Page 3 of Wraith
“Ms. Hemmingway, I have some personal mail for you,” Sarah said in her usual sweet voice.
Amelia smiled and turned around with an extended hand. “Thank you, Sarah.”
“You’re welcome.”
She left the room and closed the door behind her as she went. Amelia set the report on her desk and began leafing through her mail. Normally, she didn’t get real mail at the office. But whenever she went out and cashiers asked for her address, she just gave them the one for the office. The little fib cut down on the amount of junk they sent to her house. Still, she always went through each piece in case she’d forgotten and given someone important the office address by mistake. She’d done it before. The one instance caused her to have to reapply for her health card.
A blue envelop with the name Poppy St. Croix caught her attention. It was for her, but no one had called her Poppy St. Croix since she was a little girl. As a child, when her father was around, he would read to her before bed. Poppy St. Croix was the name of a bunny in one of her favorite books. No one knew how obsessed she was with the beautiful bunny except her father. Arching a brow, she turned the envelope over in her hand. There was no return address nor was there any post markings on it.
Though tempted to toss it out, Amelia found herself sliding the opener through the soft, blue paper and pushing outward. The sound of paper coming apart filled the office briefly. She dropped the letter opener back into the holder and reached inside for a folded piece of paper.
Amelia. I know I’m the last person you wish to hear from. But if you’re reading this, I’m either dead or will be soon.
Amelia gasped. Her father wasn’t one for the dramatics. He spoke nothing but the truth, harshly so at times and he did not play mind games. This letter was in his handwriting which meant it came from him and she was in trouble, or soon would be.
Clearing her throat, she continued reading.
Remember when I told you if you got a letter from me like this and it said run, you’re supposed to run? It’s time, Amelia and I’m sorry I couldn’t have prepared you better.
At 2p.m, you will get another piece of mail from me. It will have some things inside the envelope you will need. The very second you receive it, I need you to leave the office. Take nothing with you, not even your cell. Leave the phone on your desk—it is being tracked. Once you are somewhere safe, open the package and follow the instructions inside it.
I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I really did set out to give you the best world possible and I really, truly do love you.
Dad.
Amelia immediately looked at the clock—she had forty five minutes before her father’s package arrived. She rummaged through her drawer for her phone and set it on the desk. Next she hurried out to speak with Sarah.
“I’ll be leaving the office early today. I’m not feeling well,” she lied. “If anyone calls for me ask them to give a call back tomorrow and take a message.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Oh, and I’m expecting a package. When it gets here, bring it to me immediately.”
Sarah nodded, and Amelia hurried back into her office. The next few minutes were spent pacing back and forth. She tried reading but it was a lesson in futility. Nothing was staying in her brain. She kept wondering what her father could have done to put her in such danger.
“If you ever get a letter from me telling you to run, don’t call me, don’t ask questions, just run. Understand?”
“Why?”
“Don’t ask questions.”
“But dad, there has to be a reason why.”
“Trust me, please?”
Another knock came at her door and this time Amelia damn near jumped out of her skin. Clearing her throat, she inhaled, exhaled before turning to her computer and pretending she was hard at work. “Come in.”
Sarah entered once more, this time with a medium sized envelope.
“Thank you,” Amelia said.
She ignored the curiosity in the girl’s eyes and Sarah exited. Once alone, Amelia ripped into the package. A cell phone, a passport, a credit card, a sum of money still in the bank band as well as a driver’s license and small book with what looked to be Russian on the cover toppled onto the desk. She instantly began going through things. The passport had her face, place of birth and country but the name Kristy Swansea.
“What did you get me into, dad?” Amelia asked.
She peered inside the envelope to find another letter.
Amelia, take all this stuff, put them in your purse. Take your original things home and leave them there. Afterward, I’d like you to rent a car under the name Kristy Swansea and drive to the address on the back of this letter. Meet with a man name Liam Snyder. Tell him the you’re the blackbird you. He will make sure you’re safe. Please, Amelia. I know you’re having a bad day by this point and my paranoia isn’t helping, but you are my daughter. They will hurt you and I could never forgive myself if that happens. Now, this letter will self-destruct—sorry, I figured you could use a bit of a smile. But in all seriousness, destroy this letter once you’ve arrived to Liam.
