Return of the Piano Man

By R.P. Deiss

The national media named me the Piano Man. It’s because I love to use a piano wire garrote to strangle my helpless victims. It’s been 15 years since I held the Fox River Valley in an icy grip of terror. I’ve missed the power I held over others. The fear I’ve felt in them as my wire tightened around their throats was exquisite. Well, I’m back to continue where I left off, let the killing begin!

My sister Lindsey and I are Spirit Warriors. Last year we became Spirit Warriors when our parents had our new home unknowingly built on top of an ancient Indian village. Abilities we didn’t know existed were awakened inside of us. Now we have great powers we can use over the dead and as our powers increase over the living too. Dad has put us on the trail of the Piano Man. The killer thinks that he hasn’t left behind any witnesses to his crimes; he’s dead wrong. He’s left the spirits of those he’s killed to help us identify him! We are able to see and talk to the dead just like I am with you right now. I’m getting very angry with the killer, all of the innocent lives lost and the pain felt by families of the dead. Now it’s his turn to feel some pain, right Lindsey?

Right Alex! We have many great powers that we can use over the living and the dead. We are going to take this animal down, one way or another. I hope he doesn’t come quietly. It will give us an excuse to mess him up, big time!

It’s time to teach the Piano Man a new tune!

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.P. Deiss
• Release date: Jan 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463908501

R.P. Deiss

Hi, I'm a 54 year old Wisconsinite. I served in the Navy during the closing days of Vietnam as part of Operation Frequent Wind. I held a top secret clearance as a radioman. I honed my typing skills on the keyboard of a teletype while serving my country. I'm a 3 term commander of our American Legion Post and designer of our Veterans Memorial. I spent 19 years in the Boy Scout program including 8 years as scoutmaster and helped 11 boys reach Eagle Scout. I also did 11 years as committee chairman. I've written and given many speeches on Veteran issues. . I live in Northeast Wisconsin with my wife Darlene, I have two grown step daughters and six grand kids. I found that i have an insatiable love of writing. I did the first draft of Dead Men's Isle in three weeks. I also did a thriller called Copperhead which will be coming out in february and am now doing s sequal to Dead Men's Isle. I have now written a total of 5 books for your enjoyment. I hope that I can bring you into the pages of my books for a journey that will transport you on an adventure of a lifetime!

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

I made the left hand turn into the already filled parking lot. We’d arrived at The High Ground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville Wisconsin for the tribal Powwow. My kids have been adopted into the Lac Du Flambeau band of Chippewa, they are Spirit Warriors.

To the Native Americans they are very rare and very special. There hasn’t been a known one in hundreds of years. Never have there been more than one. A Spirit Warrior can see and communicate with the dead. They have powers over them. My two kids, Alex and Lindsey can make them appear so others can see them. They have many powers they can harness at will. Their powers still seem to be getting stronger. They haven’t reached their full potential yet, which to me is disconcerting.

I have only a small amount of their abilities. I can see and talk to the spirits too. I was given the ability by Grey Wolf, a Chippewa shaman who was killed saving my kids from a time portal they had been kidnapped and taken thru that linked our world to a long dead Indian village. He said the gift was so I could see, understand and help to guide them on their life’s journey.

Now their Native American teacher is another shaman, Soaring Eagle. Soaring Eagle or Steve Arrowood as he’s called when not doing ceremonies or healings is the son of Grey Wolf. Grey Wolf is still around he told us he would appear but only when Lindsey and Alex needed him most. We’re kind of expecting to see him here this weekend at the Powwow.

Sometimes Sarah and I take our two Spirit Warriors kids up to the Lac Du Flambeau Reservation so Steve can do their training sessions and sometimes Steve comes on down and stays by us. We consider him part of the family now and the kids call him Uncle. Grey Wolf, when they see him they call grandfather out of respect for the great sacrifice he gave so they could live.

Guys we’re here, I announced to my family as I pulled into the parking slot the tribe had saved for us.

I hope we have enough time to look around at the memorials before the Powwow starts, Alex said from the back seat as he opened his door.

Uncle Steve is already here, Lindsey said spying her adopted uncle making his way to them.

Spirit Warriors, I’m glad you got here a little early. We have to go over our ceremonies one more time to make sure you understand your parts in them, Steve said as he approached.

Hi Steve, Sarah said as she gave him a hug. We all considered Steve a family member.

Oh, oh, I forgot my buckskins at home, Alex said with a shocked look on his face.

Spirit Warrior you are already 15 you must be more responsible. Luckily for you I brought extras just in case, Steve admonished.

I’m just kidding Soaring Eagle, I didn’t forget them, Alex said with a broad grin on his face.

It had taken our kids a while to get used to being called Spirit Warriors. They felt self conscience over the attention they receive because of their abilities. They had finally gotten comfortable with it knowing it was something that would be a part of their lives for good.

You should take your role more seriously Spirit Warrior. You have great responsibilities ahead of you. We are here today to honor our brave men and women who have served and died in the military, Steve tried to explain.

I will when the time comes but for right now can you just let me be 15 Uncle Steve? Alex asked.

The ceremonies haven’t started yet Uncle Steve so quit calling us Spirit Warriors, Lindsey threw in.

Our kids had made a deal with the Arrowood’s back when they’d first met. They would only call them Spirit Warriors during official occasions.

Lindsey today we dance! This is a Powwow so it is an official occasion, Steve reasoned.

I guess so. Do we have time to look around before we have to get ready? Lindsey asked.

Take a half hour to look the memorial park over then I need you to get changed into your buckskins and get you painted up for the ceremonies, Steve said glancing at his watch.

The High Grounds is a Memorial Park situated in north central Wisconsin. They have many Memorials there. They include Memorials to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, The Desert Wars, Native Americans, Nurses and women Veterans and many more.

Come on Lindsey we don’t have a lot of time, Alex said as he ran off across the parking lot with Lindsey chasing after him.

How have things been going with Alex and Lindsey? It’s been nearly two months since we talked, Steve said.

Sometimes we have to drag information out of them. You know how it is with teenagers. They claim they can feel their abilities are increasing but not at a rate like they were when this all first started, I explained.

They promised to tell us whenever there is a change but change is so normal to them now they don’t give it much thought, Sarah added.

You’re still seeing the dead aren’t you Jim? Steve asked.

I still see them but not when I’m alone. I have to be with one of the kids in order to see them. I seem to be channeling into their energy. Last week I was able to talk to my dad for a while. It’s nice that I don’t need the kids to make him appear. You know how that drains them and makes them tired. I worry about what the long range effects of their abilities will be on their well-being, I confessed.

I still think about those poor kids who saw the Virgin Mary in South America. All but one died while still a child, Sarah said, the worry strong in her voice.

I can understand your fear and I wish I could calm them for you. But I don’t have anything to fall back on other than the old stories about Long Bow. He lived out a full life when he became a Spirit Warrior all those years ago. That’s the only thing I can tell you. I don’t think Alex and Lindsey being Spirit Warriors can fatally harm them. Besides we don’t know if the Fatima incident where the kids died at an early age had anything to do with their sightings. Living in South America at the turn of the century had its own challenges. The death rate among kids was much higher than it is now, Steve tried to reason.

You’re right it was, I agreed. We can only hope they suffered their fate naturally and not because of their visions.

CHAPTER TWO

What’s that Alex? Lindsey asked as Alex grabbed a brochure off of the gift shop counter.

It’s a map of the Memorial Park and descriptions of each Memorial, Alex explained to her as he unfolded the map.

Let’s go over to the Vietnam Memorial first Alex. It looks small compared to some of the others but it looks really neat, Lindsey said as she looked at the map her brother was holding.

Okay, it’s as good a place as any to start. From there we can go see the Memorial they’re building for the Gulf War Veterans, Alex said pointing to their next stop.

They arrived at the award winning sculpture and stood in awe. The name of the sculpture is Fragments and it had won a nationwide competition in 1986. It won over 100 other entries. It consists of four interlocking figures. The figures are fragmented recognizing the fragmentation of lives not only during war, but also in life. This is the first veteran’s memorial in the United States to include a woman in the statuary. She is the tallest figure and wears a helmet to show she is at risk.

The poncho the woman wears flows out from the back of the figures, carrying under it bundles of bamboo-shaped bronze rods, each inscribed with the name of one of Wisconsin’s Vietnam casualties. In total there are 1,244 of them representing the terrible sacrifice made by service men and women from this state. They are given voice by the rods which have bronze wind chimes hung between them to cause the sound of their sacrifices and service to be carried to all who visit when the wind blows. The statue is placed into a replica of a Wisconsin Native American burial mound to remind us never to bury away the service of all veterans and never to let the memory of their sacrifice die.

In the background you see an M-16 that is broken apart and missing the trigger assembly. The M-16 when raised in this fashion indicates a person down and medevac needed. Inserted in the M-16 is a piece of orange stained glass to remind us of Agent Orange.

Alex and Lindsey stood in silence reading the description in awe. A lot of thought went into the making of this sculpture Lindsey, Alex said quietly.

I know big brother. The size of something doesn’t always make it better. This is very moving. It’s a fitting tribute to those who served during that thankless war.

Yeah the reception they got when they came home really sucked, Alex agreed remembering his history books.

Can you feel them while you stand here Spirit Warriors? Soaring Eagle asked as he quietly walked up behind them. Soaring Eagle had also served in the military in Vietnam and like all who served felt a strong bond with those who gave their lives serving our country.

Alex and Lindsey both nodded quietly. There are some here but we’re not going to bother them, they earned the right to rest in peace, Lindsey said with sadness.

We’ll leave ourselves open to them while we are here. If one of them has a message they need conveyed we will do it for them. It’s the least we can do, Alex added.

Alex and Lindsey’s abilities allowed them to see the spirits of the dead when they wanted to. It was like a light switch that could be turned on and off at will.

You are truly Spirit Warriors and wise beyond your years. It is time to get ready for the Powwow now. Go and get dressed for the ceremonies, Soaring Eagle instructed them.

Let’s go Lindsey. Maybe we’ll have more time to look around after the Powwow, Alex said turning away.

CHAPTER THREE

Lindsey and Alex stood in front of Soaring Eagle for inspection. They wore their specially beaded buckskins along with bells on the wrists and ankles. Their faces were painted the colors and design of the Spirit Warrior and feathers gently blew in their hair.

You are ready to dance! Soaring Eagle said approvingly. Do you remember your dance steps?

You bet! We’ve been practicing them for four weeks, Alex said grinning thru his painted face.

The steps are more intricate than last year Uncle Steve, Lindsey halfheartedly complained. The dances they would be doing were very complicated. To outsiders they may seem to be just doing anything that they felt like doing but in actuality the dances they did were very well choreographed.

I fear trouble is on its way, Soaring Eagle said spying a visiting shaman from another tribe approaching.

Sleeping Buffalo it is good to see you again, Soaring Eagle said with false enthusiasm.

Soaring Eagle, I have come to tell you I don’t believe these outsiders can be Spirit Warriors! Bah, they are playing tricks on all of you! I thought the Chippewa were wiser than this! Sleeping Buffalo said with a scowl.

I think you are jealous they aren’t part of your tribe Sleeping Buffalo, Soaring Eagle said gently. They have proven many times their abilities. They have made my father appear before the tribe for all to see."

Cheap parlor tricks Chippewa made easy with modern technology! I plan on showing them to be what they really are! You will be ridiculed for your involvement with them! Sleeping Buffalo said with a sneer pointing his finger at a grinning Alex and Lindsey.

What, you dare to laugh at me, mock me! his face turning darker with rage.

I can just see him in his little footie pajamas Lindsey, Alex said gasping while holding his aching sides.

Ha, ha, ha, I’ll bet he still has a pair that fit him! Lindsey said with a squeal of laughter, tears filling her eyes.

Alex, Lindsey get a hold of yourself and explain this to us. Sleeping Buffalo isn’t seeing any humor in your antics, I warned them.

Okay dad, just give me a minute, Alex said wheezing as he tried to catch his breath. By now the two of them were holding onto each other for support.

Oh, that was way too much fun, Lindsey said as she gasped for air while wiping her bleary eyes.

Okay Sleeping Buffalo just this once we will convince you of our abilities. We all know you have heard of what we have done in the past. I agree with Soaring Eagle you are making a scene out of jealousy. You bring dishonor to those who we are here to honor, Alex scolded him openly as he watched the glower on the visiting shamans face.

Your grandmother called you Sweet Pea because you liked your pajamas with feet. As you grew too big for them you threw a fit because you didn’t want to give them up. That’s why your grandmother started calling you Sweet Pea because Popeye’s baby wore them, Lindsey told him.

Your grandma told me that I should rap you up behind the head to straighten you out like she used to do. She says you were a good boy but really stubborn, Alex added.

She’s here with us right now and she is not happy with your attitude. She said you either straighten it out or she’ll find a way to do it for you from the grave, the choice is yours, Lindsey said with a look of disapproval.

Soaring Eagle looked at the now pasty face of Sleeping Buffalo. Fakes, frauds, charlatans, you owe our Spirit Warriors and me an apology for your words and your behavior,

Sleeping Buffalo spun around and stalked off without another word.

I fear you have made an enemy, Soaring Eagle said as he watched the visiting shaman disappear into the crowd.

No, he was already our enemy. But that’s alright now we know it. It’s best to know who your enemies are, Alex said as he also watched Sleeping Buffalo disappear into the crowd.

Grandfather is here with us now. I thought he would come! Lindsey said with a squeal of delight.

My dad is here with us now? Soaring Eagle said with a start.

He says he wouldn’t miss it for the world. He says you bring honor to those who died in battle. He will speak to the people tonight, Alex informed him.

CHAPTER FOUR

My people, many of us have served in the military. Like in the olden days we did battle with our enemies! But instead of protecting a small area where we hunted, fished and gathered food, we protected a great nation that we have become a part of. Today we honor those who were left on the battle field. Those who sacrificed their lives so we can live free, may we never forget those who cannot be with us this day because their love of us was so great! Let the Powwow begin! Soaring Eagle said as the torches were thrust into the bon fire.

Alex and Lindsey rushed forward and joined the shamans in the middle of the circle. The other dancers made a larger circle around them. Drum beats started reverberating setting the beat for the dancers. Alex, Lindsey and the others were dancing with wild abandonment twirling and twisting, drums beating and bells ringing. The feathers in their hair took on a life of their own as they moved to the beat. Slowly the shamans moved outward making a second inside circle leaving only the Spirit Warriors dancing in the middle in their place of honor.

Sarah and I were dragged forward and given drum sticks to help keep the beat for the dancers. This was an honor bestowed on us for being the parents of their Spirit Warriors. The dancing went on into the waning light of the evening hours. Until the fire wasn’t much more than burning embers and the dancers were sheened in sweat.

Soaring Eagle, grandfather is here and would like to speak to the people, Lindsey said as she came to a tired stop her face glistening in sweat.

The other dancers hearing this also came to a stop in anticipation. Most of them had been to our home last year and witnessed Grey Wolf magically appear right before their eyes.

Grandfather it is good to see you again. It’s been too long, Alex said eyeing the apparition.

When the kids are around I can see what they can see too. Grey Wolf it’s good to be able to see you again, I said earnestly.

Jim you bring honor to the tribe. You have kept your promise to help make our Spirit Warriors a part of our tribe. Your wife Sarah too deserves much credit for that I thank both of you, Grey Wolf said.

Without you Alex and Lindsey may be dead. It’s the least we can do to honor the sacrifice you made for us, I said honestly.

Grey Wolf nodded his head in understanding. I wish to convey a message to the people, Grey Wolf said turning to Alex and Lindsey.

Do you want to talk to them yourself grandfather? Lindsey asked the glowing apparition.

I don’t wish to weaken you Spirit Warrior. Just pass my message on to the tribe. That will be enough, Grey Wolf reasoned.

Things have been changing rapidly grandfather. We no longer feel weakened from the strain of making you appear, Alex informed him.

I would like that very much Spirit Warrior! Grey Wolf said with much happiness. In life Grey Wolf had been a Korean War Veteran, wounded in combat. As a Marine he felt a great patriotism towards ceremonies honoring Veterans service and sacrifice.

Come and stand between us grandfather, Alex instructed the ghost.

Grey Wolf stood between the Spirit Warriors and the three of them faced the tribal members. Alex and Lindsey put their hands out as if resting on his shoulders. Their other hand went outward and upward towards the heavens. Slowly their eyes drifted shut and their hair started to blow around them as if caught in a gale force wind. Ever so slowly Grey Wolf materialized before the tribe in a shiny glowing aura. A murmur of shock and disbelief rippled thru the crowd by those who haven’t witnessed this happening last year.

Ho my people, it is I Grey Wolf! he said in a ghostly voice. It has been too long since last we spoke. You bring great honor to our tribe. You have honored our war dead, it is fitting. For this I thank you!

To you, our tribal council, you did well last year preserving the resting place of the Mascouten people. I look on you with heartfelt pride!

My son, Grey Wolf said as he turned to Soaring Eagle. You are showing your great skill as a shaman in your teachings of our Spirit Warriors. You will be one of our greatest shamans ever in time, Grey Wolf bragged.

I try to bring honor to our tribe dad. I hope to always make you proud of me, Soaring Eagle said in a husky voice.

My son, I have always been proud of you, Grey Wolf said, the love evident in his voice.

Later this summer our tribe must travel to the home of our Spirit Warriors. We must hold our annual Powwow to bring honor to the Mascouten people. This is something that needs to be done yearly, Grey Wolf informed them.

The Powwow is already on our events calendar dad, we won’t forget to honor them, Soaring Eagle promised.

I leave you now my son. My people I will be at the Powwow for the Mascouten. Until then go in peace my friends. Oh, one last message, Sleeping Buffalo, don’t ever doubt my son’s wisdom or the authenticity of our Spirit Warriors again. Consider this a warning that you had better heed! Grey Wolf said as he pointed his finger at the shaman his eyes flashing fire.

I was wrong Grey Wolf these are truly Spirit Warriors, Sleeping Buffalo said, his head hanging down in shame.

Grey Wolf looked at him nodding. I didn’t believe it at first either. We both had a lesson to learn Sleeping Buffalo, Gray Wolf said more gently. Sleeping Buffalo looked up at him and nodded in silent agreement.

Spirit Warriors I am done you may break contact with me now, Grey Wolf said as he looked the tribe over one last time. Lindsey and Alex’s eyes came open and their arms dropped down by their sides. The feathers in their hair suddenly quit blowing around.

How do you feel? Do you need to rest? Sarah asked as she stood looking at her two kids with concern written on her face.

No mom, we’re good. Our powers are gaining strength and we don’t get tired out like we did last summer, Alex explained.

My phone vibrated in my pocket suddenly. Hello, I said as I turned away for privacy.

Where are you Jim? my brother Terry asked me urgently.

My brother is the Winnebago County Sheriff. After spending 22 years in the military police I joined his force as the lieutenant in charge of detectives.

We went to the Powwow this weekend remember? It’s almost over and we’ll be coming home in the morning, I explained.

Call me as soon as you’re in town. We’ve had a situation come up that I don’t want to talk about over the phone. I mean as soon as you pull into your drive way I want you on the phone calling me, Terry emphasized.

Sure it should be around nine or so. We’ll get an early start and stop to eat on the way home, I said perplexed.

Okay Bro I’ll see you then, don’t change your plans, you get back home, my brother said as he ended the call. I could hear the stress in his voice and stood wondering what the emergency was.

CHAPTER FIVE

As promised we left Neillsville early after having breakfast with Steve and a few other tribal council members. It was 140 miles from Neillsville to our house so it would take nearly 3 hours to get back home. When we go to Powwows we camp out with the tribe instead of staying in a hotel. We feel a special kinship with the Chippewa and look forward to these outings. The tribe appreciates the chance to spend time with their Spirit Warriors. Tales are always told around the campfires long into the night. It is a time of reflection, a time to bring up the legend surrounding the Spirit Warriors. Often we learn things about Longbow, the last known Spirit Warrior we wouldn’t otherwise have learned about.

I listened as Alex and Lindsey sat in the back seat yawning. I felt tired too. Looking at my wife Sarah she wasn’t faring much better.

Come on guys its nearly eight o’clock, wake up! I said as I looked at my two tired kids in the back seat.

Come on dad cut us some slack! We were up until nearly two learning about Long Bow, Lindsey reminded me as she yawned once again.

You know dad, you can let up a little bit now that you aren’t bossing a bunch of Marines around anymore, Alex threw in with his eyes closed and head against the back rest.

Hey, I run a taut ship, I said grinning back at them in the rear view mirror.

Ships are a Navy thing dad. I know the Marines are a part of the Navy but you don’t have to assume command of the first ship that comes you way, Lindsey groaned.

Arrgghh! I be Captain Jim Barnett and you’ll be fish food if you don’t man the cannon me bucko! I said with what I thought was a good swashbuckling voice.

That’s lame dad, you better stick to what your good at. You know watching movies instead of being a part of them, Alex grumbled.

I turned into our driveway only to find my brother’s squad car already there with him leaning against the back bumper. Him being there waiting for us told me how urgently he needed us back.

I’m glad you’re back big brother, Terry said the tension plain to see on his face.

What’s up Terry, I asked as I got out of our Tahoe.

Let’s go into your den and talk. We’ve had a development that may be a life or death situation, Terry said coming off his bumper.

I led the way into my office and sat behind my desk. Terry looked like he’d slept even less than we did.

Do you remember me telling you about a serial killer we had back maybe 15 years ago or so? he asked me.

I sat rocking in my office chair thinking. I’d been away in the Marine Corps at the time. I think so, didn’t he kill like six people before he suddenly quit? I asked after some thought.

Terry nodded his head, Seven actually Jim. They were all found along the banks of the Fox River from Eureka to Oshkosh. All of them were strangled with what the medical examiner thought was piano wire.

What made him stop Terry? Were you getting too close? Was he killed or did he move somewhere else? I asked.

Moving somewhere else probably wouldn’t make him quit killing. My thoughts are we were breathing down his neck and he stopped and went back into hiding, Terry said thoughtfully.

So why are you bringing him back up now after he’s been dormant for so many years? I asked.

He’s resurfaced. I received a letter from him in the mail yesterday. It wasn’t sent to my office he sent it to my home Jim, Terry said in an agitated voice. Suddenly he was pacing back and forth unable to sit still.

Do you have reason to think it’s the real thing and not just some copycat looking for attention? I asked hopefully.

It’s the real thing all right. He wrote letters before with the first seven victims. He drew a certain picture on all of his letters that we never released to the press. This letter had the identical drawing on it. I’m certain this is the real thing. Why would he resurface after all of these years? Terry asked as he plopped back down in his chair.

He misses the spotlight. He craves the attention he got when he was front page news. Look at the BTK killer, a deacon of his church and active in boy scouting resurfaced after decades of staying hidden in the shadows, I answered.

The clock is ticking Jim. It’s only a matter of time until he claims his next victim. We have to work fast to keep it from happening, Terry said his voice getting louder with his anger.

Like BTK maybe he doesn’t realize how far we’ve advanced in forensic science and other investigative elements during the time he’s been quiet. We need to retest all of the evidence that was gathered from his first killings, I pointed out.

Terry was on his feet pacing back and forth again. I can’t believe that I’m actually going to ask this of you. Can you talk to the first seven victims and ask them who killed them?

Terry knew and was fully aware of our family’s supernatural abilities. I can only see and talk to the dead if my kids are there with me, you know that, I reminded him. Are you asking me to put your niece and nephew at risk?

Come on Jim, you know I’d never put Lindsey and Alex at risk! We can work quietly in the shadows and keep their names and faces out of this. I know you don’t want the media to find out about what they can do. Their lives wouldn’t be the same. They would be hounded for the rest of their lives once they were found out. I can promise you we will without a doubt have more killings if this animal can’t be stopped. What would you do in my place Jim?

I nodded my head in understanding. Alex, Lindsey, come to the den, I yelled out from my office doorway.

What’s up dad? Alex asked after thundering down the stairs.

Sit down, we have something we have to talk to you about, I said as I walked back behind my desk.

Lindsey and Alex slipped into their chairs and waited expectantly.

Your uncle has told me a serial killer has resurfaced after 15 years in hiding. Wasn’t he called the Piano Man or something like that by the media Terry? I asked my brother.

That’s the name they gave him after his third victim floated up to the surface in Lake Butte Des Morts. The victim probably floated into the lake from up river, Terry explained.

Cool dad! We have a real serial killer around here! Alex said excitedly.

Not cool Alex, not cool at all. He’s responsible for ending 7 young lives. Seven people died in their late teens and early twenties because of him, I admonished him.

Sorry dad I just got excited. I wasn’t thinking, Alex said. What do you need us for?

Yeah dad what can the two of us do to help? Lindsey asked giving her brother a sideways glance.

It seems the killer has resurfaced and he’s promising to pick up where he’s left off. We have to stop him before he claims an eighth victim. Your uncle is asking us to use our abilities to talk to his past victims and see if we can get them to identify their killer. I can’t talk to the dead unless you’re with me. So I’m asking you if you’d be willing to be a part of this murder investigation. I explained.

We’ve been waiting for a chance to use our abilities for good dad. We’d be glad to help anyway we can, Lindsey answered for the two of them.

You could see the relief on Terry’s face at Lindsey answer. What do you need from me to get started?

We need to read over your files on the case Uncle Terry so we know where to start looking for the victim’s spirits, Alex explained.

I’m going to do everything possible to keep your names and faces out of this investigation. You will be working behind the scenes and not busting down any doors. Do I make myself clear on this? I asked.

Yeah dad, we don’t want our pictures plastered all over the place either. We don’t want the attention, Alex agreed.

If the killer finds out about what you can do and knows without a doubt he will be caught because of you, you will be in real danger, I warned them.

Lindsey gave a visible shudder. Make sure that doesn’t happen dad. We don’t want to be on his list of victims.

I will pumpkin. Terry received a letter at his house from the killer yesterday. He knows where your uncle lives, I explained.

I wonder why it was sent to his house and not the sheriff’s office. Alex said.

I was wondering the same thing myself Alex. Why would he send it to my home? Is he threatening my own family? Terry asked darkly.

I can’t say Uncle Terry but let’s stop this guy before he has a chance to show us what his plans are, Alex said.

I want two sets of the files Terry. One set for here at home for Alex and Lindsey to look over and a second set delivered to my office at the sheriff’s department for my detectives, I