by Barbara Best
It isn’t long before Jane begins to regain her appetite and is feeling well enough to bathe and dress for tea with Mary by the crackling fire in her private sitting room. In Lee’s words, winter is upon them. Now in its throws, the house is straining from a cold snap to keep what warmth it has inside. Jane has discovered in a house with high ceilings and no central heat or the proper insulation, fireplaces can be totally unreliable. They tend to spread uneven heat leaving some parts of a room stifling hot and the other like a deep freeze. The climate within the house is even worse when it’s windy and damp outside, which has been pretty much most of the time lately. Sitting before the fire right now feels really good and the tea is always welcome to warm her insides.
Jane shares she is worried about her patients at the hospital and being away from her work and family. Well, the Hopkins family. She is eager to find out what has happened while she’s been so out of it.
“Lord, child, you would think you had been gone a year. You had a time of it, but the fever has passed quick enough. You have a strong constitution, my dear.”
Convinced Jane is much stronger, Mary decides it is time to tell her Susan has had her baby. She hopes Jane is not cross with her for holding off until now. “My dear, I have details of a most happy occasion for you. I am sure you will want to know Susan has delivered a precious baby girl. Perfect in every way. Doctor Arnold attended the birth and Susan sends word to you, she and her new baby are doing very well indeed. She has named her daughter, Sarah Jane, and hopes the news pleases you.”
Just the opposite, Jane’s heart sinks. She wasn’t there! She’d missed it! How totally disappointing! How not fair! She doesn’t know what to say and doesn’t even have a chance to form her thoughts on it before . . .
“Jane, I must also talk with you about a most difficult and distressing matter. I wanted to wait, but it has become most urgent I speak with you.”
“Now what!” the words tumble out of Jane’s mouth.
Mary sets her cup and saucer down on the delicate tea table in front of the hearth and turns to Jane, folding her hands in her lap and straightening her back. “The authorities have been here.”
“What! But why?” Jane is asking but not wanting to hear the answer.
“Please don’t upset yourself, child. They are inquiring about Madame Néve’s sudden disappearance.”
“Disappeared. Where to?”
“We have not a clue, although Captain Tucker tells me they suspect she has collaborated with other sources in the aiding and abetting of runaway slaves. They have grave suspicions she secretly advocates emancipation. An abolitionist among us! Of all things!” Mary hisses with contempt. “It has caused quite an upset. And to think I, most ashamedly, have acquired her services and associated myself on more than one occasion with her. Worse still, in my ignorance I have involved you, Jane. You must forgive me! I have no words to express my regret.” Mary’s eyes brim with tears. She doesn’t move. Like an ivory statue draped in black silk, she sits stoic, bracing for Jane’s retort.
“But I don’t understand, what does this have to do with us . . . with me?” Jane sets her teacup down, as it is rattling uncontrollably. A deep-rooted fear surfaces that gives warning her peace and façade in this place is about to end. Jane stands to relieve nervous tension and grabs the poker to stab at the oak in the fireplace that burns brilliant orange and blue with tiny sparks of light flying everywhere and disappearing up into the flue.
Mary is cautious, sensing Jane’s distress, but compelled to continue, “They tell me she disappeared the very day we paid her a visit. That evening. They want to ask you some questions. I can’t for the life of me imagine why, but I am worried that box she gave you will get us into trouble somehow. I have taken the liberty of hiding it away and, I would think, mum’s the word. No one should know a thing about it, but the two of us. And I have sworn my coachman to secrecy. He is reliable I assure you. This is for your protection, of course my dear, unless you direct otherwise.”
Jane’s heart lurches again. She wonders if her illness has damaged it in some way because it is bumping erratically in her chest, making her cough uncomfortably and clear her throat. She lays her hand on the cool stone surface of the mantle to steady things and breathes deeply to try and relax some.
Mary watches Jane closely, “Please, Jane, do sit before you fall. This is truly a calamity, and you have only me to blame.”
“Look, no one’s at fault here. Our visit to Madame Néve’s was harmless. How could you have possibly known something like this would happen? You’ve been nothing but good to me from day one. Look at you now! You haven’t left my side for a minute. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. If you think we should keep the box quiet, then of course, that’s what we will do.” Jane can tell, even now, Mary is troubled this bit of news is revealed too soon, before Jane is strong enough to handle it.
She has no idea how strong I really am. Oh it may take her a few days to catch up from being so sick, but typically Jane can run circles around the women of this day. She has worked hard to maintain muscle tone and at strengthening her core by practicing her yoga in the privacy of her room and performing a regimen of exercises to stay limber and toned. Once, Tessie walked in on her. It was while she was in the down-dog position. Pretty funny. But Jane is sure no one else knows, much less would understand what she is up to. Working out. They’ve never heard of it.
After an uncomfortable silence, which is abnormal between the two women, Jane finally comes to terms, “So what’s the damage?” as her dad would say. “I mean, what do you think will become of this?”
“Damage? Why I do hope and pray there is none. But Jane, I am afraid for you.” Mary thinks perhaps their folly has renewed interest in Jane. People tend to fear what they do not know or understand. Jane’s namesake, Mystifying Ghost Lady, may be her undoing. Even her curious work at the hospital could raise suspicions. What better place to gain the confidence of its soldiers than in their city’s infirmary? “I cannot hold Captain Tucker at bay much longer, dear. The authorities inquire about your condition and I fear even surmise your illness is a ploy to buy time, which could not be farther from the truth. I am dreadfully sorry. I have brought this crashing down on our heads.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad.” Jane hears her words, but they aren’t comforting, nor convincing. “Maybe I’d better get home, if the Hopkins family will have me. Does Anna know about this? Where’s Matthew?”
“Anna must surely know. And your young fella has dropped by to inquire about your health and express his concern. I am sure he will speak on your behalf. He will know how to advise you.”
Jane rolls her eyes to Mary’s insinuation and quickly adds, “He’s not my fellow, Mary. I tended his wounds during the siege at Fort Pulaski. That’s all. Haven’t you ever heard the expression patients tend to fall for their nurse or doctor? It’s a common occurrence. He’s a nice guy and all, but if you think you see anything, I’m sure that’s all it is. There’s nothing between us.”
Mary, wise for all her years on this earth, is not so sure Jane is correct in her assumption and still believes there is more to it. To appease Jane’s sensitivity, however, she reverts back to his formal name, “Surely Adjutant Hopkins will know what to do. In the meantime, we will not utter a word about the box Madame gave you that night, nor the sum within it. This subsequent detail would only be more grist for the mill don’t you think? Now, lets cease in discussing the matter further.”
Mary has strong connections in Savannah and rumors abound to a point where she fears reputations are on the line. She is no stranger to scandal. It is poison to anyone who comes in contact with it. It is an evil beast that can devour everything in its path.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Another late night at the hospital and Bryce is dead tired. There are a couple of messages on his phone. He always makes a point to check before heading out in his jeep on the ride home. Bryce revs up the engine and turns the heater on to take the chil
l out of the air.
Tapping the screen, Bryce deletes the first message. It’s a reminder his dentist appointment is a week from Thursday and they have a cancellation if he wants to come in sooner. He has trouble making out the second message. He views the screen. It says the caller is ‘Unknown’. Bryce plays it a second time. The voice seems rushed and the words are muddled. Something about having important information for him and there, the message breaks up. Then, I hope this is the right number . . . and slightly clearer . . . it will be worth your while. It’s a man with a heavy accent.
Bryce brings up the log on his phone. He doesn’t recognize the number, but it does have a Savannah area code. Maybe coincidence. Just for kicks he taps ‘Call’. It’s probably a wrong number or, he smiles, someone made a butt call.
There’s a click and a recorded message comes on, “Thank you for calling the Fort Pulaski Sutler Store located in the old guard room. We are open daily between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm . . .”
Bryce hangs up and checks the number again. “I’ll be damned!”
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Bryce calls the novelty shop in the fort the very next day and a girl named Chrystal answers the phone. She seems friendly enough and tells Bryce she didn’t make the call.
Bryce bites his tongue. No duh, I just said it was a guy that left a message.
“Are you sure you got the number right?” Chrystal asks cheerfully in her best telephone voice. She’s glad someone called to break the monotony. Weekdays were slow sometimes.
“Yes, I’m pretty sure. It was ID’d on my phone.”
“Oh.”
“Is there anyone else that may have called from this number? Another employee maybe? A man that works there with you?”
“Well I’m the only one that . . . kheeee . . . during the week.”
“Hello? I think we have a bad connection.” So there’s that scratchy static sound he remembers from the voice message. It’s the right place, all right. Bryce switches his phone to speaker. “Can you hear me? Hello?”
“Yeah. Hang on a . . . kheeee . . . fix this . . . kheeee . . .”
Bryce hears rustling sounds that break in and out. Pretty annoying. Well at least she’s trying.
“Don’t hang up yet,” the clerk yells into the mouthpiece. “There! That should be better. Are you still there?”
“Yes. Thanks, that’s much better.”
“I’m sorry. The cord on this old phone is shot. It’s been knotted and twisted one too many times. I keep telling them to replace it.”
“That’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Anyway . . . the man had a strong accent. He called on Wednesday from this number.”
“Well, I’m afraid I really can’t help you. Who is this?”
“Oh, I’m one of your many visitors to the fort. I’ve never had a chance to look around in your shop so I’m sure you don’t know me.” Actually Bryce had peeked into the little shop at the fort the last time he was here, but it’s a little too cutesy for him. He hates shopping anyhow. Jane would like it, though. “I appreciate your time, Chrystal. I’m just trying to find out who might have called me, that’s all.”
Satisfied with the answer, Chrystal continues, “Like I said, it’s just me here during the week and Emily works Saturdays and Sundays. Oh, and Emily’s older sister Carol Lynne will sometimes cover for us, but it’s mostly Em and me. Nobody else. No guys anyway.” A small cow bell tinkles in the background and there’s a lot of chatter, “Hi y’all!” Chrystal says all syrupy. “I’ll be right with you. I’m sorry. I have customers. I don’t mean to cut you off or anything, but is that all? I really have to go.”
“Yep. That’s fine. Thanks anyway.” Bryce isn’t satisfied. Sounds like I need to make another trip to good ole Savannah.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Doctor Blake wasn’t too happy when Bryce asked for the weekend off. Friday and Saturday nights are always crazy in the ER and it was short notice. They need him, but this is just too important.
Keep straight onto US-80 East/GA-26 East, the annoying electronic voice on his GPS bleats. He switches it off. Bryce already knows the drive out to Pulaski by heart. Sophie and Ben have just left for a two-week vacation to Greece, so he booked the Savannah Best Western when he got into town. They’ve all been so close lately and he hopes the couple won’t be too disappointed he’s going it alone this time. There is no way this trip could wait. He has to find out what’s going on, and now.
Bryce’s ride to Cockspur Island on the raised highway is different from the times before. He’s not feeling the whole unwind and enjoy the beauty of the marsh thing. Instead, he is moved by urgency and a hyper-level of tension that somehow he is on the brink of discovery.
It’s the best break he’s had since losing Jane last April. He thought about calling Art, but reconsidered. Maybe he should figure things out first. See what he really has before getting everyone stirred up. Jane’s family members have been trying really hard to move on after such a tragedy. It’s 2013. Close to being a year now since her disappearance. Jane’s birthday. The fateful day when everything changed.
She would be twenty-five. Jane! Bryce won’t let his feelings surface again and prefers purpose, even anger, in finding some closure in the mystery of her disappearance. He will see this through.
The strange unidentified caller has him almost crazy with questions. Bryce has played the message over and over. He even had others listen in, and nothing. It’s impossible to make it all out and there’s that absurd accent. Hopefully the ranger will be able to help him get to the bottom of it.
Bryce catches Ranger Banning’s eye when he steps out onto Fort Pulaski’s veranda that borders the parade ground. They shake hands and Jeff talks briefly about the cold snap they just had and the frigid air that comes off the river before getting to the point of Bryce’s visit. “I heard you talked to Crystal. Something about a suspicious call you received?”
“Yeah, I checked the Caller ID and the number apparently is from the little store you have here.” Bryce points to the novelty shop just a few steps down from the Ranger’s office. “I was hoping you would be able to help me figure it out. I didn’t want to bother the clerk again. She told me only a couple other employees work there with her?
“Yeah, all of them Georgia girls, through and through.” Jeff puts his hands into his jacket pockets and leans his shoulder against one of the pillars that line the veranda. It’s too bad he missed all the excitement over the missing girl. Since he’s been at Pulaski, things have been pretty ordinary. It’s nothing like his job in the heart of D.C. Oh, there’s plenty to do, but there’s definitely not a whole lot going on. Jeff is not so sure he likes the park ranger out-in-the-sticks gig, but hey, it’s a paycheck.
An older couple and their three rambunctious grandchildren pass in front of Jeff and Bryce with big smiles on their faces. Jeff asks pleasantly, “Are you enjoying your visit? Anyone have any questions?”
“Did anybody die here?” One of the teenage boys speaks up.
“If you mean soldiers, yes, there were a few.” Jeff quickly glances at Bryce. “Hey, did you know some say the fort is haunted, but I haven’t seen any ghosts myself,” Jeff grins. “We give evening tours once a month. It’s something new. You ought to come out then. It can be pretty spooky around here at night. Where are you folks from?” Jeff takes a few more minutes with the tourists, who are clearly thrilled by the attention the ranger is giving them. He hands something to each of the kids and, tipping his hat, finally turns his attention back to Bryce, “Ghee. That whole thing that happened out here, how long has it been now?”
Bryce is trying hard to keep his crappy disposition under wraps. He’s so tired of the chitchat. No, make that a correction, he’s just plain tired. “Since last April,” he replies evenly, thinking the guy already knows the answer. Take it easy Bryce, he means well. “Would you be willing to listen to the message on my phone?”
Bryce flips to the saved message and Jeff openly c
ooperates by bending down to get his ear close to the speaker. The distorted, broken speech breaks the silence. He watches the Ranger raise his brows and one side of his mouth twists up. He frowns and leans in a bit closer.
“Hey, play that again.” Jeff listens carefully. “That sounds kind of like the maintenance guy who was here a few days ago. Hmmm . . . don’t know his name. Never seen him before. Let’s go inside for a minute.” Jeff fumbles with his key and unlocks the door to his offices.
Bryce follows Jeff into a dusty room with shelves of worn books in frayed bindings and stacks of papers everywhere. They clop across a creaky floor and wind their way around several large paintings in chipped frames that are propped against an oak cabinet that has seen better years.
The Ranger picks up a faded green book. “The man said he was filling in and was here to fix the plumbing in one of the bathrooms. There’s always something going on, the pipes are so old and corroded. If it’s not the pipes, it’s the rodents and we have our fair share. Been thinking it would be nice to have a cat around here, but no pets allowed.”
Jeff tosses his hat onto the corner of his desk and thumbs through the pages. He flips back and forth between two sheets a couple of times, “That’s funny, he didn’t sign out.”
“Do you think we could call the company, the service, to find out who he is?” Bryce shrugs apologetically, “I’m curious is just all.”
“Hey, no problem-o. I have their number right here. Just a sec.” Jeff drops the book, flips through an old, dusty Rolodex and picks up the receiver to dial the number on a black rotary phone that is smudged with a hundred fingerprints, the finish dulled with dirt and age.
“Hi, this is Ranger Banning at Fort Pulaski. Just fine thanks. Listen, one of your guys came by earlier this week . . . no, I don’t know his name . . . he didn’t put his time in the book like I asked. Yeah, maybe cause he’s new. I was wondering about that . . . really . . . really . . . are you sure. Well, I’m not real happy about that, you can guarantee. No . . . okay then . . . Later.”