One woman was wondering if she should lie at her weight watchers meeting. Having ice cream for breakfast wasn’t unreasonable. It was after all, full of calcium.
“Lunch time,” Ro whispered thankful that most people would be thinking about food.
There was one man wondering how he was going to bed his wife’s cousin without his wife finding out. One woman was overly concerned that she had forgot to put on deodorant that morning. Most everyone else were contemplating what to have for lunch and who was going to win the game that night.
In Ro’s world, mundane was good. She relaxed slightly when she heard him. ‘My friend will fix the problem. Fix them. They’ll notice me when I unleash my friend.’
“Oh, crap,” she groaned earning her a few odd glances. She calmed her breathing and hoped that someone was just thinking about a problem with their plumbing. The man standing next to her never glanced her way. He had what her father would call the hundred yard stare. Never good sign. She tried to block him out. Without her music it was useless.
‘Today is the day. I knew it would be, the rice krispies told me so.’
“Fuck me,” Ro muttered this time no one looked in her direction. She assumed it was because this was New York. She couldn’t help thinking that it was just her luck getting stuck next to a nut job who was following the instructions of Snap, Crackle and Pop. The only thing she could hope for was that the cereal elves had honorable intentions.
‘Today is the day. I knew when I put him in my pocket, it was finally time. Now that he has a friend, I’ll show them. I’ll make them see me.’
“Bad elves, very bad elves,” Ro whispered glancing over at the overly calm man. He was playing with something in his pocket. Based on the size and shape she didn’t think it was his phone.
Normally, when facing a situation like this Ro would use a burner phone she kept for just such an occasion. The burner phone had been left in her truck. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help. It was the complications that went along with it. She bought the disposable phone simply because she couldn’t rely on finding a payphone. Anonymity was far easier than dealing with trying to explain how she knew what she knew. For some reason the police weren’t very interesting in helping after she was forced to explain that the voices tipped her off that there would be trouble.
The good news was that nine times out of ten, a person is only fantasizing about offing their boss. It was number ten, she feared. The one that rents the hotel room overlooking a concert, the one who marches into a school carrying more fire power than a SWAT team and of course, the overlooked office worker who has decided to go out in a blaze of glory. These were the pissants that frightened her. This guy seemed to be a full blown ten with an extra side of crazy.
The best she could hope for was that he was so delusional he believed that Snap would do the dirty work. Or better still wait until he got home so he could run it by Captain Crunch.
‘Yes, I feel you my friend.’ He thought while stroking something in his pocket. The movement allowed Ro a glimpse of what he had hidden beneath his suit jacket. It was a gun.
‘They will see me. They can’t ignore me now. Not while they are screaming. I wonder how many of them will beg for their lives?’
Sweat poured off her as she tried to come up with a plan. She didn’t know which floor he was heading to. She might be able to delay him. She doubted she could stop him. The doors opened on the thirty-first floor. He stepped out, moving with purpose. Unable to think of what she should do, she darted out after him.
Her heart was pounding when she spied a small glimmer of hope. A security guard just so happen to be heading towards the elevator. She grabbed hold of the unsuspecting guard.
“He’s got a gun,” she pleaded keeping her voice low so not to cause a panic.
“Hold on,” the guard brushed her hands away.
“The tall man with the beard,” she pressed on trying to turn him in his direction. “He has a gun.”
“Now, Miss,” he began to placate her. “Just what is going on here? Do you need help?”
“Yes,” she spat out the anger growing. “There is a man about to go into that office with a gun and a loose grasp on reality.”
“I need your name.”
“No, what you need is to understand that you are about to have a very bad day!”
“What is going on?” Another guard suddenly appeared.
“That dude over there has a gun,” she shouted before the first guard could say anything.
From that moment on everything was a blur. The second guard kicked into action chasing after the crazy armed man while shouting for his counterpart to call the police. She heard screaming but no gunshots. Although it didn’t seem that way, it was over fairly quickly.
Ro did try to make a hasty exit. By that time the building was in lock down. The police arrived needless to say, her actions had drawn attention. Some of the attention was good. The gunman who was just about to fire his weapon had been subdued and placed in custody. Some of the attention was not so good, for instance, Ro found herself being escorted to the nearest police station.
Three hours later, Ro was sitting in a police interview room. The only thing she was grateful for was the quiet. That was until the female detective slammed the door and took a seat across from her.
“Ms. Graskey, I’m Detective Jessup. I have a few questions for you.”
“I bet you do.”
‘Fucking bridesmaid’s gowns. We should just elope. It would certainly get his parents off my ass.’
Ro couldn’t fault the logic. She just couldn’t shake the fear that she was about to be interrogated by Bridezilla.
“What were you doing in that building?”
“I had a meeting with my agent. I’m a photographer.”
“Really? Weddings or-“
“Wildlife. Sorry I can’t help you.”
“What?” ‘What kind of game are you playing?’
“I noticed your ring,” she blurted before the Detective decided that she was being uncooperative.
“Oh?” She responded seemingly relieved. “Yeah, it’s a joy.” ‘So much easier the first time. Of course I wasn’t dealing with future in laws that hated me.’ “So, you were on your way to meet your agent? Because Mr. Wilson said that you had already had your meeting.”
“I was on my way out when I realized that I had left my phone in his office.”
“I see. And how do you know Mr. Risener?”
“Who?”
“The man who was about express his lack of happiness by killing everyone he worked with. That was until the security guard you spoke to tackled him.”
“I don’t know him,” Ro whimpered thinking things were going from bad to worse.
“How did you know he had a gun?”
“I saw it.”
“Okay. But that doesn’t explain how you knew what he was planning on doing. How did that revelation come about?” She stressed while thinking that she hoped Ro had a reasonable explanation so she could get out of there.
“He was acting squirrely and talking himself.”
The Detective scowled and leaned back in her chair. ‘Great this is going to take forever. I’ll have to reschedule. It was hard enough getting Faith to drag her ass down here. Maybe, Shawn is talking some sense into her.’ “Ms. Graskey, the thing is the other people on the elevator claim that you were the one acting oddly. Even talking to yourself. They didn’t notice anything off about Mr. Risener.”
“Maybe they weren’t paying attention.” She sheepishly offered while thinking about the names the Detective had just thought about. She couldn’t help wondering if she was referring to her friends. What were the odds, it was after all a big city. If she did know them, then Ro had a shot of getting out of there.
‘I wouldn’t have guessed that she was a coconspirator.’
“So, you just happened to be on the same elevator and were the only one that saw the weapon or heard him talking to himself? All th
is while heading in the wrong direction.”
“I needed my phone.”
“I have your phone. Is there something special about your phone? A reason why you need it close by?” She pressed.
“Only to make phone calls and check my fantasy draft.” Ro was pleased when the detective seemed to relax just a little bit.
Just as quickly she tensed up again. Being a good cop, she suddenly became concerned that the cellphone might be some sort of trigger. ‘Unless you can explain things I’m sending it to the lab. Right after I tell my sister she needs to come back. Like getting her into a dress is going to be easy.’ “The first guard you approached said that you were acting erratic.”
“Because I had just encountered a crazy man with a gun,” Ro was flabbergasted by the situation. “How would you have acted? Never mind you’re a cop. You would have followed some sort of protocol. I’m just a photographer who is passing through your fair city.”
“Where is it you’re in such a hurry to get to?”
“Maine.”
“Who is waiting for you in Maine?”
“I’m hoping some deer, maybe a snow owl or two.”
“All by yourself?” ‘I’m not buying this.’
“It’s how I work,” she tried to explain. “I’m legit you can look me up.” She added pointing towards the officer’s cellphone.
‘Couldn’t hurt. Crap, now Faith’s texting me. She’s such a pain the ass sometimes.’
“How are you getting to Maine?” She pressed on deciding against checking out the woman’s credentials.
“Driving!” Ro barked, the frustration over taking her. What little truth she could reveal was making things worse. She could only guess how bad things would go if she informed the good Detective Jessup that she read Mr. Risener’s mind.
“Is there something wrong?” Carey tried to play her.
“Many things, like paying more than five dollars for a cup of coffee.”
“Ms. Graskey, we’re not going to get anywhere if you refuse to cooperate.”
“I am trying to cooperate,” Ro was at her wits end. She sensed that Detective Jessup was a stubborn woman. She only had one card to play. If it backfired she was about to revisit the nice men in the white coats. “Are you recording this little meeting?”
“Should I be?”
“No,” Ro asserted. “Because, I’m about to tell you something outrageous. Something my agent doesn’t even know.”
“Go ahead,” Carey eagerly encouraged.
“He had a knife too didn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“He’s overly found of it. He might even have a little crush on it. The reason he decided that today was the day, he would make everyone notice him was that his breakfast cereal told him so.”
“Of course it did,” she stammered. “And did the two you have breakfast together?”
“No, I don’t know the man.”
“Then how do you know so much about him?”
“I could hear what he was thinking.”
“You read his mind?” She choked. Ro could tell she was stifling a laugh.
“That’s one way to put,” Ro leaned back hoping that her trump card would be all she needed. “I’m sorry your sister is being a pain in the ass. Although, I’m with her on the whole dress thing. Especially, a bridesmaid dress. No way around that being a horror show. Do you think you’re pushing her for the girlie look to placate your new in laws? What was your first husband’s name? Why don’t your fiancé’s parents like you?”
Carey’s dark brown eyes widened. She leaned further back and took a cleansing breath. ‘My first husband’s name was Brian. Yes, I’m making Faith wear a dress in an effort to get my boyfriend’s overly traditional Hindu parents off my ass. Now tell me what my sister’s name is?’
“Faith.”
“And my ex-husband’s?”
“Brian.” Ro felt giddy deep down she didn’t think bombarding the officer with the truth was going to work.
“Oh, my God, you’re one of them. Thank heavens I didn’t record this session.”
“I take it you’ve had close encounters before?” Ro quipped.
“I solved a couple of really big cases, thanks to my sister’s girlfriend. Do you have any idea how much crap I took because I used a psychic? I swear some of my superiors would have been happy if the cases stayed cold.”
“Trust me I get it,” Ro wearily admitted. “Shawn would be your sister’s girlfriend? So, your sister is Faith Charles.”
“Oh, goody you know them,” Carey growled. “Look, I’m going to write up a statement that reflects what you said the first time. You saw the gun, you heard him say something. After you sign it, you can get out of here. I’ll get your phone while I’m at it. After everything is signed you can boogie up to Maine and play with the woodland creatures to your heart’s content. All you have to do is leave out the part where you’re a mind reader.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait to get on the road. Tell Shawn and Faith I said hello.”
“You don’t want to see them?”
“No way,” she shook her head. “People think too much around here.”
Chapter 2
Muraille Island
Off the Coast of Maine
The following day
It had taken some doing, but Kirby and his trusty ferry managed to get Ro, her truck and her tiny house to the island and set up just past the Iron Gate. Her little home was the hardest part. Now that she was all set up she could relax and get to work.
She did find it interesting that Kirby was extremely helpful, until it came to stepping past the front gate. He only traveled from the dock and up the hill. At that point his assistance was more managerial than hands on.
She also found it a tad unnerving that when everything was done, he reminded her that there was a two way radio in the boathouse. Then he was back on the water before she could thank him.
The island was delightfully devoid of modern life, with the exception of an old wooden watch tower and the charred remains of a house. The only surviving structures seem to be the old barn and little cottage nestled in the woods.
From what Ro understood, that would soon change. The plan was to build an oceanic center of study. It was to be a part of the University and environmentally friendly. It was a shame that the wild beauty would soon be disrupted, although Ro was happy it was for a good reason. Something that would help the environment instead of help crush it.
For her it was a dream come true. All alone with nothing but the plants and animals. There was just one small problem she didn’t feel as if she was alone. She couldn’t quite grasp the problem. It was the odd sensation that she was being watched. She knew she was alone because Kirby’s ferry was the only access to and from the island. Which left her and the birds.
The only sense of true peace she felt was when she was safely tucked in her portable home. A home she had taken precautions with. Simple things, like salt across the threshold and growing sage in her window boxes. Tricks she had learned after spending time with Shawn and others like her.
On her second night there she was scanning a file from her digital camera. A chill ran through her when she opened one picture. It was a picture of the sun setting over the barn. When she snapped the picture it was a serene sight. The image she was looking at now was that of a horned snarling creature surrounded by a foreboding mist.
It had been explained to Ro on more than one occasion that the chances as to why she seemed to capture more spectral photographs than most, was simply because the spirits were drawn to her. It frightened her to the point where she spent many a sleepless night.
New York, NY.
September 3, 2017
“This is so creepy,” Shawn gasped as she looked up from her tablet.
“What’s that Honey?” Faith innocently inquired as she emerged from the kitchen.
“Milo’s book,” Shawn explained with a shiver. “He asked me to write the forward.”
“Oh?”
“Why don’t you like him?”
“We can start with the humming, the sweating and then there’s his superior attitude. Other than that, he’s swell. Now, what is it that you find creepy? It has to be something, considering you spend your life hanging out with dead people.”
“I don’t hang out with dead people.”
“What were you doing earlier, today?” Faith couldn’t resist giving her girlfriend a hard time.
“I was playing chess,” she mumbled.
“With whom?”
“You know who I was playing with. He gets a little bored.”
“Yes, Willie gets bored,” Faith snickered. “Willie the sweet little boy, who died in the early 1900s. Oh, the toilet is flushing. I know it is because he is fascinated by indoor plumbing. Something he never really knew about. Not, when he was alive anyway.”
“Are you through?”
“I was just curious, what could possibly freak you out when you spent your morning hanging out with a ghost child?”
“I’m not going to tell you now,” Shawn sniffed. “I’ll just let you go back to brooding over the God awful bride’s maid gown you’re expected to wear next month.”
“Not just a gown,” Faith snarled. “You forget I have to be fitted for a whole other outfit for the traditional ceremony.”
“I keep telling you not to worry about it.”
“You won’t say, why?”
“I don’t know, yet,” Shawn sighed. “Do you want to hear about Milo’s book or not? Before you answer that, no there isn’t a game on.”
“How is that possible?” Faith snorted indignantly. “Fine tell me about sweaty boy’s book.”
“He mostly talks about his most interesting cases.”
“Not your bracelet?”
“No,” Shawn confirmed rubbing the bracelet, Faith had given her years ago. “He does talk about a case his mentor was involved with. He wanted to include because it was an extreme case. When Milo was young and trying to understand his gift, Dr. Ambros Kruger helped him out. Dr. Kruger escaped Nazi Germany. Before that, Kruger worked for the National Museum.”
Muraille Island Page 2