Chapter 7

While Greg threw his clothes into his suitcase, Nick stood in the doorway. "You sure you want to go?"

Greg didn't answer. "You know, if you stick around, we can clear this mess up."

"Nick, you have things under control. You don't need me. I've got to go if I want to catch my plane."

Greg slammed his suitcase shut and walked out the door where a cab sat waiting for him. Before he got in the car, he turned and looked at Nick. "I hope you catch the guy."

And with that, he got into the car and Nick watched as the cab pulled away. Sighing, he walked back into the house where his siblings sat. "He left, didn't he?" asked David.

Nick nodded. "You gonna go after him?" asked Laura.

This time, Nick shook his head. "Why not? He's our brother!" shouted Billy.

"We can't be sure Billy. We have no proof."

"Maybe, but still, he's family," said Jacob.

"We all are," finished Gracie.

"Guys, I know what you're saying, but Greg can handle himself. We can't always order him around. Trust me; I've tried to calm him down. He's like a wound up toy that won't stop. Maybe if we can get a confession on tape of Mr. Sanders, maybe that'll convince 'em. But we can't do anything 'bout Greg."

They all nodded. "Why don't we all go upstairs and get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

Slowly, they all filed up the stairs and into the bedroom.


In the taxi, Greg sat staring out the window as the taxi drove him to the airport. As he started out into the sunset, he heard the voice again. "Danny…come home…"

Instead of shaking it out of his head, Greg just sat and pondered. He felt bad for abandoning his buddy. But Greg was in a confused state. He didn't know who he was anymore and there was a slight possibility that the man he knew as his father was his kidnapper. "Danny…come home…"

I am home, he said to the voice.

"Danny…come home…you're family needs you to…"

That small message made him think. Taking in a deep breath, he looked at the sky and said, "I hope you're right."

"What was that sir?"

"Take me back to 719 Rose Ave, and fast!"

"Yes sir," said the driver as he made a U-turn and headed back to the house.


Nick was tossing in his bed when a knock came from downstairs. As soon s the sound met his ears, he shot up in his bed and grabbed his gun. Cautiously, he crept down the stairs and crept closer to the door. When he reached the door, he yanked it open and pointed the gun. "Easy Nick!"

That's when Nick realized it was Greg. "Greg? What are you doing here? I thought you were going back to Vegas."

"Yeah, well my flight got cancelled."

"Really?"

"No! Look, I've got something to tell you…and your siblings."


Down in the living room, Greg sat in the love seat as everyone surrounded him. "Okay, I kind of have a confession to make. For the past eight months, I've been hearing this woman's voice in my head who keeps calling me Danny. So, when I was headed to the airport, she told me to 'go home'. I think the answer to who and why the perpetrator attacked your family lies somewhere inside your old house. Did you know if the house ever sold?"

"Nobody would buy it. Said that our parent's souls were still inside," said Nick.

"Well, I say we head over there and see if we can find anything that points a finger at the madman behind it all…and maybe I'll get a clean answer to this while Danny thing."

"Great, we'll head over first thing tomorrow morning," said David.

Everyone stood up and went upstairs, except for Greg and Nick. "You okay?" asked Nick.

"Sorry for blowing up on you like that earlier. Guess I'm kinda stressed out, ya know?"

Nick nodded and walked with Greg upstairs.


That next morning, the Cadillac pulled up to the large house. Slowly, everyone go tout and looked at the house. "You ready?" asked David.

Everyone nodded and walked up to the front door. Before he opened the door, Nick took a deep breath and turned the knob. The inside of the house was dusty. Spider webs clung between spaces of furniture and wall. Taking in the site, everybody walked into the foyer as Nick closed the door. "I suggest we split up. David, Greg and I will take the upstairs as Gracie, Laura, Billy and Jacob take downstairs," suggested Nick.

They all nodded in agreement and began to go their separate ways. When they hit the top of the stairs, they glanced down the hall. It was dark and dust still lingered in the air. As Greg stared down the hall, he felt as if he was being drawn to the farthest room. Without realizing it, he began to walk to that room. "Greg?" asked Nick.

But Greg didn't answer. He just kept walking towards the room. As he approached the door, little voices of children began to flood his memory. The children were laughing and playing. Then, a woman's voice said, "Welcome home Danny…"

Without stopping, Greg walked through the door and into the room. The room was fairly big. A small bed lay in the corner of the room with a large dresser next to it. Taped to the wall were color drawn pictures by a one year old. Then, he saw a young kid run into the room and hide under the bed. Then, a tall man came in. "Hmmm…I wonder where he went…" he said as he walked over to the bed and pulled out the boy from underneath.

The little boy laughed with joy as the man tickled him. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Danny."

"Greg?"

Greg turned around and saw Nick and David standing in the doorway. "This was Danny's room, right?"

"This was your…I mean…Danny's room," said David.

Suddenly, something flashed before his eyes.

It was young Danny sleeping in his bed and a man grabbing the boy out of the bed. Then, something slipped out of the man's pockets and fell underneath the bed.

"Hey guys, I think he may have left something under the bed."

Nick and David exchanged glances and slowly walked over to the bed. All three bent down and looked. Sitting right there was a piece of parchment. "How did you know?" asked David.

"I don't know."

Nick picked up the note and read the contents. It said:

Meet Mr. Care-Taker at Whitaker Mansion

"Where's Whitaker Mansion?" asked Greg.

"It's in downtown Dallas on the hill over looking the city," explained Nick.

"Maybe we should go check it out," noted Greg.

"I'll go get everybody into the car," smiled David.

As David left the room, Nick placed his hand on Greg's shoulder. "Come on."

Greg nodded and followed Nick out of the room and into the car.

TBC…


So, what are they going to face at Whitaker Mansion? Please R&R!