The Awakening

24 - Help Beyond the Grave

  Georgia settled into the armchair next to the large plush sofa. The tall back and arms hugged to her, making her feel as though she was not alone in its embrace. The light from the television screen bounced about the dark room, creating new angles she had never explored before. If Cassie was here she would say she was being foolish.  

If Cassie was here they would sit on the couch, watching some ropy comedy, laughing at the corniness as they snacked on popcorn.   If that was reality, Georgia's world would still be intact. Instead, Georgia now found herself glued to all the news channels. Starting with local first and broadening her scope. It was more important than some sitcom and she had just caught the last bit of the local news broadcast, as her fingers clicked the television remote.  

There was a segment on a local up-and-coming artist that had found favour with the critics. Georgia recognized him, placing him as soon as she saw his name appear beneath the talking head. Kellan had grown up to be a handsome man. She remembered that her husband had given him some work one year when he thought the kid needed a break. He had a real soft spot for the lad. Georgia remembered him saying the boy had it hard but his heart was good and the lad had a gift. Her husband could always spot a diamond in the rough. God she missed that man despite the passing years.

Kellan was always good with hands. She recalled he had started off being a carpenter, before embracing sculpture with occasional paintings, after catching the eye of well known local artist who encourage him to develop his talent. Watching the young man that her husband helped shape, lightened her mood. The warmth of her husband's being traveled towards her. It was as if he was sending a message beyond the grave pointing her in the right direction. There was more than just Kellan that grabbed her attention.

The shape of the bronze caught her eye on the news report. The face was concealed but the body of the statue looked incredibly familiar. Why was that?

She looked at the way the hair resembled a mermaid's tale. It seemed too much of a coincidence that Cassie's favourite cartoon character was Ariel. Georgia also noticed the way the bronze statue's hair fell like gentle waves down it's back. Even the dip in the middle of her spine reminded her of Cassie, it was a joke how they said she had a pert derriere like Pippa Middleton and her daughter always laughed that the gym sessions had paid off. Cassie wanted to look good for the wedding. She said all eyes would be on her backside! Georgia remembered the day she discovered Cassie had a tattoo inked on her shoulder of Ariel. She bet her bottom dollar if she looked at the original bronze it might show some of Cassie's tattoo. Georgia was intrigued to see if her gut feeling played out.

Georgia didn't understand. This had to be Cassie; naked. Kellan had to have a relationship with her and as the sculpture was only now being revealed for the current exhibition, it had to be recent as they were only friends in the past, of that she was certain.

Throwing the diary onto the coffee table, Georgia ran out of the house. Kellan knew something that she didn't but before the day was out, he would tell her.

Gerogia was joining up the dots. All those years of reading murder mysteries would hold her in good stead.

Her husband always said when he was alive, that she was like a dog with a bone, once she got it, she wouldn't let go until she had all the answers.

He was right. Next stop Kellan.