"Do I have to stay still and quiet?"
"No, just relax. I may ask you to turn your head from time to time. You can talk and move though." She set up the easel and went to work. Jackson thoroughly enjoyed watching her. The way her brow furrowed when she wasn't pleased with the canvas, then the expression of satisfaction when her brushes cooperated. She was in another world, and he had the privilege of viewing her creative juices first hand. He found yet another appreciation for her.
Elisabeth's phone rang. "I better get this." Jackson could hear both sides of the conversation.
"Elisabeth, it's Thomas."
"Hi, how are you?"
"Fine, where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days."
"I've been pretty busy. What's up?"
"Josh and his group lost those rogues in Canada. We have no idea which direction they headed. Slippery bastards."
"Oh no."
"Was there anything hinky in your local papers after the full moon."
"No, nothing. I'll do some digging in the surrounding areas."
"Good. When are you going to show your face around here?"
"I'm not sure. I might not see you until the Wolf Moon Festival."
"What? I'm just going to have to make a trip to you then."
"I'm really busy Thomas. I don't think I can fit a visit in."
"Fine. I'll see you in January then, love you."
"Love you too."
Jackson tilted his head and pursed his lips. "Do I get to ask who Thomas is, and why he loves you?"
"Yes. He's my brother."
He rested his head on the back of the chair and let out a long sigh. "You know, I feel like we know each other so well, then something like this happens."
Elisabeth stood and approached him. "You know the most important things."
"Really? And how is having a brother not important?"
She held her head down. "I'm sorry. Thomas doesn't know about you, so I thought it would be easier all around if…."
Jackson took her hand and pulled her to his lap. "Tell me about your family."
She wrapped arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. "My mother's name is Miriam. My father is Caleb. There's Thomas, and I had a sister Emily, but she died."
He pulled away. "Emily? I had a sister Emily."
"I see you keep secrets too."
"I think there is a bit of a difference. My relatives have been dead for many years. Yours are alive and well in…?"
"Oregon."
"Oregon. That's quite a commute. How did Emily die?"
"She was murdered."
Jackson felt her body tense as her face set in anger. It reminded him of Halloween night and how she had been nearly unrecognizable. He cupped her face with his hands. "Did Victor kill your sister?"