The Unwilling Heir - Chap 17

THE END OF CHAPTER 16 

"Why doesn't your grandfather just tell you where it is?" Sandra prodded Billy for more information.

"The bullet that killed him went through his head, shattering most of his memory. The book was our only hope."

Sandra's eyes widened, and she gasped. "Oh, I lost the book! Have I doomed all of you?" Her entire body trembled as she imagined the worst.

James clasped Sandra's hand in his and squeezed it lightly. "Don't get upset. Victoria said you had the key, but no one can get to the treasure without it. There is still hope that we can uncover it. You have it, right?"

"The key?" Sandra shifted her hand from James's grip and patted her pocket. "I remember I took it from the book, but — 

"Think, Sandra. What did you do with the key?"

Deep in thought, Sandra struggled to push past all the latest events. She rubbed her temples, trying to remember. Suddenly, she blurted, "The jewelry box. I put it in the jewelry box before following Victoria."

******

CHAPTER 17

In her excitement about the key, Sandra pushed herself out of the overstuffed chair. The study was dimly lit, and she lost her balance, tumbling against James. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as James caught her and waited until she was steady on her feet.

"Sandra, what's wrong?"

"Wrong? Nothing's wrong. I wanted to retrieve the key and give it to you." Sandra bit her lip, unable to hide her nervousness. 

"You said the key is in your jewelry box. It's safe for now. I think we should finish our conversation. It's been put off for far too long." James tried to soothe her, holding onto her hand. 

"But —" Sandra's gaze shifted to the staircase and then back to the men, her mind imagining the key missing, too.

"All we've discussed is the treasure, but each man has a story and hopes to find redemption. They've all seen their past lives entwined with the Judge and have put their chances of eternal life into the same basket."

Ryan chimed in, "One for all. We've become friends, and we either solve this together or find ourselves burning in hell." 

"Sit down, Sandra—please. It will only take a few more minutes to share their stories, and then I'll go with you to get the key." James gestured towards the chair, hoping Sandra would give the others a few more minutes. 

Losing the book weighed heavily on Sandra's mind. If the key was their only hope, she wanted to keep it safe. Her eyes traveled to the men and then to the staircase. "Couldn't this wait?" 

"It could, but I think it's been long enough. Please give the men a few more minutes."

Sandra nodded reluctantly and lowered herself into the chair, her hands fidgeting with the doily on the armrest. 

James seized the chance and began, "Take Tim. He was caught up in a crime and didn't realize it until it was too late. He couldn't get back to his family to explain." James paused and turned to Tim. "Would you like to continue with your story?" 

Tim's piercing blue eyes locked on Sandra, and he quickly turned to James. "Let Ryan and Benny tell their stories first. Sandra is worried about the key, so why don't I go upstairs to get it? She can listen to them, and I can tell my story later." 

Before anyone could protest, he abruptly pushed his chair back, stood, and headed toward the stairs, leaving each staring at his back. Tension filled the air as they all exchanged worried glances. The men knew Tim's story and wondered why he hesitated to tell Sandra. 

*****

"What are you doing?" an angry male voice snarled. 

Startled, the woman spun around to face the intruder, her heart pounding. Her dark eyes widened with a mixture of fear and recognition as she saw the shadowy figure in front of her. His ghostly presence chilled the room. She tilted her head, a feeble attempt to mask her unease. "How dare you speak to me in that tone?" 

The male figure advanced, his movements slow and deliberate, a looming threat. Feeling her heart race, the woman instinctively retreated, her hands trembling as she reached to steady herself against the dresser. She couldn't help but glance nervously at the jewelry box. William Parker's unexpected intrusion had shattered her sense of security, leaving her momentarily vulnerable to him.

Recovering, she offered a lie. "I lost an earring. I thought Sandra might have found it and placed it in the jewelry box. Noah gave it to me as a wedding present. I'd hate to lose it." 

Without warning, the Judge grabbed her arm and twisted it, making her wince in pain. Her scream echoed through the walls. "Stop! You're hurting me. I don't know who you are, but this is my house, and I can come and go as I please."

"Dressed like the mortal?" William laughed and then sneered, his eyes glowing like fiery embers. "I must admit you have been able to look exactly like the woman, but you can never fool me, Victoria." 

Immediately, Victoria's disguise faded, taking her confidence with it. She stood there, vulnerable and trembling, as William loomed over her. She mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "I — I was thinking of you, of us." She rubbed her wrist and offered a pout. "You didn't have to hurt me." 

William yanked her into his arms, his eyes dark and threatening. His relentless touch sent shivers down her spine, a stark reminder of his power. "Your independence drew me to you like a moth to fire, but you've gone too far. I'd be devastated if I lost you."

Sensing William's softness, Victoria seized the moment. "Let go of me, William. What's wrong with you?"

"With me? You've assumed the appearance of a mortal so that you can rummage through the other woman's personal effects." He released her, but his eyes blazed with anger. "Why would you jeopardize our only chance? Is your vanity that important to you? Or do you desire the treasure for another reason?" 

The air in the room crackled as the couple faced off. Victoria knew she had to tread carefully, knowing how ruthless William could be. "Of course not, William. I only care about finding the treasure to redeem your soul." 

"What — at the cost of losing yours? I warned you, Victoria. Leave this nonsense before you regret it." An icy mist spewed from his lips as he spat out his wrath.

"I will, William." She reached out to him and brushed his lips with her own, hoping to calm his rage. "I promise." She turned as a trace of a smile touched her mouth, and she reached for the jewelry box. 

"If you are looking for —" William taunted as Victoria's eyes flared. 

"The key?" Victoria gasped when she saw it in his fingers. She tried to snatch it from his hand, but William reacted faster. 

"I told you to leave it to Billy. You are in dangerous territory, my dear. My love for you can't protect you from what might happen if you continue to pursue your vendetta."

"Vendetta?" Victoria's shrill voice penetrated the walls, stopping Madeline in the hallway as she passed Sandra's room. "Don't talk such foolishness, Judge. The mortals, especially that Madeline woman, aren't worth my time." 

Madeline pressed closer to the door, wondering about the angry voices from Sandra's room. She listened intently; her curiosity piqued. Her heart quickened, and a coldness covered her body as she realized the voices were discussing her. She turned to leave, but the voices drew her back.

"Is that why you are trying to set her up to take the blame because she's not a challenge to you? I know you too well, woman." William's laugh was chilling — an eerie threat. "You always have a way of clouding my judgment, Victoria, but not this time." 

Madeline gasped as her blood ran cold. She recognized Victoria's evil tone, but who was the man? It didn't sound like James. And why were they in Sandra's room? Was Victoria trying to set her up for something? Her mind rushed back to Lorrie's warning. Afraid, she moved away from the door and hurried toward her room. 

Meanwhile, Tim stood unseen on the stair landing, observing Madeline. As she hurried down the hallway, he slipped through the walls, sensing someone had recently been in the room. The jewelry box remained open, but the key was gone.

******

Unaware of the events unfolding upstairs, Detective Ryan Hamilton stared at his shoes, unable to look directly at Sandra. His voice was low and uncertain. "I'm not sure I even belong in this circle, ma'am." 

James interrupted Ryan, "Stop it, man. We've had this discussion time and time again." He directed his following sentence toward Sandra, "Ryan feels responsible for Noah's death." 

"I'm a Detective, James. I was in this house. We shared a drink and got into a heated argument. We don't know what happened." 

"Can I ask what the argument was about?" Sandra wasn't sure what was expected of her, but she could only get answers if she asked the questions.

Ryan shrugged. "Madeline, of course. I'd seen her in town with the sheriff. Noah was my friend, and I was angry that he couldn't see how she was using him." 

"You didn't get physical with each other, did you?" 

"No. Noah offered me a drink before I left. I might have taken a sip, but I know I didn't drink all of it. The next thing I knew, I woke up in my car, parked outside the mansion. I don't remember anything." 

"Nothing?" Sandra quizzed. "What did you see when you woke up?"

Ryan took a deep breath before answering, "I had blood all over my hands and clothes."

"Did you report seeing the silver car?" Sandra was sure the car could be a vital clue.

"I was going to, but I went home to clean up. On my way into town, I saw the car with the broken light and pulled the driver over. I called in the plates and found out the car was stolen." Ryan looked away, pausing for a minute. "This is where things get fuzzy. I approached the car, my gun drawn. The driver lowered his window. I saw the muzzle of his gun and felt a burning explosion in my chest. As I fell to the ground, taking my last breath, I swore I saw his face." 

"Whose face? Was it someone you knew, Ryan?"

"I don't know if my brain was playing tricks, but I thought it was the sheriff." 

James and Benny spoke in unison, "Ryan didn't kill Noah. Someone framed him." 

Sandra nodded. "That makes sense. Don't you see, if it was the sheriff or Madeline who killed Noah, you were the only one left alive to prove it?"

"But why did I pass out? And where did the blood come from?" 

James was quick to jump in, "There was no blood when Lorrie and I found Noah, so it wasn't from him." 

"That's good to know." Sandra mulled over Ryan's story, shifting mentally through the information he'd provided. "Ryan, you said you had a drink with Noah." 

"Well, he gave me one, but I think I only took a small sip. I was uncomfortable because Madeline joined us. I left, and everything was blank until I woke up in the car." 

"That's it, Ryan. We believe Noah was drugged, and the pills caused his death. If they were in the liquor, you only drank enough to make you unconscious. Someone poured blood on you while you were knocked out. Most likely, the same someone who was driving the car and shot you." 

Ryan jumped out of his chair. "The sheriff?" 

Before anyone could answer, Tim ran down the stairs, shouting, "The key is gone."