Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 25, 2025 Chapters:  ...17 18 -19- 20... 


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Garth struggles
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets

Veil of Secrets - chap 19

by Begin Again


Garth felt as if his life was unraveling right in front of him. Rebecca was missing, Donatelli, his best friend, might be taking his last breath, and the man who thought he always had all the answers now found himself utterly clueless.

The certainty he relied on — the ability to solve any problem, to protect the people he cared about — was slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. His heart was a storm of emotions, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, and he struggled to keep his composure in the face of such overwhelming uncertainty.

He paced the cottage floor, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His jaw, sharp as a chiseled rock, betrayed the tension coiling within him. Each step echoed in the dim room, a restless, rhythmic thud. Antonio stood nearby, his expression solemn as he watched the FBI agent wrestle with his emotions.
"You can't carry all this alone, Garth," Antonio said finally, his voice calm but weighted. "Let me help."

Garth froze mid-step, turning sharply toward him. His eyes burned with frustration and pain. "Help? How, Antonio? Are you going to magically bring Donatelli back to full health? Or Rebecca — are you going to conjure her out of thin air? Because unless you've got some kind of miracle up your sleeve, I don't see how you can help."

Antonio didn't flinch under Garth's sharp tone. Instead, he met his gaze evenly. "I've been where you are," he said softly. "Feeling helpless, like every decision is the wrong one. But this isn't the time to fall apart. You've got to channel that fire into action."

Garth's bitter laugh echoed in the room. "Action? You want action? I don't even know where to begin. Rebecca's gone, Antonio. She's out there, and every moment I'm here feels like a moment wasted."

Antonio stepped forward, his voice firm. "Then start with what you know. Rebecca was on foot. The Vineyard is vast, but she could have taken only so many paths. You're not the kind of man who gives up, Garth. Don't start now."

Before Garth could respond, the air in the room shifted, a sudden chill sweeping through the space. Both men turned toward the door as Eleanor materialized, her form shimmering faintly in the dim light. Her expression was solemn, but her eyes carried a quiet urgency.

"Eleanor," Garth said, his voice tight. "It's about time."

Her gaze flicked between the two men, taking in the tension in the room. "I know," she said softly. "But there's no time for that now. We have bigger problems."

Garth's jaw tightened. "Bigger than Rebecca being missing? Bigger than Donatelli fighting for his life?"

Eleanor moved closer. "It's all connected, Garth. Rebecca, Donatelli, Cornelius — none of this is happening by chance."

"Then start talking," Garth snapped. "Because I'm running out of patience, and I'm not interested in playing guessing games."

Eleanor's gaze hardened, her usual calm shaken by the day's events. "Rebecca didn't just disappear. Cornelius is involved. The Vineyard, the tunnels, everything points back to him. And Donatelli's condition? That's no coincidence either. Cornelius's reach is deeper than we realized, and he's pulling strings from every direction."

"I don't care about tunnels or ghosts or whatever game Cornelius is playing!" Garth barked, his voice rising. "Rebecca's missing, Eleanor. She's out there somewhere, and I can't protect her if I don't know where to start!"

Antonio stepped forward, his tone measured. "What about Miriam? Could she have guided Rebecca somewhere safe?"

Eleanor hesitated, her form flickering slightly. "It's possible. But Miriam's power has been limited. Cornelius has been interfering with her ability to reach us. She's trying, but —" She trailed off, her voice heavy with frustration. "Right now, all I know is that Rebecca is in danger. And if we don't act fast, Cornelius will win."

Garth's jaw tightened as he turned to Antonio. "And why the hell didn't you stop her?"

Antonio's shoulders sagged, his tone steady but laced with regret. "She was already gone by the time I got here. I couldn't stop what I didn't see."

Eleanor stepped closer, her voice cutting through the tension. "Garth, I understand your frustration, but you're not thinking clearly.

Garth ran a hand over his face, his frustration mounting. "So what do we do? Where do we start?"

Eleanor moved to the center of the room, her gaze steady. "You and Tango need to search the Vineyard. If Rebecca's out there, you'll find her.

Garth hesitated, his fists clenching at his sides. "And if we're too late?"

Eleanor's expression didn't waver. "We won't be. But we can't waste another second."

Garth exhaled sharply, turning toward the door. "Tango's outside. We'll start in the lower vineyard and work our way up. If you find anything on Cornelius, you get word to me immediately."

Eleanor nodded. "And Garth — be careful. Cornelius isn't the only threat out there."

Garth paused in the doorway, his expression dark. "I always am." Without another word, he disappeared into the night, the crunch of his boots on gravel fading as he joined Tango outside.

He didn't waste a second. His voice, a thunderous call, echoed across the silent rows of vines. "Tango!" he bellowed, urgency dripping from every syllable. "Let's go!"

The crunch of boots on gravel signaled Tango's arrival. "What's the plan, boss?" he asked, his tone sharp and ready.

"We head into the vineyard," Garth said, climbing into the driver's seat of his SUV. "Rebecca was on foot, so she didn't make it far. If we keep to the main paths, we might be able to catch up to her."

Tango nodded and slid into the passenger seat. "And if we don't?"

"Then we keep looking," Garth growled, slamming the door shut. The engine roared to life, and the vehicle's headlights illuminated the frost-covered vines stretching endlessly into the distance. Without another word, Garth shifted into gear and drove off, the SUV rumbling down the narrow dirt road leading deeper into the vineyard.

Eleanor stood in the doorway, watching the taillights disappear among the darkened vines. Antonio joined her, his expression conflicted. "Do you think they'll find her?" he asked quietly.

"They'll try," Eleanor said, her voice soft but uncertain. "But this vineyard holds more secrets than even Cornelius knows. If Rebecca stumbled into something —"
 
*****

The sterile hallway outside the surgical ward buzzed with activity. Jenna sat in a rigid chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white. The waiting room was nearly empty, the hum of the overhead lights mingling with the faint beeping of distant monitors.

The double doors swung open, and a doctor in scrubs emerged, his face drawn with exhaustion. Jenna shot to her feet, her heart pounding. "Dr. Reyes," she said, her voice trembling. "Is he — how is Matthew?"

Danni moved to Jenna's side as the doctor approached.

Exhausted from the lengthy surgery, Dr Reyes hesitated, his silence stretching unbearably before he spoke. "Detective Donatelli is out of surgery. He survived the procedure, but —" He exhaled, the weight of his words evident. "It was touch and go. The bullet caused significant damage, and we're monitoring him closely. He's stable for now, but the next 24 hours are critical."

Jenna's knees buckled, and she gripped the edge of the chair for support. "But he'll make it, right?" she pressed, her voice cracking. "He has to."

Dr. Reyes placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We're doing everything we can. Right now, it's up to him. He's a fighter, Jenna. Don't lose hope." He paused and glanced at Danni. "Your partner is lucky you were there to help him until the medics arrived. For tonight, he's on a respirator —"

"Respirator? He's not breathing on his own?" Jenna clutched Danni's arm. "You said he was stable."

"He is, but with situations like this, we like to give the patients every support we can. One of Matthew's lungs collapsed, so he needs help with his breathing."

The doctor's pager buzzed, and with a murmured apology, he excused himself, leaving Jenna and Danni alone. Jenna sank into the chair, her hands trembling as she pressed them against her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her mind racing. How had it come to this? Matthew had always seemed indestructible, the one who could face anything and come out the other side. But now —"

A faint chill brushed against her, and Jenna looked up sharply. The air in the room seemed to shift, a presence she couldn't see but could feel.

"Mom," she whispered, her voice breaking.

The spectral figure materialized near the window. Eleanor's gaze was soft, filled with understanding and sorrow. "Jenna," she said gently, her voice carrying a calm that belied the tension in the room.

Jenna stood, her legs unsteady. "He's — he's not okay, Mom. The doctor said he's stable, but they don't know if he'll —" Her voice faltered, and a fresh wave of tears spilled over.

Eleanor moved closer, her presence a quiet calm against Jenna's anguish. "Matthew is strong," she said firmly. "Stronger than most. He's fought through worse, Jenna. Don't give up on him."

Jenna's hands balled into fists, her grief giving way to a fierce anger. "This shouldn't have happened. He didn't deserve this." She turned away, her voice trembling with emotion.

The doctor's news had shaken Danni. Her eyes searched Eleanor's face for answers. "Why is this happening, Eleanor? Why does it feel like everything is falling apart?"

Eleanor's expression darkened, a flicker of something unspoken crossing her features. "Because it is," she admitted. "There's more at play here than any of us anticipated.  And now, Matthew is caught in the crossfire."

Jenna turned back to her, her eyes wide with desperation. "Then fix it. You're a ghost — you can do things we can't. Help him, Eleanor. Help us."

Eleanor hesitated, moved by the enormity of Jenna's plea. "I will do everything I can," she promised. "But Jenna, you need to stay strong. This fight isn't over, and we need you in it."

Jenna nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I don't know how much more I can take," she whispered.

"You need to dig deeper," Eleanor said, her voice unwavering.

"Mom," Jenna cried, "What if it's too late? What if we lose him?"

Eleanor's gaze held hers, steady and resolute. "We won't," she said. "I'm going to go see him."

"They won't —"

Eleanor smiled and patted Jenna's arm, "There's no way they can stop me."

*****
The room was eerily quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the breathing machine. The pale light from the hospital corridor seeped through the partially open door, casting long shadows across the sterile walls. Donatelli lay motionless on the bed, his usually sharp features softened by the pale cast of his skin. Tubes and wires connected him to machines that monitored every fragile breath.

Eleanor materialized at the foot of the bed, her translucent form shimmering faintly in the dim light. For a moment, she stood silently, watching the man who had been her ally through countless battles. His vulnerability struck her like a physical blow.

"Matthew," she whispered, her voice trembling. She moved closer, standing at his side. Her ghostly hand hovered over his, wanting to offer some kind of comfort.

"You're too stubborn to let this be the end," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the machines. "You've faced trouble before and always came out on top. Don't let this be any different."

Her gaze swept over his face, searching for any sign of the man she knew. His brow, always furrowed in thought, was smooth now, almost unrecognizable. Her chest tightened. "Jenna needs you, Matthew," she said, her voice breaking. "Maggie needs you. And damn it, I need you."

A faint ripple of energy passed through the room, and Eleanor felt the faintest pull, like a thread connecting her to something deeper. She closed her eyes, focusing on that connection. "If you can hear me, if you're still in there, fight. Fight for all of us."

The heart monitor beeped steadily, oblivious to her words. Eleanor lingered, her form flickering as the intensity of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

"I can't do this without you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You've always been the one who kept us grounded, the one who reminded me that even in death, there's a purpose. So don't you dare let go now."

Her voice grew firmer, a note of steel beneath the sorrow. "This isn't over, Matthew. I'll make sure of it."

She turned abruptly, her form shimmering as she stepped into the corner of the room, where the shadows swallowed her entirely. From the depths of the veil, she reached out with her energy, sending her presence outward like a ripple in a still pond. Donatelli stirred as if he felt the gift she was giving him — her strength bonding with what little he had of his own. As her strength left, she slumped into a nearby chair, her breathing was shallow.

After a time, Eleanor pulled out her phone, rolled through her contacts, and dialed. The voice at the other end answered, "Hello."

"Sam, it's Eleanor. I need to talk to Frank."

There was a pause before a low, familiar voice answered her. "Eleanor?" The voice was gruff and laced with concern. "What's going on?"

"It's Donatelli," she said, her tone urgent. "He's in critical condition, Frank. He was shot, and now —" Her voice faltered for a moment, but she forced herself to continue. "Now, we're losing him."

Frank's voice tightened. "Who did this? What happened?"

"That's what we need to figure out," Eleanor said, her tone hardening. "But right now, Matthew needs all of us. I don't care what strings you have to pull or who you have to lean on — find out what you can."

Frank hesitated for a moment, his tone softening. "You know I'll do whatever it takes, Eleanor. Matthew's like a brother to me. But are you sure you're ready for what you might uncover? This could be bigger than we're ready for."

Eleanor's form flickered, her resolve unshaken. "I don't care how big it is, Frank. Matthew's life is on the line, and so many others. Whatever we're up against, we face it together. Just tell me you're in."

There was a long pause, the silence stretching thin, before Frank's voice came through — firm and unyielding. "I'm in. Tell me where to start."

Eleanor's gaze shifted back to Donatelli, her expression softening. "Transferring Donatelli to your place first. Then, start with the Vineyard," she said. "The tunnels, the smuggling —everything points back there. And Frank —" Her voice softened, carrying a weight that only someone who knew loss could understand. "Garth needs you too." Trying to control her emotions, she paused before whispering, "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me," Frank replied. "Just make sure our boys know we're fighting for them. And Eleanor — take care of yourself, too."

She nodded, her form flickering once before she disappeared entirely. The room fell silent again, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Donatelli remained still, but the faintest shift in his energy told Eleanor one thing: he wasn't done fighting yet.
 

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Summary:
Eleanor discovers Miriam is missing and trapped in a mirror by Cornelius Webb, whose schemes threaten the Vineyard. Rebecca meets Grayson Webb, a manipulative descendant of Cornelius, while a missing boy tied to the Vineyard raises the stakes. Althea Cascio, connected to both the Vineyard and the Mob, fears for her son as Grayson abducts her under Cornelius's orders. Antonio, Miriam's first love, returns to help and reveals the Vineyard's dark history to Rebecca. Eleanor and her allies work to protect the Vineyard as Grayson's alliance with Zhang collapses, leading to betrayal, violence, and a confrontation between Grayson, Doyle, and Cornelius. Donatelli is wounded during Doyle's escape, leaving the group fractured as the danger grows.
Donatelli is critically wounded by Doyle during a confrontation. Danni, Eleanor, and DeLuca rally to save him, but chaos ensues as Rebecca goes missing. Eleanor tracks Doyle, confronting him after his car crashes. Her fury burns hot, but she ultimately spares him, only for fate to seal his end in the wreckage's flames. Overwhelmed by the night's tragedies, Eleanor is grounded by Charles's comforting presence, renewing her resolve to protect those she loves.

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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