The Pine Hill Inn

by J A Whiting

  Ella and Livvy groaned and Raisin let out a mournful howl.

  Paul told them, “Sophie and her lover got away with the crime. She claimed to be ill, heard an intruder enter the home, a fight ensued between the intruder and Louis, and Louis ended up being killed.”

  “How did the truth come out?” Ella asked.

  Lisa went on with the story. “Sophie died about two years after she and her lover murdered Louis. The lover claimed that the house was haunted by ghosts. He slowly lost his mind and confessed to Louis’s murder.”

  “Louis won’t respond to us anymore,” Paul said. “We had to call you in.”

  “We think the ghost will respond better to people he isn’t familiar with,” Lisa explained.

  “Okay,” Ben nodded. “We’ll see what we can do.”

  Ben, Ella, and Livvy went to the back of the SUV and removed two metal cases. Ben flicked one of them open and removed three protective amulets which they hung around their necks.

  Ella muttered to her brother, “If I knew this ghost was violent and was throwing things around, I would have borrowed one of the helmets you made for the historical reenactors.”

  “We should always keep three helmets in the car.” Livvy picked up some EVP wrist recorders and handed one to Ben and one to Ella. She then removed three flashlights from the metal case, and Ben took a camera from the second case.

  The cat and the three siblings walked along the stone walkway to the front door where Ella removed a small index card and a black marker from her back pocket. She wrote Louis’s name on the card, and then Livvy tightly wrapped black yarn around it while Ben and Ella held hands.

  Ella repeated a four-line protection spell, over and over, while the cat, flicking her tail, stared at the woman.

  When Livvy had finished wrapping the index card, Ben dug a small hole in the lawn and buried the card. “Okay, are we ready?”

  They opened the front door and stepped into the mansion’s foyer.

  When Ben flicked the switch to illuminate the entryway, the lights flickered, sputtered, and went out.

  “Great,” Livvy sighed, and they put on their flashlights.

  A huge, ornate, curving staircase rose up in front of them and a crystal chandelier hung from the two-story ceiling. The chandelier began to sway, faster and faster until a cracking sound exploded and the fixture plummeted to the ground with a mighty crash of splintering glass.

  The siblings and the cat anticipated the chandelier dropping and ran into the sitting room on the right to avoid being crushed.

  Ella spoke another protection spell, and then quickly followed it with a binding spell to restrict the ghost’s actions. He could still do damage, but the spell would lessen whatever he tried to do against the investigators.

  Raisin let out a loud howl to warn the humans just as two tall vases that had been placed on the fireplace mantel rose into the air and hurtled towards them. Before it could hit anyone, the vases stopped in mid-air and dropped gently to the ground.

  “Good work with the spell,” Livvy told her sister.

  A terrible, high-pitched wailing filled the air and caused the investigators’ ears to ache. Ella handed ear plugs to Ben and Livvy. The plugs would reduce the spirit’s shrieks to a tolerable volume, but they would still be able to hear the ghost if he spoke to them.

  Ella stepped forward. “Louis. We’d like to talk with you. My name is Ella and this is my sister, Livvy, and my brother, Ben. We mean you no harm.”

  A cold, howling wind kicked up inside the enormous living room as if they were standing on a mountain top in the middle of winter being buffeted by a storm.

  Ella pulled her light jacket closer around her. “There’s no need to be angry with us.”

  Snow started to fall from the ceiling and for a moment, Ella had to admire the ghost’s creativity.

  “We’d appreciate no more snow and cold,” Livvy told the spirit as she stood shivering.

  “We only want to talk with you,” Ben said.

  With Raisin at her heels, Ella led her sister and brother out of the room and back into the foyer where the floor was covered in broken glass.

  “The people who own this house aren’t going to be happy with the mess in here,” Livvy said to her siblings.

  “That is … if there’s any house left when Louis is done,” Ella shook her head.

  From the dining room on the left, horrible growling noises filled the air, and three enormous tigers appeared at the threshold.

  Raisin stood protectively in front of her humans, arched her back, and hissed.

  Ella closed her eyes and performed another binding spell aimed at the animals. It seemed to take effect immediately … the growling stopped and the big cats turned and walked back into the dark room where they disappeared.

  “Nice work,” Ben praised his sister.

  A swirl of icy air enveloped the three investigators and they all looked up to the staircase landing to see a glowing man dressed in fine clothes standing there staring down at them.

  Louis was dark-haired, had a black mustache, and wore an expensive suit and fancy black shoes.

  Raisin darted up the stairs and sat down in front of the ghost.

  “Louis.” Ella took a few steps towards the stairs. “Will you talk with us? We know you’ve suffered and that you’re angry. You were betrayed by two people you cared about.”

  The ghost’s particles flared red, but he didn’t attempt to hurt the three people in his entryway.

  In a soft voice, Ella spoke to the spirit. “Your actions are hurting the people who now own this house. No one deserves to be hurt. No one. You’re filled with pain, and we understand the reason, but it isn’t an excuse to harm others. The Pinters want to care for this house you love. They love it, too. They don’t mind if you stay here, they’d be happy to have you remain in the house, but you need to live here peacefully with them.”

  Ella waited for a negative response, but none came. Louis stood stoically at the top of the staircase. “Aren’t you tired of the rage you’ve been feeling? Of the misery you’ve bottled up inside? We can help you cross over, if you’d like to do that. If you want to stay, then we can do a blessing for you that will help the sadness leave you. You’ve suffered long enough. It’s time to walk in the light again.”

  When nothing happened, Ella said, “Let us help you.”

  Raisin padded down to the foyer as the ghost began to slowly float down the staircase. Ella stepped back to stand between her brother and sister.

  When Louis was at the bottom of the stairs, floating a few inches above the foyer floor, with a solemn expression, he extended his hand to Ella.

  The young woman with the long, black hair placed her hand over her heart and nodded. “Louis wants to cross over.”

  Ben went to the metal case he’d left at the door, opened it, and removed three white candles. He handed one to each of his sisters, kept the third one in his own hand, and lit them. The investigators held their candles close together so the light they produced would join as one.

  Ella spoke. “Look into the light, Louis. Keep your eyes on it. When you’re ready, close your eyes. You’ll still be able to see the light. When you count to four, the candlelight will turn into a ball of bright, white light that will grow larger and larger. Walk to it. It will open for you, and peace will fill your heart. Go when you’re ready.”

  Ella closed her eyes and softly recited a spell for safe travels.

  Ben and Livvy watched as Louis’s atoms began to glow with pure, white light. The ghost’s atoms grew brighter and brighter, and then they sparked and disappeared.

  Raisin trilled.

  “He’s gone,” Ben said gently.

  “He crossed,” Livvy sighed.

  Ella’s eyes fluttered open, and Ben blew out the three candles.

  “I’m exhausted.” Ella’s arms hung by her sides, and she swayed a little when she tried to take a step.

  As Raisin rubbed her head against Ella’s legs, Livv
y went to her sister and wrapped her arms around her in a warm hug. “You did well. Louis has found peace.”

  Ben hugged his sisters. “Come on. It’s time for us to go home.”

  Livvy smiled down at the black feline sitting near them. “You, too, Cutie Cat.”

  16

  Ella dragged herself through her day of teaching classes, meeting with students, attending a university board meeting, and giving a presentation on Colonial textiles at a community event. After dramatic encounters with spirits, she always felt like all her energy had been drained from her body and it took a good forty-eight hours for her to recover.

  When she arrived home, she showered and changed and sat on the sofa with Raisin sipping a cup of tea. Just as she was settled comfortably next to the cat, her phone rang with a call from Livvy.

  “I’m at the inn. Lucy called me. I didn’t want to bother you since I know you’re fatigued today so I came out here on my own. Lucy said that Brian Milton is more of a pain than usual. One of the employees told her that Brian is talking about Leo and all the money he had, and that he wants a partner for a new venture. Brian keeps pestering the staff about investing in his business.” Livvy groaned. “Too bad the police didn’t lock him up for a while for beating up that guy.”

  “Do you want me to come there?” Ella asked hoping her sister would say no.

  “Would you mind? Lucy wants us to talk to Brian. She doesn’t trust him and she worries he might have something to do with Leo’s murder. You pick up things better than I do. I really don’t want to talk to him by myself.”

  “I’ll come. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

  When Ella and Raisin arrived at the inn, Livvy was waiting for them in the parking lot.

  “How are you feeling?” Livvy asked.

  “Dragging, but I’m okay. I’m sure I’ll sleep for about ten hours tonight.”

  “And the cutie cat? How’s she doing?”

  Raisin trilled at the woman.

  “Nothing ever seems to faze Raisin.” Ella looked down at the black cat with a smile. “Of course, she slept all day while I was at work so she’s got plenty of energy. Maybe we should let her interview Brian.”

  “She’d probably do a better job.”

  Livvy, Ella, and Raisin went into the inn and Lucy brought them to one of the small dining spaces usually used for an intimate gathering of two to four people.

  “I’ll get Brian,” Lucy said. “I’m going to tell him one of the supervisors needs a word with him. Otherwise, he’ll refuse.”

  Ella said quietly, “He’ll probably refuse as soon as he sees us.”

  A few minutes later, Lucy knocked on the door and escorted Brian into the room. The young man’s face hardened when he saw the women.

  “I’m not talking to you.” When he turned to leave, Lucy, with her hands on her hips, blocked the door.

  “Listen, mister, someone was killed here not long ago. Everyone is trying to get to the bottom of it. If you don’t have a few minutes to speak with these people about Leo, I’m going to wonder why you aren’t interested in cooperating with the investigation, and I’ll pass my concerns on to the detective in charge. Also, keep in mind you’re still being paid while you’re in here talking to them and not working in the kitchen.”

  Sullenly, Brian plopped down in a chair. “Fine. I got nothing to hide.”

  When Lucy left the room, a heavy silence hung in the air.

  “Thanks a lot for calling the cops on me,” Brian sneered.

  “You were beating someone up,” Livvy said. “You got yourself into trouble … nobody did it for you.”

  “The other guy started it,” Brian protested.

  “No, he didn’t,” Livvy corrected Brian. “We saw what happened.”

  “Yeah? Well, how about you mind your own business?”

  Livvy scowled at the young man. “How about you get into a fight at your own house and keep your problems off the street where people are minding their own business?”

  Brian was about to counter with some nonsense when Ella broke into the discussion. “We’re not here to talk about your disagreement and fight with your colleague. We want to talk about Leo Martin. Tell us about your relationship with Leo.”

  Brian sprawled in the chair. “I didn’t have a relationship with Leo.”

  “Some of the staff have reported that you were harassing him,” Ella said.

  “Oh, come on.” Brian waved his hand dismissively. “It was just some horsing around, saying stupid stuff. I didn’t harass him.”

  “Did you want something from Leo?” Ella questioned.

  “Like what?”

  “We don’t read minds,” Livvy told the man. “Why don’t you tell us what you wanted with him.”

  “Nothing. That’s the simple answer,” Brian said. “I didn’t want anything from him. What did Leo have that I would want anyway?”

  “We’ve heard you knew that Leo had inherited some money. We also have heard that you’ve been bothering the kitchen staff trying to get them to invest in your new business venture,” Livvy pointed out. “Did you ask Leo to invest?”

  Brian’s face clouded. “It’s none of your business. I didn’t have anything to do with the dude getting killed. I don’t know nothing about it. He went outside near the end of the shift and he didn’t come back.”

  “Where were you when Leo stepped outside?” Ella asked.

  “I was in the kitchen.”

  “Will you co-workers vouch for that?” Livvy asked.

  “It was the end of the shift. People slip out for a smoke or to use the phone in private. Some people had already left and went home. The kitchen’s a busy place with a bunch of people buzzing around. No one keep tabs on who goes out for minute. It’s no big deal.”

  Livvy shook her head. “That’s not what I asked. I asked whether some of your co-workers would vouch for you? Will someone tell us you were in the kitchen when Leo was outside in the garden?”

  Raisin let out a growl.

  “I don’t know what other people will say, but I’m telling you, I didn’t kill the guy.”

  “Did you ask Leo to invest in your business?” Livvy asked.

  “I asked him. So what?”

  “What did Leo say?”

  “He told me no. He wouldn’t even listen to my ideas. It was his loss.”

  “Did you know Leo had money?”

  “I knew he had an inheritance.”

  Ella’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know that?”

  “An associate told me. He’d heard about it from his brother. He grew up with Leo, went to the same schools. He knew Leo’s dad was wealthy,” Brian said.

  “Did you threaten Leo because he wouldn’t invest with you?” Livvy asked.

  “Of course, not.” Brian looked indignant. “If a guy doesn’t want to make some money, then I say too bad for him.”

  “But you pestered Leo during work shifts,” Ella said. “You were heard making rude comments to Leo.”

  “I make rude comments to everyone.” Brian rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know so many people were suddenly so sensitive.”

  Ella decided to try a different technique. “Was anything different about the evening?”

  Brian gave her a look. “What do you mean?”

  “Did Leo seem different?”

  Brian lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I didn’t notice anything.”

  Ella asked a less vague question. “Did Leo get a call or a text that seemed to upset him?”

  “I don’t know.” Brian leaned back in his chair with disinterest. “Wait a second. I think he did get a text. Yeah, his girlfriend came by during Leo’s dinner break. We only get thirty minutes. I don’t know how we’re supposed to eat in that amount of time. Anyway, Leo went outside to meet his girl. She’s a looker. You seen her? Real pretty. When he came back in, he seemed bummed. He was in a bad mood. He was always quiet, but this time when I made a comment to him, he barked at me. I was like, whoa, okay, I’m not
gonna get up in your face tonight.”

  “What do you think made him moody?” Ella asked.

  “Who knows? Maybe Leo didn’t want to be working so he could spend some time with his woman. Maybe he had an argument with her? I didn’t ask because I didn’t think he’d tell me, you know?” Brian chuckled. “I wasn’t Leo’s favorite person.”

  Ella ignored Brian’s response. “Did Leo have his break later in the evening?”

  “No. It was around 7:30pm or so. He usually took his break then.”

  “How do you know Leo met his girlfriend?” Livvy asked.

  “I saw her. They were out on the back patio where the staff can sit. I went out for a smoke and saw them together,” Brian told them.

  “If we ask someone else who was working that night, will they tell us Leo’s girlfriend was here?”

  “If they saw her, yeah.” Brian leaned forward. “I don’t lie about everything, you know.”

  17

  The sisters ended the meeting with Brian and they and Raisin walked to the parking lot. The moon was bright overhead and its light sparkled over the sidewalk.

  “Brian gave us a little information,” Livvy said. “Rose was here with Leo during his break and when Leo went back to work he was in a bad mood.”

  “The couple could have argued about something,” Ella said. “They’d been living together in New York and when they moved here they were living apart. Maybe the relationship was suffering from them being apart too much. The move to a new state, the new jobs, living separate from one another, it must have been a lot of stress.”

  “I wonder if they were on the verge of a break-up?” Livvy asked. “That would be sad if that was the case. They made a move for new opportunities and it ended up hurting their relationship.”

  “What do you think of Brian?” Ella asked. “Do you pick up anything about him? Do you believe his statements about not having anything to do with Leo’s death?”

  “Brian’s very rough around the edges. He doesn’t seem to realize how he annoys people and doesn’t understand why they react to him the way they do. He seems like he’s involved with some things he shouldn’t be. He was beating up that guy the other day. He could be involved in a gang. He’s not going to win any prizes for employee of the week. Lucy seems like she’s had it with him, but really? Would he murder Leo in cold blood right outside the kitchen entrance? In an odd way, Brian seems too cautious to do something so bold. Why not follow Leo home and kill him? Why not attack him some place where people aren’t coming and going? The murder in the garden doesn’t seem to fit Brian’s ways.”