descent. His eyes were a brilliant blue, his nose long and narrow, and his neck appeared long, with a prominent Adam’s apple.

  Immediately, Kelsey took her dream journal from the night table and wrote down all the descriptive features of the man in the photographs. She also tried to remember what she could of the room, where Paul Washburg sat working on the mask. Never before had she saw the details so clearly. The room’s sole window had bright sunlight coming through it. She didn’t remember seeing any defining aspects outside the window. There appeared to be dark shadows outside, telling her that it looked to be a wooded area. The room was small, and the walls made of plain wood. If she had to guess, Kelsey would think that the room was in a small dwelling in the woods. The noises she heard in her vision were Washburg’s breathing, a few birds, and the hum of a generator; further making her certain that Washburg was in a rural, remote spot off the grid.

  Armed with the details of the vision, Kelsey grabbed her phone. Waiting for Nikki to answer on the other end, she listened carefully to hear anything in the house. Somewhere downstairs, the sounds of laughter rose up to meet her ears. Miranda and Nanna were likely talking about their plans for the day. Last night she arrived home to the two women discussing a shopping trip and visiting Lynn and Fiona. Smiling she thought about her arrival last night, Nanna looked at her oddly but didn’t give a verbal affirmation of the thoughts, Kelsey could sense. Her grandmother certainly noticed a change in her but didn’t question Kelsey on the matter.

  Nikki’s voice interrupted any further reminiscence. “Hey Mack, I’ve been wondering how long I should wait until I called you. I’ve been on pins and needles wondering if you had a vision. Also, how did it go when you got home? Did Nanna notice anything different? We’re you able to—”

  Kelsey chuckled. “How many coffees have you had so far?”

  “Only one, but it was a BIG one. Why do you ask?”

  Giggling, Kelsey said, “It’s not important, but you sound more wide-eyed than I do. How long have you been awake?”

  Nikki explained that she hadn’t been able to sleep much the night before. She paused in her explanation to remark, “wait a minute, you haven’t answered any of my questions; is there a reason you’re avoiding telling me how it went?”

  “Nikki, breathe.” Kelsey heard Nikki pause and take a deep breath. “Okay, now first things first, Nanna did seem to notice a difference in me but didn’t comment on it. I saw or felt her thoughts immediately as I entered the house. Hers and Miranda’s battled to get my attention, but I was able to tune out Miranda’s so I could concentrate on Nanna’s. This new talent will be one I need to get used to; I’ve never been able to sense Nanna as I can now. To answer your more important question, and the main reason why I called you; I did have a vision.”

  Nikki’s exclamation was immediate. “What did you see? Was it about that night, or was it—”

  Kelsey stopped Nikki from running through all of the possibilities. “I saw Paul Washburg, and he’s working on another mask.”

  Whistling, Nikki exclaimed once again before saying, “It worked. I’m not saying I didn’t believe it would, but wow, it worked.”

  “Yes, it did, and I saw more details with more clarity than I have ever seen in visions before. I wrote them down. Have you heard from Torres?”

  “Can you read my mind through the phone?”

  Kelsey smirked. Nikki had no idea how Kelsey’s gift worked. She also didn’t know it entirely, but she was sure she couldn’t read minds through the phone. “No, I asked you if she called because I wanted to know if she’s had any luck locating Washburg’s whereabouts.”

  “Well, that is why I’ve bee
n eager to call you. Torres called and left me a message saying she’s getting close. After she couldn’t find any more movement in Upstate New York, she made a few calls to ask around Canada and Michigan. One of her calls hit pay-dirt; a state trooper from Lansing pulled over a late-model BMW with expired New York City license plates. He spoke to the man driving the car, and after a call, they cleared up the issue. It would seem Paul Washburg was driving a car from Frederick Washburg’s estate and wasn’t aware the plates were not current. The trooper escorted Washburg to the Lansing Post, and they got everything cleared up. Washburg asked the trooper for directions to an address in Lansing. Torres is now waiting to hear back from the man she found registered for that address.”

  Kelsey was hurriedly getting dressed as she talked to Nikki on speaker. “I’m heading your way. I need to see if we can get that new computer program of yours to put together a rendition of the man I saw in my vision.” Pulling on a leather coat, she then told Nikki she’d let her go and see her as soon as she could get to the office in Pittsburgh.

  ***

  After a brief explanation for her leaving abruptly and kissing Miranda, Kelsey drove as fast as speed limits and traffic would allow her to their office in Pittsburgh. The drive gave Kelsey time to think about the other vision she had the night before. In that vision, the details were not as precise, and the face of the woman felt familiar but shrouded in a dense fog. All she was able to discern was that the woman was small in stature and her appearance sent familiar tendrils through her mind as she gazed upon her. The petite woman spoke, but Kelsey couldn’t understand the words, then the woman disappeared, and Kelsey was alone in the dense fog. Nothing about the vision told her it had anything to do with Paul Washburg, so she didn’t tell Nikki about it. Now, she wondered what that vision meant. Did it have to do with Miranda? She had visions of a petite woman in the past and thought it had been Miranda. Was the woman in the vision a woman from Kelsey’s past or future?