Page 47 of Dark Visions

“No, it won’t,” said Aislinn calmly.

“Honey, I know you think it will be easy, but she’s going to run or at least slow down as soon as she hears about Krauss killing himself.”

“Not if he shows up on her doorstep.”

“What?”

“We need to talk to his brother,” she said, taking the last bite of pancake. “We have to make him understand the situation. If we can get him to help, he can convince her that he is Michael, not Christopher.”

“Damn! She’s a keeper!” said Adam. Kane grinned at his friend.

Yea, don’t I fucking know it!

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Aislinn stood at the rear of the funeral home, watching the mourners pass by the closed casket. Christopher Krauss had been quick with the arrangements for his brother, and to their advantage, the services and funeral were taking place some two hundred miles south of where they both lived and worked.

Kane held tightly to Aislinn’s hand, Adam standing tall and strong on the opposite side of her. Outside, Flip waited in the large SUV watching for any signs of Deborah.

They were surprised that more people were not attending, although two hundred miles was a great distance for colleagues. It appeared that Michael didn’t have a lot of close friends other than his twin.

The minister stood and began with a few words, followed by one hymn. As Christopher made his way to the front of the room, standing by his brother’s casket, his grief etched on his face.

“My brother… my brother was more than just a brother to me. He was my best friend, my confidante, my partner in everything we did. I loved him more than life. I felt his happiness when he met his beautiful wife when they had their beautiful son. And I felt his pain when they were both lost to him. These last few years have been difficult for him, and I guess I wasn’t aware how difficult. I know that now he is at peace and will finally be reunited with his family.”

The tears fell silently down his cheeks, his eyes rimmed in red. The minister stood once more to tell the attendees that there would be a private graveside service for family only, meaning only Christopher.

“Let’s wait until everyone leaves,” said Kane. Aislinn nodded, watching the few mourners leave the funeral parlor. The minister gripped Christopher’s shoulder and turned to leave the room. The weight of his grief sent him to his knees, the agony of his loss finally collapsing down on him. Aislinn stepped forward slowly, turning to nod at Kane that all would be well.

She stood beside him at first, then kneeling, she wrapped her arms around him as he sobbed uncontrollably, collapsing against her body. Aislinn rubbed slow circles on his back, humming softly to him as she rocked him back and forth on the floor. It was several minutes before Christopher raised his head to see the small stranger holding him.

“I-I’m so sorry,” he sniffed.

“There is no need to apologize, Dr. Krauss,” she said with a weak smile.

“Wait, I know you. I treated you in the emergency room, didn’t I?” Aislinn nodded. “How did you know my brother? Why are you here?” Christopher Krauss looked up to see Kane and Adam standing like giants behind Aislinn.

“Dr. Krauss? My name is Kane Jackson, and this is my friend, Dr. Adam Thorn.”

“Hello. I’m sorry. This has been a rough few days. Do I know you?” he asked, staring at Adam.

“You don’t, doctor, but we knew your brother, sort of.”

“I don’t know if I want to hear this,” he said, staring at the threesome. “My brother… my brother wasn’t himself these last few years. He was grieving. Grieving so much for the loss of his wife and son.”

“Dr. Krauss…”

“Christopher, please call me Christopher,” he said to the doe-eyed beauty.

“Christopher, my name is Aislinn Carter. None of this will make sense to you, but I need to try and explain.” He stood and then sat down on the pew in the front row. The others followed suit and watched as he prepared himself for Aislinn’s story.

“I have a rare, unusual gift. When I touch people, I can see the evil that lurks within,” she said quietly. Christopher’s eyes grew wide at first and then turned skeptical. “I know it seems unbelievable, but I touched your brother’s hand a few weeks ago and saw things. He was angry and sad at the same time. He needed justice.”

Aislinn continued with all the details of the story, watching the expressions of Christopher Krauss. He seemed to jump from anger to disbelief and then to sadness, all in the same moment.

“I know this is difficult, Christopher, but we have to find this woman, Deborah. I believe that if we can convince her that you are Michael, we can stop her.”

Christopher Krauss stood and walked up to the casket of his brother, the huge spray of flowers flowing over the edges. He touched his palm to the cold, shiny wood and lowered his head.

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