“I’m sorry about the Eldorado.” Rich seemed to sense what I was now experiencing. As after the shock, now came that deep sense of remorse and utter loss.
“Next weekend we can run around to some of the car lots and see what we can find for you.”
“I would really appreciate that.” I looked down upon my hands as the trembling faded, and I realized to have lost more than just a car, but one of my oldest and dearest friends….
“I need to get home--,” Rich moved from his seat, and looking down at me, pointed, “Remember, you promised.”
“I know—and I’ll stand by my word.” I felt a lump forming in the pit of my stomach. It was reality slowly confirming my fears as the illusive veil of shock dissipated, and I realized the true severity of what had happened….
Wednesday, September 18, 1974.
I had awakened in the early hours of Wednesday morning with sharp pains in my lower back. It was a paralyzing stiffness that had left me practically crippled with the pain. Managing to make it downstairs, I had indulged our fine brandy collection in hopes of dulling the edge, but Eva had put a swift end to this while reminding me that medication and alcohol were bad bed-fellows. I had retired miserably back to my office, as having occupied my thoughts with some reading, had soon fallen asleep in the chair.
It was sometime around noon that Caitlin had gone off with Eva to attend to some grocery shopping, and had left my lunch on the desk before me. I had lifted the lid from the silver tray and inspected the contents. There was a broiled chicken breast which had been sliced upon whole-wheat toast, a salad without dressing and the usual black and sugarless tea. I was strictly forbidden to take salt or sugar, and restricted from all fried foods. And though it may have been what was best for my body, I was slowly losing my mind.
But being rather hungry and unwilling to limp downstairs and risk being caught indulging anything else, I obediently ate the meal provided. It had all become so very hard, as haunted by cravings, dreaming of sweets and drooling over television commercials, I felt utterly lost. Turning my attention back to matters concerning the Woodlands asylum, I dialled out while attempting to reach Raymond in his office. The telephone had rung many times, though without reply, I had simply given up. I had then tried to contact Rich, finding him unavailable and feeling utterly frustrated, just sat and brooded.
With the evil presence out of our way, we had free reign to expose the crimes and those who had committed them. My thoughts had remained upon those unfortunate souls that wandered the halls of that most dismal place. I knew that they would be forever lost while imprisoned in unknown graves. According to the belief, lore and legends on the subject of hauntings, we had to set them free with the truth. And the only way to do that in this particular case would be to unearth and reveal the burial grounds and those who reposed therein. But it would have to wait just a little longer, as I could never manage that ravine in my current state.
In the end, I satisfied my need to serve some useful purpose by including the recent events into the new book. The accident striking me particularly hard while describing the incident in the greatest of detail, I realized that the Eldorado was truly and forever gone. It was strange how, indifferent to many things, I had attributed a certain character and quality of life upon an inanimate object. And even now as I contemplated the many journeys, highways and adventures that we had shared over the years, suffered sincere sadness within its loss.
It was during that moment, as I had winced in pain while resting my head down upon the desk, when the phone rang. I had answered to the sound of Rich’s voice, “Did I wake you or interrupt anything important?” He sounded very excited.
“No—I was just sitting here alone with Merlin. Caitlin and Eva have gone out to do a little shopping.”
“How are you feeling today—,” He seemed rather anxious, “Would you mind, if I came by the house?”
“Of course not—I’ll have old Norman open the gates and I’ll be in my office as usual. I have a little lower back pain from the accident, nothing too serious. And besides, Eva doesn’t trust me anywhere near the kitchen while they’re out.”
“I was actually hoping that you could meet me outside—if it’s possible?”
“Alright, I’ll be down as soon as I can--,” Grunting while moving in the seat and suffering the pain, I thought before saying, “But you’ll have to give me a few minutes, I’m having a little trouble making it up and down the stairs.”
“No problem at all. Just be careful! See you soon.” And just like that, he was gone.
I could not have possibly been happier with exception of having to move from that chair…. I had managed to slowly limp back down the hall and ever so cautiously make my way down the stairs to the front door. Slipping my coat over my pajamas, having seen no previous purpose in properly dressing, I opened the door.
“Norman!” I had called out as I saw the dear old soul managing something near the garage, “Would you be kind enough to open the gates? Rich should be here at any moment!”
He had waved with a friendly smile and hurriedly done as I had requested. He moved quickly and as I watched I had envied the man. In my current condition he could easily have outrun me without having even tried.
Rich had arrived at the same time as permitted access by Norman, pulled in through the gates with another new car. He had driven to where I stood, parked the vehicle, and smiled as though he were a kid in a candy store. “I knew that you were quarantined—and couldn’t get out of the house--,” He moved from out of my way to fully reveal the car, “So, I thought that I would go out and bring something that might cheer you up. So, what do you think? She’s all yours!”
“Rich, you shouldn’t have—I absolutely love it,” I was utterly speechless and could only stand and stare.
“It’s nothing like your old convertible--,” He explained, “But it’s comfortable, fully loaded and goes like a bat out of hell.”
I had just limped toward the vehicle, and resting a hand upon the driver’s door, looked back at him, “I don’t even know how to thank you—you really did not have to do this!”
“Just get into the driver’s seat--,” He laughed, climbing in from the other side and grinning from ear to ear, “Go ahead—start it up!”
It had taken an immense effort to even get into the vehicle due to the excruciating pain, but once seated it was absolutely amazing! I had turned the key which had still been in the ignition and the car had roared to life! The whole car reverberating with power as the dual exhaust breathed and the beast came to life. It was absolutely exhilarating, and though the movement ached in my lower back, I had felt more alive in that moment than ever before!
Gripping the steering wheel and leaning back in the seat, I felt at complete ease for the first time since the accident, “Yes, I really do love it—and don’t even know what to say?”
“Well, I saw how much you liked the sporty style of my T-bird and knew that you would miss the Eldorado. So, I went out this morning and stopped by a few car lots.” He petted the dash, his eyes wild with excitement, “I tried to find something that reflected the Eldorado in some sense, but would bring a fresh perspective to life. I finally settled on this design, but it wasn’t easy to find this model in a triple black convertible. The dealership called around for me and found this one in North Vancouver. She’s still brand new and you’re the first owner, even though she’s spent the past three years in a show room.” He pulled the documentation from out of the center console and smiled, “I talked the salesman into leaving the title blank—for a few extra bucks.” He winked, “I told him that it was a gift and that I wanted you to be the original owner.”
“Are you telling me that you drove this all the way over here without proper title or insurance?” I was startled.
“Well, I did put my license plates on it so it looked legitimate.”
I could only laugh as my new car had already begun its life on the edge. Slapping my friend on the back, I sighed as th
e sun peeked from out of the cloud-filled skies. The warming rays dancing and shining among the fiery colors of the heaped and falling leaves, flashing in the sleek black paint of my hood. Although I would dearly miss the Eldorado, there was already something very special about this car. Aside from the sentimentality of it having been a gift, it was unlike anything that I had previously owned.
“Welcome to the new chapter of Nightrealm--,” Rich climbed out, and pausing to look back at me from in front of the car, formed a frame with his fingers, “It’s just like I imagined it—the style and color suits you perfectly.”
It was slightly over half the size of the Eldorado, its sleek body-lines and sport accessories accenting an already amazing design. With hood scoops and factory chrome rims, the triple black 1971 Dodge Challenger RT 440 convertible was everything that anyone could have ever desired in a sport convertible, and then so much more.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I could only sit there, looking at my friend as the world reflected in the midnight gloss of the long hood. There was a moment when it had reminded me of the Eldorado, but then revealing its far more aggressive lines and nature, it caused me to smile.
“In all honesty, I was thinking about giving you that classic T-bird convertible--,” He had admitted, “But this one is lighter, faster and just seemed more like you.”
“Well, now I am really flattered.” I grinned from ear to ear, feeling something of a blush, “Because there isn’t anything stylish or fast about me at all. But, I love it Rich and can’t even begin to thank you enough. It’s absolutely beautiful—and truly a dream machine. It’s far nicer, sportier and better designed than my old car. And it means a lot more having come from you.”
“Just promise me something--,” He was all choked up with my previous comment, but forced a smile, “Please, try to be more careful from now on. There just seems to be something bad in the air. Some kind of evil that’s been following us around….”
Pulling the silver Celtic cross off from around my neck, I hung it from the rear-view mirror, “Just to be on the safe side.”
“Are you going to give her a name?” He raised an eyebrow, “All ships, planes and craft of any worth get Christened by their captains, operators, or owners.”
I had sat silently as the name Leigh had been the first to come to mind. But, being too painful and a memory better left for quiet moments, I paused while unable to decide. And then, like a light flashing from out of nowhere, a name arrived. I had spoken it while it still escaped from thought, “Valerie, the Latin name for being both strong and brave.”
“And so, Valerie it is!” His joy was complete, “But we’d better get Val into the garage before it rains again--,” He drew my attention from out of what seemed a dream, “And before Caitlin catches us fooling around out here. She wants you to rest up—or that back of yours will never get any better.”
“Don’t remind me--,” Grabbing the pistol grip shifter, I slipped the car into drive, slowly easing it around back and to where Rich now opened the garage doors. Impressed with the maneuverability and power, I turned it around, slowly backing it into the space once occupied by the Eldorado, and turned off the engine.
“It has a lot more power than what you are used to--,” Rich watched as I climbed out with a grunt, wincing, and made my way around the car and out of the garage, “It might take a little time to learn to handle.”
“I’m looking forward to every moment of that--,” I accepted his assistance while hobbling toward the house, “It’s absolutely wonderful Rich—thank you ever so much, my friend.”
“Oh—just a moment, I almost forgot something.” He opened his palm and motioned toward the keys, which I promptly gave him while leaning against the front door and awaiting his return. He had hurried back to the garage, securing the front gate, made his way into the side door and vanished for several moments.
When he returned he carried the oil painting that he had created and would soon become the cover of my book. “I put this into the trunk and almost forgot!” He hurried back as the rain began sprinkling and we just missed the worst of it.
We had gone up to my office, where, after having made several telephone calls, we retired for afternoon tea. His previous concerns had been correct, as the heavens seemed to have just parted moments after putting the car into the garage, and a deluge now fell. It was a storm very much like the one that had claimed the Eldorado, and to some extent, had returned with the arrival of the new car. To some degree it had seemed an exchange of the fates, a blessing in disguise.
“Dennis is doing just fine--,” He had informed me, “I went to see him at the hospital, yesterday. Oh—I’ve already hired him. I gave him a full time position at our warehouse.” He sipped at his tea, ‘His folks were there visiting—and Edward said that they are expecting a full recovery in just a few days.”
“Wonderful news--,” I sipped at my tea, “Any suggestions as to what we should do concerning those graves in the ravine?”
“Raymond is already dealing with that--,” He stroked Merlin who had leapt up and into his lap, and in a second thought, said, “Under allegations of abuse, he’s initiated an investigation into the personal conduct of employees, and demanded records concerning care and death certificates.”
“But we both know that the hospital could never provide what they don’t have.”
“Not exactly--,” Rich shrugged with a mischievous grin, “I gave him that briefcase that Dennis brought to us. We have managed to leave poor old Dr. Langford out of this entire mess. But there will be a lot of explaining to do concerning previous history and conduct, especially after he takes a forensic crew down into that ravine.”
“So, we can consider this case closed, for our part anyway.” I thought aloud, “Detective Emerson has certainly turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
“Raymond is also staying on with us--,” Rich shrugged, “Did you know that he’s still in charge of the investigation concerning Frank’s death, and a nasty assortment of other things that involved us?”
“Well, you can hardly blame the authorities for wondering.” Tapping a finger on my tea cup, I shuddered at the thought, “After what happened out there—I’m still surprised that we weren’t apprehended for further questioning. And, you have to admit it—our story was rather bleak to say the very least.”
“It was the only thing that we could say or do under the circumstances. “My friend had agreed, and looking up from his tea, had quietly said, “Could you just imagine what they might have done with us if we had tried explaining the truth? We would likely be sharing a room at that asylum, being dressed in matching “hug-me” jackets.”
“Speaking of the Sanitarium--,” I winced while attempting to become more comfortable in my chair, “I wish that we could have been there to see a proper ending to the entire matter.”
“Well, it’s like you said—where Woodlands and those graves are concerned,” Rich shrugged, “It’s all out of our hands now. And the investigation might take years. It’s become a police matter now.”
“I realize that you’re absolutely right—but it still feels like unfinished business to me. I suppose that I will never feel proper about the entire affair until it’s all brought to light.”
“Oh, and talking about unfinished business--,” He raised a finger in thought, appearing rather surprised, and said, “Ronnie went back to the police with the story about that Campbell girl’s death?”
“I had no idea.” I had to wonder whether it was an act of conscience, or whether he had finally become utterly frustrated with the endless flooding of his home.
“Well, he called me just the other night--,” Rich explained, “And said that he needed to get the entire affair off of his chest. So, he went to the authorities in Harrison with the story about the drowning, and admitted that he had been forced to testify on Frank’s behalf.”
“Wouldn’t that have made his some kind of accessory to the crime for obstruction of the law?”
&nb
sp; “Apparently not--,” He allowed Merlin to slip down from his lap, and looking back at me with a glint of suspicion in his eye, thoughtfully said, “It seems that the police still had the old files, and among them was a report from a concerned local regarding his missing girlfriend. In that statement, he had mentioned getting a job at the camp, Ronnie having saved his life and Frank’s obvious guilt in the matter. Which of course as we all know, resulted in his own unfortunate death due to Frank’s son.”
“So, Ronnie finally brought Sherri’s murderer to justice—to some degree.”
“Well, not exactly.” Rich finished and poured us both more tea, “Although a Detective had listened to his story, nothing ever came of it. So, her murder remains a mystery and Frank’s guilt in the matter was never confirmed.”
“Our poor friend had better buy an umbrella and swim-fins for when he’s watching television at home.”
“I would have laughed--,” Rich shrugged, “But the really creepy thing is that his places are all still flooding, no matter where he moves. He’s gone back home to stay with his elderly mother now. She lives in a double-wide trailer in a quiet little retirement community in White Rock, near the ocean.”
“I’m surprised that he would willingly be anywhere near water after what had happened the last time.”
“He told me that he’s had to turn off all the water into the trailer just to avoid leaks and flooding.” Rich appeared completely astonished, “But as far as that situation and Harrison Mills is concerned—we can consider it all: Case closed!”
My attention had traveled across the office and to where Rich had propped his painting against a book case, facing the desk. “Thank you for the final thoughts and conclusions to that series of events. I’ll add them to my book when I have a little time alone, later tonight.”
Sanctum Arcanum Page 26
