MURKY MANOR
Copyright 2008 by Steven & Margaret Larson
Cover Art Copyright 2008 by Betty Rieffer
Smashwords Edition
Published by Margaret Larson at Smashwords
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold. Thank you for respecting the work of the authors.
Other books available by these authors
CHILDREN’S FANTASY BOOKS
Cave of Discovery
Worlds Within
The World Beyond the Door
A COLLECTION OF WRITINGS
Thoughts on the Wind
Print versions available at www.lulu.com/larsonworlds
Visit us at our web site www.home.earthlink.net/~larsonworlds
CONTENTS
1 Turrets and Lightening
2 The Clipper Ship Diner
3 Moving In
4 The Gazebo
5 The Image in the Cup
6 Strawberry Crepes
7 Fog in the Rainforest
8 The Captain’s Church
9 An Unexpected Trip
10 Escape on Two Wheels
11 The Cataract
12 Pirate
13 The Antediluvian
14 Plants, Mold, and Mildew
15 Water Wisps at the Manor
16 Escape from the Inn
17 The Misty Way
18 Watermelons
19 Searching the Antediluvian
20 Edison’s Escape
21 Safe Keeping
22 A Safe Storm
23 Aftermath
24 Procuring a Boat
25 The Chase
26 Back to Murky
Epilogue
CHAPTER 1 - TURRETS AND LIGHTENING
The old willow tree’s top branches whipped around in the wind like stringy hair. A flash of lightening lit up the lower limbs. They scraped over the ground like gnarled fingers searching in the grass for something lost.
Meredith stood in front of the antique secretary desk and slid up the roll top. A small wooden replica of a gazebo sat on the desk. She released a catch in the back, and the roof lifted off like a box top. Inside a black cup nestled in a pile of vibrant blue silk.
She turned back to the windows. The outside world was bathed in purple light. Three sides of the small turret room had windows and cushioned seats. A cream colored cat sat with its nose pressed against the pane. Lightening flashed. She counted until she heard the boom in the distance. Seven seconds. Seven miles away.
Meredith pushed aside the leather bound book she had been reading and curled up beside the cat on the faded fabric. She had expected Captain Morgan’s journal to be full of exciting stories about his voyages. Instead the pages only contained navigational figures, duty rosters, and weather reports.
“What do you think of the storm, Thomas Edison?” She buried her fingers in his soft fur and was rewarded by a purr. “That’s what I think too,” she said softly. “It’s like the earth is being washed for an exciting event. Like my birthday.”
In two weeks she would be twelve. This visit to her aunt would be over by then. She would be home for her birthday. This year Heather, the most popular girl at school, had agreed to come to her party. Heather didn’t like rain. She said it messed up her hair. Maybe this year there would be clear skies. But it had always rained on her birthday, and she had always thought of it as part of the celebration. Until now.
The rain started with soft spatters. As the sky darkened, it tapped harder on the old glass. The house had stood there for over a century. Over time the glass had become wavy and thicker on the bottom. Water running down the surface further distorted the image of the yard far below.
Narrow bookshelves separated the deep-set windows. They were filled with old books. She closed the Captain's journal and placed it back on the shelf. The house was full of oddities collected by Captain Morgan on his voyages over a hundred years ago.
The hardwood floor was rough and uneven under her feet as she crossed the room. She stepped onto a tiny rug in front of the desk and wiggled her toes. Lightening flashed again and static in the rug popped against her foot.
Boom. Three seconds. Three miles. Edison jumped off the window seat and slunk down the spiral staircase that led to Meredith’s bedroom.
She took a lighter from a tarnished brass spittoon and lit two candles on the wall over the desk. She tugged on the edge of the scarf and it slithered away from the cup. Scooping up her hair, she tied the blue silk around her unruly curls. Loose strands hung down and clung to her sticky skin. The room lit up briefly. Thunder rolled. One second. One mile.
The cup had no handle and reminded her of a Japanese teacup, but much larger and heavier. She stretched her fingers around the cup. As she tilted it towards the candle, faint blue lines shimmered on the outside surface.
Eerie shadows danced on the walls. The musty odors of faded maroon drapes and old books blended together. She could see a reflection of candle flames in the now dark windows.
Then a brilliant light filled the room and shimmered around the window frame. The lines on the cup glittered. Strands of hair brushed across her cheek. Then everything went black.
Meredith shivered. The window must have blown open and snuffed out the candles. There was a cold breeze against her bare arms and legs. It smelled of damp earth. For a moment she smelled something spicy, almost like cinnamon but with a tartness she could taste. It lingered on her tongue like the time she had eaten a green apple. Could it be a fragrance from one of the candles?
The floor was cold as she took a step toward the window. She stubbed her toe, and let out a yelp as something fell with a soft thump. She knelt down and rubbed her toe. Her groping fingers brushed against cold metal. Stupid spittoon, she thought, and gave it a shove. A flash of lightening showed that she was facing an open doorway, not the window.
She caught a glimpse of the willow tree’s swaying branches scratching at the doorframe. She gasped and squeezed her eyes shut. The breeze stopped suddenly. She opened her eyes and looked up from where she crouched on the floor. The room was warm and had the familiar musty odor. In the candlelight she could see the spittoon still sitting on the floor beside the desk with the lighter poking out of the top.
The stairs creaked. Light bounced up the hallway walls. She heard her aunt’s voice.
“Meredith? Meredith are you up here?”
“Yes, Aunt Doris. I’m in the turret room.” She struggled to her feet, and put the cup on the desk. Doris stood in the doorway breathing hard.
“I was in the kitchen when the lightening hit and the electricity went out. Whoo! I thought I was starting to get in shape, but those three flights of stairs are a real workout. Guess I need to drop a few more pounds.”
“There’s no electricity?”
“Nope. Didn’t you hear that loud boom when the lights went out?”
When Meredith shook her head, the scarf came loose. Her light brown curls cascaded down her back. She caught the end of the scarf before it fell to the floor.
Doris raised her eyebrows and pressed her lips together. “Hmm. Well, it sounded like a major hit. The whole neighborhood is probably dark. Good thing we were planning on moving into town tomorrow.” She frowned at the candles.
In the moving light she looked a bit like a candle herself. Her hair was cut short and dyed bright red. The fine strands floated around her face like warm embers, softening the wrinkles. She handed Meredith a flashlight and blew out the candles.
“The Captain had two sons, Robert and David. They all lived in this house until the Captain died. Then the sons divided up the estate. David bought his own house and they dismantled their father’s ship. They used the lumber to build turrets onto their houses.”
“There’s another house with a turret like this?” Meredith asked.
“Not any more. Both houses were built in the 1800’s and lit by gaslights. One night during a thunderstorm, much like this one, David’s house burned down. After that, Robert had this house wired for electricity. All except this room.”
“I think electricity would spoil it,” Meredith said.
“Well, no electricity seems like a good excuse to eat out. What say we go to the Clipper Ship for supper?”
CHAPTER 2 - THE CLIPPER SHIP DINER
The rain stopped by the time Doris found her car keys. It was a short drive to the Clipper. Everyone else seemed to have had the same idea. Meredith was glad she had taken the time to change clothes. Heather always said, “You never know when you’ll meet someone, and you don’t want to look stupid.”
The parking lot was almost full when they arrived. Doris squeezed her small SUV in between two pickup trucks. One was red with a confederate flag decal covering the back window. The other truck was blue, rusty, and muddy. A tattered pirate flag hung from the antenna. Then again, it wasn’t likely she would meet anyone here.
She pulled her blue jacket tighter around her as they walked around puddles to the front entrance. It was lucky her mother had insisted she bring it. Who could have guessed she would need a jacket in August?
They crossed a short wooden bridge to the restaurant. It was built over the water like a ship docked at a pier. Outside the door, a wooden mermaid held a sign listing fresh seafood specialties.
As they opened the door they were greeted by a recording of an Irish tenor belting out a lively sea tune. A middle age man looked up from behind the counter and grinned. His black and silver hair was mostly hidden under a leather captain’s hat. It curled around the hat, and poked out at odd angles. He winked at Doris.
“Hello, Carlo,” Doris said. “Looks like everyone up on the hill has lost their electricity tonight.”
“Mean night for navigating the highways,” he said. “There’s one table left.” He pointed across the room.
He wore blue jeans, but his shirt was white silk with billowy sleeves. It looked like something from a costume shop for pirates. The overhead light glinted on the St. Christopher medal that hung around his neck on a gold chain.
They wound their way through the crowd to the table. Meredith unfolded her napkin and arranged her knife and fork on it. Stretching her fingers, she casually checked out her nails. Heather would be impressed. The white polish was still perfect and the tiny blue flowers on each nail were all intact. Carlo joined them. As the adults talked about the weather, Meredith scanned the room.
Next to the window overlooking the water, a man and woman sat at a table ignoring the view. He hunched awkwardly over the table and handed her one sheet of paper after another. His dark hair hung limp down the back of his neck. It covered his forehead emphasizing his long narrow nose.
The woman sat stiffly in her chair and frowned. With a long, skinny finger, he pointed to something on the paper. His chin had a defiant tilt as he waited for her response.
“What can I get for the young lady?” The voice pulled Meredith’s attention back to her own table. The server waited with his pencil poised.
After she gave her order, Meredith looked back across the room. The woman was leaving. The man scooped up the papers and stuffed them in his coat pocket. One sheet fluttered to the floor unnoticed. His legs were long and his body thin. In just a couple steps he had caught up with her. His talk was animated as they walked out together.
A girl clearing their table picked up the paper. She studied it for a moment, then slipped it into her pocket. As she passed through the swinging doors into the kitchen, the light fell on her black hair revealing blue highlights.
Meredith was just finishing dinner when a boy came up to their table. His hair was wet, but it didn’t weigh down the dark strands that curled around his ears.
“I heard you were looking for me,” he said.
Carlo tilted his head and grinned. “You look like something the cat drug in, son. Look what you’ve done to my floor.”
The boy looked down at his muddy shoes and frowned. “Oops. I guess that shortcut through the back was wetter than I thought.”
Carlo turned to Meredith. “This fine specimen of manhood is my grandson Tony. Tony, say hello to Meredith. She’s Doris’s niece and here for a couple weeks to help out while the old Murky Manor is being repaired.”
Tony’s face reminded her of a statue from her history book on the Greek classic period. His features were perfectly proportional, and he had the same sparkling blue eyes as Carlo. Then he grinned and a crooked tooth spoiled the image. He stuck out a hand that was moist and streaked with dirt.
Meredith grimaced, and shook his hand quickly. She wiped her hand off on her napkin. Tony looked at his hand and seemed surprised to see the dirt. He rubbed it on his jeans.
“I’ve seen Murky from the outside,” Tony said. “The school had a haunted house up there one Halloween a couple years ago. Actually it was just a haunted yard. We didn’t get to go inside.” He looked sad at this announcement. “Hope you’re not changing anything.”
“Just repairing the wiring,” Doris said. “The storm knocked out the electricity, but the wiring needed replacement anyway. I don’t want any fires.”
After dessert, it was decided that Tony would meet them in the morning to help them unpack. Doris smirked as she said, “Be sure to clean up before you come. Ms. Argon, the manager, runs a tight ship. She won’t be too happy to see children at all. Best not to startle her too much.”
He is rather startling, Meredith thought with a smile. Maybe he’ll be cleaner tomorrow.
The sky had cleared and the moon was out when they left the Clipper. Doris slowed the car and turned on Willow Drive. The streetlights were still out, and the high beam headlights lit up the glistening pavement.
Meredith leaned forward and peered through the windshield looking for the turnoff to the mansion. Moonlight shone intermittently through thick trees that lined both sides of the road. The only way Heather and her crowd would come out here would be for a Murder Mystery Party. Meredith’s Murder Mystery at Murky Manor. Had a nice ring to it.
“So who named this place Murky?” she asked.
“The town people started calling it that right after Morgan moved in. That’s when the fog started appearing. There was never fog on the hill before, or so the story goes. It settles in around sunset. Most days it doesn’t burn off until almost noon.”
“That’s rather spooky.”
“Yes, I guess it is. No one knows what causes the fog. The house isn’t real close to the water, and it’s up on a hill. It’s nice we’re in a car and not traveling by horse and buggy.”
Meredith agreed.
“I’ll bet Robert occasionally traveled this road on dark nights when returning home,” Doris said.
“He was Captain Morgan’s son, right?”
“Right. You remember that both brothers had turrets added to their houses made out of wood from the Captain’s ship. Robert also got the figurehead. He had it mounted under the turret. You saw it when you arrived this morning. When David’s house burned down, everything was destroyed. Except his turret.”
“What happened to it?”
“I heard it was turned into a gazebo.”
Meredith felt a tingle of excitement as she thought about riding alone in a buggy on a moonless night up this twisting road. What would it have been like to live at Murky Manor in those days?
She pictured coming up to the old house with the windows all lit up. A groom would be waiting to take the horse to the stable. Inside a maid would settle her in a comfy chair next to the crackling fire. Tantalizing smells of fruit pies would fill the room.
Doris stomped on the breaks. The seatbelt grabbed Meredith and jerked her back against the seat.
“Missed the turn,” Doris said, and backed up.
They pulled onto the private road, and fog filled the headlight beams. Doris turned the lights to low. Only a few feet of pavement were visible as the car crept up the hill.
The road snaked past huge tree trunks that appeared out of the vapor. The car emerged from the trees. Fog covered the ground, but a large moon filled the clear sky. The mansion was neither lit up nor welcoming. It was black and cheerless. The windows brooded menacingly down at Meredith as Doris parked the car.
She could just make out the dark outline of the figurehead. In daylight it had seemed cheery and welcoming. Now it was more like a watchful guardian that resented their presence.
“Here we are,” Doris said with a big smile. “Murky Manor’s not looking its best, but I’m sure the old house doesn’t mean any harm.”
She hopped out of the car and handed Meredith one of the lanterns that Carlo loaned them.
The lantern light gave Meredith’s room a melancholy feel. The storm had left the room cold. The bed was built into the wall like a ship bunk. As she climbed in, she wondered if it was the captain’s bunk. It was good she wasn’t very tall, or she wouldn’t have fit comfortably. At first the sheets were icy, but they soon warmed. It felt good to snuggle down under the blanket. She reached one arm through the chilly air to switch off the lantern. A soft thud on the bed let her know that Edison had come to join her. She fell asleep with his purr vibrating against her back.
CHAPTER 3 - MOVING IN
Meredith woke up early the next morning. She stretched, and her foot slid underneath Edison. She bounced him up and down until he gave a moan of complaint. His cream colored body was spotted with green light making the cat look like an alien from a B class movie.
Light came through a stained glass window with a pattern of leaves and small blue flowers. It could only be reached by ascending part way up a staircase. Metal steps began just a few feet from the bed and wound around and around in a tight spiral leading almost straight up.
Meredith dressed quickly and pattered up several steps. She peered between the leaves on the glass to see the grounds below. Doris was right about the fog. A thick cloud covered the yard. She hurried back to the bed.
“Come on, Edison. It’s moving day.”
Picking up the cat in one arm, she pulled the blankets over the bed. They hung unevenly down the side, and she gave the wrinkles a passing swipe. Edison responded with an indignant meow. She put him on the floor.
“Never mind, Edison. Heather will never know we didn’t make the bed properly.”
He dug his front paws into the rug’s dull green pile.
“Hey,” Meredith said. The cat flicked his tail and dashed up the stairs.
Meredith looked at the old rug. The pattern had faded into one mass of brownish green. Edison’s attention would hardly be noticed.
The steps were cold on her bare feet. She trailed her hand along the wrought iron being careful not to catch her fingers in the decorative metal leaves under the railing.
She came to a landing where an open door led into the turret. The stairway continued coiling up into unexplored darkness. No time to investigate now. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to know what was up there.
As she entered the turret, she passed between tall narrow bookshelves. It was like walking into the pages of a book, a secret world.
The panoramic view gave her a feeling of strength. Up here it didn’t matter what she wore. There were no fashion police to forbid wearing Heather’s color – pink. She could wear any color she wanted to up here. Of course she didn’t have anything pink, so it didn’t matter.
Only the treetops could be seen poking out of the fog. The old willow tree looked like the head of a monster rising from a lake. With a shudder, she grabbed the cup from the desk and rolled it up in the tiny rug. Back in her bedroom, she finished packing her clothes and hurried downstairs to help Doris.
The heavily packed SUV stopped in front of Green Earth Condos. Meredith pushed against the box that poked her side. This bumped the cat carrier, and Edison started howling again. He sounded hoarse.
From the time they had imprisoned him in the carrier, he had been growling and meowing his disapproval. Meredith had given up trying to talk soothingly to him. Finally, he had settled down to a low rumbling growl, but the jarring had set him off again.
Meredith picked up the carrier and followed Doris up the walk. A thin woman stood in the doorway watching their progress. She wore a long, moss green skirt that rippled in the faint breeze. Her sleeveless, brown tank top revealed impressive muscles. A vine tattoo circled one bicep. Meredith looked harder. Was that a butterfly in the tattoo? She shivered at the thought of how many needles that would take.
With each step Edison’s howls got louder and longer. The frown on the woman’s face got deeper and darker. She crossed her arms. The tense muscles pulsed in her biceps making the butterfly appear to move.
Doris smiled up at the woman when they reached the porch. Then Meredith recognized her as the woman from the Clipper. The one who had been talking to the fidgety man.
“Hello Ms. Argon,” Doris said, and set down her suitcase.
There was only one step up to the porch, but Ms. Argon towered over them. Her eyes shifted from Doris to the cat carrier.
“We have rules about noise levels. I don’t recall your contract including a cat.” Her eyes moved up to include Meredith. “Or a – child.”
She must think I have some disease, Meredith thought.
“Oh that’s alright,” Doris said with a smile. “I don’t mind they weren’t mentioned. Meredith is family, and just visiting. I’m sure Edison won’t complain about the noise – once he gets used to the apartment. He’ll do his part to make sure there aren’t any mice about.”
“Mice?” A flush of purple crept across her high cheekbones. Her voice dipped lower, and her eyes narrowed. “We have no mice.” She enunciated each word.
“Ah, well, I should think not. Now that Edison’s here you won’t have to worry about getting any. Nor rats either I shouldn’t think.”
There was a soft hiss of air as Ms. Argon gasped.
Doris picked up her suitcase and stepped onto the porch. “Come along, Meredith.”
Meredith’s knuckles turned white on the carrier’s handle. With Edison yowling and hissing, she squeezed past Ms. Argon and followed Doris into the lobby. The flesh on her back twitched as she waited for Ms. Argon to stop her, but that faded as she entered the lobby. It was like stepping into a jungle.
Chirping birds and croaking frogs mingled with the soothing sound of wall fountains. Flagstone sections branched off the green marble floor creating paths that led into thick masses of plants and tall grasses. A flash of yellow fluttered past her head. She turned to see yellow, orange, and blue butterflies dotting the flowers. Trailing vines wiggled in the breeze from whirring ceiling fans. Through the branches of ornamental trees, she caught glimpses of tall windows. The serene atmosphere was broken by a loud voice.
“Wow, this is really something.”
Meredith jumped and looked around for the voice. She spotted Tony standing on the pathway between the trees.
“You should come see the neat tables they stuck over by the window,” Tony said pointing behind him. “There’s a little pond too, but I couldn’t find the frogs. I think it’s just a recording.”
Meredith set the carrier down with a thump. The cat let out a howl.
“How did you get in here?” Ms. Argon said.
“Oh, he’s with us,” Doris said.
“I suppose he’s family too? Hopefully temporary?”
“Just here to help us move in.”
“Well, see that he stays with you – at all times. I will not have anyone trampling through my conservatory. These plants are delicate, expensive, and rare. You’ll be responsible for any damage. How long a stay are you planning?”
“I was planning just a week, but I found out this morning that the contractor I lined up for the job has cancelled. It’s hard to say how long it will take to line up someone else.”
Argon’s face paled. She cleared her throat. “I could recommend someone if you’d like.”
“Why, that’s very kind of you. Yes, please do that.”
“I’ll have him stop by on Monday to see you.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Doris said. “Here, Meredith. I’ll take Edison.” She took the carrier and led the way.
Tony picked up the suitcase, and they all squeezed into the elevator. Meredith pushed aside a runner from a hanging plant. As the doors were closing, she caught a glimpse of Ms. Argon. She stood with clenched fingers resting on her hips and a frown on her face.
Tony mumbled, “Nice muscles. I’d like to get a tattoo.”
CHAPTER 4 - THE GAZEBO
They made only four trips across the gleaming marble floor, but each time Meredith felt like someone was watching her. Once she caught a glimpse of a green skirt as Ms. Argon disappeared around a curve on the flagstone walkway. Another time all she heard was the rhythmic tapping of heels on the stone walk. They paused, then started again.
On their last trip through the lobby, an old man with his arms full of groceries shuffled ahead of them into the elevator. A shock of gray hair covered his head. It stood up in back where he had either forgotten to comb it or had been unsuccessful. He turned around and stared at the elevator buttons.
“Come onboard,” he said. “I don’t take up that much room. Besides, it would be helpful if you’d push the button for the second floor. Name’s Hank.”
Meredith could see Argon frowning at them from the front desk as the doors closed.
Tony introduced them, then asked, “Can I help with those?”
The old man handed him a bag. Meredith took the other one, and they followed him to his apartment.
As he fumbled with the key he said, “There’s another stairway you know.” He pointed a bony finger towards the end of the hall. “Not so visible if you take my meaning.” He winked. “Ms. Argon can be a bit overbearing.”
He took the groceries, said thank you, and closed the door.
“We can check it out later,” Meredith said. “Let’s eat.”
The two children sat on the floor in the living room. Meredith’s plate was empty except for a few grease spots left by the pizza. Mushroom chunks littered Tony’s plate where he had carefully pulled them off and lined them up on the edge. They hadn’t prevented him from eating five large pieces. Now he looked sadly at the empty box. If she ate that much, she’d have to stop shopping in the juniors’ section. It didn’t seem to be hurting him any. He looked like he’d been working out.
There were a few mushrooms lying in the bottom of the pizza box. She loved mushrooms, but she was afraid to pick them up. Tony might think she wanted his leftovers. His hands might look clean now, but she still remembered the mud from the night before. No sense taking chances.
Moving in had not taken long because the apartment came with furniture. It also came with plants. They were everywhere. She got up to throw away the box and had to push aside a vine to reach the wastebasket.
“These silly plants are everywhere,” Meredith said. “They’ve invaded the apartment. It’s like a rainforest.”
“Complete with an Amazon warrior.”
“With what?”
“Argon – the Amazon.” Tony grinned. “Didn’t you notice the muscles? She’d be perfect running through the thick jungle chasing…chasing…”
“Kids like us,” Meredith finished. “I wouldn’t call her that to her face. She looks like the type to put us in a cauldron and have us for breakfast.”
“Exactly. She probably stocked the pond with piranhas. Hey, that’s why I couldn’t find any frogs! They’ve all been eaten, and that recording is their last feeble cries for help.”
Meredith made a face. “That’s disgusting.”
“Has anyone see Edison?” Doris asked as she walked into the room.
Meredith gasped. “Maybe he got out and wandered down to the lobby.”
Tony jumped up. “He’ll be eaten by the piranha. He won’t know they aren’t goldfish. We’ve got to rescue him.”
A clattering crash came from the kitchen. It was followed by a scratching noise on the tile floor. A furry, cream colored blur with fluffed tail shot through the doorway and fled down the hall.
“Ah, there he is. No doubt looking for his supper,” Doris said.
“Okay if we go explore the grounds?” Meredith asked.
“Yes, but try to stay out of Ms. Argon’s territory.”
“Let’s take the stairs that Hank suggested,” Meredith said.
The steps were concrete. Scuff marks and scratches marred the plain white walls. A water stain darkened a ceiling tile.
“This is elegant,” Tony said. “Nothing pretentious like carpeting or wallpaper. Just the basics.”
“Hank was right though. It has something more important. A back door.”
Meredith opened the door at the bottom. A sidewalk extended a few feet before splitting into two paths. One led around the building to the front. The other path disappeared among trees in a park.
Tony grinned. “We skip the rainforest and the Amazon. Good move. This is great.”
They raced down the sidewalk. Maple tree branches intertwined overhead creating an arbor. Meredith slowed her steps to avoid slipping on the spinners and yellow pollen that littered the path. Flowerbed borders overflowed with multicolored impatiens and daisies.
They came to a wooden footbridge. Meredith leaned over the rail. A flower box had been built along the bottom edge. It was filled with primroses that climbed up the sides of the bridge and trailed down towards the water.
They followed the path around bushes and trees. It stopped at a huge weeping willow. Hanging limbs from the old tree drooped down, hiding the path.
“Shall we go in?” Tony asked. It was foggy under the tree. As he moved the branches, the mist scattered. Meredith felt the tingling sensation she always experienced when a storm was coming. The dangling branches in Tony’s hand quivered. It was like he was holding hands with the tree. She ducked, and scooted past him. The tiny leaves brushed her arm in a caress.
It was cooler under the canopy. Light filtered through the branches throwing bright speckles on the mossy ground. Ivy vines with glossy leaves crept up the trunk.
“The path doesn’t end after all,” Meredith said. She pointed to flagstones that led around the tree. Stepping from one stone to another they came to the backside. The path picked up again and led out through the hanging branches.
Meredith stepped off the last flagstone. She parted the branches and stopped.
“What is it?” Tony asked as he stepped up beside her.
She let the branches fall and pointed. A wooden gazebo sat in a clearing a few feet away. Evenly spaced windows wrapped around the building.
“It’s a gazebo,” Tony said. “Let’s check it out.”
She remembered the willow tree branches scratching at the open doorway during the storm the night before. She grabbed his arm. Her voice was hoarse. “No,” she said. “It’s the turret from Murky Manor.”
Tony tilted his head and squinted at the building. “You could be right. Maybe they were built by the same person. I only saw it at night. I don’t remember the turret that well. I was more impressed by the figurehead underneath it. They had a spotlight on it for the Halloween party.”
He stepped onto the gazebo’s small porch and looked in.
“It’s kind of messy in here. I guess the Amazon doesn’t come out this far.”
He turned around with a big grin, but it faded when he looked at Meredith’s face.
“You don’t look so good. Are you feeling okay? Maybe you should come in and sit down.”
He took her hand and pulled her inside. It was not at all like the turret room. No desk. No bookshelves. Instead of padded window seats, a built in wooden bench ran around the inside walls. Empty flowerpots with dirt still clinging to their insides littered the room.
Relieved, she sank onto the bench. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. Silly she thought. Of course it isn’t the turret room. This must be the turret from David’s house. Doris said it survived the fire and was turned into a gazebo.
A breeze through the window ruffled her hair. It carried the scent of tart cinnamon. She inhaled the pleasant aroma and thought of apple pies and cinnamon buns.
Suddenly she stiffened. It was the same smell as last night but without the rain. And what about the willow tree pawing at the doorframe? The tree at Murky Manor couldn’t have been at the door. The turret door was on the inside of the house.
A crash made her jump, and her eyes flew open. Tony was hopping on one foot. He limped over to the bench and sat down. “Didn’t see the dumb thing,” he muttered while rubbing his ankle.
Meredith shivered. In the middle of the floor a brass spittoon was slowing spinning on its side.
CHAPTER 5 - THE IMAGE IN THE CUP
Meredith pushed the gazebo out of her mind. It had been a long day. She just wanted to finish unpacking and go to bed.
She placed the last of her clothes in the dresser. The smell of new carpet replaced the odor of particle wood as she slid the drawer closed. The furniture had come from an “assemble it yourself” store and looked like standard hotel room furnishings. After the eccentric antique pieces at Murky, the modern furniture was dull but functional.
The only unusual things in the apartment were the plants. They populated all the rooms. Like aliens who were curious about the new tenants, they seemed to watch her movements. The drab beige walls made a striking backdrop for the abundant shades of green foliage. Dark forest green rubber trees lurked in corners with their roots tucked into clay pots. Ivy and spider plants dangled from the ceiling. Their vines and leaves tickled her face when she ducked through doorways.
Even her bedroom had plants. A skinny fichus tree stood in the corner and leaned into the room. Blue morning glory vines climbed out of a squat brown pot on the floor. They wound around the leg of a small square table in front of the window. Several leaves poked over the tabletop and reached for the light.
Of course the flowers were blue. It seemed to be the only color in her life since Heather had chosen it for her. Even the flowers on her nails were tiny blue forget-me-nots. “So you won’t forget your friends while you’re gone,” Heather had said.
She sat on a chair by the window. The screen on the bottom half blurred her view of the park. The sun appeared to be sitting on the top of the trees. Branches scattered the light as it made its way to the ground. She traced the stone path that led to the willow tree.
As dusk settled in, the full moon appeared to get brighter. It was probably quite dark now under the willow. The branches quivered. They seemed to be beckoning things to venture closer. Close enough to be caught and drawn under the canopy.
The branches parted at the bottom, and a small creature jumped out. It looked around for a moment. Then began nibbling on the grass. Only a rabbit she thought. What was she expecting?
The wind picked up and stirred the leaves making them dance along the branches. She squinted at the dark gazebo windows. It looked like there might be movement inside. After watching carefully, she decided it was just the play of light and shadows.
Something tickled her shin. She jerked her leg and hit the table.
“Ow!” she said.
“Meow!” said Edison
The plant wobbled on the table. She caught it before it tumbled over the edge.
“You almost dumped the plant, Edison. Ms. Argon will turn you into a stuffed doorstop if you kill one of her plants.”
She reached down and scratched the cat’s back. He responded with a loud purr. She straightened the pot.
“Looks like this plant is already on its last leg. Or rather stem. Its leaves look like shamrocks, but it hasn’t been too lucky.”
It was the only plant Meredith had seen in the apartment that wasn’t healthy. The tiny flowers were so badly shriveled it was impossible to tell what color they had been. The leaves were wilted, and the dirt in the pot was hard and dry.
Meredith picked up her tiny rug and shook it out in front of the bed. The cup spilled out and rolled across the carpet. Edison growled and pounced. He caught it just before it hit the chair leg.
“Good catch, Edison,” Meredith said as she pulled the cup from between his paws. He swiped at her with an indignant meow.
She went to the bathroom sink. In the fluorescent light the cup had a definite blue tint that she hadn’t noticed in the turret. Maybe it was just the candlelight that had made it look black.
After watering the plant, she filled the cup again and waited for the water to seep into the soil. The chair cushion didn’t offer much padding, but the plastic had a spring to it as she sat down. She set the cup on the windowsill.
Leaning forward, she clasped her hands around the cup and gazed at the liquid. A reflection of the moon floated in the water. In the moonlight, the shiny lines on the cup appeared brighter than last night.
Ripples from her breath distorted the image. Her eyes felt heavy. A mist skimmed over the surface. It looked like the form of a bird landing on the water in slow motion. She caught a whiff of tart cinnamon and suddenly was wide-awake. The mist swirled to the sides of the cup, and she bent closer. Something bobbed up and down on the ripples. Cool, damp air touched her face making her shiver. It was a girl floating on a piece of wood.
She heard voices that sounded far away.
“I want to save the girl.”
“Meredith?”
“Hurry, there’s not much time.”
“Wait at the door.”
“Meredith.”
There was a knocking sound, and she looked up. Doris was in the doorway.
“Didn’t you hear me calling? Dinner’s ready.”
Meredith turned back to the cup. The image was gone. The water was clear. As she closed the curtains she thought she saw a shadow in the gazebo doorway, but it faded quickly.
CHAPTER 6 - STRAWBERRY CREPES
Meredith stretched and blinked at the alarm clock’s glowing red numbers. 7:00 a.m. Morning sunlight fell on the potted plant in front of the window. The flowers were still shriveled, but the leaves no longer drooped.
Peppy guitar music drifted down the hall. It thrummed in her brain. Doris had unpacked her exercise video.
“Four, three, two, one. Let’s just stretch that out. To throw in a balance challenge, lift your right foot and point your toes while…”
A loud crash was followed by an indignant howl. Small paws galloped down the hall. Meredith sat up as Edison dashed into the bedroom.
“Sorry, Edison…” Doris called from the living room. The music from the exercise video continued on. Edison sat on Meredith’s rug. He smoothed down his fluffed tail with short, vigorous licks.
“Do you miss Murky Manor, Edison?” Meredith scratched his ears, and he allowed himself to be comforted.
In the morning light, the cup definitely looked blue. Faint lines appeared to be etched on its surface. She filled it with water and studied the liquid. There were no images inside. With a quick movement she dumped the water on the plant, and left the cup on the hall table.
Doris had rolled up her exercise mat, and was vacuuming up dirt. She flicked off the hand vacuum as Meredith entered.
“Not as roomy here as it was at Murky. I’ll have to make a few adjustments.”
She pursed her lips as she pressed dirt around an African Violet in a small pot. The flower looked lopsided. Several of its leaves were broken. Doris set it on the end table and gave it a critical look.
“I don’t think Ms. Argon will notice, do you?”
Meredith smirked. “Uh…maybe it will recover before we move out.”
Doris nodded. “What say we head down to the Clipper and get some fruit crepes?”
“Won’t that defeat your exercising?”
“Nonsense. That’s why I exercise. Well, one reason. It’s not raining yet. We’ll walk. That’ll burn off some calories.”
Meredith looked over the menu while they waited for the server. Pancakes and waffles dripping with butter and whip cream. Eggs loaded with cholesterol. Bacon and sausage oozing with fat. And everything topped with sugary syrup.
If she kept eating like this, she wouldn’t have to worry if her clothes were in fashion. She’d have to buy a whole new wardrobe. She could even buy pink. Heather was fanatical about weight control. A slow smile crept across her lips. But Heather wasn’t here now. She decided to go with the crepes and whip cream.
“Hello, I am Amari. Have you chosen?”
The words had a strong cadence. Almost like a chant. Meredith looked up to see the waitress. It was the girl who had been clearing Ms. Argon’s table a couple nights ago. Her dark blue eyes almost matched the streaks in her black hair. Meredith wasn’t sure if they were highlights or dark blue dye.
“Strawberry crepes,” Meredith said. “With whip cream.”
“Straw-berry crepes,” Amari repeated, enunciating each syllable. She stared at Meredith’s hands, then turned to Doris. “You have chosen?”
“Sounds good to me,” Doris said. “I’ll have whip cream too.”
Meredith glanced at her nails. They looked fine. What was she looking at? As Amari walked away Meredith noticed the back of her T-shirt. It had a picture of a large pine tree with words in a circle around it. Evergreen Landscaping – We Beautify Your Yard.
Meredith made a face. Who’d wear a shirt with an advertisement on it? Especially in public. If Heather were here, she would be hysterical.
When Amari returned with the food, Meredith noticed her belt buckle had a buffalo on it. Where did she get those strange clothes?
Meredith looked down at her own outfit. Heather had helped her pick it out. Her t-shirt had a sprinkling of tiny white flowers scattered across one shoulder. It was the perfect shade of blue to coordinate with her navy shorts.
The crepes were delicious. Each bite was a mix of sweet pastry, slightly tart berries, and smooth cream. She scooped up the last spoonful.
“Gramps asked me to bring this out.”
Tony set a small plate down on the table. It held a heart shaped scoop of ice cream surrounded by a drizzle of chocolate syrup. An imbedded strawberry leaned off center, and slowly slipped down the side of the mound.
Meredith swallowed. The crepes felt heavy in her stomach. Maybe all this sweetness was not such a good idea first thing in the morning.
Doris giggled. “Well that’s very pretty, but even a walk back to the apartment won’t compensate for this meal and that dainty. Why don’t the two of you split it? I told Ms. Argon I would meet her this morning to set up an appointment with the repairman. Don’t let the sugar go to your heads. Stay out of trouble.”
Tony slid into her spot, and grabbed a fork. “You want the strawberry?”
Meredith picked up the berry and nibbled on it while Tony gobbled up the ice cream. She watched Doris talk to Carlo at the cash register. They leaned toward each other over the counter. For a terrible moment, Meredith was afraid he was going to kiss her. She sighed with relief when they both started laughing instead.
“Would have been a great morning for fishing.”
The voice came from a nearby table where two old men sat. The speaker’s gnarled fingers were wrapped around his coffee cup. The other man spoke up.
“Yep. Just like yesterday and the day before. We been out every day this week and haven’t caught a thing. Even the pesky seagulls seem to have flown off somewhere.”
“I think maybe it’s that tropical storm hanging out in the Atlantic. Helga I think they named it. Animals can sense those kind of things you know.”
The clinking of plates turned Meredith’s attention back to her table. Amari was picking up the dishes. How had she sneaked up so quietly? She held out the plate, and pointed to the stem Meredith was still holding. Surprised, Meredith dropped it on the plate. Amari’s flip flops slapped softly as she walked away.
“She’s weird,” Meredith said. “Does she live around here?”
Tony shrugged. “Just showed up one day and wanted a job. Gramps said she must have waited tables before somewhere. Seems to know what she’s doing. Real quiet though – and talks funny when she says anything at all.”
CHAPTER 7 - FOG IN THE RAINFOREST
They returned to Green Earth Condos. Hank was coming out the front door muttering to himself.
“Crazy summer. Cold and rainy all the time. Now the fog’s getting inside the building.” He looked up and smiled. “Watch your step in there. Ms. Argon must have brought in a fog machine for her rainforest.”
When they entered the lobby, thin strands of mist crawled over the marble floor. A patch hovered by the wall fountain. The running water made Meredith want to head upstairs to the bathroom.
“No one at the front desk,” Tony said. Then he dropped his voice to a hoarse whisper. “The Amazon is out. Let’s check out the indoor rainforest.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the path through the ornamental trees. A short footbridge spanned a shallow pond. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a couple pennies. Grinning, he dropped one in her hand. He flipped the other coin into the water. It landed with a soft plop. Meredith was about to toss the coin when she heard a woman’s voice.
“You won’t have any trouble at the house. They’re both staying here until the job is done.”
Meredith’s fingers closed around the coin. She turned to Tony.
“The Amazon.” She mouthed the words.
A man’s voice answered. “Good. I don’t want any annoying children under my feet when I’m trying to work. The old lady will be difficult enough. But I’m very interested in this job. That house is unique. It deserves special attention.” His voice was high pitched and grating.
“Well, don’t take too long on the job. My plants aren’t used to carelessness,” Argon said. “One child attracts another. Now that boy is hanging out here too.”
“There’s more stray kids than cats these days,” he said. “I think this town is a corridor for runaways. Did you see that strange one at the Clipper?”
“Just because her hair is dyed blue doesn’t make her strange.”
His voice had a slight whine. “I’m not so sure it’s dye. Her eyes are the same dark blue.”
“Probably tinted contacts.”
“I don’t think so. There’s something uncanny going on behind those eyes. Do we know where she’s from?”
“You’re not going to say from Atlantis are you?” Her voice sounded tired.
“The Atlanteans were very fond of blue,” he said. “A deep blue the color of the sea. Some progressive scholars believe they all had blue eyes.”
“Lots of people have blue eyes. That doesn’t mean they’re from Atlantis.”
“Sometimes it is the dreamers that have a clear understanding of the truth. The dusty minds of professors are clouded and can’t interpret the facts that are right in front of them.”
“In what facts have you found hidden truth?”
“When I find the artifact you’ll see.” He sounded arrogant like a know-it-all professor. “What do you think is causing all this strange weather? Things are out of alignment. Just like they were 150 years ago. They were having strange weather then too. And in the Captain’s notes, he described IT as blue.”
A chair scraped across the tile floor. Meredith pulled on Tony’s arm and they raced outside.
They didn’t stop until they reached the gazebo. Panting, Meredith collapsed onto the bench. It was chilly inside the building.
Tony sprawled on the other bench. “Who do you think she was talking to?”
Meredith shivered. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the dimness. “I hope he’s not the guy Doris hired to fix the electric. It sure sounded like he was describing Murky Manor.”
“Is it really spooky there?” Tony asked.
She laughed. “Well, there are a lot of odd things in the house. Apparently the Captain brought them back from his voyages. I don’t know how he found room on the ship for anything else.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“Oh, old paintings and photographs. Corners are filled with statues and urns. Walls are covered with face masks, swords, and tapestries. It was eerie that night the power went out. It’s pretty dark in there without electricity, even in the middle of the day.”
Meredith swung her feet back under the bench, and they hit something soft. She hung her head down over her knees and squinted into the shadow.
“What’s this?” Her fingers dug into cloth. When she pulled on it, she almost tumbled off the bench. A canvas bag slid into view.
Tony said, “That wasn’t here yesterday. What’s in it?”
“Probably old rags for cleaning.”
The drawstring gave way, and the bag fell open. Inside were t-shirts, jeans, skirts, and a pair of old tennis shoes. She held up one of the shirts. Cater Lake was printed across the front. She grimaced.
“Tourist stuff. Look at this.” She giggled as she held up a brown skirt with a parrot and palm tree.
“That would look good on the Amazon,” Tony said.
“I don’t think they’d fit her.
Something pink was near the bottom. She tugged on it, and pulled out a jacket. The soft fleece slid over her arm. She ran her fingers over its surface. The dim light cast shadows making the fabric in the folds a deep rose color. Something fluttered to the floor, and Tony picked it up.
“What is it?” Meredith asked.
They bent over it together as Tony unfolded the piece of paper. “It’s a clipping from a newspaper. Looks like a tree with some patchy fog on the ground.”
“That’s the willow tree,” Meredith said.
“The one outside here? That doesn’t look like the park.”
“No. The one at Murky. Must be late in the day because there isn’t much fog. There’s just that strange column of mist next to the tree. It goes up several feet. Read the caption.”
Tony read. “When Captain Morgan moved into the old manor, the fog moved in with him. It wasn’t long before neighbors dubbed the place Murky Manor. This picture was taken from the newly constructed turret that Robert Morgan added to the house he inherited from his father. Note the strange column of mist in the yard.”
“Willow trees seem to attract fog,” Meredith said.
“Could be just water from a sprinkler.”
She nodded. “Wonder who left these clothes here.”
“Maybe that guy is right,” Tony said. “Maybe there’s a runaway living right here in the gazebo.”
Meredith was thoughtful as she put the clipping and the jacket back in the bag. “Last night I thought I saw a shadow in the doorway.”
“You mean while we were here?”
“No, silly. Later. From my window.”
“You can see the gazebo from your window?” He leaned out the door and squinted. “Yeah. I can see part of the building through the trees. Can’t really make out windows though. Looks like it might rain.”
“That’s not all I saw last night,” she said.
He sat down next to her, and put one foot up on the bench. With a disarming grin he said, “Do tell. What other shadows did you see?”
Unlike Amari’s dark blue, alien eyes, Tony’s eyes were a clear blue. In spite of, or was it because of, his casual manner she felt drawn to him. He invited confidence. She found herself telling about the cup, and the image floating in it.
“This cup was from the manor?”
She nodded. “It belonged to the Captain.”
A crack like a twig breaking made her look towards the window. It was getting dark outside. She could just make out the waving willow tree branches.
She jumped up. “Let’s get back to the condo before the storm hits.”
It felt weird to be afraid of a storm. She loved storms. Why did this feel different?
The rain started when they reached the back door. They took the stairs. Edison met them at the door with loud meows.
Meredith laughed. “I better feed him. The cup is on the table at the end of the hall.”
As Tony went to get the cup, she popped open a can of cat food and crinkled up her nose.
“Is it this blue one with no handle?” Tony called.
“Dark blue,” she called back. “I don’t know how you eat this stuff, Edison. This is disgusting.” She scraped the food into his bowl. Loud purrs were punctuated with gulping as he tried to eat and purr at the same time. His fur was soft against her fingers as she scratched his back. It was almost as soft as the pink jacket.
She stood up and called, “Did you find it?” There was no answer. “Tony?”
She heard a soft moan. A chill went down her spine, and she looked around the corner. Tony stood in front of the small table. His hands gripped the cup as he leaned over it.
With a few quick steps she was beside him.
“Tony? Are you alright?” She put her hands around his on the cup. Water sloshed inside. He looked up.
“It looks like it goes down a long way…” His voice trailed off and his fingers released their grip.
“Careful,” she said. Water spilled onto her fingers as she caught the cup.
The front door opened. Doris called, “Meredith? You home?”
“Down the hall watering the plant,” Meredith called. She dumped the water onto the fichus tree and set the cup back on the table. It wasn’t her imagination. The cup was a lighter blue than she remembered.
“Well, the plants outside won’t need water for awhile. Good thing I had my raincoat. It is pouring out there!” She came into the living room fluffing her hair. It floated out from her head and settled back down in a red mass. “Oh, hello, Tony. I picked up some donuts. If we’re lucky they’ll still be hot.”
Tony looked up. His stomach rumbled. Meredith snickered, and they followed Doris into the dining room. As she opened the box the smell of sugar and cinnamon drifted up.
CHAPTER 8 - THE CAPTAIN’S CHURCH
Meredith’s blue sundress flared out as she twirled in front of the mirror. The nice thing about church, she thought, was dressing up. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, but it refused to stay. With a smile, she slipped on her sandals and admired her small feet. She hurried down the hall. Carlo and Tony had just arrived.
“I thought we might visit the old Lutheran church up the street,” Carlo said. “The building is over 200 years old making it an historical site.”
“That might be interesting,” Doris said. “The realtor who sold me Murky mentioned it has a long history in the town.”
“There are some really old tombstones in the churchyard,” Tony whispered as they followed the adults down the stairs. “Some go back to the 1700’s and have some pretty clever epitaphs.”
Meredith grimaced. “Sounds great.” Now I’m dressing up for dead people she thought.
The church was an imposing, gothic structure. It sat back from the road with a small cemetery on the side. The grass was well kept, but the tombstones were old and worn. Some leaned at odd angles.
They passed through the tall, red double doors into a dim sanctuary. The walls, furnishings, floor, and ceiling were all polished oak. Stained glass windows scattered a rainbow of colors across the glossy pews.
Meredith was surprised to see Hank shuffling down the aisle toward them. A label tag identified him as an usher.
“Hello, Hank,” Doris said. “I didn’t know you attended here.”
“Fifty years,” he said. “First time for you?”
Doris nodded.
“Ah, then you should sit in the Captain’s pew.”
Doris’ eyes lit up. “Captain Morgan? He attended here?”
Hank nodded and led them down the aisle. His hair glistened where he had attempted to slick it down in back, but one piece was still defiant.
He stopped at a pew near the front. “Here we are.”
They filed in and sat down. Meredith stopped to read the brass plate on the end of the pew.
“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love Him?”
Hank said, “Back in the days when the church charged pew rent, Captain Morgan purchased this pew for his family. His family wasn’t big, and the Captain was always away on some voyage. So he stipulated that visitors and the poor could always sit in his pew.” His eyes twinkled. “Some of the congregation didn’t like it, but his pew was always full.”
Overpowering notes from the pipe organ flooded the room as the choir filed in. Hank sauntered back down the aisle, the tuff of hair swaying in rhythm. The music drowned out most of the singing. Meredith didn’t mind. She didn’t know the songs and she could sing as loud as she liked.
After the singing, a young man came out. His short-cropped, blonde hair and tanned skin contrasted sharply with his white shirt. He announced that his sermon would be taken from Matthew chapter 6. This was the pastor? He looked more like a surfer. Meredith sat up to listen.
He read, “So why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
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