“It’s not that simple,” Scarlet said. “You see…he’s not your average Marine.” Scarlet thought about it and knew she had to trust these men whoever they were. Something in her gut told her she could.
“How so?” Mozart asked.
“He’s a HALO.”
Chapter 35
The hotel in Salem was eerie. Jagan felt as though hundreds of people were talking to him at once. This is what his grandmother must have meant when she used that word. He overheard her once telling Kaya why she refused to fly. She said there was too much “chatter” up there. Maybe that had something to do with how she dug up all those bodies.
There was a rocking chair in the corner of the hotel room. It gave him the meemies. Rumor was a woman had died in one of the rooms on the second floor during the 18th century. The guide explained there was a guest book that patrons could sign. The visitors were encouraged to report any hauntings they experienced during their stay. Some of the girls on the bus remarked they were eager to sift through it. He found their childish excitement adorable.
Jagan made arrangements at the front desk to rent a motorcycle. He was still not feeling quite right after the concussion and didn’t want to risk a long run. The ride through Salem was beautiful. The drive by the waterfront was breathtaking, but the breeze from the Atlantic made him wish he brought a mask. He wasn’t used to this kind of cold. Herring gulls in the hundreds levitated over fishing boats searching for scraps. The birds’ squarking reminded him of the days he spent at the shore on Cumberland Island with his family.
Witch City was filled with tacky signs and decorations. Jagan thought the town didn’t need it. The atmosphere and the history alone were enough to draw the masses. Still, the residents had to make a living he supposed.
The impressive brick chimneys adorned the gabled roof. The House of the Seven Gables was a spectacular Georgian-style home. The sash windows were the perfect accent to the gray wood paneling.
Jagan stumbled inside after tripping over the threshold. Behind the counter was an older woman reading The Minister’s Black Veil by none other than Nathaniel Hawthorne. How fitting Jagan thought. He wondered if this was a clue somehow.
“I’m looking for Bertie,” Jagan said softly.
“You found her,” the woman said without taking her eyes off the page. “The next tour doesn’t start for another hour.”
“I’m not here for that. You see…Nathaniel Hawthorne sent me.” He felt like such a tool for even saying it. He was wondering if Lolli was hiding someone around the corner ready to jump out and yell that he had been punked.
Bertie glanced up and stared at him as if she could see through him. With one hand, she snapped the book shut. The loud pop made Jagan jolt a little. “Well I’ll be,” she sang slowly as if she had just witnessed a rabbit appear from a hat. She ambled from behind the counter and stood behind him. Slowly she encircled him, her eyes darting up and down as if she were inspecting a prized poodle at a dog show.
“I always wondered what you’d look like,” she divulged. Bertie lowered her spectacles. “You are a handsome young thing,” she commented. “I never thought you’d actually show up. Now I have to give the groundskeeper a hundred bucks.” Bertie chuckled. “You wait right here.” She climbed the ladder perched against some bookshelves. Reaching up high, she grabbed a book that was nestled on top of some encyclopedias. Jagan was worried the feeble woman might take a tumble, but she navigated the steps like a pro.
She wrapped the book in brown paper and handed it to him. “Here you go,” she declared with a victorious tone.
“Is that it?” Jagan asked.
“Look for the subconscious testimony.”
“The what?” Jagan scratched his head and lowered his shoulders.
“Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. That’s all I’m allowed to say. By the way, you’re more than welcome to take the tour. I suspect you’ll particularly like Hawthorne’s house.” Jagan reached into his pocket to pay the admission. “It’s on me,” she said. “It’s not every day an old prediction comes to pass.”
Jagan didn’t know what to make of her comments. He was eager to get back to the hotel to examine the book, but something told him it was important for him to inspect the grounds.
The caretaker was out in the seaside gardens, pruning some snapdragons and geraniums. Jagan figured by the way Bertie spoke of him, he was likely her husband. Several sailboats enhanced the view of the harbor. Aromas of thyme and lilacs flowed through the wind like Mother Nature’s air freshener. His grandmother would have been envious of the rose trellis. She always struggled to keep the thorny flowers alive for long.
Bertie appeared and announced the tour had started. She stood next to Jagan moving her finger back and forth as she pointed it towards him gazing at the gardener. Her lips mouthed the words, “It’s him…it’s him.” The man dropped his spade and stared. Jagan thanked her and followed the crowd to the Hawthorne house.
Jagan joined the group at the well near the main building. A middle-aged man introduced himself as Julian Hawthorne, a descendant of the famous author. “Behind me is the House of the Seven Gables. If you’re squeamish about spirits and hauntings, you may want to leave now.” Julian lowered his glasses and surveyed the group as if he was searching for a scaredy-cat. “My ancestor of course was most known for the Scarlet Letter, but his tale of the mansion behind me is nothing shy of fascinating. The story is based on how the family suffers from a curse incanted by one of the Salem witch’s who was burned at the stake.”
“Many scholars today actually believe the witches suffered from ergot poisoning. A similar outbreak occurred in a small village in France. The symptoms of the French townsfolk and the accused here in Salem are eerily similar. Nonetheless, I digress. The notion of curses is not just limited to Salem. Various cultures and religions throughout the ages have placed a high degree of belief in such ideas. Let’s continue on to the Hawthorne house.”
Jagan lagged behind intentionally so he could keep his eyes on the group. He didn’t want to get clobbered again by his rival. No one was going to fool him twice. The rest of the tour was uneventful but he couldn’t get his mind off of the family curse. Maybe that was what he was supposed to ponder. He stopped at a Wicken bistro on the way back and ordered the warlock stew. The warm broth was soothing.
Once he got settled in the room, he unwrapped the parcel. Scream, a Collection of Dark Tales. Now he was really confused. What in the world did this have to do with anything? Maybe Bertie screwed up and gave him the wrong publication. He had already failed once with the microchip. Maybe he would have to go back to the House of the Seven Gables, but it was too late to do so tonight. It would have to wait until morning. Jagan examined the front cover and didn’t find anything that drew his attention. He opened the book and saw an inscription on the first page–
Dear Bertie,
Sue and I had such a SCREAM at the mansion. Forgive the shameless plug. It was the perfect venue to write our spooky stories. Remember that night we drank too much of the zombie punch and I wrote that chapter about the liver. We laughed all night about it. I sure hope my readers have a sense of humor.
You are the hostess with the mostess. Oh, and sorry about the broomstick. I’ve enclosed a check but I’m assuming it’s irreplaceable. Guess we weren’t light as a feather after all. If you ever need a break from the witches and the cold, look me up.
Kimi
His grandmother wrote crime novels? Why didn’t anyone ever fill him in
on that little tidbit? He was starting to wonder if he even knew her at all. Why was there so much about her life that she didn’t share with him. He was closer with her than anyone. He was beginning to doubt everything.
Chapter 36
֍
Mozart stared into the distance. Wolf snapped his fingers in front of his buddy’s face to get his attention. “Hello, Mozart. Are you in there?”
“I thought they were just a myth,” Mozart said still gaz
ing off into space.
“They who?” Wolf asked waving his hand in front of Mozart’s eyes.
“What she said.”
“I have a name you know. It’s Scarlet.”
“Sorry, Scarlet.” Wolf emphasized her name with a hint of sarcasm. “What’s he talking about?”
“The Halos,” Scarlet explained. “They’re a special branch of the Marines.” She felt like she had already said too much but with Indigo unconscious she had no choice.
“Never heard of ‘em and I still don’t understand why we can’t call him an ambulance.” Wolf said in an irritated tone.
“They’re like a secret squirrel bunch and yes, help us out here, Scarlet.” Mozart added.
“All I know is that I was asked to bring him here because his life was in danger. Maybe someone’s after him…I’m not really sure, but I was specifically instructed not to contact the military.”
“Wait a second. Who told you to do all this?” Mozart inquired.
Scarlet paused. Now they were really going to think she was an idiot.
“I’m running out of patience, Scarlet.” Mozart was still upset over Kimi’s letter and things were already getting out of hand. He didn’t like not being in control and the uncertainty made his head felt like it was being crushed between two cinder blocks.
“My grandmother,” Scarlet blurted out.
“Your grandmother…Oh that’s just perfect. What are you going to tell me next, that you’re Little Red Riding Hood? Mozart rubbed his forehead and shot Wolf a glance.
“Okay. Everybody calm down. Please explain and try to make it quick. We need to make a decision,” Wolf said.
Scarlet grabbed a satchel off the coffee table and pulled out a black leather book. She held it up and said, “She left me instructions in this book.”
“In a book? I’m confused. Why didn’t she just tell you her-freakin-self?” Wolf asked.
“She’s on a remote island…doing research for one of her crime books. There isn’t any internet or phone access.”
“Well, isn’t that convenient. So what exactly did she tell you?” Mozart pressed for more details.
“Here,” Scarlet said putting the book in front of him. “Read it for yourself.” Mozart accepted it from her and opened it to the front page.
Dear Scarlet,
I have a little adventure for you while I’m away. One of my dear friends needs a favor. You remember Kimi, the one in our “Scooby Gang” LOL. We wrote some crime pieces together when you were a baby. Anyway, she wrote to me and asked if I could pick up a relative of hers, but as you know I’m going to be away for a few months, so I thought you could handle it for me.
He’s going to be at the Tun Tavern this Friday night. You can’t miss him. He’s a buff guy with a military tattoo on his left bicep. Do whatever you have to do to get him back to the cabin safely. Kimi didn’t give too many details. All I know is his life is in danger. Knowing how resourceful you are, I doubt you’ll have any problems with the task. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t contact the military. Maybe they’re in on it.
Miss you kiddo,
Nona Sue
Chapter 37
Jagan managed to nab a seat in the very back of the coach. The drive to New Hampshire was going to be short but he was still hoping to catch some Z’s. The only way he could manage it was if he could be out of earshot of the glee club up front. If he had to hear one more song from the Sound of Music, he was going to throw up. He opened up the journal to the next page and read–
Dear Jagan,
This is my final entry. You have everything you need now to complete your mission. Please remember to always trust your gut and to follow your dreams no matter how daunting or impossible they may seem. And of course, do not ever forget…you are always in my heart.
Love,
Lolli
Jagan flipped through the pages of the book and did not find any other entries. What was going on? How could she leave him hanging like this? He contemplated all that had happened since he left home. He must have missed something. The book… there must be something in the book Bertie gave him in Salem.
Jagan read his grandmother’s story entitled, The Sideshow. The story was spooky, but also a little confusing. Had she written it that way on purpose? Were there clues in the story? Was he supposed to visit a circus when he arrived in Bristol? He had no idea now where to start.
Jagan re-read the inscription in the front–Sue…that was the author she went to Salem with to write the book. With a deep breath his body relaxed. He was onto something. He studied her biography in the back of the book. She was from New Hampshire. The pieces were finally starting to come together. His grandmother must have wanted him to find Sue Colicci, but he had no idea where she lived. Continuing on, he noticed she had a book signing at a local library in the town of Bristol where she lived. That would be the best place to start. With a glance at his phone he realized he was at a standstill. No bars. The online research on Sue would have to wait until he could get better service. Knowing he had done all he could for the moment; he closed his eyes and drifted off.
Chapter 38
As Mozart handed the book back to Scarlet, a note slipped out onto the floor. She reached down and picked it up. Her eyes tracked back and forth as she read it. “I have to go,” she announced. “There’s no time to explain.”
“What about him?” Wolf asked pointing towards the bedroom.
“Yeah, you just can’t take off and leave him here with us,” Mozart added.
“Look, I know this is a lot to ask, but you just have to trust me. It will all make sense when I return. I think I know how to find who you’re looking for.”
“You’d better make it quick and what do you want us to do with him? Wolf asked.
“He has a name too you know…In-di-go. You guys must have connections. Isn’t there someone you can find that can help? A doctor preferably.” Scarlet asked with an intense puppy dog look in her eyes.
“I’m a medic.” Mozart stated. “I can tend to him until we can find someone. Wolf, don’t you know somebody at NIH?”
“What’s that?” Scarlet inquired.
“National Institute of Health,” Wolf responded. “One of the top research hospitals in the country. I’ll get on it right away.”
Scarlet grabbed a stack of books off the shelf and vamoosed out the door.
Chapter 39
Scarlet arrived at the library just in time. A line had already formed at the table. Eager readers were waiting for their signed copies of the prequel to Hacked. The novella had become so popular her fans practically forced her grandmother to write another one.
Scarlet arranged the books and posters and sat down behind the table. She wondered what it would be like to be an author. There must have been a lot of sitting involved. All she could picture was her ass growing to the size of Texas. That’s why her grandmother always worked out religiously. She said she didn’t want to get writer’s ass.
“You’re a little young to be Sue Colicci,” the first woman in line said in accusation.
“Sorry. My grandmother is out of town. I’m just standing in for her,” Scarlet leaned her head to the side to check out the other persons in line. She noticed an odd looking man near the back whose attire seemed out of place. Bristol was a small town, so she at least knew most of the residents by sight, if not by name.
The woman moved her head over to block Scarlet’s view. She wanted her undivided attention. “I hope it was something important. I was really hoping to get to meet her today. I drove all the way from Boston,” the fan said with an attitude.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Scarlet lied. She thought the woman was rather irritating. “Let me take down your name and number and I’ll have her call you personally when she returns.” Or she could crank call her when she least expected it. The thought made her laugh.
“That would be fine.” The woman said. “So what was so pressing that she couldn’t be here?”
&n
bsp; Scarlet leaned closer to the woman and whispered, “I’m only going to tell you this because you’re one of her special fans, okay?” The woman nodded her head. “She’s at a remote island called Chiloé researching her next book.” The fan’s eyes widened and she covered her opened mouth as if she was the first person to hear the identity of the Zodiac killer.
“Go on,” she said.
“There were rumors the island was once occupied by warlocks who abducted and murdered some of the natives…children I think.” Scarlet thought they would have killed the lady for sure if she ever stepped foot on that land mass.
“Oh how awful,” she said but ironically her eyes said otherwise. She was intrigued. Scarlet handed her a signed copy of the novella and thankfully the woman left without further ado. After greeting several other readers and handing out more books, a man appeared in front of her. There was something about him that gave her the dithers. He asked some personal questions about her grandmother which she found disturbing. Maybe he was a nutty fan. Scarlet was grateful when he exited the library.
There were only a few more patrons in line. Scarlet began to wonder if the man she was supposed to meet would show. Her grandmother said in the note that it was important for her to be there on time. Maybe she had arrived too late and missed him. She was beginning to doubt her decision to leave Indigo. She hoped he would forgive her.
Chapter 40
Plymouth State University was the last school on the tour. Jagan was so eager to get to the library; he didn’t even bother to check in at the hotel. He hailed a taxi and used the short ride to collect his thoughts. So much in his life had changed so quickly. It was a lot to take in.
The Predecessor Page 11