Depart the Darkness Read online

  “He did,” Miles said. “I don’t think she’s sleeping in. The lights are on inside the house. In that room, anyway.”

  I followed his gaze to one of the downstairs windows, and saw light shining through the slight gap between the curtains.

  We reached the front door. On the wall beside it, was a small speaker. There was no call button, so Miles knocked. Almost immediately, the speaker crackled, then we heard a voice.

  “Who is it?” a woman, probably Lorna, asked.

  “We’re Miles and Anika, Steve’s friends,” he answered.

  She had nothing to say to that, but we heard a series of digital tones on the other side of the door, then the deadbolt slid back and the door opened.

  We recognized the tall blond woman on the other side as Lorna Edmunds, thanks to the photos Miles found online. She looked kind of stressed.

  “I’m so sorry for this,” she said apologetically, as she ushered us in. She closed and bolted the door behind us, then took a moment to rearm the security system before motioning for us to have a seat on the living room couch. “I couldn’t believe it when Steve told me he asked you to come!”

  She settled on the edge of the chair across from us, and rubbed her forehead nervously.

  “Steve is concerned about you,” I pointed out. “From what he told us, he’s got a reason to be.”

  “I haven’t talked to Steve in weeks!” Lorna replied. “Not until he called yesterday, and told me to expect you.”

  Hm.

  I squeezed Miles’ hand once, to indicate she was telling the truth. Miles squeezed back twice, to acknowledge he understood I wasn’t just being affectionate.

  “In spite of that,” Miles said, “something has Steve concerned for your safety, and that of your children. Do you have any idea what it might be?”

  “Our mother, she has a tendency to worry and blow things out of proportion. I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing, I told Steve to quit worrying about us. I hope he’s reassured now, and never does this again.”

  I squeezed Miles’ hand.

  “I noticed your security system,” I said, changing the subject abruptly. “Is there a lot of crime in this area?”

  “Oh, uh, no,” she replied, trying to switch gears. “It’s a very safe place to live. I don’t remember hearing of any crime here.”

  “In spite of that, the alarm must make you feel more secure,” I said.

  “Yeah it does,” she answered.

  I rapidly squeezed Miles’ hand twice.

  “Okay, well, we don’t want to take up your whole morning,” I said, though I made no attempt to get off the couch. “Just reassure us, so we can reassure Steve. Everything’s good between you and Phillip?”

  “Yes, everything’s fine,” she replied.

  I squeezed Miles’ hand twice.

  “How about work?” Miles asked. “How is that going for him?”

  “Fine… he doesn’t say anything about it, so fine, I guess.”

  That was more complicated. I made a slight wishy washy motion first. She didn’t know whether it was fine or not. Then I squeezed once, because the rest of it was the truth.

  “Does Phillip seem as though something is troubling him?” Miles asked.

  Lorna hesitated briefly.

  “No, not at all.”

  That’s so not the truth! I squeezed twice.

  “Any idea why everything seems fine with him, or… not?” I asked, and she gave me a funny look.

  “Well—no,” she said. “I have no idea how to answer that!”

  While that last part was true, the word no gave me all I needed.

  “Okay then,” I said, and looked at Miles.

  “One last question. Does Phillip do much overtime?”

  “No, he comes straight home every day,” she said.

  I squeezed his hand once.

  “Thank you for your time,” Miles said. “We’ll reassure Steve that everything’s going to be fine.”

  “It is fine,” she insisted.

  I squeezed Miles’ hand twice on the way to the door.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that,” I said quite honestly! “It’s been nice talking to you.”

  “Yeah, uh… you too,” she said, disarming the alarm and opening the door for us.

  “Have a good day,” I said, and we went on our way.

  “You know…” Miles said thoughtfully, as we followed the sidewalk in the direction of the coffee shop. “It’s a good thing our abilities aren’t reversed. You’d be miserable if I made you wait this long to learn all the cool things I uncovered with my truth ability.”

  “Sorry! Can I stop acting natural?” I asked, and he glanced around casually.

  “Go ahead. But don’t overdo it.”

  “Okay,” I smiled, then prepared to get down to the truth. “Do you want it bit by bit, or would you rather I sum it up?”

  “Sum it up for me.”

  “Alright. Lorna is very stressed out. She doesn’t know what’s going on with Phillip, but something definitely is. He insisted on the security system being installed. He also insists that it be armed at all times. It’s a source of stress for her, partly because it’s one more way in which he’s controlling her. If he were to come home and find it off, he’d be extremely upset. She knows that from experience. Same with the curtains. If he came home and found them open, he’d go ballistic. He’s never abused her physically, but he never used to raise his voice either. Now, he’s either not talking at all, or yelling. She doesn’t know what’s wrong, but she’s afraid—of so many things. She loves him, and remembers how he used to be. She wonders what’s wrong, that he’s changed so drastically since moving here. She wonders if a new place in a new town would give them a fresh start, but he went nuts when she suggested moving. She did overhear him on the phone, asking when the kids’ new birth certificates will be ready. He’s stressed and uptight all the time, and seems distracted. As long as she follows all of his instructions and stays out of his way, then he leaves her alone. She walks on eggshells, and so do the kids. She doesn’t want to leave him, but doesn’t know how to save him. He woke up in a panic Thursday night. He held her for a long time after that, and told her over and over that he loves her. She thought it was a turning point, but it wasn’t. He’s been even more stressed out and paranoid since then. But, it was enough to give her hope that her husband isn’t gone for good. So she regrets saying anything to her mother, and is determined to hang on as long as she can, in hopes that he’ll start being himself again.”

  “No wonder you prefer it when people lie. You do know what’s wrong with this guy, right?”

  “He’s scared to death that something’s going to hurt his family.”

  “For some reason, he won’t tell his wife that. I’m trying to imagine a scenario in which I’d make the same choice.”

  “Yeah, well, give up, because that’s not how you operate,” I said. “I, however, can answer the question. I no longer do this, I want to make that perfectly clear. But, there was a time when I kept things from you because I believed you would be in danger if you knew.”

  “What did you think I’d do, chase a shadow down a dark hall in the middle of the night?” he asked, shaking me a little with the arm he had around me. “Or perhaps lock myself in a hallway with one, then search every room with the intention of confronting it, armed only with a couple of water bottles and pepper spray?”

  “Yes! Or more specifically, take off after a shadow into the woods in the middle of the night, two days after you were released from the hospital, where you spent almost two months recovering from near-fatal injuries. You wore a knee brace, you needed lots of physical therapy. If you knew, you’d think it was your responsibility to figure out what was trespassing on the grounds of the estate, and make sure I was safe.”

  “I would’ve called the sheriff’s office and moved you into the estate, at least for the night, but I was fully aware of my limitations. I wouldn’t put myself at risk, and then
leave you to fend for yourself.”

  “I wasn’t going to lose you again,” I said grumpily, ignoring what he said.

  “You didn’t, and you’re not going to,” he replied, squeezing my shoulder. “So back to Phillip.”

  “He became volatile when Lorna suggested he apply for other jobs.”

  “And according to the guys watching the house, they were hired by two of Phillip’s coworkers to make him believe his family is in danger. He does believe it, and yet, he doesn’t go to the police. He doesn’t tell his wife. Instead, he installs a security system, pulls his kids out of school, confines his family to quarters… I think it’s safe to assume he intends to disappear with them.”

  “Considering he’s seeking new birth certificates for the kids, I’d say so. He didn’t mention himself or Lorna in that phone call, but she didn’t hear all of it. Her memories are cluttered with her fears, but what I witnessed tells me that he loves her. He wants to keep her safe, just as much as he does the kids. I don’t have to talk to him to believe he has no idea how he’s torturing her.”

  “It’s a matter of survival. If he can manage that, then he’ll worry about mending relationships, after.”

  “Yes, that,” I said. “Lorna has no idea anyone’s watching the house, or that Phillip is afraid for their safety. I wonder if the curtains are as much to keep her from looking out, as they are to keep anyone outside from looking in.”

  “That’s probably right. How does all of this fit a scenario in which Phillip owes money to a couple of coworkers?”

  “It doesn’t.”

  “So what other options are there, based on what little we know?”

  “Why don’t you just tell me, instead of trying to make me feel useful,” I teased him, and he laughed.

  “I’m brainstorming with you, you’re very useful. But fine, I’ll go first then. Phillip works at Intersect. Intersect is responsible for a variety of government defense contracts.”

  “Contracts which could impact national security?”

  “It isn’t impossible. If we knew what level of security clearance he has, it would be an indication of how probable or improbable that is. The specific contract or contracts on which he’s working, and his role, will give us even more to go on. Jackson may have that information. If not, we’ll have him find out.”

  “I hope his nephew is able to get information out of Phillip’s two coworkers,” I said.

  “If he isn’t, I’ll manufacture an opportunity for you to interrogate them. Somewhere other than in a bar.”

  “You’re breaking my heart,” I said in mock disappointment, and he smiled.

  We reached the streetlight, and the crosswalk leading back to the coffee shop and our vehicle.

  “We’ll know soon whether or not Jack is successful,” Miles commented.

  “What should we focus our attention on in the meantime?”

  “We have interviews set for tomorrow,” Miles reminded me.

  “Oh! That’s right.”

  “We also have twelve puppies who need played with. Renovation is scheduled to begin in the tower room in the morning. Plus, we have the rest of our Lodge to run, dinner with your family, Grandma Polly’s visit to prepare for…”

  “That leaves me with very few minutes in which to be impatient. Can we spare enough time to stop by Mi Casa for cinnamon rolls and another latte?”

  “Absolutely,” Miles smiled.

  Chapter 6

  “Oh my goodness, how adorable!” Mom said, one hand holding Miles’ phone, the other pressed against her heart. “John, you have to see this!”

  Mom stood near the doorway leading to the kitchen, watching a video clip of Trixie’s puppies. Dad good-naturedly got out of his recliner, and joined her.

  My younger brother and sister already spent ample time watching the recording before dinner, which was fortunate. Otherwise, whether she wanted it or not, Mom would have help holding the phone.

  “Turn the sound up if you want to hear them,” Miles suggested. He sat on the loveseat, sandwiched between me and Tryon, who was struggling to write letters correctly and needed his big brother’s help.

  Doreen was sprawled on the couch, riveted on her iPad. She looked up at the sound of puppies, though.

  “Very cute. And twelve of them,” Dad said, trying to wrap his mind around that again. “They look purebred, but you don’t know who the father is?”

  “No. No idea,” Miles replied calmly enough.

  Lucky for the dad, whoever he is!

  “How much longer before Lacey can come home?” Doreen asked.

  For the third time.

  Since we got here.

  “They’re two weeks old right now,” Miles reminded her. “So six more weeks.”

  Doreen looked disappointed, and disgruntled. Again.

  “I can’t believe how much they’ve changed since the first time I saw them,” Mom marveled.

  “When can I go see Ed?” Tryon asked.

  For the umpteenth time.

  Since we got here.

  “Friday, after school,” Miles said again. “So two days.”

  Tryon thought for a second, then wrinkled his forehead.

  “That’s three days.”

  “You can look at it that way I suppose, but most of today is already spent. So from today until tomorrow at this time is one, and from there to the next day is two.”

  “Oh,” Tryon replied. He accepted that, then got back to practicing his letters.

  “Well they’re just adorable,” Mom declared. “I’m impatient for the little things to hurry up and come home.”

  Tryon looked at Mom like he couldn’t quite figure her out, then he looked at Miles.

  “It’ll take an awful long time if they have to walk. Can’t they ride in a car, like everybody else?”

  “Yes,” Miles said, a smile flashing across his face. “We’ll give them a ride. Your mom just means she’s looking forward to when the puppies are old enough to leave their mother, and come live with you.”

  “Me too,” Tryon said with feeling, then he got back to his writing. “Ed’s gonna sleep in my room. He’s gonna go to school with me, too.”

  “Really?” Miles asked. “Ed’s going to kindergarten, is that it?”

  “No,” Tryon laughed, then laughed again when he saw Miles’ smile, and realized he was kidding.

  Of course he was kidding. He knows all about the private puppy training lessons, since he’s the one who arranged for them. Nothing’s too good for Trixie’s babies.

  “Thank you for making the video for us,” Mom said, as she handed back Miles’ phone. “They’re too precious for words. And now, I better get the food put away.”

  “I’ll help,” I said, and kissed Miles’ cheek. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Okay,” Miles smiled. He squeezed my hand, then let go so I could stand, and he turned back to Tryon. “Let’s see how many of these letters you can get done before your mom and your sister get back.”

  I followed Mom through the doorway and down the hall, to the kitchen.

  “He’s going to make a great father someday,” she commented approvingly.

  “Yeah, he is,” I smiled. I took the food storage container Mom held out, and began filling it with the leftover salad. “Sometimes I want to hurry up and get to that day, but then other times… I’m glad that for now, we’re focusing on us.”

  “It’s good you’re doing that. The more solid you are as a couple, the better you’ll be at parenting together.”

  “How long did you and Dad wait?” I wondered.

  “A lot longer than we intended to,” Mom said.

  “So how long?”

  “Three years.”

  “That’s not so bad,” I decided.

  “Not if that’s the way you want it,” Mom said. “In retrospect, it wasn’t bad at all, considering we wouldn’t have you, if we had children any earlier.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t, I’m kind of glad to be h
ere,” I said, and she laughed.

  “I’m glad too,” she replied.

  We packed what remained of Mom’s excellent dinner in the refrigerator, then Mom rinsed dishes and I put them in the dishwasher.

  “So… why did you wait so long to have Doreen?” I wondered. “Did I not whine enough about being an only child?”

  “You whined plenty,” Mom laughed. “Goodness, you had that down. It isn’t that we wanted that much space between you, but sometimes it doesn’t matter how much we want something… we have to wait. And sometimes we have to accept that what we want, we’ll never have. We thought we fit into that second category. We came to accept you’d be our only child, about six years before she was born.”

  I stopped what I was doing and looked at Mom hard.

  “So that’s why there’s ten years between us?”

  “And six years between Doreen and Tryon,” Mom said.

  I stared at her some more, all sorts of thoughts swirling through my mind. I must’ve looked stressed, because Mom stopped and hugged me.

  “Don’t let this scare you, honey. Just because that was our experience, doesn’t mean it’s going to be yours and Miles’.”

  “Oh, great,” I said sarcastically, as I returned her hug. “Now I’ve got another thing to worry about!”

  “Like what?” Mom asked, letting me go so she could look at me again.

  “I hope you don’t intend to have any more surprises!” I exclaimed, this entire subject making me more than a little frantic. “You and Dad are getting up there. What are you now, in your forties at least? That’s way too old to be having kids, the chance of some kind of complications increases with age, I heard that somewhere! And do you really want to be raising more kids after Dad retires?”

  Mom laughed. She actually laughed!

  “Go ahead, mock my fear, but I don’t want our kids to have aunts and uncles younger than they are! I want you available if I need you, not busy raising new babies of your own! And why did it take so long? Did you ever find out what was wrong?”

  I must have whimpered a little on that last part, because now Mom looked serious and apologetic.

  “Please tell Miles I am very sorry for getting you so upset, before sending you home with him. And I can’t answer your question medically. But I think it took as long as it had to, so that in the end, we’d have you three.”