| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 22, 2025 | Chapters: |
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Eleanor Has A Vision
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 13
by Begin Again
Antonio searched Eleanor's face for reassurance and then began, "Cornelius Webb —"
Rebecca stiffened when she heard the name. "The man who was responsible for Grandmother's death? His nephew moved to the estate recently. Is he involved?"
"Both are a threat to you," Eleanor said. "I felt the danger when we first met Grayson and found out I was right."
Antonio nodded. "It's a complex story. The town considered Cornelius an upstanding businessman and promoter of the area. People in the town held him in high regard, which was the furthest thing from the truth. He had discovered the network of tunnels beneath the property extending from his land, across the Vineyard, and to the river. Not only had he found a trove of treasure left behind by pirates, he assumed, but he found a way to smuggle people and drugs out of the country without being seen."
Rebecca gasped. "Smuggling? Drugs and human trafficking?" Her eyes darted to Eleanor. "Tell me it isn't so?"
"I wish that I could, but Cornelius Webb's greed was so strong that he murdered Trevor and Miriam, believing he could easily claim the land. Fortunately, Trevor left a clause in his will stating that an existing relative could only sell the land."
"Me?" Tears sprang into Rebecca's eyes. "Did my grandmother get hurt because of me? They can have the land if that's so."
"No, Rebecca. It goes far deeper than you." Eleanor moved closer. "It pains me to tell you this story." She turned to the mirror and then back to Rebecca. "Miriam discovered the tunnels after her death. She described the gruesome cages where people were left to die and the chests of jewels, artifacts, and cases of distilled liquor hidden there. When she discovered that the mob was interested in reactivating the business, she did her best to prevent it. Unfortunately, Cornelius also heard the rumors. His greed brought him back to claim what he believed to be his."
Rebecca's stomach churned, and she gripped the edge of the table as if it might steady the world tilting beneath her. "Cages?" she whispered, her voice raw. "And people left to die? How could anyone — how could my family's land — be part of something so evil?"
"Sometimes innocent people don't have control over what happens."
Rebecca buried her face in her hands, muttering, "I wish I'd never heard of this place. There's nothing good that can come of it. Grandmother is gone because of me."
Antonio stood beside Eleanor, glancing at the mirror and the flickering from within. Rebecca's eyes darted to the mirror as the flickering grew stronger, the light within it pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. The air seemed to thicken, charged with an energy that prickled her skin. She held her breath as a soft, almost melodic hum rose.
A faint but clear voice whispered, "Rebecca, my sweet girl, stay strong. The boy — Travis — he needs you. The Vineyard's future depends on you both. Do not give up."
Rebecca's eyes widened. "Grandma?" Her eyes lifted to Eleanor and Antonio.
The flickering light in the mirror dimmed, but the faint echo of Miriam's words lingered as if the room had absorbed her plea.
Rebecca turned to Antonio and Eleanor, her eyes wide with desperation. "That was her. That was Miriam, wasn't it?" Rebecca stammered, "She's in the mirror?"
Antonio nodded solemnly. "Cornelius trapped her there, using his dark influence. She's been fighting to protect you, Rebecca, even from within."
Rebecca's hands trembled as she pointed at the mirror. "And — and she said something about a boy. Who's Travis? What boy needs me?"
Eleanor and Antonio exchanged a glance, their hesitation filling the room with an unbearable silence.
Finally, Eleanor spoke, her tone gentle but firm. "Travis is someone you don't know yet, Rebecca. But he's connected to all of this — to the Vineyard and you."
Rebecca frowned, confusion knitting her brow. "To me? How? I don't understand."
"Travis is Miriam's great-grandson," Antonio said softly, stepping closer. "Your nephew."
Rebecca blinked, her breath hitching. "What? But how?"
Eleanor rested a calming hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Althea, the woman we saw at Henderson's office, is your half-sister, Rebecca. Travis is her son."
The words struck Rebecca like a thunderclap, and she stumbled back, shaking her head in confusion. "No — that's impossible. The lawyer didn't mention a sister. This can't be true."
"It is," Antonio said, his voice filled with regret. "And it's why Althea came here. She's searching for Travis. But she's in danger, and now, so are you."
As Antonio prepared to speak, Eleanor stiffened, her gaze unfocused as if she was peering into something far beyond the cottage walls. Her hands trembled.
"What is it?" Antonio asked.
Eleanor raised a hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel — danger. A life hanging by a thread."
Rebecca stood and moved close to Eleanor. "Is it Grandma calling you?"
Eleanor closed her eyes as if she was meditating. When she opened them, she struggled to speak, overwhelmed by the dark spirits moving through her consciousness. "It's not Miriam reaching out. There's trouble — menacing — lurking nearby, but not here."
Rebecca grabbed Eleanor's hand. "It's not Garth, is it?"
"It's not clear. The vibes are coming from several locations."
Antonio held out his hand. "Draw on my strength, Eleanor."
She clutched his hands, closed her eyes, and drew on his energy. Her body trembled as his electrical energy passed through her. The jolt almost knocked her off her feet, and she dropped Antonio's hands.
"I can't see clearly. It's fractured, scattered images. A woman trapped — terrified — a fight — lots of blood. And —" She paused, her face pale as a shudder ran through her.
Rebecca's voice cracked as she spoke, "Not the tunnels?"
"I'm not sure, but it will come to me. I just hope it's not too late."
Antonio stepped closer, his expression resolute. "Eleanor, if it's as dangerous as you say, don't face it alone. Let me go with you."
Eleanor shook her head firmly. "Your place is here, Antonio. Rebecca needs you. This danger — it's something I must face myself."
Rebecca swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Whoever it is, they're lucky to have you. Just promise me you'll come back."
Eleanor's gaze lingered on Rebecca for a moment before shifting to Antonio. "Take care of her. She's going to need you."
Before either of them could respond, Eleanor's form began to fade, her voice echoing faintly. "Stay safe — both of you."
*****
Outside, clear of the cottage, Eleanor stopped, letting the fragmented images from her vision settle in her mind.
She'd known it was Althea calling, but she sensed a more significant danger. She could see a flash of fists, men struggling, the deafening crack of gunfire, and silence. Eleanor's knees buckled as a final image burned into her mind — a badge splattered with blood. Gasping for air, she struggled to her feet, murmuring, "Please don't let me be too late."
*****
Eleanor paused in the field near the outskirts of town, closing her eyes as she concentrated on the fragmented vision that had unsettled her earlier. Two terrifying events were unfolding, but the details were frustratingly unclear.
Eleanor paused in the field near the outskirts of town, closing her eyes as she concentrated on the fragmented vision that had unsettled her earlier. Two terrifying events were unfolding, but the details were frustratingly unclear.
A dark, damp place — a woman's terror. And something else — a chilling undertone of malice that sent shivers down her spine. The vision's final image lingered like a horrifying echo — blood, fighting, gunfire, and a badge. She needed help and fast.
*****
Eleanor's form flickered as she shifted into the police station. She appeared near Danni, seated at her desk, scanning reports.
Eleanor's form flickered as she shifted into the police station. She appeared near Danni, seated at her desk, scanning reports.
Danni jumped, nearly sending her coffee mug toppling off the desk. "Eleanor!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest. "You can't keep doing that!"
"You protest too much!" Eleanor snapped. "Either you're slipping, or you knew I was coming."
Danni set her coffee down, narrowing her eyes. "You wouldn't have popped in like this unless it was important. What's going on?"
"Do you know where Donatelli and Garth are?" Eleanor asked, her voice tight.
Danni frowned. "Last I checked, Donatelli followed up on Henderson at the hospital. Garth's been in and out. He mentioned the Vineyard earlier. Why? What's happened?"
Eleanor stepped closer, her tone dropping. "I believe someone abducted Althea. My guess is that Grayson's holding her somewhere."
Danni rifled through the papers on her desk, pulling one out and scanning it. "Possible Domestic Disturbance at the Restful Motel off Highway 17. Is that where she was staying?"
"It is," Eleanor confirmed. "Henderson and Grayson were both there earlier today."
Danni raised an eyebrow. "So, what makes you think she didn't leave with Grayson willingly?"
"A vision," Eleanor replied bluntly. "I saw a woman trapped in a dark cellar. Her fear was overwhelming. It has to be Althea."
Danni's brow furrowed as she processed this. "You've never been wrong before," she said cautiously. "So, I'm going with your gut on this one. What's the plan?"
Eleanor hesitated, the weight of her vision pressing down on her. "There's more, Danni. Something separate from Althea. It's bloodier. I saw fighting, and a badge covered in blood."
Danni's face darkened, and she stood abruptly, her form flickering faintly as her emotions surged. "A badge?"
Danni opened her office door and yelled, "DeLuca, get in here."
DeLuca grabbed his coffee and ambled toward the office — his fake limp pronounced. "You yell like that, and people will think I'm your lackey." He nodded at Eleanor. "What's going on?"
Eleanor didn't wait. "I can't give you the full picture yet. But I saw something — two events unfolding. Something is happening at the Webb Estate. I saw fighting, blood, and a badge."
DeLuca's expression hardened. "One of our guys?"
Danni snapped. "Does it matter, DeLuca? If it's someone under fire — a cop, security, or Donatelli — we can't just sit here."
DeLuca held up his hands. "I'm not arguing. Just trying to get the facts straight."
Eleanor stepped forward, separating the two. "You need to send someone to the Vineyard and the Webb Estate now. If Donatelli and Garth aren't responding, something's wrong."
DeLuca studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll call in backup. But you're coming with us, Danni. I want your eyes on this."
Danni glanced at Eleanor, her jaw tightening. "You're sure it's Donatelli?"
Eleanor's voice rose, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I don't have to be sure! If there's even a chance —" She stopped, her voice softening. "Please, Danni. Just trust me."
Danni held Eleanor's gaze for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. We're on it." She grabbed her gun from the desk drawer and checked the chamber. "But you'd better be right because I don't want to hear Matthew's mouth for the next month if you're not."
Eleanor gave her a faint smile. "Thank you." Her form flickered as she stepped toward the door. "I'm heading to the Webb Estate."
"We'll be right behind you," Danni said, her tone firm. "Be careful."
Eleanor nodded once, her form shimmering faintly before disappearing.
 Recognized |
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
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