OLD MAN MALONE RETURNS Page 16

  Cole jumped up and said, “I’m in trouble unless Andrea wakes up. Detective Stellion believes me and everything that happened at the house, but a judge and jury won’t. I’ll be in prison for life.”

  The detective’s phone rang. He reached for the receiver and listened. He sighed. “Okay, thanks for letting me know.” He looked at the three nervous young men sitting in his office. “Andrea’s going to be alright. Let me see that journal, Drew.”

  Cole collapsed in a chair, dropped his head, and sobbed. He asked, “Can I go see her?”

  “Unfortunately until she’s awake and tells us you didn’t attack her, we have to hold you. You could be charged with a number of things. The D.A. will decide once we know more. I don’t believe you attacked her. I hope she wakes completely and clears you.”

  “Okay,” mumbled Cole sinking deeper into his chair.

  Detective Mike picked up the journal and said, “Tell me everything you know about this.”

  ########

  Kellie and Taylor hurried into the E.R. and inquired about Andrea at the front desk. They were asked to wait while the nurse made a phone call. She hung up the phone and looked at the girls. “You can go back. She’s in exam room four.”

  Andrea’s mom met them at the exam room door and hugged them. “I’m so glad you’re here. Andrea’s dad is out of town, and her brother isn’t answering his cell. The doctor said she’s going to be fine and should wake up soon.

  The two women quietly entered Andrea’s room. She was lying on the hospital gurney nearly as pale as the white sheet covering her. Andrea’s eyelids fluttered open.

  She whispered, “It was him.”

  Her mom thrilled to see Andrea open her eyes rushed out of the room. Calling for a doctor or a nurse, she didn’t hear Andrea’s comment.

  Kellie whispered, “Don’t tell them about the figure in black. They won’t believe you, but we do. Cole said there was soot in the tub. If you mention him, they may keep you in the psych ward.”

  Andrea nodded, tears forming in her eyes.

  “Where’s Cole?”

  “At the police station. Once you tell them he didn’t do this to you, they’ll release him, and he’ll be here.”

  The doctor strode into Andrea’s room holding her chart. Her mom was close behind him wiping tears from her eyes..

  “Well, young lady. You gave your mom quite a scare. Do you remember feeling sleepy when you took your bath?”

  Andrea nodded.

  “I think you fell asleep and fortunately Cole arrived almost immediately after you sunk under the water. You weren’t under long enough to try and breathe. You didn’t inhale any water. We’ll keep you overnight to be sure you’re strong enough to go home and release you in the morning.”

  Andrea’s mom asked, “What about those marks on her chest. I heard the officers talking. One said he thought Cole may have tried to drown her.”

  “Cole didn’t” Andrea had found her voice. “He saved my life.” She tried to get out of bed, “He’s my hero, leave him alone.”

  “Okay dear, calm down. What about them doctor?”

  “They do appear to come from finger tips, but they look more like what I would expect from either Cole pulling her from the tub, or the paramedics working on her. If you’ll notice she has small bruises on her arms, too. In a panic people seldom remember exactly how they grabbed another person to pull them to safety.”

  Detective Stellion entered the room followed by a quiet Cole.

  “Cole,” cried Andrea. “Thank goodness you’re here. I was afraid they might arrest you.”

  Andrea’s mom, accepting the doctor’s explanation, hugged Cole hard enough he was worried she would break a bone. “Thank you for saving my daughter.” He smiled at her.

  Cole moved to Andrea’s side. “I’m so sorry I left you alone. I’ll never do that again. I love you.” He began to sob again.

  She stroked his hair with her hand, “Don’t worry it’s okay. You didn’t know anything would happen. I love you, too.”

  The doctor convinced Andrea’s mom to go home and get some sleep. He promised they would take care of her. Her brother rushed in. He visited with Andrea briefly. He told the doctor he would take his mom home with him so she wouldn’t be alone. Kellie, Taylor, and the guys were ready to leave, but Andrea wouldn’t let go of Cole’s hand. She wanted Cole to stay.

  The doctor said, “Our policy is only close family can spend the night.”

  “Please, we’re going to be married in the fall. Let him stay. We’re stronger together, and I need him.”

  He read over her chart and frowned when he read Andrea became overly emotional without Cole. The doctor relented and Andrea thanked him profusely.

  “Have a good night. I’ll check on you in the morning. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to use the call button.”

  Kellie popped back in for a minute, “Neither of you has your car here. Call me in the morning when she can leave and I’ll come and get you.”

  When the room was quiet, Andrea began to cry.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Cole, it was him. The figure in black. I settled down in the tub when a shadow passed over me. I opened my eyes, and it was him. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. He was reaching for me with his fingers splayed, and the next thing I remember I woke up here. I think I passed out. You must have come home almost at the same time. The doctor said I didn’t inhale any water.”

  He held her tight. “I’ll never leave you again. We’ll find a way to be closer and stay safe. I promise.”

  She drifted off to sleep, and Cole watched her as his hatred for the figure in black increased. Moving around her room, he clenched his fists and released them over and over. Cole bent over and kissed her as he whispered, “I’ll make sure he never hurts you again.” He moved the recliner next to her bed and fell asleep holding her hand.

  The figure in black paced in his dark space. Not only did she live, but they were even more in love. He could see them holding hands. It made him sick. Ridding them from his sight would bring him great pleasure. Dark ideas swirled through his mind.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kellie, Taylor, Hunter, and Drew arrived home late. They grabbed a snack from the kitchen and sat at the dining room table discussing the horrid events that had transpired. They knew Andrea was alright physically, but emotionally she would have extensive scars. Cole’s anger would get the better of him, if they didn’t figure out how to stop the old man.

  Kellie said, “Love’s the answer and it certainly worked tonight. Cole had to go to the store, but if he didn’t adore Andrea, he would have meandered around. He enjoys looking at everything in any store. I think his love hurried him home, and he saved her life. She could be dead now. One of us might be next. It doesn’t seem to matter where we are, here or away from the house. If we’re alone, we’re vulnerable.”

  Drew added, “Cole and Andrea work and live together. He won’t leave her side again. I think they’ll be safe. What about the four of us? We’re strong together. We have to be sure two of us are together at all times unless we’re in a crowd of people like Kellie at school or the rest of us at work.”

  “I also think we’re safe in public,” said Hunter. “It seems the old man needs us to be alone where he can’t be seen. Cole said there was soot in the bath water which means he wasn’t invisible. He must need to be in that black form to attack us. He can’t go out in public like that.”

  “Your Uncle Mike read the journal and thinks the same as we do. He had plans to get rid of you, Kyle, and anyone else who could stand in line to inherit, and then suddenly return from the dead. He also suspects the older burned body is the old man. He’s going to have dental records checked to be sure. He has no idea who the other man is. Unless he can find the second accomplice we may never know. His family might not report him missing, if he hasn’t been around for a while or they might not care. We have no idea who we’re dealing with. Detective Mike did say he thin
ks the accomplice is probably miles, if not states away from here. He would be charged with three murders, if they found him.”

  “Three?” asked Taylor.

  “Yes, we’re forgetting this all started with the murder of Ken Spencer when the body was taken.”

  “I did forget that. There’s so much else going on.” She took a bite of a biscuit without tasting it. “The people who killed Mr. Spencer might have killed others.”

  “It’s late,” Kellie said. “I’m tired. I also promised to pick Cole and Andrea up in the morning.” She wiped her face with her hands trying to stay awake.

  Taylor hugged Kellie good night. Drew took Kellie’s hand and they walked upstairs. Hunter chased Taylor up the opposite set of stairs. Everyone was laughing as they said goodnight.

  The figure in black shuddered by the affection. He would enjoy ending it.

  ########

  Kellie woke to the sun beginning to peek through the window blinds. Drew was snoring peacefully. She quietly rose and dressed. Noticing it was snowing lightly outside, Kellie hurried downstairs to take a walk in the snow. As she pulled on her coat and boots, she declined Mrs. Decker’s offer to make some coffee for her to take along on her walk. Kellie left out the back door fully intending to head for the front of the house and walk down the sidewalk. Once outside, her direction changed, and Kellie headed toward the woods near the river.

  Her attention was on the falling snowflakes. She watched them land on her gloves and kicked the snow with her boots. Kellie smiled and hummed to herself as she continued her walk. Approaching the river, she turned to walk on a small trail that led into the woods. The snow began to fall a bit faster. Kellie picked up her pace walking deeper into the woods. Beginning to feel more like a child as snow covered her sleeves, she spun, held her arms out, and laughed as the snow flew off her sleeves. Kellie wanted to make snow angels and walked deeper into the woods looking for an area large enough for her to lie down. She wandered off the path skipping and laughing as she spied an open area in front of her.

  While Kellie enjoyed her romp in the snow, the rest of the household was beginning to wake. Drew rolled over and reached for Kellie, but she wasn’t there. “Kellie, are you up here?”

  No answer.

  Drew dressed and hurried to the kitchen. “Have you seen Kellie?”

  Mrs. Casey answered, “She left about thirty minutes ago. She wanted to walk in the snow.”

  He asked Mrs. Decker to get him a travel mug of coffee. Joining Kellie in the snow sounded like a wonderful way to start the day.

  “Miss Kellie didn’t have her morning coffee, sir.”

  That surprised Drew. Grabbing his coffee, he headed out the door. Drew noticed there were no footprints heading toward the front of the house. He saw her boot prints heading toward the river. Panic shot through him. Kellie wouldn’t intentionally walk there. He hurried back into the house and asked Austern to wake Hunter, and have him follow their tracks. By the time he was back outside, he was nearly out of breath. Drew forced himself to breathe slowly in the cold air.

  He mumbled, “Calm down. She probably wanted to see the snow on the river.”

  Drew walked toward the river. Hunter caught up with him a few minutes later.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Kellie went for a walk, didn’t wait for her morning coffee, and her tracks take her toward the river not the street. Where is she?”

  “Slow down,” Hunter grabbed Drew by the arm. “We can follow her tracks and find her.”

  Drew’s panic began to build again when he saw them lead into the woods. “What’s she doing in there? She would never go in the woods alone. It has to be the old man. He has her. We have to find her.” He began to run.

  Hunter grabbed his arm. “If you trip and fall, you could get hurt. We’ll never find her then.”

  “Okay, we’ll walk.” Drew could feel the sweat build under his coat and gloves. His heart raced. “We have to find her quickly.”

  “We will.” Hunter tried to be reassuring, but he had his doubts. It wasn’t like Kellie to take off alone.

  Kellie ran into the small meadow. While watching a few small rabbits and a squirrel scamper off, she didn’t hear the low growl of the wolf. Her mind raced with joy. Kellie wished Taylor was there to share her delight, and make snow angels with her. Maybe Taylor could come out to play later. Kellie dropped into the snow and flapped her arms and legs. She sat up and carefully stood, not wanting to destroy her beautiful snow angel.

  Stepping back to admire the angel, she became aware of the menacing growl. She rapidly looked around her. Her eyes darted back and forth. Kellie had no idea where she was or how she had gotten there. Searching for her tracks in the snow, she noticed tracks in every direction. Each had been trampled over several times. Kellie thought she must have run around haphazardly before making the snow angel, and waking up from her nightmare. Could she have been sleepwalking? No, she never had before. Well, once, but that was to the attic to speak to her mother’s spirit.

  “Mother, are you here?” Kellie’s heart raced as she waited for an answer. Dread consumed her as she realized she was alone. Fear tightened her chest. Tears froze to her cheeks. Pulling off her gloves to dry her sweaty palms, she then shoved them into her pockets. One fell out as she began to run in circles looking for anything familiar.

  Another low growl disturbed the wood’s quiet. They didn’t have wolves in the area. It must be a lost dog. It could be as dangerous as a wolf. Kellie shuddered.

  Kellie walked the edge of the meadow looking for a path or her footprints leading into the woods. She found neither. The sound of the river was barely audible. If she could get to the river, she could follow it home. Kellie entered the woods having no idea where she was truly headed.

  Drew and Hunter emerged in the meadow. Seeing the trampled snow and snow angel, Drew knew Kellie had been there. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he called her name. They heard nothing in reply.

  Drew pointed at the snow angel. “She was here. What the hell is going on? She wouldn’t come out to a place she didn’t know existed to make a snow angel?”

  “It has to be the old man. He wants her to get lost and maybe freeze to death. Claudia said he wanted all of us dead.” Hunter looked around for any sign of her.

  Drew’s fright turned to frenzy. He ran in circles looking for a sign of Kellie. Finding her red glove in the snow, he dropped to his knees. Her hand would freeze without it.

  Hunter did his best to help Drew back to his feet. Drew’s eyes were wide with terror. His lip was bleeding from his biting down on it. He grabbed Hunter’s arms, “She’s lost.” Drew spun around one way and then the other.

  Hunter shook him. “Get ahold of yourself. If you fall apart, you’ll never find her. I can’t carry you and look for Kellie. You’d have to stay here and we might not find you again.”

  Drew shuddered and nodded. “Okay, I’m okay. Let’s look for her. Look, she’s lost a glove. It’s so cold out here.”

  “Let’s see if we can find where she entered the woods.”

  Hunter walked in one direction around the circle while Drew walked the other. After a few minutes of searching they found tracks leading away from the meadow. They followed the tracks as quickly as possible.

  Kellie tripped over a frozen tree root and fell face first onto the ground. She scratched her gloveless hand and it began to bleed. Pulling a tissue from her pocket, she placed it over her scratched palm, and switched her glove to her injured hand. It didn’t fit well, but it warmed her hand and covered the injury. She got up onto her feet and walked toward where she thought the river would be. Kellie tried to see which direction the sun was shining, but it was extremely overcast and the woods were deep. Even without leaves, they darkened the area where she walked.

  Drew and Hunter hurried along following Kellie’s tracks. They stopped occasionally to listen for her. They heard small animals scamper and the growl of the wolf.

  “Kellie!” Drew
shouted. His heart pounded. He shouted again.

  Kellie was trying to find her way through the trees to the river. She heard water in the distance, but she thought she heard something else. “Drew, was that Drew?” Her name echoed in the trees, but she couldn’t decide from which direction it was coming.

  “Drew,” she called back.

  Hunter stopped and grabbed Drew’s coat. “Listen, did you hear that? I thought it was Kellie.”

  Together they shouted her name.

  She heard them and called back.

  They yelled for her to stay where she was and keep calling out.

  She sat on a tree stump and called out Drew’s name, rubbing her bare hand to warm it. When she looked up, she saw the old man standing approximately ten feet in front of her.

  His face barely visible under his black hood was horrifying. His dark gray skin sagged, pieces of it were loose and hung in strips, and his eyes were sunken. “They’ll never save you in time. They’ll be dead first. I told you that you would be the last to die. Run, Kellie, run. Run toward the river, and go home. You can see the river from here. It’s right through that small clearing.”

  He walked toward her. She jumped up from the tree stump and screamed. Turning she ran toward the clearing.

  Drew and Hunter heard her and raced in her direction. They stopped dead in their tracks when the old man appeared in front of them. His appearance had changed. Hunter mumbled, “He looks like a corpse this time.”

  “She’s headed home. It isn’t her time to die. It’s yours. Are you ready?” His diabolical laughter echoed through the woods.

  Kellie heard the old man’s laugh and knew Drew and Hunter were behind her. She couldn’t leave them alone. Taking a deep breath, she turned and headed back.

  The snow and wind picked up covering Kellie’s tracks. She walked in the direction she thought she had come and feared she was lost until she saw a bit of red showing in the snow. Blood from her hand! The crushed snow showed where she fell. She hurried past, knowing she would find Drew and Hunter.

  The old man asked, “Who wants to die first?”