Murder at Barnaby House

by Chloe Mayson

  The cat glanced up at Cortney, but didn’t follow her as she walked away from the table. She found her way to the spiral staircase without incident. However, when she glanced up the stairs, she wished that she had offered to carry the cat.

  Downstairs was spooky enough, but upstairs, with the full suits of armor lining the corridor, was downright scary. Since when did you become a chicken little? Cortney asked herself as she stood and stared up at the landing. I’m not a chicken little. I just have an overworked imagination. I just imagine all the spooky things that have happened, Cortney tried to convince herself as she climbed the stairs. She half expected Tom Cat to appear behind her, but she reached the top alone.

  Now to run the gauntlet of the suits of armor, Cortney thought as images of the raised swords in the knights’ hands striking out at her as she walked past them flashed through her mind. Get a grip on yourself, Cortney! She took a deep breath. Morticia’s killer doesn’t even know you are in town, she reminded herself.

  As Cortney walked down the corridor, she realized that all the doors to the bedrooms looked exactly alike. I forgot to count how many doors my bedroom was from the top of the stairs. Don’t panic. I’m sure my bedroom was about the fifth door down, Cortney thought as she counted doors until she reached the fifth one. Let me take a peek inside, she thought as she turned the doorknob.

  It’s locked. Did I lock my door? Cortney wondered as she pulled the key out of her pocket. I must have, she decided as she stuck the key into the keyhole. She heard a click when she turned the key. “I hope the key isn’t a skeleton key and will open all the bedroom doors,” Cortney mumbled as she opened the door.

  All Cortney could see was darkness. She stepped inside enough to feel the wall for the light switch. She fumbled around until her fingers located the switch and flipped it upward. A lamp beside a canopy bed flared to life.

  This isn’t my room, Cortney thought as she looked around the interior. The room was smaller than hers but fashioned similarly. The layout looked identical to hers.

  “Who’s there?” a deep gravelly voice called out.

  “Sorry, I thought it was my room,” Cortney replied.

  “I’ve not heard your voice before. Who are you?” the voice asked.

  “Cortney Barnaby.”

  “The lost little witch has returned! Imagine that. And Miss Morticia didn’t live to see you all grown up into a younger reflection of herself,” The voice said.

  “You must have mistaken me for someone else. I’m not a witch. Heck, there’s no such thing as witches. You’re playing a joke on me, aren’t you?” Cortney said. “I swear nothing is normal in this house. Well, in Bayou George for that matter.”

  “Yes, I sense you are a virgin witch. You have never used your powers,” the voice said.

  “Don’t be silly. I’m not a witch,” Cortney said. “Okay, come out and reveal yourself. I’m tired of talking to a voice,” Cortney added.

  The voice didn’t respond.

  “I’m leaving,” Cortney said.

  “Wait. Don’t go. I want some company. I’m sad that Miss Morticia died. She used to come and talk to me often. I’m lonely,” the voice said.

  “So, what is your relationship to Aunt Morticia? And why are you stuck in the bedroom?”

  “I’m the butler… or I was Miss Morticia’s butler before I died of smallpox. Miss Morticia brewed a spell to heal me, but I died anyway. However, her spell turned me into a ghost. Miss Morticia has been kind to me since my death. I died long before you were born, but Miss Morticia told me about your birth. However, your mother wouldn’t bring you to see me. My name is Chester Macomber,” the voice said.

  “You are telling me that Aunt Morticia was a witch? And what… What do you mean that you are a ghost? I’m talking to you. You certainly sound alive to me. Are you crazy? Is that why Frank has you locked in your bedroom?” Cortney asked as she paused at the door.

  “Crazy? I suppose I am. How can one keep their sanity when confined to the same room year after dreary year? I don’t even remember what the rest of the house looks like.”

  “The door is unlocked. You can leave. I don’t think it’s right for Frank to keep you locked up in the bedroom,” Cortney said.

  “No, no, you don’t understand. I can’t leave the bedroom even if the door is open,” Chester said.

  “Chester, you sound a little crazy. On second thought, I think I’ll lock the door when I leave,” Cortney said. “Now, if you want to keep talking to me, show yourself, or I’m leaving.”

  “Promise you won’t scream?” Chester said.

  “Well, I don’t have a good track record of keeping my word about not screaming. I told Frank I wouldn’t scream, but the moment I saw his face, I screamed and fainted. I think I hurt his feelings,” Cortney said. “Are you as ugly as Frank?”

  “I’ll have you know, I’m very handsome. I’m not a freak like Frank,” Chester said.

  “Then why would I scream when I see you?” Cortney said.

  “I’m a ghost.”

  “Chester, no wonder Frank keeps you locked up in your bedroom if you believe you are a ghost. You sound like you might be dangerous,” Cortney said. “You aren’t going to attack me, are you?”

  “Ghosts are harmless,” Chester said.

  “But maybe someone that thinks they are a ghost is dangerous,” Cortney said.

  “I told you that I will not harm you. But I must warn you that I can’t catch you if you faint. Hmm, maybe it would be safer if you sit on the edge of the bed. Then, when you faint, you won’t hurt yourself,” Chester said.

  “No, I’m staying near the door. Now come out from hiding. I’m not going to frigging faint!” Cortney said raising her voice.

  “Hmm, I hope you don’t kiss your boyfriend with that mouth,” Chester said

  “Last chance to show yourself, Chester!” Cortney called out in exasperation.

  Suddenly the air shimmered. A translucent man appeared out of thin air directly in front of Cortney.

  “Boo!”

  Cortney screamed as she collapsed.

  ***

  “Wakey, wakey, little witch,” a voice from far away called to Cortney. She opened her eyes. The translucent man hovered over her.

  Cortney screamed.

  “Stop screaming! You promised not to scream!” the figure called out as he covered his ears with his hands.

  “You… You’re a ghost!” Cortney said in a panicked voice as she struggled to her feet and backpedaled to the door.

  “Gee, you’re the bright one of the family, aren’t you,” Chester said sarcastically.

  “Is this some parlor trick?” Cortney asked.

  “Wow, what does it take to get through to you? You don’t believe you are a witch; you don’t believe I’m a ghost. Heck, I bet you don’t even believe that Tom Cat is a familiar,” Chester said shaking his head.

  “Frank already told me that Tom Cat is a familiar. But, I’m not sure I believe him.”

  “What’s your name again?” Chester said as he scratched his head. “My memory isn’t what it was a couple of hundred years ago.”

  Cortney shook her head. “Five million dollars isn’t worth this. I’m heading back to Malvern tomorrow!”

  “Don’t be such a drama queen,” Chester said.

  “I am not a drama queen! How am I supposed to respond? First, I meet a butler that looks like Frankenstein’s monster. Next, I learn that my Aunt Morticia was poisoned and that the person that poisoned her will more than likely attempt to kill me. Then I find out the cat I saved is a familiar. And finally, I stumble into your bedroom, and you tell me you are a ghost and I’m a witch! Tell me, how do you expect me to react?” Cortney demanded angrily.

  “When you put it in those terms, I guess your reaction might be in the normal range,” Chester said.

  “Thanks for being so generous,” Cortney said in an angry tone.

  “Hmm, you have spunk talking back to a ghost,” Chester said.

&
nbsp; “Crap, you aren’t a ghost!” Cortney said as concern replaced the anger in her voice.

  Without warning, the ghost swatted Cortney’s face. Cortney screamed as the hand passed through her face.

  “Why are you screaming? I didn’t hurt you. I can’t hurt you,” Chester said as he stuck his hand into Cortney’s chest.

  The sight of the translucent man’s arm protruding from her chest caused Cortney to scream again.

  “Stop screaming. I haven’t hurt you,” Chester said.

  “Then stop sticking your frigging hand into me. It freaks me out. It’s not like I meet a ghost every day. Heck, I’m still not convinced I really see you. Maybe I drank too much wine,” Cortney said.

  Chester turned and walked through the sofa. “There! Only a ghost can walk through a solid object. If you don’t believe me, try it yourself.”

  “But there’s no such things as witches and ghosts! Gee, maybe I’m in an alternate universe,” Cortney said.

  “You can believe in an alternate universe but not witches and ghosts? Wow. That blows my mind,” Chester said as he floated to the ceiling.

  “Well, it’s more scientific than believing in ghosts,” Cortney replied. “And you might be just a hologram. Yeah, that’s it. You’re a hologram. Wow, you had me going there for a moment, Chester, if that’s your name. So, is the house like a Halloween fun house that’s open all year around?” Cortney asked.

  “Please go. I haven’t had a headache for a hundred years. However, you have managed to give me one. I feel sorry for Frank having to deal with you. I never thought I would be glad I’m a ghost,” Chester said.

  “Okay, if you are a ghost, tell me who poisoned Aunt Morticia?” Cortney said.

  “How in the dickens would I know? I haven’t left this bedroom in a hundred years,” Chester said.

  “Aren’t ghosts all seeing and all knowing?” Cortney asked.

  “I thought you didn’t believe in ghosts?”

  “I don’t, but in ghost stories, the ghosts see events in the past and future,” Cortney explained.

  “Just leave me. You are making my headache worse. Life is not a dime store novel,” Chester said as he floated back to the floor.

  “So, I take it that you don’t know who poisoned Aunt Morticia?” Cortney said.

  “I thought I said that in plain English. Is English your first language?” Chester asked.

  “It’s my only language,” Cortney snapped. “Were you as irritating when you were alive?”

  “Oh, so now you believe I’m a ghost. God, women are so wishy-washy.”

  “I think I’ll stay just to make your headache worse,” Cortney said. “Since your body doesn’t have any substance, you can’t hurt me.”

  “Then I’ll leave,” Chester said.

  “You already told me you couldn’t leave the room,” Cortney replied. “So, you don’t know who killed Morticia,” Cortney mumbled.

  “Must I repeat everything?”

  “I’m going to investigate who poisoned Aunt Morticia,” Cortney declared.

  “Really?” Chester said.

  “Well, what choice do I have? Frank said I was next on the list,” Cortney said.

  “Was he looking at you with his brown eye or his blue eye when he said that?” Chester asked.

  “Both eyes,” Cortney said in a puzzled tone.

  “Well, then he must be right. You give me a terrible headache, but I prefer you didn’t die. I might learn to tolerate you in small doses,” Chester said as though in deep thought.

  “Do you know why a member of the council would want to kill Aunt Morticia?” Cortney asked.

  “I only know what goes on in the rest of the house when someone tells me. This room is my universe,” Chester said in a sad tone.

  “Did Aunt Morticia say something that might point to one of the five council members as the possible killer?” Cortney asked.

  “She disliked all the council members,” Chester said.

  “Anyone in particular?”

  “No,” Chester said. “And thanks for trying to find out who poisoned Morticia,” he added.

  “Hey, I’m no detective. I doubt if I’ll uncover anything interesting. But I’m going to the police station tomorrow. Guess that’s the best place to start. Now, I’m feeling sleepy. Meeting you took a lot of energy out of me,” Cortney admitted.

  “So, do you at least believe that I’m a ghost and not a hologram?” Chester asked.

  “I’m leaning toward that explanation, but I don’t want to dwell on it or I’ll freak out,” Cortney said as she walked over to the door.

  “Will you visit me tomorrow?” Chester asked.

  “Yeah, and I’ll tell you what I learn at the police station,” Cortney said as she opened the door.

  “The police aren’t going to be very helpful,” Chester said.

  “Yeah, yeah, Frank said that too. But the police here in Bayou George can’t be that bad,” Cortney said as she opened the bedroom door. “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite,” she added.

  “I can’t sleep,” she heard Chester say as she closed the door. She walked to the next room. “God, I hope this is my bedroom,” she said as she turned the doorknob.

  “Meow?” Tom Cat called from the bed.

  “I got lost,” Cortney said as she decided not to mention Chester. She took a couple of steps toward the bed and stopped as she spotted the broomstick on the floor.

  Okay, as weird as it sounds, maybe it is a witch’s broomstick. It is either a witch’s broomstick, or I’m going insane, Cortney thought. Let’s go with it’s a witch’s broomstick because I would hate to think I’m having a nervous breakdown.

  “Okay show me what you can do,” Cortney said as she bent over and grabbed the handle of the broomstick.

  Chapter Five

  The broomstick felt warm and alive as Cortney held it in her hands. She fought the impulse to scream and drop the broom, but her racing heart signaled that she might panic. Cortney took a couple of deep breaths to remain calm.

  So, it’s a witch’s broomstick! It’s not going to hurt me. I have never read of a broomstick hurting someone, Cortney thought as she glared at the broom.

  “Can you fly?” Cortney asked and immediately felt silly talking to a broom.

  “Meow.” Tom Cat said.

  “Yeah, well meow doesn’t tell me much, Tom Cat. And, if you are really a familiar, shouldn’t you be able to talk?” Cortney said, finding it calming to talk to the cat.

  Tom Cat didn’t respond.

  “Okay, let’s try this. When I ask you a question, you meow once for yes and twice for no. Do you think your little brain can do that?”

  “Meow!”

  “Okay, I’ll take that for a yes,” Cortney paused. “Are you a familiar?”

  “Meow.”

  “Do you know who poisoned Aunt Morticia?

  “Meow, meow.”

  “Can you speak?”

  “Meow, meow, meow.”

  “What does three meows mean? Hmm, does it mean that you can’t answer with a simple yes or no?” Cortney asked.

  “Meow.”

  “Okay, so you do understand what I say. Now I’ll repeat the question. Can the broomstick fly?”

  “Meow.”

  Cortney almost dropped the broomstick when she heard Tom Cat’s reply.

  “So, it’s a witch’s broomstick?”

  “Meow.”

  “Is it Aunt Morticia’s broomstick?”

  “Meow, meow, meow?”

  “What does that mean?” Cortney said as she looked from the broom to Tom Cat. “Okay. I guess that’s another question that you can't answer with a yes or no. Hmm, maybe you are smarter than you look.”

  “Meow!”

  “Okay, let’s try this. Did the broomstick belong to Aunt Morticia before she died?”

  “Meow.”

  Gee, I don’t know if I want to ask the cat the next question. I might not like the answer, Cortney thought before
she spoke. “Does the broomstick belong to me now that Aunt Morticia is dead?”

  “Meow!”

  “Gee, am I really a witch?” Cortney asked.

  “Meow!”

  “Tom Cat? You were supposed to meow twice!” Cortney said. “I don’t want to be a witch!”

  Tom Cat licked his paw.

  “Darn it. Then, if I’m a witch, I want to ride the broomstick,” Cortney said. “How does it work?” she asked as she glanced at the bed. “Meowing isn’t going to tell me how to ride the broomstick.”

  Cortney lowered the straw end of the broom to the floor, while she held the handle in her hand. She threw her leg over the broomstick like she used to do the stick pony at the orphanage as a little girl. Holding on to the handle, Cortney called out “Giddy up” and waited for it to rise into the air.

  Nothing happened.

  “Tom Cat, do I have to say a magic word?” Cortney asked.

  “Meow, meow.”

  “Then, how does the darn thing work? There are no controls! How am I supposed to make it fly?” Cortney demanded as she walked around the room astride the broomstick. “This is ridiculous. If anyone took a picture of me now and put it on the internet, I would be a laughing stock,” Cortney said.

  “Meow.”

  “Stop agreeing with me!” Cortney shouted. “Are you sure it will fly?”

  “Meow.”

  “Think, Cortney! How would you control something without any visible controls?” Cortney said.

  Mentally! The thought flashed across Cortney’s mind. Almost immediately Cortney thought fly!

  Cortney screamed as the broomstick lifted her into the air and darted across the room. Stop! she thought as the wall rushed toward her.

  The broomstick stopped so suddenly that Cortney did a flip over the end of the handle and landed on the floor with a thud.

  “Meow?”

  “Do you want to try it? It’s not as easy as it looks. It’s like riding a bicycle. You always fall the first time you try to ride a bike,” Cortney said. “And I bet Aunt Morticia went to witch’s school or something like that.”

  “Meow?”

  “God, what does a cat know about riding a bike. I might as well be talking to myself,” Cortney said as she climbed to her feet. Only then did she notice that the broomstick still hovered in the air. “That’s neat,” Cortney said. “Okay, let’s try this again.”