| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted February 22, 2025 | Chapters: |
...42 43 -44- 45... 
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The Family Comes Together - Almost
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 44
by Begin Again
As laughter and conversation carried on, Eleanor's phone buzzed. Excusing herself, she stepped away and answered.
Jenna's bright and hopeful voice filled the line, "Matthew's doing better. He's awake."
Eleanor closed her eyes briefly, relief washing over her. "That's wonderful news, Jenna."
Jenna's voice wavered with emotion. "I just wanted you to know." Then she choked as she asked, "Any word on Maggie?"
Eleanor could feel the pain in her daughter's voice. She wanted to reach out and tell her everything would be alright, but she wasn't sure. She had hopes but no concrete proof. She glanced at the merriment unfolding only steps away and then turned back to the phone. "I'm sorry, Jenna. Nothing yet."
The floodgates opened, and the floodwater washed away Jenna's attempt to be upbeat. "Mom, you've got to find my baby. She needs her mother." Jenna gulped, fighting for air, and cried, "We need her."
"We'll find her, Jen. I promise." Eleanor prayed she wasn't giving false hope.
"That's the only reason I am holding on. You've never broken a promise." Jenna's voice faltered, and she whispered, "I'll be here waiting." The call disconnected.
*****
Returning to the table, Eleanor lifted her glass with a smile. "Matthew's on the mend — again."
A cheer rose, wine poured anew, and the night carried on with newfound hope.
*****
As the evening wound down, Antonio and Miriam stood at the head of the table, watching over the family they had fought to protect. Miriam whispered, her voice full of emotion. "This is what I always wanted for Rebecca — for the vineyard."
Antonio took her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "You gave it to her."
Miriam looked up at him, eyes shimmering with gratitude. "We did — and I hope it will also become a home for Lenore and Amelia. With Cornelius gone, Althea and Travis should be able to claim the Webb Estate."
*****
Later that night, under the calm starlit sky, Lenore walked hand in hand with little Amelia toward the barn. Willow, the old mule, rested peacefully in his stall.
Amelia's eyes widened as she took in the vastness of the estate. "It's so big, Grammy."
Lenore nodded. "Miriam suggested it was meant to be your home one day."
Amelia tilted her head. "Mine?"
Lenore smiled thoughtfully. "Yours, Rebecca's, Travis's — this land belongs to those who love it. Miriam fought for it. She would want it to stay in the family."
"But I'm not —"
Lenore smiled, "I'm your Grammy, and Miriam says she is too."
"Wow, I have two grandmothers." Her eyes were brighter than the stars in the sky as she stared into Lenore's eyes. "I've got a family."
"You sure do, child." She wrapped her arm around Amelia and pulled her closer. "You sure do!"
As they approached Willow's stall, the old mule snorted softly. Amelia gasped with delight. "He is the biggest mule I've ever seen!"
Lenore chuckled. "Willow's more than a mule — he's part of Miriam's story." She pulled a carrot from her pocket and handed it to the child. "Here, say hello. He loves carrots."
Amelia hesitated, then whispered, "Did he miss her when she was in the gone?"
"Just as much as anyone did." From a nearby roof, Milo crowed. Lenore laughed, "I think he did too." She knelt beside the child, brushing a curl from her cheek. "Miriam is here now, little one. She's where she belongs. And Willow and Milo know it, just like we do."
Amelia giggled as the mule nuzzled her hand, her laughter echoing through the barn. Lenore watched, feeling something settle deep inside her. For the first time in decades, she wasn't just remembering the past — she was part of the present.
*****
Stepping onto the estate's balcony, Eleanor gazed up at the moon. A familiar presence stirred beside her.
"It's done, then?" Charles's voice was soft, laced with love. Eleanor sensed a quiet urgency as he spoke. "Miriam is free?"
"Yes," Eleanor nodded, "and Cornelius is in the right place. He won't harm anyone again."
Charles studied her. "Then come back to England."
She sighed, brushing his hand with hers. "Not yet."
"Eleanor, you've done more for this world than anyone could ask. What else is keeping you here?"
She turned, her gaze unwavering. "Maggie. Have you forgotten?"
Charles exhaled slowly. "Zhang has the advantage. You know that."
Eleanor lifted her chin. "He won't forever."
"Eleanor, please, leave it to others." He pleaded though he knew she wouldn't step aside. Her spirit life was in a different realm than his, a place he didn't understand or belong.
She touched Charles's face, murmuring, "You know I can't do that."
Her phone buzzed. Danny's name flashed across the screen. She sighed. "This conversation isn't over."
Charles smirked. "It never is." Then he was gone.
Eleanor answered the call.
The warmth in Danny's voice felt like an arm wrapped around her. "Ellie, the jet's wheels just touched the ground." He paused, and then, in an even softer voice, he added, "I'm yours. Tell me what you need."
*****
Seeking a little quiet, Garth and Rebecca strolled along the vineyard's edge, where the land met the water. The moon cast silver ripples over the surface, the breeze carrying the scent of the rose garden.
Seeking a little quiet, Garth and Rebecca strolled along the vineyard's edge, where the land met the water. The moon cast silver ripples over the surface, the breeze carrying the scent of the rose garden.
Rebecca exhaled, and her body finally relaxed. "I never thought I'd see her again."
Garth glanced at her. "Miriam?"
Rebecca nodded. "I thought — maybe everything I fought for was just another ghost story. But she's real. And she's here."
Garth smirked. "And Cornelius is gone."
Rebecca shivered slightly. "For good."
Garth watched her for a moment before he spoke. "That means you don't have to be afraid anymore."
Rebecca turned to him, her expression softer. "I think I forgot what it felt like not to be afraid."
Garth reached for her hand. "Then let's start with this."
She didn't pull away. Instead, she let him pull her closer, letting the warmth of his presence chase away the last lingering shadows. Her lips responded eagerly as his gentle kisses grew more passionate.
For the first time in a long time, Rebecca wasn't just surviving —she was living.
******
Eleanor paced the floor, reliving the few moments she'd spent with Charles on the balcony tonight. She'd thought that by now, he'd understand — righting wrongs, fighting battles others had given up on — that was who she was.
Eleanor paced the floor, reliving the few moments she'd spent with Charles on the balcony tonight. She'd thought that by now, he'd understand — righting wrongs, fighting battles others had given up on — that was who she was.
Once upon a time, she was a young nurse with dreams of becoming an international artist. That part of her life had been fulfilled, but she had moved forward, wanting something more.
She'd always been there to help Matthew and Garth with their unsolvable crimes. The Vineyard and Miriam were resolved, but Maggie was still missing. How could she stop now?
Why couldn't Charles understand? Why couldn't he see that walking away was never an option for her? That as long as there was a thread of a chance, she would keep fighting?
She stopped pacing, exhaling slowly. She already knew the answer.
Some spirits let go and lived happily ever after in a peaceful state. Some didn't. Some took up the sword and went forth into battle.
She grabbed her coat.
There was someone she needed to see.
*****
Danny Veraci's casino never slept. It thrived in the late hours, pulsing with neon promises and whispered secrets, a place where people lost themselves in luck, booze, and carefully orchestrated illusions.
Danny Veraci's casino never slept. It thrived in the late hours, pulsing with neon promises and whispered secrets, a place where people lost themselves in luck, booze, and carefully orchestrated illusions.
Eleanor drifted past the blackjack tables, the roulette wheels, and the desperate hopefuls clinging to dice as if they held fate in their hands.
Danny was where she knew he'd be.
Invisible, she slipped through the mahogany door and stopped inside. The sweet aroma of Captain Black's cherry pipe tobacco greeted her.
Danny was exactly where she'd expected, sitting near the window, gazing out at the city skyline, a glass of bourbon in his hand, and the pipe on the stand.
She glided across the room, standing beside his chair, amazed at how the years had been so kind, regardless of the many battles he'd chosen to fight.
Lost in thought, he hadn't noticed the change in temperature. She settled herself in the other chair and slowly materialized. Her voice was barely a whisper. "It's been a long time, Danny."
Danny froze mid-sip. His eyes locked onto hers, and the ever-smooth Danny Veraci was speechless for once. "Jesus, Ellie." His voice was low, rougher than usual. "You gotta stop doing that."
"And you have to stop pretending you don't expect me."
Danny sighed, setting his glass down. "You don't sleep much these days, huh? I had hoped you'd come, but honestly, I expected you in the morning."
She scoffed, the faintest smile ghosting her lips. "Ghosts rarely sleep, especially this one." She turned her head for a moment, gathering herself, before she spoke again. "Danny, I'm afraid. I need your help."
Danny exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. Eleanor never asked for anything. She demanded, she pushed, she fought — but she rarely let herself be vulnerable. And yet here she was.
He looked at her and stood, his arms outstretched. She stood and let him wrap his arms around her. "We'll find her, Ellie."
Eleanor's jaw tightened. "That's not a promise you can make."
Danny stepped back, not letting go but enough to look into her eyes. "You're right. But I'll make damn sure we don't stop looking until we do."
For the first time that night, Eleanor's shoulders dipped just slightly. The exhaustion, the weight of it all, pressed down, but only for a second.
Danny saw it, but he didn't call it out.
Instead, he poured another drink, walked to his private stock, opened it up, and took out a vintage bottle of wine. He poured a glass and brought it to her."
She eyed it. "You remembered."
Danny smirked. "It's just a reminder that some things don't change."
Eleanor finally looked at him, her expression softer now. "No, Danny. They always change."
Danny held her gaze for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. "Yeah. I guess they do."
The weight of everything unsaid settled between them. Eleanor straightened. "I should go."
Danny didn't try to stop her. He just tipped his glass in her direction. "If you ever do need anything — you know I'll always be here."
"I know, but for now all I can ask is that you see if you can help find Zhang and my granddaughter."
"I've already got my contacts checking out safe houses. You'll be the first to hear if I learn anything."
Eleanor lingered a second longer, then vanished before she reached the door.
Danny exhaled a slow breath and tossed back the rest of his bourbon.
"Some things never change, especially when it comes to that woman," he murmured, staring into the empty glass. "Dead or not, she does things that no other woman can do to me."
Without another word, he poured another drink.
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
Amelia - girl in the caves
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Maria - a woman escaping the tunnels
Lenore - an old woman with a wolf dog and magic
Ashley, Lee Ann, Kristen - women caged in the tunnel
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
Danny Veraci -a dear friend from the past and casino owner
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 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
Amelia - girl in the caves
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Maria - a woman escaping the tunnels
Lenore - an old woman with a wolf dog and magic
Ashley, Lee Ann, Kristen - women caged in the tunnel
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
Danny Veraci -a dear friend from the past and casino owner
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