Chereads / The Checkmate Murder / Chapter 17 - Olive

Chapter 17 - Olive

Stepping into my room, time seems to be at a standstill. A large assortment of tombs are scattered over my desk left from days prier as I had forgotten to pick them up. Doing so, I join the new addition to its place. Stopping when dark fingers grace one of the spines above my head.

"No one would have guessed the little bookworm was such a demonologist?" She pauses for a second before looking down to me with a confused look. "That's the title, right? Demonologist?"

"I believe so. Whatever it is might as well call me a wiz." I chuckle moving over to my bed and taking out a remote from my nightstand and start my search for something to watch, I see Marie looking through the books before picking one of the shelves and walking over. Dropping down next to me she skims the pages as I find us some random channel to watch.

"So. What started the fascination? I always forget to ask."

The question is something I've heard for a while. Sitting up from the bed I hum for a second before responding.

"I always wanted to find something to connect with my mom and dad you know." Scooting off the bed I step over to the large variety of books, running my finger through the spines I find the one I was looking for and cautiously pull it free. "Aunt Elinore found it while we were cleaning the place. Recognized it and decided to give it to as a welcome home gift."

"Some Welcome home gift." Marie jokes as I come back to the bed, dropping down onto the blankets.

Opening the cover to reveal my mother's name in sharp cursive black ink.

"I have been trying to figure out what they had been looking for before the vanished but so far I've been at a dead end."

"Let me see. Maybe some fresh eyes will help." Marie takes the book a slight joking tone playing at her lips to lighten the mood which currently I'm very thankful for. Skimming through the pages, I return my attention to the TV.

About half-way through the movie Marie stands up, jumping a bit with a smile on her face.

"OOOOOH, you better be lucky you love me, Olive!" Throwing the book down she makes sure to flip back to the page she had her hand on. Stopping and jabbing her finger into the paper before my eyes. "Your Mom is a fucking badass!"

"What about my sister?"

Whipping our heads-up Auntie Elinor stands in the crack of the door a few bags in her arms. Stepping in she drops down some take-out next to me. Marie lifts her hand from the book and plays coy for a second.

"Nothing Mrs. Eli just complimenting the large collection Olive's got." Waving her hand around the room. Elinor only smiles and nods, a soft hum coming from her throat as she heads back towards the door.

"Well don't get yourselves into too much trouble okay. I'll be downstairs watching the news if ya need me."

We both nod as she steps out, closing the door behind her. Once the soft click reaches our ears Marie turns to me.

"Do you think she heard us?"

"Most likely. Let's eat and wait a bit before continuing. I don't want her to get involved in this just yet." With that we both get comfy and started eating the Chinese take-out. "What do you think they were up too?"

"Your parents?" She responds taking a bite out an eggroll.

"Yeah?"

"Well hopefully we can find out." She says, her voice muffled by the food as she swallows and leans back against my bed.

'Hopefully."