FanStory.com - The Unwilling Heir - Chap 45by Begin Again

END OF CHAPTER 44
Flames flickered and danced, casting long shadows as the firefight continued. The smell of gunpowder mixed with the acrid scent of burning creosote. Shouts and cries punctuated the night. The once peaceful clearing had become a battleground, the fading fireworks now a distant memory against the relentless roar of the confrontation.

The moments stretched on, each feeling like an eternity. Gradually, the gangsters realized that they had been outsmarted, and the gunfire ceased. Law enforcement moved in, handcuffing each of them, glad to see the battle end.

*****

Back at the mansion, Sandra paced, her mind racing, praying the plan had worked and everyone was safe. Her mind drifted to Michael and Jack. She'd coaxed them to help fight the battle, and now she waited on pins and needles, hoping they were safe.

Madeline squeezed Lorrie's hand again before stepping forward to join Sandra. "I can't believe how quiet it has gotten. Do you think it is over?"

Sandra nodded, though fear gnawed at her stomach. "It was a good plan. I'm sure it worked."

Lorrie joined them, a determined look on her face. "Have faith, girls. We've come too far for it not to work."

In the dimly lit study of the mansion, ghosts and mortals held their breath, waiting to learn their fate.

*****

CHAPTER 45
After the dust settled and arrests were made, the mansion hosted a celebration. With the help of Madeline, Esther, and Sandra, Lorrie prepared a smorgasbord of appetizers fit for a king. Candles flickered everywhere. A roaring fire snapped and crackled in the fireplace. Beverages of all sorts lined the bar and a side table. But most of all, it was a jubilation among the ghosts and mortals. They'd fought the battle together and won.

Jack and Michael stood near the fireplace, happy, exhausted, and proud of what they'd help accomplish today. Even the veteran detective would never have thought it was possible. As a team, they'd rounded up some of the worst gangsters in this community and the city. Tyler had expressed his gratitude many times.

Michael pointed out an old photograph of Patrick in his police uniform. "Isn't that your grandfather?"

Jack smiled. "Yes, it is. I'm so stoked that I got to work beside him today. When I was small, I didn't appreciate who he was or what he did for a living. Now, after all these years on the force, I recognize talent and dedication when I see it."

"You've got his spirit, you know," William said as he joined the two men, his earthly form glowing. "Your grandfather is very proud of you. And so am I."

Jack nodded, feeling a lump in his throat. "I hope so because I am very proud of the two of you, especially after seeing you both in action today."

William laughed. "I think your grandfather thought it was a play day. He was having more fun than he's probably had in years."

Outside, near the edge of the garden, Madeline watched the celebration from a distance. Esther was with William, and she'd found herself alone.

"You should be celebrating. It's a night for everyone."

Madeline felt his presence before she saw him. A soft, comforting warmth. She turned toward his voice. "Noah, she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.

He touched her face, tipping her chin upwards to look into her eyes. "It's a time for celebrating, not crying."

She reached out, her hand passing through his, but the connection was real, a bond unbroken by their past. "I miss you so much. If only I could turn back the hands of time."

"I know. What's done is done. Neither of us can change that. But I'm with you every step of the way."

"But when the treasure is found —"

Noah gazed into her eyes, nothing but love pouring from his eyes. "I'll be right here for as long as you are. I'm committed to staying with James and Lorrie." He paused. "And you, if that's what you want."

"Oh, Noah, you know I do."

"Come. We'll sit a little while under the stars and then join the celebration. It's a night for happiness and renewed bonds between us all."
*****

As the celebration continued, Sandra stepped away, finding solace in the quiet library. As she stood, studying the many portraits on the walls and the bookcases lined with books, she felt a familiar presence and turned to see her father standing there, his ghostly form shimmering in the light.

"Dad," she murmured, her voice filled with love.

Tim smiled warmly, the same comforting smile she remembered from her childhood. "You've done well, Sandra. I'm so proud of you."

She moved closer, feeling his warmth even though she couldn't touch him. "I've missed you so much. You missed so much of my life that I wanted — no, needed you to share."

"I know you didn't understand or know, but I was watching over you every step of the way. You've become everything a father could hope for."

Sandra felt an overwhelming rush of emotions. "I — I wish you were here — really here."

Tim's expression softened. "I'm always with you, Sandra. In every choice you make, in every victory, I'm right here."

She nodded, wiping away a tear. "I know that now, Dad. And I'll keep fighting for you, for me, and anyone else who needs me."

Tim chuckled. "Does that include the young man — I believe his name is Michael?"

"Michael? What's he got to do with anything?" A faint tinge of pink spread across her cheeks.

"I've seen how he looks at you. Fathers know these things."

"I've had my head so wrapped up with ghosts that I guess I hadn't noticed."

"It's time to take notice, my lovely daughter. He's a good man, according to Jack."

Sandra smiled. "Maybe we should rejoin the celebration."

"Good idea. He's probably looking for you."

"Oh, Dad, stop!" Sandra and Tim walked side by side back to the party, feeling something they'd both missed out on and glad they'd gotten a second chance.
*****

Toward the end of the evening celebration, Jack raised a glass, calling for a toast.

"My colleagues in the city would lock me up and throw the key away if I tried to explain these last few days to them, but you and I know what we've gained and who we are. I raise my glass to my friends, some old, some new — some ghosts. To those who have guided, protected, and loved us." Jack turned toward his grandfather, his voice wavering with emotion, "To my grandfather, better known as Patrick, and to William, Billy, Benny, and so many more, including our sisters in this fight — to Sandra, Madeline, Esther, and Lorrie. May you find peace and love in this life and the hereafter."

Glasses clinked, cheers were offered between the others, and memories were made — ones never to be forgotten.
*****

As the celebration continued, William and Patrick knew they still had one critical task — finding the sword.

"Are you sure you don't remember what you did with the sword, William? Seems to me something that precious would be burned into your memory forever."

William shook his head and walked toward the window. "I'm sorry, Patrick. Taking a blow to the head — once with a bullet and then again with whatever Victoria hit me with — well." He shrugged his shoulders. "The memories aren't there. It comes and goes, but I can't promise that I will remember tomorrow."

"Grandfather, don't upset yourself. You can't help not remembering." Billy shot an icy glare at Patrick.

"I'm sorry, William. I have no right to push you that way. I know you are doing the best you can."

"We've made it this far, and if we all remain calm and put our heads together, we can figure this out." Billy moved closer to his grandfather to show his support.

"Billy, I hate to break up the celebration, but I think we should gather Sandra and the others in the library. Time is of the essence. Once the story leaks about the treasure, we have no idea how many other vultures might descend upon us."

"You're right, William. Tell Esther and Noah to bring the clues they discovered this afternoon. Let's get started." Patrick crossed the room to his friend. "I'm sorry, William. I know you want to find the treasure as much as everyone else. I shouldn't have said those things."

William turned from the window and smiled at his friend. "It's okay, Patrick. I wish I could remember."

"We've come this far together and will make it to the end. If any more troublemakers show up around here, Benny and I make a good team at scaring them off." They all laughed, and Billy hurried off to gather the rest of the team.
********

Once the small group gathered in the library, Sandra closed the doors, shutting out the noise and the curious.

"Esther, could you read the inscription on the back of the picture so everyone hears it?"

"It says - To my beloved son, Will. The sword lies in the place where dreams and reality meet. Where we find solace in the past and hope for the future."

"I remember the picture and playing with the sword when I was young, but it won't help in our search because Billy saw the sword as a boy, too."

"I did! Its ornate hilt and the craftmanship made a lasting impression on me. Grandfather would tell me stories about the sword. He said it was a symbol of our family's legacy."

Madeline nodded, intrigued. "Do you remember where you last saw it?"

Billy closed his eyes, trying to conjure up the image. "There was a hidden compartment in the old library. Grandfather showed it to me once, but I was too young to understand its significance."

"That's where we found the book and the picture," Esther added. "But if the inscription is a clue, I don't think the sword is in William's library."

Sandra joined in the conversation. "Will, the message was written to you. So, can you think of any place that might have been special to you? Someplace you could freely chase your dreams without colliding with everyday reality."

"Not really. I was a bookworm, so the library was my favorite spot unless my father insisted I go outside and play."

"Where would you go then? Billy had a fort and fished with William. Did you do anything like that?" Sandra prodded Will, hoping to shake a forgotten memory loose.

"My best memories are of father reading to me. Besides that, I loved my horses and rode them as fast as possible. I doubt he hid the sword with the horses. Father didn't care to be around the horses much, so he wouldn't have considered that a place of solace."

Esther's eyes lit up. "The rose garden. It has to be there. Remember William? You and Will would sit there for hours, reading."

Billy jumped up and hurried to the door. "The sun is peeking over the horizon. It should be light enough for us to search. Anyone else coming?"

He opened the doors and hurried toward the kitchen and the back door, passing Lorrie, who was trying to clean up the mess from the party.

"Slow down, Billy. What the heck is going on?" She wiped her hands on her apron.

"We think the sword is in the rose garden." He didn't stop to talk further as he raced outside. Lorrie tossed her apron, yelling, "I'm coming," as the other members of the group entered the kitchen.

Outside, the scent of flowers filled the air. They searched carefully, moving through the bushes and checking every nook and cranny.

Weary from yesterday's battles, James plopped himself on the bench. "I've lived in the carriage house for years. I've never seen anything resembling the sword. Are you sure this is what William is referring to?"

"Not really. But we have to start somewhere. How many of us have come to the garden, upset or happy, to think about what comes next or maybe what might have been? He said where dreams meet reality. He had to mean the rose garden."

Suddenly, Billy stopped pacing around the garden. "You're right, Sandra. Grandfather and I would sit on the bench and stare at the stars. He would tell me to wish upon the stars, and my dreams would come true."

Will's eyes met his father's. "I remember you telling me that the bench held many secrets."

Michael exclaimed, "That's it. You sat on the bench and dreamed of tomorrow. I bet all of you have sat on that bench, prayed for peace, or searched for solutions to your problems."

James stood, and Billy turned the bench over. "There's another inscription and a drawing of something. It looks like a latch of some sort."

James peered over Billy's shoulder. "I've seen that latch or something similar. It's in the carriage house, near the fireplace. I never paid much attention to it. Just thought it odd that a latch would be in the floorboards."

"Show me, James." Billy opened the door to the carriage house. "This has got to be it."

James entered and went directly to the fireplace, moving the oversized leather chair. "It's right there in the corner, Billy. Take the poker and see if you can break the latch."

The latch was small. But the poker didn't work. Bily hurried outside, got a large stone from the garden, and went back, pounding it against the latch. After two good hits, it broke. Using the poker, he pried it open, exposing a hidden compartment under the floor. It didn't take long for him to pry up a few floorboards and recover what was hidden inside. Wrapped in a velvet cloth was the sword. Its blade gleamed, and the hilt bore the intricate family crest.

Billy and James yelled to the others. "We found it! We found it!"

A bevy of cheers exploded in the rose garden as Billy carried the sword outside. He brought the sword to his grandfather, tears in his eyes. "Grandfather, we found the sword. I told you we could do it."

William's eyes brimmed with tears as he stared at his grandson. "I never doubted you, Billy. Not once!"