Julie met Roy at the front door. He looked surprisingly relaxed for someone who had to deal with drunks and degenerates all night at a small town bar.
"So, what are we looking for?" Roy stepped into the foyer, his eyes wandering from ceiling to floor.
"I don’t know. Clues I guess." She closed the door, and stood next to her cousin.
She suddenly felt like a little kid again. How many times had they wandered through the house playing detective? She could remember them hiding out in the old servant’s quarters, pretending that some masked murderer was coming after them. They would run, laughing and screaming down the stairs leading into the kitchen, and nearly scare the house keeper half to death.
She laughed.
"What?" Roy looked at her, confused. He checked quickly to make sure his pants were zipped up.
"Nothing, just... memories."
They made their way first to her father’s study. She didn’t expect to find anything, but she had decided that while they were looking for clues they would sort through her family’s old things. She didn’t need any of this stuff, and maybe somewhere else could benefit from it.
Pretty soon they had three stacks of books forming. Julie would keep some of them, mostly out of print mysteries or hardback editions of classic novels, and Roy would keep a few for himself. The rest she would give to Carla to donate to the library.
It was on the last shelf, towards the far back of the room, where she found it. A small section of the bookcase became dislodged when she was wiping away a thick layer of dust.
She could see a small space no wider than a bread box, behind the thin piece of wood. Had her mother been back there?
"What is it?" Roy was behind her now, looking on with growing curiosity.
"I don’t know." She hesitated, and before she could reach inside, Roy beat her to it.
She half expected him to pull back a bloody stump, but instead he held a small package wrapped in cloth.
He handed it over to her.
"You should open it up." His eyes never left the package.
Carefully she unwrapped it, and was surprised to find a rather thick, leather bound journal. Her father’s name was engraved on a small metal face plate in the center of the cover.
"Property of Charles Kramer." Roy read the engraving out loud. "You think your mom knew about this?"
"Considering everything else she through away? I don’t think so." She began to open the book, but Roy stopped her.
"Do really want to know what’s in there?" He looked her dead in the eyes.
"I... I kind of have to know."
"Alright."
She opened up the book, and they both started reading.
The first entry date was December 13th, 1984.
***
Julie closed her father’s journal. There hadn’t been anything of real interest just yet. Most of what she had read she already knew. Her father was a mean, bitter man, and it showed in his writings.
"Well, it’s a start. I guess we just have to keep reading to see if there is anything... important." Roy looked at her, obviously a little disappointed.
"I’m sorry, but I really don’t feel like reading two hundred pages of my father’s bitching." She handed journal over to Roy. "Knock yourself out."
"Are you sure?" Roy looked at the book as if it would suddenly come to life and try and eat his face. "I’ll tell you if I find anything."
Julie was about to say something else when the sound of a cellphone going off filled the large room.
Ray pulled his phone out of his pocket, and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
She watched her cousin’s face suddenly crumble.
"What is it?" She reached out to touch Roy’s arm, but before she could touch him he was already running towards the door.
"It’s Paul." He didn’t look back as he spoke. "There was an accident."
***
The emergency room of the Spirit Lake Community Hospital was pretty much empty. Carla sat in one of the chairs, her arms crossed over her chest, and a very still look in her eyes. She lit up a bit when Roy entered, running to him, and wrapping her arms around him.
A doctor entered, looking at them.
"Are you hear for Paul White?" He spoke with a stern, flat voice. "I apologize, but I can’t give out any information unless you’re family."
Carla turned slowly, clearing her throat. "I’m his wife."
Julie looked at Carla, shocked.
When did that happen?
"Alright Mrs. White..."
Carla cut him off. "Russo. We’re getting a divorce."
"I’m sorry, Miss Russo." He cleared his throat. "Come with me."
The doctor held out his arm, pointing the door leading back into the main hospital.
Before leaving Carla turned, grabbing onto Roy’s arm.
"I’ll let you know how he is, okay?" She reached up, brushing a tear from Roy’s cheek. "I don’t know why you care so much about that bastard."
She gave him two taps on the cheek, and followed the doctor through two white, swinging doors.
Julie watched her cousin collapse onto one of the chairs. His shoulders shaking with each sob. She sat next to him, her hand on his back.
"It’ll be alright." She kissed him on the side of his head, pulling Roy close.
I hope I’m right.
***
The Woman in Black stood outside in the woods, watching through the Emergency Room windows. She had not intended to hurt anyone tonight, but right now she was glad she had. She saw, sticking out of the young man’s pocket, something that troubled her very much.
They had found Charles’ journal.
She turned, walking back into the woods, her long black robe blowing in the wind, exposing her naked flesh to the cool night air.
Her bright red lips curled into a smile.
They would be taken care of.
She let out a small laugh, then seemed to evaporate into a black mist, vanishing into the woods.
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