Dark corridors, p.1
Dark Corridors, page 1
part #6 of Kellie Conley Mysteries Series
Dark Corridors
A Kellie Conley Mystery
By Marianne Spitzer
© September 2015
This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.
Acknowledgements
There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Cover designed by the talented Laura at LLPix Designs.
Chapter One
Kellie pulled into her drive and stopped the car. She turned toward Taylor and said, “It looks as if someone left me flowers.”
A large green cellophane wrapped item sat on her porch near the front door.
Taylor hopped out of the car and squealed, “There’s one on my porch, too. Someone sent us flowers.”
She ran across Kellie’s front yard, into her yard, and onto her porch. She pulled off the wrapping and lifted a huge bouquet of colorful lilies. She held it up and shouted, “Kellie, look what I received.”
Kellie walked up to her porch and pulled the wrapper off her bouquet. She took a step backward.
“What’s wrong?” Taylor called running back to Kellie’s.
Both young women stared at the bouquet of beautiful ivory roses sitting on Kellie’s porch.
“Not roses, not again.” Kellie threw her hands over her face. “Who would do this to me?”
Taylor rushed up to the porch to check the card. She shook her head and ran to her porch to check her flowers.
She wrapped her arms around her chest and walked slowly back to Kellie’s staring at the ground.
“What’s wrong, who sent them?”
Taylor handed her one of the cards.
We’re sorry for everything you’ve been through.
Have a happy and blessed life.
William and Eunice Berner
“I can’t believe they sent me roses. Why not a bouquet exactly like yours? Is it another warning? Wills is dead but is something else waiting for me?” Kellie’s hands shook as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
Kellie fell to her knees in the grass. Taylor hurried to her side.
“Kellie, what’s wrong?” Taylor asked.
“I remember something my mom, dad, and Alexis said when I saw them after Luther was dragged into hell. I didn’t remember until this moment maybe because I didn’t need the memory. I may need it now,” Kellie stammered.
“What?” Taylor dropped next to her on the grass.
“Mom said I would receive roses whenever danger was in my future. I should watch for roses arriving from any source, but especially if they have an emotional meaning. Mom said it would be a warning from them. As the three of them disappeared into the light, I heard Alexis whisper ‘don’t forget, be vigilant.’ How much more emotional can a flower delivery get than from the parents of the crazed serial killer that wanted us dead? I need to be vigilant the way Alexis warned.” She looked at Taylor and let her tears fall. The memory of Wills Berner still made her skin crawl.
“Let me toss them in the garbage and we’ll try and forget this happened,” Taylor answered hoping to calm Kellie’s fear.
Kellie shook her head. “No, they’re trying to apologize for what their son did. I hoped the terror disappeared when Wills died. We can’t hold them responsible. The residents at the senior center would love to see these. Let’s take the roses and your lilies and donate them. The warning has been delivered. Now, the flowers can brighten someone’s life.”
Taylor hugged Kellie. “Good idea. Maybe passing them on as a good deed will keep whatever evil they suggest at bay.”
Kellie smiled and shrugged, “We can hope. I’ve dealt with enough evil to last me the rest of my life.”
Chapter Two
Kellie pushed the thought of Wills Berner and her kidnapping from her mind as she walked with Max. She tried to forget the note from his parents and the ivory roses. Kellie was happy. It was time to enjoy life.
Max opened the door for Kellie, and she smiled as she walked into the restaurant. A young woman dressed in black slacks, a white blouse, and black vest greeted them. “Good evening. Table for two?”
“Yes, please,” Max answered.
Kellie followed the young woman to a table near the windows overlooking the outside dining area. Tiny white lights, small trees in planters, and multi-colored flowers adorned the outdoor seating area. The inside was a contrast. It was lit by small lamps on each table and recessed ceiling lighting. Each table held a crystal vase of flowers.
The young woman turned and asked, “Will this table be suitable?”
Max answered, “Yes, thank you.”
Kellie spun and tried to retreat, but he caught her arm.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Roses, there are ivory roses on the table. I can’t sit here.” Kellie shuddered.
Another warning? Max is with me. We’re out as a couple. Does this mean we’re both in danger?
The hostess asked, “Is there something wrong. Can I help?”
Max picked up the vase of roses and handed them to her. “My date is allergic.”
“Oh my, please let me get another vase.” She hurried away and returned in a moment with a vase filled with colorful daisies and carnations. “I hope this will do nicely.”
Kellie turned, “Yes, thank you for your trouble. You’re very kind.” Max held out her chair, she sat and exhaled a deep breath.
Max sat across from her. “We’re going to have an excellent dinner, but after dessert you can explain the problem with roses over a bottle of wine.”
Kellie’s eyes sparkled. She looked down at the table and then at Max. “I will, but you might think I’m crazy.”
He laughed, “No problem. Everyone thinks I’m crazy. We should get along well.” He winked at her, and she blushed.
~ * ~
After a delicious dinner and a decadent chocolate dessert, Max asked the waitress to serve their wine on the outdoor patio. Although fall had arrived, and the leaves were beginning to turn lovely shades of yellow, orange, and red, it was an unusually warm evening.
Max said, “We should take advantage of this weather while we have it.”
Kellie agreed, and they clinked their glasses together softly.
Max took a sip, set his glass on the small wooden table, and stared into Kellie’s eyes. “Okay, now it’s time to tell me about the roses.”
“I care about you, Max. I don’t know if you want to hear about the roses.” Kellie took a larger than usual gulp of wine.
“I care about you, too. I care more than you know, and I want to understand everything there is to know about Kellie Conley.” His smile took Kellie’s breath away.
“Okay, you have to know sometime and if it makes you run, better now than later, right?” She returned his smile.
He took her hand. “I’m not running.”
She stared directly at him and whispered, “Ghosts talk to me. More than that, I can see them and talk to them, too.”
Max began to laugh and stopped the moment he saw the troubled look on Kellie’s face. “You’re serious?”
She nodded.
“Umm, well, are you sure? When did all this start?” He leaned closer to her.
“I don’t remember my first interaction, but it was at the mansion, and I was in the attic. I was sitting on the floor, and Drew said I was having an animated conversation with no one. It was the middle of the night. Later, I realized it was Alexis, my birth mother. Then while living at the mansion I saw, talked to, and fought my dead grandfather. I also was able to communicate with Alexis several times.” She finished the rest of her wine and held her glass out to Max for a refill.
He poured her wine and asked, “Is that the only time?”
She shook her head. “My grandfather and his partner were responsible for some heinous acts and I helped trapped spirits at the old Petal Gate Asylum go into the light. I helped an elderly woman rid her house of two spirits, and helped several spirits held hostage by an evil spirit at the Gotz Manor House before it blew up. Then my friend Marilyn had some problems. When I visited her, a young girl buried with others in unmarked graves because their relatives thought they participated in evil acts contacted me. I helped them go into the light, too. Last summer, I fought the evil spirit that killed Clarice and kept two young boys from going into the light out in the woods near the old monastery. Lastly, I was contacted by young women that Wills Berner killed before he went to prison and after he escaped before he kidnaped Taylor and me.” She smiled at him and drank more wine.
“Is that it? That doesn’t explain the roses.” He continued to stare at her intently.
“I receive roses whenever there’s danger in my future. When I fought Luther, the spirit that menaced people at the monastery, he tried to drag me to hell with him, but my family saved me. I saw them in the light, but they wouldn’t let me stay. My birthmother, Alexis, did tell me to be vigilant when I receive roses. It means danger is in my future.”
Kellie interlaced her fingers and squeezed them tightly. She didn’t want to cry, but she was afraid she had lost Max. Who wants
He scrunched his eyebrows. “Have you received roses lately?”
She nodded. “A dozen ivory roses from Wills Berner’s parents apologizing for what their son did. That’s why the ivory roses on the table bothered me.” She bit her lip hard.
“Since they were on a table meant for both of us, do you think it means I’m in danger along with you?”
“Yes,” a tear broke loose and slid down her cheek.
Max reached over and wiped her tear. “Well, at least I’m strong and can keep you safe. Whatever we’re going to face, we’ll do it together.”
“What? Don't you think I’m crazy? Don’t you want to run as fast as you can away from me?” Confusion crossed Kellie’s face.
“No. I’m not running. I have seen some wild and crazy things as a paramedic. I didn’t run from any of them. I’m not running from ghosts if it means losing you.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
Kellie’s heart raced, and her thoughts raced just as quickly. He isn’t running. He cares enough to stay with her. She kissed him back.
He took her hand and said, “Let’s get out of here and go somewhere more private.”
She stood and held his hand tightly. His idea was perfect.
~ * ~
Kellie woke and stretched. She smiled remembering the long walk she and Max had enjoyed through the park before he brought her home. He held her hand the entire time, and when she remembered to tell him how she and Rufus dealt with the shadow in the caves and water pipes under the city, his grip didn’t tighten. He remained calm and kissed her. She knew at that moment he was a keeper and maybe might be the one. Honesty was important to her, and she was as honest as she could be with Max. He didn’t run.
Kellie knew she felt different toward Max than she had when she was with Drew. She met Drew when she was eighteen, and they were in their first year of college. They enjoyed the college years and the fun times. When her parents died in a tragic auto accident, Drew moved into her parent’s home with her. It seemed right. She landed a job at the middle school as an English literature teacher. It lasted a year until budget constraints forced the small city to consolidate the middle and high schools. Kellie was laid off. Drew had one year of graduate school to finish. They struggled together and she never quite learned how to struggle through life alone.
Inheriting the mansion and the Malone fortune seemed like an answer from above, but neither she nor Drew were ready to deal with the terror in the mansion. Everything frightened her, and her emotions were raw much of the time. A miscarriage before she knew she was pregnant threatened to derail their marriage. Drew’s secret alcohol problem and Kellie’s ability to speak to the dead finally drove them apart. Now, a few years later, Kellie matured. Her ability to cope with terrifying situations helped her deal with several spirits both good and evil. She survived being kidnaped by a maniacal serial killer bent on killing her and Taylor.
Kellie was a different woman from the one who first inherited the Malone fortune. She loved working for the children’s charity she helped start. Life was going well, and now there was Max.
Rufus nudged her arm with his cold, damp nose, and she turned to look at him.
“Good morning, boy. Are you trying to tell me it’s time for our run?”
Rufus barked. The big brown eyes of her loyal golden retriever stared at her.
She tossed the covers back and climbed out of bed. Pulling on a forest green jogging suit, she headed to the kitchen for water. Kellie changed Rufus’ water and the dog drank his fill while she drank a glass of water and filled her jogging canteen.
“Ready,” she asked.
Rufus barked.
They headed out Kellie’s front door toward the park. Their usual run took them around to the far side of the park where the city opened a new dog park. Rufus ran and played while Kellie sat and caught her breath.
Her mind ran through the events of the previous evening. It would have been perfect if not for the ivory roses on their table. Yet, the incident left an opening for Kellie to explain her paranormal gift. Max didn’t laugh or walk away. His kiss at her front door let her know, along with his invitation to rent a movie and order pizza on his next night off, that he was still interested.
She smiled and called for Rufus. They needed to head home. Kellie needed to go to the children’s charity this morning. The old monastery building was nearly finished, and she wanted to check on the progress.
~ * ~
Kellie drove toward the old Lydia Thernstrom property. The children’s charity she founded inherited the property including the mansion and an abandoned monastery. The mansion was beautiful, but the monastery needed more work than Kellie expected. After she had fought the ghost of Luther Wentz, who terrorized anyone approaching the property, repairs began. Local merchants and businesses donated materials and time. The Lydia Thernstrom Women and Children’s Center had been able to house a few in danger families at the mansion. Once the repairs at the monastery were completed, they could offer more services.
Kellie passed the mansion and turned toward the monastery building. The two-story rectangular building once was menacing. One of the first things completed was the sandblasting of the stone exterior. It now appeared clean and inviting. She pulled up near the front door and walked up the stone steps to the front door.
She opened the door to the sounds of carpentry work. Kellie smiled when she felt the peacefulness of the monastery. Luther was gone. His spirit could no longer hurt anyone. Soon the voices of children would replace the sound of restoration, and Lydia’s gift would help many.
“Hi,” Bill called. Kellie was always surprised to see him working. Luther’s ghost killed their dear friend, Clarice, early in spring. She thought he’d never set foot back on the property, but he said he was doing it for Clarice. Kellie was sure Clarice would be happy to know Bill still volunteered. The children’s charity was a big part of her life.
“Hi,” Kellie answered. “I just stopped by to see how things are going.”
“Great,” Bill smiled. “The furnace arrived last week. Chris from Jensen Construction was here and cut the vent openings. The furnace guy will be back at the end of the week to install it. We’ll have heat before the first cold winds blow. Clarice would be thrilled.” He turned his back on Kellie to pick up a hammer from the floor.
She knew he still felt the pain of Clarice’s loss and walked to another side of the room before she spoke again. “That’s great. Once the heating ducts are in you can begin on the walls, right?” She turned to look at him.
He smiled at her. “The duct work doesn’t get in the way on the second floor and several of the walls have been insulated and dry walled. Go up and take a look. I think you’ll be surprised by the progress.”
Kellie ran up the stairs and marveled at the work completed. If she didn’t know the building was an old monastery, she’d think she was in a new apartment complex. Each of the rooms that would become bedrooms were ready for paint and flooring. New windows brought light into each room. She smiled and hurried back downstairs.
She waved at Bill on her way out. “Great job, tell all the workers we love them and appreciate their help.”
Bill laughed. “I’ll tell them, but I might skip the love part.”
As Kellie hurried to her car, her phone chirped. It was a text from Max.
“Hi beautiful. Dept. hired a part-time guy. Frees up my time off. How about a picnic Saturday?”
She texted back:
“Sounds wonderful. Call me when you’re free.” She added a smiley face.
Max phoned a little after eight that evening.
“Hi,” Kellie said and the smile she wore came through her voice.
“Hi yourself,” Max laughed. “How was your day?”
“Fantastic. I checked out the renovations at the monastery. They’re coming along well, and we’ll soon be able to accommodate more women and children in crisis.”
“That’s great. The kids need a hand. How about you? You could use a day away without any stress.”
“What do you have in mind?” Kellie asked.
“Have you ever heard of the Abberly Hotel?”
