Ingress

by Mary Ann Poll

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  Kat had no idea what prompted her to stop Wendy. The feeling was strong and right. “Don’t know. Just don’t touch it, okay?”

  Wendy gave a slow nod, a look of both confusion and trust on her face.

  “It will be a crowd pleaser. These days people just love the spooky stuff—look at all the reality shows chasing ghosts,” Bart said.

  “This is a curse to Ravens Cove,” Wendy whispered.

  “For heaven’s sake, it’s a rock. A creepy rock, for sure, but it’s just a rock.”

  “You know the truth. You know the custom.”

  “Good morning.” Kat’s and Wendy’s heads whipped to the hastily built stage. A dark brown podium stood in the center of the platform. The stage was surrounded by shaky wooden shutters on three sides to block the unrelenting wind. The shutters creaked and bent inward, threatening to take out the lectern, and possibly the mayor, with each strong gust.

  Mayor Orthell stood square in the middle of the shutters, oblivious to the possible catastrophe. He wore a black parka, trimmed in red fox fur which only served to heighten the coloring of his crimson cheeks to neon pink. Ice laced the bottom of his ruff.

  He tapped the microphone. A dead thud indicated the device had malfunctioned. He tapped again. Same. Orthell cleared his throat and raised his voice to get the crowd’s attention.

  “Good morning.” Not hearing, the crowd continued to hum with conversation.

  “GOOD MORNING.” The throng quieted.

  “If he doesn’t watch it, his face’ll freeze in that fake smile,” Wendy whispered to Kat.

  “Shhh.”

  “Thank you all for coming. I will make this quick, so we can begin the tour of Old Town. They buildings are warm.”

  “Now’s good, Mayor.” Laughter rippled through the crowd.

  “Well, Arnie, soon. I want to take this opportunity to thank those that helped to save our community last October. Without them, Ravens Cove would be a much different place now.”

  Grandma Bricken walked up behind Kat and placed her hands on Kat’s shoulders. Kat grabbed Grandma’s left hand with her right and squeezed, her eyes never leaving the mayor.

  “Ah, our esteemed leader is in his element, I see. Why are we really here? He doesn’t like to share credit,” Grandma whispered into Kat’s ear.

  “Don’t know, but here we are.”

  “Two of the most special women I know, together in one place. I am a blessed man,” Paul Lucas said as he stepped up beside Grandma and gave her a quick kiss on her brown cheek. Tanya Lucas came up beside and gave Kat and Grandma a bright smile then grabbed Paul’s hand.

  “Welcome, you two. Nice weather for a grand opening, huh?” Wendy said.

  “Oh, yeah. Just what you’d expect in our town in February,” Paul answered.

  “… so, in closing, please help me welcome a surprise visitor home. At least for today. Agent Kenneth Melbourne.” Mayor Orthell backed up, clapping. The crowd clapped and whooped.

  “My day just went from bad to worse,” Kat breathed.

  Grandma grabbed her hand. “That man’s ego knows no bounds.”

  “He can’t resist the spotlight, that’s all.” Kat’s heart fell as she looked at the man who had betrayed her.

  “Never know what the north wind will blow in. Usually something bitter-cold. Looks like it didn’t fail us,” Wendy said with venom dripping from each word.

  “Down, girl. I’ll keep him busy until he leaves. He won’t have a chance to get to Kat.” Bart thought a moment. “Or, you. I still can’t allow murder on my watch—and your eyes are shouting homicide.”

  “Shhh. Let’s at least hear what he has to say,” Tanya said.

  “Right. I enjoy a good yarn just like the next guy.”

  “Mayor Orthell called me last week and asked if I could attend this gathering,” Ken was saying. “I made every effort to get here.” He scanned the crowd until he located the object of his search.

  “So many of you in this town are the closest thing I have to family.” He spoke directly to Kat.

  Kat looked daggers at him and then forced herself to avert her eyes to the old cannery. Right, you jerk. Fool me once but not again.

  Bart stepped up to Kat’s left; Wendy moved closer on her right. They both leaned toward her. She could feel the heat of their breath and the loyalty she was so blessed to have in her life.

  “He’ll wish he was never born if I have anything to do with it,” Wendy hissed in Kat’s ear. “How dare he!”

  Kat turned her green eyes, slightly misted toward her friend. “I love you.”

  “Don’t go all mushy, KittyKat.” Wendy smiled through her own hazy eyes.

  “Mayor Orthell asked that I speak to you about the events of last October. But we agreed to nix that part of the speech so we can get out of the weather. If any of you have questions, I’d be happy to answer them in the mercantile.” As if to affirm the decision, the brisk breeze switched directions and whipped Ken square in the face.

  “Here’s the mayor.” Ken stepped back from the podium.

  “Let’s get going. There’s hot chocolate and hot coffee inside. Courtesy of Jo.” He turned and smiled.

  Jo waved to the crowd. Josephina Latrell owned the town’s bakery. Most of the citizens could be found there at one time or other for coffee, great food, and of course, the day’s gossip.

  “I believe it would also be prudent to put off the ceremony honoring those that so helped Ravens Cove until we have warmed up a little.”

  Ken shot down the stage. He pushed his way through the crowd, like a salmon battling its way upstream, on a direct path for Kat. He reached out to grab her shoulder. Bart caught Ken’s wrist in midair.

  “Don’t think that’s such a good idea, friend.”

  “Didn’t ask for your opinion, friend.” Ken jerked his hand free. “Do that again, I’ll break your nose.”

  A threatening smile came over Bart’s face. He pinned Ken’s wrist. “I want to see you try, Agent Melbourne. I’ll have you locked up and a call into your supervisor before you know what hit you.”

  Ken looked into Bart’s eyes. The sheriff was not joking and it would be too close to call in a physical fight. However, Ken was sure that most of the town would come to Bart’s defense and he would end up right where Bart said he would.

  “Come on, Bart.”

  “Not now; and maybe never. You’ve done enough damage.”

  Ken sighed. He knew Bart was right. Kat looked awful. Dark circles under those gorgeous green eyes, but worse, he thought those eyes looked empty. Their smile and fire were buried.

  “I know I have and I want to make things right. I need to explain why she hasn’t heard from me.” When Ken arrived back at the FBI in Anchorage, his world has been torn apart. He was dubbed a failure for not finding the serial killer and, worse, he was dubbed a possible lunatic when he tried to make Chief Binning understand what had really happened in Ravens Cove. “I’d suggest you dive back into your work, Agent, and forget this ever happened. Maybe you can save whatever’s left of your reputation.” Binning’s tone made it an order, not a suggestion.

  Ken had done just that. He contacted no one from the Cove knowing if Binning found out, his job was on the line. No matter. My reputation is still on the line. He thought.

  “You listening, Melbourne?” Ken focused all his attention on Bart.

  “Looks like that’s a big no. I said if you have something to say, say it to me and I’ll tell Kat. That’s as close as you need to get.”

  “Enough dallying, you two. You can catch up later,” Mayor Orthell’s intuition was off, as always.

  “Right,” Bart turned to the mayor. “Sorry for the holdup. We’ll catch up later, right Ken?”

  “Sure enough. Let’s see this new old town.” A forced smile crossed his face but never made it to his eyes.

  Kat watched the interchange between Bart and Ken from a distance. She knew her cousin well. He stoo
d feet planted slightly apart and had unconsciously placed his hand over his gun holster. His way of saying, “I mean business.”

  Bart turned, strode over and rejoined Kat, Grandma, Wendy, and the Lucas’.

  Kat tiptoed and whispered into Bart’s ear, “I can take care of myself.”

  “I know that but all of us can use some help once in a while,” He whispered back.

  The February sun hung low in the sky. It had peeked out above the clouds around ten that morning, and at noon its light was casting long lines of shade from the south buildings onto the courtyard. The shadows thrown from the buildings on the north stretched into the surrounding trees and danced among the windblown limbs.

  The old mercantile was sided in whitewashed planks. Oblong and more narrow than long, its two-story structure looked sterile against its backdrop of wintery birch and spruce. The small front porch seemed more like an afterthought, a corrugated roof over it to keep out the snow. The two-by-fours that held the small roof in place looked too fragile for the task. Two miniature windows flanked a larger one on the upper floor. Kat thought she saw movement in the small left window but the curtain that framed the window was undisturbed.

  The small troop walked up the four masonry grey steps to the wood-plank porch. The boards creaked beneath the weight.

  “Don’t like that sound.”

  “Old building. Gonna creak.”

  The front door was new and made of solid wood. It was stained mahogany. Two small square windows were set into the door and mirrored the larger ones set on each side of the entry.

  Paul opened the door and was greeted with laughter from those who had already managed to make it inside. The dark, rough-cut flooring was original. It had been refinished but deep scratches and nicks still screamed of a time gone by. The yellow light from the theme lanterns overhead drenched the room in a welcoming glow. The antique counter reflected the same dark finish as the floors.

  “It’s like going back in time,” Kat said.

  “Yeah, I feel like I should be wearing long skirts.” Wendy pinched her jeans, creating an imaginary skirt and curtsied.

  Kat watched Jo lead the first tour out and away. Amos Thralling followed her to the courtyard with another small group. This assembly was abnormally quiet, almost anxious. Kat noted the sour expression on Amos’ face, which seemed to be the root of the tension.

  “Amos is here?” Kat said.

  “Amazing, isn’t it? Not even Amos wants to fish with a fortybelow chill factor, I guess.”

  “Still don’t know how the mayor got him here. Amos loves people about as much as a feline loves a bath.”

  “I want to be on his tour. He’s got to be old enough to know the history of these buildings personally.”

  “Wendy Hareling, mind your manners,” Grandma chided.

  Wendy’s shoulders slumped and her chin dropped low.

  “Sorry, Grandma,” she muttered.

  “You know I love you like one of my own. I wouldn’t say something like that otherwise.”

  Wendy brightened, “I love you too.”

  Kat and Bart brought up the rear of the small group as it made its way to the main room. Kat skidded to a stop causing Bart to bounce into her back. She jerked her head to the right, peering into the blackness of the adjacent room. A lonely window allowed the late-winter light to throw a grey veil on anything in front of it. Otherwise, the room was lost in blackness.

  “A little warning next time?”

  “Do you see someone in there?”

  Bart squinted into the darkness. “Maybe. I might have seen some movement.”

  A large sign sat on an easel blocking the room beyond. Its tall, black lettering said, “Do not enter. Under construction.”

  They walked around the sign and headed toward the darkness.

  “Whoa, you two. That room’s not on the tour.” Mayor Orthell had appeared from nowhere. Bart peered over the mayor’s shoulder, craning his neck for a better look.

  “Kat thought she saw someone in there.”

  “I’ll go have a look then.” He disappeared and returned a minute later. “All clear.” He waved them toward the bar.

  “Maybe they’re hiding.” Kat was not convinced.

  “Think your eyes are playing tricks on you, young lady.”

  An uneasiness that had been whispering to her gut since she stepped in the door of the mercantile started to yell. The lights snapped then flickered and steadied. Kat watched as the flames in an antique oil lantern waved in a ghost-wind. Kat turned saucer eyes to Bart.

  “What?” Bart seemed oblivious to the movement of the fire.

  Kat looked back at the now steady flame. “Nothing.”

  The mayor had lost some color but managed a quick recovery and an even quicker smile. “Seems you’re not quite over our little adventure from last fall.”

  And you act like it never happened. Why is that mayor? She managed a thin smile.

  Orthell held her gaze briefly, searching her face.

  “We’re still getting the bugs worked out. Always the way with a project this size. See you up front.” The mayor made his way toward the counter, stopping and shaking hands as he went.

  Kat did an about-face to follow the mayor and was almost drenched in a steaming cup of hot chocolate. She jumped back before the liquid sloshed out of its mug and onto her coat. She looked up into those blue eyes that had mesmerized her not so long ago.

  Ken managed to steady the slopping liquid before it swam over the brim and onto the rich, dark floor. He smiled down at Kat.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You missed.” Kat managed to steady her voice and rubbery legs. She took a graceful step around Ken, made it to the front counter and grabbed the edge to steady herself. She inhaled in a deep, slow rhythm to calm her racing heart.

  “Did you get a mocha?” Kat shot a look to her right and gazed into the handsome face of Ravens Cove’s new librarian.

  “No, no, I didn’t. That is not on today’s refreshment list.” She smiled up at Brandon McGill.

  Gary Wenfred, the librarian’s assistant, stood beside him. Ever since Brandon had taken the job, Gary had made it his personal mission to protect Mr. McGill. Seems the death of the lovely Anita Conner last October had made Gary a bit edgy where his supervisor was concerned.

  “And, how are you, Gary? Heard from the family?” Gary’s family had chosen to leave for Anchorage to find work.

  “Nope.” Kat got the distinct impression that Gary was reveling in his independence.

  “Going wild with this newfound freedom, right?” Brandon said.

  “Yep. Only problem is I don’t make enough money.”

  “Well, if you didn’t eat at Jo’s every night, you’d be surprised how far your money might go.”

  Gary’s eyes narrowed to slits, and then he recovered and smiled. “You’re probably right, Mr. McGill. I guess I should get some cooking lessons.”

  “Grandma would be happy to give you some tips. She or Jo, either one.” Kat offered.

  Gary grunted a reply, and tensed his jaw before he focused on her. Gary’s hostility gave her a strong feeling that he blamed her for everything that had happened in Ravens Cove, not the demons that had come to destroy and dine on its good citizens.

  Kat turned her attention back to Brandon. “How are you doing? Settling in?”

  “Can’t complain. No matter what else Ms. Conner is known for, her reputation as an organized librarian is pristine. Didn’t have much to do when I got the job except make sure everything stayed business as usual.”

  Kat shuddered at the memory. Anita Conner had been murdered during the demon siege. She and Reverend Martin Plotno had died at the hands of Mrs. Plotno when she discovered them in a compromising position at the church altar. She, too, had been murdered, but her death remained a mystery. Ransom Plotno had been found at the top of Ravens Ravine but her body was not like those lost to Iconoclast.

  Kat’s eyes wandered to Ken’s six-foot-some
thing, athletic body as he passed through the door and out into the cold day.

  “Hello?”

  “Sorry.” She willed her eyes back to Brandon.

  “I’d love to discuss your work with Police Chief Andersen.”

  Kat grinned. No one who had lived in Ravens Cove for any length of time called Bart by his formal title. Somehow, with his Wild West ways and old-fashioned attitude, Sheriff had been bestowed on him and it stuck.

  “Sure. Sometime sounds great.”

  “How about tomorrow afternoon?”

  Kat’s left eyebrow shot up and she turned her full gaze to Brandon. “Tomorrow?”

  “I’m an aspiring writer. Unsolved mysteries are my passion.” His eyes glittered as he spoke. “This town is steeped in mysteries. One of the reasons I took the job.”

  “Well, Bart has the facts and background information on any of our unsolved mysteries. I’m just the administrative help. Part-time at that.”

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit. I find someone in your position not only knows the entire story, he or she also brings a unique perspective to the case.”

  “Well, then, I guess we could meet tomorrow. But, I still think you need Bart’s insight. How about if I get him to come along?”

  Brandon deflated. “Suppose you could do that.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll find him and let you know. Oh look, there’s Wendy. Need to catch her before she leaves for a tour.”

  Wendy watched Kat beelining in her direction at an unusually fast clip.

  “What’s up?” Wendy scouted the area Kat had left and found her answer.

  “Just wanted to make sure we got on the tour together.”

  “Right, and I was born an hour ago. That cute new librarian make you uncomfortable?”

  Kat sighed. “I think he was asking me on a date. Said something about writing mysteries and wanted to interview me about the cases in Ravens Cove.”

  “Well, that was lame but I’ll give him an A for creativity. I think you should go.”

  “I have no desire to get into anything that even hints at a romantic relationship. Besides, Bart’s the real expert and I want to invite him along.”

  “Bruck, bruck, chicken little! Where is that friend I knew—you know, self-confident, spunky, and willing to take risks?”