Phantom of Execution Rocks

by MJ Miller

“What happened, are you OK? The baby? What’s wrong?” Luce was breathless and didn’t leave time for Annie to answer.

  “I’m fine, Chris just said to find you. Actually, he said holy shit, go find Andy!”

  Luce looked over at Andy, who looked just as bewildered.

  Just then, Chris appeared, rushing out the door, his hair disheveled, as if he’d been combing his fingers through it, perhaps in frustration.

  “Andy, by god, I found her.”

  “Found her?”

  “Yeah, I found MorningStar.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Who or what is MorningStar?” Luce looked at Chris, then at Andy, who both looked a bit guilty.

  “I’d kind of like to know that as well,” Annie piped in. “What are you guys hiding from us?”

  Chris ruffled his hair again, swiping the falling locks off his face. “Um, yeah, sorry? Forgot to mention that Andy and I discovered an interesting little tidbit on our run this morning.”

  “Tidbit?” Luce scowled at Andy. “A tidbit you didn’t think to mention in the last, oh four hours or so? I’m guessing it has to do with our mystery?”

  “No doubt, sis,” Annie huffed. “Why are we always the last to know everything?”

  “Well?” Luce tapped her foot impatiently, looking from one man to the other. Clearly frustrated.

  “We might have passed by the widow’s house on our run,” Chris began. “Well, if she is a widow. Anyway, we might have noticed something in the yard.”

  “Might have? You were snooping!” Annie grumbled.

  “Please, Annie, of course they were snooping. Look at their faces!” Luce nodded in their direction, the two now standing side by side, nervously tapping their fingers.

  “Say how about dinner, who’s up for Lobster? Anyone?” Chris smiled hopefully knowing it was Annie’s favorite.

  “Are you going to share your little adventure with us or use this as a distraction?” Luce demanded. “Because we’re not going anywhere until you explain MorningStar.”

  Andy and Chris shared another look, then they both sighed simultaneously.

  “Yes, we’re going to share. And no sense copping an attitude, Luce, I don’t even know what Chris knows yet.”

  “Nice try, detective, but you have some idea and we have none.”

  Chris held a hand up in the air. “Truce everyone, no bickering. How about Andy and I head to the dock for the lobster, then we’ll have a nice meal and everything will be explained.”

  “Are you going to tell Andy before us? Is this one of those let the women go get things ready for dinner and we’ll talk privately schemes of yours?” Annie tried to hide a smile.

  “Well joke’s on them then, as we’d rather eat at Tristan’s Landing.” Luce chuckled. “Annie has a craving for their lobster roll, don’t you Annie? And we’ll all go, together in the same car. Just so there’s no conversations without us!”

  Luce grabbed Andy’s hand, and mimicking his earlier attitude, smiled sweetly. “Shall we go sweetness?”

  Andy laughed good-naturedly. “But of course, my dear,” he replied, returning the smile. And not letting go of her hand when she tried to gently tug it away. Leaning down to whisper in her ear, he warned her. “Be careful, Luce, you know what they say, when you play with fire?”

  Tristan’s Landing was a local favorite, located at the end of the pier in the harbor. A floating restaurant, it was charming and inviting. Twinkling lights strung about the outdoor deck reflected off the deep blue waters. The interior featured gleaming wood paneling, antique anchors and wheels, and nautical memorabilia scattered throughout. Always busy, Saturday nights in particular you were guaranteed a wait. After Chris headed in to put their name on the list, they settled on a few benches outside on the pier. It gave them a chance to talk before being surrounded by other diners with large ears. As with all the small harbor inlets, Port Newton was a small town and rumors traveled fast.

  The bench was large enough for all to sit on, and Chris and Annie of course snuggled up in the chilly early evening air, while Luce tried to give herself a little distance from Andy. Though he wasn’t having any of it and kept sliding towards her.

  “So, MorningStar. Who wants to explain?” Luce jumped right in. She had left it alone on the ride over, knowing she needed the element of surprise to launch the discussion.

  Andy looked at Chris, who gave a small shake of his head and grinned.

  “Last night,” Andy began talking quietly, “it was dark and you couldn’t tell, but there’s a small pond in Mrs. Bowers’ garden. We saw it from the street as we ran by her house today.”

  “We thought we might, you know, take a look,” added Chris.

  “Please don’t tell me you actually were snooping around her property,” Annie’s eyes widened. “That lady has a few screws loose. Remember that movie, oh what was it called, Misery? With Cathy Bates? She kidnaps that author?”

  “Well I wasn’t alone; Andy was there too.” Chris looked at Andy, hoping for backup.

  “I told him not to go in there, but he did it anyway, so naturally I followed, you know, just to make sure he was safe and all.” Andy grinned and gave Chris a conspiratorial wink.

  “So, we crept in along the side hedges, and slipped through the garden gate. It was early enough there was no one about. We could see objects floating around the pond, so we felt we should get a little closer.” Chris added.

  “I told Chris, we needed to avoid anyone spotting us through that window overlooking the garden. The one in the library. We decided to hunch down, maybe crawl over to it.” Andy chuckled. “Might have removed an article of clothing or two, so they wouldn’t get muddy.”

  “Oh, for the love of cake, you two did a commando crawl in Mrs. Bowers yard?” Luce laughed outright. “What I wouldn’t give to have pictures of that.”

  “Chris, really, your firstborn is gonna have a prison daddy!” Annie shook her head and laughed along with Luce.

  Chris smiled, and went on. “Want to know what was floating in the pond?”

  Annie and Luce nodded eagerly.

  “Mini ship replicas. Model ships. Colonial ships.” Chris beamed.

  “And carved on the outside along the hull of the largest one….” Andy teased. “Drum roll please…”

  “MorningStar!” Luce and Annie both said at once.

  “Wow. MorningStar is a real ship, I take it? You said you found her?” Luce turned to Chris. “What kind of ship?”

  Chris looked around, ensuring no prying ears, “A schooner. Built by a plantation owner on Long Island. A guy named Lionel Bowers.”

  They sat in stunned silence.

  “It disappeared off a small island of rocks in the Long Island Sound in 1790.”

  “Wait, 1790?” Luce jumped off the bench. “You know what that means?”

  “It wasn’t a ship hauling colonial prisoners. At least not soldiers.” Chris mused.

  “It’s also the date of that Bill of Sale,” Andy remarked, narrowing his eyes a bit as he concentrated.

  “Did you get a picture?” Annie asked.

  “But of course!” Chris shook his head. “That’s how I was able to research it.”

  “Well, let us see,” Annie huffed.

  “Hold up,” said Luce. “I’m sorry, but if you were crawling around commando style in the garden, how is it you had your phone handy to take a picture?” Luce looked from Chris to Andy, trying not to playback the whole thing in her head.

  “You don’t want to know,” Andy leaned over and whispered. “Trust me.”

  Chris pulled the photo up on his phone and leaned in so Luce and Annie could take a look.

  Luce looked closely at the photo, then at Andy for confirmation. As far she knew, no one else knew he’d also seen the ghost ship. But to her eyes the MorningStar sure looked just like it. Looked just like the drawing they’d found as well. They’d have to compare the two closely when they got home.

  “As fascinating as this is, and it is fas
cinating, I’m kind of starved and the guy over there is waving us in!” Annie tugged on Chris to get up.

  Andy stood up quickly, and deliberately took Luce’s arm to escort her in, causing her to shake her head and smile. Progress, he thought to himself.

  They were seated at a booth with a large window. Luce and Annie slid in to be next to the window, allowing them a breathtaking view of the sunset reflecting in the gently rippling water. Completely relaxed, Luce turned to Andy, a question in her eyes.

  “Tell me something, you grew up around here, right?”

  “I did.” Andy smiled, knowing that Chris was the only one who knew that. And clearly hadn’t told her. He didn’t share that information with too many people.

  “But yet you didn’t know Mrs. Bowers before now, right?”

  “Right again. Full confession, my mom does. They belong to the historical society and serve on different committees together.”

  “That’s how you got the invite, then.” Luce grinned. “Connections. What else are you hiding?”

  Andy held both hands out above the table, turning them over and back again. “Not a thing. Unless you’d care to search?” He laughed out loud then, watching her fidget as she picked up her menu and hid behind it.

  “Not right now, I’ve got a lobster to eat. Perhaps though, another time?” Luce smiled and ducked her head, stealing a glance to see if her comments had the desired effect.

  Yes indeed, Andy Holman was struck speechless.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Peabody, as they now referred to him, had opened the door and immediately frowned at seeing Andy. He stepped aside and let them in but had them wait in the foyer.

  “I’ll need to check with the mistress of the house. She wasn’t expecting both of you.”

  “Is that Miss Porter?” Adeline called out as she entered, and upon seeing Andy, frowned.

  Not waiting, Andy jumped right in. “How are you today Mrs. Bowers? My mother does send her regards. Said your Tulips this year were outstanding. I was supposed to mention that on Friday, and I’m afraid I lost track.”

  “Oh, well,” she smiled broadly and straightened up. “Thank you and thank your dear mother. She’s always been a helpful woman. You take after your father, though, don’t you?”

  Luce pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. She could just store all this away for later. After being seated in the living room, Luce took a breath. She was already uncomfortable and she felt as if she were being swallowed whole by the enormous wing back chairs. Andy, meanwhile, appeared perfectly relaxed. Except she could see the twitching of his lips. She knew he was stewing about something.

  Mrs. Bowers was dressed once again as if she were hosting Sunday brunch with the ladies. Maybe she’d just come from church. Luce couldn’t decide whether all this was simple eccentricity or something far weirder. She had no idea how weird it would get.

  “Well, do we have a deal, young lady?” Adeline Bowers didn’t take no for an answer and clearly had little patience. Luce had barely digested the last half hour’s worth of chatter from the woman, and now she wanted an answer?

  “I want to make sure I understand,” Luce said slowly. “You would like to sponsor and fund a reality program exploring the history of the ghost ship. On WNNY. With me producing.”

  “Yes yes, are you daft?” Mrs. Bowers choice of words was odd at best.

  “No, no, I admit it’s a wonderful idea. But there are logistics to consider, time frame, scheduling.”

  “But of course there are, and that’s your job. I’ll expect you the week after the 4th. Give you time to plan. Then maybe you can wrap it all up by the fall. All the new series begin in the fall, don’t they?” She went on without giving Luce a chance to answer. “I’ll provide full access to the estate. And I will make myself available for interviews, which you may record, to help with the research as needed. Give it that air of authenticity, as they do on PBS you know.”

  Luce felt oddly as if she were having an out-of-body experience. Her mind was simply floating about trying to reconnect. This was so far from what she’d expected, though in truth, she had no idea what to expect. But a TV show? About a haunted ship? Her haunted ship?

  She looked at Andy, hoping he’d offer some sort of confidence boost. Anything to snap her out of this strange fog. His gaze wasn’t one she could read. It was penetrating, as if sending her a message. And then she saw it. The slight shake of his head. No? Why was he telling her no? This was a fabulous opportunity. She frowned and shook her head slightly as well.

  “I’ll tell you what Mrs. Bowers, I will promise to study the opportunity carefully and get back to you this week. I do have to confer with my production team and do a little of my own homework as well. I’m sure you understand.”

  “Perhaps we could have a little tour, as we didn’t get a chance to fully explore the other night. Might convince her,” Andy flashed a grin at Mrs. Bowers, and reached over and grasped Luce’s hand, giving it a squeeze. She realized he was up to something, and she had to admit it was a good idea. She could scope it out and decide if it would make an interesting location shoot or not.

  “You know that might just help,” Luce nodded in agreement. She tried to smile, though she felt it looked more like a nervous tic. Something in this room was really unsettling and she had a sudden desire to get out of there. She could swear the drapes were moving as if a window were open. But it was stuffy and warm, and she was certain no air was blowing.

  “Certainly. In fact, if you’ll just wait for a few more minutes, my grandson is arriving any moment and he can show you about. I’m afraid my stamina isn’t what it used to be.”

  Luce stifled her gasp and darted a look at Andy who looked just as shell shocked. Grandson?

  Andy recovered first it seemed. “You know we certainly don’t want to intrude on your visit, and we’re happy to come another time if that’s more convenient.”

  “Don’t be silly, Lionel will be thrilled to have someone other than his crotchety old grandma to entertain him for a bit. He comes every Sunday when he’s in town.” Luce couldn’t help but smile at the sudden change in her. Her grandson must mean the world to her, so somewhere in there is the real Adeline Bowers. It’s as if a switch was flipped the minute she mentioned him. Her curiosity couldn’t be held at bay.

  “Mrs. Bowers, if I may ask, how long have you lived here. The property has been in the family a long time I assume?” Luce had to be careful not to reveal what they knew.

  “That it has. Originally built by Lionel’s namesake, back in 1750 or so.”

  “Do go on, please,” Luce smiled, hoping it looked sincere.

  “Ah well, it remained in the family for generations, until it was lost in a high stakes card game. It was several generations before it was back in the family. Since then it’s transferred ownership a few times. But I’ve made sure that it is in a permanent trust now. It will remain in the family from here on out.” Adeline’s expression turned wistful. And Luce was chomping at the bit to learn more. The story they’d come upon, about it being built in the eighteen hundreds was clearly incorrect. Or deliberately planted to mislead. But why?

  No time to ask more, as a young man practically ran into the room, bustling with excitement.

  “Nana! How’s my girl,” he shouted, laughing as he leaned over where she sat on the couch to hug her affectionately.

  “Lionel, we have guests!”

  “So I presumed from the car in the driveway. Who do we have here?” He turned to study Andy and Luce, looking from one to the other, raising his brows and grinning. He was about as different from Adeline Bowers as they come, Luce thought. Faded torn jeans, a body hugging t-shirt, canvas sneakers and a mop of blond hair just slightly longer than his shoulders.

  “Lionel, sit a moment,” she smiled as she patted the seat next to her on the sofa. He dutifully obeyed. “This is Andy Holman and Luce Porter. Luce works for WNNY.”

  Lionel frowned slightly and narrowed his gaze. “I thought
we said no more interviews, Nana,” he scolded.

  “This is very different. Luce is very interested in the Ghost Ship, and I’ve asked her to produce one of those TV series to investigate it.”

  “A reality show? Here? Nana, no. Absolutely not!” Lionel jumped up and strode around the room, pacing.

  “Look, I’m sorry my grandmother has wasted your time, but occasionally,” he paused and glared at her, “she gets it into her head that there’s a ghost ship traveling around in our backyard. Please accept our apologies.”

  Adeline stood then; her facial expression clear. She was angry. “Lionel. Stop this nonsense. I am not some crazy old fool. This is still my home. If I choose to open it up to explore the world of the supernatural, that is my decision. Now, please, sit back down. I’ll order some tea, and then you will show our guests the property.”

  They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity to Luce, then finally the young man sat back down, followed by his grandmother. The temperature in the room had dropped about 20 degrees, and Luce shivered. Things were getting stranger by the minute.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Luce was surprised at how affable Lionel was on their tour. Once he discovered Andy was NYPD, and their families were acquainted he completely switched gears. He’d obviously served as a tour guide before and had a remarkable knowledge of the history of the property.

  They started the tour in the library, giving Luce a chance to voice the question topmost on her mind.

  “Everything I’ve read says this house was built in the eighteen hundreds and it has that feel to it, but your grandmother said it was much older. Colonial in fact.” It wasn’t exactly a question, but a prompt.

  “Yes, it’s been built and rebuilt, several times over in fact. The original home, the stone structure you see in the front, was in fact built in 1750 according to the cornerstone. But as is wont to happen with these old homes, time and the elements take their toll. War too. Not just the revolution, but 1812 and again during the Civil War. Many changes.” Lionel paused, then looked about at the books lining the shelves. “You’ll find much of the history of the estate in the books here. I’ve read a few, not all, obviously,” he chuckled.