by Marilyn Turk
Russell shook his head. “Can’t say. But we’re almost there. You can see for yourself if Destiny has any ghosts.”
Chapter 4
The yard and hedges along the crushed oyster shell driveway leading to the porte cochere were trimmed as they’d always been. But the oaks Lexie climbed as a child were now massive, towering over the house and reaching with their limbs in a protective embrace to keep the world out. Spanish moss draped from the branches and brushed the roof like long gray beards of old hermits.
Lexie scanned the cottage grounds alongside the Jekyll Island River then eyed Russell.
“Russell, if we fired the gardener, who’s been taking care of the grounds?”
“Abner.” Russell shrugged, his arms out to his sides. “After taking care of the property for thirty years, he insisted on keeping it up. Said it was a matter of pride in his work.”
“But who paid him?” Lexie strode over to a camellia bush whose red flowers were disintegrating into a puddle on the ground beneath. She picked up one of the soft petals and held it to her nose, rubbing its silky texture with her thumb, then glanced back over her shoulder at Russell.
“Since he’s on our crew, we’ve paid his salary. I’ve given him a little extra since he’s doing us a favor keeping the place up.”
“How strange.” Lexie dropped the petal. “I must speak with him and thank him.”
“Suit yourself.” Russell nodded at the house. “Too bad he couldn’t take care of the house too.”
Lexie let her eyes roam over the aging cottage, once so welcoming, now depressing.
Scores of cedar shake shingles were missing from the roof while blistered gray paint peeled off the siding. The dingy white window frames around the dormers hung rotten from the ravages of southern humidity. As they drew closer to the house, she could see several broken windows on the top floor.
“Why would anyone break a window on the third floor?” Lexie pointed to the third story where the family servants used to stay. “It wouldn’t be an easy way to break in.”
Russell shook his head. “Who knows why anyone vandalizes property? I suppose they think it’s fun.”
“How stupid.” Lexie stomped up the steps to the sweeping veranda that wrapped around the house on three sides.
The wood floor groaned under the weight of their footsteps. Dark drapes covered the windows, hiding the interior from view. Lexie wrapped her arms around herself to suppress a sudden chill. Had the temperature just dropped?
“I do wish you’d let us air the place out for you first.” Russell produced a key then grabbed the doorknob.
“No need. Especially since I’m not staying here.” She stared at the door, holding her breath, wondering what would greet her inside.
Russell’s forehead pinched with concern as he glanced at her over his shoulder. “Are you ready for this, Lexie?”
Lexie rubbed her upper arms and nodded. “Yes, of course. Let’s get on with it.”
Russell jiggled and jerked the key and knob with both hands before the lock gave way and relinquished its hold. Creaking hinges complained of years unused as Russell shoved open one side of the double doors.
Lexie hesitated before stepping inside, her eyes peering into the shadows within.
Russell touched her arm. “Wait. I’ll get some light in here.” He disappeared into the dusky room. Light creeped in as he went from window to window throwing back the heavy drapes. “All right. I believe you can see now,” he called from across the room.
Musty air filled her nostrils as she entered the foyer opening into the parlor. Lexie covered her mouth with one hand, waved the air with the other, and coughed.
“You see, we should’ve opened the house before you came.” Russell strode back to the front door and forced the other side free, pushing them both wide open. “There, that’ll help. I’ll try to open some of these windows.”
She wanted to tell him not to bother, but she feared she’d suffocate without fresh air. The walls threatened to close in on her. Claustrophobia. She’d seen this among other patients at the hospital. Did she suffer from it too?
“Lexie, are you okay?” He approached her and put his hand on her shoulder, peering into her face. “We can come back later, give the house a chance to air.”
She shook her head. She could do this. “No. Let’s not leave just yet. I’d like to have a quick look around first.”
“If you say so.” He dropped his arm and motioned for her to go on.
As fresh air forced its way inside, Lexie let herself relax. Hordes of dust particles flickered in rays of light piercing the dirty windows. Her gaze followed the beams to the distorted shapes of sheet-covered furniture throughout the room. Squinting to force a memory of how the room used to look, she could see it—the sofa in front of the fireplace, Grandmother and Grandfather sitting there and talking. She shook her head. No. They were gone, like everyone else. She swallowed hard and bit back tears. Her grandparents would be so sad to see the condition of their beloved cottage.
She diverted her gaze to the fireplace and the mirror hanging above it, the surface marred with blackened spots where the silver had worn off, no longer able to look at the room in front of it. The rest of the walls were barren, showing pale squares where the family portraits were once displayed. The roses on the yellowed custom-made wallpaper appeared wilted and dying where the paper was still attached to the wall. Lexie cringed at the sight of cobwebs in every corner. Hopefully, the spiders had died too.
“Would you like to see any other rooms?”
Lexie jumped at the sound of his voice. She’d forgotten Russell was there, she’d gotten so lost in the past. She glanced over at him, noting the raised eyebrows as he watched her every move. Thank goodness he had come with her. She moved around the furniture, afraid to touch the dusty covers. The den contained more peculiar shapes created by the covered furniture. One piece, however, was not covered.
The antique secretary in the corner was not only exposed, it’d been violated. Every drawer had been opened and several dashed to the floor. The cracked beveled glass doors were open and the cubbyholes looked like they’d been smashed with a hammer. She ran over to the desk, picking up one of the drawers and holding it to her chest as tears filled her eyes. Russell rushed to her side.
“How could someone do such a thing?” She choked back a sob. “Why would anyone damage a piece of beautiful furniture like this?” This is where Grandmother sat writing her letters, where her mother had done the same, and where Lexie, the child, had drawn pictures. Grandfather used to tease them saying, “Every time I look at that secretary, there’s a Smithfield woman sitting there.” Lexie’s heart cracked like the glass in the secretary doors.
Russell put his arm around her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Lexie. I wish our patrols had noticed something amiss and been able to stop this destruction.” He turned his head to view the rest of the room. “We don’t know what damage there is to the rest of the house. Everything else is still covered.”
He let go of Lexie and strode to one of the concealed shapes, jerking off the covering. The green velvet sofa showed no sign of damage. Russell walked through the room, ripping off covers and revealing furnishings that had long since seen light. Everything else appeared undisturbed, though. He turned and faced Lexie, arms outstretched with palms up.
“Nothing else appears to be damaged.”
“But why would they attack this piece?”
“Maybe they were looking for something.” Russell leaned over to examine the desk more closely.
Alarm shot through her. “What could they be looking for?” Vandalism was one thing, but searching her family’s things was quite another.
Russell straightened, his hands on his hips. “Do you know if anyone, perhaps your father or grandfather, kept anything important in it?”
She shook her head. “Russell, I was twelve when we left. I’ve been gone ten years, so I don’t remember a lot.” She crossed her arms. “But do you think
it makes sense for my father or grandfather to leave anything valuable here?”
He shrugged. “No, it doesn’t. And if they did, it would have been kept in the safe.”
Lexie whipped her head toward the hallway. “Russell, let’s look at the safe.”
There was no mystery about where the safe was located. Grandfather had been defiant about putting it inside its own locked closet. He didn’t care who knew where it was, confident it couldn’t be opened or moved by anyone but himself or Lexie’s father.
“Let’s see, I believe it’s in the closet under the stairs. Is that right?”
Of course, Russell would have seen it in the past.
Lexie nodded and stepped into the dim hallway. Her eyes took a moment to focus and orient herself. The silence in the house unnerved her. Goose bumps traveled up her arm with the sensation of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder to see if Russell followed.
“I’m right here.” Russell fell in step with her as they moved past the stairs. Lexie hesitated, glancing up. What did the upstairs look like now? She took a deep breath. One thing at a time.
Lexie squinted to see in the windowless space. A few feet past the stairs stood the door to the closet that held the safe. She stretched her hand out to the doorknob.
“Do you want me to open it?” Russell said.
“No, let me.”
She grabbed the knob and turned. The door opened without protest, unlocked. She jumped back, expecting it to be locked. Recovering her composure, she stepped forward and jerked the door wide open. Inside, the safe’s interior stood exposed, the door ajar.
The safe was completely empty. As it should be. But would they have left the safe open when they left and the closet door unlocked as well? Yet, if the safe was empty, it might as well be left open.
“Well, I don’t see anything amiss here.” Russell gestured to the safe.
“I guess not. But should the doors be locked?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Some folks leave them open so any would-be burglars don’t have to tear things up to find out there’s nothing there.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Lexie stepped back, staring at the empty safe.
“Are you ready to look at the rest of the house?”
“No, I don’t think so. Frankly, I want to get out of here and get some fresh air. Can we come back tomorrow?” Perhaps this trip would take longer than she expected. She’d seen enough for now and just couldn’t abide staying in the cottage one more minute.
“Sure.” Russell put his hand on her waist and led her back out to the foyer and the front door. “I have a meeting in the morning, but perhaps after that. Unless you want to come alone.”
Lexie widened her eyes. Could she come back alone? She steeled herself. Of course she could. She was an adult now, not the little girl who left.
“Russell, you don’t need to babysit me or change your schedule for me. Maybe I will come back by myself. I’m a big girl now, you know.”
As they moved out onto the veranda, Russell faced her with a wide grin. “You don’t have to tell me!”
Lexie’s cheeks warmed. She gave him a little shove. “Stop it, Russell!”
He threw back his head and laughed. “All right. But I will have housekeeping get in here early tomorrow and clean the place up. I should’ve done it anyway, even though you didn’t request it.”
She didn’t argue with him this time. It wouldn’t hurt to get rid of the dust. At least she could breathe the next time she entered the house. As Russell turned to lock the door, Lexie gazed at Jekyll River behind the house.
“Let’s take a walk in the yard. Do you mind?”
“No, of course not.” They strolled around the veranda to the rear of the house that faced the water. Lexie pointed at the bay window.
“That was Grandmother’s favorite part of the house. She made Grandfather build the breakfast room so she could look at the river and the marshes across the way.”
The veranda ended, and they descended steps into the backyard then walked to the water’s edge, startling a heron stalking fish nearby. It squawked its displeasure about being disturbed. Lexie couldn’t shake the feeling that she was intruding in a place where she wasn’t welcome. Her own family cottage shielded its privacy from her. She turned around and stared at the house. Framed by looming oaks and dripping moss, it held onto years of secrets. Lexie shuddered. What had once been so familiar now appeared mysterious. Why did she think the house looked back at her, telling her to go away and leave it alone?
Movement from the other side of the house caught her eye, and she glanced in that direction. Abner Jones stood in the shade, staring at her.
Chapter 5
Lexie grabbed Russell’s arm. “Russell! That man. He’s watching us!”
Russell followed her gaze and waved to the man. “Abner! How are you today?”
Flashing a glare at Russell, Lexie gritted her teeth. “What are you doing?”
“I’m speaking to Abner. Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you.” He gave her an annoying wink as he motioned for the man to come.
The tall, lanky gardener ambled toward them, his eyes fixed on Lexie. A straw hat covered the top of his gray hair which matched his bushy gray mustache. As he approached, a memory flashed through her mind of herself as a little girl, holding a flower she’d picked off one of the bushes in the yard. The tall man stood over her, pointing his finger and scolding her for taking the flower. “Miss, you shouldn’t do that. You go pickin’ all the flowers off and they won’t be any left in the yard to look at.”
She had trembled at the reprimand turning her good intentions into a crime. “But I wanted to give it to my momma and make her happy,” she said, with huge tears coursing down her cheeks.
“Your momma can buy all the flowers she wants from the club greenhouse. You just leave my flowers alone.”
When the man stopped in front of them, Russell nodded and turned to Lexie.
“Abner, do you remember Miss Alexandra Smithfield?”
Rubbing his chin, the gardener looked her up and down. Lexie stiffened from the perusal. After a few uncomfortable moments, he nodded.
“You was that little girl? You all growed up now.”
“She is indeed.”
Lexie stifled the urge to kick Russell.
“Yes, that was me, Robert Smithfield’s daughter. My grandfather built the cottage.”
“Umm hmm. I knowed your grandfather real well. He hired me when I was just a boy.”
Judging him to be in his fifties, that meant he’d worked for the family over thirty years.
“I understand you’ve been taking care of the property for us. That’s very nice of you, considering … well, considering the circumstances.” Heat rushed to Lexie’s face as she stumbled to express herself.
“You mean since you fired me?” Abner Jones drew himself up and crossed his arms. “Hmmph!”
Lexie’s stomach churned. “I’m sorry, you see, our accountant didn’t think we needed a gardener anymore, especially since we haven’t been here for years.”
A bony finger pointed in her face. “Let me tell you something, young lady. I had a deal with your grandfather. He hired me to do a job, and he never fired me. So I’m still doing my job!”
Lexie jumped back and Russell stepped between her and Abner. “Abner, settle down. Miss Smithfield had nothing to do with the decision. I believe she was trying to thank you for your commitment.”
Lexie peered around Russell to see the gardener’s reaction. The man stared at Russell then shook his head. He turned and walked away, muttering to himself.
Russell faced her with a wistful smile. “Sorry, Lexie. Abner’s manners are wanting.”
Lexie stared after the retreating silhouette then glanced up at Russell. “I feel like such an outsider here. He acts like the house belongs to him and not me. And in a way, maybe it does. After all, he’s the one who’s stayed to take care of it.”
“Abner knows he’s not
a club member. He’s a bit set in his ways, but he’s harmless.”
“I’m sorry Grandfather isn’t here to thank him.” Lexie lowered her gaze. “I suppose Mr. Jones thinks a young woman like myself is not to be taken seriously. I’m just in his way.”
Russell grabbed her shoulders, peering into her face. “Lexie, this is your cottage. You have every right to do what you wish with it. I just wish … well, you just do what you have to do, and don’t worry about Abner, okay?”
“Okay, if you say so.” They turned to walk away, but she stopped and faced Russell. “Russell, what do you wish?”
“Oh, I wish things didn’t have to change, I guess.” He let his arms drop to his side. “But they already have. Your family is one of the few remaining founding families of the club.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.” Lexie recalled the waiter’s words that morning. She didn’t realize so many of the original members were gone.
They walked back toward the clubhouse while Lexie scanned the area beyond Destiny and the compound’s ten-foot deer fence. Primitive woods still inhabited the area beyond—that part of the island which bordered a marsh. Grandfather knew their cottage would be more isolated than the others. It was his way of keeping the club’s original intent of having a simple, rustic getaway from the throes of overbuilt civilization like their lives up north. As a child, the woods had always beckoned to her as a place of intrigue and mystery, but now they whispered dark secrets.
As if reading her thoughts, Russell spoke. “Remember when we used to hide in the woods?”
“Of course I do. You and Robert hid in there knowing I’d follow you. Then you’d jump out and scare me half to death!”
Russell chuckled. “We had fun hearing you scream.”
Lexie gave his shoulder a shove. “You two were very mean, scaring a little girl like that.”
