Edge of Shadows (Shadows #1): Shadows, #1

Chapter one

As she crossed the kitchen on her way to the back door, Ellie felt the slightest brush of cold air against the back of her neck as she passed the basement door which caused the hair on her arms to stand up. But the basement door is locked ran through her mind just as she felt hands connect with the back of her shoulders, giving her a hard shove. The boxes in her arms went flying.

She swung around just in time to see Jake’s body entering her space. She skidded to the left but still caught the brunt force of his shoulder in her chest, knocking her off balance. Ellie went flying backwards and her head smacked the wooden kitchen cabinet just before her butt hit the linoleum floor. She immediately saw stars and reached to touch the back of her head. Her hand came away bloody.

Jake’s shadow fell over her and she screamed, not knowing any other way to break through the red aura that surrounded him, Jesus Christ, Jake! I’m bleeding! What’s the matter with you? She heard his sharp intake of breath and saw his aura shimmer from red to pink. He’d heard her.

Ellie! Oh my god, Ellie. I’m so sorry!

Her soon-to-be-ex-husband kneeled beside her and tried to pull her into his arms, but she pushed him away. As long as there was any tinge of red crackling in the air, she needed to be as far away from him as possible. She crawled across the floor as fast as she could manage and huddled in the far corner of the kitchen. She felt a stickiness run down the side of her neck and saw that she had left a small trail of blood in her wake.

She touched her scalp again gently. The whole back of her head felt like it was on fire, and she knew a monster headache lurked on the horizon. Her collarbone, which had taken the direct hit from Jake’s shoulder, screamed its own chorus of pain. She looked over at Jake, who appeared frozen, hunched over the spot where she had fallen. His expression twisted in disbelief, which no doubt was a mirror image of hers.

Are you crazy? What were you trying to do, Jake? Kill me? I should call the cops. Or you need to call your therapist. This is bad, Jake. This is really bad.

The accusation hung in the air between them. Jake had never touched her in anger before. Ellie knew he had wanted to more than once during their heated arguments, but she never believed him capable of following through on it. Despite her tough words, she felt the icy chill of something else gnawing at her—fear. This was the first time in their relationship that she had ever been afraid of him physically harming her. Jake was usually content just doing things to himself.

Jake looked down at his hands, making fists and then letting them go. He shook his head and then looked at her. His brown eyes were misty and the air around him was suddenly a deep black. Jake was completely lost.

Ellie, I don’t know what happened. I’m so sorry. I just wanted you to stop. I didn’t want you to leave. I think we can fix this. It won’t ever happen again. I swear, he said.

You’re right, Jake. It won’t happen again, she said. You can’t make me stay here with you. This divorce is going to happen whether you want it or not. It’s not healthy for me to be around you like this.

She held her breath as she saw tinges of red around him again, but then it faded. She let out a sigh of relief. Ellie couldn’t be responsible for Jake anymore. She was through feeling guilty for things that she couldn’t change.

Jake was a recovering alcoholic who had just started treatment when he and Ellie met. But Ellie learned too late that the alcohol was nothing but a symptom of much deeper issues. Jake drank to escape something else, something that lurked deep inside him. That something had surfaced with more regularity since he stopped seeing his therapist six months ago.

That was when Jake started drinking again. He fell off the wagon. Hard. Ellie had picked up the pieces and tried her best to help him work through his issues. But after what she found in the basement, it forced her to see that no matter what she did, it wasn’t going to be enough. That sobering realization followed with the knowledge she no longer loved Jake. As hard as she tried to ignore it, Jake had a dark side, one that he had hidden from her very well. He wasn’t the person she married, and it wasn’t anyone that she wanted to be around anymore.

Ellie, those other women didn’t mean a thing to me. I can’t believe you’d let something like that come between us, especially when you know how sorry I am, Jake replied. I just wanted you to stand still for two seconds and listen to me. It’s been really hard to get your attention lately.

His tone was contrite and calm, a complete 180 degrees from moments before. Ellie wasn’t sure which was scarier, an angry, out-of-control Jake, or this calm stranger who spoke to her logically with no genuine emotion in his voice. She almost snorted at how naïve he thought she was. Other women she could have dealt with, but she couldn’t deal with crazy. And she was pretty sure that Jake was going crazy.

Ellie knew from her childhood that the best defense was a good offense. She needed to appear strong and take control of the situation. She raised her voice. If jumping me from behind is how you think you are going to get my attention, you need to work on finding another method of communication. We’ve been through this a hundred times, Jake. This isn’t working. It’s over.

Using the wall as support, she pushed up to her feet. Immediately she felt dizzy, and when she wobbled, Jake stood and moved to help her. She held out her hand; the palm facing toward him.

Stay away, she said. She didn’t want to be anywhere near that black void that surrounded him. She was afraid it would swallow her whole. Get away from me or I swear I’ll start screaming again.

Ellie, don’t say that. I love you, he said, but the plea didn’t reach his eyes. He kept his distance, but then got down on both knees and held his arms out. I can’t live without you. Forgive me.

I am fairly certain you’ll manage just fine, Ellie said. She watched him carefully. Suddenly, the air seemed to wobble around him, and then streaks of purple and blue burst through the blackness. Jake began to weep.

She almost went to him then. She knew this was the real Jake, who she often thought was little more than a lost little boy battling demons that were too big for him to understand. Ellie had never been comfortable watching other people in pain. But the insistent throbbing inside her head kept reality in sharp focus, and she shoved the feeling of pity away.

I’m getting an attorney, Jake. I can’t do this with you anymore.

She stepped toward the living room to put some more space between them. She wanted to make sure she had room to get away if he got angry again.

Where are you going to go, Ellie? You don’t have anywhere to go. You’re an orphan. Somebody without a home, he said. He looked at the ground but didn’t get up.

Ellie didn’t want to admit how hurtful his words were; Jake knew her trigger points well. But she had friends she considered family now, even though they had started out as employees. Kevin said I can stay with him and Eric until I find a place. I’m taking Skipper with me, she said, looking around for the little dog. The dachshund was nowhere to be seen. Smart dog.

With a heavy sigh, Jake rose to his feet. She gave him a minute to regain his composure. With his shoulders slumped and his downtrodden appearance, it looked like all the fight had gone right out of him. His dark hair was messy and had gotten long, and his clothes hung on his thin form. He was nothing more than a pale ghost of the attractive man she married eight years ago. His eyes focused on her and then seemed to look right through her. Ellie felt the chills roll down her spine again. Who was he seeing when he looked at her like that?

So you definitely want to go through with this? he said. His voice was dull.

Yes, she said.

There’s nothing I can say or do that is going to make you change your mind?

Jake looked her squarely in the eye for just a moment, and she thought she saw a flash of the man she used to know inside, screaming for her help and understanding. Then it was gone, and he was looking past her again. Ellie fought the urge to glance over her shoulder. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who saw things other people couldn’t see.

No, Jake. I’m sorry. I just don’t love you that way anymore, Ellie said. What she didn’t say was that she wasn’t sure if she ever did. But those were her demons to work through. Eight years wasted for what? She wished she had a better answer.

Jake’s reply caught her by surprise. I’ve got a lawyer, he said evenly.

What do you mean, Jake?

When you first started talking about this whole divorce thing, I talked to somebody too, Jake said, his chin jutting.

She wasn’t imagining it. He was talking to the space behind her. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes as they briefly met hers again. It was like he was trying to say something else to her in that silent glance.

Okay. Ellie didn’t know what else to say.

I won’t fight you on anything, Ellie. Since this was my house before, I figure I’ll keep it, especially since you are moving out, anyway. Whatever you think about dividing everything else is fine with me. I don’t want to argue about anything, Jake said. You’re right; it’s probably time for you to go.

Why was he suddenly so eager for her to leave? His aura hadn’t changed, but Ellie sensed an anxiousness beneath his words. What was he trying to tell her?

What are you saying, Jake? she asked. I’m confused. Five minutes ago, you barreled into me like a linebacker trying to get me to stay with you. Now you are telling me to go and that you want a divorce too?

I know you’ve got pretty much all your cash wrapped up in the store. I don’t think either of us can afford a big, fancy lawyer. If we agree on everything, it should be pretty easy. We can just use this guy I know, and we’ll split the cost. Quick and painless, like the last eight years never happened, right? Jake’s smile was haunting.

Ellie had to admit that the cost of the divorce was one reason she had held off filing as long as she had; it was an idea that had taken root and grown over the past year. Even before she knew about the cheating, she and Jake weren’t a good fit anymore. If Jake truly would agree to everything, doing it that way would be a lot less expensive. She just couldn’t shake the feeling, though, that there was suddenly more to the story than Jake was letting on.

I don’t know, Jake. I don’t think sharing a lawyer is a good idea, she said, shaking her head. She was deeply unsettled that Jake wouldn’t meet her eyes. Something felt off.

Jake didn’t reply. Instead, he went over to the freezer and pulled out an ice pack. He grabbed one of the kitchen towels and wrapped the pack inside. He approached Ellie cautiously and stopped three feet away from her just as he saw she was getting ready to backpedal. His eyes narrowed, but instead of saying anything, he lifted the ice pack slowly so that it was between them.

Truce, Ellie. Here. I’m really sorry that I hurt you. I’ll do it your way. Whatever you want, and maybe we can still be friends when it’s all said and done, he said.

She grabbed the pack out of his hand and held it against the back of her head. The cool towel felt good against her swollen skin.

I think you should go, Ellie. Tonight. Pack all your things and just go. And you’ll think about it, right? Sharing the cost? Making this easy on both of us? Jake seemed to choose his words carefully.

Ellie couldn’t believe it. Jake was kicking her out. But that was what she wanted, so she couldn’t react how she suddenly felt. She was getting what she wanted, right? I’ll think about it, but I’m not guaranteeing anything, she finally said. Then she stepped back so that Jake would have a clear path to the door. She didn’t say anything else.

Jake sighed and walked to the door. He opened it and turned slightly. Ellie watched his eyes crawl up her form slowly and then settle on her face. Then his eyes shifted to that space behind her again. His black aura was back, and Ellie shivered.

I do love you, Ellie, he said. I don’t know how to explain it to you, but just so you know, it wasn’t supposed to end like this. Then he was gone.

As soon as she heard the engine of Jake’s truck start and rumble away, Ellie’s composed facade crumbled. She spun around. There was nothing there, nothing but the door to the basement. She quickly crossed to the opposite wall and grabbed the phone. She dialed Kevin’s number and sighed in relief when he answered on the first ring.

Kevin, can you come over? I think if I’m out tonight, Jake won’t give me any more trouble. She nodded to herself as she heard the affirmative response. But she never took her eyes off the basement door.

Chapter two

The house had been empty for years. The For Sale sign creaked in the slight breeze coming off the lake. Joe Klein put his hand on the signpost to stop the movement, purposely keeping his back to the house. Between the creaky sign and the empty house behind him, he was getting the creeps. He glanced at his watch for the tenth time since arriving at the house and getting out of his car. It was six p.m., less than a minute since the last time he looked. He felt foolish waiting on the lawn, but there was no way in hell he was going near the house alone.

There was a chill in the air. It was a cool spring evening, and Joe wondered if there would be a late season snowstorm. Minnesota weather was unpredictable, especially during the transition between seasons. He just wanted to get this showing over with. If Joe was honest with himself, he was the least successful agent in his office, which was why he had drawn the short stick to show the place when the call for a showing came that afternoon.

The Bradford mansion had only been shown a handful of times in the last ten years. It was bank-owned. The last owner had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. If the expected expense of renovating the place didn’t turn potential buyers away, the history of the place usually did the trick. Joe glanced at the house behind him and then glanced back at the road. He felt like he was being watched, and goose bumps crawled up his arm.

Joe had grown up in the area, and he was intimately familiar with the stories that were whispered about the old Bradford mansion. He remembered riding past it on his bike when he was a teenager with his buddies and being dared to go up and ring the doorbell. Joe had never been brave enough to do it. Even during the brief periods when the house had been occupied, it still had a high freaky factor. He was embarrassed that even now, in his mid-forties, the place still gave him the creeps.

He saw a car approach and breathed a sigh of relief as it slowed and turned into the circle driveway. The headlights illuminated the windows of the house as it pulled up the gentle slope of the driveway and stopped just shy of the sidewalk that led up to the front door. Over the roof of the car, he thought he saw a flicker of movement in the enormous bay window that faced the front patio and his stomach did a flip-flop.

You didn’t see anything. It’s all in your head, he whispered to himself. He held back from making a sign of the cross. That would really give a bad first impression.

The car was a dark blue Jaguar with tinted windows. The driver’s window lowered two inches, and a slim hand emerged with the index finger straight up in the air. The fingernail was painted a deep red. Joe interpreted this as a sign that he was being told to wait and felt a tinge of annoyance. It was bad enough to be stuck with this assignment, but dealing with a rude client would make it even worse. He couldn’t see anything else in the darkened interior.

He shifted his feet slowly and rubbed the arms of his jacket, wishing he had thought to bring gloves. It seemed to get chillier by the minute. After what seemed like an eternity, the car door opened. A foot emerged, dressed in what he was sure was an expensive black leather heel. A slim leg followed it, and then the woman rose gracefully out of the car. Joe’s breath caught in his throat.

The lines on her face showed she was older than Joe, but she was stunning. Her blond hair was swept back from her face into a tidy knot at the back of her neck, and she appeared dressed for a dinner party in a fitted black dress with a red wrap. She wore black driving gloves. Her lips matched her wrap, and as she approached him, her hips swayed seductively. Even in heels, she was still several inches shorter than Joe. Her skin was fair, and he could just detect a smattering of freckles across her nose. She put a cell phone into her clutch and looked up at Joe expectantly.

Mr. Klein? she said softly. Her tone was amused. I’m Linda Jordan. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.

Joe blushed as he realized he was staring. He had been married for twenty years, but he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt such an immediate rush of heat seeing a desirable woman. He shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts.

Yes, yes, ma’am. Joe Klein, from Polson Realty. He held out his hand. She looked at it for a moment before carefully sliding her hand into his for a small pump, and then she drew her hand away.

I’m sure you are eager to get out of the chill and see the property. It is a lovely home that just needs the right owner, Joe said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. Would you like to step inside, Mrs. Jordan? he asked, gesturing toward the wide front patio.

Of course, she said, but she didn’t move. Slowly she turned in a circle, taking in the house and front lawn before finally settling on the view of the lake stretching out before them across the road. I’m not from around here. This is quite a lovely area, yes?

This is a great area with lots of local history and culture, Joe said, switching into sales mode. I actually grew up in the neighborhood myself and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Focusing on the job at hand helped keep his mind off the house and the woman in front of him. He quickly reviewed some facts he had pulled from the file on the house that afternoon.

An entrepreneur named Joseph Bradford built the house in the early 19th century. This area was the place for the well-to-do businessmen and industrialists who were looking for quiet living away from the city but were still close enough to the conveniences. There is a sense of exclusivity being so close to the water. Of course, the city grew up around the neighborhood, but it still maintains that solitary feeling given all the properties that border the lake feel more like small estates. They are very European that way.

Mrs. Jordan nodded as she followed him up the concrete steps and onto the wide patio. It ran the entire length of the front of the house. She seemed entranced by the house, drinking in the architectural detail. She placed a hand on the stone railing and gently slid her fingertips up to the top. Joe thought he saw a small smile creep across her face, but when she looked at him again, her expression was neutral. He cleared his throat and continued.

The Bradfords owned the home for only a couple of years when Joseph fell into some financial troubles. He was forced to sell the house to help pay off his debts. The house has passed through several owners since then. Given its rather impressive size, it drew interest from some local businesses. It was used for a time as both a home for orphaned children and an art school. The house has been vacant since the most recent owner relinquished it several years ago. Joe didn’t add that other than the Bradfords, none of the subsequent occupancies lasted over six months.

I see, Mrs. Jordan said. She was looking at the lake again.

This would be a great patio for entertaining, almost like an Italian veranda, I think. I can easily picture a group of people here sipping wine and watching folks passing by on the bike path or canoeing on the lake, he said continuing on, hoping to draw attention away from any further commentary on the house’s history. Mrs. Jordan didn’t reply.

Joe studied the contours of her face for signs of her initial impressions as she looked out at the water. On the outside chance she would consider buying it, all the less savory details would be disclosed later. There was one thing Joe knew from experience: if someone loved a house, they would overlook almost anything to have it. All that trouble happened so long ago that it shouldn’t matter now, anyway. Of course, that didn’t ease Joe’s anxiety about being there one bit.

He wasn’t sure what to do next, but if she was interested in the view, he thought it would be better with light. He slipped the key into the lock and pushed the tall glass doors open. They groaned in protest, and Joe wondered when the last time someone had been in to clean up the place. As a matter of practice, the real estate office usually sent someone in to clean and dust once a month and before every showing since the house was unoccupied, but the call had come in so late in the day Joe was certain no one had a chance to get there before the appointment. He hoped that there weren’t rats or spider webs or anything else even worse lurking in the corners.

He shivered as he stepped inside and flipped on the light switches next to the door. A chandelier above him flickered and then caught, lighting up the entryway; the lights on the porch went on as well. He was standing in a massive entry hall that led to an enormous staircase. There were rooms on either side of the hall and long hallways on both sides of the staircase that led into darkness. A plush rug covered the floor of the foyer and was the only furnishing in the house that he could see, aside from the window treatments.

Mrs. Jordan slowly walked into the house and stood next