Pages and Premonitions, page 11
The sunny solarium was equally inviting with plush seating and a crackling fire chasing away the December chill. Soon the two friends were sitting comfortably on the sofas while sipping steaming mugs of cinnamon cocoa. Euclid, the family’s giant orange Maine Coon, immediately leapt onto Courtney's lap, purring as the young woman stroked his glossy fur. Circe the black cat with a little white spot on her chest jumped up to sit with Shelby.
“I should have brought Harper to see you two,” she told the cats.
"It's so good to catch up," Courtney said, smiling fondly at Shelby. "I want to hear everything that's new.” Her face became serious. “But first – you can ask me anything."
Shelby gathered her thoughts. She still felt somewhat intimidated bringing up the sensitive subject, wary of putting off her friend, but she couldn't ignore the mysteries surrounding Courtney and her sisters.
"You told the Sweet Cove chief of police I could help with investigations," Shelby began carefully, "because I have useful ... intuition?"
Courtney's expression turned serious, but her tone remained warm. "That's right. Angie agrees with me that you have keen observational abilities like we do."
She met Shelby's guarded gaze. "It's okay, Shelby. We’re both dancing around the subject. You and I have some skills that most other people don’t. I could feel it from you when we met in Hamlet. I know you have questions. Please just ask me."
Bolstered by her friend's openness, Shelby took a sip of cocoa before responding. "When we ran into each other, I felt this ... energy pass between us. And you clearly recognized something in me. Are you … psychic?"
Courtney nodded solemnly. "I am. So are Angie and our other sisters. We all have extrasensory capabilities of varying kinds. Jenna can see ghosts and Ellie has telekinesis. That sure has come in handy at times." She smiled slightly. "So, when I felt your energy, I knew you were one of us."
Stunned, Shelby slowly absorbed this admission. Her suspicions were true - the Roseland sisters possessed the same unusual powers that were awakening in herself. She desperately hoped Courtney could provide answers about her own burgeoning abilities.
"How is this possible?" Shelby whispered. "I always thought people with psychic powers had them from birth."
Courtney shrugged, settling back against the cushions. "I don't claim to understand it fully. The women in our family are descended from a long line of intuits and healers … women with remarkable gifts." She shook her head wonderingly. "But our talents laid dormant until we moved to Sweet Cove several years ago. Something about this town brought our latent senses to life."
Shelby shivered as pieces rapidly clicked together. "Hamlet has always been known to be a magical place," she mused. "I always accepted that some people in town had paranormal abilities, but I never thought I’d be one of them."
Courtney nodded excitedly. "I'm certain these seacoast towns nourish those of us with predispositions to the paranormal. Your skills will only grow stronger here."
Shelby finished the cocoa in her mug and set it aside. "Please, I want to understand. How do your abilities work? Have you always embraced them?"
Courtney nodded for Shelby to refill their mugs from the waiting carafe as she gathered her thoughts. The next hour flew by as Courtney described in fascinating detail her family's journey navigating their psychic gifts, the unique powers each sister possessed, and how they now assisted the Sweet Cove police department on cases. “Not many know about our skills. We keep it quiet for the most part. We only tell people we know we can trust. When we met you in Hamlet the other day, I could feel the electricity coming off of you. I knew something must have happened to you.”
Shelby explained about her fall from the ladder and how when she came to, she could hear Harper talking to her mind. “No one else can hear Harper. Only me.” She told Courtney how she could smell smoke before the Harris Estate mansion was set on fire. “I seem to notice things that others don’t.”
Shelby’s heart swelled with hope. Courtney's experiences paralleled her own in uncanny ways. For the first time since her world shifted, Shelby didn't feel alone in the darkness.
"I'm still figuring all of this out," she admitted once Courtney had finished her incredible tale. "Any advice you have would mean the world."
Courtney nodded reassuringly. "It's a huge change, but you'll learn to manage your skills. Just don't push too hard. Let things unfold at their own pace. Hamlet is a special town filled with people who have abilities like ours. It’s a good place for you to be." Her eyes took on a knowing gleam. "And that handsome detective you're assisting? He clearly cares about you. Let him support you on your journey."
Shelby's cheeks grew warm, but she tucked away Courtney's words about Travis to ponder later. For now, she had a million more questions about the amazing new reality she found herself in. The time with Courtney flew by in a blur.
All too soon, the friends parted with fierce hugs and promises to meet again soon. “Call me anytime if you need advice or you just want to talk,” Courtney told her friend. “It’s a huge change to deal with, but I love my skills and we love helping Chief Martin on cases. We all think it’s important to use our powers for good.”
Watching Courtney wave enthusiastically from the porch, Shelby carried away a glowing sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time.
She quickly located Lucy in town loaded down with shopping bags. Her head still spun from the wealth of information and advice Courtney had shared so openly.
"So? How did it go?" Lucy asked, glancing over with a knowing smile as she walked beside her friend. "You look ... lighter somehow."
"It was amazing." Shelby's voice was full of excitement as she took some of the bags from Lucy. "Courtney helped me understand so much. It seems I'm part of something extraordinary." Impulsively, she reached over to squeeze her friend's arm. "Thank you for convincing me to reach out to her. I feel like I can handle whatever comes next."
Lucy's answering smile shone bright. "All of this is so amazing, Shelby."
Spying a cozy restaurant, Shelby suggested, "Let's get dinner. I'm craving something comforting after such an emotional day."
Soon they were tucking into generous plates of pot roast, buttery mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Between bites, Shelby eagerly recounted everything she had learned from Courtney, and saying the revelations out loud helped cement them as her new reality.
Across the checked tablecloth, Lucy's eyes shone. "You're embracing your powers. No more hiding or fear." She raised her glass of local hard cider. "Here's to you, mystic maven of Hamlet."
Laughing, Shelby clinked their glasses together.
When they were done with dinner, they stepped back outside into the velvety night, their breath clouding in the chill air. A sense of purpose settled deep into Shelby’s bones. No more wavering. She had gifts to watch grow.
They drove in silence for a while with fields and woodlands rolling by, and soon the cozy shops and restaurants of downtown Hamlet came into view. Lucy easily maneuvered into a prime parking spot along the brick sidewalks near the bookshop.
Shelby stepped onto the pavement and turned in a slow circle, seeing her beloved town with fresh eyes. The quaint buildings, twinkling lights, and welcoming faces took on new meaning now that she understood more of the hidden side of this special town. Hamlet was more than home - it was the place where she would reach her potential.
Shelby strode briskly toward Spellbound Books, ready to write her next chapter. And she intended to shine.
16
Shelby breathed deeply, inhaling the familiar scents of paper, leather, and beeswax polish as she entered the stately public library. Stained glass windows cast patterns across the reading tables where patrons sat poring over books. Shelby nodded greetings to the white-haired woman manning the front desk before heading downstairs where the local historical archives were located.
The heels of her boots sank into the plush carpet as she navigated between the huge oak shelves holding the town's centuries-worth of records and found Justin Peacock seated alone at a table staring at the text filling his laptop screen. When Shelby approached, he glanced up, his features easing into a warm smile.
"Shelby, so nice to see you." He half-rose before sitting back into the leather chair. "Please, sit. I could use a break from estate law reports."
Shelby pulled out the adjacent seat, watching him roll his head and neck wearily. "Hard at work, I see. How’s your remote arrangement going?"
Justin blew out a long sigh. "I can't complain. The firm back in Austin has been very accommodating. Though legal briefs don't make for exciting reading."
Shelby's gaze dropped to the hefty book open in front of him - a genealogy of Hamlet's founding families, she noted with interest. Justin followed her look and chuckled.
"Just a bit of light research on my ancestry to take a breather – just like my dad. We Peacocks didn't venture to the New World until the mid-1700s. We were latecomers compared to many families here."
His face brightened. "But speaking of family, Dad seems in good spirits. He's interested in planting more perennials in the spring so he’s reading up on them, and I even convinced him to submit some new short fiction pieces."
Shelby beamed, glad to hear Mr. Peacock was regaining his usual cheer. "That's wonderful. Writing always recharges him. Please tell him I can't wait to read his new work."
Justin nodded, looking thoughtful. "Your friendship has meant the world to him, especially through this ordeal. You have a devoted admirer." His expression turned somber. "It comforts Dad to be back to familiar routines, but I still worry." He hesitated before continuing quietly. "What if the maniac who targeted him isn't finished? The lack of answers picks at me."
Shelby gave him a sympathetic nod. "The police are pursuing every lead. I have to believe they'll catch whoever is responsible before they can hurt your father or anyone else."
Justin searched her face, seeming to take heart from her determined tone. "You're likely right. I do get moments of despair. I just wish none of this had happened. Dad deserves to feel safe in the home he loves. I hate to leave him by himself but I have to get back to Texas."
“That’s understandable. Your father does have many friends in town, if that’s any consolation.” Shelby asked gently, "Could you tell me more about your father's interests and the people in his circle in case anything proves relevant? And also if there’s anyone you might consider as a suspect?"
Justin nodded; his brow furrowed in concentration. "Let's see ... as you probably know, he adores music. He plays clarinet with a local band. He’s quite good actually. He's also passionate about numismatics - collecting and studying rare coins."
Shelby made careful mental notes as he continued.
"Gardening and of course, writing, as I mentioned. And games - chess, backgammon, cards. He'll play for hours given a willing partner."
Justin smiled faintly before growing serious once more. "As for professional connections, there were a few colleagues who resented Dad's courtroom success. One in particular, Felix Duncan, made some bitter remarks when they crossed paths after Dad's retirement."
Shelby leaned forward, intrigued. According to Justin, Felix took losing to Mr. Peacock badly and blamed the kindly man for stalling his career advancement. Though likely just an outburst by a poor sport, she added Duncan's name to the short list of potential suspects.
“You might want to speak to Dad’s housekeeper, Polly Sutter. She comes in to clean once or twice a week. She even does some other tasks when Dad needs something.”
“What sort of tasks?”
“Answering correspondence, picking up some things at the market, things like that.”
“Anyone else you can think of who might hold a grudge against your father?”
“Some criminals Dad put away, maybe, but most of them are still incarcerated, as far as I know.”
“How does your father get along with Professor Rundle?”
Justin smiled. “The professor is a bit of a windbag, always bragging about himself, but I think the man is jealous of my father. As far as wanting to kill him, I’d say that was very unlikely. I don’t think the man would ever hurt anyone.”
By the time Justin concluded summarizing his father's many interests and acquaintances, Shelby's head hummed with a couple of new avenues to explore. She hoped some seemingly minor detail might lead to the killer.
"This has been really helpful," she told Justin warmly as she packed her notebook and pen into her handbag. "Please tell your father I can hardly wait for his next literary event at the bookshop, and that his fans are eagerly awaiting his new work."
Justin walked her upstairs, appearing more relaxed despite the lingering worry haunting his eyes. He even joked with Shelby. "I'll let Dad know he has assignments waiting for him to do. He'll be delighted."
At the massive carved doors, he touched Shelby's shoulder. "Truly, thank you. Knowing that Dad has friends like you who want to help him gives me hope." Giving her hand a grateful squeeze, he strode off toward his car in the parking lot.
Shelby watched him go. They’d had a good conversation. Turning to leave the lot and head toward Spellbound Bookshop, Shelby's thoughts drifted to the housekeeper Justin had mentioned his father employing. She hadn't even realized Mr. Peacock had domestic help and was immediately curious what the woman might know of the household's comings and goings.
She dug the business card Justin had given her from her bag and dialed the housekeeper's number. After two rings, a female voice answered.
"Hello."
"Hi, Polly, I'm Shelby Price calling on behalf of James Peacock. Would you have a few minutes to chat someday?" After explaining what she wanted to talk about, they agreed to meet the next day.
Shelby hurried down the sidewalk eager to get home and review her notes from the conversation with Justin. Cold wind nipped at her cheeks as she stepped onto the sidewalk and turned briskly toward the bookshop, but she’d only gone a block when she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
"Shelby, hold up a sec!"
She turned in surprise to see Travis jogging to catch up, his cheeks flushed crimson from the chill. Tamping down the butterflies that awoke in her stomach, Shelby stopped to let him fall into step beside her.
"Travis, hi. What’s up? Any news?"
He shook his head, flashing a rare boyish grin. "No, not yet. I was just headed to grab some coffee and thought I'd see if you'd join me." He hesitated briefly before adding, "To talk things over about collaborating on the case."
Shelby blinked, caught off guard by the casual invitation but she was secretly delighted. Time alone with Travis felt very appealing.
"I'd love that," she answered warmly. "How about Lucky's Café just down the block? Unless you had another place in mind."
"Lead the way." Travis gestured her forward with a smile.
Shelby tried but failed to ignore the pleasant flip-flop of her heart as they strolled together down the lamp-lit street. Dusk was settling over the town and the cafés and shops glowed invitingly against the coming darkness. Strings of white lights and festive garlands above the sidewalks added to the pretty scene.
Though the circumstances were less than joyful, Shelby couldn't deny the flicker of lightheartedness at being in Travis's company. She snuck a glance at his handsome profile and had to tamp down a grin. Get it together, she scolded herself. This was just two colleagues meeting to discuss a case, nothing more.
Lucky's cozy interior met them with warmth and the tempting scents of roasted coffee and sweet pastries. Keeping her expression neutral, Shelby let Travis select a small corner table before she headed to the counter to order for both of them.
Was meeting for coffee skirting the edges of something more than a professional chat? She wondered.
Holding two large steaming mugs, she pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and joined Travis at the table tucked away from the door. He gave an appreciative sniff as she set the coffee before him.
"A cop's best friend," he proclaimed, wrapping both hands around the toasty ceramic mug. Their knees brushed under the small bistro table sending Shelby's pesky pulse into overdrive again.
She took a bracing sip of her own lavender latte and tried to sound casual. "Sometimes, I like grabbing coffee here to clear my head after working all day in the bookshop." She gave him a look. "Do you bring all your consulting civilians out for coffee?"
Travis's eyebrows lifted in that subtly amused way she found so appealing. "Since I only have one civilian consultant, I guess the answer is yes.”
Heat bloomed under Shelby's collar, and she knew a telltale blush colored her cheeks. Somehow Travis managed to disarm her without even trying. She stumbled to say something before flames could be seen in her eyes.
"Did you know Mr. Peacock employed a housekeeper? Her name’s Polly Sutter. She does some odd tasks for him in addition to cleaning the house. I’m meeting her tomorrow."
Travis nodded. "I did speak to her, but she didn’t offer anything helpful. You might be able to get more from her than I did.” He took another sip of coffee, his gaze thoughtful. "I appreciate you setting up a meeting with her. Knowing who comes and goes from his home could prove useful."
Shelby nodded, encouraged that her initiative to interview Polly had been on the right track. When a staff member at the café carried a tray of fresh muffins to the glass case, Shelby suggested they get some and rose briefly to get two plump cranberry muffins from the counter, thinking Travis could use something to eat. She herself often forgot meals when she was preoccupied with a project.
His appreciative smile when she set the baked goods between them caused a swarm of butterflies to take flight in her midsection again.
She said breezily, "Can't go wrong with Lucky's famous cranberry muffins. They're addictive.”
She let the conversation lapse into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, enjoying the muffin and Travis's companionship. Nearby patrons chatted and chuckled over their own treats and drinks, creating a cheerful ambiance.
