“I’m afraid so.”
“But why?” he asked.
“I’m thinking it might’ve been a case of cold feet. They hid behind the shrubs at the side of the house quietly arguing about it, actually. One of them wasn’t sure he wanted to be a part of it, but I get the impression he was sort of forced into it. They were pretty much in over their heads by then. Young guys; early twenties... Caucasian.”
“Do you know where they took my mom?”
“That’s not clear yet,” she said.
“But we have a lead now. Don’t we?” David was hopeful. “You said they were driving a white sedan and there were three young guys in their twenties. That should be something the police can go on.”
“It’s not enough,” Mira said.
“But it’s a start!” David rebutted.
“I will contact Sheriff Cooke and let him know to be on the lookout for three guys in a white sedan. However, I agree with Mira that it might not be enough. There’s no guarantee the three of them are even traveling together at this point, but it won’t hurt to let Cooke know.”
I called the Sheriff from my cell and passed on the information to him. Of course, he grilled me about it—wanting to know where I got the idea from.
“That’s not important,” I told him. “What’s important is you and your police officers keeping an eye out for those guys and that matching vehicle.”
“Well, that certainly won’t be hard to do,” he said, “considering that there literally are hundreds of young people who fit that description, riding around in white sedans.”
I figured he was partly right and could only hope we’d get lucky. If this was all that Mira Cullen had, it wasn’t much, but it was still more than what the police had.
* * *
Anthony had a scrumptious meal of lobster, tossed salad and corn waiting for us that evening, and we were happy to have David join us for dinner. Theodore sat across the table from Mira, next to Anthony.
In light of the circumstances, we tried to keep the conversation light-hearted so that David would be relieved of some of the pressure we all thought he was feeling that day. Mira tried to give him hope without making him any promises.
“Mom’s birthday is the day after tomorrow,” he said.
“That’s right!” I exclaimed. “I’d intended to take her on an all-inclusive vacation to England like we discussed when the trial was going on. I figured if we couldn’t get away for her birthday, we’d do it shortly thereafter and still make it a celebration.”
“You two have a special friendship.” Mira took a bite of her lobster.
“Yes. Merlene’s one-of-a-kind.”
“Did Lucille tell you they’re partners in crime as well?” Anthony asked Mira.
“No. She didn’t!” Mira replied. “But I’m sure that can’t be true because Merlene’s a law-abiding citizen and Lucille is a sweet, old lady.”
David spewed out the gulp of punch he’d drunk, just missing Theodore’s head.
Everyone laughed.
“I’m sorry.” David wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I couldn’t help myself. If you knew all the stories, Mira…”
At least David was grinning. It was something I’d come to cherish.
“You two have gotten yourselves into some tight spots there. Haven’t you?” Mira was smiling at me.
“We surely have,” I agreed.
Nilla had eaten a belly full of her dog food before we’d sat down for our meal. She’d stretched out in the sitting room near the new fireplace I had a company install months earlier. It didn’t snow where we lived, but I wanted one primarily for esthetic purposes. It gave the sitting room a fancier feel.
Mira was staring across the room at Nilla. “A fine dog you’ve got there, Lucille,” she said.
“She’s my baby,” I proudly replied. “We call her ‘Nilla’, for short, but her name’s Vanilla.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful dog.”
“I think so.”
“So, you’re a psychic?” Theodore stunned everyone when he asked Mira that question.
“Some people seem to think so,” she replied.
“Why are you so humble about it…” I asked her. “…when so many others, real or fake, are shouting it from the rooftops?”
“I don’t believe there’s anything for me to shout about,” she answered. “The whole concept is weird to a lot of people anyway and I’m not really one for attention.”
“I understand your point,” Theodore commented. “I admire people though who have those gifts and who use them to help others.”
“Thank you,” Mira said.
“How does your husband feel about it?”
I couldn’t believe Theodore actually asked that. I remember the glances around the room.
Mira had a slight smile on her face. She must’ve known this handsome guy across the table was smitten by her.
“He’s fine with it,” she replied. “He’s a wonderful man—my soulmate.”
Theodore nodded and I could tell he felt a bit awkward about it now.
Changing the subject, I gave Mira some history on our town which she found most interesting. The boys went off with their own conversation and all-in-all, the dinner was fabulous.
After David left, I invited Mira to join me for a cup of herbal tea on the back patio, which she kindly agreed to. It was lovely having her there; I felt like I’d known her forever. My greatest wish, however, was that she’d be able to help us bring my best friend home.
8
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It was cool out when we went and sat on the patio that evening. Butterflies were flying around the flowering plants and Nilla was running in all directions after them.
Mira giggled. “She’s so precious! Reminds me of our dog, Max. He had so much energy.”
“What happened to him?” I asked.
He came down with a stomach infection one day and unfortunately, didn’t last long after that.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” I sighed. “I often wonder what I’d do if Nilla went before I did. I truly have no idea how I’d manage to go on as she’s been with me for so many years.”
“Animals are amazing, aren’t they?”
“They surely are—especially dogs.”
She leaned in and whispered, “I agree!”
A few minutes after more casual conversation, Mira asked, “Lucille, why do pretend that you can’t see?”
“Well, I can’t!” I quickly responded. “You wanna switch eyes and see if mine would work in your sockets?”
“You know I don’t mean it that way.”
“The bottom line is I have a financial interest to protect,” I said. “My blindness has been duly documented which means the government needs to continue paying me my benefits until I move on to the next life. It’s as simple as that.”
“I see your point. You’re physically blind, even though psychically, you’re not.”
“Did you say psychically?”
“Yes. You have an inner vision, which in other words is a type of psychic vision,” she explained.
“I don’t agree with that,” I replied. “I’m not like you. Being psychic is when you can see more than the here and now. People who are psychic can see the future and the past; I can’t do any of those things.”
“I didn’t say you were psychic, Lucille. I said your inner vision is a type of psychic ability. But I dare to say you’re more like me than you think.”
“How so?” I was curious.
“You see them. Don’t you?”
“See who?”
She pointed to the same figures who’d paid me a visit in the early hours of the morning. There were roughly twelve of them in the yard and the tall guy, as usual, was giving me that no-nonsense look. Nilla’s barking always corresponded with their unexpected visits. She tried to get at them, but each time she went to attack, she ran right through them. I called her over, picked her up and tried to settle her down.
Then I focused on them. “You’d better not lay a finger on any of my pots and pans—or anything else in this house! Unless you’re prepared to pay my cleaning bill, keep your filthy hands off of my stuff!”
Mira gestured with her hand. “Settle down, Lucille. They’re not here to hurt you.”
“I’m not afraid of them! I just want them to get the hell out of my house and stay gone.” I zoomed in on the tall guy. “What happened to you folks, anyway? You never tried to wreck my house and scare my dog when Sir Clement was around. Since he got what he wanted from me and took off, you think you can try and bully me—an old lady who minds her own business and doesn’t trouble anyone! How dare you try to take advantage of my kindness when I never ran you off or got anyone in here to chase you off my land? I tell ya… some people are ungrateful.”
“Lucille, they have something to tell you. Would you listen?”
“How do you know?” I turned her way, rather angrily.
“I know because I see ghosts all the time and they rarely ever appear unless there’s something they want to tell us.”
“What is it then?” I demanded of them. “Make it clear as this is your last shot. If you don’t, Mira here is a ghost-buster and I’ll have her chase you out.”
“I’m a what?” she frowned.
Anxious to go her own way, I let Nilla down and she ran off through the sliding door into the house.
I wondered why they made an appearance so early instead of at night like they usually did. And I also wondered why they didn’t wreck the place just as before. Maybe Mira was right and they wanted to be heard, but at the same time, I’d asked them what the hell they wanted before and they were not upfront with me.
The skyscraper was now staring down Mira. As a matter of fact, they all were. I reckoned they liked her more, and understandably so. I certainly wasn’t as nice or as patient as she was and maybe they appreciated looking at someone youthful even though she and I ran a tough competition when it came to beauty.
“They want their land, Lucille,” she said.
“Their land? How do you know that? I didn’t observe any verbal communication between you and them for you to make that assumption. Furthermore, what land can they possibly want? Donnie and I didn’t steal anybody’s land. We went through the proper channels, and furthermore—what in the world would they do with it anyway? They’re dead, for goodness’ sake!”
“This entire subdivision and far beyond it was their land originally. It’s not your property alone that they’re referring to. It’s the entire area.”
This reminded me of what Sheriff Cooke had mentioned about Harriet’s Cove being owned by Indians and some sort of talk about a burial ground. Now their presence in my home all this time was beginning to make sense.
“They were enslaved and killed on this land,” Mira explained. “And many of them weren’t given a proper burial. Quite often, large holes were dug and multiple bodies thrown inside of them and set ablaze, particularly those of the elderly, the sick and others that were no longer deemed useful to them. Furthermore, nothing about it has ever been mentioned in any of the history books; it’s as if these people never existed. They want to be acknowledged; to finally be respected by the citizens of this town. They could not fight in life, but they’re prepared to fight in death.”
“I had no idea,” I replied softly.
“Lucille, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but many of your neighbors experience paranormal activity in their homes. It’s because the bodies of these Indians are scattered all throughout this land,” Mira said.
I was aware that Chloe Dunbar down the street complained constantly about seeing ghosts, but I hadn’t heard anyone else mention anything of the sort.
“You have to understand the type of people who live in this neighborhood, Mira. They’re very good at keeping secrets, especially the dirty little ones, so I won’t be surprised if they added ghostly disturbances to the list.”
I realized then why they were with Sir Clement all along. He wanted justice for his murder and they wanted justice in their own way for theirs.
I stood up and faced them. “I’m very sorry about what happened to you and your people. It wasn’t fair; it was cruel. And I’d be the first to acknowledge that this is your land and always will be—no matter how many people live and pass on from this area. Would you please accept my apology on behalf of my fellow Chadsworthians?”
Mira was nodding in agreement.
Slanky was now looking at Mira again and I wondered if they had some sort of telepathic thing going on.
“They accepted your apology, Lucille, but it’s not enough,” Mira told me.
“It isn’t? What more do they want? I’d think the people who killed and enslaved them, possibly hundreds of years ago, are now dead and buried themselves.”
She stood up too. “They want the chief of this town—as one of them put it—to acknowledge what was done to them and to apologize on behalf of Chadsworth. Once it’s made clear that this was their land, they will no longer feel the pain of being robbed of it. They also want a statue or monument erected in their honor.”
“And I’m supposed to make that happen?” I looked at her as if she was crazy.
“They first appeared to you in this house along with the ghost that was here because they knew you had a willing heart to help anyone you could.”
I sucked my teeth. “I swear, being good is a two-edge sword! Look at all the torment I’ve had to endure in life just because people think I have a good heart.” I folded my arms in disgust. “Well, I’m not helping them after what they did to my house, startling us all like that. They could’ve easily told me what they wanted and…”.
“You would’ve listened?” she asked.
“Of course, I would have! Why not? Communication is so important. This is what I tried to convey to Sir Clement Tucker over and over again when he was here and he couldn’t seem to get it. Apparently, neither did they.”
Mira turned to me and spoke softly. “Lucille, they won’t bother you anymore if you agree to get them the recognition they want. That’s all they ask. Please agree to at least try to appease them. Otherwise, I’m sure they will set fires to each of the homes in this subdivision one by one.”
“How the hell can they do that? They’re good with matches or something?” I said.
“The little demonstration that happened here last night was simply a warning for you to know what they’re capable of. There are many of them in this area that are strong and they refuse to move on until they get their justice. You can either do what you can to make it happen or watch your dream house eventually go up in flames. And even if you build another, that one will go up in flames too.” She sighed heavily. “I’m afraid if you want to claim any type of ownership to this land, you’ll have to fight for it. And fighting for it isn’t fighting against them; it’s fighting for them.”
I sat down again and crossed my legs. I absolutely hated being told what to do. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have enough to deal with already, but no matter what, finding Merlene was going to remain my priority.
I addressed them all: “I’ll do it. I’ll go and see the mayor, but you’ll have to give me some time and you’ll have to promise not to disturb us in this house anymore.”
Moments later, Mira sat down and patted my knee. “They’ve agreed.”
And shortly thereafter, they left.
“Don’t worry, Lucille. They have every confidence in you to make things right, and so do I. I’m really sorry you’re going through all this. First, Merlene, now this situation.”
“I guess I’ll manage somehow.” I picked up the tea that was on the round glass table between us and took a sip.
“Mira, may I ask you a question...and I want you to be honest with me. Can you do that?”
“‘Course, I can.”
My hand trembled slightly as I attempte
d to rest the cup on the table again. “Do you believe that Merlene’s dead?”
Mira looked straight ahead towards the yard and I had a feeling her reply would be one I didn’t wish to hear.
“When I was in Merlene’s room, I sat down on her bed for a minute or two trying to pick up on her presence and hopefully to sense where she might be, but there was nothing.” She paused for a moment. “Usually, if I’m in the home or some other space of a deceased person, I can sense their spirit. And very often, they reach out to me if they’re so compelled. But so far, in Merlene’s case, that hasn’t happened.”
I suddenly felt rejuvenated. “So, that means she’s alive?” I asked.
“I believe she is, but I don’t want to give you false hope. Just because I didn’t sense her spirit and she didn’t reach out to me when I was in her space doesn’t mean she won’t do so at some point if she has, in fact, passed away. These things are not always so simple.”
“I think I understand,” I replied a bit somberly. If only I knew for sure.
“I asked David if he can take me to have a look at a few of the places Merlene frequented,” she said. “I’m hoping I’d be able to pick up on some clues.”
“Sounds good,” I replied.
9
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As I headed downstairs the next morning, I could smell the ham and eggs Anthony was cooking and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into them.
In the living room, Mira was sitting on the couch with Nilla snuggled beside her. It was amazing to see how Nilla warmed up to some people and could’ve had others for dinner that she didn’t like. She had a strong discernment for undesirables and I always trusted her judgment.
“Well, well, well…” I smiled, approaching them.
“Good morning, Lucille.” Mira caressed Nilla’s fur. “Nilla found me sitting here earlier and thought she’d keep me company—and what great company she is!”
I bent over and kissed Nilla on her cute, little forehead and she kissed me back—over and repeatedly.
Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series (Books 4 - 6) Page 5
