The Monarch Graveyard

by James R Nelson

  Stephen gripped the phone. The maid? “Are you serious? Was her name Amber?”

  “I don’t know. Elena just said the maid. Anyway, when are you coming back? Allen’s here. We want to go over his script. You should be here for that. And we’ve got a very crazy situation going on here that I need you to check out.”

  “Of course you do. With Barbara on the loose, how could you not have a crazy situation?”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s something else. You really need to get back.”

  “Where’s Cyrus? Is he still in Florida?”

  “Yes. He’s in a hospital in Melbourne, not far from where they were staying.”

  “I know you want me back in Michigan, but I want to talk to him about something.”

  “Why? They’ve identified the kidnappers and have a woman in custody. He’s been rescued. It’s only a matter of how long he has to stay in the hospital. Why would you need to talk to him?”

  “Something’s come up. I think it’s important. I’d rather not go into it over the phone. Please, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was significant.”

  There was a pause. “Well, I suppose so. I could really use you here. I just got a call from Jeanette. Her mother’s taken a turn for the worse. I doubt if she’s coming back to the mansion anytime soon. So, that along with Cora, and now I’ve got another problem. Something’s going on at the sanctuary. I’ve already gotten five phone calls about it.”

  “What is it? You sound frazzled.”

  “I am frazzled, dammit. You have no idea what it’s like around here without Cora and Jeanette. Barbara can’t cook, and you know what my culinary skills are like. I’ve interviewed several people today and someone’s starting tomorrow. I sure hope she can cook.”

  “What’s going on at the sanctuary?”

  “Somebody keeps showing up. They’re creating quite a nuisance. People are calling me about it. It’s bizarre. That’s the only word I can use to describe it, bizarre.”

  “What kind of nuisance?”

  “I don’t want to get into it over the phone because it will just sound insane. I’ll tell you all about it when you get back.”

  Seventeen

  It was ten-thirty Monday morning. Doctor Franklin wondered how long it would take for the emergency meeting of the board of directors to let her know her services were no longer required.

  Eric and Ralph had helped her search the premises the whole week-end, hoping they would find some nook or cranny where Louise could be hiding. From the location of where Eric found Louise’s shoe, she must have run through the woods, somehow scaled over the cyclone fence, and made it to the highway. With her pretty face, even wearing that unattractive green hospital uniform, somebody probably stopped and picked her up. If it was a trucker, she could be anywhere by now.

  After pacing her office for two hours, the chairman of the board, Mr. Williamson, walked in. “There’s going to be a full inquiry about what happened. I think you will be asked to take a leave of absence during the investigation, but they’re debating that now.”

  Doctor Franklin removed her glasses. “I understand.”

  “I’m sorry it’s come to this. You know I was supportive of your research project, but this last escape was too much for the board to handle.”

  “I know. Thank you for the support you gave us.”

  As he stepped out of her office, she struggled to keep her composure. Ralph was hovering near her window waiting to see what decision had been made. She reached over and closed the blinds. That should be enough to let him know how it went. The phone on her desk rang. She answered, “Hello.”

  A voice on the other end said, “Is this Doctor Franklin?”

  “Yes. How may I help you?”

  “This is Cindy Montgomery, Angela Stefano’s sister.”

  Doctor Franklin waited for her to say something. When she didn’t, Doctor Franklin asked, “Is everything okay?”

  “That’s what I’m calling about. Angela was supposed to get here Saturday, but she never showed up. I’ve been calling her all week-end with no answer. I was wondering if something came up at work, and maybe she had to cancel her trip.”

  “No. In fact, I let her leave a little early on Friday so she could make sure she was ready. She was really looking forward to visiting you.”

  There was a long pause. “I…I’m afraid something must have happened. I don’t know what to do. Like I said, nobody answers.”

  “Why don’t I drive over to her house and see what I can find out.”

  “Oh, Doctor. I really couldn’t ask you to—”

  Doctor Franklin suddenly felt unsteady. She grabbed the front of her desk and sat down on a chair. She felt like she may be ill. “No. I’m heading over there right now. What is your number? I’ll call you in about an hour.”

  “Oh, thank you Doctor. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  Doctor Franklin set down the phone and took a deep breath. She couldn’t do this by herself. Was she over reacting? Could something like this really have occurred? She’d have to take Ralph with her.

  On the drive over to Angela’s house, Ralph asked, “What do you think happened? Why didn’t Angela go to California like she said?”

  Doctor Franklin stared out at the road. “We don’t know Ralph. That’s why we’re taking this trip.” She slowed the car and took a quick right onto a narrow, tree covered gravel road.

  Ralph looked around. “Where are we?”

  “We’re on White Pine Road. If you look through the trees, you can see Lake Superior way out there.”

  Ralph turned toward the passenger side window. “Oh, yeah. Boy, there’s nobody out here, is there.”

  Doctor Franklin pulled up to a small cottage. “Here we are.” She looked around. “I don’t see her car.”

  They both exited the vehicle. “Maybe she decided to drive to California?” Ralph asked.

  Doctor Franklin shook her head. “Not when you only have two weeks of vacation.” She walked over to the front door and tried the knob. It was open. “Come on, Ralph. What are you looking at?”

  “I was just looking out at the lake way in the distance. Pretty spot for a cottage.”

  Doctor Franklin stepped inside the small living room. Everything looked neat and clean. Ralph walked in behind her. “What are we looking for?” Doctor Franklin jumped.

  “What? Did I scare you?”

  “I…I thought you were outside.”

  Ralph turned toward the kitchen. “This sure is a nice little house. I wish I had a place like this.”

  Doctor Franklin noticed the door to the bedroom was almost closed. She went over and pushed it open.

  Ralph was bent over examining a half finished crossword puzzle when a piercing scream broke the silence. He froze for a moment and then ran back to the living room. Doctor Franklin was white. She stepped back from the bedroom and yelled, “Dear God. Call 911.”

  Ralph ran over. “What is it?”

  She pulled the door closed. “Blood. Lots and lots of blood.”

  ###

  Jeanette walked into the dining room with a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. “Where’s Barbara?”

  Phillip looked up from his paper. “I don’t know. I think maybe she’s hiding from you.”

  She took a seat across from him. “Why would she be hiding from me?”

  “She feels bad about what she said to you the other day.”

  “She should. That was just awful accusing poor Cora of stealing her earrings and then being so nasty to me.”

  “I know. I told her so. By the way, how’s the new person’s room coming along?” He glanced at a wall clock. “She should be here anytime.”

  “It’s all ready. I put her in one of the guest rooms. The room next to where Allen stays.”

  “Good. That’s perfect. Her name is Judith Collins. Could you help her get settled and show her around before you leave for your sister’s house?”

  “Yes. I don’t have to be in Munising
until one o’clock.”

  ###

  The small regional airplane touched down in Melbourne, Florida at 1:17 pm. Stephen had a three hour layover until the flight to Atlanta, the first leg on his journey back to Michigan. That should give him plenty of time to make a quick visit. He hailed a cab and told the driver to take him to the hospital.

  The cabbie gave him a funny look. “You okay, mister?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. I’m trying to arrange a quick visit with an acquaintance.”

  When they arrived at the hospital, Stephen asked the woman behind the desk if he could leave his suitcase there for half an hour while he visited a friend.

  “Certainly. Just put it back here. Who is it you are visiting?”

  “Cyrus Bonaventure.”

  The woman pursed her lips. “Oh, you won’t be seeing him. He’s in intensive care.”

  Stephen stepped back. “Really? That’s not good.”

  “I think his wife’s up there, if you’d like to see her.”

  “Yes, I would.”

  “Check out the waiting room on the south end of the three hundred section.”

  Stephen headed toward the elevator. The waiting room was at the far end of the corridor. Elena was sitting in the corner reading a magazine. She looked very tired. “Hello, Mrs. Bonaventure.” He pulled a chair next to her. “Phillip called me and told me Cyrus had been found, but he didn’t go into detail about what happened. How’s he doing?”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m sorry. He’s taken a turn for the worse. He has severe burns and now he’s developed an infection. They think it’s from the dirty water where they found him.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. What about the people who kidnapped him? Did they catch them?”

  “Yes. It was that young maid from the bed and breakfast and her brother. There may be more. They don’t know for sure. Can you believe it? You aren’t safe anywhere these days. They were holding him on some tiny island.” She closed her eyes. “It was horrible. Just horrible. Cyrus was almost killed. It’s a miracle somebody found him when they did. The doctors said he didn’t have much time left. He’s burned quite badly.” Tears flowed down her cheeks. She pulled a tissue from her pocket. “I have to be brave. I don’t want him to see me crying. They only let me stay with him twenty minutes at a time.” She took his hand. “But it’s so nice of you to visit.”

  Stephen smiled. This wasn’t the time to get into any discussion about the car. He glanced at his watch. “Look, I’m on my way back to Michigan. I just wanted to make a quick stop to see how you and your husband were doing. I know Phillip will want to know. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Paulie paced back and forth next to the car. He didn’t trust her. Why wouldn’t she help him? How could he leave to check out Kahle’s place and not be sure she wouldn’t run out to the road and flag down the first car that came along? If she pulled a stunt like that, it would be over for him. He wasn’t going back. Never. He’d take a bullet before stepping foot in that stank-hole place again. He’d have to tie her up. Yep, keep her tied up on the bed until he came back. She’d be pissed as hell, but she’d have to get over it. Or make her come with him. Where could he find some rope? Maybe that old outbuilding.

  He pushed open the door to the shed and waited for his eyes to adjust to the dimness. A cobwebbed covered lawn mower was parked in a corner. A rake and shovel were hanging from pegs on the wall. Rusty oil cans lined a small workbench. A coil of rope was draped over a dusty toolbox.

  Paulie found a rusty knife and cut off two three foot sections. He shoved them in his pocket and returned to the cabin.

  “It’s going to be dark in about an hour. I’m gonna see if I can find Kahle’s place and then see if I can spot that broad I’m supposed to bring to Chicago. I think you need to come with me.”

  Kitty shut an old magazine she was reading. “No. I already told you. I’m not signing up for any kidnapping.”

  Paulie sat down on a kitchen chair and grabbed a cup of cold coffee. “There ain’t gonna be no damn kidnapping tonight. I need to see if I can even find the road into his place. I need you to keep a look out for me. Drop me off by the gate. Honk the horn if anything looks off. ”

  She looked out the window. “You want to leave now? It’s still light out.”

  “I have to. I’ll never find that road in the dark. I’m gonna put on a big floppy hat I found in the closet. And a hunting jacket. I’ll blend in pretty good. I’m not worried.”

  “All right. I suppose it’ll be okay…this time.”

  When he stepped out of the bedroom, Kitty laughed. “You’re right. Nobody’s going to recognize you in that getup.”

  They got in the car and drove down to the end of the dirt road. From where the sun was setting, he thought he should turn south. After driving for a few miles, he spotted it. Pine Ridge Road. He slowed the car and turned. That was it. That was the road that led to Phillip Kahle’s mansion. It didn’t take long to get to the gate. He backed the car into the woods and shoved the keys in his pocket.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure you’re still here when I get back.”

  He hopped out of the car and started walking down the road. With thick pine trees towering around him, it was already starting to get dark. Why hadn’t he brought a flashlight? Did that rat-hole cabin even have a flashlight? He didn’t remember seeing one. It was cold. He pulled up the collar of the hunting jacket. The gate was just ahead. It was made of wrought iron and arched about ten feet high in the middle. Not an easy climb.

  He walked over to the wall. It rose about six feet from the ground and disappeared into the woods on either side of the entrance. Paulie turned to the right and followed it for about twenty- feet. Limbs from an oak tree hung over the top of the wall. He climbed up the trunk and then inched his way to the top of the large fieldstone boulders. Holding on to a branch, he dangled over the other side and let go. He landed on his feet.

  As the dusky sky faded to black, just like at the cabin, a loud chorus of frogs exploded in the woods. The moon was close to being full, but dark clouds covered it most of the time. Paulie made his way to the road and started walking. He glanced from side to side. He didn’t like the woods in the best of situations. Being there when it was getting dark was making him very nervous. Other than the last time he had been in the cabin, he had never spent any time in a forest.

  A noise on the other side of the road startled him. He froze. Something was over there. Bushes were shaking. This was no squirrel. He strained his eyes trying to see. Something moved. A large animal was coming out of the woods. He took a step back. A deer. No, two deer. Were they dangerous? Did they attack people? The first one jerked its head and looked right at him. It cleared its nostrils, took a step closer, and pawed at the ground.

  Paulie took several steps back, turned, and ran down the road. He looked behind to make sure it wasn’t following him. When he got to the wall, he stopped and tried to catch his breath

  After a few minutes, he looked around for the limb he had used to get over. He walked up and down the barrier. It had to be somewhere near. Was that it? Shit. It was too high to jump to. He needed to find another tree. After several minutes of searching, he found one that was growing close enough to use. This time he hung on to the top few stones and eased himself over.

  He walked back to the gate and knelt down behind a clump of trees. What was Kitty going to say? He’d only been gone about fifteen minutes. He stared into the dark forest. He hated being here. How was he ever going to make it to Kahle’s house? Get a grip, dammit. He had to calm down. There were probably thousands of people who lived out in the woods.

  Walking down Kahle’s driveway should be fine. It was only a deer. Like Bambi. He climbed back over the wall, returned to the road, and jogged until the Kahle mansion came into view. A large building stood in front of him. It looked like a haunted house. To the left was a smaller
cottage. What was it used for? Did the help stay there?

  He crouched low and made his way closer. There wasn’t much to see from the front. A few darkened windows. He hugged the trees and snuck along the side of the house to the back. A huge expanse of glass was lit up. What the hell? Was this some kind of greenhouse? Two people were sitting inside talking. Was that her?

  Paulie moved closer. She certainly looked like a movie star. Now, how to get her out of there. One thing at a time. It wasn’t going to happen that night. He had promised Kitty. He watched the house for another half hour and then decided he’d better start back to the car.

  He ran back to the gate, scaled the fence, and pulled open the passenger door.

  “How’d it go?”

  No need to mention his first false attempt. “Good. I wish you could see the guy’s house. It looks like something from a movie. All dark and creepy. I snuck around back and saw two people sitting out in some kind of gigantic sun room. A man and a woman. She looked like a movie star, I can tell you that.”

  “Was she a real curvy blonde?”

  “She was sitting down. But from what I could see, yeah. Blonde and built.”

  “That must be her.”

  “Stop at the grocery store before you go back to the cabin. I need to talk to Al.”

  When Kitty pulled up to the phone booth, she said, “Go make your call. I need to run into the store for some smokes, and we need something to eat tonight. I thought I’d pick up a few more cans of that corned beef hash.”

  Paulie wrinkled his nose. “That shit again? I thought I’d be eating better once I got sprung from the joint.”

  She turned off the car and stared at him. “What do you want from me? We got a stove from the forties and three old pots. It’s not like I’m all set up like my kitchen back home. I’m doing the best I can. We can heat things up, we can’t really cook anything better than hamburgers or hotdogs.”