“That went a lot smoother than I expected.” Delia beamed.
“Well, I don’t think you’re seeing some of the things I’ve been seeing.” He trembled. “Trust me this took more than a couple of novenas for me to hang in here.”
She thanked him as he hurried to the cab of the truck and turned the key. Delia’s heart sank when she heard the distinctive click, click, and click. She wasn’t surprised to hear Mr. Allen release a cry of desperation.
“Poor guy, he was this close to getting out of here.” Delia sighed.
“I don’t get it,” Katherine sputtered. “I still don’t see what the fuss is all about.”
“Not yet,” Shawn informed her as she approached. “Bet you a dollar the battery is dead.”
“That’s not possible,” Mr. Allen debated as he climbed out of the cab repeatedly trying to get the engine to turn over. “It’s a brand –“
“New battery.” Shawn finished for him.
“Both of them are new,” he squeaked.
“It is going to be okay,” Shawn reassured him while Delia sent one of the workers off to find Ro in order to ask her if they could use her generator and charger again. “Mr. Allen, what is your first name?”
“Jake.”
“Jake,” she warmly repeated. “What you see is at a distance for a reason. They can’t touch you if you stay within the lines Miss St. James has laid down. For now, why don’t you sit in the cab? Miss St. James is going to charge up those batteries and you can be on your way.”
Shawn turned back to Delia who looked more than a little shell shocked herself.
“Do I want to know what he sees?”
“No, you do not,” Shawn asserted. “PTSD is a terrible thing. What else has happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Shawn was more than a little surprised. “That’s unexpected. Based on her over protectiveness of that plane I would have thought Temperance would be all over this place.”
“Temperance? As in my grandfather’s late cousin?” Katherine scoffed. “No disrespect, Dr. Williams but I haven’t seen or heard anything that would lead me to believe anything you’ve said is the truth.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Shawn shrugged it off fully accustom to having her talents questioned. “I hate behaving like I’m a circus act but at times it is a necessity. Why do you think Brandon objects to you wanting to expand the family business towards dispensaries? The guy is very focused on keeping pharmaceuticals as a primary investment. Personally, I agree with you, marijuana has almost no side effects. Ergo, fewer lawsuits and is proving to be a cash cow in the states that have legalized it. I think if you can get the board on your side it will not only be a sound investment but it could give you the leg up you need to claim his position as chairperson.”
“Impressive.” Delia noted.
“And something you could have learned by getting your hands on a recent copy of the minutes from the last board meeting.” Katherine scoffed.
“Really?” Shawn pursed her lips. “I didn’t realize that they are available to the public.”
“They’re not, but there is always a way for someone who is trying to bilk my family.”
“Fine,” Shawn quickly dismissed her accusations. “I guess you’d prefer something personal like the name of the person you lost your virginity to?”
“His name was George.”
“No, her name was Shelly.”
“Whoa,” Delia spat out feigning a fit of coughing to hide her surprise.
“Delia,” Katherine hissed.
“You slept with my roommate, I had no idea.”
“Just once.” Katherine blushed.
“Well-“Shawn began.
“Enough from you,” she snapped. “I’m still not buying it. None of this matters, we’ll get the batteries charged. After that Mr. Allen and I can be on our way. I should find my Aunt and let her know what is going on.”
“Miss Westbrook is here?”
“Yes, and I would appreciate if you stayed away from her. You have no idea had much you upset her the other day.”
“I can only imagine,” Shawn concurred. “Reliving the past can be painful. This does explain why Temperance isn’t hanging around the barn stirring up more trouble.”
“I hear you’ve got another dead battery,” Ro announced rolling a gas powered generator along with a battery charger.
“Thank you, Ro. If you would be so kind,” Delia nodded. “Mary give her a hand would you”
“Love to,” Mary beamed as she raced over. “So, what are you listening to today? More Beatles?”
“Hamilton.” Ro answered with a shy grin as she approached the flatbed.
“Can you burn me a copy?”
“Piracy is a crime.” Ro chided her.
“Can’t help myself.”
“What is it you’re in for?”
“Fraud,” she shrugged. “Like I said I can’t help myself. I’m hoping this turns into an apprenticeship. I would be nice to have a marketable skill when I get out. If it doesn’t it was nice getting to work outside. It would be perfect if this place wasn’t creepy. Still beats prison. The food alone is worth all the hard work.”
“Still, it says something when the restaurant sends it over on a boat and won’t carry it up from the dock.” Ro noted as she watched the meter. “Have you seen or heard anything that makes you feel uncomfortable?” Ro already knew the answer it was one of those times she reminded herself to allow the person she was talking with actually talk.
“Cats. I hear them everywhere. I haven’t seen one yet.”
“You don’t like cats?”
“I know it is very un-lesbian, but no I don’t. They freak me out.”
“You should be up and running in just a bit, Buddy,” she called out to Jake who wave his hand out the window.
“Did he just wave a bible at me? Never mind I’ve certainly seen worst tossed in my direction.”
“Me too,” Mary sighed. “So, do you work for Miss St. James?”
Ro smiled knowing that Mary wasn’t prying for information that might help her cause, she simply wanted to talk to Ro.
“I’m what you might call a consultant.”
“Yo, Ro,” Delia called out. “You want to consult over here?”
Ro excused herself and sauntered over to Delia who gave her a coy look. “I know, no flirting with the crew.”
“Especially, members of the crew that are wearing an orange jumper.” Delia cautioned her.
“She’s very nice.”
“Yes, I know. Actually she is on track for an apprenticeship. That is if I’m still in business after this whole mess.”
“What are you talking about?” Katherine was shocked.
“All the setbacks and extra trips to and from the island is adding up.” Delia meekly confessed. “I should have just taken the money for the design.”
“That’s not how you operate,” Shawn interjected. “You’re like your father. You see the project through from the first sketch to the last nail.”
“True,” she sighed scrubbing her face with her hands. “I’ve never not been involved with the building of one of my designs. I just can’t get ahead of things this time.”
“Let’s find that cauldron and put things back on track.” Shawn suggested giving Ro a nod. “Come on, time to get back out there.”
“Off to look for the punch bowl.” Ro agreed with a salute.
CHAPTER 43
Unprepared for the rush of emotions that hit her, Ella made her excuses the moment they docked. She had no doubt that Katherine would be fine on her own. It was just shy of sixty-five years since the last time she had set foot on the island. That was the day after Iris’ heart attack. Ella spent that day focused on the task at hand. Everything was packed and shipped. The high point was Iris never had the chance to see the wine cellar. The extensive collection legally belonged to Ella. She didn’t know which bothered her more that Iris might sell the impressive collection
or drink it. The thought of Temperance’s parents taking control over something Tempe had spent half of her life creating sickened Ella.
Avoiding the others and not wanting to see the horror of what had become of the house she headed into the woods. With each step she frowned as she noticed how many trees had been cleared. She knew that it had to be done and that new trees would be planted after the construction was complete. Still for her it marred the landscape.
More than once she glanced over her shoulder certain that someone was following her. Seeing no one she went on her way. Finally, she reached the path to the cottage. Without hesitation she headed up the path and stepped into the cottage.
The faint smell of mold mixed with cigarette smoke greeted her when she entered. “Someone has been smoking in here.” She groused as she took a careful look around. It hadn’t been touched. It was just the same as the last time she was there. The day she thought would be the last time she would step foot in the quaint little cottage.
That day, she gathered a few mementos along with some of Tempe’s drawings before she sat down on the bed and cried. Fearful that history was about to repeat itself she tried to focus on looking about just in case she had forgotten something.
The air grew colder, she jumped when she heard the bed squeak. “Silly, old woman.” She chastised herself before she resumed looking around.
Outside, Temperance looked back. ‘My Ella. You are still the most beautiful woman in the world.’ She hesitated before heading back towards the barn.
The Black Swan was on its way to the dock when she arrived. The woman who had been in charge gathered everyone and told them to pack up since it would be getting dark soon.
‘I still have time.’ She thought as she studied the other woman. The woman laughed and she thought of Nora. It wasn’t Nora of course still she looked so much like her it was uncanny.
Phineas’ Cottage
The same day
“I wish you were here,” Ella sighed wistfully as she smoothed out the tattered remains of the comforter.
She was startled when she heard someone clearing their throat. “I’m sorry.” The woman apologized as she stepped inside.
“You must be one of the ghostbusters.”
The woman released a light laugh. “Faith Charles and yes, I guess that is what I am.”
“I met your colleague recently.”
“Shawn?” Ella didn’t miss the way the woman’s face lit up. “Colleague, I guess that’s accurate. She’s also my girlfriend. Or partner, lover or whatever the kids are saying these days.”
“So, refreshing,” Ella offered thoughtfully earning a curious look from Faith. “To just be able to say that.”
“I guess you never could.”
“No, we could not,” she sighed again. “Even in the privacy of Tempe’s home or here we had to be discreet.”
“That must have been terrible.” Faith said softly taking a seat next to her.
“So many times we’d sneak down to this cottage and make love in the middle of the afternoon.” She chuckled when Faith jumped to her feet.
“I did not see that coming.”
“Well,” Ella chuckled again. “At my age, I really don’t see the point of watching what I say.”
“I tend to have the same problem at times. For some reason, I have a way of pissing people off.”
“I’ll let you in on a secret, once you pass eighty you don’t give a flying fig if you’ve offended someone. In fact there are days when I go out of my way to tell someone to piss off.”
“I like you. Just for the record, you are Ella Westbrook, aren’t you?”
“Were you expecting some other little old lady?”
“No, just with everything that’s been going on I wanted to make sure that you are real.”
“I’m real,” she confirmed with a nod. “I didn’t think it would hurt so much. Coming back here. The last time I was here, we were packing up the house. Her mother insisted. Most of the furniture, and shall we say décor belonged to the family.”
“And Mom, thought you were going to abscond with it?”
“We didn’t get along,” she dryly retorted. “I literally danced on the woman’s grave. Well, in front of the family mausoleum. But you get the picture.”
“Yes, and I get the distinct impression you were a pistol long before you became a senior citizen.”
“Perhaps,” Ella quipped innocently. “There were times, I truly should have just stopped and listened.”
“To her?”
“Yes. I should have just trusted her.”
“The two of you didn’t trust one another?” Faith was shocked.
“Oh, she trusted me,” Ella corrected her. “It was me who lacked conviction.”
“Did you love her?”
“With all my heart,” Ella sniffed. “I couldn’t get past who she was. She was the great, Temperance Muraille. Brilliant business woman, art connoisseur, beautiful and rich.”
“I’m sorry but you just told me what she was. Not who she was.”
“She would agree with you. She told me the very same thing time and time again.” Ella’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment. It tugged at Faith’s heart seeing this woman so unhappy. “She tried to tell me in so many ways that she loved me. Ways that I didn’t even know about until very recently.”
“Did she ever say the words?” Faith prompted.
“Once, just once.”
“Well, you told her, right?”
“Never, you like me a little less now don’t you.”
“Why?” Faith was practically screaming.
“Because I was focused on the what she was and not who she was. Or I’m just an idiot.”
“It’s not too late.” Faith fought the urge to pull the woman to her feet.
“Are you drunk?” Ella scolded her.
“You’ve met my girlfriend,” Faith offered her hand and helped Ella to her feet. “You’ll never guess who she’s been talking to.”
“Faith?” Shawn called out as stepped inside the cottage. “Miss Westbrook, what are you doing here?”
“I thought you were a psychic.” Ella snorted with delight as she sat back down.
“You really are a cranky old woman aren’t you?”
“It’s not like I didn’t warn you.” She snorted once again, thumping her cane for emphasis.
“Shawn, she needs to talk to Temperance,” Faith chose to ignore Ella’s curtness.
“Don’t we all,” Shawn groaned while rubbing her temple. “I was able to get through to Milo. He said that it wasn’t only, the men who were affected. A few of the women’s personalities changed as well. Ella, what do you know about the Black Forest Cauldron?”
“That piece of garbage?” Ella scoffed. “Temperance should have dumped it in the ocean. They brought it here.”
“The Jordan brothers?”
“That wasn’t their real names,” Ella scoffed again before her eyes widened. “We didn’t find out the truth about them until a good time after they were dead.”
“Is this it?” Shawn questioned holding up her tablet hoping the power wouldn’t drain before, Ella saw the picture Milo had sent her.
“That’s it,” she snorted. “Such an ugly thing. Still it bothered me when we couldn’t find it. I assumed they sold it.”
“Temperance didn’t want you to find it. She’s adamant that it stay hidden.”
“Did you say you talked to Temperance? Are you implying that her spirit is here?”
“She’s been here since she passed away, “Shawn carefully explained
“I know she was happy here, but I would have thought that if there is an afterlife that she would have-“
“Been with you.” Shawn concluded seeing that Ella was struggling. “She would have been, had it not been for a sense that she needed to keep the cauldron out of the wrong hands.”
“That stupid chalice is why she chose to leave me sitting alone for decades?” Ella spat out. “I hated that thi
ng. It had stags and phallic symbols all over it. Not exactly my cup of tea. I wouldn’t have thought she’d have any interest in it. I’d catch her staring at it. I asked her time and time again, to fly to New York and put it in storage. She’d agree. Then those bobbled headed weirdos would corner her and it would become clear that neither it nor she were leaving the island. Are you telling me that all of this, her death and Conklin going off the deep end is because of some gaudy tribute to misogyny? How is that possible?”
“Well, it’s because-“Shawn searched for the right words.
“Evil. It’s evil.” Faith cut her off. “Pure evil that inspires evil. It has to go.”
“Well said, Sweetheart,” Shawn choked out while patting Faith’s arm. “Miss Westbrook, if you could just tell us where it is. Then perhaps, we can bring a little peace back to the island.”
“I haven’t the slightest clue,” Ella sputtered. “The last time I saw it, was the night I walked out. It was in Temperance’s office. It wasn’t in the house when I came back to settle up everything. I just assumed, they moved it or sold it. I didn’t care.” She paused to catch her breath. “Her blood was still on the landing. Most of it had been cleaned, but I could still see specks of blood. Her blood. I shouldn’t have left that night.”
“Ella, think where would Temperance have moved it to?” Faith pleaded.
“Moved it to? She was dead.”
“If she could move it,” Shawn knew she needed to tread carefully. “Where would that be? Keep in mind it is still on the island.”
“This cottage,” Ella sounded defeated. “Tempe went to great lengths to hang and hide talisman. Also crystals and other such nonsense. She spread, salt and cumin across the doorway. It became like a mission at times.”
“She wanted someplace that was safe. Like she wanted to protect you with the bracelet and necklace.”
“It’s not in here we looked.” Faith groaned scrubbing her face in her hands.
“She believed in those things.” Ella reasoned. “It never made sense to me.”
“Given the fact that an eight foot spider ran after my friend. Also, the trees tried to eat me. I’d say she was onto something.” Faith sputtered the feeling of hopelessness growing. “We’ll have to search in here again.”
Muraille Island Page 27