Part Five
He Said
Weeks had passed since the engagement announcement and Mart came to the conclusion that he needed to deal with the situation with Brian at once. Time was ticking by and the wedding would be upon them in another week. So it came about that he arrived on his brother’s doorstep unannounced. He took a deep breath before he knocked on the door. There was a long pause, in which he wondered whether it would be better to make a run for it, and then the door opened.
“What do you want?” Brian asked.
“Can I come in?” Mart replied. “I think we need to talk.”
His brother shrugged. “What’s there to talk about?”
Mart rolled his eyes and stepped inside the apartment. “Oh, I don’t know. How about the fact that the last time I saw you, you looked like you wanted to hit me?”
Brian sighed and sat down on the sofa. He waved his brother to a seat, opposite. “I don’t really want to talk about that. I wasn’t being very reasonable at the time.”
“You think?”
“Yes. I’ve gotten over that urge, now.” He frowned. “So, you came all this way to hear that?”
“I came all this way to clear the air between us. I didn’t think it would be quite the same on the phone.” Mart leaned forward, trying to get some kind of clue to his brother’s thoughts. “I need to know that this isn’t going to keep happening.”
With a vague gesture, Brian dismissed the idea. “I said that I’m over it; this won’t happen again. You have my assurance.”
Mart stared at him. “So, one day, Honey and I might announce that we’re having a baby and you’re going to be completely fine with that?”
Before he knew what was happening, Brian was on his feet and leaning over him. “She’s not pregnant now, is she?”
“No!” He put out a calming hand. “No, definitely not. But you need to know that she wants children and she doesn’t want to wait long. I suspect it’s going to happen pretty quickly.”
“Is this what it’s all about?” Brian demanded. “She wants a child and you’re just a convenient father-figure?”
“I don’t think so,” Mart replied, too stunned by the accusation to put as much conviction as he felt into his words. “We love each other. This is where we were already heading. It’s just the time frame that has changed.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Brian scowled.
“Yes! It’s the truth. Unlike what you just told me. There’s still an issue here between us, isn’t there?” He let out a weary sigh. “I’ve given you as much time to adjust as I have to spare. I really want to sort this out, but I can’t if you don’t tell me what it’s about.”
Brian’s scowl deepened and he turned away. “It’s not that I want her back – I don’t; I’ve come to terms with that. I’ve accepted that she and I were never meant to be. I’ve also accepted that the feelings I had for her were not what I was pretending they were.”
“Then what is the problem?”
His older brother shook his head. “I don’t know why she affects me this way. I want to see her treated well and I don’t think you’re doing that. And before you say anything,” he hurried on, “Jim has already given me a lecture on this being Honey’s idea, Honey’s agenda, what Honey wants.”
“It is,” Mart told him, softly. “Maybe it’s time that you accepted that Honey can make her own choices. She doesn’t need your approval.”
The expression on Brian’s face had softened, but he still looked away. “I’m working on that. It’s just taking some time.”
“Okay,” Mart answered. “Just do me a favour and keep working on it. I don’t want to be decked by you when I’m in the mood for sharing happy news.”
She Said
A few short days before the wedding, Trixie needed to make another quick visit to Kentucky, to oversee the work that was being done on the house. In spite of what she had thought were thorough preparations, a number of important decisions had to be made and the details were not clear enough in her mind to be done from afar.
At Honey’s insistence, and in spite of the nagging of her conscience, she took the Wheeler jet once more. This time, however, none of the Bob-Whites were able to accompany her. Instead, she was startled to find that her travelling companion was Matthew Wheeler himself.
“If you don’t mind,” he had said, when he told her. “You’ve inspired me to invest in a company that’s based in Corbin. I’m thinking of making a take-over bid, actually. I wanted to do a little research on the ground.”
The idea of objecting to his travelling in his own plane was ludicrous, of course, so she had accepted the situation and been secretly glad that she would not be alone in potentially hostile territory. Furthermore, her host was curious to see the project and asked to be allowed to come with her to see it. They arrived together at the cursed house by the back entrance and Trixie gave him a quick tour.
Most of the work on the interior of the house had already been completed – the dust of generations had been displaced, furniture and household articles had been removed to the other house and repairs had been made in several places. The plumbing and electrical wiring had been replaced as well. All that remained, inside and out, was a short list of repairs and replacements, and the painting. Further to that, an agreement had been made with a local charity to use the building to support women in need and the small amount of rent they would pay would make the facility self-sustaining. Trixie had chosen them because she felt their cause resonated with the idea of remembering Dulcie Englefield.
“You’ve done exceedingly well,” Mr. Wheeler commented, as he ran a hand across the new sink in the kitchen. “I would not have guessed that this house had stood empty for decades. It’s looking well-loved on the inside, at least. When the painting is done, no one will be able to tell that there was ever a disreputable stage to the house’s existence.”
Trixie thanked him, adding, “I think it always has been well-loved, though. It wasn’t really in that bad a shape when I got it.”
“It’s still a job to be proud of,” he disagreed. “And speaking of which, I’d like to make a suggestion. I think it’s time for you to make public your plans. I think you should be putting a sign out the front, proudly proclaiming that this is the future site of your facility.”
For a long moment, she thought about that. “I’d like to, but I’m still concerned about the nephew. He just still doesn’t believe that the house won’t eventually be his. He’s been told that it’s mine, that I’m turning it over to be used for charity work, that he can’t ever touch it, but he keeps sending Steve Hosking messages for me, telling me to stop work here. He doesn’t seem to notice that the more he objects, the more determined I am to make this work.”
He frowned. “Some people don’t know when they’re beaten. You have my backing, though, Trixie. I’m behind you on this project one hundred percent. It’s a worthwhile thing to do and I respect the way you took an old man’s requests into consideration, even though he was essentially your enemy. That takes a lot of personal integrity.”
She felt the blush rising in her cheeks. “Mostly, I’m just doing what I think is right.”
“That’s a good thing, Trixie.” He smiled at her. “Keep that philosophy in mind; it will serve you well.”
He Said
“Morning,” Indira greeted, in a cheery voice. She settled at the small table across from Brian and began peeling an orange for her breakfast. Her room-mate replied with only a grunt. “Lovely day today. What are your plans?”
Brian shrugged and took another bite of his toast. Across the table, Indira raised an eyebrow, considered him for a moment, then made another attempt at conversation. “I thought I’d go and pick up some groceries. Is there anything that you’d like me to get while I’m out?”
He shook his head, frowning into his cup of coffee.
“What is your problem today, Brian?” Indira enquired, with considerable exasperation. “You’re moping. You don’t answer when I speak to you. You look like you’ve been drinking lemon juice instead of coffee. And don’t scowl at me like that – I’m not anyone’s doormat, but especially not yours.”
“I’m going back home this morning,” he told her. “I don’t really want to go.”
She rolled her eyes. “If it’s that bad, then stay here. Call them and say you’re not coming.”
He eyed her for a moment, before shaking his head. “Can I tell you something in confidence?”
Indira nodded. “I’m going to my brother’s wedding.”
“The brother who stole your girlfriend?” she asked.
“It could hardly be my other brother, who’s only twelve,” Brian snapped. “And he didn’t steal my girlfriend. I’d dumped her. And before you ask me what’s my problem, I don’t know, okay? I have no right to feel cheated. I don’t even want her for myself any more. I just feel annoyed by this and I don’t understand why.”
She sat and contemplated him for a few moments. “So, why is it in confidence? Weddings aren’t usually a secret.”
Brian sighed. “The girl he’s marrying is the daughter of an important businessman. They didn’t want a big society wedding, so her mother came up with a scheme where they hold the wedding in secret and announce it afterwards.”
Indira rolled her eyes. “The problems that some people have!” She grinned. “I have an idea of why you’re upset, though.”
He sighed. “Do I want to hear this theory?”
“Of course. And even if you don’t, you’re going to anyway.” She gave him a long, appraising look. “You’re upset because you’re feeling left out and left behind.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” Brian objected, almost before she’d finished speaking. “I am exactly as involved with my family as I would like to be. I am certainly not being left behind anywhere; I have never wanted to be married this young. I have been places and done things that my siblings haven’t dreamt of; I am perfectly satisfied with my life as it is.”
“Really?” Indira drawled. “Then, why are you so defensive?”
He opened his mouth to make a scathing reply when his brain kicked into gear. He stopped, mouth still hanging open, to consider what he was about to say. After almost a minute, he continued in a quiet voice. “I think you touched a nerve, there. I will admit that one of the things I just said is not exactly true: there are aspects of my life that I am not perfectly satisfied with. And, I suppose, one of those aspects is that there’s no room for romance in my life plan at this time.”
“Your life plan? You have an actual life plan?” She shook her head. “That is way too anal retentive, you know?”
“No, it’s organised and practical.” He drained his coffee cup and carried his dishes to the sink. “I have enough problems right now, without adding girlfriends into the mix.”
Indira gave him a strange look and shook her head once more. “You’re a strange man, sometimes, Brian. I can’t think why I like you.”
He smiled. “The feeling is most definitely mutual.”
She Said
Alone for a few moments, Honey stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room and smiled at her reflection. The simple gown fit her perfectly, its smooth lines enhancing her figure, the small amount of lace and a few crystal beads drawing attention where it was needed. Behind her, someone cleared his throat and she turned to see her father.
“Ready, sweetheart?” he asked, in a strange, scratchy voice.
Smiling at him, she nodded and took his arm.
“You’re really sure about this?” he asked. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
She squeezed his arm, but did not answer the question. Her father had made it abundantly clear that he was not ready for this step. “I’m ready now; is it time to go down?”
“Almost,” he answered. “But I don’t want to give you away just yet.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’re not losing me, you’re gaining Mart.”
He laughed. “I should just be glad he’s not coming to live here – we might be eaten out of house and home.”
“He’s not quite that bad.” She turned towards the door and started in that direction. “I think I’ll be kept busy keeping him well-fed, though.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine, sweetheart.” He opened the door for her, taking her arm to guide her along the hallway and down the stairs. “And I’m sure that I’ll be fine, too – eventually.”
Honey swatted his arm, but held on as they descended the stairs. At the bottom of the flight, her mother waited.
“Honey, you look so beautiful,” she exclaimed. “I’ve never seen you so radiant.”
“I’m feeling so happy about this, Mother,” Honey answered. “I can hardly believe that today is here.”
“Everything is ready. We just have a few minutes more to wait.” Her mother smiled. “It’s going to be a lovely wedding.”
Honey nodded and glanced up the stairs, where she could hear her two best friends and bridesmaids approaching. They both looked happy and full of life today, both lovely in their dresses of blue satin. The three girls had already done a good deal of giggling that morning, but now Honey was seized by sudden nerves.
“You’re not going to chicken out now, are you?” Trixie asked, just as she reached the foot of the stairs. “I don’t want to have to comfort my almost-twin after he’s left at the altar by my own best friend.”
“As if I’d do that!” Honey shook her head. “I’m so ready to get married.”
“Well, let’s get going, then,” Trixie suggested. “Let’s get this part over with so the party can start.”
“This is actually the important part, Trix,” Honey chided. “This is what we’re here for.”
Her friend waved the matter away with a careless gesture. “Of course it is. So, let’s get it over with.”
Honey smiled and let the argument drop. Just outside in the well-tended grounds, surrounded by their closest family and friends, Mart was waiting. It was time to go and become his wife.
He Said
The wedding was over and the bride and groom had left for their honeymoon. Jim sat alone in his room at the Manor House, thinking over the events of the day and wondering about his own situation with Trixie. His sister’s whirlwind wedding had stirred up some strange feelings for Jim and he was having trouble dealing with them.
He knew, however, that there was more to the matter than that. Ever since Dan had shown him the bag of papers, an issue connected with them had been weighing heavily on his mind. It taunted him with its potential consequences, especially when combined with the fact of his secret marriage to Trixie. No matter what he did, he could not put these thoughts aside. That being the case, he decided that it was time to deal with it. He had run away from this part of his past for too long. He thought about telling Trixie about it and enlisting her help, but his courage failed. No, it was better that he did this alone.
Half an hour later, he had made his plans. The only difficulty would be in convincing Trixie to let him go alone. She disliked being kept in the dark, or being left out. As he got ready for bed and settled down for the night, Jim considered how he might go about asking her to let him travel alone. When morning came, he was no nearer a solution and decided to simply ask. They met at the stables, as they had arranged the night before, and he launched into the conversation almost straight away, while they saddled their horses.
“Trixie, I need to take a trip upstate.” He tried to keep his voice casual, but could tell that she heard the note of tension. “I don’t know how long I’ll be away.”
She looked surprised and just a little bit wary. “You don’t want me to come with you?”
Jim shook his head. “It’s something that I need to do by myself. Something from my past has been bothering me, lately, and I want to go and deal with it. I need to do this by myself.”
“Okay,” she answered, a slight frown creasing her brow. “I’m sure I can find something to keep me occupied.”
“I know you will,” he replied, feeling very relieved that the conversation was going so smoothly.
“So, there’s nothing that I can help you with?”
He stopped and shook his head. “I just need to face this. I’m pretty sure that when I have, it won’t worry me so much. I think, if I took you with me, it wouldn’t have quite the same effect.”
She seemed disappointed by this, but it seemed that she was willing to bide her time and let him tell her about it later. Jim considered, as he mounted Jupiter and they set off together, that it was a sign of how much she had grown. He also considered that she might not be so patient when he arrived home and failed to fill her in. That being the case, he did not enjoy their ride as much as he might have.
When they returned to the stables and had finished their work, they parted ways, promising to meet again later in the day. Alone again, Jim shut his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. It was almost too good to be true that Trixie had let it go with so little fuss. For a moment, Jim wondered when it was going to go wrong.
She Said
With her best friend away, and Jim busy with his mysterious errand, Trixie found herself at a loose end and longing for something to do. Despite her best efforts to just trust him and let him deal with whatever was bothering him, a nagging thought kept insisting that he was deceiving her in some way. No matter what she tried, the idea kept returning to her mind, and she began seeking a distraction.
The sign she had ordered for the new community centre would be ready in the next day or two and on the spur of the moment she decided to go and see it erected. She threw a few clothes in a bag, tossed it in the back of her car and was about to start driving when her mother called her back to the house for a telephone call.
When she took up the receiver, she was greeted by Matthew Wheeler’s voice. “You’re not busy for the next couple of days, are you?” he enquired.
“Not exactly,” she answered. “Was there something you wanted me to do?”
“I was just wondering whether you might fancy a short trip to Kentucky,” he asked. “There’s a small problem down there that I need sorted out immediately. I’m sending someone there in my private jet – down today and back tomorrow afternoon. If you can be ready to leave in the next fifteen minutes, you can go along.”
“Mr. Wheeler, you are a mind reader,” Trixie responded. “Kentucky is exactly where I want to be and I was about to start driving there. I’m ready to leave right now.”
“In that case, Tom will be by to pick you up in a few minutes. Nice talking to you, Trixie.”
“Thanks, Mr. Wheeler,” she replied, as they ended the conversation.
She told her mother of the change of plans, grabbed her bag from the car and dropped the keys onto the counter, in case it was in the way, then went outside to wait. Later that afternoon, she checked in to a motel near the cursed house and went straight over to get on with the things she had decided to do there. When she got there, she decided to start by checking in Mr. Englefield’s own house first. She had not been inside for some time and thought, perhaps, it would be best to see that everything was all right.
As soon as she walked in the door, Trixie knew that someone else had been inside recently. She would have expected a certain mustiness in the air, but there was no other explanation for the hint of tobacco smoke that lingered. For a moment she hesitated, wondering if there might be someone there at that moment. Shaking her head, she dismissed the idea. What she was smelling was stale smoke. She walked through the rooms, looking for other signs of disturbance, but finding none.
I’ll have to get the locks changed, she decided. I wish I’d thought of that earlier. I should have had it done at the same time as the cursed house.
Her inspection over, she made her way through the grounds to the gateway into the cursed house. There were no unpleasant surprises here and soon she had followed up on everything she wanted to see. The sign had not yet arrived, but its posts had already been set in concrete and a phone call she had made earlier had confirmed that its delivery was expected in the morning. Planning to return then to see it put up, she decided to set into motion her intention to secure the other house.
A couple of telephone calls later, the arrangements were all made. Within twenty-four hours, all of the locks would be changed and a security system would be installed in Mr. Englefield’s house. Next, she decided to give Steve Hosking a call and inform him of the latest development. She dialled his number and got through to him without delay.
“I just thought I’d let you know that someone has been in Mr. Englefield’s house,” she told him. “I couldn’t find anything missing or disturbed, and there wasn’t any sign of a break-in, but I could smell stale cigarette smoke. I’ve arranged to have the locks changed.”
“I’m really sorry, Trixie,” Mr. Hosking answered. “I should have advised you to do that straight away.” He took a breath. “Also, I think I might know who your visitor was. Milton Englefield has been bothering me about a certain item, which he thinks should have come to him. I wasn’t aware that he had a key, but it’s possible that he might have acquired one.”
Trixie guessed at once that he referred to the item he had given her on the first day they met. “What has he been saying?”
“He wants me to tell him where it is.” He rushed on. “I haven’t told him, of course. I’ve evaded all of his questions, but I think he suspects that I know what has happened to it. I’ll keep on holding him off, but I thought you should know that it’s come to his attention that it’s not among the inventory of belongings.”
She sighed. “Thanks. I’ll be careful with it. I was going to get someone to take a look at it, but I haven’t gotten to it, yet. Maybe I’ll hold off on that for a while. I don’t suppose he’ll have guessed that I have it, do you?”
“No, I’m sure he hasn’t,” the man replied at once. “From the direction of his questions, it seems that he thinks it has gone to another relative. I doubt that the man in question will admit that he does not have it – at least, not for a very long time – but you never can tell.”
“Well, it’s good to see that I’m not the only one who doesn’t get along with Milton Englefield,” she noted. “His own family don’t tell him things, either.”
“No, I understand that there’s a certain amount of rivalry there. The other man is the kind that won’t give away information, in the hope that it might be worth something later.”
Trixie frowned. “I’m really glad I’m not actually related to the Englefields. I like my own family a whole lot better.”
“I like mine better, too,” Mr. Hosking replied with a laugh. “Make sure you let me know if anything else turns up and I’m sure I’ll talk to you later, Trixie.”
“Thanks,” she replied and bade him goodbye.
With a frown, she set down the phone and considered what to do next. The sign would not be ready to go up until the following morning – or, at least, she hoped that was the case. Most other things were in hand at the moment and did not require her personal attention. The next couple of hours stretched ahead, empty and begging to be filled. Trixie stood up and walked to the door. If there was nothing to be done at the house, she would go out and explore the area. At the very least, it should keep her mind occupied.
He Said
Jim sat at the tiny table provided in his motel room and shuffled papers. In spite of his plan to just drive upstate, find what he was looking for and leave, he felt the need to linger a while and sort through what he had discovered. His memory of the events in question had been a bit vague and hazy. Since arriving here, he had remembered a multitude of details that had previously been lost to him. Worst of all, he was now remembering Jonesy’s taunts. The words he had used – ‘You’ll never get away from this; it will haunt you forever; it’s going to ruin your whole life,’ – echoed back and forth in Jim’s head until he thought he was going mad.
He slammed a hand down on the table, the sound driving Jonesy’s voice from his mind. “Enough,” he told himself, aloud. “Just do the job you came to do and go.”
He spread out the papers on the table. There were copies of a couple of newspaper articles, which he was grateful to see did not name any names – there was nothing in them that could ever be linked to him. A copy of the same document that the man from the red car had taunted him with was next. Jim cringed to look at it, thinking of the time when he had first seen it and the way that Jonesy had reacted.
Print-outs of a few photographs lay next to the other papers. Jim’s eyes kept straying to one of them, a picture of the house where he had lived with his mother and Jonesy. It was not strictly relevant to the issue at hand, but he had felt compelled to take it when he visited the site – while keeping well out of Jonesy’s way – and had been fascinated enough to print it as well. It was a chapter of his life that he preferred not to revisit, but when anything brought it to mind it was hard to put aside.
The final page was a hand-written list of potential sources of information. He had not spoken to any of those people, preferring to let sleeping dogs lie, but he knew that it was wise to take them into consideration.
Gathering the papers into a pile, Jim let out a sigh. Throughout his search, it seemed that this one document and the recollections of the various people who had known about the matter at the time were his only threats. He knew that he would have to address this at some point in the future, but for now he was confident that the past was staying in the past. It was cold comfort.
She Said
Late that afternoon, Trixie went down to tidy up a few things and to take a couple of photographs. After a final check, she decided that her tasks at the house were complete and that once the sign was erected, she would be ready to head back to Sleepyside. Very little was left to do before the facility could be opened. A feeling of accomplishment was building up inside her and Trixie was very glad that she had chosen this course of action.
She switched off the light and was reaching for her bag when a noise outside alerted her to the presence of someone just outside, where no person should be. With no time to escape, she took a few steps towards the opposite side of the room, putting the kitchen table between herself and the outside door. That door swung open and Trixie saw Milton Englefield silhouetted against the darkening sky. His stance was threatening, though she could not see his face in the gloom.
“What are you doing in my house?” he asked, crossing the threshold.
Trixie let out an exasperated breath, even as she groped behind herself for something to use as a weapon. Her hand found the cold metal of a small fire extinguisher and she began to ease its fastener open. “How many times do you have to be told? It’s not your house.”
“It’s going to be,” he answered. “Or, at least, the land will be mine. After today, the house isn’t going to exist any more. I didn’t know you were going to be here. Since you are, maybe you won’t exist any more, either.”
The man opposite her flicked open a cigar lighter and Trixie gasped as she gazed at the flame. Her original, half-thought-out plan had been to hit the intruder with the fire extinguisher if he tried to assault her. Now, she took it out of its holder and pulled its pin. She flexed her fingers on the trigger as she waited for the right moment.
Milton Englefield smirked as he let the flame die and Trixie almost thought she could see madness in his eyes. A theory flitted across her mind that insanity might run in the Englefield family and she wondered why she had not considered that possibility before.
“There’s going to be a little accident here in just a minute,” he told her. “Won’t it be a pity when the old place burns to the ground? You won’t be around to regret it, though. You won’t be around to defend against my claim, either. Win-win, I think.”
“My supporters will be, though,” she answered. “Even if I don’t survive tonight, there are people who will take up the cause – people that you won’t be able to intimidate.”
He laughed and took his eyes off her as he relit the lighter and touched the flame to a roll of paper towel. He seemed fascinated by the rising fire, watching it grow and lick against the cabinet above. Trixie waited, knowing that she had only one chance. He turned back to her, another taunt on his lips when she brought up the fire extinguisher and sprayed him in the face.
He howled with rage, lunging for her, and Trixie brought the extinguisher down on his head. The blow was not hard enough, for he was soon back on his feet. She managed to dowse the fire before he rose, leaving the air reeking of smoke. The man grabbed for her weapon and she yanked it out of the way. She backed around the table, hoping to work her way around to the door.
Englefield threw a punch, but she dodged it and he bumped his knuckles against a cabinet. This enraged him further and he pounced on her, dragging her back the way she had come. The fire extinguisher hit the floor with a clang and rolled out of reach. Desperate to escape, she hit and kicked him anywhere she could. One blow must have hurt him and he loosed his grip for a moment. She wrenched herself free and had almost reached the door when he caught her, pinning her against the wall.
“Now what do you have to say?” he asked, panting right in her face. “Who’s going to come out on top, now?”
Trixie looked up into his face and wondered what to say. Something was pressing against her lower back, its hard edges digging into her. Englefield was so close that she could smell the sourness of his breath. She took the chance to feel what it was that was hurting her and her heart leapt within her: it was the control panel of the alarm system that Mr. Wheeler had insisted that she install. Her fingers searched the keys and found the one that she was looking for. Hoping wildly that she had the right one, she pressed it. It made no sound.
“No matter what you do,” she told him, in a steady voice, “you won’t win.”
Englefield pulled her roughly away from the wall, anger evident in his face. As he dragged her through the doorway into what had been the dining room, Trixie saw with relief that a red light now blinked on the control panel. A few more seconds without the entry of the appropriate code and the alarm would be given to the monitoring company. She only hoped that they would take it seriously.
“Come here,” the man demanded, pulling her after him. “I can’t afford you running off anywhere right now, so I’ll have to make sure you can’t run at all.”
Try as she would, Trixie could not get away from him as he dragged her into what had once been the dining room and started to tie her up.
Continue to part six.