nose in a book, taking in a deep whiff of its pages.
Roxanne checked to see if the coffee was done; it was. She poured herself a cup. It was a special aromatic blend called ‘Jamaica Me Happy’ that she’d bought from the Red Bank Cafe. The coffee tasted good and warmed her up nicely. So Roxanne scooped up the morning paper one hand and with a cup of coffee in the other, she sat down on one of the comfortable sofas by the front windows. Roxanne started to read the newspaper when the door bell announced an interruption to her quiet time.
Chloe entered the quaint little book store. As she stood in the doorway, Chloe saw a woman, about her age. Her corn silk colored hair and dark brown eyes flattered a face that was well defined, with strong cheekbones and a slender, button-like nose. She wore a pair of chocolate slacks and a floral pheasant top.
Roxanne got up from the couch when she saw a woman about her age. Her coal colored hair was cut in a very flattering way, and her eyes were dark brown. She wore a burgundy pant suit.
“I’m not open yet,” Roxanne announced.
“I need your help,” Chloe announced back.
“You need my help?” Roxanne repeated.
“Andrew Knight is my dad,” Chloe further explained. “I read about the case you worked.”
“You’re Andrew Knight’s daughter?” Roxanne was puzzled. She walked over and asked, “May I hold your hands.”
“Hold my hands?” Chloe made a strange face.
“I would just like to do a reading,” Roxanne smiled. “Um, sure,” Chloe stretched out her hands.
Roxanne took Chloe’s hands in hers. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, and cleared her mind. Roxanne saw a myriad of images flash before her mind’s eye.
“I see a large building surrounded by woods. There is a woman giving birth, but she has her eyes closed,” Roxanne said.
“I was born at Evergreen Sanitarium,” Chloe answered. “My mom was in a coma.”
“I also see a battle, a civil war battle,” Roxanne continued.
“My dad’s last case involved civil war reenactors that were being murdered,” Chloe said. She was distracted by the wonderful smelling coffee.
“I see you and your father standing before a grave. He is tracing the name with his finger tip,” Roxanne finally opened her eyes. “There was someone watching the both of you. I couldn’t see them clearly. The anger they felt shrouded their identity from me.”
“We will get back to that later,” Chloe quickly shrugged it off. “I came here for your help on a case that my dad started working on.”
“Please forgive my lack of manners,” Roxanne apologized. “Would you like some coffee or perhaps tea?”
“That coffee smells wonderful,” Chloe said.
“Would you like a cup?” Roxanne asked.
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll be right back,” Roxanne said. “Please sit.”
Chloe sat down on the sofa where Roxanne had just been. Just as she settled in, Roxanne returned with a cup of coffee for her. Roxanne sat down.
“A case he was working on?” Roxanne asked. “Did something happen?”
“A few days ago my dad fell through the ice on the lake of the JFK grounds,” Chloe took a sip of the wonderful brew. She continued, “He survived and turned up at a horse ranch nearby. He had a heart attack,” Chloe inhaled and exhaled quickly so as not to start crying again. She went on, “He survived, thank God. Because of the near drowning and heart attack, my dad has trauma-induced amnesia.”
“Oh my God,” Roxanne tearfully moaned.
“We as a family have to deal with,” Chloe answered.
“So, urn back to the case,” Roxanne said. “Are you taking it over?”
“I was in my dad’s office looking through the case file,” Chloe said. She held up her cup for a refill. Roxanne laughed and took Chloe’s cup. She went to fill it. Roxanne returned shortly and retook her seat.
“While on the computer, I read through the rest of his case files.” Chloe took a sip. “When I got to the case he worked on with you, it came to me that your psychic abilities would be able to help find the missing teenagers, and possibly the person who attacked the Higgins Family.”
“So did you talk to the client?” Roxanne asked.
“I set up a meeting for tomorrow,” Chloe said. She finished off the coffee and put down the cup. She looked forlorn, “I was hoping that you would join me on the case.” She brightened up a little, “Besides there was a note in the case folder stating that my dad was going to contact you anyway.”
“You really are his daughter,” Roxanne laughed.
“Will you help me?” Chloe asked.
“I will help you,” Roxanne answered.
“Great!” Chloe exclaimed.
Chloe rose from the sofa. She thanked Roxanne again as they shook hands. Chloe said good bye and left. A frightening feeling washed over Roxanne as she looked at her hand. It was a sensation of death. But whose death was it?”
Chloe arrived early at her dad’s office building earlier the next morning. His new assistant, Amanda, in business attire and with closely cropped blonde hair, was just unlocking the front door.
“I’m Chloe Hawkins,” she said to Amanda.
“I know,” Amanda answered. “Missus Knight phoned me at home last night. She explained that Andrew’s daughter would be taking over the Collins case.”
Chloe followed Amanda inside and closed the door behind them. Amanda put her stuff down on the desk and went to make coffee. Chloe went into her dad’s office and pulled the Collins’ case file. Roxanne should be arriving soon. Chloe put the file folder on the desk and walked out into the reception area. Amanda was now seated at her desk.
Chloe straightened her burgundy pant suit. The front door opened and two women, one older and one younger, walked into the main reception area. Chloe smiled at Roxanne, and the other woman, who she presumed was Nedra Collins. They walked over. Chloe turned in their direction when they came up to her.
“Hello Chloe,” Roxanne said
“Nedra Collins,” Nedra said. They shook hands. Nedra was now more somber and asked, “How is your dad doing?”
“He’s still at Bayport Memorial,” Chloe explained. “Doctor Straussman recommended him for observation. He is still suffering from amnesia.”
“I hope he gets better,” Nedra replied.
“Let’s go into the office,” Chloe said. She gestured towards Roxanne. “I’ve brought Miss Turner in as a consultant on the case.”
“Okay,” Nedra smiled.
The three women walked into Andrew’s office and closed the door.
Chloe sat in her dad’s leather chair while Roxanne and Nedra took their seats in front of the desk. Amanda walked in with coffee for all of them. They thanked her.
“Would you please share with me what has happened so far,” Chloe looked at Nedra.
“My son, his girl friend, and four other teenagers went out to the abandoned prep school out by St. Nazianz,” Nedra informed her. “There were no traces of them when the Sheriffs department investigated the scene. All they found was the Ouji board and melted candles.”
“When your son didn’t come home, that’s when you called my dad,” Chloe said. “Is that correct?”
“Yes,” Nedra answered.
“JFK Prep is owned by a developer out of Chicago, right?” Chloe asked.
“Is that important?” Nedra answered.
“Possibly.” Chloe said. “Why were they at the abandoned school?”
“I don’t know,” Nedra explained. “I thought they were going out to celebrate my son Chad’s birthday.”
“I presume they first played with the Ouji board,” Chloe surmised.
“Yes,” Nedra replied.
