Miles

by Melissa R. L. Simonin

  Polly’s PI called me the next day.

  “Hello, Miss Riley. I thought you might like to know what your recording accomplished.”

  “What did it accomplish?” I wondered.

  “I turned it over to the detective handling the case. It convinced him he was pursuing the right suspect. As a result, his time wasn’t wasted on other possible leads, and evidence was discovered which otherwise might not have been. The detective wanted to thank you, so as you remain anonymous, I’m passing that on for him.”

  “With Polly’s grandson awake and naming him as the attempted murderer, did it really matter after all?” I wondered.

  “Every piece of evidence is crucial, Miss Riley. It matters,” he said with certainty.

  “Wow… I’m so glad that cat got stuck in the dumpster, then.”

  The PI’s response was a moment of silence.

  “I’m not sure I heard that right. What did you say?”

  I explained what happened, which the formerly stoic PI found extremely amusing. If I wasn’t sick at heart, I probably would too. I managed to laugh along pretty convincingly, I think. Enough that I didn’t seem as though I had no sense of humor. Although, I wondered if perhaps I lost mine when Miles left. Nothing was funny or fun, anymore.

  Mom and Dad and the kids were thrilled with life in the city. Who knew urban would suit them just as well as suburban did. Dad loves his job, and he and Uncle Mark work well together. Think how they handled Bill the jerk! They’re quite a team. Doreen was on a treatment regimen to eradicate the chronic Lyme she was diagnosed with. It would take time for her to start feeling better, but we knew it would happen, and eventually she would be past this. Knowing it would end made it easier for her, and for us. It made it bearable, if only just.

  They were all stunned when I told them what I’d been up to. Mom said now she understood why I spent so much time at the castle, and was so driven. I was careful not to talk much about my efforts to solve the Bannerman mystery over the past year, for fear of mentioning conversations or interactions I had with Miles. If they’d gotten any impression I was friends with a semi-transparent guy, or thought I thought I was, they would have totally freaked out. They’d consider the whole thing unhealthy, no matter how you sliced it. They didn’t know Miles… and it made me sad to know they never would.

  Mom and Dad were floored to realize our family’s link to Sarah, the woman in Uncle Mark’s story. They were fascinated by the whole thing, and I had to tell them over and over about every step it took to find each clue. It was difficult to do without mentioning Miles as in “he was right there with me,” but it was good practice for the television interview I did later. Doreen was thrilled to know that Uncle Mark was right about one thing. Sarah did look just like her.

  Bill the jerk was serving time, and the parking lots of Cedar Oaks would be safer as a result for the next few years. I was glad in retrospect, that Mom saw my arm that morning, and I was forced to deal with what happened instead of getting away with hiding it. It really was dumb to try and handle everything on my own. Some things are too big for one person.

  I wanted to avoid everyone and be alone forever, and I knew the longer I stayed isolated, the more strongly I’d feel that way. Miles didn’t want me to be alone, and I needed to try to survive the agony of losing him. I called Jenny.

  “Hi Jenny, it’s Anika.”

  “Hi, Anika! How are you?”

  I couldn’t help it, my voice broke and I almost lost it.

  “Um—I lost someone really important to me. My best friend,” I said, choking back a sob. “Can you come over? It hurts too much to talk about it, but I need someone to hang out with.”

  “Oh, Anika! I am so sorry. I’ll be right there.”

  Jenny was as good as her word, and she brought pizza and chocolate with her. Lots of chocolate. Jenny set it all on the kitchen counter, then hugged me. I felt some of the horrible pain drain away just enough, so I could hold it together.

  The dogs came out to greet her, then went back to their places on my bed. So much for my rule.

  I managed a weak smile. “Thanks for coming over, Jenny, I just need to not be alone for a while.”

  “Anika…” Jenny put her hand on my arm, trying to comfort. “I’m glad you called me. Do that, any time you need anything.”

  I nodded. Miles was right, friends are important if you can make a good one. He was right about Jenny, too. She was a good friend.

  “Here, let’s dig into this pizza,” said Jenny. I appreciated her taking charge, I was in no condition to.

  Jenny located the plates. She put a slice on one, and handed it to me.

  “You need to eat, Anika. I can’t believe how much weight you’ve lost since the last time I saw you. You are way too thin. Your friend wouldn’t want you making yourself sick.”

  I had to blot my eyes repeatedly. I nodded. She was right.

  “I know something that might cheer you up a little,” said Jenny.

  “What’s that?” I asked, managing to take a bite of pizza.

  “Well. I would not be surprised if Bill hires a bodyguard to follow you around, for the rest of your life.”

  “What?”

  “Apparently—” Jenny started to laugh. Every time she started to talk, she cracked up again. Eventually I started to laugh too, it’s impossible not to when someone’s laughing like that, even when you have no idea what’s funny, and your heart is broken.

  “Okay, so—” Jenny managed. “Word on the street—is that your Dad and Uncle are experienced at—disposing of bodies—”

  I started to laugh again, I couldn’t help it.

  “And—cleaning crime scenes. And if—”

  We both started to laugh.

  “And if—anything. Anything. A single hair on your head, is ever touched again—they are coming back—”

  Jenny was struggling to hold it together long enough to get the rest of the story out, and I was lying on my side on the couch, laughing so hard I couldn’t sit up.

  “They’ll come back—and deal with him—permanently!”

  “Oh my goodness,” I managed to say. “I cannot believe those two!”

  “Even—” Jenny said, “If Bill has nothing to do with it!”

  We both laughed so hard, I thought I’d be sick.

  It felt good to laugh. It helped to get out some of the emotions I’d been holding in. I wondered if Mom had any idea what her husband was capable of.

  Jenny finally had her laughter under control so she could talk again.

  “So, Anika. You not only have nothing to fear from Bill again, even after he’s done serving his sentence, but none of the other guys in Cedar Oaks will be trying anything, either.”

  “Good!” I said.

  We settled down to our pizza, and chose a comedy to watch. I couldn’t stand anything with romance or sentimentality, it would be my undoing.

  We chatted while the movie played and got to know each other better.

  “I had to delay college too,” she said. “I’ve had to work hard, but I’ve got the money saved, and plan on starting next year.”

  “That’s cool,” I said. “You know what my family went through when Dad lost his job, and my sister was so sick. But I’ve been working towards the same thing.”

  “Would you be interested in sharing an apartment?” she asked. “It would cut down on expenses…”

  “Yeah, I am most definitely interested in that,” I said. I reached over to the small desk next to the couch, and picked up a letter.

  “I got this today… I’ve been awarded a full scholarship from The Bannerman Foundation, to the university in Glen Haven. Polly and her grandson are so thankful that I found proof of who really murdered the Bannerman brothers, and discovered the lost heirloom jewelry, too.”

  “I’m sure they are, it’s amazing what you did,” Jenny replied.

  I looked at the paper in my hand.

  “I do want to go to college… it might help me move forwar
d. It helps to think we could be roommates. I’m looking forward to it more.”

  Jenny patted my arm sympathetically.

  Conversation ceased temporarily, as we both focused on eating.

  “You know… Nate is a really nice guy,” Jenny said. “I’ve known him a long time. He asked if you were seeing anyone… I didn’t know what to tell him.”

  My eyes immediately filled with tears.

  “Oh Anika, I’m so sorry,” Jenny said in dismay. “I am so sorry! I didn’t realize, when you said your best friend... I’m so sorry, I wish I never said anything!”

  I looked straight up, trying to keep the tears from spilling out, as she handed me a tissue.

  “Um—yeah, just—I’m glad you can tell him—tell him I’m not up to seeing anyone. Probably ever,” I sort of laughed, although absolutely nothing was funny at all. “My friend and I, we weren’t... but if things had been different...”

  I fought to stay in control, and stop the well of tears that threatened to overwhelm me.

  “It’s crazy,” I continued. “Polly keeps talking up her grandson. The hints she’s dropping, could crush a village.”

  “I’m so sorry, Anika. When it rains it pours, huh.”

  “No kidding.” I sighed. “I love Polly… I do. But I’m dreading the day she comes back with her grandson. She keeps telling me how impressed he is with what I accomplished, and how he can’t wait to meet me…”

  I wondered what he’d think if he realized I turned in a recording that contributed to building a tighter case against Alfred Sullivan. I was so, so glad the PI kept my name out of it. If Polly knew, she would have our wedding invitations engraved already.

  I groaned, and held my face in my hands.

  “And she’s pressuring me to fly out there. Can you believe it? I can’t do that. She has no idea how she’s torturing me.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Jenny said again, and handed me a king size Hershey’s bar, which I accepted gratefully.

  “He’s going to college next year in Glen Haven, too.”

  If he didn’t look like my Miles and have the same name, I wouldn’t care. Although I still wouldn’t appreciate Polly trying to set us up. I’m sure it’s a disappointment to her that arranged marriages went out with the dark ages. It was unbelievable how pushy she was being. I had to remind myself, I do love Polly. I do. And in every other way, she is an incredibly sweet, wonderful lady.

  Jenny and I finished our movie, and she left me with a supply of chocolate and the rest of the pizza. It was late, so she went home, promising to call the next day and check on me.

  I went to my room, where the dogs were totally sacked out.

  “Move it, kids,” I said, pushing Trixie closer to Chip, to make room for me.

  Was Miles ever right about her hair! Even with his warning, I had no idea one dog could shed this much. My bed was covered.

  “You’re pretty hard on the vacuum too, aren’t you girl,” I said, as I pet both her and Chip.

  I crawled into bed and took Miles’ picture out from under my pillow. I was so glad I had that, anyway. And the recording of him playing the piano. I picked up my iPhone and played it. Sometimes it helped me sleep. Usually I lay awake all night, but sometimes it helped.

  I looked over at Trixie and Chip. Lucky for them, they still had each other. I wondered if Trixie chose, or if this time she had no choice.

  I sighed. Miles should have had a choice. So should I. Good grief, why could Trixie choose to stay with him before, but I couldn’t choose to stay with him now!

  Chapter 21

  “Anika, did you see the paper?” Mom was so excited, she didn’t even say hello when I answered the phone.

  “What paper?” I asked.

  “Any paper! It’s syndicated. The Cedar Oaks paper, the Glen Haven—have you? Evidently not, you’d know what I’m talking about. You have to get one, your story is in here! It’s amazing, even though you’ve told us so many times what you were up to, for the past year. Seeing it in print like this, you’re a bit of a celebrity, honey. What you did, it really is amazing.”

  Yeah, well… I didn’t do it alone. I couldn’t have. No one but Miles could understand Sarah’s poem, if nothing else. Everyone marveled at how I figured out the riddle note and found the cave, and wanted to know how I did it. I said I felt as though I was led there. It was the truth.

  I picked up a copy of the Cedar Oaks newspaper, and it was quite an article. Everything we uncovered was sensationalized. Which wasn’t hard to do, it really was pretty sensational. If only they knew who my detective partner was.

  It was Sunday night, and Jenny showed up at my door. She was very good about making sure I went out at least once a week. I knew I needed to do that, and appreciated that she was diligent in encouraging me, because otherwise I’d just sit at home by myself.

  I put Miles’ picture under my pillow, and let her in.

  “Come on,” she said, taking charge. “Let’s get you out of here for a while. I can tell you need somewhere else to be.”

  “You’re probably right,” I said dully.

  We went to the coffee shop, but for coffee and socializing this time. No games. I draw the line there, my life is already tortured enough, without adding that horror to the mix.

  I ordered a latte, about the only thing I felt like consuming these days, and sat at a table with Jenny and some of her friends, who I was trying hard to want to get to know. Not that there was anything wrong with them, it was just that everything was harder than it used to be.

  “Hey, Nate!” one of the guys at our table said, waving as he came in the door.

  Nate waved back. A few minutes later, coffee in hand, he sat in the empty chair next to me.

  “Hi, Anika, how are you?” he asked.

  “I’m great, Nate,” I said, wondering if a bigger lie was ever told.

  “Good, I’m glad to hear that. So what’s been keeping you busy lately?”

  Oh, let’s see… the word “suffering” sums it up pretty well.

  “The same old thing as usual,” I said. “So what have you been up to, Nate?”

  “Working, mostly. There’s more work than my guys can handle, since adding the estate to our client list.”

  “I can imagine,” I said, my head aching for so many reasons.

  “My brother recently moved here, and he’s joined the business, as partner. That’s allowing us to grow to meet the demand. I’m excited about it, working with him is great, plus his wife is an excellent cook, and I’m getting to spend time with my niece and nephew.”

  “That’s awesome, Nate,” I managed a smile, wondering which hurt worse—my heart or my head. “Family’s important.”

  He talked some more, and I tried to be engaged and listen.

  I don’t think anyone but Jenny could tell how hard I was fighting to act normal, but I felt worse the longer I was there. Nate is a really nice guy, and I felt like by trying to listen and be friendly, I was leading him on. I don’t know if I’d feel that way if Jenny didn’t tell me he asked if I was seeing anyone. But she did tell me, and I did feel that way.

  I finally begged Jenny to take me home. I had the worst migraine from holding in tears, and keeping emotions under lock and key. Nate offered to take me, and I was so thankful that Jenny insisted she’d do it.

  She apologized on the way, and said she wasn’t trying to set me up. She told him I lost someone and wasn’t up to dating, but guessed he was hoping to become friends, and be there when I was ready.

  I could understand if he was just trying to be friends… but he needed to find a girl who wasn’t emotionally bankrupt, if he didn’t want a lot of disappointment in the friend department as well as every other. He had no idea, and couldn’t possibly understand that in every way, I was broken. I hoped I wouldn’t always be, but… I was broken.

  After the newspaper article, I was contacted by a television program, History Detectives. The host of the program, Josh McDaniel, read the article and wanted to
devote an episode to Miles’ story.

  I was thrilled. Broadcasting Miles’ innocence in hopes that anyone who ever heard the lies would now hear the truth, made me feel like I was still able to do something for him.

  Josh had already approached Polly and received her okay to shoot video of the castle, and the items I found that belonged to the estate. I confirmed that with her, then called him back.

  Josh wanted more than to be shown around the estate, he wanted to interview me. It was really important to the guy, and I guessed it was because I tracked down all the info and no one could explain it like I could.

  It was more than that, though. The tie between Sarah Williams and great-great-great granddaughter Anika Riley, was played up big time. The newscaster pointed out that I was the secret to solving the mystery. The proof wasn’t located in the house, although supporting elements such as the death certificates and the evidence collected by Miles’ Father, were. It took me, the great-great-great granddaughter of Sarah Williams Lawrence, to come along at exactly the right moment in history, believing in Miles’ innocence, to track down what really happened to Sarah, and to hunt down her hatbox and acquire it from the salvage company before it went up for auction, in order to discover the truth. If anyone looked too soon or too late, that opportunity to locate the hatbox would have been unavailable, or gone forever. I was the mini celebrity of the day. They made as big a deal out of me as they did Miles, which I totally wasn’t expecting.

  The interview was very well done, I thought. Footage of the cave, the attic, the clearing, the castle, Miles’ and Delevan’s portraits, family photos, the hatbox and tin cases, the paper doll letter and the letter absolving Miles of guilt, Miles’ and Delevan’s guns and death certificates, the diagram Miles’ father drew, the salvage yard, the museum that is currently housing other artifacts salvaged from the Capricious… it was an hour-long program. A coroner was interviewed as well, and from what was written on the death certificates for Miles and Delevan, he confirmed that the original story was impossible. Miles couldn’t murder his brother, then be shot twice by that already dead brother.

  I have my suspicions that Sarah told the story the way she did, in hopes that its validity would be questioned by someone other than Miles’ parents. It just didn’t work out that way, the Sheriff of the time was determined to be blind to the evidence.