“Everything changed after she died?”
“Yes, Miss Westbrook packed the house up and closed the gate. She’d come around now and then. She never went back to the island. Can’t say that I blame her.”
“And no one went out there?”
“You’d get some chuckle head now and then. Let me tell you, they’d always end up paddling back across the bay before you could spit. The only people who stayed out there for any length of time were the Conklin’s.” He grimly added.
“That’s the reason I needed to talk to you.”
“Worst day on the job,” he shuddered. “I’ve known Leopold Conklin his whole life. He was a good guy. I guess you never know about people. Right from the get go, we knew he wasn’t right in the head. A lot of people didn’t like the fact that he got sent to the funny farm instead of prison.”
“Is that why they burned down the main house?”
“Oh, yeah. I let it happen. I figured a little vandalism was a small price to pay. I still can’t wrap my head around what he did.”
“How did you find out about it? I mean you caught him. Did someone stop by or-“
“No, that is one of the strange things about the whole thing,” he got all excited. “Judy their oldest was away at college. She called the station and the Davis’. She was hysterical saying her father had gone mad. We got out there as quickly as we could. I don’t think I have ever seen that much blood in my life. Found him in the basement, his wife and kids lying there dead. He had a hold on Simon his middle boy, all set to slit his throat. One of the kids had been gutted by his grappling hook. He seemed to be trying to collect the blood in this huge ass bowl. Damn thing disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”
“Yeah, we went to collect it as evidence and it was gone. Everything else was there. Of course, a crime like that we were in over our heads. Just seeing it, being there me and all my men were off. How can you not be seeing something like that?”
“How did you even know, about the trouble? His daughter was at school, how did she know?”
“I’m not sure. She said she got a call from some woman. Claims she didn’t recognize the voice but after hearing her family was danger that was all she was focused on.”
“Understandable,” she mumbled scribbling down some notes. Keeping a notepad next to her was second nature. “So, Judy and Simon survived?”
“You’re not to bother them,” he sternly cautioned. “They moved to the other side of the country. Last I heard they were no closer to getting past this tragedy then they were back in ’72.”
“What about Leopold?”
“Have at him,” he tersely encouraged. “He’s still sitting up at BMHI.”
“Bangor Mental Health Institute.”
“Yeah it was the best option. Damnedest thing, when I took him down I wasn’t really planning on letting him walk off the island. I’m not proud to admit that but it got crazy. He was a wild man. We got him in custody and made it back to the mainland. The guy I yanked off the boat unraveled right in front of me.”
“Did he ever say why he did it?”
“It told him to do it.”
“It? No good ever comes from that.”
“I never figured out what he was talking about.” Chuck confessed. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand what happened. The island and the ladies who owned it, were nothing short of amazing. I can honestly say, everything changed overnight.”
“The night Temperance Muraille died?”
“Murdered,” he corrected. “But it’s true after that nothing was the same.”
“I appreciate your time and this information but lunch is on me,” she offered snatching the check away from him. “Any chance the files, coroner’s report or anything like that might still be available.”
“Which case?”
“Both?” She timidly requested.
“It just so happens, a certain retired Sheriff might have held on to copies, not originals mind you of the information you’re looking for. I also might have a few contacts if need be.”
“Really?”
“I’ve always wanted to wrap my head around it.” He timidly confessed. “Wanted to understand what changed. I want to understand, how my childhood friend could commit such a horrific crime.”
They chatted for a bit longer. She drove him to his home where he eagerly turned over the files he had promised. He also gave her a list of phone numbers and email addresses that might prove helpful. She brought everything back to her hotel room and began making calls.
After she was done she hit the road and headed up the coast. Tracking down a reclusive photographer in the middle of a national park proved easier than she thought it would be.
“You crazy woman!” She heard Ro shouting over the rustling of a couple of goats that appeared to have her cornered. She stifled a laugh as she made her way to the campsite.
“Wow,” she said taking in the cabin on wheels. “What is this?”
“Madness,” Ro snarled shooing the goats away. A woman she didn’t recognized corralled them before saying something to Ro.
“I was talking about the house on wheels.” Faith snickered, watching the other woman and goats toddle off.
“This is my tiny house.” Ro boasted. “It has everything I could want, need or desire. Best investment I’ve ever made.”
“And what was with the petting zoo?”
“That, is Charlotte,” Ro spat out. “She’s crazy! Thinks it is funny sending her goats after me. I can’t stand them.”
“Wow, not to be indelicate but wasn’t it you who recently sent me a picture of you getting up close and personal with a pack wolves.”
“Yes,” Ro nodded waving for Faith to follow her. “What’s your point?”
“No, point,” she quickly back tracked. “It’s just knowing the types of ferocious wildlife you’ve encountered and photographed, I find it odd that a couple of goats has you all a tizzy.”
“Are you kidding, those eyes,” she sputtered waving her arms frantically. “And the way they scream like humans. I’d rather wrestle a bear. Now, what brings you by?”
“Well, I have a bottle of Jameson and some questions.”
“I’ll get the ice.”
“What do you think?” Ro questioned as she topped off Faith’s drink.
“I wish I knew what I was looking at,” she confessed flipping through the pictures Ro had downloaded onto her tablet. “At first, the only thing I noticed was the plane.”
“That is one sweet looking piece of machinery.”
“Once I focused I could see the figure lurking in the background. Those other ones are frightening. They look like some kind of horned demon.” She surmised. “What did you think of the island?”
“If not for the oppressive feeling and the certainty I was being watched it was lovely,” she quipped. “How did you end up there?”
“Someone we know is heading up the project there,” Faith tried to explain. “The equipment is being messed with. Her crew is fighting and setting fire to things. She got a sense that perhaps the cause was more of the supernatural than simple artistic differences. Having watched her crew I’m inclined to agree with her.”
“I wish her luck, but I don’t know how I can help.”
“I just wanted your input.” She explained. “You spent time there alone, I thought maybe you saw or heard something that could help.”
“I did hear something,” Ro reluctantly admitted. “Frau muss dienen.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Women must serve.”
“You speak German?”
“I speak several languages.”
“It does go along with what Delia heard.”
“And that was?”
“Jägermeister.”
“Women must serve Jägermeister. We have a thirsty spirit on our hands.”
“Could be,” Faith surmised. “I’ve seen it before. There was this abandoned saloon in Arizona. We couldn
’t get the entity to engage until I poured a couple shots of whiskey. Shawn is always pointing out that who we are in life is pretty much who were are in death.”
“Cheers!” Ro saluted her with her glass.
“You know what’s funny, years ago back when I was a reporter I did a story on steroids. At one point, we got all the guys we had been studying in one room.”
“That must have been fun.”
“I made the mistake of being in the room,” Faith blanched. “Twenty guys all convinced that they are the alpha male locked in a room together with me being the only woman. I was lucky I got out unharmed. Watching Delia’s crew yesterday reminded me of those guys.”
“Maybe your friend hired a bunch of macho jackasses?”
“Maybe,” Faith conceded. “Except everyone swears up and down, these are good guys.”
“Like this Conklin fellow, you were telling me about?” Ro scoffed. “Didn’t the former Sheriff say he was a sweetheart?”
“Right up until he slaughtered his family. I’ll know more when I talk to him tomorrow.”
“When you what?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you?”
CHAPTER 18
Arcadia National Park, ME
September 18, 2017
Faith sat on the small porch looking up at the sky. The clean air showing off the abundance of stars. She glanced at her cellphone, almost regretting that she had managed to get a signal. Of all the calls she had made in the past twenty four hours, this was the only one she was reluctant to make.
Against her better judgement she pushed the button. “Hey, Sis,” trying to sound enthusiastic. “How is married life?”
“Wonderful. You should try it.” Carey teased. “This isn’t a social call is it?”
“Nope.”
“Just what have the two of you gotten yourself into this time?”
“Shawn’s still on the road. I kind of need a little help, with an old case.”
“Of course you do. How old this time?”
“I need information, regarding a coroner’s report from 1952.”
“We’ve worked on cases older than that,” Carey mumbled. “Who do I have to suck up to in order to get my hands on the report?”
“I already have it and some other documents, that I would love your brilliant husband to go over and perhaps reach out to the ME’s office in Maine. There were two main suspects. Also a third that the police quickly dismissed.”
“Not a problem.” Carey surprisingly agreed.
“That was way too easy.”
“You think? I’m sure he’ll be happy to do it, especially when I tell him that you’re buying him a bottle of his favorite scotch and going to the ballet with me.”
“Shawn would love to go to the ballet with you.”
“Not, Shawn. You.”
“Oh?” Faith scrunched up her face. “Okay. I’m not above bribing you, since I’m fairly certain that this is just the tip of the iceberg with this case. I do appreciate the help.”
“I know,” Carey sounded amused. “And you’ll love the ballet.”
“Any word from your new in-laws yet?”
“My mother in-law called yesterday. She held Rishi hostage on the phone for over an hour.”
“Really? Is she still upset that the two of you eloped?”
“Apparently, I’m a whore. That was the gist of the entire conversation his Dad is pretty chill about the whole thing. He sent me an email, telling me not to worry, that it will pass.”
“It will,” Faith tried to reassure her. “How could she not love you? You’re adorable.”
“Yeah, yeah. You are so lucky that you get along with Shawn’s parents. Speaking of which I know you asked for her hand, years ago. So, why no ring yet?”
“Newlyweds! You’re all the same thinking everyone else needs to get married.”
“Uh, huh what’s the hold up?”
“You sound like Dad,” she sniffed. “Look, I just want the moment to be perfect. The problem is, how do you surprise someone who knows almost everything?”
Central Park West, NYC
November 3, 1939
Ella almost banged into Maria who seemed to be lingering near Temperance’s office door. She had assumed that the reason Temperance hadn’t joined her in the offices downstairs was because Maria’s kids were there. Every time she couldn’t get her mother to watch them, Ella ended up dragging Temperance downstairs. It was the only way they’d get any work done. With no children in sight and the office door closed, she could only assume that something was afoot.
“Maria?”
“Sorry Miss Ella,” she stammered her eyes widened fearfully.
“What’s going on?”
“Mr. Rockefeller is here,” Jenny offered in a hushed tone as she peeked out from the kitchen.
“Nelson?” Ella, inquired shooing Maria away from the door.
“Yes,” Jenny confirmed. “He’s not alone. He as a couple of gentlemen with him and one of them is in uniform. More brass on his shoulders than Mr. Preston.”
“I’m sorry, I was being nosy,” Maria sheepishly offered.
“No, it’s all right,” Ella quickly dismissed her concerns. “I doubt I’ll ever get used to the parade of celebrities that come and go around here. What did you hear?”
“Something about Miss, Temperance’s station not drawing attention and I think they said something about Cuba? That’s all I heard. What do you think it means?”
“Who knows,” she shrugged it off. “I think we all need to get back to work.”
Later that evening, she did ask Temperance about the strange meeting she had been excluded from. The only explanation she received was “you know how Nelson can be.”
“What, he wants the Degas, which he thinks will look great in his office?”
“That stays on the island, as long as I’m alive then it goes back into the family collection.” Temperance laughed.
Ella thought the comment was odd, wouldn’t the artwork on the island stay there for the next member of the family who took control of the island. She would soon forget about the conversation when other seemingly more important matters came to light.
Chapter 19
Central Park West, NYC
September 18, 2017
“Good heavens,” Daniel chuckled as he held up the photograph. “We were babies. Where did this come from?”
“That photographer I allowed to rummage around the island found it.” Ella commented wistfully.
“I thought you had cleared everything out of the house not long after that nasty business with the Jordans.”
“I did,” she sighed handing him a brandy.
“Look at us, Katherine?” He boasted handing the picture to his granddaughter.
“Well, I recognize the two of you, who is that other fellow?” Katherine remarked accepting a sifter of brandy. “And I could have served us.”
“Pish tosh. I can still handle a snooker of brandy.” Ella dismissed her. “Now, to answer your question, that other fellow is Preston.”
“Why have I never heard of him?” Katherine questioned as Ella finally poured a glass for herself and took a seat.
“Never?” Daniel scoffed. “He was my cousin. In fact he was Tempe’s brother. Growing up the three of us were inseparable.”
“He’s got a lot more ribbons on his chest than you do,” she teased her grandfather.
“Preston was career army, we lost him in 44 or was it ’45?”
“’45, it was right after his birthday,” Ella teared up. “Such a gentle soul. It was the battle of the bulge.”
“A gentle soul who chose the Army as his career?” Katherine shook her head.
“He and Ella were engaged.” Daniel announced startling the women.
“No, we were not,” Ella huffed.
“Where did the photographer find this relic?” He glibly questioned holding up the faded black and white photograph.
“On the control panel of the Black Swan.
”
“No?” His jaw dropped slightly. “It’s still there?”
“It is in the barn, right where she left it. To be completely honest, I’d forgotten about it.” Ella tried to explain but seemed off-guard.
“You organized the house. Shipped the entire contents off to my aunt, Witch that she was, and you somehow forgot that there was an airplane in the barn?” Daniel balked. “It’s not like it was one of her cigarette cases.”
“I’m sorry, did you say there’s an airplane in the barn?” Katherine stammered.
“It’s not like we kept animals in the barn,” Ella reasoned.
“No, the last one to do that was my great uncle Harold. He had the barn built because he wanted to try his hand at horse breeding.” Daniel explained. “It didn’t work out.”
“Because, he knew nothing about the work involved. According to Tempe, he hired a bunch of fishermen to take care of his horses.” Ella spat out.
“I forget that when I’m with the two of you, I need to be direct,” Katherine was exasperated. “Why is there an airplane in the barn?”
“It was Tempe’s,” Ella offered. “She loved to fly. Of course she barely used it during the war. Gas rationing and all. She did take very good care of the Black Swan. She flew it out there the last time she ventured out to the island. It’s been there ever since. Whatever am I going to do with it?”
“I might be able to help you with that,” Katherine eagerly suggested. “You know I have passion for aviation. Now, let’s get to the reason for this little dinner party. You know that I love spending time with the both of you. However, I can’t help feeling that there is a reason for this impromptu get together.”
“I am not a young woman.” Ella offered as if that explained everything.
“You are still,” Katherine politely began.
“Katherine,” she cut her off. “The only reason I can manage to get around so well is because my knees and hips are younger than you are.” Pausing for a breath and with great alacrity, Ella simply stated, “It is time for me to step down from the Foundation.”
“There’s no need to talk about this now,” Katherine whimpered.
Muraille Island Page 13