Phantom of Execution Rocks

by MJ Miller

“But I go first,” she tossed out, and without waiting for an answer, because again, no filter, she dove in.

  Chapter Seven

  “Middle name?” Luce tossed it out.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep.” She had her reasons. Middle names often told a story. She’d learned that from one of her journalism professors. And Chris as well. He said authors spent more time on middle names than given ones.

  “Delano.” He said it quietly, awaiting a reaction.

  “Hmm,” Luce remarked. Her brain completely engaged now. Delano was a prominent name for anyone who studied American History.

  “Age?” Luce knew he was somewhere around 40, but just wanted to confirm.

  “Nuh uh, my turn.” Andy grinned. “And I already know your middle name. Skye. Suits you.”

  “Suits me how? And how do you know that?” Luce didn’t know whether to be angry or flattered.

  “Police reports Luce, we’re pretty thorough you know. Moving on… single? As in not dating anyone, or single as in serial dating?”

  “That’s a ridiculous question. Next?”

  “Come on, play along.”

  “Single. At the moment.”

  “At the moment, technically, you’re on a date.”

  “Says who?” Luce crossed her arms in front of her. This was not a date. No way. “We’re carpooling, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, about that. The dinner is a couples only kind of thing, everybody invited gets a plus one.”

  Luce glanced over and sure enough, he was smirking.

  “My invite did not say plus one, I read it carefully.”

  “I know, but that’s because you’re my plus one.”

  Now he was outright grinning. Luce had no idea what to say to that. She’d never quite been trapped into a date unknowingly. And having Andy trick her into it was unsettling to say the least.

  “This is a friend date, though, right?”

  “Guess we’ll see,” Andy glanced over at her a bit nervously. His eyes flashed with something. She needed to change the direction of this conversation fast.

  “My turn. How’d you score the invites?” She’d googled Mrs. Bowers quite infamous mystery dinners and discovered how exclusive they were. Previous attendees were all socially prominent and wealthy. No exceptions.

  “I have a connection or two. I called in a favor.” Andy smirked, glancing over at Luce. “It’s quite a long story. Perhaps next time I’ll tell you the whole thing.”

  “Next time? We have not agreed there’s going to be a next time. You assume a lot don’t you?”

  “Guilty as charged. Moving on, my turn. Annie tells me you grew up in Pelham.”

  “Annie talks too much.”

  “Leave your sister alone, she’s adorable.”

  “I know, I know. Annie’s always been the adorable one. Sweet, innocent Annie. Yeah, we grew up in Pelham. You?”

  “On the Island.”

  “Which is why you are so familiar with it. I always thought you were too comfortable driving out this way.” She shook her head as he smoothly exited out onto the Long Island Expressway. “You don’t even need the directions do you?”

  “No, but I do spend a bit of time out there with Chris, which you know since you spend a lot of time with Annie.”

  “Which begs another question, Detective.”

  “Nuh uh, my turn again.” He laughed.

  “Why are you so fascinated with the Ghost Ship?” His tone was light but curious.

  “Our dad used to tell us stories about it.”

  “Truth, Luce, you have to be truthful.” He snickered and shook his head.

  “How do you know that’s not the reason?”

  Andy raised a brow and remained silent.

  Huffing with annoyance, she started to tap nervously on her thigh.

  “You can tell me anything Luce, really. Out with it. It might help us solve the mystery if I know what you know.”

  She silently admitted he had a point. But she also knew he might just burst out laughing.

  “I have your word you won’t laugh?” Luce asked him, her tone indicating if he did, she might injure him.

  “My word,” he laughed and held out his hand. “Pinky swear,” he said.

  She really didn’t want to link fingers with him. She already knew what it would do to her resolve.

  “Well?” he asked.

  “I’ve seen it. OK?” She quickly looked away, out the window… waiting for the laughter. The are you kidding remarks. But they never came.

  “Tell me,” was his only response. His words left hanging in the air. Quietly spoken. Serious. He believed her? She looked over to make sure. Not even the hint of a smirk.

  Taking a deep breath, she recounted her tale.

  “My dad used to take us out sailing. We had a sunfish. Just a small boat but we learned to sail and we’d go out into the sound and picnic on the islands. One day we sailed out to Execution Rocks. You know it?”

  Andy chuckled. “I happen to be one of those idiots who tried to swim out there, when the sandbars were high.”

  Luce smiled and rolled her eyes. “Why does that not surprise me? In any case, we sailed out and pulled up, tying up the boat so we could sit on the rocks and have lunch. I got up to walk around the rocks, go check out the lighthouse and I saw this ship coming toward the island. I was nervous about even being there, since the whole place is quite creepy. You know they killed slaves there. Who would do that? I mean having slaves is evil enough, but they say they were chained to the rocks and left to drown.” Luce paused, the whole story made her incredibly sad and angry all at once.

  “You’re right. The ship, tell me.”

  “So yeah, I saw it. It looked like an Armada ship. You know about boats?”

  “A bit, yeah.”

  “Well it was large, with maybe 6 sails billowing, and cannon heads coming out below deck from the sides. It sailed right past me, and there wasn’t a soul on it. I went stumbling back over and pointed it out to Dad and Annie. Only they didn’t see a thing. They thought I was nuts.”

  “I don’t.”

  Luce smiled at him. “Thanks. In any case, to humor me I suppose, my dad researched it, he was a history teacher, and he learned about the legend of the ghost ship. Every so often, someone would report seeing a ship pass through the same area of the Long Island Sound. The more he learned the more he shared with us as kind of a bedtime tale. I think it mostly amused him, but I knew it was real.”

  “Well, no time like the present to find out,” Andy chuckled.

  They chatted on for a while, until Luce realized they were already exiting off the expressway, not too much further. Would tonight be the night she finally confirmed her long ago vision? Or would she be disappointed once again by people mocking the true mystery. At least Andy wasn’t mocking her. That was a start. She glanced over at him and wondered though. Why all the sudden interest? He usually liked to taunt her a bit, rile her up. He was acting more and more like a guy interested in starting something up and it perplexed her. Another mystery to solve.

  The chiming of a cell phone through his Bluetooth startled her.

  “Talk to me.”

  Luce grinned, such a typical NY greeting.

  “Hey, you guys getting close?” Chris’s voice boomed through the speakers, causing Andy to quickly turn the volume down.

  “Yeah, a few miles away, sat in traffic for a damn hour, be there by 6.”

  “Great, everyone’s here, Annie’s worried Luce might have chopped and diced you into pieces by now and left you buried in the marshes.”

  “No such luck!” Luce said with a laugh.

  “All right, we’ll see you soon, and by the way, we’ve got news.” With that, Chris hung up.

  “News?” Luce looked at Andy who appeared just as baffled.

  “What do you think it is?” Andy asked curiously.

  “No clue.” Luce shook her head. “But it better be good…”

  Chapter Eight
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  “OMG Luce finally! What took you so long?” Annie didn’t wait for Luce to even get her cardigan off before practically crashing into her as she was shrugging out of the sleeves.

  Laughing, Luce hugged her and let her have her moment. “OK, spill. What’s the big news!”

  “Lucey goose, you’re gonna love this. Seriously.”

  “I’m afraid to ask now, but what has your news got to do with me?” Luce looked at her sister’s face closely for hints.

  “Hang on, no, come on hurry in… to the living room, everyone’s here and they all need to hear this too. We were just waiting for you guys to get here.”

  Andy grabbed Luce’s sweater, and handed it to Chris to hang up, and placed his hand lightly on her back, steering her. And making her jump.

  “Luce, relax.” Andy smirked, and Luce just shook it off. She really was out of her element in all this. As if Andy had some scheme up his sleeve and everyone was aware of it except her.

  She took a few steps ahead to put some distance between them, and headed over to the couch, then quickly changing her mind, grabbed a chair instead and settled in to await the big news. Her eyes tracked Andy as he made his way across to the bar, and she couldn’t hide the smile as she watched him pour not one but two glasses of wine. She’d had her fill of dating hipster dudes, self-proclaimed feminists and gamers. The worst of them though was a furry. Literally a man dressed as a stuffed animal. Though she knew there was more to it, she had no desire to learn. It had been so long since she’d had a date with someone, well, like Andy, that she’d forgotten the basics, it seemed. Not that it really was a date. Was it?

  “Here, this ought to help. Are you nervous about the dinner? Or me?” Andy took a seat on the sofa and stared frankly at her. Luce stared back, trying to contrive an answer.

  “Attention Ladies and Gentlemen! We’ve got an announcement!”

  Chris’s voice rang out, though not as deep and husky as Andy’s, it had a warmth to it that always made Luce smile. She truly did like Annie’s one and only.

  “Well, out with it!” Bill called out, his boisterous voice causing laughter.

  Chris turned and gave Annie a soft kiss and a smile. Luce smiled too, and noticed Andy did as well. It couldn’t be helped. Chris and Annie were the epitome of happily ever after. They’d had their share of difficulties, but in the end, they were meant for each other. And Luce knew she could trust him to be there for Annie, through anything.

  “We’ve got one more guest coming to the wedding.”

  Everyone waited, clearly that wasn’t big news.

  “And?” Luce prompted him. “Celebrity? Single billionaire? Out with it!”

  Annie waited a heartbeat, then handed her glass to Chris for a refill. And Luce noticed for the first time what her sister was drinking, immediately tearing up. Annie smiled at Luce and nodded. Luce jumped out of her chair, grabbed Annie and hugged her, not saying anything at all. She couldn’t. She was too choked up. Extricating herself from Luce, Annie looked out at her friends.

  “Let’s just say I’m going to need an expandable wedding dress!” Annie smiled, placed her hand gently on her belly and looked up at her friends, then looked at Chris. Cheers went up all around. Luce was smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. And when she suddenly caught Andy’s eye, she realized he was too. This is what happiness feels like she thought. Good friends and family to celebrate the small things and the big things. She wanted that more than anything. And somehow she had to learn to open up and allow herself that. She knew she was going to go into emotional overload at some point. But this wasn’t the time or place for it.

  She thankfully didn’t have much time to really contemplate all the momentous events in their lives as they were interrupted by the arrival of a limo and driver, sent by their hostess. It was a stretch limo with plenty of room, but somehow Luce found herself tucked neatly between her sister and Andy, not quite scrunched in, but close enough to keep her on edge. Luckily it was a short ride, and with all the chatter and excitement, she was able to relax by the time they arrived.

  It was still light out, the late spring skies offering a dramatic view as they pulled up to the gates of the estate. It was one of those fabulous old manor houses tucked away on the North Shore. Stone and ivy and images of bygone days. Pulling into the circular drive in front, Luce gazed at the impressive home. While Annie had always dreamed of a cottage by the sea, Luce always dreamed of the castle. The Bowers Estate may not qualify as an authentic castle, but it gave off that same vibe.

  Reaching in, Andy took her hand as she stepped out the rear of the limo and smiled to himself. She was staring so intently at the manor she didn’t seem to notice he hadn’t let go. Progress, he thought, as he studied her expression with interest. He knew she wasn’t impressed by wealth. He’d already found that out about her. It was more a fairy tale syndrome he thought to himself. There were so many layers to Luce, and he wanted to peel them off slowly. Tonight should reveal quite a bit he figured. Maybe he’d solve two mysteries, Luce and the ship.

  Though he’d never attended anything like a mystery dinner, he’d heard about them. In fact, most of the other detectives he works with love to joke about the amateur detective business of murder mystery dinners. This was just an offshoot of that. Having some inside knowledge of what it means to actually solve a mystery should give him an edge.

  Luce suddenly seemed to realize Andy was still holding her hand and she felt the flush creep over her as she quickly tugged it away. She would have made some sort of remark, warned him off, but the massive oak door suddenly opened, and there stood an actual uniformed butler. Luce couldn’t recall ever having encountered one before. It was like something out of a movie. A tuxedoed butler. She jolted when Andy nudged her.

  “Come on… it’s time. You look star struck,” he said with a laugh.

  “Not star struck, just a little startled is all,” she replied with a huff. She needed to get her act together. It wasn’t like her to lose her cool. And even if she wouldn’t admit it to Andy, she was indeed star struck in a way. The whole throwback to the glamour days where people rode in Rolls-Royce limos and had live-in servants. She knew without even stepping foot inside there’d be a marble foyer with a chandelier. Part of her felt the romance of it all the way to her toes, while the other part of her felt it was over the top and ridiculous nowadays to live such a wasteful life.

  She’d reserve judgement though, until meeting their hostess. She had a feeling she knew exactly what to expect.

  Chapter Nine

  They were all led into the dining room by the butler, whose name they learned was Mr. Peabody. Luce had smiled when she heard it, then realized quickly he was serious. Playing a role? Or for real? This was a Mystery Dinner after all. Perhaps they were all supposed to role play. Nobody seemed to know the rules.

  They were seated at a massive twelve foot mahogany table, perfectly set with Waterford crystal, bone china and Sterling silver. Everything meticulously laid out for them. Flowers lined the runner in the middle, kept low enough to make conversation across the table possible.

  Luce, Andy, Mark and Julie were seated on one side, with Annie, Chris. Jen and Bill on the other. There were settings at both ends as well, but their hostess had yet to appear.

  The dining room itself resembled something out of a classic movie. A massive stone fireplace to the side, crystal chandeliers and a mix of seascapes and portraits lining the shiplap walls. A man dressed as what Luce guessed was a footman of some sort entered carrying a tray with an assortment of beverages. Everything from wine to diet coke.

  “Do you feel like we’re in a time warp?” Andy whispered. She could feel his breath against her ear. Too close.

  “Affirmative,” she whispered back. It was almost a bit creepy; something was off. And she had to admit, having Andy next to her settled her nerves a bit.

  The butler stepped back into the room, clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mrs. Adeline Bowers,” he said
with a light bow. Stepping aside, he made room for the hostess to make her entrance.

  Wow. That was the only thing that went through Luce’s mind. The woman was decked out. A sparkling sequined sapphire gown. Diamond drop earrings and a sparkling necklace that could have been worn by a princess. Her snow-white hair swept up into a soft knot. She looked timeless yet Luce guessed she must be pushing 80. Though she was smiling, there was a chill to it. Luce felt as if a rush of cold air was blowing in with her, and she nervously reached out to Andy, not quite grabbing his hand, but tapping it lightly. She pulled back quickly but didn’t resist when he reached out and covered her hand with his own, squeezing gently. He must have felt it too.

  She stood next to her chair, waiting for Peabody to seat her.

  “Good evening. Welcome to the annual Ghost Ship dinner, I’m so glad you all could join me. It is my sincere hope that tonight will be the night we finally solve this ancient mystery. It is important that you all do as you are asked, and please follow all the guidelines.” Her tone was somewhat brusque and arrogant. Condescending even. Luce was definitely not feeling it. What nerve, inviting people and treating them like children.

  Mrs. Bowers went on. “In front of each of you is an envelope. You will find your instructions inside.” With that she sat down and nodded to Peabody, a signal of some sort as he immediately left the room.

  It was then that Luce realized the name cards were actually envelopes. Reaching for hers, she recognized the stationery. It was the same as the invitation. Pulling the card out, she read it to herself, as everyone else was doing the same.

  Welcome to The Ghost Ship Annual Dinner Ms. Porter.

  Your partner for this evening is: Mr. Holman

  Your goal is to collect at least seven clues to the Ghost Ship Mystery.

  Your investigation will take place in the Ballroom.

  Luce held back a snicker. The ballroom? Really?

  The chatter began immediately, each of them looking about wondering if they were all to do the same thing.