Jonathan looks at them all
“I understand you have many questions, and I will be happy to answer what I can. But first, why don’t we have dinner? We can talk more afterwards “
Jonathan leads the group to a large dining room tricked out in high-end 19th-century furnishings. They are seated and a small squad of waitstaff attend to them during the seven-course meal. The theme is New England, and there are various local specialties - everything from sauteed fiddleheads to Maine lobster and local trout. Even a large venison roast is presented.
After the dessert course of various pies snd local ice cream is whisked away, Jonathan adjourns them back to the library. He offers them a post-dinner drink, and he takes a snifter of port and lights up a Cuban cigar. He offers them around in case any partake.
“Now that we are full, let me get back to your questions. The ring is a wedding band that belonged to Sarah Theraeux, a woman who – alongside her new husband Daniel – went missing in 1920. I believe that ring is still here in Halifax. Once you return this item to me, I’ll happily pay you $10,000 each - for your time, of course. Should you succeed, and assuming we find ourselves open to working with one another, I’d like you to consider joining me as I explore a world you’re just...” With that, Jonathan pauses a moment, chosing his words carefully, and says, “...beginning to uncover.”
He looks to Nace
“You asked about the particulars of why I want it. The ring itself is a fairly minor thing, but a valuable bit of dosh. I have done some research on it, but I am not going to share it. This is meant to be a test of your abilities. I want to see how you operate as a team, and your skills at research and investigation. If at the end, you decide you do not wish to work with me, you will have my thanks and a nice paycheck for your time. “
”And how are we supposed to acquire this ring? Negotiate its purchase? Steal it?” Nace asks, still dubious.
Jonathan shrugs
“I am pretty certain it is a lost item. It is currently unclaimed and sitting somewhere. “
"Any idea where we should start looking?" Miren looks at the other two apologetically. "Ten thousand dollars is a lot for me, guys."
Jonathan ponders
“I would check to see what resources you can explore locally. There are a lot of records from 1920’s Halifax in the library in town, there’s always the Hall of Records, also the Halifax Historical Society “
"How will we know it?"
Jonathan shrugs
“I don’t have a clue what it looks like. It is magical. It should be easy to find that way once you have a general notion where it is”
"Then I suppose the only thing left is to start our search." Miyuku says, giving Miren a supportive smile.
Nace looks at Miren and Miyuku and gives a nod.
"Sounds like a mystery!" Miren says, smiling. "I'm looking forward to this."
Jonathan beams
“Excellent! Then allow me to advance you a bit of money to help you with any expenses”
He motions to Callie, who hands each of you a bank envelope. Inside is $1000 in twenties
“Consider it a good faith down payment.”
"Much appreciated. What would be the best way to reach you with updates?" Miyuku asks, putting the envelope into her clutch.
Jonathan gestures to Callie, who hands them all a business card. It has a phone number printed on it, nothing else
“You can call or text that number. It is monitored 24 hours a day. “
Nace nods. ”Well then - it will be interesting to see where this takes us,” Nace says dryly. He takes a big swig of his bourbon.
"Sounds like it will take us to the Historical Society in the morning," Miren quips, tucking the card into the front of her dress.
"Jonathan, is there any chance we could use your library? I saw some books that might be interesting."
Jonathan nods
“By all means. I have some business to attend to, but Callie and Sabrina will remain with you. Do you need overnight lodging? I can have the staff prepare rooms if you’d like”
"It wouldn't hurt. Research can be rather unpredictable." Miyuku replies.
Miren takes the envelope and peeks in it, not thinking it might be rude. The idea of holding that much cash in her hand is still rather stunning.
There's a wail in Miren's head at the mention of staying in the mansion.
*But we didn't bring Little Georgie!*
We didn't bring lots of things, yázhi.
"I didn't bring my pack, so I really can't stay tonight, thanks," she tells Jonathan. "My room at the inn is fine, as long as we can get in to use the library when we need it."
Miren doesn't like the aura of the librarian very much, but can't think of a diplomatic way to say that to her friends..
Nace looks to Miren and backs her up. ”Yeah, if it’s all the same I think that would be best.” He is trying to be as diplomatic as possible to his hosts, but still does not trust them.
”And it’s getting late. Perhaps we ought to head back?”
Jonathan nods
“Understandable. Sabrina, can you give them your contact information? “
Sabrina nods, and hands over a business card of her own. It features the Triple moon sigil and the name Sabrina Corey. Under her name is a phone number and the title, ‘researcher’
The group piles into their car after retrieving their goods from the guards. All seems intact. They drive back to the inn. The owner seems to be absent from his desk, but a placard on the surface gives a phone number for emergencies.
"It's too late to start anything now. Should we meet early for breakfast, then start researching," Miren suggests.
"Sounds good. It's definitely been an interesting day." Miyuku agrees. "Sweet dreams!"
Friday, October 23rd, 2020
The day dawns chill, and there is a touch of frost on the windowpanes. The foliage is fading, and with it, the sounds of cars driving by on the street. The tourists are leaving, at least until the November snows bring them back for ski season
Miren hangs the fancy dress in the closet, relieved to be out of it, and dons her usual jeans and flannels and boots after her morning shower. She ponders the new card for a moment, then sticks it in a pocket of her pack along with her wallet. The new envelope of money is secured next to the rest in an inside compartment.
Swinging her pack to her back, she trots down the squeaky stairs to the lobby to meet the rest. "Spoon again this morning? I didn't feel comfortable eating much last night. I'm starved," Miren tells her companions.
The rag-tag group gets in their conveyances and heads down to the Spoon. It is down by the Nonquesset River, which bisects the main part of Halifax. There is an aging complex of mill buildings quietly rusting away at one end of a truly massive asphalt parking area. A large sign reads COMING SOON! THE WHELAN MILL RIVERFRONT SHOPPING COMPLEX!. The sign is faded, and looks like it has been there for quite a while.
There are several other buildings. Pru sees the Mill Barn, obviously once a storage facility for the mill at some point. A sign out front advertises a band called Dreaming God playing tonight.
The Spoon sits at the other end of the large asphalt expanse, hard by the river. It looks beat up and rundown, with shingles missing and trash in the alley. However, it seems to have a large group of cars parked outside.
Nace’s alarm wakes him at dawn. Seeing the frost on the tree limbs outside his window, he dons his old UConn hoodie before heading out for his morning run. The late autumn chill nips at his face as he makes his way along the old streets. The entire time, his host’s strange invitation gnaws at his thoughts. Possibilities swirl in his head of this man’s intention, but every one of Nace’s instincts makes it hard to accept this offer at face value. But how to learn more without playing along? He thinks of the envelope full of cash tucked in his duffel. No backing out now.
He returns and showers quickly before heading downstairs, wearing his comfortable jeans and a light blue sweater. At Miren’s suggestion, he agrees: ”I could be persuaded. Want me to drive?”
"I thought we might drive separately in case we wanted to research in different places, but I guess it's not that far to come back and get our own vehicles if we want," Miren replies. "I'm not used to being driven around. It's strange."
Awakening and going through her morning routine of stretching and meditation, Miyuku prepares for the chill day with a hot shower. Getting dressed in black jeans, a fitted black tee and her boots, she slips on her long hooded black cardigan, after affixing her holster and scabbard to her back, armor against the chill.
Grabbing her backpack, she heads down to meet the others. [b"I'm fine with either option."[/b]
”Why don’t we head there together. We can talk about where we want to start looking for this thing,” Nace offers.
Miren nods and heads for Nace's car, pack slung over her shoulder. "Omlette for me this morning."
Once in the car, she leans forward between Miyuku and Nace's heads. "I don't see much trouble in starting this thing. Jonathan gave us the leads: historical society, library, Hall of Records. I feel pretty safe going to the library alone. We might as well cover as much as we can of the paperwork as fast as we can."
Nace gets behind the wheel and starts the drive to the diner. ”Yes, I suppose that’s where we’ll start,” he agrees. ”I’m still not sure what our host wants with us, though. It doesn’t sit well.”
"It might just be that we're useful, or it might be something nefarious. If it is, I'd rather keep him close than have someone watching my every move without my knowledge from halfway around the world." Miyuku chimes in.
The group heads down to the Spoon for breakfast. The Nonquesset River chuckles and burbles through its rock-strewn bed along the old mill landing, now mostly abandoned. Main Street lies a block higher, thick with quirky boutiques and restaurants.
As before, the rundown breakfast place seems awash with activity. The tourist do seem to be less, not that they made up the majority of diners. The group finds a table and sits down. Their waitress is quick, and their orders are upon their table before they know it
”So,” Nace says between mouthfuls of eggs and greens, ”Do we split up and start these investigations separately, or go together? Sometimes a second pair of eyes can spot something another might miss.”
Miren tinkers aimlessly with the amount of cream in her coffee, heedless that an omlette and hash browns are growing cold on her plate. Her answer doesn't address Nace's question at all, as if she barely heard him.
"I took the money last night but thought about returning it while I was trying to sleep. But, like Miyuku said, it is better to be on the inside than observed from the outside and not know it. He has several very special books in his library that might be interesting to see. And I'm tired of trying to piece things together from the outside. It would be nice to have an organization at my back." She shrugs. "If it's legit. I like having you guys in the same boat. You seem pretty shrewd. Can we agree to warn each other if something looks dodgy? All for one, and one for all kinda thing?"
She looks to Miyuku and Nace for their reaction.
"Absolutely," Nace says. "I would hope you would both do the same. It already looks kinda dodgy... but we'll see how it plays out."
Miren looks relieved. "Good. Then wherever we go, we go together. I'd like to visit the Historical Society. It might have something about the guest in the hotel barn, too."
"Of course!" Miyuku says earnestly. "We're all clearly..gifted, but our gifts give us different skills and advantages. Sticking together we all benefit.."
She takes another sip of orange juice. "I would be honored to watch your backs, knowing that you are watching mine." she says with a smile.
After a very good breakfast, the three emerge into the sunny late-October day. The weather has warmed, as often occurs in the changeable fall New England season, the bright blue sky clear and the temperatures hovering in the mid Sixties. Long-shirt weather, but still very nice to walk around in. The surrounding mountains still have a touch of fall color to them, although it is rapidly fading to brown
It is a Friday, so there are a few late-season tourists. Most are elderly, trying to catch the season on a discount. The three head to Main Street, and a quick Google search gives them the directions to Union Street, where the Historical Society is located. It is an imposing structure, looking as if it dates back to at least the turn of the 20th Century
"Well, let's see what we can find out," Nace says. He heads for the front door.
Inside the building is more of a small-town museum. Displays of lumberjack tools, skis, farming gear, and the like line the walls. A model train is about eight feet off the floor, bolted along the walls. What looks to be a replica of an old steam locomotive sits quiet on the track. A portly elderly gentleman walks from around a display of a stuffed bear and smiles politely
“Good morning folks! My name is Augustus, but folks call me Auggie. Can I help you with anything or would you just like to wander around?”
"Hey," Miren says shyly with a nod of her hatted head. "Maybe? I want to look around some, but have a couple areas of interest if you could point me in the right direction."
Miren feels a tug of interest in the stuffed bears inside her head, but ignores it.
"First, I'm looking for information about the Theraeuxs, a couple that disappeared a year or two World War I. They are supposed to be a distant relation."
*THAT is a fib. You shouldn't lie.*
Yázhi, we're all related somewhere down the line. So. technically, it's not a lie.
She can feel the intense side-eye from the child's spirit, but continues on after the pause for that internal conversation
"We're staying at the Old Country Inn. Any history about that? It's got a great barn or smithy or something in the back, looks really old."
Miren ventures a smile from under her hat brim. "We'd be grateful if you could help, Auggie."
Miyuku stifles a grin as Miren applies a little of her natural charm in accepting what she assumes is the museum's curator's help.
Auggie purses his lips
“Well, let me see what I can remember..”
Miren's self-consciousness about her old (but sturdy) clothes makes it impossible to tilt her head up enough to show her eyes, making her rather shifty-looking, like she's avoiding the docent's eyes.
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"Sorry, my friend can be...sort of shy sometimes." Miyuku says with a dazzling smile, moving forward to lean on Miren.
Nace stands back, knowing he doesn't have much to add to this persuasion.
Augie looks somewhat thoughtful
"well, I am always happy to help people trace their family trees. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of information. Sarah Theraux was originally a Bailey. That family had some tragedy. Her father died in the Spanish-American War. "
He looks troubled. "Sarah and Daniel were married in the summer of 1915. They disappeared in the fall of the same year. Her mother Madeline hung herself at the Bailey Farm in 1916. A few years later, both of Sarah's brothers died in World War One. "
He looks at Miren "I am sorry, but that was the extent of the Baileys in Halifax. The family branch here has been extinct since World War One. Daniel was an out-of-towner, from New Orleans if my memory holds right. Their disappearance was a seven-day-wonder in a small town like this."
"Wow! It almost sounds as if the family suffered some kind of curse." Miyuku comments, studying Augie's reaction.
Augie starts uneasily at Miyuku’s words
“Well now, I don’t hold with such things, but there are a few folks in town who would agree with you miss”
Miyuku senses Augie might not admit it, but he likely believes in a curse