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Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, the group spotted a shimmering shadow in the shrubs and went to investigate. They found that the shadow was actually a piece of gray silk, decorated with glass beads. The piece of fabric appeared to have been torn from the gown that they saw the Woman in Gray wearing. Concluding that a ghost can’t tear its dress, they confirmed that what they saw was no ghost, but rather someone dressed as the spirit of Theodosia Westwick. Eben suggested that they search out dressmakers or costume designers in town that had recently made a gray ball gown in an antique style. Mrs. Conn recalled that Bonnie Whiteside was involved with the local theatre group and might know some costume designers who could help. When Mrs. Conn turned to ask Miss Whiteside about it, she realized that the curator was missing! At that very moment, they saw Miss Whiteside struggling with someone in the bushes. Then, Miss Whiteside disappeared! They heard the voice of the “ghost” telling them to leave! What did they do? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 14:
Pin Point
“She’s gone!” Mrs. Conn exclaimed.
“No. She’s over there!” Nancy pointed.
Several yards in the distance, they saw Miss Whiteside struggling in the darkness. She appeared to be fighting with someone.
Suddenly, Miss Whiteside screamed! “Let me go!”
And, then, she disappeared into the night!
“We have to help her!” Mrs. Conn shouted.
At that very moment, they heard the voice of “The Woman in Gray!” “Stay Away!” The woman moaned. “Stay away! Leave here!”
“Come on!” Mrs. DeLorca shouted, throwing her cape over her shoulder. “Let’s get her!”
With that, Mrs. DeLorca rushed toward the sound of the Woman in Gray’s voice. She was quickly followed by Eben, Mr. DeLorca, Nancy and Sarah. Isaac and Kathy stayed back with Mrs. Conn and Miss Trotter.
“Stay back!” The woman shouted.
“Let our friend go!” Mrs. DeLorca answered back.
“Go away!” The Woman in Gray screamed. The bushes shook and rattled.
“She’s getting away,” Eben said quickly, out of breath.
“No. We won’t let that happen!” Mrs. DeLorca said.
Still, it was too late, by the time they reached the shrubs; the Woman in Gray was nowhere to be found. Sadly, neither was Miss Whiteside.
“Where could she have gone?” Mr. DeLorca scratched his head, looking around. “She disappeared as fast as a fish in a pelican’s mouth.”
Mrs. DeLorca walked several feet deeper into the maze of shrubbery. “The holly bushes are so dense here; she couldn’t have gotten away so easily.” She studied the ground. “It’s as if the earth swallowed her up.”
“And, Miss Whiteside, too.” Eben sighed.
Mrs. Conn, Miss Trotter, Kathy and Isaac caught up to the others.
“They’re gone.” Nancy said sadly.
“But, where?” Mrs. Conn asked.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.” Eben replied.
“Kitty,” Mrs. DeLorca began, “I know that this whole town is built on an elaborate system of caves and tunnels.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Conn nodded. “That’s why the ground is so unstable here. We have a lot of cave-ins and rock slides.”
“Is there a tunnel system near here?” Mrs. DeLorca asked, again studying the ground.
“Not that I know of.” Mrs. Conn shook her head. “The nearest caves and tunnels to here are at Old Martin Creek, and that’s quite a distance from this part of the park.”
“I see.” Mrs. DeLorca sighed.
“Besides, those tunnels are either collapsed or boarded up.” Isaac added.
“But, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t using them.” Sarah spoke up. “Remember the shoe thief who was after Mr. DeLorca’s plans. They used the tunnels.”
“And caused another cave-in.” Mrs. Conn nodded.
“I see what you’re thinking, Mother.” Eben joined his mother in looking at the ground. “Perhaps the Woman in Gray slipped into a tunnel via some kind of trap door—maybe one that no one remembers anymore.”
“But, if that were the case,” Mrs. DeLorca continued, “there’d be evidence of it. The soil would be disturbed. And, I don’t see any sign of any kind of trap door.”
“Wait,” Eben knelt down. “What’s this?”
“Oh, I say, I hope it’s a pancake!” Mr. DeLorca licked his lips. “I hear they grow wild in this part of the country.”
“Pancakes grow on bushes?” Isaac asked, wide-eyed.
“No, they don’t, Isaac.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head. “Don’t listen to him. He’s teasing.”
“Or am I?” Mr. DeLorca winked. “Still, I’m not kidding about wanting a pancake. They’re like flat pies without filling…or crust. Well, they’re not like pies at all, really. But, they are tasty and make festive hats for the holidays, you know. So, Son, show me this pancake you found.”
“It’s not a pancake.” Eben shook his head, holding up a small, shining object. “It’s a brooch.” He held the piece of jewelry up to the light of the streetlamps. It sparkled and shined.
“It looks expensive.” Sarah exclaimed.
“It is.” Eben nodded. “Those are real diamonds.”
“It’s in the shape of a letter.” Eben held it up. “It’s an initial. The letter ‘W’. Maybe for Westwick—you know for Theodosia Westwick.”
“Or it could stand for Whiteside.” Mrs. Conn said. “Maybe it’s Bonnie’s.”
“I don’t remember seeing her wearing a brooch like that tonight.” Eben shook his head. “I would have noticed it.”
“That’s no ‘W.’” Mrs. DeLorca said, she took the pin from Eben and turned it over. “It’s an ‘M.’ I’ve seen that pin before. And, I saw it tonight.”
“My, my. Mysterious ‘M’ meaning menacing model Mia!” Miss Trotter barked.
“Was Mia Duomo wearing this?” Eben asked.
“Not on her body.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head. “I saw it pinned to her purse when she was talking with Miss Whiteside.”
“But, Mia Duomo wasn’t over here just now.” Nancy said.
“Or was she?” Mr. DeLorca asked.
“Do you think it’s Miss Duomo who’s pretending to be the ghost of Theodosia Westwick?” Kathy asked.
However, before anyone could answer, they heard a commotion in the distance.
“What’s all that noise? It sounds like a crowd screaming!” Eben opened his eyes wide.
“It’s coming from center of the square!” Mrs. Conn said. “Near the old courthouse.”
“Maybe they’re just cheering for Chief Colbert or something.” Isaac shrugged.
“Mother, we need to talk to Mia Duomo.” Eben said definitely. “She’s involved in this.”
“I agree.” Mrs. DeLorca answered her son. “But, how did she get away from Annie and Uriah? And, why would she do this?” She squinted as the noise in the distance grew louder. “Even though we have a lot of questions, you know, I think we might see what’s going on over there first.”
“But, if we hurry, we can possibly catch Mia in the act.” Eben urged.
What should they do?
Go to next chapter!
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