by J A Whiting
“Lin?” John poked his head around the corner.
“I’m coming. I was looking at something. I’ll be right there.”
John gave a nod and when he stepped into the small foyer, Lin turned back to the bookshelf.
Her eyes went wide and she blinked several times.
There was nothing on the shelf. Every one of the shelves was empty.
The valentine was gone.
10
With her eyes blurring, Lin sat hunched by the windows of the research room reading information online through the town library system. She’d already studied books and articles on sailor’s valentines and had turned next to investigate old land records trying to trace the former owners of the antique Cape.
Viv hurried over to Lin’s table and pulled up a chair next to her. “Mallory’s watching the bookstore until I get back. What have you found?”
“I read what I could find about the valentines and I found the land records going back to the 1800s. I assume that’s when our ghost lived since that was the time when the sailors traveled and purchased the valentines. Not all the records have street names that match up with today, but I think this land plot description is the one that indicates the antique Cape house.” She pointed to the computer screen so Viv could see.
Viv squinted at the screen. “Okay, that looks right.”
Lin switched to a page of deed listings. “The names of the sellers and the buyers are listed here along with the page number in the deed book. Here are the owners of that house during the 1800s.” Each name had been handwritten in the book’s pages.
Lin pointed to each one as she read them aloud. “1810-1830, E.G. North, 1830-1836, G.W. Weeks, 1836-1866, Roger Ethan, and 1866-1908, Matthew Whitaker.” Turning to face her cousin, Lin said, “Matthew Whitaker is probably not our ghost. I think the ghost is someone who lived in the early 1800s because that’s when the majority of the valentines were bought in Barbados and carried back to Nantucket. So, I think that E.G. North or G.W. Weeks is our man.”
“Terrific sleuthing.” Viv was impressed with Lin’s ability to wade through so much material to match up the history of the time with the possible owner of the house.
“I’m going with the idea that our ghost sailed in the early part of the nineteenth century as a young man. From what I’ve read, a lot of the sailors tired of being away from home for a year at a time on each voyage and after a few trips, they left sailing to find other work somewhere on the island or ended up moving to the mainland.” Lin rubbed at her eyes. “I’m done for the day. My eyes are going to fall out if I try to read one more thing.” She closed out of the library computer, gathered her things, and left the building with Viv.
They walked the few blocks through town to Viv’s neighborhood, turned down her lane, and reaching the house with the white picket fence covered with blooming roses, opened the gate to the walkway and headed inside where Queenie and Nicky greeted them with sleepy eyes.
“Must be nice to nap all afternoon,” Viv told the animals.
“They’re the house security guards.” Lin reached down to give the dog and cat some pats.
“We’d better get changed. John and Jeff will be here any minute.” Viv headed up to her room to change into biking shorts and a top. The foursome had planned a late afternoon bike ride around the island, dinner at a pub down by the docks, and then dessert back at Viv’s house on the deck.
Lin needed to get the kinks out her neck and looked forward to the brisk exercise riding along the island bike paths. When the guys arrived, the cousins were outside ready to go.
John asked, “Can we start out by going over to the Polpis Road? I have some paperwork I told the owner of the antique Cape I’d drop in his mailbox by tonight.”
The four set out for the paths by biking up Viv’s road, cutting through a cemetery, and hooking into the bicycle trails that would lead along Milestone Road to Polpis.
The humidity had cleared out and the air felt fresh and warm as they pedaled past gray-shingled cottages, marshes, and meadows. When they reached the Cape house, John took the envelope from his pack and placed it in the mailbox.
Viv suggested biking to Shimmo and then along the Nantucket harbor out to Potter’s Point, and then back to the paths that would lead to ‘Sconset.
“I haven’t been out to Potter’s Point since I was little,” Lin told them.
“I never bike that way,” Jeff said. “Good idea, Viv.”
Off they went along the wooded areas, past fields and pastureland, to the small road that wove by the harbor, bent inland for a few miles, and then led back beside the harbor again. The breeze felt good on Lin’s face as the group moved along at a good speed, but when the road got closer to Potter’s Point, a wave of anxiety flashed through her and she wished they’d gone on an alternate route.
“I think we should head this way,” John gestured. “It will take us back to the Polpis Road.”
After several miles, Viv requested a break for water so they pulled to the side and reached for their bottles.
“My legs are tired already,” Viv worried. “I don’t know if I can make the whole circuit.”
“You’ll be okay,” Jeff encouraged. “Maybe your legs will loosen up after the next couple of miles.”
Viv’s expression told Jeff that she didn’t think that would happen. “I’ll go a little further, but I might abandon all of you and head back to town taking a shorter route.”
Being in the area of Potter’s Point was making Lin uneasy and she offered to return to town with Viv if she didn’t feel up to the entire planned ride. After two more miles, Viv decided to bow out, so she and Lin left the men to complete the ride around the island with the plan to meet back at Viv’s where they would change and head to the docks for dinner.
When Jeff and John pedaled away, Lin looked at her cousin. “I feel weird.”
Viv’s lips turned down. “Tired weird or paranormal weird?”
“Not tired,” Lin said glumly.
“Oh,” Viv whispered and glanced over her shoulders. “Maybe we should have stayed with the guys?”
“It’s okay. As soon as we rode closer to the point, the feeling started up.”
“Are we in danger?” Viv’s eyes were big.
Lin waved her hand around. “No. I’m picking up on something … whatever it is.” She let out a breath. “Come on. Let’s get going.”
“I think this might be a shortcut back to the paths that run along the main road.” Viv led the way down the shady, wooded area until the space opened up and they emerged closer to the water. “This way,” Viv turned her bike down a quiet lane.
The lane ended in a dead end.
“Wrong way. About face.” Viv shrugged.
“What’s all that?” Lin pointed to mounds and mounds of white shells in an empty lot that bordered the harbor.
“It looks like a place where they dump the scallop shells.”
“It’s huge,” Lin said, an odd sensation fluttering over her skin. “I didn’t know shells got dumped out and left in big piles.”
“The fishermen used to dump loads of shells. Some of the piles on the island started in the late 1700s. I don’t know if this pile is old or if it’s still being used.”
Lin couldn’t pull her eyes away from the sight. Piles of white shells, most of them crushed, others intact, shimmered in the early evening sunlight.
Viv narrowed her eyes at her cousin. “You want to go look at them?”
“What?” Lin looked deep in thought as she turned to Viv.
“Want to ride down and get a closer look?”
“No.” Lin almost shouted.
“What’s wrong with you?” Viv asked.
“Nothing.” Lin took a quick glance to the scallop shell piles.
Viv raised an eyebrow. “Nothing, huh?”
“You know I said I had a weird feeling?” Lin’s breathing was fast and shallow. “I think it’s coming from down near the shells.”
“Sh
ould we have a look?”
“I guess so.” Lin gave a reluctant, little nod so they walked their bikes along the path to the shell mounds where they could see the water of the harbor glittering beyond.
Lin’s vision beginning to swim and the dizziness caused her to become unsteady. A feeling of sadness hit her in the chest like a fast-pitched baseball and she staggered back. “I need to get out of here,” she whispered.
With one hand on her bike’s handlebars, Viv placed her other hand on Lin’s arm to help support her. When they’d reached the lane they’d arrived on, Lin’s sensations of alarm waned. She swigged from her water bottle and then poured some into her hand and splashed it on her face. “I’m starting to feel better.”
“Can you make it home?” Viv’s voice sounded worried.
“I’ll be okay.” Lin swung her leg over her bike and started to pedal. “Let’s get the heck away from here.”
11
After arriving back at Viv’s house, the young women showered and changed and went out for dinner with Jeff and John. Being far away from the shell mounds, the anxious sensations quickly disappeared and Lin ended up feeling silly for having the unsettling moments of anxiety while observing the shells.
Feeling foolish about it, she didn’t share with the men what had come over her when she and Viv viewed the unusual sight of the discarded scallop shells. “I’ve been so caught up thinking about the old ghost and the antique Cape house that seeing something unexpected and out of the ordinary sort of knocked me for a loop.” She apologized to her cousin for behaving so weirdly, but Viv pooh-poohed the expression of regret.
“We all act kooky every once in a while.” Viv tapped her index finger against her chin and said kiddingly, “Although, I can’t remember the last time I acted oddly … it was so very long ago.”
Lin leveled her eyes at her cousin. “Shall I remind you of the last time you behaved like a kook?”
“Nope.” Viv smiled and went into the kitchen leaving Lin, the cat, and the dog in the living room looking after her as she exited.
Lin made eye contact with the animals. “She got out of that one, didn’t she?”
When Lin, Jeff, Viv, and John returned to the house after having dinner, they all sat outside on the deck with drinks to share the dessert Viv had made. Candles flickered on the table and the evening air was warm and pleasant. Nicky and Queenie rested in the grass watching fireflies dart about the backyard.
Viv had gone all out making an English trifle and the guests reported on how delicious the sweet concoction tasted. John and Jeff had two helpings each.
“I can’t stuff another bite into my stomach.” Lin leaned back in her chair with her hands on her abdomen. “Although, I’d love to eat that whole thing.”
After good company and good food, Lin’s unease had faded away and she was able to think about the shell mounds without any anxiety flaring up. The small group played cards for an hour after eating dessert and then everyone groaned about having to get up early the next morning while helping Viv with the dishes.
When Lin and Nicky arrived back at home, she walked quickly to the hutch to take a look at the sailor’s valentine. She ran her hand over the glass top of the wooden box and said softly, “What does your ghost need from me?”
The box did not give off any heat when Lin touched it. The valentine hadn’t been hot to the touch since the night she’d brought it home and now, it seemed to be just a normal, household decoration.
Lin yawned mightily, got ready for bed, snuggled under the covers in her cool, air-conditioned bedroom, reached for her crossword puzzle book, and filled in two answers before nodding off.
The bedside lamp was still on and the puzzle book was next to her on the blanket when she woke up to birds singing their early-morning wake-up songs and Lin marveled at how quickly sunrise had come.
She and Nicky rode in the truck to pick up Leonard whose own vehicle had gone into the shop for service. Lin parked at the end of his crushed-shell driveway and she and the dog walked up the three steps to the front door of the pretty Cape house. Lin rang the bell three times, but no one answered, and becoming concerned, she and her canine companion walked around to the rear of the house to knock on the back door.
“Leonard?” Lin gave a couple of raps on the door’s glass window.
“I overslept, Coffin,” Leonard called from somewhere inside. “I just got out of the shower. Wait for me in your truck. I’ll be right there.”
Lin and Nicky walked back to the truck. Not being invited into the house to wait in Leonard’s kitchen brought back the question of why the man was unable to have anyone in his home. Being made to wait outside also hurt Lin’s feelings.
With wet hair, Leonard burst through the front door carrying his lunchbox and saw Lin leaning against her truck. “I’m ready.”
“I’m not.” Lin locked eyes with the older man.
“What’s wrong with you? I made us late. We don’t need to be later. Let’s get a move on.” Leonard went to the passenger side. Nicky was sitting beside the truck. He didn’t give Leonard his usual joyous greeting.
The man looked down at the brown dog and made a face. “What’s wrong with you?”
When Nicky didn’t move, Leonard turned back to Lin. “What’s going on?”
“Exactly.” Lin, with her eyes dark and her face pinched, took some steps closer.
With a scowl on his face, Leonard let out a long, exasperated breath. “What?”
“We’re business partners, but first and more importantly, I consider us friends,” Lin began. “I hope you feel the same way.”
“Is this true confessions, or something?”
Lin cocked her head and said gently, “It could be, if you’d fess up to why you never invite me into your home.”
Leonard’s eyes widened and his face muscles drooped. He couldn’t joke his way out of the comment. “I was in a hurry … the house is a mess….”
Lin held her hand up. “I’m not buying it. You deliberately keep me out.”
“I do not.”
“You’ve been to my house a million times. You’ve had lunch and dinner and even breakfast in my house. You drop by unannounced and I invite you in.”
Leonard ran his hand over the top of his head. “It’s just never a convenient time when you’re here.”
“What’s the real reason?” Lin asked.
“That is the reason.”
Lin sighed. “Leonard….”
“I don’t like people seeing a messy house.”
Lin said, “My house is messy when you’ve been over.”
“It’s a tic of mine. Things have to be neat.” Leonard stepped around the dog and opened the passenger side door. “We’re late. We need to get going.”
Lin stared at the man with a look of disappointment.
“Can I go in and use your bathroom?”
“Coffin….”
“Forget it.” Lin strode to the truck, opened the door, and got in. She turned the ignition while Leonard reached down, lifted the dog into the truck’s cab, and got in himself.
They drove for two miles with neither one saying a word.
Leonard said softly, “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not angry,” Lin muttered. “I’m hurt.”
Leonard let out a groan. “Don’t be hurt, for Pete’s sake. It doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“What does it have to do with?” Lin kept her eyes on the road.
Leonard remained silent.
Lin turned the truck down a side street. “I wish you’d tell me.”
The older man watched out of his window for a full minute, before saying, mostly to himself, “I just can’t tell you.”
When they arrived at their client’s home, Lin and Leonard went separate ways to mow the lawn, weed flower beds, and trim the hedges. The hour and a half dragged by without the easy, fun, comfortable banter between the two landscapers.
Leonard paused in the shade with his bottle of
water and as Lin walked by on her way to get a tool, he asked, trying to thaw things out between them, “How was your bike ride last night?”
“It was okay.”
“Just okay? Not great?”
“Viv got tired and I….” Lin hesitated.
One of Leonard’s eyebrows went up in question. “You, what?”
“Viv and I rode on a deserted lane trying to take a shortcut back to the bike paths. We came up on this spot with mounds and mounds of mostly crushed scallop shells.” Lin felt the queasiness from the night before. “It made me want to get out of there.”
“Why?”
“It made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t know why.” Lin cut their conversation short, got the tool she wanted, and headed back to work on one of the flower beds.
Another half hour passed and they’d almost finished the yard when Leonard approached Lin who was kneeling at a flower bed pulling out weeds. “What was it about those shells that made you feel funny?” he asked.
Lin sat back on her heels. “I don’t know. It might have been the mood I was in. I was feeling tired, not physically, but sort of mentally drained and the sun was glinting off the white shells. It was too bright. There were too many shells. It didn’t seem right. It hurt my eyes.”
Leonard stood over Lin looking down at her. He seemed to be thinking something over. “Yeah,” was all he finally said.
A corner of Lin’s mouth turned up. “Yeah? The same thing has happened to you? Too many white shells in a pile? The white hot sun beating down on them, blinding you?”
“Yeah.” With the toe of his boot, Leonard poked at an old acorn that was pressed into the grass. “Don’t be mad at me, Coffin. It makes me feel bad.”
Lin was about to say something smart-alecky, when Leonard added, “And don’t be hurt, either. It’s not my intention to hurt you.”
He started to cross the yard to gather up the tools so they could move on to the next client’s place. “One of these days, I’ll tell you why you don’t get asked into my house.”