The Gift by Carmichael C. J

Author:Carmichael, C. J.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carla J. Daum
Published: 2014-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Gray gently disengaged his hand from Amy’s before going to check out the front window. “It’s the Sheriff’s daughter.”

He sounded surprised, but Amy realized that she wasn’t. “Let her in.”

Kirsten Morgan kicked the snow off her boots before stepping onto the large hooked rug in the foyer. “I’m sorry to come by so late. But it’s important I talk to you.”

“Of course. That’s no problem. Come in. Would you like some mulled wine?” Nervousness had Amy speaking quickly.

“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Kirsten scanned the room. “Is the little girl...?”

“She’s asleep,” Amy said, noting that Kirsten hadn’t fallen for the story she’d spun for the Sheriff.

“Good.” Kirsten took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t want to hit the panic button here, but I had to talk to you both about that child. She’s in trouble. I sense something very evil around her.”

“Evil’s a strong word,” Gray said.

“But in this case, it fits. You know about my—gift?”

Amy nodded, steeling herself for something bad, even as she noted Gray’s eyebrows cocked with skepticism.

“The moment I saw that little girl I had a vision of a woman. She’s someplace dark, surrounded by dirt—like a grave, only bigger. Help my daughter. That’s the message she’s trying to give me.”

The room was silent for a moment as they both absorbed Kirsten’s fantastical words.

Kirsten started to pace the length of the rug and back. “Believe me, I didn’t want to pick up on any of this. I’m just home for a nice Christmas with my father. My psychic abilities have always made him uncomfortable, so I didn’t say anything to him. But as sure as I’m standing here, I know that child is in danger.”

Gray still looked skeptical. “What proof do you have for these feelings of yours?”

“The bruises on Dora’s body are proof enough she’s in danger,” Amy said. Deciding to trust Kirsten, she quickly filled her in on the events of the evening.

“So Dora was running from Fergus Pluck’s home?” Kirsten frowned. “My dad always thought there was something suspicious about his wife’s death.”

“I’ve heard those rumors, too,” Amy said. “Did the Sheriff’s Office investigate the accident?”

“Yes, but no concrete evidence was found of foul play. I know Dad was worried about the daughter. Maggie was a few years younger than me, a very quiet girl. The loss of her mother must have been so traumatic. Dad didn’t like the fact that she was left to live alone with her father, especially since it was widely known he had a drinking problem. Wasn’t much Dad could do about it, though, except call out Social Services for a visit. Nothing changed, though, after that.”

Amy glanced pointedly at Gray, wanting him to see that there were times when the law wasn’t enough. “When I asked Dora about her mother and father, she said she didn’t have either. It’s as if she never knew them.”

“So Maggie must have abandoned her when she was a baby,” Gray surmised.

“One thing is for sure,” Kirsten said. “Maggie doesn’t live in Bandit Creek anymore, though no one seems to know where she went.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.