by Zoey Kane
“We’ll think of something—something good—but we are keeping it. So, how do you like that?!” Zo nodded and was well-pleased with the discovery. They continued to stare at it awhile, looking at it in its perfect beauty.
“Now, dear, there is just one thing tainting this almost-perfect moment.” Zo pointed with her eyes to where Dick lay. “Do you have your cell phone?”
“Mother, why do you even need to ask?” Claire laughed.
EIGHTEEN
The Riverside Bugle’s front page news, May 23rd: Hillgate Murderer Has Heart Attack.
Uninvited news reporters from all over town and neighboring cities parked themselves in front of the estate. Claire and Zo stood on the porch entrance, answering as many questions as possible.
“Yes, his fangs sunk into my skin. See!” Zo exclaimed.
Flash! Flash! Flash! All the cameras took pictures of the bite mark.
“Mom! They weren’t fangs, for the record!” Claire corrected.
“Okay, okay, but I did knee him in the groin!”
“Yes, she did,” Claire confirmed.
The questioning happened for more than an hour and then Claire finally said, “Time’s up! We need to go inside and have some tea. No more questions, please.”
*
“Mom, please pick up after yourself. I have a date tonight.” Claire moved her mother’s cereal bowl into one of the sinks. “We don’t have maids here anymore, remember?”
“Well, we could if we wanted, couldn’t we?”
“But we don’t need them, if you would just put your dishes in the sink.”
“Can I come with you on your date, dear?”
“No way.” Claire thought her mom was serious.
“How did Dracula get back in touch with you?”
“You mean Lucas, Mom?” She sat back down at the table. “Lucas was one of the reporters there this morning. While you were so into talking to Rebecca Heat from Channel 5 news, I was being interviewed by Lucas from Channel 2.”
“Lucas is a reporter?”
“Yes, but he swears that he really was fond of me at the ball. It wasn’t just to get answers out of me.”
“So, he was undercover?” Zo smiled. “What a smart man. Someone cute and into journalism as well? Just your kind.”
“Yes, maybe I’ll get back into the media one of these days soon… but for now, hangin’ with you, Mom, is better.”
“Well, darling, I still want to go on that date with you,” she teased. “Maybe I could take Bob McGowan from the Riverside Bugle. I think he may have a thing for me.”
“If you promise not to bug us.” Claire gave in.
“Oh, no, Claire. I wasn’t being serious.”
“Oh, come on, Mom. Remember what you told me? ‘What’s the harm in having a man find you attractive?’ Let’s all go out tonight together. That would be fun. I’ll give him a call.”
“I’ll make that call myself, thank you.”
*
Zo took her strawberry-blonde hair out of hot curlers and brushed it until it waved down her back just how she liked it. She wore a simple black evening dress and a wrap around her shoulders.
Claire put her hair into a French twist and had pretty wisps of bangs come down on her forehead. She, too, wore a simple black evening dress, no wrap.
“Dear, why don’t you wear Lilly’s beautiful gold locket tonight? I’m sure she won’t mind.”
“Mother, now that the diamond is in the safety deposit box, should I put something else inside of it?”
“You can think of what it will be while we are out tonight. You know what? I can’t trust my dates anymore… just like that! They all will want to marry me for my cars.”
“Thank goodness you are leaving me penniless, giving everything to museums and charity. That is my story and I am sticking to it.”
*
The restaurant was gorgeous. The four enjoyed their food: prime rib for Lucas, surf and turf for Zo, spaghetti with the meatballs for Bob, and grilled salmon for Claire. The men wanted to talk about the old man from the attic, room number ten, the cars, and their careers. Then there were those moments when each couple spoke personally to each other.
It was fun. They continued their date back at the mansion in their own bar. Lucas built a fire in the granite fireplace. Pretty soon, everyone was tired. They wanted to continue talking in spite of the weariness.
“You know, guys, I can offer you a room, if you are too tired to drive out of the hill.”
“I know,” said Bob. “That is what is so flipping outrageous about dating you, Zo. You are one continuous adventure. But Mr. Smith would never forgive me if I didn’t come home. That’s my cat. But I would love to see you this weekend… That is, if you aren’t too busy, or booked with other dates.”
“I gotta go, too, because I drove,” informed Lucas. “Plus, I have to do laundry tonight anyway for work tomorrow.”
Claire was smiling.
“What?” asked Lucas. “Did you think bachelors wear dirty clothes?” He smiled.
Before leaving, Lucas kissed Claire on the cheek. And Zo kissed Bob on the cheek. And then Bob took the opportunity and kissed Zo on the mouth, which brought a big smile from both of them.
After the ladies closed the door behind the guys, they sighed in happiness.
“That was fun,” Claire said.
They danced their way up the stairs to the master suite and changed out of their clothes into nightgowns. Claire felt like sleeping with the locket. Once she lay in bed, she clasped the locket in both hands as it was still on the gold chain around her neck. She opened it again to look at the empty inside, pondering over what she could put in there. But wait… The moonlight caught a little glimpse of something she and her mother had not noticed before.
“Mother, turn on your flashlight!”
“Huh?” Zo was peaceful, about to fall asleep. “What is it now?” She pulled the flashlight out from under the bed and aimed it at Claire.
“Not at me! Not in my eyes!” Claire squinted. “At the locket.”
They both read an engraved note on the inside, written in cursive script: “Sink and Ye Shall Find.”
NINETEEN
‘“Sink and Ye Shall Find’? Wasn’t that already one of the clues?” Zo asked. “It’s a repeat. Now why would it do that?”
“I don’t know, Mother, but I am getting up. I can’t sleep now. I have to look under every single one of the sinks in this estate.”
“Okay, darling, I’m with you.” They popped out of bed, put on their fluffy slippers and proceeded to look methodically under each sink.
“What else do you think it could be leading to?” asked Zo. “More treasure… I am feeling so spoiled just about now.” She smiled.
Claire didn’t answer. She turned on all the lights in every room as they went.
Under Mr. Fillmore’s sink was a used crystal ashtray and cleaning products. Under the vanity bathroom, more powder fluffs and perfumes and even makeup. Down in the servants’ quarters, the three small bathrooms the guests had to share had nothing but cobwebs and more cleaning products.
They soon scrambled downstairs to check under the remaining sinks. In the parlor, there was nothing but old vodka and wine.
“Oooh! Hundred-year-old wine? Could you imagine?” Zo stopped to say.
“You still see nothing that looks like a clue yet, Mom?”
They had their heads and flashlights poking around opposite areas of the wet bar.
“Nope.”
They looked in the kitchen and there was still no riddle.
“There is one last place to check,” said Claire excitedly. “The laundry room!”
An old washer and dryer had been moved over and stacked, to make way for the new bigger and better washer and dryer they purchased from Sears. Zo peeked under and around a utility sink, but there was nothing peculiar about it. “I am tired. There’s nothing here.”
“You don’t suppose the clue was a mistake do you? Like yo
u said—just a fluke repeat?”
“Well, I know one thing is for sure. I am not searching the rest of my life for the treasure, if there is some, like our old friend Dick did.”
“That puts it into the right perspective. Let’s just relax.” They took a few moments to sit in the dirty laundry and contemplate before going to bed.
*
“Yes, Mayor.” Zo was on the phone the next afternoon. “We would like to schedule a proper burial and to educate the community on the great Fillmore Mystery. Even establish a museum in their name.”
“That sounds like a fantastic idea. No problem. I will get all the help from the community I can.”
The next day’s Riverside Bugle headline read, “Volunteers Needed at Hillgate.”
Cars and trucks unloaded volunteers to bring about Zo and Claire’s vision. Construction began for building a memorial museum, down closer to the bottom of Hillgate, by the graveyard.
It took about two months to finish. But when it was done, it was beautiful—with the best granite, marble and stained glass to match the decor of the estate and cemetery. Ladies from the community made large floral arrangements for the inside and outside. Others worked on painting the gate and replacing its rusted hinges. The grounds were beautified.
Around the museum, the Fillmore Memorial, grass was planted to soften up the appearance from the rest of the wild brush. Zo and Claire stood at the foot of the gate, watching the resurrection of the lives of the Fillmores.
*
On the Fourth of July, the Kanes hosted a party, and the whole community was invited. No outsiders were allowed, except for a couple special invites to reporters. There wouldn’t be sufficient room to accommodate the demand in the museum. A eulogy, given by Zo, and words from the mayor, would be recorded live for television viewers.
Inside the museum, several of Loretta’s dresses hung on display with matching shoes and purses. Letters tied with ribbon, were opened up and put under a glass display case, with pearl necklaces, perfumes and so forth.
A section was dedicated to Lilly. The carousel that had woken them several times was pieced together. Zo’s antique dealer told her there was no logical reason for it to have turned and played music. Lace and pearls were used as metaphors to describe her. The locket was under glass, opened to the message “Sink and Ye Shall Find.”
In Mr. Fillmore’s dedicated area were top hats, fancy shoes, guns and pictures of old cars. There were also a few cigars. The half-smoked cigar in the crystal ashtray, found under a sink, was probably that last cigar Mr. Fillmore smoked before he was intruded upon and murdered.
Many other things were up for show in remembrance, and Zo was especially proud of her old newspapers from the trunk she got at the auction. The front page rehearsed the legend of the fire. A couple inside pages reported on the charity the Fillmores had lovingly offered Riverside. These pages were pinned up behind glass.
Claire watched the community gather around and look everything over with respect and curiosity. Max came over to her, shaking his head in awe. “It’s amazing what your mother found here,” he said.
“Yes. Yes, it is,” was all she could think to say in return, smiling at the irony of the situation—how this looked like the worst investment ever at first sight.
“It was fun working at the hotel while it lasted.” Max rubbed his nose with his calloused hands. “It was a nice change-up from the day job, if you know what I mean.”
“We enjoyed having you, Max. You’ve been so good to us.”
He smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. “If you need anything… If any other positions open, let me know, sweetie.”
Scheduled to start was the eulogy over the deaths of the Fillmores, hosted by Zo and the mayor. Dusk was approaching, and Zo read over and over the words she was to deliver. Her nerves were bouncing all over the place. Her daughter came up beside her, and put a hand on her shoulder in affection. “Claire, you would think I wouldn’t be so nervous after all we have endured living here.”
“Fear of public speaking can be as strong as fear of death, I’ve heard. But don’t worry, Mom, you’re going to do great.” She rubbed Zo’s shoulders for a moment to loosen her up.
Townspeople were gathering in chairs, sitting under a couple set-up awnings that provided shade. The Fillmores’ gravesite was next to the small museum for all to admire. Artists had done a magnificent job of producing Thomas, Loretta and Lilly’s headstones. Different angel sculptures sat atop each to guard them. There was also a tall flagpole set permanently into the earth; at its top, the red, white, and blue colors of the American flag rippled brilliantly.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” Zo cleared her throat, and spotted Penny in the crowd. “We are gathered here today as a community to learn about the lives of those who once resided in Hillgate Manor. In this home lived a loving father—owner of the community bank—an enchanting mother with better style than even me…”
The guests gave a respectful chuckle.
“And a daughter,” Zo continued, “who was in love and just becoming a woman herself.”
Claire’s closed-mouth smile showed she was touched by her mother’s words.
“I have come to learn little bits about this family. They had great love for each other. Their patriotism was true… Their philanthropy gracious. They didn’t have to give, but they wanted to. It wasn’t about showing how much money they had; it was about sharing a unity with each citizen, living in Riverside.
“Seventy-some-odd-years-ago, on this day, the Fourth of July, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fillmore hosted a party. They invited the whole community and their children to come and have fun… but a fire tore through the other side of the river, leaving only this treasure here, standing as a reminder of that day.” She pointed to the estate. “The family died awful deaths, as you have heard from the news. They were also placed in the earth without proper caskets or a dedication. It makes me well pleased today, and honored, to set apart this dedication. And here helping me do this is Mayor Henderson.” She looked over to him with a humble smile and called him forward. “Mayor Henderson…”
The crowd was very quiet and respectful. Zo took a seat next to her daughter. “Welcome, everyone,” the mayor started. “Thank you for coming on this most special day. In dedication of this gravesite, where one generation of a family can now lay peacefully with its former, let me present to the Fillmores these doves…” He pulled a blue cloth off of a birdcage to reveal several pure white, feathery creatures. “We chose doves, because they are white like Heaven’s light, and when released will soar in Heaven’s sky. It was also a dove that Noah released on his ark, to come back and bring good news that the flood was over. Let us pray that the flood will be over, and pray that peace may rest upon these souls… forever.”
The mayor unlatched the lock on the cage, and opened it slowly. The angelic birds flew up, up, up into the sky. Some of the members of the audience had tears in their eyes, dabbing them with tissues and handkerchiefs.
Claire and Zo made eye contact after that serene moment and noticed they, too, had red, wet eyes.
*
As the mother and daughter were saying their good-byes to some of the lingering guests, one person waited in line to be last of all to speak to Zo.
“Zoey,” Penny said, wearing sunglasses. “Hi…”
“Hello.” Zo felt her heart pound as evidence that even a mere greeting from the woman caused her nerves to bounce around. After the whole incident at the Homestyle Buffet, and then being dumped into the garbage truck out front of the woman’s home, Zo wasn’t sure how to act around Penny. Claire once again stood nearby, just in case.
“I have to tell you something.” Penny lifted the shades off her teary eyes. “Your speech on Riverside’s once gracious community had me thinking. I’ve been the worst neighbor to you.” A tear actually spilled.
Zo reached around her, giving a great big hug. She could feel the metaphorical walls between them crumble down as the embrace tightened, an
d she asked, “Does this mean we’re frenemies again?”
“More than that.” Penny pulled back, smiling through more tears. “We can be friends.”
“That sounds… wonderful.” A deep breath of dusk’s air added to the refreshing feeling of reconciliation.
“Oh, and-uh,” Penny clenched her jaw with an apologetic expression, “if the IRS comes knocking on your door, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t!”
“I’m afraid I did.” She brushed some hair behind an ear, and the two ended up having a good laugh together over the timing of it all.
“That’s awful.” Zo sighed, shaking her head.
“One more thing,” Penny confessed. “If you see the picture of you in Max’s truck floating around Facebook, maybe even getting hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube to the song I’m a Loser, Baby, I’m sorry about that, too.”
Zo’s eyes went wide and she teased gruffly, “It’s too bad we already made up. I would have had fun getting even with you.”
“I won’t do anything like that again—ever. I hope you can let it all go.”
Zo stood silent a second and then a smile began to creep across her lips. “For sure I can.”
TWENTY
Everything seemed to be wrapping up into a happily-ever-after for the Kanes. That was until the next afternoon, when Zo saw a man with a clipboard walking around the grounds, taking notes. “Helloooo there!” she called. He stopped and waited for her to approach.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Hello, Mrs. Kane. I am an IRS agent re-evaluating this property.” He handed her his card. “This property has not been assessed in… seventy years it seems. A little overdue, wouldn’t you think?”
Zo sighed. “I can’t say that you weren’t expected.”
“I’m just going to be walking around here and taking some measurements. It says here… you own eighty acres? That is one of the most gorgeous mansions I have ever seen. It must have cost you millions. I could never afford such a beauty. Well, heck, for that matter I couldn’t afford the millions of dollars in taxes a place like that would assess, let alone such a pricey property. We are going to need an itemized list of all your valuables as well, so you might think about getting that together… Do you have an accountant?”
