Cherry Two

Part 17

Chapter 15

James put the phone down gently. Kate waited in the living room, perched on the edge of the sofa, trying to hide her anxiety and not succeeding. Her fingers twisted atop the flowered apron in a sign of pent-up nervous tension. Tom Sidcombe's sudden death from a freak fall had visibly shaken them both.

"That was Tom's oldest daughter, Jeanine. The funeral is the day after tomorrow," James said in a hushed tone. "Did you explain to Peter what's going on?"

Kate could hardly look at him. "I thought you'd do that. You and that Wallace creature seem to know everything before any of us."

James sat down fast and grabbed his wife by the shoulders, turning her to look at him. "Yes and I hate it!" he blurted. "I did nothing. Tom's dead and I did nothing."

"You frighten me, Jim. I don't know who the hell you are any more."

He pressed his forehead against hers while holding both of Kate's hands tight. "Don't you think it frightens me? When Wallace takes a photo people die. It's not because he took the photo. Someone... something is trying to send a warning. If it weren't for the photos he took of himself Wallace would be dead. How the Christ could I explain a mad thing like that to a sane person? It makes me question my own sanity."

Kate drew her hands away, then placed one to the side of James's face. "I understand now, why you wanted Wallace to take those photos of our family. It wasn't a reason you could put in plain words and make me understand. If only I could see what you see in those photos... but it's no use... I can't see it." She turned her head away and began to choke up. "Like I said, I'm frightened, Jim—frightened of the same thing you are. I know when Calley gets home you will have Wallace take her picture. I'm frightened there'll be something bad only you can see. What if it's already there and only getting stronger?" Her head snapped back as she glared directly into his eyes. "Why in God's name did we send her away?"

James had no answer. All he could do was hold his wife and pray she'd be wrong.

***

Later that evening James decided to get in touch with Wallace Ward. He'd been putting off sharing the news about Tom Sidcombe as long as he could. The prior revelation to Ward that only the two of them could see the glow effect had created a silence that had lasted for days. Ward would have to deal with the new phenomenon in his own way. James had enough on his plate to worry about with his only daughter, doing God knows what, six thousand miles away.

Sitting alone in front of the computer, he dialed Ward's number and waited. After several rings a woman's voice came on the line.

"Hello. Is Wallace there, please?" James began.

"Who's calling?" the female voice asked, in a terse tone.

"I'm James Nameth. You must be his sister, Irene?"

The voice turned friendlier. "Oh, of course, Wallace mentioned you. You're his special friend that lives out in Surrey."

"Yes, near Staines. Is Wallace available by any chance?"

"Wallace is in hospital. He collapsed two days ago. I'm sorry you didn't know. He's been very ill lately. Did he not tell you about the lung problem?"

James paused before giving his faltering reply. "... But... I thought the doctors had said they cured the cancer... I don't understand. The latest photo was clear..."

"Well I'm sorry to say he's had a relapse, although they do think he can be treated without more surgery. What did you mean about the photo? Wallace has been acting stranger than usual. He keeps waffling on about photos and other stuff all the time. Please, Mr. Nameth, do you have any idea what's going on?" She paused. "It's not just me. Everyone, even our doctor, is worried about his mental state."

James had more than a mere idea. His slip about the photo wasn't something he could explain to Ward's worried sister over the phone—or anyone else for that matter.

"If it's alright can I visit Wallace? I'm owed some time off at work. I could come out tomorrow." He said it perhaps a shade more eagerly than he should.

Irene seemed a little reluctant at first. "Well he's not his usual self, but he can have visitors. It's the chemotherapy you know. Makes him very tired. You will have a long way to come for only a short visit."

On reflection James wasn't so sure about revealing Tom Sidcombe's ill-timed fate. It sounded like Wallace had enough to deal without this added on. Still, James needed to know why Ward's photographic prediction over his supposed complete recovery had obviously failed. Which in a way made the visit more for James's benefit than Ward's. And tossing some grapes at a sick guy upchucking from chemo would hardly negate his quiet usury.

"All the same, I'd like to come if you feel it's okay."

"Wallace is in St. Margaret's Hospital in Epping. They have open visiting... unless they want to do something to him. Then you might have a long wait. If you're sure I will phone his room and let him know you will be coming over."

"Please. And I hope your brother gets well and returns home soon."

James ended the call then went downstairs to where Kate and Peter sat watching television—to anyone, a normal domestic scene.

How wrong could they be?

With Ward taking a relapse, was his notion of turnaround from the photo warnings false? Are the photo predictions inevitable after all? And what will Calley's photo look like—that is if Ward survives long enough to take it?

If you are enjoying Cherry Two, please vote and comment any way you wish. Thanks to all my readers.

Go to my homepage for more info.

https://www.wattpad.com/user/Thrillwriterdotcom