Chapter 10

Uncle Seeley burst into the store and slammed the door behind him with force what rattled the windows. He held a glare at Parker.

"Dad," Parker started, "I can explain-"

"I hope you can. Do you have any idea what you put me through? What you put Temperance through?" Uncle Seeley growled back, cutting Parker off. Parker's face held a look of horror and tears in his eyes.

"Mr Booth," Melinda cut in, "Parker is safe there is no need to-"

"Look, Miss Gordon, I appreciate that you took care of him; but he is my son. He will be punished for running away in the middle of the night."

"I only did so because Isabelle told me to!" Parker yelled out. Uncle Seeley released a breath of anger.

"Isabelle," he muttered, before yelling, "Isabelle is dead! There is no coming back from that!" almost at once, I got mad. I balled my hands into fists and a few lights started flickering.

"Mr Booth, this may be hard to believe, but Isabelle is still here," Melinda said, calmly. Uncle Seeley wheeled on her. Rick stood quietly, shocked at the situation that was playing out.

"You're the one filling his head with lies? Stay away from my son or I will arrest you. Parker we are going home!" Uncle Seeley opened the door a crack before I pushed it closed. I kept my hand on it, proving effective. Uncle Seeley couldn't open it. The room turned cold; of course I couldn't feel it, but I could see everyone's breath hang in the air. Uncle Seeley turned to Melinda, confusion in his face.

"What's happening?" he asked, "Do you have something to do with this?"

"No," Melinda replied, "It's Isabelle."

"Whatever you're doing, stop it now!" Melinda looked at me.

"Stop," she commanded. I don't know why, but it just made me even more mad. The lights grew bright and every single one blew, the bulbs shattered; littering the floor with glass. Melinda screamed while Uncle Seeley rushed to Parker to cover him from the glass shards that had fallen.

"Are you okay?" Uncle Seeley asked, his question directed at Parker; who nodded his head.

"I'm fine dad," he replied. Uncle Seeley released Parker and flicked his gaze to Melinda.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked, "Scaring Parker? What do you want from us?"

"I never asked for anything. Mr Booth, you have to trust me."

"Why should I?"

"Tell him because he promised to keep his little pistol safe," I cut in.

"Because you promised to keep your little pistol safe," Melinda repeated, "It's the name you used to call her."

"How did you know that?"

"Because she told me."

"You're telling the truth?"

"Don't sound so surprised Uncle Seal," I replied. Melinda laughed a little.

"What? What is it?" Uncle Seeley asked.

"She said 'don't sound so surprised Uncle Seal'." Uncle Seeley smiled, before laughing.

"I can't believe she remembers that. Isabelle was only young at the time."

"She remembers as she very rarely got to see you," Melinda replied, relaying my message.

"It wasn't my fault; my brother and I had a falling out."

"I know," I said.

"She knows."

"Why is she stuck here?" Uncle Seeley asked.

"When someone dies suddenly or in a violent way, they are usually trapped here. It is my job to help spirits cross- over," Melinda replied.

"Cross- over? To where?"

"The light."

"What is the light?"

"It is the place that spirits go once they find peace."

"So if Isabelle and I talk, she will be at peace?"

"That is the idea. Sometimes a spirit has other reasons for staying earthbound."

"Tell Uncle Seeley I don't want to leave until my murder has been solved," I cut in. Melinda repeated my message.

"I'm trying my best to find them... your murderer. We've run into a dead end," Uncle Seeley replied. He then had an idea. I could see it on his face. "Isabelle, you must have seen your killer."

"I think I did, but I don't remember who it was," I replied, my reply repeated to Uncle Seeley. His face fell slightly. "There is still hope," I continued, "If... when I remember what happened, I will be sure you are the first person I tell. Uncle Seeley, there is someone I want to tell you about. She is only two years of age and I am sure she would like to meet you."

"Who is she?"

"My daughter. Her name is Lilly and I know you will adore her."

"Where is she?"

"With my friend. She was safer there. No one knew about Amy or where she lived. She was the one I ran to when I had nowhere else to turn. Now, I would like you to take her and raise her alongside Christine. When Lilly is old enough, I want you to tell her what happened to me and who killed me when they are caught."

"I will." Tears started to roll down my face.

"I want you to sing to her like you did to me when I was a child. I want you to tuck her in at night and kiss her goodnight like your own child. Love her like your own, help her when she is down and let her live a long and happy life."

"I promise," Uncle Seeley replied, after a few moments, his voice breaking as he fought his tears. A smile cracked over my face and from the back room of the store, a bright light shone, covering the whole doorway.

"Whoa," I said, "Is that for me?"

"What do you see?" Melinda asked.

"A bright light."

"She's ready to cross- over," Melinda announced to the others. A figure emerged from the light. It was a woman in her late thirties. She had the same facial structure I did. Her hair was a light shade of brown and her eyes were blue. I exhaled in shock and surprise.

"Hello sweetheart," the woman said.

"Mum!?" I exclaimed.