I sit on the window seat and leaf through the
pages again.
"My baby, my baby..... my precious baby has disappeared.
I did detect noises through the night, but since it was so windy and rainy,
I attributed it to the weather. I didn't hear a sound from her room, and since
she always slept through the night, I didn't dream that she could be in any kind
of danger.... 'my baby, my baby. Where is my baby? Oh God... please
help me find my baby.' "
~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7
Another page from the diary:
"The detectives have been here all day, There are
no clues at all to be found. They are treating us as criminals. Don't they
realize we are wretched enough without being accused of murdering her? They're
trying to get a confession from us. I hope poor Harry doesn't break and admit to
something he's not guilty of."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The poor soul, no wonder
everyone thought she was crazy.
I better get to
my investigation.
I rise from the window seat and glimpse outside. Through
the moon-lit haze, I can make out a misty image in a long flowing garment
roaming about. It seems to have a destination in mind.
Within a small brief
clearing of the haze, I just barely make out what looks like a tiny quaint old
church. With the overgrown vines and briars and being nestled among a circle of
trees, I hadn't noticed it before.
I had heard where it was fairly common
for affluent families to have their own private chapel, but this is the first
that I have seen.
Abruptly, as fast as the spirit materialized it
disappears. I just pray it stays out there and leaves me
alone.
I exit the room and open the next door down the hall.
It is a
nicely decorated bathroom, Very tidy except for the layer of dust everywhere.
The old claw footed bath tub has a blue print shower curtain hanging from an
oval brass ring encircling the tub. It matches the faded curtains at the window.
The toilet chamber is very archaic. The water tank is high on the wall and
is flushed with a pull on the dangling brass chain.
Towels are still neatly
folded over the towel bars in faded colors matching the print curtains. The
flooring is composed of white ceramic tile veined with blue. An old cloudy
mirror hangs over the single pedestal lavatory.
I finger the mirror to see
if it opens. It does not. I check the linen cabinet, but it appears to only have
matching sets of towels and wash cloths. If nothing else, she was a very
particular housekeeper.
Not finding anything here, I continue my
quest.
Approaching the next door I hear faint sounds of a tinkling music box.
As I open the door, the music stops and I feel a cold draft waft through again.
I notice some movement of an empty rocking chair. Then it stops. I notice the
dust on it and realize that no human being has used it.
I look around and
see a darling canopied baby bed. The elegant matching dresser is covered with
photographs. I walk over and pick one up. It's the same baby that was pictured
in the other bed room. Looking at the pictures, I see that they are all of the
baby except one that seems to be a family portrait. There are three in the
picture, a handsome gentleman, the same beautiful lady and the infant.
I
guess that's what Harry looked like. I had only seen him pictured as the famous
clown.
I try to open a drawer. It starts to slide forward and then stops.
Almost like someone holding it. A cold draft drifts over me again. I feel the
hair on my neck stand on end. The spirit that apparently occupies this room is
very agitated.
I turn to see.....
Stay with me, I'll catch you again
tomorrow....or when ever.
~~Janice
