DEADLY WISHES Read online

  “Since we believe she’s connected to the severed head, I suppose finding Ronnie would be a good idea,” Kellie suggested. “He owns a cabin, but I don’t know where.”

  “I have a friend at the property tax office. Maybe she can find out for us,” Taylor offered.

  “Good idea,” Claudia exclaimed as she stood. “You two need to get busy. I have a feeling this spirit will not remain hidden for long. She will try to lure you out since you’re well protected. Again, do not be concerned about the children. They are safe from physical harm although she may try to frighten them as I said before. Since it is my belief that Taylor will play a minimal role in this fight, she will most likely ignore Ethan and Kayla. Hope and Faith’s abilities will draw her, and she will feel anger because they’re protected. Watch for anything that can frighten them. It will be her first attack. I’ll let Lance know what’s going on. He’ll be ready to help as soon as he returns. Perhaps he can discover her name. That will also help. Go now and stay alert.” Claudia smiled and hugged both tightly.

  On the way home, Taylor spoke to her friend and obtained Ronnie’s address. “He lives out off County Line Road. That’s fairly desolate. He must live in one of the hunting cabins out there.”

  “We need to check it out as soon as we can. By now Uncle Mike also investigated where Ronnie lives since he had access to Mrs. Donahue’s freezer. I’m sure Uncle Mike’s checked out the cabin, but he can’t feel what I can. Let’s go tonight about eight. It’ll be dark and quiet by then.”

  “What do we tell Max and Hunter. If we go out at eight, they’ll know we’re up to something.”

  Kellie shrugged. “Girl’s night out. We’ll have dinner and then a movie or the mall. Something. That’ll give us time to go to the cabin. It won’t take us long.”

  Chapter Four

  Taylor stood next to her car glancing around. “For the last time, are you sure about this?” She looked up at the full moon brightening the gravel where they stood. “Someone is sure to see us.”

  “Yes, I’m sure. We need to check out Ronnie’s place. It’s after ten o’clock and the only cabin in sight is across the road. It’s late and most likely empty. Even if someone is there, fishermen usually go to bed early and get up early don’t they?”

  “Uh huh,” Taylor murmured.

  “Come on; we’ll walk on this side of the drive until we get to the edge of the property. It’s less than a block I think. Mrs. Donahue’s daughter said there’s a path that takes you back to the woods. We’ll follow it.” Kellie began to walk down the road thankful for the full moon and cloudless sky.

  When Kellie saw the dirt path she assumed headed to Ronnie’s cabin; she ran back whispering to Taylor to follow her. She stood next to Taylor at the foot of the long path.

  “It’s a long walk to the woods. Maybe two blocks. Are you sure we need to do this?”

  “Taylor, what happened to you? Where’s your adventuresome spirit? Where’s the girl who was first to jump off Johnson’s Cliff into the river each summer?” Kellie turned and hugged Taylor and held her hand.

  “I’m still here inside. Outside I don’t want to jump off rocks or tumble down hills. I think I break easier now.” She bit her lip, but Kellie could see the mischief sparkle in her eyes.

  “Ready,” Kellie asked.

  “You bet,” Taylor replied and gripped Kellie’s hand tighter. They began their walk up the long drive and followed the edge of the cornfield on the other side of the path.

  Kellie stopped at the edge of the woods. “I think we should sneak through the woods rather than continue up the drive. Mrs. Donahue’s daughter told me when the drive ends; you need an ATV to get to the cabin. Either way, the walk will be slow, and the woods will give us better cover.”

  “Better cover from what? I thought you said the cabin would be empty.”

  “It should be, but just in case we should creep up quietly.”

  “Just in case?” Taylor stared at Kellie, and she shrugged.

  “All right,” Taylor agreed. “You first, I’ll follow. Try not to fall in any puddles this time.”

  “It hasn’t rained in days. There won’t be any puddles,” Kellie retorted.

  After a few feet into the woods, Taylor whispered. “I can barely see. The trees are too thick. So much for your idea of going when the moon is full. It’s too dark; I’m going to use the flashlight on my phone.”

  “No, someone will see the light. We can see well enough if we walk slowly.”

  Kellie heard Taylor groan and mumble, but she followed her.

  A few minutes later they both stopped when they heard a twig snap.

  “What was that?” Taylor stammered. “It could be a poisonous snake. Maybe it’s a Timber Rattler. We have them here, don’t we?”

  “Yes, in this part of the state, but I never heard of anyone getting bit. I’m sure it was a squirrel or a rabbit.”

  Taylor grabbed Kellie’s arm. “Do you hear that? I think I hear breathing, more like panting.”

  Kellie heard it, too and then a male voice called out. “Boris, where are you? Boris?”

  “Who’s Boris?” Taylor whispered.

  Her question was answered a moment later when a black shape leaped through the air straight at Kellie. A bear? Kellie was so shocked she couldn’t scream, and then a large tongue licked her face. She pushed her way out from under it and looked up at Taylor.

  “I think this is Boris.”

  Taylor was doubled over in laughter, and Boris sat wagging his tail.

  “Boris,” the man’s voice carried through the trees again.

  Kellie patted the large black dog on the head and whispered, “Go, Boris.” He whined but turned and ran in the direction of the voice.

  Taylor wiped tears from her eyes, “That was close. I thought it might be a bear, or the killer, or even Bigfoot.”

  “Bigfoot in southeastern Wisconsin? Really, Taylor?” She joined her friend in laughter and pushed herself off the ground and dusted the dirt from her jeans.

  “You never know,” Taylor insisted as she resumed their trek through the woods.

  “Okay,” Kellie admitted. “I suppose anything is possible. Look, I see a clearing up ahead. The cabin must be close.”

  “I hope so,” Taylor replied. “I’ve walked enough in these woods. I think we should take the drive on the way out. We’ll never find our way out again in the dark.”

  “Sure we will. We found our way in here.”

  “Right, and nearly eaten by a monster.”

  “Boris wasn’t a monster.” Kellie laughed as she walked into the clearing. “There’s the cabin.”

  Taylor and Kellie crept closer not speaking. The full moon illuminated the cabin well and they could see where they were walking.

  Maybe Taylor’s right, and we should use the drive when we leave, Kellie thought.

  “Okay, we’re here,” Taylor announced. “What now?”

  “Let’s walk around the place,” Kellie said and strolled toward the back of the cabin.

  “We can peek in the windows. There’s police tape across the door.”

  Two steps led to a wooden deck with several chairs scattered around. Kellie walked up to the back door and turned the knob. “Hey, it’s unlocked.”

  “You can’t go in there. That’s breaking and entering,” Taylor gushed and ran to Kellie’s side grabbing her arm to stop her.

  “Nope, only entering. I didn’t break a thing,” Kellie grinned at Taylor.

  “Maybe not, but we can’t cross police tape.”

  Kellie scooted under the only piece of yellow tape hanging across the doorway. “Not crossing just ducking under.”

  “Uh huh,” Taylor mumbled as she followed Kellie into the cabin. “I’m pretty sure the police will call it breaking and entering and crossing police lines. They’ll arrest us.”

  “You worry too much,” Kellie told her.

  They stood side by side in the kitchen lit only by the moonlight coming through the windo
ws.

  “Now what?” Taylor asked.

  “I’m not sure. We look around and see if the police missed anything important. Since they’re trying to link Ronnie to the severed head, they’re looking for evidence in a murder. I need to find evidence of blood drinking.”

  “I agree, but what are we looking for?”

  “I’m not sure. I hope we’ll know when we see it.”

  “We need more light. Can I use my phone’s flashlight now?” Taylor pleaded.

  “Only for a second or two if you spot something important. I still don’t want anyone to see us.”

  “How am I supposed to know what’s important?”

  “Let me see if I can feel any strange energy that may lead us where to look,” Kellie answered and smiled at Taylor.

  Kellie moved into the living room and stood quietly in the middle of the room. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the energy in the room. When Kellie opened her eyes, she walked straight to a bookcase next to the fireplace. She got down on her knees and slid her hand under the bottom shelf. She felt a metal clip and pulled it. The bottom shelf slid sideways a few inches and Kellie noticed a notebook inside the hidden compartment. She pulled it out and stood. Feeling the energy emanating from the notebook, she unzipped her jacket and slipped it inside for safe keeping.

  “What is it?” Taylor asked.

  “I found a hidden compartment and a journal of some sort. I don’t feel that there’s anything else here. We should leave now before whoever hid this journal comes back for it.”

  “Good idea,” Taylor answered.

  “I don’t want to come face to face with the killer or the police.”

  “That’s true. I still think they’ll arrest us. Let’s go now.”

  “Taylor, calm down. The police don’t know we’re here.”

  As soon as the words left Kellie’s mouth, a bright light filled the room. She squinted, and Taylor grabbed her arm.

  “Evening, ladies.”

  Kellie couldn’t see who was talking but knew the voice.

  “Uncle Mike? Is that you?”

  “Yes.”

  “What are you doing here,” Kellie inquired.

  “That should be my question,” he quipped.

  “Told you,” Taylor whispered still gripping Kellie's arm. “Hunter is going to kill me.”

  “How did you get here before us,” Kellie asked as her eyes adjusted to the light. She smiled at her Uncle Mike hoping he wasn’t too angry.

  Detective Stellion leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. Still dressed in his suit and tie, Kellie thought maybe he was out on a case and passed by to check things out.

  Think of something to say, Kellie. Think quickly. You’re in trouble now.

  Mike tried to hide an amused smile and answered, “I saw you and Taylor drive past the police station when I left. You were heading away from town. There was only one reason you’d come this way. I took the back way and arrived first.”

  “Back way? There’s a back way in here?” Taylor asked. She slugged Kellie’s arm. “See we didn’t have to creep through the woods and get attacked by Bigfoot.”

  “Bigfoot?” Mike asked.

  “Never mind,” Kellie responded.

  “You know, I should arrest you both,” he said and walked toward Kellie.

  “Please don’t.” Taylor looked up at him trying her best to look pathetic.

  He scowled. “Okay, I won’t this time, but you have to promise to stay away from crime scenes and let the police do their job. Please stop trying to save the world, Kellie.”

  She nodded.

  Taylor swallowed and looked at Mike. “Are you going to tell Hunter?”

  Mike laughed. “This isn’t second grade, and I’m not the principal, Taylor. If you two pull something like this again, he’ll know because you’ll be arrested. You’re lucky I saw you and knew what you were doing. If someone else found you, you’d be on your way to jail. Come on; my car is less than a five-minute walk. I’ll drive you to wherever you stashed Taylor’s car.”

  “Thank you,” Taylor said as she ducked under the yellow tape and stepped into the backyard of the cabin. “Hunter said he thinks I should stay away from these mysteries.”

  “I agree with Hunter,” Mike answered. “The problem is you do things that might get you killed.”

  Mike closed the door, and they walked silently to his car. Kellie knew he was right about solving mysteries being dangerous, but she couldn’t help it. The police seem sure of their conclusions. Kellie knew there was more to it. She would get to the bottom of it one way or the other. Her Uncle Mike didn’t like the idea of the supernatural, but he’d have to accept it when she proved him wrong.

  Taylor crawled into the back seat of Mike’s car while Kellie scooted into the front seat. They drove in silence back to Taylor’s car.

  When Mike dropped them off, he rolled his window down and growled at them. “This is the last time I expect to find you mixed up in police business. I know you have some idea that we’re dealing with one of your creepy characters, but this is a murder case. Drop it now before you end up a guest of Malone Springs jail. Go home!”

  Kellie and Taylor nodded but smiled at each other once they were settled in Taylor’s car. “Drive to a spot where we have some light. I want to read this.” She pulled the journal from her jacket.

  When they made it back to town, Taylor pulled onto a quiet side street and stopped the car near a street light.

  Kellie flipped the journal open and read the first page.

  “Hmm, it’s a journal written by a girl named Alyssa. From what she writes, Ronnie is her boyfriend, but she refers to him as Ron.”

  “Makes sense. How many guys want their girlfriends to call them by the nickname their family calls them,” Taylor said.

  Kellie shrugged and continued, “Here’s the last entry dated a month ago.”

  Something terrible happened. Ron’s in trouble, and I don’t know how to help him. He won’t stop with his obsession of drinking blood. He’s obsessed with the idea it is making him stronger and invincible. Tonight, everything went wrong.

  Z was here like every Friday night for the past month. I can’t watch when Ron cuts into his arm and laps up the flowing blood. It sickens me, but I can’t tell Ron. I think I love him. Can you love two men at one time? I heard shouting coming from the bedroom and Z ran past me toward the back door screaming that Ron was a monster. His arm and leg were bleeding profusely. Ron chased him out the door, and they fought in the back yard. Z punched Ron, and he fell to the ground. Z ran off toward the woods.

  Ron walked back into the cabin and told me we were leaving. He said he needed food and we’d come back later after we ate. We drove to the diner and had dinner. When we returned, Z was laying on the ground next to the back door. Ron was angry and shook him, but Z didn’t move. Ron said he was dead. He told me to go back inside, and he’d take care of it. He came back over two hours later, grabbed three large garbage bags and ran back out the door. When he returned, he placed something in the freezer and said he was going to sleep. He told me he’d take me home in the morning before he visits his aunt.

  I can’t sleep. I don’t know what Ron did to Z or why he died. I think he bled out from the way I saw him bleeding before we left for dinner. Did Ron kill him? Was it intentional or an accident. Where did Ron take his body? I can’t summon the courage to look in that plastic bag. I’m afraid.

  “That’s the end of the entries,” Kellie said.

  “You have to tell Uncle Mike. Someone named Z is dead. Even if he died accidentally and wanted to participate in that blood drinking, Ron never reported it. The body must be out near the cabin, and it has to be Z’s head in the freezer.” Taylor bit her lip and gripped the steering wheel.

  “I agree, drive past the police station and see if his car is there. If not, we’ll drive past his house, and maybe he’s home. I’ll give it to him tonight.”

  Taylor dropped
her head onto the steering wheel and mumbled, “He’s going to kill us.”

  “We’re adults with our own families. He can’t punish us, Taylor.”

  “He can arrest us.”

  “Yeah,” Kellie swallowed. “But he won’t. I hope.”

  When they didn’t find Mike’s car in the station parking lot, Taylor drove to his home. She pulled up in front and stopped.

  “I’ll wait here,” she said to Kellie.

  “Coward,” Kellie smiled as she climbed out of the car.

  “No, smart,” Taylor retorted. “When Uncle Mike slaps the handcuffs on you, I’ll call Hunter so he and Max can get to the station and spring us before Uncle Mike arrests me, too.”

  “Okay, you’re smart. Here I go.” Kellie slammed the car door and walked up the front walk and steps to Mike and Rita’s front porch. She knocked on the door, and Rita answered.

  “Kellie, come in. Why are you here alone?”

  “Taylor’s waiting in her car. I can’t stay. I just have something for Uncle Mike.”

  Rita moved her head past Kellie’s shoulder and waved at Taylor and then told Kellie to sit. “I’ll get Mike.”

  Kellie remained standing holding the journal in her hands.

  Mike rounded the corner from the kitchen and said, “I just saw you. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes and no. Taylor and I are fine, but I found this at the cabin. You need to read it.” She held the journal out to Mike.

  He reached for it and said, “You had this when I found you two at the cabin. You wanted to read it first. That’s tampering with evidence. I should arrest you.”

  “Mike, really, you want to arrest Kellie. You can’t do that,” Rita insisted.

  “I can and I should, but I won’t for the girl’s sakes. Hope and Faith don’t need a mother in jail. Go home, Kellie and this time I mean it. Leave this to the police. You can’t help.” Mike crossed his arms over his chest.

  “All right, I’ll go home, but I think you’ll find the missing body near the cabin and the head belongs to someone called ‘Z’ or it could be his initial. I’m not sure yet if his killing was ritualistic or an accident. You could find out.” She spun on her heel and headed for the door.