Airy Voices (Part 2)

Airy Voices

(Part II)

by:

Irene Kueh

Copyright © 2019 Irene Kueh

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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for all air plant Lovers

This one's for you

※ One ※

Elrenia Kitrusen's mind wandered to The Old Man. She thanked the Heavens for bringing The Old Man into her life. Yes, she almost lost her life, but The Old Man rescued her. She made new friends. She met the man who rocked her world… Travis Callaghan, The Old Man's grandson. After almost losing her life once more, she felt irredeemably indebted The Old Man. In the safety of Louis and Isabel's home, she promised to visit The Old Man and his wife soon. She missed them. Just as Travis's smile flashed before her, a knock interrupted her thought. Travis's face distorted and faded away. She straightened.

Come in, said Elrenia.

Velutina Grace entered and closed the door. Angel and her family are very nice, aren't they? she asked.

Yes, they are, said Elrenia. I'm glad you're here.

I figure we need to talk, said Velutina.

Where's Angel? asked Elrenia.

She wants me to rest, said Velutina. She sat next to Elrenia. Are we safe here?

Elrenia nodded.

I don't mean to be rude, said Velutina. Is your grandpa an FBI?

No, said Elrenia.

Velutina gave Elrenia the weirdest look. What does he do then? He seems to know a lot of people.

Elrenia smiled again. The Old Man is Travis's grandfather, she explained in the fewest words possible.

Wait, you mentioned Travis a few times when you were on the phone, said Velutina. Who is he?

Elrenia wanted to bang her head on the wall. She didn't mean to bring up Travis. Have we not talked about Travis before? she asked.

I don't think so, said Velutina.

Elrenia scratched her temple. How would she describe Travis? Well, it's complicated, she said.

Velutina stared at her. Complicated… As in a relationship? she asked.

Something like that, said Elrenia.

Are you guys married? asked Velutina.

Elrenia cringed. No, nothing like that, she said. Before Velutina asked more crazy questions, she went on. We can't seem to stay committed to each other… We are in an on-and-off again relationship."

Remember what Angel said, said Velutina. Men can be inconsiderate sometimes.

Elrenia wanted that to be true. To be fair, it wasn't him, she said. Perhaps I wasn't ready. But I care about him.

Velutina's eyes sparkled. I'm sure he cares about you as well, she said.

I guess so, said Elrenia.

That's so sweet, said Velutina.

What? asked Elrenia.

You called Travis's grandfather Grandpa, said Velutina.

Elrenia scratched a fake itch on her forehead. Aah, she said. I love his family.

I'd like to meet them, said Velutina. Especially The Old Man. He saved our lives.

Talking about that, I need to call Marshall, said Elrenia.

Velutina picked up Elrenia's phone from the bed and handed it to her.

Where are you? was the first thing Marshall said.

At Louis's house, said Elrenia.

Louis, The Old Man's friend, he said.

Yes, said Elrenia. To make him feel a little secure, she went on. We met his wife, Isabel. And their two children, Antonio and Angel.

Okay, said Marshall. That seemed to calm him down.

Velutina's here with me, said Elrenia, as she handed her the phone.

Hi, Marshall, said Velutina.

Hello, Velutina, said Marshall. How are you holding up?

I'm okay, said Velutina and handed the phone back to Elrenia.

Did you call Eric? asked Elrenia.

Velutina had her ear close to the phone. To be on the safe side, Elrenia dared not turn on the speaker.

It was quite an ordeal, said Marshall. Eric's phone quit working. He killed it.

Say again, said Elrenia.

His phone is more secure than Fort Knox, he said. The police tried to get his phone unlocked. Eric was in surgery at the time. After two wrong tries, they received a warning and they stopped.

Smart guy, said Elrenia. What happened?

His wife called when Eric was out of the surgery. The detective handed Eric his phone, he said. But not before he turned on the speaker. After the call ended, Eric turned off the phone before handing it back to the detective.

Why did he do that? asked Elrenia.

His phone is fingerprint activated, said Marshall. After the call, the phone stays active for a few minutes. Other people could access the phone. So, Eric turned it off. When the phone restarted, it needed a passcode to unlock. The Detective asked Eric to unlock it… He entered the wrong passcode. And the phone's a goner.

Wow, said Velutina. I have to do that on my phone.

Elrenia chuckled. That's why he's a private investigator, she said.

Exactly, he said.

So, you never talked to Eric, said Elrenia.

No, but I found out what happened to him, he said. Let me back up. I called the detective who handled Aunt… my aunt's case. She made some calls and gave me another detective's number. I called and talked to Detective Knobloch. He's in charge of Eric's case. He said Eric is in the hospital.

That explained the weird noise in the background when I called, said Elrenia.

Yeah, he had been stabbed, said Marshall.

Velutina gasped.

Is he okay? asked Elrenia.

He was lucky, said Marshall. He had a gun in a waist wrap holster. The attacker couldn't thrust the knife all the way. It was blocked by the trigger and trigger guard.

He was lucky the gun didn't go off, said Elrenia.

No kidding, said Marshall. Although I'm sure the safety's on.

How bad was the wound? asked Elrenia.

It was deep, he said. He was bleeding, but at least he's still alive, he said.

Thank goodness, she said. When can he leave the hospital?

Detective Knobloch is going to keep Eric there as long as he can, said Marshall.

Why? asked Elrenia.

Someone broke into Eric's home, said Marshall.

Elrenia shook her head. Poor guy, she thought. Anyone hurt? she asked.

Velutina stared at her.

Fortunately, nobody was there, he said. But his computer's gone.

Any files? she asked.

Eric never said, he said. In fact, when Detective Knobloch told Eric about his computer, it didn't seem to bother him, he said.

That's weird, said Velutina.

He must have everything saved somewhere else, said Elrenia.

But he's not talking, he said.

A lot of people's lives are in his hands, said Elrenia. He couldn't possibly talk.

Understandable, he said.

Do you think it has to do with our case? asked Elrenia.

Velutina's eyes widened.

I have no idea, he said.

We have to talk to Eric, said Elrenia.

Both of you need to return to New York, he said.

I'll discuss this with Velutina, said Elrenia. If she wants to leave Florida, we will.

Velutina scratched her temple.

All right, he said. Keep me posted. Love you, Velutina.

Love you too, Marshall, said Velutina.

Elrenia ended the call and faced Velutina. What do you want to do? she asked.

※ Two ※

Velutina's body went numb. How could Elrenia stay so calm? She had to be strong too if she wanted to join the FBI. She puffed up her chest.

Well? asked Elrenia

The confidence she felt a moment earlier disappeared. What should I do? she asked. Her voice cracked and sounded foreign to her.

I can't make that decision for you, Velutina, said Elrenia. But whatever you choose, I'm right beside you.

What are our options? asked Velutina.

We go back to New York, said Elrenia.

Velutina lowered her head. But we aren't any wiser, she said. We don't know a thing.

That's not true, said Elrenia. We found out someone knew the garage code. We go back to New York, talk to Jes, and find out who these men are. Our other option is talk to Eric. Find out what he knows about Amber, and then we leave.

This is hard, said Velutina. She took Bulbosa out from her jacket pocket. What do you think, Bulbosa?

Whatever you choose, said Bulbosa. I go wherever you go.

You're not helping, said Velutina.

What did he say? asked Elrenia.

Pretty much what you said, said Velutina. I have to make the choice.

It's been a long day, said Elrenia. You can decide in the morning.

Velutina nodded and got up. I'm going to freshen up, she said.

Same here, said Elrenia. I'll see you later.

Velutina returned to her room and took a shower. She couldn't believe someone tried to kill her. Twice now. She shivered under the warm water.

Help me, Mom, she whispered.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After having dinner and doing laundry, Velutina called it a night. Elrenia walked up the stairs with her. They bade each other goodnight and went to their rooms. Velutina wanted so much to ask Elrenia to stay, but decided she was a big girl. She needed to face her unwarranted fears. Nobody was going to hurt her at Louis's home. Nobody knew she was there, except Marshall. And he wouldn't tell anyone. That she was sure. With that she crept into her bed and went to sleep.

…She was on the freeway. Suddenly, a truck cut in front of her. A shadowy figure swerved to miss the truck. Someone screamed as the car rolled and hit the guardrail. Velutina's mother's haunting cry rang in her ears…

MOM! she bawled.

Seconds later, she heard footsteps and her door burst open. Someone turned on the light. Four people with guns rushed inside.

Velutina screeched.

Elrenia dropped her gun at the edge of Velutina's bed and raced to her side. She rubbed Velutina's arms and kept repeating, Shh, Velutina, you're okay… you're okay.

Velutina stopped and stared at each face. Louis lowered his gun, followed by Antonio and Angel.

Isabel was the only one without any weapon. She entered and took Velutina's hand. Did you have a nightmare? she asked in the most soothing voice.

Velutina nodded. She missed her mother even more. Tears pooled in her eyes. Elrenia picked up the gun and stepped away from the bed. Isabel rocked Velutina in her arms for a few minutes. Nobody spoke.

With the nightmare fading, Velutina's breathing slowed. I'm sorry, she said.

Isabel kissed her forehead. You don't have to apologize, she said. I can't imagine what you're going through.

Velutina looked up. I'm okay now, she said. I'm sorry for waking everyone up.

You're safe here, Velutina, said Louis. You have nothing to worry about.

Velutina nodded. Antonio and Angel smiled at her and left.

I can stay if you want, said Isabel.

You've been so kind, said Elrenia. I'll stay with her.

Isabel nodded. If you need anything, wake me up, she said.

Elrenia nodded. Thank you, she said. And I'm sorry.

No, no, said Isabel. No need to apologize. Good night.

Isabel left with Louis. Elrenia closed the door and pulled the chair close to the bed.

Thanks for staying, said Velutina.