The Spiritist Read online

  Nothing was out of place; everything was exactly as she had left this morning. And yet, she felt the air vibrate with an alien presence. Not understanding where her feelings of unrest were emanating from, Aerilyn turned her attention to the back rooms. She was sure she had closed the sliding door before she left the cabin. Now, it stood open. She frowned, thinking back to her actions in the morning. As always, she collected her bag, closed the sliding door and locked the cabin. Yes, she was quite positive she’d slid the door towards the wall and closed it.

  Or not? Was she mistaken?

  The fact that her cat wasn’t around to greet her was a big alarm bell. If there was an intruder in the house, Knight would be hiding somewhere.

  Was there someone else here?

  A primal instinct, something triggered by the absolute, but strangely unfamiliar, silence in the cabin alerted her. With a leap, she turned towards the main door – but a loud cracking sound echoed in the confines of the cabin before she reached the door. It took her all of a second to realize that someone was shooting at her. Something hit the door at the same instant that she recoiled, turned back and dove behind the kitchen counter.

  Her heart beat nosily, but the sound of it wasn’t loud enough to mask the sound of footsteps shuffling forward. Aerilyn peeked out from behind the edge of the wall. She was unable to see anyone, but it was hard to deny that there was an intruder in the cabin; someone who was bent on killing her.

  The realization hit her at the same time as the awareness that she had never been this close to death.

  Myriad thoughts flashed through her head. Who? Why? But the most important concern was her need to escape the confined space. Within the cabin, she was too vulnerable. Inside, her options were limited. She was trapped. There was no place to hide, and if she went for the door, the shooter may not miss the second time around.

  All of ten seconds had passed since the first shot was fired. The intruder couldn’t be far away from the counter. Maybe he wanted to get a clean shot this time and hence, the wait.

  Had anyone heard the sound of the gunfire outside? Would someone raise the alarm?

  It would be foolhardy to expect outside help. Her neighbors were working couples and may or may not be home. This wasn’t a busy street. In fact, she had chosen to live in this cabin because it was away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area. It was highly likely that no one would be coming to her rescue.

  What could she do to save herself?

  Knowing that she couldn’t rely on another to save her, Aerilyn slowed her breathing. She resisted the urge to flee. That would earn her a bullet in her back. She would have to use magic to stop the shooter. She needed to incapacitate the intruder so that he could not hurt her with the gun. As she willed it, her gift, a vortex of power, uncoiled from the tight bounds she held it in. As she pierced the veil of the otherworld, she called someone, anyone, who would be able to help her. It took her no more than a few seconds to do what she needed.

  The air around her suddenly chilled, the temperature drop marking the passage of a spirit. Aerilyn glanced up and there pressed against the wall was a child. No more than eight, his face was hauntingly familiar.

  “Shane!” She breathed out the word at the same exact moment that the child dove into the man who was standing perhaps a foot away from the counter. She heard a loud thump and a scream. Another gun shot. And then there was silence.

  Aerilyn didn’t move a muscle. She couldn’t. All her limbs were locked in place with shock and fear. When no new sounds were forthcoming, she shuffled forward and peeked out from behind the counter. Someone was lying a few feet away, but all she could see from this angle was his big, black boots.

  Her heart thumped wildly. Sweat trickled down her face. When there was no movement in the cabin and the killer remained supine on the floor, she stood cautiously. The gun lay near his hand. The boy was nowhere to be seen. Aerilyn didn’t waste any more time. Without pause or hesitation, she ran for the door. She came out and kept on running until she had reached the main street.

  It was only when she was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the tourists, and the usual sounds of the main street, did she permit herself to slow down.

  A hand on her shoulder stopped her cold. “Hey, Aerilyn, what’s up?”

  “Peter.” She threw herself in the arms of her friend’s husband. “There was…there is someone in my cabin. Someone tried to kill me. I ran...and he was on the floor…”

  “Wait. Hey. Calm down.” Peter held her at arm’s length. A tall, muscular man, he had dark brown hair and an open, animated face. He appeared flabbergasted by her uncharacteristic behavior. “What are you talking about? Who was in your cabin?”

  She probably wasn’t making any sense. The passersby were giving her strange looks. Clearly, she must look demented. Aerilyn got a grip on herself. She simply couldn’t afford to break apart. “We need to call the police,” she gasped. “Now.”

  A while later, she was seated in the cool kitchen of her friend Sarah’s house, a shawl around her shoulders and a mug of hot, black tea clutched in her hands. Sarah was sitting opposite her, a mug of hot tea lying forgotten on the table in front of her. She was talking on the phone.

  “Right, I will tell her. But can she stay here tonight?” She listened to the response. “Thanks, Zoe.”

  “What’s happening? Did he awaken?”

  “They have taken him to the hospital.” Sarah put the phone on the breakfast table that dominated her kitchen. “He is still unconscious, but they have booked him on preliminary charges of trespassing and intent to assault.”

  “Assault? He tried to kill me.”

  “The police are running checks on him as well as the gun that was found at the scene of crime. They are probably going to add a lot more charges as more information about him comes through. They have dug out the two bullets. One from your cabin door and the other from the ceiling.” She shuddered. “They have sent those for analysis. Whatever that means!”

  Aerilyn sipped her tea. The police had their own procedures to follow. There wasn’t much she could do. “I have to call Cole and tell him about this.”

  “Hmff!” Sarah snorted. She stood and walked over to her fridge. Opening it, she surveyed the full shelves. “I will start dinner. Peter will be back soon.”

  “This isn’t his fault.”

  “I will reserve judgment until we know more.” Sarah took out two bags of greens. After putting them on the white countertop, she took out pans. “But I bet this has something to do with the case about Thomas.”

  “Did…Peter say anything about when I can get my door fixed?”

  “Honey, you know you can stay here for as long as you want.” Sarah turned, her face a mix of emotions. “In fact, I think I am going to insist on it. I don’t want…” She bit her lower lip.

  “I don’t think someone else is going to come after me.” Aerilyn put the mug down. Now that she was safe and inside, the initial shock was wearing off.

  Peter had been a tremendous help in getting everything organized. He called the police and waited with her at the busy street while the local police drove down. She took them all back to her cabin where they found the intruder, unconscious, on her cabin floor. The gun was also found there as were the bullet casings, and the bullets that were embedded in the door and ceiling.

  Aerilyn gave her statement and then Sarah came to pick her up.

  It was all in the hands of the police now. Aerilyn was grateful to be alive and well. She’d drawn on her gift in a way she’d never used it before. Piercing the veil was a demanding and sacred task; she’d never undertaken it on her own behalf before. Perhaps, she hadn’t realized whom she would be calling forth to protect her but it was apt that her protector turned out to be Shane, her brother.

  He’d always been caring and loving. Perhaps her need called him forth more urgently that she realized. He was there the instant she thought of him. It went without saying that he saved her life. Seeing him ha
d been so shocking but she’d also felt reassured in his presence. The sense of loss that she felt whenever she thought of him would never go away. It wouldn’t diminish – but it was nice to know that he was always there for her.

  Now, she just wanted everything to go back to the way it had been – but that was not going to happen anytime soon. The implications of the attack were ominous.

  Someone wanted her dead. She was on someone’s target list.

  Was the intruder acting on his own accord, or was he sent by someone else? And most importantly, now that this one had failed, would there be another attack on her life?

  Only time would reveal all the details.

  Chapter Ten

  Cole strode out of the airport terminal. A gust of wind slapped across his body. Although it was a bright, sunny day and the sky was a deep shade of azure, the wind rode hard, carrying with it a touch of bitter chill.

  “Alby. As fast as you can, please,” he barked at the driver, and the car drove out on to the busy street. Tired and jetlagged, Cole was in no mood to wait for another second before seeing Aerilyn. To think he had left her vulnerable and unprotected in her hometown. Why the hell didn’t he foresee this turn of events?

  It was his job to ensure the safety of others – and he lagged behind in the one thing that mattered the most. He ran a hand across his face as he gazed out of the window, mentally chiding himself for this monumental error in judgment. Her cabin wasn’t well-protected. He had seen it from the outside, but it never occurred to him to offer her any advice or suggestion. A simple alarm would have kept the intruder out. It was a wonder that she had survived this attack. Anything could have happened. Two shots were fired; she could have been maimed or killed. The mere thought of it sent a shiver straight up his spine.

  The one hour ride to Alby seemed to take ages. He forced the impatience away by making plans for the upcoming few days. The first step was to find the identity of the attacker. Then he intended to see to it that Aerilyn’s cabin was equipped with the latest security system. While he made plans, the car barreled through the mostly deserted roads that hugged the mountains. Alby was filled with tourists, the busy streets testament to the town’s attraction to those who craved time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Finally, the car slid to a stop outside Aerilyn’s friend Sarah’s house. She’d messaged him the address.

  After getting out of the car, Cole rang the bell. He’d traveled straight through the night, and although he had showered and changed on the plane, he knew he looked a mess. Not the best time to meet new people, but he couldn’t wait to make sure she was alright.

  A man, close to his own age, opened the door. “Yes?” he yawned.

  It was barely seven in the morning. Perhaps he should have called first. Too late now. “Hi. I am here to see Aerilyn. My name is Cole.”

  “Peter.” The man scratched the top of his head as he moved aside to let him in. “Aerilyn didn’t tell us you were coming.”

  “She doesn’t know. Where is she?”

  “Hmm…I think she’s up. I heard someone puttering about in the kitchen. Sarah, my wife, is still sleeping. The twins woke up a couple of times last night, and she is sleeping in a bit.”

  Cole waited impatiently for the man to realize that he needed to point him in the right direction. But Peter still appeared to be fighting sleep. “Where is the kitchen?”

  “Oh, right. Sorry. Straight that way.” He pointed with his hand. “Go right in.”

  Cole was already striding towards the kitchen. Aerilyn was sitting at the table, a cup of hot tea held in one hand, toast in another. She appeared startled at his unexpected appearance.

  “Cole?” She put the cup and the toast down and stood with hesitation, not sure if he was real or a figment of her imagination.

  In a heartbeat, he had covered the distance. Seeing her, relief flooded through him. He hugged her, breathing in the familiar, sweet scent. Cupping her face in both hands, he gazed into her sleepy eyes. “Can’t you stay out of trouble for a week?”

  She frowned. “Weren’t you in Rome? Don’t tell me you just left your work and came back?”

  “Flew through the night.” Holding her at an arm’s distance, he took a survey. She appeared unhurt. He had visions of her wrapped in bandages and covered in wounds. Despite her assurances, he hadn’t believed that she was alright until he saw her.

  “You look terrible.” She touched his cheek with one finger. “I mean…”

  “Hell of a thing to say to the man who flew all night to see you.”

  Cole turned to see who had spoken. A petite blonde stood at the kitchen door. Pushing back her golden hair, she took a good look at him. Dressed in baby pink matching pajamas, she didn’t seem flustered to see a stranger in her kitchen. Coming forward, she thrust out one hand. “Hi. I’m Sarah.”

  “Cole.” He shook hands, one arm still around Aerilyn’s waist. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Would have been better if it was under different circumstances.” Sarah made her way to the white counter. She poured a cup of steaming hot tea from a carafe. “Would you like some tea?”

  “Actually…”

  “Cole prefers coffee.” Aerilyn moved to the other end of the counter where a coffee maker sat, half hidden behind the microwave. “I made some for Peter. Let me give you a cup.”

  Sarah picked up a banana from the fruit basket and slowly peeled it. Her eyes remained fixed on Cole. “So, what do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Sarah?” Aerilyn’s admonishment was quick and firm.

  “What do you mean?” Cole took the cup that Aerilyn offered. The heady aroma of coffee did little to dispel the frosty waves issuing off the blonde.

  “Nothing. She is just worried about what happened yesterday.” Aerilyn glared at her friend.

  He was missing something here. Cole didn’t have the patience to play nice. “We’re all worried. Someone bloody shot at you.”

  “Exactly. Someone who was contracted to kill her. Someone who followed her from New York. Someone who had an illegal gun with a silencer. It was her luck that she escaped unscathed. Anyone who is privy to all relevant facts would realize that it was her association with Thomas’s death that got her into this trouble.” Sarah’s eyes shot sparks.

  “What?” The coffee cup wobbled in his hand. She’d told him that there was an intruder in her house. He’d assumed that she caught a thief at a bad time. Just plain, dumb luck. With care, Cole put the cup down. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You tell me?” Sarah jutted her chin out, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. “You’re the one who took her to New York and got her mixed up with the drug dealers.”

  “The man who attacked you was a drug dealer?” Cole’s head whipped towards her. Why hadn’t he known about it? He’d assumed that it was a burglary gone awry. “The police don’t know the identity of the killer. They have not released that information yet.”

  Sarah lifted one shoulder. “They are going to do so today. I got a tip from my first cousin Zoe. She is one of the detectives at the local police station. The intruder was identified as one Mike Powell. He is suspected of two murders in New York, but no hard evidence has been found against him. He is refusing to speak, but his prints are on record so they managed to identify him.”

  Cole’s head swam. Was it possible that their informal investigation into Thomas’s death had alerted Robin and James? Could they have sent a killer after Aerilyn? How could the information about her role in Thomas’s case leak out to them?

  Unless…

  “Excuse me a minute.” The coffee forgotten on the breakfast table, he strode out of the house.

  “Cole. Wait!” Aerilyn rushed after him. Grabbing him by the arm, she brought him to a stop. “We don’t know for sure who he was and if he was acting on his own, or if someone sent him. There is nothing as yet to connect him to Thomas. Sarah is just being over-protective.”

  With effort, Cole forced a smile to his face. H
e didn’t believe in coincidences. “Let me just talk to someone, find out a few things. I will come right back in.”

  “Breakfast?”

  “Sure,” he said absentmindedly and walked out. Once outside, he called Damon.

  His security chief’s sleepy good morning ignited his temper, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Damon. It’s me. I’m in Alby. Did you talk to the police last night as I told you to do so? Why didn’t you tell me that Aerilyn’s attacker was related to the drug dealers in New York?”

  Silence echoed on the other side. “It’s…I didn’t know myself. No such information has been released by the police.”

  “It will be. It’s confirmed. Get me everything on that, ASAP.”

  “If what you’re saying is true, then…”

  “Someone leaked information about Aerilyn to Robin. Yes, that is what I am suspecting. Who have you told about her?”

  “My contact at the police in NY. And my two assistants, but it can’t be them. Our people go through intense security checks, you know that. I can pretty much swear that they are in the clear.”

  Cole didn’t think anyone in his organization would have leaked this information. They were too well-trained for that. And yet, he didn’t want to take any more chances. “Check everyone. No one is cleared until I say the word. Call your contact at the police and ask him whom has he told about Aerilyn. Now! I am waiting for your feedback.”

  Cole broke off the call without saying goodbye. Such rudeness wasn’t his usual norm, but today’s revelation had unnerved him more than anything that had happened before. How could he have put her in harm’s way? It was his fault that she was attacked. She could’ve died. Fear, a bright hot lance of it, twisted in his gut.

  He’d never felt so scared before. But now, he had a job to do – and that was to make sure such an incident never happened again. After calling his assistant in Chicago, he barked off more instructions. Finished, he paced the pavement.

  The town was awakening. A mother hurried by, almost dragging two children behind her. Cars whizzed by as parents zoomed off to drop the children at daycare or school. At the opposite side of the street, an old lady shuffled out her house. Dressed in a gray robe and matching slippers, she walked to get her newspaper. Her surreptitious glances in his direction told him that not only was he out of place in this street, but his impatient movements probably looked suspicious.