Ingress

by Mary Ann Poll

  “I pray that dog is okay.” Kat said as she hung up with Bart. “It’s such a shame for any animal to have to die because some people hurt them.”

  “Bart won’t let that happen.”

  Kat smiled and returned to the small kitchen table, bathed by a southeast sun. She extended the coffeepot.

  Josiah took a short sip. “I don’t understand this sudden desire for coffee. But, it really does taste better than I ever remember.”

  The right side of Kat’s mouth turned upward in a lopsided smile. “It is a curious side effect. But, then, you are a mystery of a man. It fits.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a compliment or insult. So, I’ll take it as a compliment.” Josiah lifted his cup in a mock salute. “You know we need to get to Alese before someone else does.”

  “Oh, I do indeed. If Grandma finds out you’re here and hasn’t been told, she’d lose her respect for me. I couldn’t stand it. I’m just trying to figure out how I can be two places at once. I have to get to the office to finish the report on Gary.”

  “Well, since Ravens Cove is having a heat wave,” Josiah had noted from the thermometer that the temperature had risen into the single digits and the wind was no longer bending the trees, “we can start by walking into town.” Josiah lifted his cup again and smiled.

  “When you’re ready.”

  They stood up at the same time. Kat broke into a tinkling laugh.

  “I’ll run a comb through this mop and grab my coat. I’ll be back in a jiff.” She walked to the cupboard, grabbed two black travel mugs. “How about you make yourself useful and pour us some hot coffee into these while you’re waiting.”

  The cups were filled and capped when Kat returned. The blanket, pillow and sheets sat in a neat pile on one end of the couch. Josiah had settled into the big overstuffed chair with BC draped across his lap.

  “What you looking at, Lazarus?” Kat said.

  “Just marveling at the wonder of nature from the warmth of this lovely room.”

  Kat followed his gaze. A pair of eagles sat on the tall birch whose top stood ten feet above the bluff directly in front of her window.

  “I forget how wonderful it all is. They are beautiful. Eagles and ravens—one so mysterious and regal; the other so mysterious and playful.”

  “You are a poet, missy.” Josiah lowered BC to the floor.

  “One could hope.” Kat checked the cat’s food and water supply before slipping on her boots, coat, and gloves.

  The refreshing and invigorating scent of salt air was unmistakable.

  “I love that smell.” Kat took a deep breath and jumped from the porch.

  Josiah inhaled. “Nothing quite like it.”

  They reached the small path in record time.

  “You sure have a new spring in your step, old man.” Kat teased.

  “The surprising benefits of that long sleep just keep coming.” The intense aches and pains of a few short months ago were but a memory. Josiah looked at the packed ice. “I’d be jogging if it were summer.”

  “Not me. One of the blessings of winter—one can only walk at a snail’s pace.”

  They started up the small path. Their footprints from the night before were still clear in the snow. They had been joined by small, elongated prints zigzagging from one side of the path to the other in an upward movement.

  “Snow rabbit,” Kat pointed to the new prints.

  “I’m impressed.”

  “Grandma made me memorize every animal track by the time I was nine. She wanted to make sure I was safe. This was just one of the many things I’ve been taught.”

  “She is an amazing woman.” Josiah opined.

  “That she is.”

  They trudged the rest of the way in silence. The leafless alders lining the top of Ravens Ravine were unwelcoming, even in the bright sunlight. The original path down to the ravine floor had been disturbed by several animals over the course of the winter. The hag tree stood guard at the entrance.

  Kat shivered. Josiah grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze.

  “It’s funny. I don’t remember anything, really. It’s a blur of color and odd music. But, it scares me to look at that trail just the same.”

  “I know.”

  As they reached the end of the ravine, Kat swung around.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. I feel like I’m being watched—and not in a nice way.” She scanned the area. The clearing was vacant.

  Josiah sensed a darkness not present the day before.

  “I feel it too. But, I think our imaginations are running wild. I was in the ravine. It was at peace.”

  “It probably is just nerves. Let’s get to town.”

  A four-foot tall black-hooded creature left its hiding place from behind a spruce. It held a sharp, curved blade close to its right side. Another creature, the same height, joined it. “Nihilist, is that the one?”

  “That’s more than the one. The other was dead and is alive. They both must die.”

  “I’ll let our comrades know.”

  The second dwarf slid back among the alders and disappeared into the earth.

  “We need more of our brothers.” Nihilist said before the other dropped into the cavern.

  “Done.”

  Chapter 7

  Interviews and Dreams

  The scene in the sheriff’s office made Kat think twice about staying. Wendy Hareling sat in the visitor’s chair, swinging one leg impatiently while flipping in rapid motion through an old copy of Time magazine. A harried Bart hadn’t put the phone back in its cradle before it started yelling for more attention. When Ken came out of the interview room escorting Amos and Arnie, Kat had to will her body to stay.

  “Good day, Miss Tovslosky.”

  “Hi, Arnie. You’re here early.”

  “Wanted to answer any questions the sheriff might have so I can get to more important things.”

  Kat nodded and turned her eyes to Bart. She could feel Ken’s searching look.

  “Good morning.” Ken’s resonant baritone sent an involuntary chill through her. That response put Kat in a fighting mood.

  “Was a good morning.” She raised her eyes to meet his.

  Ken lifted his eyebrows, turned and strode to Bart’s office.

  Wendy waited until Ken was out of sight. “Good one, O barbed-tongue.” Glad you finally got here.” She stuck out her hand. “And good morning … ?”

  “Josiah Williams.” He took her hand in a firm shake.

  “The dead guy?”

  “Presumed dead. But, by God’s grace, here I am.”

  “By someone’s grace, anyway. Well, welcome back.”

  Josiah gave a slight bow. “Thanks, miss. Am I to assume you are the much-loved Wendy Hareling?”

  “Much-loved doesn’t ring a bell. But you got the name right.”

  “Oh, you are deeply loved. Not just by Kat but by God Almighty.”

  Wendy grimaced.

  “I don’t go for that much. But, thanks just the same.”

  “Wendy really only believes in what she can see, feel, and touch.”

  “Sounds like another young woman I know.”

  “Yeah. I probably rubbed off on her,” Kat smiled and poked Wendy in the side with her elbow.

  “Or it’s the other way around, smart a …” She looked at Josiah, “smart aleck. Anyway, I came by to see if you have my blue shirt in your extensive wardrobe.”

  “You came by to get the latest gossip on the victims.”

  “That, too.”

  Kat inhaled. “I have nothing to share about the victims or the cases. You’ll just have to speculate like everyone else.” She placed her hand over Wendy’s mouth. “And I haven’t seen the blue shirt but I’ll go on a search when I get back to the house.”

  Wendy’s mouth dropped into a pout.

  Bart jumped out of Kat’s chair like it was on fire and motioned for her to sit. “Thanks for joining us. Late though it is.”

/>   “With that comment, I should just leave you to do your own darned report.”

  “But you won’t.”

  Kat took her place behind the desk and turned on the computer. She reviewed the pink message slips while it was booting.

  Bart nodded to Josiah. “Well, how about I get the interview with you over, too. You sure seem to show up at the worst times. At least times that make you look pretty bad.” Bart motioned Josiah to the interview room and offered him a cup of stale caffeine. He took it eagerly.

  “I was telling Kat, I can’t seem to get enough of this stuff. Never used to like it. Go figure.”

  “Where were you yesterday afternoon?”

  “Making my way up a steep path. I told you that.”

  “I don’t suppose anyone saw you.”

  “I ran across a moose at the top of the ravine, does that help?” Josiah gave a wide smile, enjoying his newfound mirth. Since awakening from his deep, unexplainable hibernation, he had felt lighter than he could remember in his entire life. A battle fought on a spiritual and physical level had released his anger and darkness.

  “No, it doesn’t help.”

  “Not a time for levity, Mr. Williams.” Ken had entered the room unnoticed. He pushed off the wall, took a few determined steps forward and sat down on the other side of the table.

  “Well, the only person I saw was Kat and that was late in the day. It took several hours to get out of the ravine. I had ventured to Kat’s house. She wasn’t home. I started back up that small path and ran into her, and succeeded in scaring the living daylights out of her.” He smiled again. Most everything seems funny today. I feel like a small child who has just discovered a new world.

  Ken and Bart stared at Josiah. The change was undeniable. It showed in his mannerisms but it really showed in his face. He looked twenty years younger. He sat straighter and those bright, piercing blue eyes were even more piercing and bright—if that was possible.

  Kat had taken up her favorite eavesdropping position by the copier. She hurried back to her desk when she heard the interview coming to an end.

  “Hey, Winsome …” Wendy crossed her arms and turned an expectant look on Kat.

  “Would you drop Josiah and me at Grandma’s?”

  Wendy relaxed. “Sure.”

  “Thanks.” Kat grabbed her coat and gloves. She rushed back to Bart’s office and skidded to a halt. Ken and Bart were in a deep conversation, heads down, comparing notes.

  “Déjà vu,” Kat said.

  They both looked up at her.

  “You want to run off somewhere, I assume.” Bart noted the coat was half up her left arm.

  “Going to Grandma’s—with Josiah.”

  Bart had forgotten completely about letting Grandma Bricken know about the murders and that Josiah was still a well-kept surprise. Relief flooded him at the thought of not having to give bad news one more time today. “Works for me. Need to get the rest of the notes together, anyway. What time you think you can get back here?”

  “Couple of hours.” Kat scooted toward the door. They piled into Wendy’s Subaru and minutes later were deposited on Grandma Bricken’s street.

  “See you later, KittyKat.” She waved out the driver’s side window and took off.

  “Here we go.”

  Kat and Josiah didn’t get halfway up the sidewalk before the front door flew open and Grandma Bricken clomped down the stairs to meet them.

  “I didn’t believe it.”

  “Believe what, Grandma?”

  “I awoke from a horrible night’s sleep but there was one wonderful dream amid all the nightmares. Josiah Williams was talking to you at your home. He looked wonderful, just like now. I thought it was part of a nightmare but it was a dream come true.”

  She grabbed Josiah and pulled him to her. “Welcome, home, my dear friend.”

  He returned her bear hug, and then drew back. “I never left.”

  “Then where’ve you been and why haven’t we heard from you?” Her tone of joy had turned to one of accusation.

  He took Alese Bricken’s elbow. “Do you have some coffee?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, if you’ll give me the benefit of a doubt and reserve that fury for after, I’ll tell you what’s happened.”

  “I’ll make time.” Grandma grabbed Kat around her waist and drew her close before they walked up the covered porch and into the house.

  The storm door stuck in the open position.

  “I’ll be right there.” Kat grabbed it and gave it yank.

  “Hey, Kat.” She looked in the direction of the voice. Pastor Paul waved his hand in the air to catch her attention.

  “Hi, Paul. What brings you here?”

  “Is it true that Josiah has returned?” A familiar fear hit her gut. The last time visions were commonplace in Ravens Cove was before the battle with Iconoclast and his army. The fear turned to dread. Stop It, Kat. Wendy probably got to him.

  “It’s true. Who told you?”

  “Had a dream about the ravine. Saw a beautiful waterfall with a pond and a cranberry bush close by. Saw Josiah sleeping beside the pond.” He had made it to the top of the stairs, a little out of breath.

  “Guess you’d better come on inside.”

  Grandma Bricken had moved up beside Kat. “The more the merrier. Too bad Kenneth was only here a day. We might have had a real reunion—and maybe I could have gotten a few things off my chest, too.”

  Kat’s jaw went tight and her face flushed. The change didn’t escape Grandma’s attention. Grandma took all the coats and hung them on the pegs over the boot bench, then turned to Kat.

  “He’s still here?”

  “Was when I saw Bart at the station.” Her voice dropped to a simmering whisper.

  “You don’t say.” She turned to Josiah. “Let’s get you that coffee.”

  The four of them walked into the cheery kitchen. The impromptu reunion erupted into a good-spirited party.

  Grandma went to the pantry and returned with a fresh loaf of blueberry bread. She cut it into generous slices, arranged it on a bright yellow plate and set it in the middle of the table. She motioned everyone to sit and she grabbed the coffeepot. Kat brought napkins and cups for all.

  Pastor Lucas lowered his head and the others followed suit.

  “Heavenly Father, thank You for every blessing You give us. Thank you that Your mercy and compassion are unending. Thank you for bringing Josiah back to us. Please bless this food and drink. In Your great Son’s name. Amen.”

  Josiah raised his head. “May I add something?”

  The banter and laughter ceased. The small group lowered their heads.

  “Father and Jesus. I know You so much more personally than I ever thought possible on this side of heaven. Thank you for not leaving me abandoned. You, in Your great wisdom and understanding have given me a family again. I am forever grateful for all You have done and continue to do. Thank you again in Jesus Name.”

  He raised his head, tears glistening in his eyes. Kat’s heart went warm and she reached over table and took Josiah’s hand.

  “So, about that story …”

  “Getting to it.” Josiah launched into a story that would have sent him to a mental hospital in most instances. In this family, everything he told them was not only believed but also made perfect sense.

  Chapter 8

  Servants of Evil

  Mayor Orthell made his way to Old Town before dark blanketed the Cove. He went from building to building, extracting blood-colored candles from their hiding places and chanting the spells performed by his ancestors.

  “Today, I can complete the ritual.” He made his way to the rock skull in the middle of the courtyard. He searched the area around the buildings and the forest behind. Satisfied he was alone, he knelt. He retrieved dried blueberries, a Baggie filled with smoked salmon, and a small flask from his left pocket. He placed the offering of food and wine beneath the straight line of a mouth.

  “I beseech
you, O greatest one, show favor on your servant. Arise, return, and avenge me and those that still believe.” He stood and kissed the rock between its eyes.

  “What you doing there, Tommy?”

  Mayor Orthell whirled into Johnny Campo. “You’re early, Campo. How long have you been watching me?”

  “Long enough to see something that brings many a question to my mind. And long enough to know there is more than a story about an old bunch of buildings here somewhere.”

  “I don’t know what you think you saw. But, you better believe that if you print anything that is detrimental to me or Old Town, you’ll be in court so fast you won’t know what happened.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, mayor. Now, let’s get on with the interview and a few pictures.” Campo held up a thirty-five millimeter camera and took a wide-angle photo of the complex. He snapped a picture of the skull rock.

  “Where next?”

  “Let’s start in the log cabin.” They walked the short distance over the stone courtyard.

  “Tell me, and by me I mean our readers, why this development is so important to you and what makes it of benefit to the citizens of Ravens Cove.”

  “As you know, our town economy is stagnant. I believe the historical draw of these buildings will start it moving again.”

  “Several people have asked me where the money’s coming from. They are concerned the capital for school improvements and other town projects, like the upgraded water system, is the source of funding.”

  “Tell your readers not to be concerned. Not one dime of public funds has gone into the project.”

  Johnny Campo stopped and lifted his microphone to the mayor’s face. “Then where did it come from?”

  “As I told you and the council, I have invested my personal funds and there are other individuals interested in seeing this project succeed. These people moved the buildings from the Forgotten Place and the one cabin from the fjord for the price of gas and a few cases of beer.”

  “Awfully generous of them.”

  “Yes.” The mayor smiled.

  “That explains the town, but are you telling me that you had enough money available to develop this area, then run utilities to the buildings? That would cost more than you and I have put together, Tom.”