FanStory.com - The Unwilling Heir - Chap 36by Begin Again

Lorrie bustled around Madeline's bedroom, checking and rechecking the doors, windows, — and closets. Her short, stout figure bubbled with energy despite the late hour and all the tension in the mansion.

"Now, dear, this tea will do wonders to settle your nerves," she coaxed, attempting to place the porcelain cup in Madeline's trembling hands.

She shook her head and pushed the cup away. "I can't sleep, Lorrie." Her eyes, wide with fear, were fixed on the ceiling. Her mind was a whirlwind of horrifying images—the water tank, the freezing water, the menacing gangsters, the panic, and the desperate struggle to breathe —each thought a chilling reminder of the imminent peril still lurking within the mansion walls. "What if they come back?" Madeline whispered hoarsely, clutching the bedcovers tightly to her chest.

Esther's ethereal form shimmered as she moved to her friend's side. Her voice was soothing as she tried to reassure Madeline. "You're safe now. After the scare the boys gave them, they've probably left the mansion and headed for the city by now."

Madeline struggled to smile at her friend, shaking her head back and forth. "You're wrong, Esther. I heard them bragging about how they had the original floor plans for the mansion and how taking the treasure would be a piece of cake. They even joked how they would booby trap the place so that everyone in the mansion would die, lost in the collapsing rubble." As Madeline's anxiety grew, her body trembled, and her voice cracked, "It's all been for nothing, Esther. You and the rest won't be saved."

Esther's fears were also high, but for Madeline's sake, she tried to appear calm and confident. "Madeline, please, drink some of Lorrie's tea. You need to calm yourself."

Lorrie offered the teacup again. "Just a few sips, child. It won't keep you under for long, but it's enough to allow you to gather your strength." She murmured, "Esther and I are here with you. You're safe."

"No, none of us are safe, Lorrie. You need to tell the others. Maybe there's something they can do."

"Of course, dear. I'm sure Benny is talking to them right now, and they are figuring it all out. After you drink the tea and settle down, Esther and I will go and check. Okay?"

Madeline's eyes widened. "No! Please don't leave me alone. They might come while I am asleep, and I'll never wake up."

A soft breeze drifted through the room, though the windows were closed. Madeline turned her head slightly, feeling a familiar warmth envelop her, a sensation she associated with Noah's presence. She blinked, and there he was, standing by her bedside with a tender smile.

"Noah," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You won't be alone, my love." He took the cup from Lorrie and pressed it to Madeline's lips. "Drink, rest, and I'll watch over you."

As she gazed into his eyes, memories of their shared love washed over her, replacing her fears and panic. She sipped Lorrie's brew and felt its effect as a gentle peace filled her body.

Noah's gaze was tender and full of love as he looked at Madeline's slumbering face. "I won't leave her," he murmured. "Regardless of the past, she's changed. I still love her, and I always will."

Lorrie placed a translucent hand on his shoulder, remembering those first days when Noah had arrived at the mansion with his new bride. Noah's words touched Esther as she remembered when she first saw William again and the rush of emotions that had overwhelmed her.

"We'll leave the two of you alone for a while. Esther should go to William, and I will see if the others are still in the study. Maybe they have devised a plan already."

"Yes, I've been gone from William for a long time today. He believes his newfound strength is a miraculous cure, forgetting he's still a very old man despite being a spirit."

The women shared a knowing look, their laughter tinged with fear about their future. They left the room, each with a destination in mind, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

*****

As Noah stood at her side, Madeline stirred in her sleep, sensing his presence. He reached out, his hand brushing her cheek. "Madeline," he whispered, his voice filled with love.

From her subconscious state, she spoke, "Noah, I'm so afraid." A solitary tear escaped the glistening ones beneath her eyelids.

Noah knelt beside her, his ethereal hand touching hers. "I know, my love. But you're not alone. I'll be here with you always."

"Promise me, Noah."

He gently raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed her. "I promise. We will be together always."

With his words echoing in her mind, Madeline slipped into a peaceful slumber.

*****

After the dramatic rescue of Madeline, Billy rushed to his grandfather's room, praying he had safely returned. As he hurried through the door, yelling, "Grandfather!" he stopped, knocking the heavy door into the wall. He was taken aback when he saw William and a stranger sharing a glass of brandy and chatting like old friends. The man's face was familiar, but Billy didn't recall who he was.

The noise from the wooden door had brought both men to their feet, prepared for a confrontation if necessary. William broke the tension in the room first as he eyed his grandson.

"Billy, did I not teach you any manners when you were growing up? Barging into my private quarters as if someone had set you on fire."

Sgt. Patrick O'Reilly chuckled, his spectral form shimmering in the dimly lit room. "Always the gruff one, William. Can't you see the boy has something important to say?"

"Forgive me for worrying about you! You were missing. Madeline was kidnapped. We've got bad company in the mansion. Possibly ancestors of your enemies." Billy lowered his voice. "I couldn't find you, Grandfather."

"See, William, aren't you ashamed for reprimanding the boy? He was only concerned for your welfare."

"Humph! He's a carrier of old news." William grinned at his friend and then turned to Billy. "I might be old and no longer of the living, but I walk with a big stick."

William's friend scoffed, "It's your cane."

The two men shared a hearty laugh, their friendship evident. Then, William sighed, "Thanks to my old friend here — you were a young boy, but do you remember Sgt. Patrick O'Reilly? He served on the Police Force and allowed me to spar with him now and then."

Billy nodded. "I remembered his face but not his name, but now that you introduced us, I recall he's Jack O'Reilly's grandfather."

"You know my grandson?" A warm glow filled the man's eyes. "I hear he walks in my footsteps. As a matter of fact, I've been told he does a far better job of it, too."

"You should be proud. He got framed for something he didn't do and refused to hang the department out to dry. After a bit of maneuvering, I was able to make it all disappear. From then on, Jack and I were best friends."

Patrick smiled at William. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I see." He added, speaking to Billy, "Thank you for whatever you did for my grandson."

"Not a problem, sir. Jack returned the favor and fished me out of the pond a time or two when things were getting rough."

"Great! That makes this a bit easier."

Billy looked confused. "Grandfather, what's going on? What's easier?"

"Patrick and I have discussed our options for handling our visitors with several men from the past. These guys are a new breed of gangsters and don't follow the same rules we did in our days. They aren't going to tuck their tails and run without giving it their best shot, especially with the fortune hidden in the bowels of the mansion."

"I don't know about that. The two guarding the water tower didn't take much convincing to abandon their post when we went looking for Madeline."

"Foot soldiers. They are just young guys trying to make a name for themselves. I'm talking about the guys at the top of the ladder. They didn't get there by being nice guys."

"So what are you suggesting, Grandfather?"

"We need to bring the real guns into play. You've got two mortals, Sandra and Madeline. These girls might be tougher than the broads of my day, but they will be no match up against the mob."

"Okay, we can't scare them away, and the girls can't battle them alone, so what do we do?"

"Actually, your friend, Ryan — he's the detective, right? Well, he suggested that we do a switch and bait."

"Ryan suggested it? Grandfather, don't get me wrong, I love the guy, but sometimes he can't remember his name. He was positive that he murdered Noah."

"All that might be true, but he came up with a good idea. We were in the study, trying to place a phone call, when Ryan came in and started talking to us. We told him Patrick was trying to enlist his grandson and his pals to come to the mansion to help — a little manly flesh and blood instead of yesterday's news spirits."

"Even if they come out here and chase the gangsters away, they can't arrest them for anything except maybe trespassing. They'll be out of jail in nothing flat and back out here again.

"You're probably right. That's where your friend, Ryan, comes in. He suggested that we fill one of those rooms in the cellar with old portraits and paintings, furniture, costume jewelry, kegs of wine —well, the idea is to let them believe they've found the treasure."

"You don't think these guys are smart enough to check out the stuff?"

"Sure they are. That's why you and Ryan will put on a stage show for a few of them. Patrick and a few others will supply some real stuff." William opened a drawer and pulled out a black case, opening it. "These were Victoria's, but since she's in no need of them anymore, we will use them as bait."

Billy couldn't believe his eyes as he stammered, "Those are real diamonds?"

"They most certainly are. And in the hands of the right men, it will turn them into vultures. They'll want to clear out the mansion as quickly as possible. They won't take the time to check all the kegs and boxes. If I'm not mistaken, the top dog will oversee the job but not do any hands-on stuff."

"I got it now. But what will prevent them from coming back once they realize they've been tricked?"

"I'm hoping that Sandra can go into the city, meet up with Patrick's grandson, and be back here in time to catch them as their trucks loaded with the stuff leave the property. Grand theft will carry a much bigger sentence and tie them up long enough for us to find the real treasure."

"You want to send Sandra. I like the girl, but how will she convince a city detective to join us? And what's the new local sheriff going to say about it?"

"I believe the convincing is going to fall on me." Patrick cleared his throat. "I've never been out of the mansion, but I'm willing to risk it all to see Jack and bring him back here to help all of us."

"Is it feasible, Grandfather? Can he leave purgatory?"

"According to Sebastian, with the council's permission, he can leave for twenty-four hours."

"What happens if they can't find Jack and get back here in time?"

William turned and stared at his friend. Patrick sighed. "No risk, no gain."

"But what are you risking?"

Patrick didn't answer. Instead, he retrieved his drink and let the liquor pour down his throat. "Let's just say I wouldn't be able to do that ever again."

"Drink brandy?"

"What he's not saying, Billy, is — if he fails, he will lose his chance at salvation."

"He'll be damned forever!" Billy exclaimed. "Grandfather, we can't let him sacrifice his chance for us."

"It's not your grandfather's choice, son. It's mine, and I've chosen to do it. Besides, I don't plan on failing. Now, someone better introduce me to this Sandra and see if she's up for the challenge."