Spirits In the Trees

by Morgan Hannah MacDonald

For a moment the only sound in the room was that of sizzling bacon.

  “So what’s the story with you and this Doug guy?” Jane slapped Maddy on the back. “Damn, girl, he’s hot!”

  Maddy breathed a sigh of relief at the change of subject and smiled. The image of Doug’s handsome face now filled her thoughts. “We met when I first got here. He’s a friend. He’s been helping me with the restorations on the house.”

  “Hmm, very handy. I’d say he’s a little more than a friend by the way he looks at you. So, have you two gotten down and dirty yet?”

  Maddy felt heat race up her neck and into her cheeks. “Jeez, Jane.” She looked around to make sure Doug hadn’t heard. “For the love of Pete, we’re not in college anymore.” she said in a hushed tone.

  Jane laughed. “Hell, girl, you’re the one who’s acting like a schoolgirl with a crush. What the hell are you waiting for? He’s one nice piece of prime choice and the guy obviously adores you. God, with a stud like that, I sure wouldn’t hesitate. Does he have a brother?”

  “Shh, he might hear you!” Maddy whispered as she stared at her friend in earnest.

  “Good, maybe I should tell him it’s time to fish or cut bait!” Jane giggled.

  “Can we just change the subject, please?” Maddy whispered nervously. “What about you, how’s your love life?” she said in a normal tone.

  “Nonexistent at the moment. Been too busy.”

  “It’s no wonder. You seem to hang around Tim more now, than when you two dated in college. What about him, has he found a partner and settled down yet?” Maddy grabbed a carton of orange juice out of the fridge and put it on the table.

  “God, no. He’s still a slut. He say’s he doesn’t want to lose his independence. So when he needs to get a little, he just goes to a bar and picks up some hot dude and takes him home. And when I say home, I mean their place. He doesn’t even want a guy to know where he lives. He’s afraid of being stalked or something. I swear that guy’s a piece of work.” Jane shook her head.

  “Sounds lonely to me.” Maddy shut her mouth quick when the guys walked back into the room.

  “How are you girls doing? Up to no good, I’d bet,” Tim said with a chuckle.

  “Smells good in here.” Doug took one look at Maddy and frowned. She must have had a strange look on her face because he put his arm around her and whispered in her ear. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, yeah, fine.” Maddy cleared her throat. “Would you set the table for me?”

  * * *

  After breakfast, they adjourned to the living room and made themselves comfortable. Tim set up the first of the tapes from the night before.

  “We placed the cameras in several locations and I hooked them up to the monitors in the dining room. The cameras all have infrared so they can see in the dark. Jane took the first watch, while I caught a couple of winks. Then I replaced her around two a.m.” Tim stood back and used the remote to start the tape.

  “We set-up a camera in the bedroom and bathroom where you were staying, Maddy.” He turned around and looked at her. “Then we placed another in the master bedroom.” He looked at Doug fleetingly, then straight ahead again. “I also set up a tripod in the living room and one outside by the oleander hedge.”

  “The oleander hedge? We never mentioned that.” Maddy looked to Doug for confirmation, he shook his head.

  “No, I know. Jane picked up on a vibration there herself. We decided to check it out on a hunch,” Tim said.

  “What’s all that equipment you brought?” Doug asked.

  “Just our normal gear. 800 speed film, a 35mm camera, a digital camera, audiotape recorders, thermal scanners, an EMF meter to record changes in the magnetic field, a motion sensor, a Trifield natural meter and several video cameras with tripods. Did I forget anything?” Tim asked turning to Jane.

  “Just the things we carry in our photographer’s vests; infrared night scopes, flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit and a cell phone. I think that about covers it.”

  “I had no idea there was so much to ghost hunting. It seems we found them easily enough without using any of that equipment,” Doug replied.

  “Obviously you were the lucky ones.” Tim laughed.

  “Only you would see it that way,” Maddy said seriously.

  They sat quietly watching the screen. Tim had the machine on slow-mo scan. He explained he was looking for movement, lights or any change whatsoever.

  “Stop!” Jane yelled.

  Tim paused the videotape.

  “Rewind a little,” Jane added.

  The picture ticked back slowly.

  “There.” Jane scooted to the edge of her seat. “See, I told you there was something about that hedge!”

  “What?” Maddy scanned the picture, but didn’t get what the fuss was about.

  “See that heavy white mass?” Tim jumped up and rushed to the TV pointing at the bottom of the screen.

  “It just looks like a fog bank to me,” Doug said.

  “No, now look. See how it only hovers over the ground in the same spot?” Tim circled it with his finger. “Fog would be blowing in from the water and would cover the entire yard, but this cloud is stationary.” He pushed play. “Now watch the tape. Notice the trees are swaying? But that little four-foot cloud doesn’t move. That’s not natural.” Tim ran his finger along the tops of the trees as they bent in the breeze.

  They also found what they called darting orbs all over the house. To her they just looked like a little round light that had reflected off something, but then they reminded her that there were no lights on.

  After all the tapes had been viewed, Maddy felt embarrassed. She hoped her friends didn’t think she was making things up. “I just don’t get it. I mean, from the moment I walked into that house, strange things were happening more often than not.” She hoped they didn’t think they came all this way for nothing.

  As if reading her mind, Tim spoke up. “Maddy, don’t worry. We have been doing this for a long time. We’re very encouraged about what we found. The first thing we did when we got to the house was use the EMF meter and we got some intense readings in a few spots. Places that couldn’t possibly be explained away by electrical surges in the old house’s wiring.” He stood over her, squeezing her shoulder with his hand.

  “We also used the digital thermometer to look for cold spots. Between the two, and Jane’s natural sensitivity, we knew where to place our video cameras and take still shots. We know you can’t just call up the spirits on command like in the movies. We’ll be back there tonight and the next. We’re on to something.” Tim patted her back and turned his head toward Jane.

  “Exactly.” Jane stood and pointed her finger toward the TV. “We have that proof right there on the video. I felt some very powerful vibrations in that house. I know given a little time they’ll reveal themselves.”

  “Speaking of which, the number two monitor needs a little tweaking. I’m going back to the house and work on that,” Tim announced.

  “I’ve got to get to a store and pick up some drinks and munchies. Anyone care to take me?” Jane looked first to Maddy, then Doug.

  “Doug, would you mind? I have something I need to do. Let’s meet back here around six tonight and have dinner. Sound okay with you?” Maddy stared at Doug and waited for him to answer.

  “Uh, sure.” Doug looked at her for an explanation, but she knew he wouldn’t let her go alone. She feared that was the only way she’d get the answers she was looking for.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Maddy knocked on the door to the Winston home. While she waited for an answer, she turned around and eyed the gathering clouds. Their varying degrees of gray were quickly turning to black. She knew it would be mere minutes before they let loose their bounty.

  The air had turned a bit balmy. The weather had been pretty mild considering they were coming up on fall. She guessed things were changing all over because of global warming.

  A loud rumble of thunder made
her jump and shook her to the core. Lightning lit up the sky and she smiled. One of the few memories she had left of her mother was sitting on the porch and watching a similarly magnificent display in the sky. They would count between the claps of thunder to see if the storm was coming closer or moving away.

  Nothing like a good summer storm.

  “Can I help you?”

  Startled, Maddy swung around.

  “Oh, hello. It’s Maddy Anderson. Remember, Angie’s friend?”

  The elderly maid squinted. “Yes! Please come in. Mrs. Winston will be so pleased to see you.” She stepped aside, then closed the door behind Maddy.

  “Wait here a moment while I announce you,” Ethel stated formally.

  The woman headed off toward the back of the house. Maddy watched her slowly shuffle down the hall and wondered if the woman truly kept house anymore or was merely a companion to her employer. Surely a house this size must have a cleaning crew. She gazed up at the ornate crystal chandelier hanging from the cathedral ceiling.

  Wandering around the foyer, she inspected the painted portraits ascending the staircase and wondered if they were Mrs. Winston’s ancestors. Some looked as if they dated as far back as the 1500’s, and all anchored to what looked like rich mahogany paneling.

  Over the first floor landing hung the most beguiling tapestry she had ever had the pleasure to see. It was a scene set in the woods, with deer and birds surrounding a beautiful maiden. She held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bird rested on the other. She appeared to be staring straight at Maddy. It was almost unnerving. She couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. She walked to the left, then right, but still the eyes followed her.

  “Captivating, isn’t she?” A voice from behind broke into her thoughts.

  Maddy jerked around to see Mrs. Winston gazing up at the tapestry as she had just done.

  “Yes, she’s … very life-like,” Maddy answered.

  “Isn’t she though? Leonard brought her back for me from England when we were first married. He saw it hanging in a castle there. He told me she so reminded him of me that he knew he had to bring her home. It took him three days of haggling with the owner, but finally he made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. It must have cost him a pretty penny, such a dear man.” Maddy glanced at Mrs. Winston and noticed her eyes were a bit misty.

  “I call her my guardian angel because she’s always watching over me. Have you noticed how her eyes seem to follow you where ever you go?” Mrs. Winston now looked at Maddy.

  “Yes, I have. She’s magnificent,” Maddy answered reverently.

  “Now, Maddy, I’m overjoyed you’ve decided to pay me a call.” The woman clasped her hands in hers.

  Maddy felt the frail bony fingers holding onto her own and suddenly felt overwhelmed by the warm gesture. As she looked down she noticed purple veins sheathed in skin as thin as parchment paper and covered with brown age spots. Her hands were cold. Maddy smiled and met Mrs. Winston’s pale blue eyes.

  Maddy took note of the impeccably dressed woman. She was certain she rarely left the house, yet she looked as if she were expecting someone to pay her a call. Her salt and pepper hair was pulled back into a smooth chignon. Her ears were adorned with amethyst and diamond earrings which matched the broach she wore atop her ample bosom.

  Her long gown was made of velvet in the deepest shad of purple. Her face bore only the slightest hint of make-up for a woman her age even with the ruby red lips. The image was not garish in the least, instead grand dame came to mind. She had no doubt this woman was a true beauty in her day.

  Mrs. Winston dropped her hands, then hooked her arm through Maddy’s as she led her toward the back of the house.

  “Now you must stay for tea. I have Ethel preparing a nice little spread. I thought we would take it in the sun room. It looks like an incredible storm is brewing and I do so love to watch the rain coming down over the water. Do you like lightning storms, my dear?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do,” Maddy said as she matched the woman’s careful steps.

  “I knew I liked you.” Mrs. Winston patted her arm. They entered a room with wide sweeping windows all around with a beautiful view of the turbulent ocean. Mrs. Winston took a seat in a white high-backed rattan chair that reminded Maddy of a throne. She couldn’t help but think it appropriate.

  Maddy sat to her right on the love seat. An oblong rattan table covered with glass sat directly before them. Ethel had already begun laying the feast.

  There was a pot of tea with two cups and saucers, and a plate of scones.

  “We’ll just let the tea steep while we wait for Ethel to finish the cucumber sandwiches,” Mrs. Winston announced as she sat facing Maddy with her hands gently folded in her lap.

  “Now, my dear, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company this fine blustery day?”

  “Angie mentioned that your family was the first to settle here and I wanted to get a little history of the island.”

  Mrs. Winston’s eyes lit up. “Oh, how lovely! It’s not often that a young person such as yourself is interested in history. Are you planning to stay after all?”

  “Uh, well…at this point my plans are a little up in the air.” Maddy figured it wasn’t really a lie.

  “I see. Now where do I start? Well, my great-great-grandfather was the captain of a mighty ship in the Queen’s army. This island was a gift to him for his many years of service. He built this house for his bride and named the island for her. That’s how it became Isabelle Island.”

  “Oh, how romantic.”

  “Yes, it is, isn’t it? Then my great-grandfather made his fortune in lumber, but my grandfather had a terrible gambling problem and lost it all. As a last ditch effort to keep the family afloat, my father started selling parcels of land until all we owned were these few acres,” Mrs. Winston explained.

  “So you’ve lived on the island your entire life?”

  “Oh my yes, and what a wonderful life I’ve had. If not for that unfortunate financial mishap, I would have been quite a lonely girl indeed. My father grew up on this island alone, without any other children to play with.

  “He was shipped off to boarding school away from his family, which made him quite sad. I was lucky enough to stay here because they had built a school to accommodate the growing population. So not only did I have the love of my parents at all times, but playmates as well.

  “Of course I did go back east to finishing school, that’s where I met my late husband Leonard. He was studying at Harvard Law. Oh, what a handsome man he was, he took my breath away.” She smiled and blushed at the memory.

  “What can you tell me about the old Heller place?”

  “Well, let me see. Ruth and John Heller had the place built in the 1940’s. You see Ruth’s parents had money and gave the parcel of land to them as a wedding gift. John was a captain in the Navy. Although his title gave him prestige, he had no money to speak of. I think that was his downfall. I don’t think he could handle the fact that his wife’s yearly stipend was larger than his own salary.

  “But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me see… oh yes, they had two boys, John Jr. and little Ray. They were born nine years apart. Junior was his father’s pride and joy, he followed his father into the Navy. He was killed in the Vietnam War. After that, John Senior turned to drink and simply fell apart.

  “He never got over his son’s death and poor Ruth and Ray took the brunt of it. It was also rumored that he had, at the very least, one woman on the side.

  “Ray and I were in school together. He was a quiet boy that got straight A’s. His father called him clumsy because he always came up with mysterious bruises. It was whispered that his father beat him and his mother on a regular basis.

  “One time, I remember he spent a week in the hospital after falling out of a tree. More likely a flight of stairs with the help of his father sent him there. His arm was in a cast that entire summer.

  “He grew up to be quite a handsome man, yet he kept to himself. Co
me to think of it, I don’t think he ever had a friend. Kids in school were mean, taunting him about his father’s drinking problem.

  “His mother was such a lovely woman, but time and Mr. Heller took their toll on her. Eventually she turned into a bitter shell of a woman. She came to town about once a week to do the shopping and other than church, she kept close to home.

  “In the beginning, my mother tried to befriend her, but she was like a frightened little mouse who wouldn’t talk to anyone. Finally my mother gave up and left her to her own devices.

  “Years later Ray’s father was found drowned on the beach in front of their home. Poor Ruth found his body. No one was surprised. It was assumed old John decided to go for a swim in one of his drunken stupors and got caught in a riptide.”

  “Did he swim in the ocean often?” Maddy thought of her aunt’s journal mentioning the man’s untimely death.

  “Not that I’m aware of, but who knows? Only Ruth could answer that question. She was far from forthcoming at the time. His body was covered in bruises. Several men were questioned, including Ray, but in the end the sheriff declared it an accidental drowning and closed the case. The only people who attended his funeral were Ruth and Ray.

  “After his father’s death, Ray seemed to follow in his footsteps. He took to drink and womanizing. I swear that man must have been arrested at least once a month for brawling at the local pub.” Mrs. Winston was silent a moment. “You know it’s funny, one would think that because Ray hated his father, he would have grown up to be a completely different man. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Mrs. Winston finished.

  Ethel arrived with an enormous plate of finger sandwiches. Maddy wondered why she’d made so many for just the two of them. She guessed maybe they didn’t entertain that often.

  “Thank you, Ethel, they look wonderful.” Mrs. Winston smiled up at the other woman.

  “Shall I pour, ma’am?” Ethel asked.

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Mrs. Winston turned to Maddy. “This weather makes these old hands of mine ache from my arthritis.”