The Haunted Stroll

by J A Whiting

  Lin looked horrified at the suggestion. “No.”

  “They have a young grandchild,” Anton pointed out. “Is it worth putting the child in danger?”

  Lin’s heart jumped at the thought. “No, it isn’t, but the Snows feel a duty to follow Mrs. Baker’s stipulation that the painting remain in the Tangerine Street house. And the ghost would have a fit if the painting was removed from the mansion.”

  “He’d probably get over it,” Anton said. “This Robo person is not above committing murder.”

  The word hung in the air and Viv and Lin shuddered.

  Anton added, “It’s the Snows’ decision. Tell them this news so they can decide what the best course of action is moving forward.” After taking a sip of his coffee, the historian said, “I have other news.”

  “You are a wealth of information today,” Viv said seriously. “I hope this second bit of info doesn’t involve thugs, thieves, and killers.”

  “That might depend on your perspective.” Anton flipped to the back of his notebook. “I discovered some letters in the historical museum. There is information to suggest that when Mr. Witter bought the Tangerine Street mansion from the captain, he also purchased the captain’s portrait.”

  “Why would Witters do that?” Viv asked.

  “It seems Mr. Witter had the idea to create an owner’s gallery in the house with the thought of ultimately having the portraits donated to one of the island institutions in the distant future. Captain Baker’s portrait would be the first. Witters had plans to have his portrait painted and intended to hang both paintings in the house’s library, hoping each new owner would do the same. Eventually, the art would be given away. Witters seemed to have a very large ego and he delighted in thinking his portrait would hang in a place of honor for centuries to come.”

  “How do you know all this?” Lin asked.

  “I found a few letters referring to the paintings and some notes from the time of the house’s sale from Baker to Witters. There was a notation mentioning the painting would be counted as part of the sale of the home.”

  “That would explain why the captain’s portrait was hanging in the living room when Witters owned the house,” Lin said.

  “If the plan was that someday the owners’ portraits would go to a museum or the library or to a special place somewhere in town, why would Mrs. Baker have created the stipulation about Captain Baker’s portrait staying in the house?” Viv questioned.

  “The second owner was murdered before he could sit for his portrait,” Anton said. “The plan must have been abandoned after he and the captain were killed.”

  “I wonder,” Lin said, thinking out loud. “I wonder if Mrs. Baker could see ghosts.”

  Viv’s jaw dropped. “Why do you say that?”

  Lin said, “The captain’s ghost may have lingered in the house after he died. He may have taken up living in the house soon after he was murdered. Maybe his wife could see him, maybe she knew her husband was going to stay in the mansion, maybe Captain Baker’s spirit was connected to his portrait. That’s the reason she had the stipulation drawn up … to encourage new owners to keep the painting with the house.”

  “That is a very interesting theory.” Anton nodded slowly.

  “Captain Baker sent me that vision of the murders,” Lin said. “Why did he? Why did he choose to send that particular incident to my mind?”

  “What are you getting at?” Anton asked.

  “I think Alexander Popov’s ridiculous offer for the painting has something to do with the murders,” Lin said. “I think the desire for the painting has something to do with the killer, Joseph Bandy. Witters supposedly cheated Bandy. In the vision, when Bandy stormed into the living room with the gun, he yelled about Witters’s dishonesty. Does what’s going on have something to do with Joseph Bandy?”

  23

  Viv invited Lin and Leonard to come for dinner and they sat in front of the crackling fire with cups of tea while they waited for the chicken Parmesan to be ready. Nicky and Queenie rested together on the rug in front of the fire.

  “Jeff and John can’t make it here in time for dinner, but they’re going to try to join us for dessert,” Viv told Leonard as she adjusted the soft blanket she had over her legs.

  “It sure is cozy in here,” Lin said with a yawn. “I could doze off after working out in the cold all day.”

  “You need to toughen up, Coffin,” Leonard teased.

  “I was thinking we need to work smarter, not harder,” Lin said. “We should hire a bunch of people to work for us in the winter. That way we could just sit in the warm house and collect the money.”

  “Except there isn’t that much money in the winter to collect. If we pay a bunch of workers, we’ll be left with nothing,” Leonard reminded Lin.

  Lin smiled. “It was an idea anyway.”

  “It was a dumb idea,” Leonard grumped.

  Viv and Lin chuckled.

  The young women had decided not to bring up the subject of Marguerite unless Leonard initiated. Although he continued to be quieter than usual and sometimes fussy and impatient at work, once in a while, Lin could get him to smile at her silly jokes. She asked in only general terms how he was doing since Marguerite had left him to cross over and she and Nicky were kind and gentle with the man.

  Viv thought it would be a good idea to invite Leonard over for dinner to get him out of the house and she and Lin were pleasantly surprised when he agreed to the invitation.

  Leonard asked, “What’s going on at the Snows’ place? Has anything changed?”

  “Nothing,” Lin said. “But Anton did find out a few new things.” She gave her partner the low-down on what the historian discovered.

  “Carl Rodo and Alexander Popov.” Leonard considered what he’d just heard. “They sound like two guys from a crime movie.”

  “From what we’ve learned about them, they behave like two guys from a crime movie,” Viv said. “I never knew there were so many terrible criminals in the world until all these ghosts started showing up asking Lin for help. I guess I’ve had my head in the sand all these years.”

  “Sometimes it’s better to have your head in the sand,” Lin said.

  “So this Carl Rodo person is the one who came to Robert’s gallery to make an offer for Captain Baker’s painting?” Leonard questioned.

  “That’s what we think,” Lin said. “Rodo has represented Alexander Popov in different business dealings including in art acquisitions.”

  “According to what Anton learned, those two are ruthless.” Viv shuddered. “I’d just toss the painting at them and tell them to go away.”

  “You wouldn’t,” Lin said.

  “Is it worth people getting killed over?” Viv asked. “There’s a young boy living in that house. What if these fools hurt him to get what they want? Or worse?”

  “Viv’s got a point,” Leonard said.

  “The painting belongs to the Snows. They’re the ones who have to decide what to do.” Lin gave a shrug. “My fear is that if the painting moves somewhere else, then the captain will lose the ability to communicate with me. I told the Snows what Anton learned about Rodo and Popov. They’re discussing the situation as a family.”

  “What is it about that painting that has these two monsters so determined to get at it?” Leonard asked.

  “I wish we knew,” Lin sighed. “Supposedly, a man named Joseph Bandy killed Roger Witters because a business deal between the men went sour and Bandy lost all his money.”

  Viv said, “When Lin had the vision, she heard Bandy yell at Witters. He said I trusted you. You took it from me. Now I’ll take your life.”

  “What was the business deal?” Leonard asked.

  “We don’t know,” Lin told him.

  “What did Joseph Bandy do for work? Was he wealthy?” Leonard asked.

  “We don’t know.”

  Viv got up to get her laptop. “Do you think there’s any information about him online?”

  “One way to
find out,” Lin said as the three of them clustered together on the sofa to see what came up in the internet search.

  Viv tapped away and scrolled through the various articles and entries about Nantucket history. “This one mentions his name.” She read more of the information. “It reports Bandy as a deranged man who broke into the Tangerine Street house and murdered Witter, Captain Baker, and Baker’s son. The article describes Bandy as a laborer. He had a wife and young daughter.”

  “So I guess Bandy wasn’t a wealthy man,” Lin suggested.

  Viv read on, “Bandy ran from police, was captured, fought the officers, and died from a blow to the head. When the police caught him, Bandy kept shouting that Witter had stolen from him.”

  “What was it that happened between the men?” Lin asked. “What was the deal they were doing together? How did Witters cheat Bandy?”

  “That information is probably lost to time,” Leonard said. “Maybe only Witters and Bandy knew about the deal, and if Witters did cheat the guy, they both died along with the truth.”

  “It’s so frustrating,” Viv said shaking her head. “What that deal involved might have been the key to unlocking this mystery.”

  “Tell me again what you know,” Leonard suggested. “Sometimes when you’re too close to things, you miss something important. I’m not in the middle of this mess like you two are.”

  Viv and Lin reviewed what they knew.

  “Sebastian and Emily showed up outside the gallery one evening when we were working there,” Lin said. “They sent me a mental message. Listen for the click. Viv and I have tried to think of everything that makes a clicking noise.”

  Leonard said, “You told me you thought you heard a clicking or scratching noise when you were in bed on the night you were followed home.”

  Lin nodded. “I heard it again the next night. It was only a branch rubbing against the house.”

  “What are you planning to do when you hear this clicking sound?” Leonard asked.

  “I have my pepper spray in my pocket most of the time,” Lin said.

  “That’s not going to help against a weapon like a gun. Do you have the police on speed dial?”

  “No. I should do that.”

  “Do it now,” Leonard told her.

  Lin went to the closet, got her phone out of her coat pocket, and set up the police emergency number on speed dial.

  “Keep the phone near you all the time,” Leonard said. “It doesn’t help if it’s in your coat pocket when the coat is hanging in a closet.”

  “I keep the phone in my pocket whenever I’m at the Snows’ house or gallery.”

  “Good.” Leonard gave a nod. “Things are heating up. Someone broke into the Snows’ house. Someone followed Lin home. Something’s coming to a head.” He looked Lin in the eye. “You need to be on guard. You need to be ready. If those guys are planning to steal the captain’s painting, it’s going to happen soon.”

  Lin was still holding her phone in her hand when it vibrated with an incoming text. “It’s from Robert. They’ve decided to move the painting from their property to somewhere safe. It’s being moved tonight.”

  “Does he say where the painting is going?” Viv asked.

  “To David and Anna Masterson’s house in ‘Sconset. They owned the mansion before the Snows bought it from them. They care deeply for the ghost. The Mastersons know what’s going on. They understand the danger. They’re going to hide the painting anyway.”

  “Why can’t the police help?” Viv’s voice was full of anger.

  “The Snows discussed the situation with them. The painting’s worth doesn’t justify such a threat despite the break-in at the Snows the other day,” Lin said. “The police assure the Snows that an officer will go by the house and gallery several times a day.”

  “They can’t post an officer at the gallery because of a possible theft,” Leonard said. “It’s good of them to send an officer by to check on things.”

  “The Snows did the right thing by moving the painting out of the house,” Lin said. “I won’t be able to communicate with the ghost anymore, but I think I’ve got the information I need.” With a sigh, she added, “I hope.”

  When the meal was ready, they sat down to eat and avoided any more discussion of the Snows, the captain, and the two criminals who were after the painting. Jeff and John showed up within ten minutes of each other and the group enjoyed a cinnamon coffee cake and a lemon meringue pie for dessert.

  The group finally broke up with all of them moaning about the late hour and having to get up early the next day.

  “It’s going to be really busy in the bookstore,” Viv said. “Day two of the holiday stroll is always mobbed.” She thanked her cousin and Leonard for moving their clients around so Lin could help out in the shop again.

  Leaving the house to head home, Lin could see a change come over her partner and she knew he was dreading returning to his empty house.

  “I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.” Lin gave the man a hug before he got into his truck. “Come by the bookstore for lunch if you have time.”

  Jeff drove Lin and Nicky back to her cottage and on the way he said, “I think it was a smart thing to move the painting to the Mastersons. It will prevent the painting from being stolen.”

  Lin agreed, and when Jeff stopped his vehicle in front of Lin’s place, he got out and walked her to the door where he kissed her goodnight. He didn’t leave the front step until he heard the door lock and the deadbolt slide into place.

  Lin hung up her coat and then she stood stock still.

  Moving the painting to another house will probably keep it safe, but Rodo and Popov don’t know it’s been removed from the Snows’ house.

  A shiver of anxiety slipped down her back.

  The Snows might still be in danger.

  24

  Lin tossed and turned all night and at one point, she lay awake thinking of everything they’d learned and imagining each detail to be a puzzle piece trying to fit together with the others.

  She thought about Captain Baker and how his and his son’s lives were cut short. She pondered what deal Joseph Bandy had made with the cheating Roger Witters. Her attention turned to the unreasonable offers for the captain’s painting.

  Why does Popov want this portrait? Why did someone break into the Snows’ house? Was it specifically to steal the painting or was it completely unrelated? Who followed me home? Why did they look in my windows? It must have to do with the painting. The ghost wants me to protect his portrait. Is it because he does not want to leave the mansion or is there something more to it?

  Lin replayed the discussions she’d had with the Mastersons and the Snows. No one has ever seen the ghost, they only sense his presence in the house and sometimes can pick up on his emotions. The owners have put up with the captain’s bad moods and tantrums which sometimes result in an object being thrown across a room.

  She remembered when the owners recounted several times when the ghost protected them from harm and saved them from danger.

  Lin bolted upright. That’s what he wants from me.

  Checking the time, Lin hurried out of bed, showered and dressed, and as she and Nicky ate their breakfasts, the sun began to chase away the night shadows and light up the day.

  Lin texted Robert and was happy to receive a response from him so early in the morning. Lin asked if she could come to the house to speak with him and Robert told her he and Chase were in the gallery preparing for the holiday stroll customers, and for her to meet him there.

  “Come on, Nick. We’re going to the gallery. We’re going to talk to the Snows before we go help Viv at the store.”

  A breeze made the morning colder than what showed on the thermometer and Lin moved faster to warm herself up. Not many people were out yet since the holiday festivities wouldn’t begin for a few hours.

  Coming down Main Street into town and approaching Tangerine Street, nervousness and anxiety raced through Lin’s body and made her muscles feel al
l rubbery. Her heart began to race. What’s wrong with me?

  Walking up to the gallery door, zips of electricity bit into her skin, and when Nicky looked up at her and whined, she felt sick to her stomach and had the impulse to run, but Robert swung open the door before she could bolt.

  “Lin. What a nice surprise to see you so early.” Robert stepped back so she and the dog could enter.

  “Hi, Lin.” Chase came out from behind his grandfather’s desk and trotted over to greet her and Nicky. “You have a dog. You’re so lucky.” The boy knelt beside Nicky and patted him.

  “The moving of the painting went okay?” Lin asked.

  Robert nodded. “We thought it best to remove it from the house ... to keep it safe.”

  Lin looked at Chase, not wanting him to hear her conversation with his grandfather. “You can take Nicky outside, if you want to.”

  “Would that be okay?” Chase asked his grandfather.

  “It’s fine, if you stay in the yard,” Robert said. “Why don’t you go get your coat and hat.”

  Chase hurried to the back of the store to the doorway and staircase that led up to the house’s main floor.

  “Carl Rodo and Alexander Popov don’t know you moved the painting,” Lin said hurriedly before Chase could return to the gallery. “They might come back here. You and the family might be in danger.”

  Robert narrowed his eyes in confusion. “But if they break in and the painting isn’t here, why would they bother with us?”

  Perspiration showed on Lin’s forehead. “Because you know where it is. Because they might hurt one of you so you’ll tell them where it’s been moved. They’re ruthless men. They’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. Captain Baker doesn’t really care about his portrait. He cares that you and your family are safe. He cares about Chase. Chase is the same age that Captain Baker’s son was when he got killed. He wants me to help keep you safe.”