The club is a front also, for a very profitable and active smuggling ring. They often work with Jack Evermore; mostly assisting in his distribution.
Lately, it’s felt like a zoo; exotic birds and then there was the orangutan. What a mess it made; the customer was delayed a couple days. He was charged a hefty fine when he finally showed himself. They decided at this meeting, no more animals.
Sam Grayson kept an apartment at the club. Vivey doesn't know about it. She has become so moody and such a drunk; sometimes he just needed a break from her. He has no moral compass other than staying out of trouble with the Dark Lord. So, he has companionship most of the time in his apartment. life is for living. He would always say.
Frank
Frank rides along the fence line at John Foster’s ranch looking for damage. It feels good to be back on horseback. Today they are repairing the fence line; several head of cattle have already strayed through. He chased them down earlier this morning. This is work Frank could do in his sleep. He was raised on a large cattle ranch in Wyoming. Things have really turned around for him and Dee. He is getting regular pay checks and the bills are almost caught up. John has invited him to go fishing with some men from his church. He is thinking he might go; it is late October but, they are still biting.
Once he gets back to the main barn, he and John look over the plans for a new pole shed and barn. The lumber will be delivered tomorrow.
When Frank gets home from work he is dirty, tired and happy. After showering, he tells Deidre to get dolled up because he is going to take her out for dinner. She scurries around quickly changing her clothes and throwing the tuna casserole she had prepared in the fridge. They go to a local steak house and Frank talks and talks about his work on the ranch. Deidre is so glad that John is such a good guy. Frank needed a friend and she is getting to know Johns wife, Diane. She is very quiet but very nice. She was a seamstress and offered to give Deidre lessons. Diane said her first project will be to make a simple apron. Deidre thinks it sounds hard but she is willing to try. She had been raised by her mom because her dad died when she was a baby. Her poor mom had to work two jobs to make ends meet. She and her brother fended for themselves. She knew her mom knew how to sew but there was never time for lessons. Deidre thinks knowing how to sew will help her at her job. She felt kind of stupid when customers talked about their sewing projects. She wondered if the new girl at work, Chicky would like sewing lessons, too. Deidre knew very little about her. She didn't talk about her personal life at all.
Chicky
Chicky Evermore hung over the toilet. She is a bulimic. If you asked her she would call it being sad. Bulimia had been a secret; a disgusting and embarrassing secret. But one day her mom Robin caught her in the act in the bathroom. The next week Chicky was in a treatment facility. Her parents were rich so there was no such thing as a wait list for her. What made Chicky really angry was she remembered when she was around eleven years old, her mother thought she was chunky and needed to lose weight. Besides, making her cut back on snacks she had also suggested to Chicky that when ever she made a mistake and ate the wrong thing just to make herself throw up. She said that is what she had always done. She thought her mom was such a hypocrite.
At rehab she sat through weeks and weeks of counseling sessions; mostly group. She played the game and followed their rules. She told them what they wanted to hear. After a month, she was released. They thought she was cured. She was such a good actor. Chicky laughed to herself. Back home her parents, Jack and Robin rewarded her with a car.
She was now free to do whatever she wanted. Bulimia wasn't her only problem. She liked to shoplift. It was a thrill to get away with it. She would brazenly take out her felt tip pen and change prices on sale items. She had never gotten caught because the clerks were so stupid, she thought.
Chicky had graduated from Blacknest Academy a year ago and her parents wanted her to go to college but what she really wanted was to party and sleep late. She had told them she wanted to be a hairdresser and they reared back like she had touched them with a hot iron. It was not something they would want to tell any of their friends over drinks at a dinner party. They called it demeaning for someone of her social class. So she dropped the idea. Today, she is looking for an apartment and she has just gotten a job at the local fabric store a week ago. She is not going to tell her parents about the job. They had cut off her allowance recently so, she needs to make money.
Her first day on the job was stressful. This was Chicky’s first job and being cheerful and courteous to people was a stretch for her. She had been raised telling the help what to do, not being the help. One of the other sales ladies, Deidre helped her all day. They ate lunch together and laughed about silly stuff. She was nice and Chicky was so glad to have someone to help her and answer all her dumb questions. Chicky could tell that Deidre was poor and was nothing like the people she had grown up around but she liked her. She wasn't a phony. She had invited Chicky to church over at Faith Tabernacle. To her it was a scary thing to go against her parent’s coven… her coven. She had never wanted to participate but there was never a choice. She wondered if Deidre’s Jesus could protect her from the Dark Lord. She didn't think so. She didn't think she had any safe way out of the group. Her family had followed the dark arts for generations. And she had heard so many stories so, she knew she was trapped.
Bud and Meg’s trip
Pastor Bud finished loading the churches van and walks into the house for some breakfast and coffee. It is fall and the weather is getting nippy. He and Meg are leaving for Solly Holler, West Virginia today, to deliver supplies to their missionaries Belinda and Bob. The van is packed with quilting supplies, school supplies, and food. They also packed some hand tools, a few power tools and most importantly a generator. Bud also, has some money for them that the church raised at the Chili cook off.
Bob had mentioned in a letter the need for power and hand tools because they plan on building an extension to his grandpa’s cabin. When grandpa was alive it was just him so, he didn't need much space. But, they are now teaching six children and two adults how to read and write. It will soon be too cold to teach them outdoors. Bob has bartered for the lumber and a few of the local men have carpentry skills and are going to help.
Meg hops into the van with a bag of snacks for later and they are off. They think it will take two days, if they drive leisurely. Meg has a road map in her lap; she is trying to find some good short cuts. Pastor Bud is listening to an oldies station playing music from the 60’s and the 70’s. He has also, brought his Beach Boys cassettes and some other good driving music, as he calls them. He knows some of his friend’s poked fun at his cassette tape collection. He even has old VHS movies at home. One of the things that he and Meg love is to browse through second hand stores. There is always an abundance of cassettes and VHS. He doesn't care if his friends laugh at him.
They make good time and stop at a little motel for the night. The owners are a friendly elderly couple who they sit and visit with till late evening. Earlier, as they checked in they hit it off and Hank; the owner asked if they’d like a grilled burger, he was just putting some on for himself and his wife, Edith. Of course, Bud and Meg accepted the invitation. Hank and Edith had bought the motel ten years ago. They were both long past retirement age; Bud thought maybe mid 70’s. They told them that it wasn't hard work and they loved talking to their visitors. The motel was small with only eight rooms situated in a lovely setting; a creek running along one side with picnic tables and chairs placed along the bank. There were flowers everywhere; the air smelled floral. Hank told them that he was a retired pastor from Pennsylvania but moved south because he said he was too old to shovel snow and too stubborn to ask for help. Bud told him the purpose of their trip down to Solly Holler. Hank got so excited about Bud’s missionaries that he had him follow him over to his workshop. He opened a large cabinet that he had packed solid with power tools and hand tools.
“Bud, I have accumulated so much stuff
over my long life; I’d like to give you some of my extras to help out your young missionaries.” said Hank.
Bud was stunned. Hank pulled out almost new power saws, drills, etc…and two buckets of hand tools. He said he was too old to do any projects any longer and he knew the good Lord would eventually bring someone by that could use them. And today was the day. Bud thanked him and they exchanged addresses and phone numbers to keep in touch.
As Bud and Meg drove off they marveled at God’s provision. Back home he debated if he should spend some of the fundraiser money on power tools for Bob. But he decided to just gather up the tools he had and a few that had been donated by church members. Now, with this surprising turn of events they would have plenty tools.
That afternoon they pulled into a motel near Solley Holler. They weren't planning on staying with Belinda and Bob. There was just no room. They would go on down to their place first thing in the morning.
The next day, Belinda waved from her front porch as Bud and Meg pulled in.
“Hey, Pastor Welcome to our home.” said Belinda.
Bob comes out of the house with a cup of coffee and a sweet roll.
"You made good time getting down here. Come on in." said Bob
The interior of the cabin was neat but crowded. There was an old coal cook stove on one wall, a sink adjacent with a hand pump mounted on the counter; a large wood table with six chairs in the center of the room and oil lamp sitting in the middle of the table. A ragged couch and chair were on the other wall . The room was about 14' x 14' with a small bedroom off the back. The outhouse and root cellar were behind the cabin. There was also, a small tool/wood shed.
Bud told them about the Chili cook off fundraiser and the supplies they had brought them. He told them about Hank and Edith and their generosity. Bob and Bud unloaded everything in the van, into the tool shed. Bob told Bud that he had been talking to the local sawmill owner and he had offered Bob some of his seconds at a much discounted price and he was willing to take barter in payment. Bob was going to give him his older ham radio set and teach him how to use it; even help him study for his ham license. That afternoon they picked up a couple loads of wood. The next day men from up and down the holler showed up to help with the framing. They were all hard workers. Meg and Bud helped out for eight days and then went back home. Back home Bud told the congregation all the events of their trip. The generosity of the Hank and his wife and many, many tales of the people down in the holler. The congregation had many questions and couldn't imagine living with so few conveniences.
The Cheating Vegan
Carrie and Roy found a building suitable for their restaurant in late October. It was once a diner but the owners had gone out of business. The realtor told them it had been sitting empty for three years. It could seat thirty people and the booths and counters were in good shape, but filthy. Carrie and Roy cleaned and painted the interior and put in some new appliances and equipment in the kitchen. The rent was very reasonable because of the deplorable condition; outside weeds had overtaken the yard and the inside was a filthy mess. Dilly and some others from the church pitched in and worked in the yard by weeding and planting flowers. By opening day, the place looked inviting and almost new. Carrie had been working on the menu. They decided on one menu, with vegan on one side and meat eaters on the other. The meat eaters had the typical fare; hamburgers, fried chicken, hot roast beef sandwiches, etc…
The Vegan menu had a little more unusual fare; tofu smooties, avocado and veggie sandwiches, vegan lasagna, Beef flavored Seitan, mashed potatoes and salad, etc…
They also, had a section called The Cheating Vegan sampler plates which had little samples from each of the menus on one plate. On opening day, the place was packed and the sampler plates seemed to be the most popular on the menu. She saw a lot of laughter and wrinkled noses as people sampled new things. It was a very festive atmosphere; with quirky, bollywood music playing in the background. Roy and Carrie at the end of their first day were exhausted. The crowd did not let up all day but did they felt happy and back in their element. Forget retirement; this made them happy. They had hired a few of the kids from church to work in the kitchen and as wait staff. They were great with the customers and every once in a while a couple of them would break into a bollywood dance. The dances were hilarious and made quite the hit with the customers. The weather was still pretty nice, so they also had some seating outside; six tables and a few benches. Right now, there was a volleyball game going on the grass next to the restaurant. People were sitting on the grass cheering on their teams. Carrie and Roy were planning different events; such as karaoke night, trivia games, some eating competitions. All fun things that would bring in the young crowd. Carrie was also thinking about opening up a frozen yogurt bar, where you made your own sundaes. The ideas were endless. This was so much fun.
Nonie
Nonie, Elise’s private nurse had successfully fooled Xander into thinking that she spoke very little English and had no family in this country. The truth is she had been born in San Diego. She is second generation Filipino and her English is excellent. She didn't lie about her nursing credentials. She is a registered nurse but she is also in the Navy; more specifically Navy Intelligence. In her job she often works undercover as a nurse; nobody really notices the nurses. She has been in the Navy for fifteen years.
Last winter her little sister, Mimi went missing while living in this weird little town. She and Mimi were in the habit of texting and e-mailing back and forth. It abruptly stopped around the time her sister started dating Xander Blacknest. Mimi hadn't said much about him other than he was wealthy and very handsome. Nonie told her superiors her concerns and they informed her that Xander was already on their watch list as a possible smuggler. So, with the Navy’s support Nonie went on another undercover mission but this one was very personal.
She has been here now for six months. She has questioned Elise many times but, she is no help because she lives in the past. Elise did speak of “the grand ceremonies” that the group would have occasionally. Nonie had no idea who “the group” was or what these ceremonies were all about or if they were just in Elise’s imagination. Elise would giggle and whisper to herself and say “I mustn't, tell it’s a secret”, then go silent. Nonie would ask her questions but she never got any information from her.
At times when the mansion was empty Nonie searched for clues. All she found were a lot of locked doors. Perhaps, the other members of the staff had seen her sister. How to approach the subject with them was the problem. Who was loyal to Xander? She heard Snide and Old Blithe talk about the off limits second basement. What was down there? She didn't want to blow her cover so, she had to be careful. Who could she trust? The Blacknest’s were a very powerful family in these parts. The town was named after them, after all. She decided on her day off she would hang around town and eavesdrop on the town gossip. She had heard some of them call the wealthy, The Hill People. She knew there had to be some interesting stories; now to get someone to talk. The cook, Maize didn't live at the estate but in town. She could ask her out for coffee; maybe she would talk. She seemed like a very decent woman. She kept to herself but was always pleasant when you talked to her. Yes, tomorrow she would try to get a hold of Maize and see if she would meet her. She knew her daughter was also a nurse, she thought a surgical nurse; maybe that was a common thread she could use.
Nonie hadn't talked much to Snide he seemed aloof and rather snobby, so very British. And Old Blithe was very shy and didn't talk much except to Snide so; she didn't really know how to approach him. He had been at the estate since he was a young boy, if anyone knew if there was unusual goings on, he would. But as Elise’s private nurse she had to pretty much be at her side at all times. She knew Elise’s history; what an evil woman. She wondered what magic Xander performed to get his mother out of Treadmore Mental Institute. They were wealthy and money talked as the saying goes. The Manor house was a castle she thought. It looked like it had been here for hundreds of years.
If the walls could talk, she would love to hear the stories. She didn't spook easily but she could see how people might be frightened of this place; for goodness sakes, it even had gargoyles on the roof looking down at you. Nonie was in the habit of taking a nightly walk around the grounds and had never seen anything out of the ordinary. She had peeked into a few windows, but still no clues. She went to bed that night thinking about having coffee with Maize. She hoped she knew something that would help her find Mimi.
Dilly and her cats
Dilly's cats are not taking to their cat harnesses. Dilly is trying to get them accustomed to them so, she can take them on walks. Carrie has brought her Himalayan cat, Pinky over. She is calling it a play date for the cats. Pinky is walking nicely on her lead. She doesn't seem to mind the cat harness or Carrie pulling her slightly with the leash.
“Carrie, I don’t understand why Pinky gives you no trouble but my two cats hate the harness and leash? Look at Belly, she won’t even stand up and walk. I’m dragging her around like a sack of spuds. And look at Gene Gene; he walks but, on his tip toes! Have you ever seen the like.” said Dilly.
“Well, Dilly you do have weird cats; nice cats but weird.” laughs Carrie. They decided to give it a rest and sit down for a cup of tea. After unhooking the cats from the leashes they chase all over the yard; loving their freedom.
Dilly and Carrie talk about the restaurant that she and Roy have just opened; The Cheating Vegan Cafe. They played Indian Bollywood music which really livened up the place; everyone seemed to like it. The waiters and waitresses dressed in young Indian attire, boys in the drop crotch pants and the girls in saris; occasionally, the kids would put down their serving trays and do little Bollywood dances. The customers loved it. It was Roy’s idea to play music from India and have the kids dance. He said it was all the rage right now.
Angel Watch at Blacknest: A Supernatural Mystery Page 12