“Anything,” Temperance murmured softly against her shoulder.
“Did I just screw myself out of a job?”
“You know for a dainty little thing, you have a filthy mouth,” Temperance teased her playfully. “No, Ella. I am not going to fire you. This wasn’t planned and to be perfectly honest, you are far too good at your job, for me to even consider letting you go. It’s not like you stole my car.”
“Dear Lord, I still haven’t called the police.”
“Later,” Temperance quieted her with a kiss.
Ella felt at peace as Temperance fell asleep in her arms. She leaned back and watch the sun greet the morning sky, casting hues over the skyline. It was the happiest moment of her life until she heard the telltale sounds of pots and pans banging about.
“Oh, my God, Mrs. Culvert.”
Chapter 21
Central Park West, NYC
September 19, 2017
“Come now, don’t go getting all shy on me,” Ella demanded. “What did you just say?”
“I said, for a dainty little thing, you have a filthy mouth.”
“One chance,” Ella wagged her finger cautioning Shawn. “And it had better be something no one, and I mean no one, could ever know.”
“No pressure,” Shawn squeaked out.
“Are we done?” Ella snapped. “You’re not the first who has tried to capitalize on my situation. I fear you won’t be the last.”
Shawn took a seat and a deep cleansing breath. “It was raining the first time you made love. It was raining the last time you made love. You’d like to say that there was a certain symmetry to it. But, you feel cheated and you feel guilty.”
Ella sat back and studied the young woman curious as to how she had managed to discover something, so intimate. The woman squirmed slightly, hinting that she was indeed deceiving her.
“You seem uncomfortable,” she challenged her.
“This happens now and then,” Shawn paused and cleared her throat. “The images I get can be intimate. Making the situation a little uncomfortable. I mean here you are this nice sweet older lady and-“
“And?” Ella demanded.
“To be blunt, I like to think that my girlfriend and I have a healthy relationship. But holy crap! The two of you did it out in the hallway,” she blurted out, jerking her thumb towards the door. “Is this how you want me, half naked and up against the wall? It is safe to say that the two of you made a lasting impression throughout the entire building.”
“Oh?” Ella blushed. “I think I can concede that you’ve proven your point.” Annunciating the words slowly trying to regain her bearings. “And just what does this have to do with the island?”
“I don’t know,” Shawn confessed. “I would like the chance to find out. You have so much conflict about the island. Happiness clouded with anger.”
“The love of my life died there.”
“But you’re not certain as to how,” Shawn struggled the images unclear. “Accident, self-inflicted or murder. You don’t know how or why, but you blame yourself.”
“As entertaining as this is,” Ella stammered, still feeling ill at ease. “What is it that you can do, that will assist Ms. St. James?”
“I’ve helped her in the past,” she hedged a wee bit. “A house that belonged to her family was incredibly creepy.”
“And now?”
“Just a little bit creepy.”
“So, now you need my help?”
“Not really, just your permission,” Shawn tried to explain. “I don’t like knowing about a place before I visit it. I already know more than I would like about the island. I may need to contact you.”
“I wish you wouldn’t. I am going to insist that there were won’t be any of your television people involved. You won’t be turning this into a spectacle.” She sternly asserted. “Two weeks. Then I will be seeking a new architect. I just have one question for you?”
“Yes?”
“You said she isn’t here.”
“No, she isn’t,” Shawn felt the pang of sorrow emanating from Ella. “Which surprises me, given how intense your relationship was. Chances are she’s passed on to the other side. It just strikes me as odd that she wouldn’t linger just to be near you.”
“Two weeks.” Ella repeated with a gulp as she fought back the tears. She stood having come to the conclusion that it was time for the good doctor to leave.
“There you are,” Daniel called out as Ella was guiding Shawn towards the elevator. “How’s our girl? Ship shape I hope.” He addressed Shawn.
“She’s not that kind of doctor,” Ella quickly dismissing his fears. “Dr. Williams is a psychic.”
“Oh?” He got very excited. “Not, some kind of charlatan, I hope.” He tried to whisper to Ella. Shawn smiled fully aware of what he had said. “Oh, wait. I’ve seen you on TV.”
“He loves that kind of stuff.” Ella dryly provided.
“Shawn Williams.” She introduced herself.
“Daniel Muraille,” he heartily shook her hand. “That house in Iowa, that was scary.”
“You should have been there,” Shawn agreed.
“What are you doing down here Daniel?”
“I was bored,” he mumbled. “I thought I’d check in on you before heading down to my apartment.”
“Nora thought it was best,” Shawn whispered. “So, you could look after one another. Sorry, habit.”
“Yes, well this has been enlightening.” Ella dismissed her with a quick motion towards the elevator. The bracelet she always wore jingled catching Shawn’s attention. Ella caressed the bracelet ready to push the younger woman into the elevator if need be. She knew too much and reopened wounds that Ella desperately tried to keep hidden. Yes, they had an amazing sex life, but they shared so much more than the pleasures of the flesh. It loathed her to think that the intense emotional bond they shared could be looked upon with frivolity.
“That is an interesting bracelet,” Shawn commented noticing the shiny silver band when Ella caressed it.
“Yes, it was a gift.” Ella bristled not wanting to explain that it had been given to her early on back when she was still getting to know Temperance.
‘Nepal? I don’t understand,’ Ella fumed as a disheveled Temperance flopped down on the sofa. ‘You said you were going to England.’
‘We did and then we went to Kathmandu and a few other places but it’s not important. Just wear the bracelet for me? Consider it a bonus for a job well done.’
‘Is this going to happen often?’
‘Gifts?’
‘No,’ Ella huffed. ‘You and your cousin vanishing in the middle of the night? Running off to God knows where.’
‘I have the utmost faith in you. I’m sure you did a bang up job holding down the fort.’
‘Yes, I did. Which included handling Helena and your Mother.’
‘My dear cousin, you might need to dash off to Tiffany’s. I wouldn’t face that pair alone without a whip and a chair.’
‘You are not helping, Daniel.’
‘That’s it!’ Ella barked ‘Both of you go to your rooms and take a bath.’ Much to her surprise they did exactly as she instructed. In return Ella wore the bracelet. Over the years it became a part of her.
“Thank you,” Ella’s curt tone and stiffening posture alerted Shawn that the conversation was more than likely coming to an end. “It’s very old,” she quickly added in an effort to prolong their time together.
“Much like the Incan travelers stone you’re wearing around your neck. Both quite old and-“
“Quite valuable.” Ella snorted with disgust.
“I was going to say both crafted to protect the wearer.”
“Excuse me?” Ella gasped her hand shot up and caressed the necklace. “Both of them?”
“Without a doubt,” Shawn confirmed. “You may not believe in my profession but trust me I know my crystals. The Peruvian pendant is black onyx and jade. Wrapped around the stones are a silver dagger and
the feather of a Condor.”
“I knew that,” her tone softened considerably. “It’s a talisman for travelers.”
“Black onyx and jade are protection stones,” Shawn elaborated. “Jade is believed to bless whatever it touches. But working with museums you’ve probably seen similar items. The bracelet is unique in that it lacks a deity, but all of the stones are protection stones. The amethyst,” Shawn began taking a chance and lifting Ella’s arm to gain a closer view. “Then you have a diamond, rough cut by hand probably centuries ago, same with the ruby and the sapphire. Then you have smoky quartz believed to be very good at warding off negative energy by the way. This one is red jasper also very good at keeping bad things at bay and last but not least is the-“
“Black onyx,” Ella cut her off jerking her hand away. “Seven stones for the seven chakra.”
“No and no,” Shawn couldn’t help smiling. “It was probably crafted to appear that way but it isn’t the chakra and that isn’t onyx. The seven colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, just like a rainbow. I mean if you glance quickly, you have red, blue, violet and a little yellow. No, orange, green or indigo.” Shawn felt slightly vindicated when Ella began studying her bracelet. “Now the main stone, the black one as I said is not onyx, but black jade.”
“And jade blesses whatever it touches?”
“It does.”
“I’ve had it for a very long time. I often forget that I am wearing it.” Ella tried to change the subject.
“Temperance gave this one to me,” Daniel continued seemingly ignoring Ella’s discomfort as he pulled a necklace out from beneath his shirt. “Temperance was very spiritual. She made me promise to always wear this when I shipped out. She gave one to Preston as well. He refused to wear it. Claimed it wasn’t regulation.”
“Black jade very nice.” Shawn jumped right in. “Black jade in particular has strong protective energies that ward off negative assault both physical and psychological. It is thought to be a strong defense against evil if you believe in that sort of thing. Didn’t she tell you any of this? Seriously, she had to have known.”
“She did,” Daniel exclaimed. “She had it blessed.”
“Temperance claimed it was a representation of the chakra,” Ella’s shoulders slumped. “I never had either piece of jewelry appraised because she claimed to have recovered them at dig sites. Which in itself is strange.”
“I’ve lived in the city for a long time, so I know the Muraille Family Art Foundation is legendary,” Shawn confessed. “Returning art and artifacts to the rightful owners is a big thing with the foundation. In fact, I seem to recall that she rescued works of art from the Nazis.”
“Not as much as she tried to,” Ella sighed wearily her defenses lowering. “All of the work was returned to the original owners or their heirs. Sadly, she didn’t live long enough for her to see it happen. Giving me the jewelry was odd. It wasn’t like her to keep a trinket.”
“She didn’t simply give it to you,” Shawn rolled her shoulders the images skirting through her mind. “She insisted.”
“Dr. Williams is this going somewhere?”
“I’m just trying to figure out what she was afraid of,” Shawn offered honestly. “She felt a need to protect you, my question is from what?”
“Temperance Muraille, was a kind, considerate, loving, giving woman who defined the word exasperating. She didn’t stop, she acted in the same bull headed manner every moment of every day and she was never, ever wrong.”
“You should meet my girlfriend,” Shawn snickered.
“This is fascinating,” Daniel was sounding positively giddy.
“No, it isn’t,” Ella snarled. “I think we’re done. If you don’t mind, Dr. Williams I have a very busy schedule.” She added repeatedly pressing the call button for the elevator.
Shawn took that as her cue and left. Once the doors closed she received another clear image. “My God they did it in here too.”
Chapter 22
Arcadia National Park, ME
September 19, 2017
“You don’t have to do this,” Faith stressed as Ro ignored her.
“I’d like to find out for myself,” Ro finally answered. “I’ll contact Kirby. He can tow me over. I like the guy. All he thinks about is breakfast and lunch.”
Faith snickered as she answer her cell. “Yes, Althea. I got your email. Did you get mine? It was easy to research, your mad piper. Okay, bye. Take a valium.” She added after she hung up.
“Mad piper?” Ro questioned.
“Yes, they encountered the spirit of a bagpiper in a bar just outside of Chicago. He’s apparently a horn dog.”
“Who isn’t?” Ro jested as she continued to pack. “You don’t mind that I’m not going to the hospital with you?”
“I can’t begin to imagine what a place like that would do to you.”
“It wouldn’t take much before I was checking in. Your phone is ringing.”
“I’m very popular today,” Faith sighed wearily thinking she needed to be on road by now. “Delia, what’s going on? You got a new crew, awesome. Vandalism? What happened? Never mind, you can tell me when I get there. Oh, I have friend coming to help us out. She’s bringing her house. Don’t worry it is very small. Okay, I’ll see you when I get back to Cape Point.” She was just about to shove the phone into her pocket when it rang again. “Finally, someone I want to talk to. I love you.” She greeted Shawn. She was smiling until Shawn asked an unexpected question. “No, I’m quite happy with our sex life. Aren’t you? I mean is there a problem?”
The last comment got Ro’s attention. Suddenly, she was standing next to Faith. It was the only time since meeting her she regretted not being able to hear her thoughts.
“Back off,” Faith snarled giving her a healthy nudge “What? Oh? I understand now. Well, I haven’t met the lady but good for her. If you want I am more than willing to do what I can so we can catch up with them. Hey, that’s a serious offer. I love you too. See you soon.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
“You’ve met Miss Westbrook, right?”
“Yes.”
“Could you hear her?”
“Yes,” Ro confirmed with a nod. “She thought a lot about art, cultural events, the state of the world and sex. Most people think about that. You for instance, it’s the only thing I’ve been able to pick up on and from what I’ve seen the two of you are incredibly happy. Why did Shawn pick up on something?”
“She got a bird’s eye view of Miss Westbrook’s youth and it was tantalizing to say the least. Shawn said it made her a little uncomfortable sitting across from a woman who is well over ninety and seeing that.”
“She wasn’t always a charming elderly woman.”
“True and it does explain how she inherited an island.”
“Okay, so I will see you in Cape Point.”
“Right after I stop by the looney bin.”
Bangor Mental Health Institute
Bangor, ME
September 19, 2017
Gaining access to an inmate locked up at the Bangor Mental Health Institute or BMHI as it was known to the locals, was no small achievement. Luckily, for Faith there were still people should could contact when she needed a favor. By all accounts it was clean, well-managed and easily accessible. Except for the unit where Faith was heading.
“You are the first nonmedical visitor Mr. Conklin has had in over thirty years.” The doctor explained as he guided her through the sterile corridors. “His family has never made contact.”
“No offense, but he did slaughter most of them.” She couldn’t resist pointing out. “I know you are here for his mental well-being but, something like what he did does have a tendency to get you crossed off the Christmas card list. How is his mental health?”
“Remind me again, what is the nature of your visit?”
“Research.”
“I see. It’s just that it is quite late in the day for visitors. Not to men
tion we were only informed of your visit just before you arrived. I find that a tad curious.”
“Come now we’re all professionals,” Faith wasn’t in the mood to be jerked around. “As you just pointed out I’m the first person who isn’t wearing a lab coat that wants to talk to him. A little heads up might be nice.”
“Medical records are confidential.”
“Fine, I’ll leave and make him wait another forty years for a visitor. Seriously, what is his prognosis?”
“There isn’t, we haven’t,” he fumbled aimlessly. “There have been assumptions and theories and a number of medications.”
“Spit it out, Butter cup.”
“We don’t know,” he shrunk back. “We’ve never known. If I was to evaluate him today, I’d be forced to release him.”
“Are you telling me that there is nothing wrong with him?”
“He’s perfectly normal,” he choked out.
“Then why is he still here?”
“Two reasons, there is the fact that he did indeed murder his family, for apparently no other reason than they were home.”
“And the second reason?”
“Every time we even hint about helping him integrate back into society he goes ballistic. He insists that if we let him leave we should lock him up in prison. The law is clear either he is locked up in here or he’s a free man. He has made it clear that if we let him out he’ll do to himself what he did to his wife and kids.”
“Making him a danger to himself.” Faith concluded. “There isn’t anything, no psychosis at all?”
“To be completely, frank with you Ms. Charles if Leopold Conklin hadn’t committed a mass murder, he’d be out on his boat every day. Coming home to his wife and kids. Leading a perfectly normal life. Which in my profession makes no sense whatsoever. You either have a mental illness or you don’t. For decades he’s been over medicated and treated for illness that he does not have. We did what we could to help him.” He concluded stopping in front a large metal door. “The rules are simple, he’s one side of the glass. You’ll be on the other. The intercom is on so you can speak freely. Thanks to the safety glass that separates the two rooms it is impossible for you to pass anything to him or for you to touch one another. If you don’t mind and even if you do, I’ll be watching in the observation room.”
Muraille Island Page 15