A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) (19 page)

Chase taps the papers, “Can I have copies?” Andy nods in
agreement.
Chase continues, “The way this is wrote, it appears
Della wanted a male heir.”
Picking up Stephanie’s hand he
entwines their fingers.
Laying their joined hands on the table, he
sees Stephanie looking across the room.
Glancing over he sees
Archie standing in the shadows.

Noting both Chase and Stephanie are looking across the
room, Andy turns to look also.
Not seeing anything he inquires,
“What is so interesting over there?”
As he finishes the last word,
he blinks, looking again, is that a shape of a man?
Looking over at
Chase, he sees Chase staring at him.
“What is going on?”
Looking back, to stare at the spot, he no longer sees anything.

Stephanie shrugs her slim shoulder, “I don’t know what you
mean.” Glancing at Chase, “This is not ours to tell.” With that
said, Stephanie excuses herself and leaves the room.

Both men sit staring at the door long after she is gone,
neither says a word.
Chase doesn’t know what Andy is thinking, he
is sitting on the chair just staring at the door.
Not knowing the full
situation would Detective Andy Rogers be a hindrance.
Or is he
open enough to be trusted with all the details?
How do you tell
someone this case started over a hundred years ago?
Directing his
attention to Andy, “Stephanie will be back soon, we will finish this
conversation then.”
Rising from his chair Chase retrieves the
coffee pot and offers Andy more, at this nod; Chase pours the liquid
into Andy’s cup and then tops off his own.
Replacing the pot on
the base he locates a tablet and a pen then returns to his seat.
Picking up his cup Chase takes a drink as he begins writing key
points from the will.

Stephanie stands in the middle of the attic staring at Archie.
“He seen you, you know he did.
That makes him “special”.
You
know only us “special” people can see you.
You know we are
trying to help you and by helping you we may be able catch the
person or persons responsible for the death of my brother.”
Wishing she could touch him, she runs her hands through her hair.
Frustration now in her voice, “I’m asking for your help.”
adds, “Please.”

Archie stares back at Stephanie seeing her pain.
he can tell his story again he starts floating around the attic.
Stephanie follows him with her eyes.
“I know Miss Stephanie you
are asking for my help, I am just not sure I can do this again.”
He
stops in front of her, “Why can’t Sheriff Chase just tell this man
about me?
Why do you need me to do this?”

Closing her eyes briefly she tries to explain, “Do you honestly
think Detective Rogers will believe us telling him about a Ghost we
are helping, a Ghost we know is tied to this, a Ghost that has seen
the man that broke into this house, a Ghost that has been living in
this house for over a hundred years?”
Seeing the pain in his eyes,
she stops speaking; taking a deep breath she finishes her argument,
either it works or it doesn’t.
If it doesn’t work than they won’t
mention Archie to Andy.
“You won’t have to tell your story again;
we will.
We are trying to get this solved for you, for Della, for
Softly she

Not sure
Mitch and for myself.
You know I wouldn’t ask you to do this for
just me, but I need you so Detective Rogers will understand this
involves more than Mitch and I.
Please Uncle Archie.”

Gazing at Stephanie, Archie sees Della; the resemblance is
there, the same strong will, the same mannerisms, and yes their
features are so similar they could have been sisters.
His Della
would want him to help Stephanie; he realizes he has to do
whatever it takes to help with the investigation.
Slowly he nods
his head in agreement.

Knowing this is going to be a bazaar situation, Stephanie
starts down the stairs.
Stopping she turns to Archie, “Do you want
me to go first?”
Archie nods again then fades, Stephanie continues
walking down the stairs, feeling Archie’s presents beside her.
In
the foyer Stephanie stops and turns to Archie, “You will be fine; we
will take care of you.
I know you are nervous, just remember this, I
love you and I will not let anyone upset you.”
She smiles when she
feels the soft chill of his touch on her cheek.
Squaring her
shoulders she continues towards the kitchen.

Walking through the doorway leading to the kitchen
Stephanie glances at Chase and nods.
With a slight grin she takes
her seat at the table, using her foot Stephanie pushes the chair
opposite from her away from the table.
Feeling Andy tense she
smiles a little more as she looks at Chase.
“You need to fill Andy in
about our witness, who is also another victim.”
Turning her head
to face the vacant chair she winks then turns to stare at Andy.

Chase glances at Stephanie, turns his head to look at the
empty chair than focuses his attention on Andy.
“We are about to
tell you some information that will hopefully shed some light on the
reasons surrounding Mitch’s death and Stephanie’s attempted
murder.”
Chase reaches across the table laying his hand over
Stephanie’s hand.

Watching them both, Andy decides he has waited long
enough.
“I need to know about this witness you say you have.
I
have been on the road most of the night and I am too tired to be
kept waiting for the information you say you have.”
Looking Chase
directly in the eyes he adds, “I think I have been patient, but I do
have my limits.”
As he finished speaking Andy sees a shadow in
this peripheral vision to his left.

Turning his head, Andy’s eyes widen as Archie finishes
materializing as much as he can, being a ghost Archie can only do so
much with his appearance.
Andy closes his eyes, opens them and
still sees the illusion, swings his head around to look at Chase, “How
in the hell are you doing this?’
Andy refuses to believe this is
anything but Chase and Stephanie trying to make him look a fool.
Folding his arms over his chest, he scowls at Chase waiting for an
explanation.

Stephanie winks at Archie, turns and looks at Andy, waiting
for Chase to begin the introductions.
Trying not to giggle, she
reaches over and pats Andy on the shoulder.
Feeling him tense
she removes her hand.

Chase not sure where to start, looks at Archie.
Seeing him
shrug his shoulder, he realizes this isn’t going to be easy.
Taking a
deep breath, he releases it, opens his mouth to speak then closes it
without saying a word.

“I am waiting.”
Andy says, still refusing to look to his left,
he keeps staring at Chase.
He narrows his eyes, trying to look as if
he is interrogating a suspect.

Coughing into his hand to keep from smiling at the man
sitting across from him, he begins, “Andy I would like to introduce
you to Sargent First Class Archibald Butterworth.”
As Chase
speaks, he glances from Andy to Archie then back again to Andy.
Noticing Andy doesn’t even look in Archie’s direction, he comes to
the realization he will have to try a different approach.
“Andy,
neither Stephanie nor I are magicians, we are just normal people
who happen to live in a haunted house with a Union Soldier.”
Trying to judge his reaction, he continues, “We are not playing tricks
on you.”
Looking Andy straight in his eyes he adds, “I know you
see him.”

Slowly Andy turns and gawks at Archie, he tries to speak,
coughs and tries again, “I don’t believe in ghost, the supernatural, or
any of the voodoo crap.”
Not taking his eyes off Archie, he
continues, “I am thirty-five years old, why am I now faced with
experiencing poltergeist?”

Andy jumps in his seat when Archie floats above him yelling,
“I AM NOT A POLTERGEIST. I AM A SPIRIT!”
Archie’s fury causes
his eyes to glow eerie red with emotions.

Stephanie jumps to her feet,
“Uncle Archie, calm down.
We know you are a ghost, not something evil.”
Looking at Chase,
he nods his agreement.
Turning to Andy she tells him, “You need
to apologize to Uncle Archie. He is an honorable man.
And as
you can see does not take kindly to having his character brought
into question.”
Placing her hands on her hips she waits.

Eyes wide, Andy clears his throat, “Sir, I am truly sorry for
anything I have said to cause you to feel slighted. I did not mean
any harm.”
Clearing his throat again he adds, “I am honored to
meet you, and ask for your forgiveness.” Glancing at Stephanie,
she nods and sits down, as Andy tries to rationale him apologizing to
a ghost or spirit.

Archie floats back to his chair, “I am also sorry Sir.
I over
reacted to your words.
I have been here in this state of limbo a
long time and I should have realized not everyone that can see me
would understand. I too apologize.” Smiling a little, he turns to
Chase. “Not my best first impression.”

Returning the smile Chase replies, “I agree, not having had
the pleasure of seeing you angry, you were awesome and a bit
scary.
Too bad the man that broke in here couldn’t see you.
He
would have pissed his pants.”
Chuckling Chase leans back on his
chair as he hears Stephanie giggle.

Clearing his throat, Andy asks, “So this is your witness?”
Staring at Archie, Andy raises his eyebrows, “I don’t think your
statement will hold up in court.”
Shaking his head he realizes he is
speaking to a ghost, or whatever he wants to be called.
Flipping
open his notebook, he clicks his pen, “Not sure where to start asking
questions.”
Raising his hand he rubs his eyes; feeling the fatigue to
his bones, not sure his brain will comprehend the information.
Flexing his shoulders, he puts both hands above his head stretching.
Bringing his arms down, he stands and begins to walk around the
kitchen.
Stopping at the back door, he turns to see three pair of
eyes staring at him.

Chase sees how tired Andy is, “Why don’t you go upstairs to
the guest room and lay down.
You need to be rested when we go
over the information we have discovered.
You are too tired to do
this now.”
Rising from his chair Chase moves to stand in front of
Andy.
“I will help get your suitcase then show you to the guest
room.
After you rest, we can eat and discuss everything.”

Hating to admit he is too exhausted to do this now, Andy just
nods in agreement.
Slowly he follows Chase thought the house to
the front door.
Once outside Andy turns to Chase, “I don’t think I
can sleep in the house with the spirit.”

Smiling Chase informs him, “Archie is part of Stephanie’s
family, he is a man of honor, and he will not bother you while you
rest.
But if you want to drive to town, there is a motel.”

Looking down the road, Andy decides he is too exhausted to
drive anywhere. He pops the trunk and grabs his suitcase. “I will
crash here, if you promise me the “ghost” will stay out of my room.”
Standing in the driveway, Andy holds his bag waiting for Chase’s
assurance.

Laughing Chase slaps Andy on his back, “I promise.
If you
want I will keep Archie downstairs with us.”
Turning Chase walks
towards the house; he leaves Andy to follow.

Chase returns to the kitchen after showing Andy to the guest
room. He stands at the door watching as Stephanie writes notes in a
tablet; Archie is leaning over her shoulder as she writes.
“What
are you two up too?”
Seeing them jump, he smiles as he walks to
the table to lean in to see what they are doing.

Stephanie shrugs her slim shoulder as she replies, “We just
thought we should write down some of the information so when the
Detective is ready we don’t forget anything.”
Archie floats to the
other side of the table as Stephanie explains to Chase.

Standing tall and straight looking like a soldier waiting for
orders, Archie stares at Chase.
Chase can sense his anxiety,
knowing he hates talking about his death.
“Archibald, you can stay
in the attic if you want, I will relate your account of the events to
Andy.
I know you are reluctant to keep telling the information
over and over again.”

Allowing his shoulders to relax a little Archie address his
reply to both of them, “I appreciate what you both have done and
are doing for me.
I am a man not a child.
I don’t like discussing
my life or my death, but I know I have to do this.”
Tenderly he
looks at Stephanie, “You are so much like my Della; wanting to make
this easier for me.”
Breaking eye contact, he floats to the door,
with his back to them he continues, “I cannot hide from this, it no
longer is about just me.
This, whatever this is, has turned into
burglary, murder and attempted murder.
I would not be a man of
honor if I hide in the attic.”
Turning to face them he adds, “Chase
you need to check past break-ins, past deaths of Della’s family.
I
just don’t think this started a couple of years ago, my instincts tell
me this has been going on since my death.”
Moving back to the
table he sits on the same chair he had earlier.

Chase and Stephanie look at each other then back at Archie.
Chase asks, “What do you mean?
You have been dead for over a
hundred years, the person or persons from that time would be dead
also.”

Rising from the chair, Stephanie begins to pace around the
kitchen; speaking as she does, “He’s right, Della’s parents death
could have been murder, it was a car accident.
There could have
been other accidents no one investigated.”
Stopping she adds, “If
no witness had seen my “accident” you would have thought I had
just driven off the road and flipped my car.”
Seeing the realization
in Chase’s eyes Stephanie continues, “We have to figure out who,
what, where, and the how.”
Placing her hands on her hips she
waits for Chase to acknowledge this theory.

Chase sits down at the table, taking the tablet Stephanie was
using earlier, he begins writing.
Stephanie walks to stand behind
Chase she leans over his shoulder as he begins to explain, “You are
both right, I think.
I will have to call Karen have her pull past
records, any police reports that pertain to this family or this house.
I will also go online and try to access the periodicals for this area.”

Aware Chase is in police mode, Stephanie smiles at Archie
over Chase’s head, “You are brilliant.
I think we are going to get
this figured out, I can feel this is the direction we need to take.”

Laying the pen down Chase raises from the chair, “I am going
to call Karen; I will have her make copies of the reports and have
Johnny bring them to me.” He picks up the phone, dials Karen’s
number waiting for her to answer.

After Chase leaves the guest room, Andy grabs a pair of
jogging pants from his suitcase; glancing around the room he makes
sure he is alone then quickly changes his clothes.
Looking
longingly at the bed, Andy decides to try to get some rest, not sure
he will be able to accomplish this, due to the house being haunted.
Andy turns back the covers and slides onto bed.
Pulling the covers
up to his chin, he tries to relax.

Letting his mind wonder, Andy attempts to make sense of
the last hour.
Having never believed in the supernatural, he is
having a difficult time accepting Archie. However, having seen him
with his own eyes, Andy knows Archie is a real ghost.
He feels
overwhelmed coming to terms with supernatural beings at this time
in his life.
Why now?
Why here?
Thinking about his past, Andy
never had any awareness of ‘spirits’ or ‘ghosts’ or any unnatural
experiences.

Closing his eyes Andy resolves he is just too worn-out to deal
with this now, he begins to count backwards from one hundred.
Before long he is asleep.

Hanging up the phone Chase gives them the news, “Karen
said to give her a few hours to gather the information.
The recent
years will be on the computer, but the past will need to be pulled
from the archives in the basement.
She is going to call Deputy
Shane to help.”
Raking his fingers through his hair he continues,
“We need to make a chart to post the information; it may help to
find a pattern.” Snapping his fingers, he adds, “I am going to call
Johnny, have him bring me a huge dry erase board.
printer, markers, magnets and a few other supplies.”
back to the phone.

Smiling Stephanie tells Archie, “Chase is in his element.
He
loves the whole cop thing.”
Looking around the kitchen she adds,
“I think we should make this room the command post.
We spend
more time in here, and with the long island over by the pantry, we
can use this table for the computers, and eat at the counter.”
Rising from the chair, Stephanie begins walking to the door, “I will
be back, I think I seen a few things in the attic we can use in here.”

As she begins to ascend the stairs Archie materializes beside
her.
“I will help you search for items.
I know what is in most of
the boxes up there.
It may save some time.”

Smiling her thanks, she continues up the stairs.
Stopping
on the second floor landing, she looks down the hall, not hearing
anything she continues to the third floor. Opening the door to the
attic, she walks to the center of the room.
Hands on hips she turns
to look at Archie, “I saw some office supplies when I was going
through the boxes.
hold the dry board.
looking?”

“Della’s supplies were over by the window, she did have
some newer items as she did bookkeeping for some of the local
businesses and for this place.”
Floating over to the boxes stacked
by the window Archie begins reading labels.
“She kept her house
books here.”
Pointing to a box half way down the stack he
continues reading labels.
“This box is the supplies.” He pointed
to the box under the books.

Stephanie glances over her shoulder at Archie then turns
back to finish moving the paintings out of her way to get the easel.
Picking up the last painting she takes a startled breath, it is a portrait
of Archie and Della standing in front of the fireplace.
“Archie,
when was this done?”
She holds the painting up so he could see it.
I will need a

Archie moves to stand beside Stephanie, “That was done
years after we were married.”
Gazing lovingly at the image of
Della he lingers on her face, “I think the artist did a wonderful job
capturing our feelings for each other.”

Stephanie almost drops the painting, “What do you mean
the artist?”
the artist.
Looking up at Archie she waits for him to answer.

Bewildered he begins, “The artist was a friend of Della’s.”
Frowning he continues, “Her name is Carrie, but I cannot remember
her surname.”
Moving closer to the painting Archie tries to read
the name.
“I am assuming since the signature is C. Peterson then
that is her name.
She could see me, both her and her husband CJ.
On several occasions Della would invite them over to visit.
It
would give me a chance to speak with another male.”

Straightening up, he turns to Stephanie, "They would come
and we would talk for hours; then after several years they stopped
coming regularly.
We would only see them at Christmas time.
When I asked Della why they didn’t visit anymore, she just said they
were busy.
The day the ladies came and cleaned; this was taken
down from above the fireplace and the landscape was put in its
place.” Shaking his head, he moves away from Stephanie, “I didn’t
understand the reason for this.”

Glancing at Archie, Stephanie sees the sorrow in Archie’s
eyes; he had lost a friend when they had stopped coming to visit.
“Maybe they didn’t have a choice.
I’m not making excuses for
them, but sometimes life gets in the way and we make choices, not
always good ones.”
Stephanie glances again at the portrait, “Can I
hang this back above the fireplace?”

Archie nods his head, “Yes, I would like it back where Della
always had it.”
He smiles at Stephanie.
Returning his smile, “I think we need to take it down now,
tell Chase about the office supplies and the easel.
He can help
hang the portrait of you and Della, and then help bring the boxes
downstairs.”
Decision made, Stephanie begins to walk towards the
door, only to stop to look at Archie.
“I think Chase’s parents were
Lifting the painting she tries to read the signature of
The paint is faded but she thinks it reads C. Peterson.
the couple that visited here, I am going to speak to his Mother and
find out.
If it was them, I want to know why they stopped coming
here.” Determined to help Archie, Stephanie turns walking out the
door.
Archie watches as she carefully carries the painting down the
stairs.
Was she right?
Was it Chase’s parents?
Was that why
he could see him also?
And if Carrie and CJ were his parents, why
did they stop coming to visit?
Stepping in front of Stephanie
making her stop her descent of the stairs, he asks, “Why not just
asks Chase? Why contact his Mother?”
Seeing his confusion, Stephanie tries to explain, “He may not
know his parents came here.
I think I would be better off just
asking his Mother.”
Shrugging her shoulders she resolves, “You
are right, I think I should speak with Chase first.
He may know the
situation.
And I shouldn’t involve his Mother if I don’t need too.”
Resting the painting on her hip she gets a better grip on it; it is
heavy and she doesn’t want to drop it.
Noticing Stephanie struggle with the portrait Archie moves
aside to allow her to pass him on the stairs.
When she is level with
him, he whispers, “Thank you.”
Smiling she continues down the stairs with Archie beside her.
Stepping down to the foyer Stephanie moves to the living room,
“Will you ask Chase to come in here, if he is off the phone.”
Not
waiting for an answer she keeps walking. Stephanie stops in front
of the fireplace looking up at the painting hanging there, it is pretty,
but it’s not the one that belongs there.
Wondering why it was
changed, she turns when she hears Chase enter the room.
“Archie said you need help in here.”
Smiling Chase walks to
stand beside her, noticing the painting.
“You need a strong male
to help you?”
He flexes his muscles.
Laughing Stephanie responds to his mood, “I need a big
strong man to do some heavy lifting.
Do you know where I can
find one?”
She laughs harder when he looks hurt.
“Actually, I
need the paintings changed.
I found this one in the attic and I
want it here above the fireplace.”
Taking the landscape off the wall Chase sits in on the floor,
he turns and takes the other painting from Stephanie, holding it up
he stops and looks at it, “Holy Shit.”
Chase stares at the portrait of
Della and Archie.
“It’s wonderful isn’t it?”
Stephanie watches Chase as he
studies the painting.
“Can you read the artist’s signature?
I
couldn’t make it out.”
Shaking his head he replies, “I don’t need to see the
signature, I remember my Mother painting this.
I was young,
maybe five or six years old.
She said she was painting it for a
friend.”
Looking up from the painting he sees Stephanie staring at
him. “Why didn’t I place Archie as this man when I saw him?”
Frowning he looks back at the painting studying it.
Grinning Stephanie tells him, “I have trouble remembering
things from a week ago, much less when I was five or six years old.”
Seeing this bothers him she continues, “Why don’t you ask your
Mother about it?”
Hanging the painting above the mantle he agrees to do that.
Making sure it is straight, he turns to Stephanie.
“I like it there, it
looks better than the landscape.”
Smiling Stephanie agrees she likes it better too.
“We
located some office supplies and an easel in the attic.
I just need
my strong man to help bring them down.”
Trying to lighten his
mood she doesn’t realize she just called him her man.
Chase notices the wording Stephanie used and grins.
Her
man does sound good.
He flexes his muscles again hearing her
giggle.
“Just point me in the direction of what you want brought
down and I will be most happy to do your bidding, My Lady.”
He
bows slightly.
Laughing Stephanie takes Chase’s hand as they walk out of
the living room.
They walk side by side up the stairs to the attic.
As they climb the stairs Chase tells her that Karen found several old
reports and is sending them with Johnny.
He will bring the
supplies and the reports in a couple of hours.
It took four trips to bring all the boxes down stairs.
Stephanie noticed the easel had a broke brace; Chase brought it
down last and was in the kitchen fixing it while Stephanie was busy
exploring the boxes.
She repacked items not needed; those boxes
would go back in the attic.
The last box had the accounting books
for the house.
Deciding to keep them to review later, Stephanie
turns to watch Chase.
After a few moments she asks, “Do you
know a man called CJ?”
Without looking up, Chase answers, “If the man is local, it’s
my Dad.
Why?” He continues to work on the brace, having had to
take the easel apart, he is finally ready to put it back together.
Opting to be forth coming with Chase, Stephanie replies,
“Archie told me earlier about the woman that painted the portrait
and her husband.
He said they would come and visit.
They
would sit and talk for hours.
He said the man’s name was CJ.
I
am just making sure it really was your parents.”
As she spoke,
Chase had stopped working on the easel.
He is watching her now.
“Did you know your parents could see Archie?”
Stephanie waits
for Chase to answer.
Forgetting the box, she just stands quietly.
Frowning Chase looks at Stephanie he tries to remember the
timeframe this would be, “The evidence suggests that to be fact.
But I can’t remember either of my parents ever mentioning Archie
to me.”
Rising from the floor Chase picks up the easel testing the
brace for stability.
Satisfied with easel, he turns to Stephanie,
“Years ago, I would do yard work for Miss Della, sometimes I would
sense someone watching me, and once I had a glimpse of a man
standing at a window.
me it was Della’s beau.”
thought he was just saying that due to the rumors around town.
But now it appears he knew Archie personally.”
“Chase, I am sorry.”
Seeing him coming to terms with this
new development Stephanie allows him to deal with knowing his
parents had been friends with Archie.
After a few minutes she
adds, “Maybe they kept their friendship a secret due to Della asked
them too.
After all the whole town thought Della was crazy,
maybe they did this so people wouldn’t come and do the whole
haunted house exorcism.”
When I said something to my Father he told
Closing his eyes briefly he continues, “I
Walking over to stand by Stephanie Chase responds, “I will
ask my Mother about this and about the painting. Why did she
change it when she helped clean?
This is just all so confusing
now.”
Turning Stephanie to face him, Chase puts his forearms on
her shoulders resting his chin on the top of her head.
Sliding her arms around his waist, Stephanie feels his
strength.
Chase is a strong honorable man.
He makes her think
about their future.
But before they can have a future they have to
work through the past.
Pushing this thought aside, closing her
eyes Stephanie enjoys this moment.
“I could stand here all day, but unfortunately we need to get
finished with the set up.
Johnny should be here soon.”
Hearing
her sigh, he frowns, “By the way, where is Archie?
I told Andy I
would keep him with us.
And I haven’t seen him for a while.”
Leaning back to look at Chase Stephanie tells him, “Archie is
in the living room.
He hasn’t left since you hung the portrait.
He
misses Della so much.
I feel sorry for him.”
Seeing the sadness in her eyes, he brushes a kiss across her
forehead.
“I think we need to give him time to deal with some
issues.
Let him have his space so to speak.”
Noticing her smile
he continues, “I also think we need to fix something to eat.
This
big strong man is hungry; the coffee and cookies are gone from this
morning.
And, I am sure when Andy wakes up he will be hungry
too.”
Chapter Seven