| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 22, 2025 | Chapters: |
...10 11 -12- 13... 
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Secrets are revealed
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 12
by Begin Again
Grayson gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles pale as he navigated the winding back roads. Althea's unconscious form slumped against the passenger seat, her head resting awkwardly against the window.
His phone buzzed on the dashboard, the number flashing with a name that made his stomach twist: Zhang Wei. Grayson snatched the phone, his voice strained but steady. "News travels fast. I'm sure you've heard Vito's men shot the woman's lawyer."
Zhang's voice was smooth and chilling. "My sources have a different story. They say the order came from you — not Vito."
Grayson's stomach tightened, but he forced a dismissive chuckle. "Whoever told you that is crazy. Why would I draw attention to myself like that?"
The line went quiet, and Grayson could almost hear Zhang weighing his words. "Think before you speak, Grayson. Tell me exactly what you know."
Althea stirred, her head pounding as she opened her eyes. She didn't move at first, letting the muffled voice next to her filter through her groggy mind. Grayson was on the phone, his voice low and tense. She strained to hear what was being said.
Grayson hesitated — his throat dry. "Henderson went to the motel and told the woman he was going to the police. Vito's men had tailed him and were nearby, listening. When he left, they followed him, ran the car off the road, and shot him. The cops interrupted before they could finish the job, but he's in surgery."
Althea blinked, her breath catching. Lawyer. Shot. Surgery. What was he talking about? She stayed still, her heart racing as Grayson continued.
"Word is that he won't be talking anytime soon or maybe never."
There was a heavy pause. "And the woman?" Zhang asked, his voice sharp.
Grayson glanced at Althea, his jaw tightening. "She was hysterical when she called me."
"Why would she call you?" Zhang's tone grew icier.
"She'd learned I'm a Webb. She thought I could help her find her son."
Zhang's laughter was low and humorless. "And how did she think you would do that?"
Grayson swallowed hard, carefully choosing his words. "I don't know. She just asked me to come. I'll keep her out of sight until the heat dies down."
Zhang's tone turned sharp. "Do you think the police won't come looking? Or that the mob will ignore this blunder? You've left too many loose ends, Grayson."
"I'm handling it," Grayson snapped, gripping the wheel tighter. "They don't know she's with me. And as for the mob — they have no reason to think I'm involved."
Zhang chuckled darkly. "You overestimate your abilities, as usual."
"No," Grayson interrupted, his voice shaking slightly. "Just — give me time. I'll fix this."
"Time is a luxury you no longer have," Zhang said coldly. "But don't worry. I'll send someone to help clean up your mess."
The line went dead. Grayson cursed under his breath, tossing the phone onto the dashboard and running a hand over his face.
Althea let out a faint groan, shifting in her seat as though just waking up. Grayson's head snapped toward her, his expression quickly masking his frustration.
"You're awake," he said flatly.
Althea blinked at him, her voice groggy but accusatory. "What's going on? Who were you talking to?"
"No one you need to worry about," Grayson replied, his eyes back on the road.
Althea sat up straighter, her mind racing. "You said something about my lawyer. About him being shot. What happened?"
Grayson stiffened, his jaw tightening. "You misunderstood."
"No, I didn't," she snapped, her voice gaining strength. "I heard you. You said he was in surgery. You said the cops interrupted something. What did you mean? What are you not telling me?"
Grayson let out a sharp breath, his frustration bubbling over. "Look, Henderson got himself into trouble, all right? He went to the cops, Vito's men didn't like it, and now he's paying the price."
Althea's stomach churned. "What do you mean he went to the cops? What does any of this have to do with me?"
Grayson hesitated, his mind spinning. "It doesn't," he said quickly. "It's over. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
Althea stared at him, her fear morphing into anger. "You're lying. First, my lawyer gets shot, and now I'm in your car after being dragged away from my motel room. And that man — " She paused, her voice trembling. "That man said he was Cornelius Webb. That's my grandfather's name. My dead grandfather."
Grayson tightened his grip on the wheel, saying nothing.
Althea's voice rose. "Who was he? Some actor you hired to scare me? What kind of sick joke is this?"
Grayson let out a harsh laugh devoid of humor. "You think I staged that? Cornelius is as real as I am. And he's more dangerous than you could imagine."
Althea rocked her head. "No. I don't believe in ghosts. Dead people don't talk. They don't show up in parking lots! This is insane!"
Grayson's patience snapped. "Believe what you want, Althea. But the truth doesn't care about your disbelief. Cornelius Webb is very much real, and if you don't pull it together, you'll end up as his next victim."
Her voice cracked — a mixture of fear and defiance. "Why is he doing this? What does he want?"
Grayson hesitated for a moment, his jaw clenching. "He wants the Vineyard. And you — you're just another piece on his board."
Althea's fists clenched in her lap, her voice trembling with anger. "You're insane. You're all insane. My son is missing, my lawyer is in the hospital, and now you're telling me my dead grandfather wants me dead? How am I supposed to deal with this?"
Grayson didn't respond immediately, his face cold and unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and sharp. "You don't have a choice. This is your reality now. Get used to it."
"Let me out of this car right now!"
Grayson's patience wore thin. "You're not going anywhere. Not until I say so." His look dared her to press him again.
*****
Grayson veered off the road, the car bouncing over uneven terrain as he drove through tall weeds. Althea clung to the seat, her heart pounding.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded.
Grayson didn't answer. He stopped the car near an overgrown path leading to a decrepit root cellar.
"Get out," he barked, stepping out of the car and circling around to her side."
Althea shook her head, her voice trembling. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on."
Grayson's patience snapped. He wrenched her door open and grabbed her arm. "I said, get out."
She struggled against him, her voice rising. "Let me go! I'm not going into the middle of nowhere with you!"
Grayson's grip tightened as he dragged her toward the root cellar, her feet skidding in the dirt. "You think you have a choice? I'm trying to keep you alive, but you're making it impossible."
"I don't need your protection!" Althea shouted, twisting in his grasp.
Grayson pulled her to the cellar door, wrenching it open with a loud creak. The smell of damp earth wafted out, making Althea recoil.
"You'll be safe here," he muttered, shoving her inside. She stumbled, catching herself against the cold, dirt walls.
"Safe?" she spat, glaring up at him. "You're locking me in a hole in the ground. How is this safe?"
Grayson ignored her protests, slamming the heavy door shut. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed ominously.
Althea pounded on the door, her voice raw with desperation. "Grayson! Let me out! You can't leave me here!"
He leaned against the door for a moment, his breathing heavy. "You'll thank me later," he muttered under his breath before turning away and heading toward the estate house.
*****
Milo's crow pierced the quiet barnyard as Rebecca approached the cottage. The sharp sound echoed through the air, feeling familiar and lonely. A grain bucket hung on the shed's side, the wood weathered from years of use. Rebecca lifted the lid and scattered the seed across the ground, watching the hens flap their wings and hurry to peck at the feast.
"What about you, Milo? Aren't you going to eat?" she called, glancing up at the old rooster. Milo fluffed his feathers with a dramatic shake, strutted along the rooftop, and crowed again as if declaring he had more important duties than breakfast.
Rebecca dabbed her eyes with a tissue, her gaze sweeping the barnyard. The place felt empty without her grandmother's presence — no soft humming or cheerful chatter as she moved among the animals, treating them like old friends who understood her every word.
The mournful bray of Willow broke the stillness, drawing her attention. The mule stood among the overgrown rose bushes, his unbrushed mane tangled with thorny branches. "Oh, Willow!" Rebecca gasped, hurrying to the shed. She returned moments later with a small clipper, her heart aching as she rushed to free him.
"Willow, how did you get into such a mess?" she murmured, her fingers working gently to snip away the prickly vines. The mule's sorrowful brown eyes met hers, and he let out another long bray. Rebecca sighed, her voice softening. "I know, Willow. I miss her too, but I don't know what's happening or where she might be."
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she trimmed the last of the thorns from his mane and tail. "Listen to me! I'm turning into Miriam —" she said, "I'm talking to you and Milo like you understand every word."
Willow nudged her hand, his bray loud and insistent. Rebecca ran her fingers along his nose, her smile bittersweet. "You're welcome, old boy."
She pulled a few carrots from her pocket, letting Willow munch on them as her gaze drifted to the cottage door. The small, weathered house stood quietly; its shutters partially closed as if it, too, mourned Miriam's absence.
Eleanor had warned her not to come to the barnyard or the cottage alone, but worry had gotten the better of her. She couldn't sit idly by, not when every moment felt like a thread slipping from her grasp. Perhaps there was something here — a clue overlooked, a memory waiting to be uncovered — something that could lead her to answers.
Rebecca took a deep breath and stepped toward the door. If there was anywhere to begin, it was here.
She pushed open the creaking door, her heart pounding as she entered the cottage. The familiar scent of lavender and aged wood surrounded her, wrapping her in a bittersweet embrace of memories. Her eyes swept the room, landing on the simple furniture cloaked in dust, each piece carrying traces of her grandmother's warmth.
She moved slowly, her fingers brushing the edge of the worn table where Miriam often sat with her tea and journal. The faint imprint of a cup's ring remained on the surface, and Rebecca's throat tightened.
She moved slowly, her fingers brushing the edge of the worn table where Miriam often sat with her tea and journal. The faint imprint of a cup's ring remained on the surface, and Rebecca's throat tightened.
Picking up an old quilt draped over the back of a chair, she smoothed it out, her hands trembling. Miriam had stitched it herself, each patch telling a story of a life well-lived and loved.
Rebecca wiped her tears hastily, tucking the quilt under her arm as her gaze shifted to the small bookshelf near the window. She reached for a leather-bound book, its cover cracked and faded, and opened it to find notes scribbled in Miriam's elegant handwriting.
"Every choice we make shapes the world we leave behind," the inscription read.
Rebecca's fingers traced the words as if searching for meaning in them. "Grandma," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where are you?"
Her steps carried her toward the fireplace, where a small collection of trinkets and photographs lined the mantle. She picked up a faded picture of Miriam as a young woman, smiling under the shade of an old oak tree.
The air seemed to shift, a subtle ripple that made the fine hairs on Rebecca's arms stand on end. A faint sound — like a whisper carried on the wind — drew her attention to the corner of the room.
The tall and ornate mirror stood there, its surface faintly reflecting the dim light filtering through the shutters. Rebecca hesitated, her breath catching as she thought she saw a flicker of movement in the glass.
She stepped closer, her heartbeat quickening. "Grandma?" she whispered, leaning in. Her fingers brushed the icy surface, and it felt as though the glass rippled beneath her touch for a fleeting moment.
Rebecca froze, her gaze locked on the mirror, as the faintest sound reached her ears — a soft and distant voice calling her name. "Rebecca —"
She gasped, stepping back. The quilt slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor. "Grandma? Is that you?"
Her voice cracked as she sank to her knees, her forehead resting against the glass. "Please, Grandma. Just give me a clue. Anything."
The mirror flickered faintly, the light within it rippling like water. Rebecca closed her eyes, her tears streaming freely now.
A sudden warmth enveloped Rebecca, and she spun, her breath catching. A strong and undeniable presence filled the room. Slowly, the figure of a man began to take shape — translucent, but unmistakably there. He stood near the doorway, his form shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Rebecca's chest tightened as his weathered face came into focus.
"Who — who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Don't be afraid, Rebecca," he whispered, his voice deep and steady. "My name is Antonio."
Rebecca blinked, her heart pounding. "Antonio? How — how do you know my name?"
He smiled faintly, his gaze softening. "Because I've been waiting for you. And because you're my granddaughter."
The words sank in like a stone, dropping into still water. Rebecca froze, shaking her head. "My grandfather? That's impossible. You're —" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "You're dead."
Antonio nodded, his spectral form flickering faintly. "Yes. But Miriam called me here to help you."
Rebecca's tears welled up again, her voice trembling. "Grandma? Do you know where she is? What's happened to her?"
Antonio's expression darkened, his gaze drifting toward the mirror. "I do," he said carefully. "But it's not simple to explain. And knowing could put you in great danger."
Rebecca's fists clenched, her voice unwavering despite the tremor in her hands. "Stop! I don't care about the danger. I care about Miriam." She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "Grandma and Eleanor have taught me to accept the spirit world. I don't care what goes on with —" She hesitated before blurting out, "ghosts." Her words faltered, but she pushed forward. "I care about my grandmother. And if you are who you say you are, you should, too."
Antonio studied her closely. Her strong features reminded him of Miriam when they were young and deeply in love. The spark in her eyes, the determination in her squared shoulders, and the love radiating from her heart mirrored Miriam's unwavering strength.
"You are so much like her," Antonio murmured, his voice filled with an aching warmth and a deep respect for Rebecca's strength.
Rebecca's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Then you should understand why I need to know where she is. If you know, tell me."
Antonio nodded solemnly. "You deserve to know, Rebecca. But once you do, you won't be safe. There are men, both of this world and mine, battling for The Vineyard."
"The Vineyard? Why would they want a run-down mansion with grapevines that haven't been tended for years? There's nothing valuable here."
"Nothing you see or know, but the land hides more than you could imagine. Things that put you in danger."
Rebecca's knees felt weak, and she stumbled to the kitchen table, sinking into one of the worn chairs. "I'm not safe anyhow, am I?" she whispered, her hands trembling as they gripped the table's edge.
Antonio took a step closer, his form flickering faintly. "No, you're not. But you're stronger than you realize. Miriam believed in you, and so do I."
The faintest ripple of air brushed past Rebecca, making her shiver. Before she could look up, a soft glow filled the room, and Eleanor materialized near the window. Her expression was grave, but her gaze softened as it landed on Antonio.
"Antonio," Eleanor said, her tone calm but firm." And Rebecca —" A smile crept across her face. "I believe I suggested that you didn't enter the cottage without someone with you."
Rebecca studied the cracks in the floorboards before she answered, "I'm not alone." Her eyes flickered to Antonio. "Antonio —" she hesitated and then added, "My grandfather is with me. But how did you know?"
Eleanor's gaze traveled from Rebecca to Antonio. His eyes spoke volumes to her. She smiled and stepped closer to Rebecca. "You know the spirit world isn't bound by time or place. When things aren't right, I feel them. And I felt this."
She turned to Antonio, her voice low. "You've told her, haven't you?"
"Not yet," Antonio replied. "I was just about to."
Eleanor nodded. "Then you should. She has a right to know."
Antonio hesitated, glancing back at Rebecca. "What I tell you won't be easy to hear."
"I don't care," Rebecca said, her voice unwavering. "I need to know."
Flash Summary and Characters -
Prologue -- Bayside's darkest criminals escape during a staged bus accident
Chapter 1 - Eleanor senses trouble at the Vineyard and discovers Miriam is missing
Chapter 2 - Rebecca meets her new neighbor, Grayson Webb , and the New York Mob realizes they have been double-crossed by the Chinese, Zhang Wei
Chapter 3 - Garth and Donatelli piece together forensic findings, and Eleanor finds a child's shoe at the Vineyard that belongs to a missing boy.
Chapter 4 - Eleanor searches for clues as to where Miriam may be, and Cornelius Webb holds Miriam captive within the mystery mirror
Chapter 5 - Miriam's lost soul begs Antonio to help her, and at the Vineyard, he is confronted by Cornelius Webb. Grayson Webb takes advantage of Rebecca's fears and makes his first move to win her heart and steal the Vineyard.
Chapter 6 - Cornelius's spirit clashes with his nephew -- both determined to claim the riches hidden beneath the grounds of the Vineyard , and Althea Cascio is alone in a motel -- fearful that the NY Mob will murder her son, Travis, if she doesn't do what they want concerning the Vineyard
Chapter 7 -- Althea gives the will and birth certificate to the lawyer saying she is part heir to the Vineyard and Eleanor bumps into her and senses something is not right
Chapter 8 - Antonio finds clues to the missing boy and finds Miriam trapped in a mirror and Cornelius dragging her away
Chapter 9 - Eleanorgives the backstory to Donatelli and Garth
Chapter 10 - Grayson steps up his game between the mob and Zhang
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York Mob
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Prologue -- Bayside's darkest criminals escape during a staged bus accident
Chapter 1 - Eleanor senses trouble at the Vineyard and discovers Miriam is missing
Chapter 2 - Rebecca meets her new neighbor, Grayson Webb , and the New York Mob realizes they have been double-crossed by the Chinese, Zhang Wei
Chapter 3 - Garth and Donatelli piece together forensic findings, and Eleanor finds a child's shoe at the Vineyard that belongs to a missing boy.
Chapter 4 - Eleanor searches for clues as to where Miriam may be, and Cornelius Webb holds Miriam captive within the mystery mirror
Chapter 5 - Miriam's lost soul begs Antonio to help her, and at the Vineyard, he is confronted by Cornelius Webb. Grayson Webb takes advantage of Rebecca's fears and makes his first move to win her heart and steal the Vineyard.
Chapter 6 - Cornelius's spirit clashes with his nephew -- both determined to claim the riches hidden beneath the grounds of the Vineyard , and Althea Cascio is alone in a motel -- fearful that the NY Mob will murder her son, Travis, if she doesn't do what they want concerning the Vineyard
Chapter 7 -- Althea gives the will and birth certificate to the lawyer saying she is part heir to the Vineyard and Eleanor bumps into her and senses something is not right
Chapter 8 - Antonio finds clues to the missing boy and finds Miriam trapped in a mirror and Cornelius dragging her away
Chapter 9 - Eleanorgives the backstory to Donatelli and Garth
Chapter 10 - Grayson steps up his game between the mob and Zhang
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York Mob
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