She Waits (21 page)

"Okay, I saw the look. What the heck do you want, ya blabbermouth?"

"Blabbermouth? Oh, you mean Maggie?" She waved impatiently. "Forget that. Now, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I don't know. What are you thinking? I'm so afraid to ask."

"Well, weren't you thinking about the picture of Nathan and Maggie? I think Miranda was in love with Nathan, that's why his picture was in her locket."

"Of course that's why it was in her locket. Everybody is afraid to say it. Jonathan sounds like a heel and from what I can gather, Nathan and Miranda got on pretty well," I said, yawning. "What was that with the hyacinth? I gotta tell you that spooked me bad."

"I know, but it happened. I never thought I would experience it. Did you feel like she was in the room?" she asked eagerly.

"Honestly, no. However, don't go by me. You're more in tune with that sort of thing than I am. God Teri, I'm glad you two are here." I shivered. "What if this isn't a good thing? What if it's
not
Miranda? Remember the movie
The Uninvited
? There were two spirits and one was not friendly."

"Go to bed before you scare yourself," my dear sister said. "Hey, do you think maybe Nathan was in love with her and then stabbed her to death because she wouldn't leave Jonathan? Then he tossed her body in the lake? Or maybe Jonathan found out and killed her, leaving her there, dead. Don't you think someone would have said this before? I mean isn't it kind of obvious?"

"I think it's glaringly obvious, but, as I said, this family is chock-full of secrets. And who in the hell would want to admit their uncle, father or brother, was an adulterer or murderer? Now, on that peaceful note, I bid you pleasant slumber, ya blabbermouth."

Sleep was impossible. My mind was all over the place with this mess. On top of that, Maggie's face kept flashing in front of me. I took the pillow and held it across my face and let out a muffled scream.

Suddenly, Chance jumped off the bed and barked at the window. "Shhh, you'll wake up everybody. What's the matter, girl?" I asked and ran to the window.

Out in the late moonlight, I saw nothing, but then I heard it. A banging noise outside, that sounded like something hitting the side of the house.
Shit, now what?

I slipped into my clothes and walked out into the hall.

Maggie greeted me. She pulled her robe around her. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, stay here."

"No way," she said firmly.

The coward, Chance, retreated to the bedroom as we headed down stairs. I heard it again. It sounded like someone wanted to get in and it was coming from that damned cellar.

"Look, I don't know why you won't stay put. I'm going to..." A loud banging noise interrupted me. Maggie looked at me and grabbed my arm.

"It's the cellar door," she said in a terrified whisper.

"Stay here," I said as I started through the kitchen.

All the lights were out except a small light over the stove. I stopped and Maggie bumped right into me. I jumped and turned around.

"Shit. Stay here," I whispered again.

We both jumped when Mac came into the kitchen.

"What's..." he started to say, while rubbing his head.

I put my fingers up to my lips to quiet him.

"What are you two doing up this late?" he whispered with a smile. "Shame, shame. I'm telling Aunt Hannah."

I gave him an exasperated look. "Mac, I think someone is trying to get into the cellar."

His smile faded quickly. "Are you sure?" We heard to door bang again. His eyes widened.

"Is the door locked?" he asked and I nodded.

I started for the door to the cellar.

"You're not going down there again," Maggie whispered vehemently and grabbed my arm.

"Maggie, let me go. I'll be right back," I said, confidently. I took her hand off me and Mac grabbed her shoulder gently.

Whoever it was, was in the back by the cellar door. I swallowed hard, and opened the door in the kitchen that led down to the cellar. I didn't turn on the light, but slowly descended the stairs. Mac and I started down, it was completely dark and we heard nothing.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, I stopped and stood completely still and listened. Mac went by me and stood close to the door. I thought I heard something outside. Then I felt something behind me on the stairs. I braced myself for another attack. No one was going to throw me through a door this time.

As before, I turned around, but this time I grabbed the intruder by the front of his shirt. I reared back and was about the throw whoever it was out of my way... It was Maggie.

I could see she was about to let out a blood-curdling scream so I put my hand over her mouth.

"Sshh," I whispered. "I think there's someone outside. Go back upstairs."

Her eyes widened and she shook her vehemently.

"Maggie, don't argue with me," I whispered.

She wrenched my hand away. "I'm not leaving you two alone," she whispered and stood firm. I wanted to strangle her, but I could see she was unwavering. I angrily pulled her down to the bottom step.

It was completely dark, but the full moon shone through the two small cellar windows. I saw a shadow pass by one window, then the other. We both stared at the steps that led up to the door. The silence was deafening. Someone or something pulled at the door then stopped, then tugged harder--almost angrily--and stopped again. Then there was one last frenzied yank and a bang. I thought for sure the bolt and latch would give way and the door would fly open. I was petrified and so was Maggie. Mac stood by the door perfectly still. There was nothing but absolute silence.

It was an eerie sight when the shadow passed by the window and vanished as if it had never been there.

Chapter Nineteen

I wish you would have called me, sooner," Steve said as we sat around the kitchen table, which was getting a workout. "I'm glad neither of you went outside. I don't need another unsolved murder in Cedar Lake."

I could hear the defeated tone in his voice.

"So the door was unlatched from the inside when you two checked it and you locked it?" Steve asked.

I nodded. "Someone had unlocked it, or maybe it's always been opened."

"Nope. I checked that door myself the other night, after your lady intruder showed up. It was bolted and locked tight," he said firmly.

"Then someone had to unlock it. Who's been in the cellar since Friday morning?" I asked and looked at Maggie.

"Well, I was down there with Allison, but we got some bottles of wine and came right back up. She wasn't down there alone," Maggie said.

"I didn't see anyone go down there, but with all the people here, honestly, who would be watching the cellar?" I asked. "Anyone could have gone down there at anytime and opened it."

"Well, Doc and Sarah checked the cellar this evening when we were looking for the jewelry and glove," Steve said. "Tomorrow morning, I'll ask them if they noticed the door was unlocked," he said as he stood. "It's late, why don't you all get some sleep? I'll have my deputy patrol the house...again."

Just as I lay down, I heard a soft knock at my door. Maggie stood there in her robe sporting a smug grin.

"Are you lost, young lady?" I asked with a wide yawn.

"Have you misplaced something?"

"You found my wayward dog I take it?"

I followed her into her bedroom. There lay Chance, on Maggie's bed, sound asleep.

"She looks comfy," I said with a touch of envy.

"She can stay here if you like," Maggie said and shivered a bit as she pulled her robe closer.

"If you like I can get a fire going for you. It is a little chilly in here," I said and looked at her small fireplace.

"Well, it's late," she whispered and shivered again.

"I can get one going in a minute and you'll be nice and toasty."

The small fire crackled as I stood gazing at the dancing flames. I looked over at Maggie. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking like a lost and frightened little girl.

"Okay, into bed," I ordered.

She smirked and crawled under the covers. "I am not a child, you know. You keep referring to me as if I were. It's rather annoying."

I stopped and thought about it. "I apologize. I don't mean to be insulting. You just look so young. Perhaps I'm just too old," I said, as I looked down at her.

She pulled the covers up her neck. "Too old for what?" she asked, in a soft voice.

Chance stirred then crawled up next to Maggie, put her head on her stomach, and closed her eyes.

"Well, she's yours for the night," I laughed, ignoring her question.

"You can sit by the fire for a while if you want. It's probably chilly in your room, too."

I looked at the huge chair. It did look inviting. "Well, maybe for a minute."

My body ached horribly. I sat down and a feeling of comfort engulfed me. I put my feet up on the ottoman and was in heaven. I stared at the fire, trying not to think about anything, but wound up thinking about everything.

"Kate, you need to stop thinking for a while and sleep."

"I will. Go to sleep. I'll sit here for a while," I yawned and lay my head back.

"That was pretty unusual wasn't it? I mean the hyacinth, but I wasn't scared, though," she said, sounding amazed at the idea.

"You weren't? Well I have to admit I was petrified. Teri is much better dealing with the supernatural than I am," I said, and closed my eyes.

"Well, you certainly don't show it. How do you remain so calm?" she asked, sleepily.

"Years of emotional detachment," I joked, amusing myself as usual.
Sad to say, I'm my best audience.

"You know, I can't tell if you're joking or if you're being serious," she said while yawning.

"I'm at my most serious when I joke," I said quietly. "Go to sleep."

She let out an exasperated groan. "Good night, Kate."

"Good night, Maggie," I yawned and fell sound asleep.

I woke at six o'clock to the sounds of a peacefully snoring duet. I looked over at them. They both looked so comfortable. Maggie was on her back, with the covers all over the place, and Chance lay stretched out at her side with her head on Maggie's leg. As I got up, Chance raised her head. I gave her a stern, "Sshh!" and she yawned and closed her eyes, the lazy cur. I gently covered Maggie and slipped out of her room.

After a nice long shower, I put on my work clothes, as I called them, and got my camera equipment. I left the heavy equipment behind and took the smaller camera and a few extra rolls of film.

In a half-hour, it would be light. Hopefully, taking a few photos would help me think. As the coffee brewed, I went out on the deck.

The last of the evening stars were barely visible. The sky was clear and it was almost sunrise. I loved that time of day--just before sunrise, when the moonbeams still had their grasp on the sleepy world and the warm rays of the sun started a claim of their own. It was the beginning and the end all at once. I smiled and took a deep contented breath. I would die if I couldn't be outside. I didn't care what the weather.

However, there was a definite chill in the air so I guess I did care. I got my jacket and found a small thermos mug in the cabinet. I was ready for an adventure.

Usually Chance was with me, but the lazy thing looked too comfortable sleeping next to Maggie and I couldn't blame her. If I were sleeping all over Maggie, I'd... I stopped in mid thought.
Forget that thought entirely, Ryan
. I left a note telling them where I'd be. Hell, they would still be asleep when I got back.

I walked into the morning air. There was a light fog hovering over the grounds. I crossed the yard and took the path that led into the woods and the lake. The sun was almost up and the wildlife had already begun sending out its wake-up call.

As I got to the lake, I saw a small gaggle of geese, which seemed to have forgotten which direction was south. They left a rippling wake as they lazily swam by. I continued to walk around the lake and came up to the sign as I did the day before. I took the rugged path that led to the Wildlife Refuge. It was about a quarter mile from the house, maybe a little less.

The refuge was on the other side of the lake. As I looked across now, I could barely see Maggie's house.

There was a five-foot shoreline, mostly rocks and boulders, and a path that continued around the lake, which I took. I tried to remember where I'd seen Miranda yesterday morning. I looked back across the lake and figured I was close. Then I saw the huge tree about thirty feet in front of me. I remembered when I took the picture, that tree was directly behind her. I walked over to it and looked around. I shivered, not sure if it was from the morning chill or something more menacing.

I walked around the area and noticed a very large hole in the ground, right behind the tree. I went up to it and it dawned on me--this was where Chance had been digging. I looked around the area for more signs. Then I saw it, a small swatch of burlap, and then another larger piece. I picked them up and put them in my camera case. I knelt and glanced around. I was right; my little mutt had been digging here, right where I saw Miranda. It was almost as if she was showing me where to look. Me? As I thought of Chance doing the scary dog thing, I realized Miranda was showing both of us.
God, don't go there, Kate, you're spooked enough as it is.
I heard something rustle in the woods. I got nervous and just knelt there, not moving.

"Are you praying?"

I jumped up and saw Maggie with Chance bounding along beside her.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed, "Don't do that!" With my hand covering my heart, I showed them what I'd found. "Maybe there's more around."

We combed the area pretty well. Although even Chance had her nose to the ground intent on her task, we found nothing further.

"Well, I'm not sure what I was looking for, anyway," I said. "There is so much crap going on here with your family, Maggie."

"I know. I'm not sure of anything," she said sadly, as she continued, "I take that back, I'm sure of one thing. I'm sure Uncle Nathan and mother had an affair and no one wants to come out and say it."