Loved Ones Lost (Edgewater Curse Book 1) Read online

“Oh thank you, Evelyn. I truly do appreciate this…and anything she needs, you just let me know. I’m not expecting you to support her. I will make sure to send money whenever she needs it. As far as when this is all going to happen, I’m not sure yet, but I should know more after our conversation with Capitol Records this afternoon. I will call you back then.”

  “Okay, but call my cell; that way you don’t have to go through Heidi. And as far as money for Rose, if she does as well as I think she will, you probably won’t need to send money for long.” Evelyn smiles on the other end.

  “Thank you Evelyn, and I’m sure you’re right. I will talk to you again this afternoon.”

  “Okay. I love you, dear, and hang in there.”

  “I love you too, sis, and I will. Bye for now.” Bri hangs up the phone.

  See. I told you my sister would help. Bri hears Jared in her head, rolls her eyes and smiles.

  “Yes dear. You did. Okay, that’s one thing checked off the list, now on to the next call.”

  Bri picks the phone up again and calls the phone number she wrote down on the post-it note in her hand.

  After the second ring a man with a deep, gruff voice answers, “McLeery Law Office, Jonathan speaking.”

  “Mr. McLeery, this is Briauna Aldridge.”

  “Briauna? I mean Mrs. Aldridge—what a surprise to hear from you.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it is, and please call me Bri.”

  “Bri, sure. I’m so sorry for your loss. We were all devastated to lose such a great colleague. I count myself lucky every day that I was sick that week. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Thank you, and I’m glad you weren’t included in that tragedy either. And yes, as a matter of fact, there is something you can help me with. My husband had told me before…well, if I ever needed legal help and he wasn’t accessible, I could call you.”

  “Yes, of course. Anything you need. How may I assist?”

  “Well, it’s a quite exciting situation. Capitol Records has called my daughter back after she sent her bio and demo to them and they want her to sign with them.”

  “Wow! That is exciting news. You haven’t signed anything yet, have you?”

  “No, that’s why I’m calling you. They called Rose earlier this week and told her to talk to me about it first. We are calling them back this afternoon after she gets home from school. I was hoping that when they brought up the contract I could just give them your number and you could get a copy of it from them. Then maybe we could set up an appointment to review it with you.”

  “Yes, of course. I’m glad you have thought this through. You have no idea how many people come to me after the fact, after they have already signed a contract. Reviewing with me first will make this whole process so much easier. If you don’t mind me asking, you mentioned you were going to call them back after your daughter gets home from school. How old is Rose?”

  “She’s thirteen. Which is just one more reason why I want legal backup on this.”

  “Yeah, good thinking. Since she is still a minor, that’s a whole bunch more paperwork.”

  “Yes, I thought it would be. Also, I have a strong feeling that they are going to ask that she move to California since that is where they are located. If that happens, then I’ve already talked to my sister-in-law Evelyn this morning. She’s agreed to let Rose live with her in Los Angeles. So I’m also wondering if there is co-guardianship paperwork we can fill out so if Evelyn needs to make legal decisions on Rose’s behalf—you know for school, medical, or traveling—she can act as one of her legal guardians without having to get hold of me. I think it would just make things a little easier for Evelyn.”

  “Sure. We can do that…and you trust Evelyn?”

  “Yes. I trust her with my life and Rose’s. She is Jared’s sister.”

  “Got it. That’s not a problem at all.”

  “Good. How about I call you back later this afternoon after we’ve talked to Capitol Records and we can set up an appointment then?”

  “Sounds good and please, don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything else or have any further questions.”

  “Thank you, Mr. McLeery.”

  “Please, call me Jonathan.”

  “Thank you, Jonathan. We’ll talk to you soon then. Goodbye for now.”

  “Goodbye Bri.”

  Bri hangs up the phone and opens the laptop sitting on the desk and begins to look at online schooling options for Rose.

  ∞∞∞

  Later that afternoon…

  After the kids were home and settled in their respective rooms working on homework shortly after three o’clock, Bri goes to knock on Crystal and Rose’s bedroom door. When she enters, the girls are each sitting at their desks, so deep into their concentration neither of them look up from what they were doing. Bri smiles with pride.

  “Rose honey, do you have a minute?”

  Rose looks up from her homework with anticipation. “Hi Mom. Sure.” She stands and heads out the door, with Bri following. Bri looks back at Crystal as she leaves and notices that Crystal never looks up in acknowledgment. Clearly, she already knows what’s about to happen, and she’s still not ready to face it.

  Bri and Rose head down the stairs toward the study. “Let’s make that call to Capitol Records, shall we?” Bri says, and Rose’s eyes light up.

  Sure enough, Capitol Records does offer a contract for Rose and does want her to move to California. Bri instructs them to fax a copy of the agreement to both her and their lawyer and lets them know that after they review it with Mr. McLeery, she will have him send them a signed copy. She discusses with them their expectations of Rose, all while on speakerphone so Rose can hear and she doesn’t have to repeat herself afterward. She also advises them that she is recording the call so she can share it with both their lawyer and Evelyn; that way everyone is on the same page. When they are done with their conversation, Bri ends the call and Rose jumps into her arms, squealing with excitement.

  Bri embraces her daughter. “I’m so happy for you, sweetheart, but I am going to miss you so much too.” A tear starts to run down Bri’s face as she holds Rose tightly in her arms.

  “Oh Mom, I’m going to miss you too, all of you. I’ve never been away from any of you before. I’m scared and excited all at the same time,” Rose states.

  “I know, but you will do great, and you will have Aunt Evelyn there with you. Just call when you can and email me your schedule, so I know when your concerts are or when you will be on TV; we’ll all want to watch you.”

  A couple of hours later, Travis is heading down the stairs to leave for his evening out with Jake and the girls from school. As he is about to head out the front door, Bri stops him in the foyer.

  “Travis!”

  He stops midway through the door and turns to his mom. “Oh, hi Mom, bye Mom.” He turns to continue out the door.

  “Hang on there, mister.”

  Travis stops and faces his mom again. “What’s up?”

  “Can’t I have a moment to wish my son a happy eighteenth birthday before he rushes out the door? I haven’t seen you all day.” She grabs him in a big hug.

  “Oh sure.” He hugs her back. “Thank you, Mom. I’m just heading out to meet everyone for our night out.”

  “Okay, be careful and be safe.”

  “I will, Mom. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Travis. Have fun, but not too much, okay?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Travis smiles, releases his mom and heads out the door.

  It was around eight o’clock when Bri, Crystal, and Matthew were in the study looking at the progress Crystal had been making on the grimoire. Bri had just mentioned her idea of adding the family tree she was working on to their documentation when they heard a commotion coming from the foyer. Matthew quickly locks the grimoire and the family tree in the safe and the three of them go to see what was going on. Jake and Travis are standing just inside the open front door a
nd Roman and another male, an almost identical, younger version of Roman, are standing just outside the door. Travis is holding his neck with one hand and bracing himself on Jake’s shoulder with the other.

  “No! I’m fine, really, and I don’t even know who you are. I’m not just going to let you in our home!” Travis exclaims.

  “But I know your mother. I just want to help. That looks like a pretty bad wound on your neck. You really should have someone look at it. How did you say it happened?” Roman asks.

  Bri jumps into the conversation before Travis can answer. “What’s going on here? Travis, what’s wrong? What happened to you?”

  Travis turns to his mom. “Honestly, Mom, I don’t know what happened, and I don’t know how many times I have to say that.” He glares at Roman. “Mom, this guy says he knows you.”

  “Well, yes. We met yesterday at the police station. This is Detective Roman Vasilie, but I’m not sure who this is with him.”

  “This is my son Dimitri. I was just stopping by to give you some more information on your parents, and he tagged along with me.”

  “Oh. Well, if you wouldn’t mind, Detective, would you and your son please wait out on the front porch while I have a moment with my son and make sure he’s okay? Matthew and I will join you out there shortly.”

  “Please, it’s Roman and um, yes, we’ll just be out here.” Roman and Dimitri turn to go sit on the chairs and wait, and Bri closes the door behind them.

  “Travis, can I please take a look at your neck?” Bri asks.

  “Sure Mom, but really, I’m okay.” While Bri removes the napkin Travis is using as a bandage and begins to examine his neck, he continues, “I really don’t know what happened. We were at the movie theater, and I had excused myself to the bathroom. When I was done and washing my hands, I all of a sudden felt this sharp pain, like a couple of needles, and then my neck just started bleeding out of nowhere.”

  Bri gives Matthew a look.

  “Crystal, can I have a moment in the study?” Matthew asks her.

  “Um, sure,” Crystal says, looking a bit confused.

  Matthew and Crystal head to the study and Bri distracts Travis and Jake by guiding them toward the bathroom just down the hall, where she retrieves a first aid kit.

  “Here, let me at least disinfect the area and put a new bandage on it for you,” Bri requests.

  Travis lets her and when she’s done both boys head up to Travis’s room. Bri then heads for the study.

  “Matthew.” Bri addresses him as she enters the room.

  “Hey Mom, how’s Travis?”

  “I think he’ll be okay. Did you fill Crystal in?”

  “Yeah and between the two of us we’ve quickly used a couple of paper clips to create some crosses we can put in our pockets and use for now,” Matthew informs her.

  “Yes, and meanwhile, I’m going to go up to your hobby room, Mom, if that’s okay, and start working on some more permanent solutions to add protection for this family,” Crystal says.

  “That would be great, sweetie, thank you,” Bri says. “Matthew, shall we join our uninvited guests out on the front porch?”

  “Yeah,” Matthew replies.

  Crystal heads upstairs while Bri and Matthew head outside.

  Meanwhile, out on the porch, Roman and Dimitri stand just before the door opens. Bri and Matthew cautiously walk toward them and Bri motions for everyone to sit.

  “So Roman, you said you have more information about my grandparents?” Matthew asks.

  “Ah, yeah, but first I would like to get something else out in the open. We know that you know that we are vampires.”

  Bri and Matthew nervously look at each other.

  Roman continues, “Please. Don’t panic. The only reason we know that you know is because as vampires we have excellent hearing and we just overheard the conversation the two of you had with each other and your daughter—Crystal, is it?”

  Bri nods.

  Roman continues, “According to what your son here just told her, you are already aware that not all of us are bad. My son and I happen to be on the good side, if you will. However, there are some in our family who are not. I was telling you the truth about the reason for our visit here tonight, but that was not our only reason. The other is because it was Dimitri who bit Travis and we do apologize for that, but we needed to know how much your family knew and whether your powers have been activated or not. We followed him and his friend back here to make sure he made it home with no issues. I will assure you that Travis will be okay and his wound will be healed by tomorrow morning before the sun rises. We didn’t really know the answer to our question until we overheard your conversation. As for the other purpose of our visit, I believe I am getting closer to an answer on who poisoned your parents. I have a lead I’m following and should have an answer by next week if all goes well.”

  “Wow, that’s great news. However, I’m not very happy about the fact that you bit my son.” Bri directs that last statement to Dimitri. “And forgive me if we don’t take your word for it right away that you are the good guys. I mean, after all, we just met you last night, Roman, and your son just now.”

  “That is quite understandable,” Roman replies.

  “And I do apologize, sincerely,” Dimitri adds, speaking with a deep Russian accent just like his father, “Someone’s coming.” He states abruptly.

  Just then the front door flies open, and Rose comes running out. Everyone stands and Dimitri locks eyes with her as she comes to a screeching halt at the sight of him and his father.

  “Rose!” Bri calls. “What is it?”

  Rose snaps out of it and answers, “It’s Travis; he’s just collapsed!”

  Bri shoots an angry look at Roman and Dimitri and runs inside to find Travis lying on the foyer floor with Jake sitting beside him. As Roman and Dimitri look at each other with confusion, they stand and observe from just outside the open door. Bri tries to revive Travis with no luck and removes the bandage on his neck. The wound is not healing; instead, it is beginning to blister.

  “Bri! Let us in. We can help,” Roman states.

  “No!” Bri says, then looks to Rose. “Rose honey, please go up to my bathroom and get the rubbing alcohol," she commands, as a way to get Rose away from the scene. “Jake, I’m sorry, but can you please go home? I will call you as soon as we get this situation under control and let you know how Travis is.”

  “Sure.” Jake answers and heads for the door. “I hope everything is okay with Travis.” He says before leaving.

  Rose runs up the stairs, following her mother’s directions with haste.

  “Bri. Please listen to me. There is only one reason why this would happen, but because Travis’s power hasn’t been activated, I can’t reveal that information to you. You need to trust me. This is a matter of life and death for him. If you’re not going to invite us in, then you need to go get something for him to drink from.”

  Bri looks to Matthew, and he doesn’t hesitate; within minutes he returns with a coffee cup. “It was the closest thing I could find in the kitchen,” he states.

  “Give it to Dimitri,” Roman says.

  Dimitri immediately punctures his own wrist with his teeth and pours his blood into the cup. “Here, make him drink this,” Dimitri says and hands it back to Matthew.

  “This isn’t going to turn him into one of you, is it?” Matthew asks.

  “Oh God, this is it, isn’t it?” Bri states more than asks.

  “No. It won’t turn him, but it will save him,” Dimitri reassures them.

  Bri nods and Matthew raises Travis’s head to the cup and proceeds to pour the contents into his mouth. As soon as Travis starts coughing, Matthew stands with the cup and takes it to the kitchen to wash it before anyone sees.

  When Matthew returns, Travis is sitting up and alert, and everyone has looks of relief on their faces. Rose has returned with the rubbing alcohol, and Bri is re-cleaning and bandaging the wound. Matthew notices that Dimitri can’t se
em to tear his eyes away from Rose, so he clears his throat to get Dimitri’s attention. When Dimitri looks at him, Matthew shakes his head in a warning. Dimitri smiles and turns his attention back to the scene playing out in front of him.

  “Well, this has been an eventful night. I think it’s time for those who don’t live here to go home,” Bri states.

  Roman and Dimitri say their goodbyes and Roman adds, “Let’s find some time to chat. There is still more I would like to discuss with you.”

  “Sure,” Bri agrees.

  Matthew shuts the door behind them.

  “Okay. Why don’t we all call it a night and go to bed? We all need our rest and Travis, we’ll see how you’re feeling tomorrow and play our plans for your birthday celebration by ear. How does that sound?” Bri addresses them all.

  “Yeah, that sounds good, Mom. Goodnight everyone,” Travis says.

  “Goodnight,” everyone responds.

  The girls and Matthew head up to their respective rooms and Bri decides she will peek in on Travis throughout the night.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Truth Revealed

  Saturday, September 8, 2018

  The next morning, Bri goes to check on Travis to see how he is feeling and to check the wound on his neck. Just as Roman had said, Travis was feeling better, and his neck was completely healed. Bri did want more information from Roman about the bite and why it blistered the way it did. So she decided that after they got back from their day at the race track celebrating with Travis, she would call him and set up another time to meet and talk more.

  “Mom, what do you think happened to me last night? Where do you think this wound came from?” Travis asked.

  “I’m not sure; maybe someone walked by you with something in their hand, and it grazed your neck without you knowing. If that happened, whatever it was could have caused an allergic reaction; that would explain the blistering and fever.” Clearly, Bri was making this up as she was going since she already knew what caused the wound. She didn’t understand the blistering and fever, though. She knew Dimitri hadn’t poisoned him because his veins didn’t turn red, but he definitely had a reaction of some kind.