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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls 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, Mr. Dinello rushed Vera to the hospital where they first saw TJ’s mother, the hospital’s head nurse. While Vera was being examined by a doctor, Mrs. Johnson told Mr. Dinello how she felt that the teens should not accompany Chief Colbert, Officer Littlepoole and Mr. Dinello on their mysteries any longer. Stating that Mr. Dinello wasn’t acting responsibly, Mrs. Johnson had to hurry off when the doctor called for quick assistance. Alone and waiting to see how Vera was doing, Mr. Dinello decided to call Vera’s parents. Meanwhile, at the abandoned courthouse where she had chased “The Woman in Gray,” Officer Littlepoole was joined by Chief Colbert. The two of them were searching for the woman, but she was nowhere to be found despite the fact that they couldn’t think of how she escaped. Suddenly, Officer Littlepoole screamed. Chief Colbert looked at what had startled Jenny Littlepoole. It was Riley. Something awful had happened to him! At that very moment, “The Woman in Gray” appeared at Old Martin Creek where she met Mr. Barrymore who addressed the imposter ghost as his wife. The phony phantom reassured her husband that she had “taken care” of Riley. She then began to mock her husband, calling him an errand boy and giving him assignments. She ordered Mr. Barrymore to “take care” of Mina and gave him the address she had taken from Riley. Mr. Barrymore was growing impatient with the woman’s taunting and threatened to expose her identity. Did he talk or did the woman convince him to keep quiet? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 32
Wall Call
“Let’s just say that Riley won’t be saying anything to anyone.” The woman laughed. “Even when those two cops find him.”
“What have you done?” Mr. Barrymore asked.
“Suddenly you have a conscience?” The imposter ghost mocked Mr. Barrymore. “You bore me. Now, go take care of Mina. You have the address now. Just go do it!”
“Why should I?” Mr. Barrymore glared at the woman. “Since I’m nothing but your errand boy, as you say, what’s in it for me? What’s to keep me from going up there and telling the police who you are? I do know your name, after all. You are my wife. And, wouldn’t the people of Vista Falls be very interested in knowing that one of their most respected citizens…”
“Be quiet.” The woman growled. “No one knows I’m married to you.”
“Unless I tell them.” Mr. Barrymore smiled wickedly. “Maybe I should go do that right now. I’m tired of your games and your treachery.”
“My games?” The woman cackled. “That’s rich! You’re just as much a part of this as I am. If I go down, you go down!”
“I thought I was just your flunky.” Mr. Barrymore grinned.
“I’m the brains of the operation, but as far as crimes committed, you’ve got as many stacked against you as I do.” Mr. Barrymore’s wife continued.
“Not exactly.” Mr. Barrymore shook his head.
“You won’t talk.” The woman growled. “I’m calling your bluff. You wouldn’t risk getting yourself in trouble.”
“Wouldn’t I?” Mr. Barrymore frowned. “I’ll have you know, my dear, that I’m just as capable of going through that tunnel from the creek to the old courthouse as you are. I’m sure those two cops in there would like some answers to their questions. They may even cut me a deal in exchange for the information. You know, they’d go easy on me if I talked.”
“You wouldn’t.” The woman narrowed her eyes.
“Watch me.” Mr. Barrymore laughed.
The woman panicked. “Darling,” The Woman in Gray said in as sweet a voice as she could muster, “surely you wouldn’t do this. Remember our plans? Remember our dreams? If we carry this out, if we stick to the plan, we’ll get everything we ever wanted and more!”
“I never wanted this.” Mr. Barrymore shook his head. “I was perfectly happy working at the hotel. You know, I’ll be glad to finally tell someone the truth. I’ll be glad to not be hiding anymore. I’ll be glad to stop this fighting with you. Can’t we go back to the way things were? I married you because I love you.” He sighed. “And because I love you, I have to do what’s right for both of us.”
“The Woman in Gray” watched in panic as her husband slid open the screen of artificial rocks that blocked the entrance to the secret tunnel.
“He’s really going to the cops.” The woman gulped. “I can’t have that! Even if he is my husband!”
With that, the woman quietly followed Mr. Barrymore into the tunnel.
At that very moment, in the courthouse, Chief Colbert was calling for back-up as Jenny Littlepoole was untying the rope that had been bound around Riley’s ankles and wrists. He still sat in the spot where Officer Littlepoole had first seen him tied up, his eyes shut in pain.
She removed the bandanna that had been tied around his mouth like a gag.
Riley took a deep breath. “Oh, thank you,” He said, his voice shaking.
“Riley,” Officer Littlepoole began, “are you injured? I can’t tell if your forehead is bruised or if that’s dirt.”
“Both.” Riley coughed. “She hit me.”
“Who?” Jenny Littlepoole asked.
“The Woman in Gray. You know, like from the ghost story?” Riley said softly.
“We’ve seen her.” Officer Littlepoole nodded. “But, we haven’t gotten a good look at her face. Did you recognize her? Under that ghost make-up could you tell who she was?”
“I know I’ve seen her before.” Riley shook his head. “But, I couldn’t place her face. Too much of that horrible make-up…”
“It’s okay, Riley.” Officer Littlepoole said gently.
Suddenly, from within the courthouse walls, they heard a man scream in pain!
“Who is that?” Chief Colbert rushed over.
“You know, it sounded like Mr. Barrymore, my old boss.” Riley said. “But, where is he?”
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Vera’s parents rushed into the emergency room. They were followed by Lucy who wore a coat over her night clothes. She looked frightened and upset.
“Where’s my daughter?” Mr. Molton said, his voicing shaking with fear and anger.
“She’s still in with the doctor and Nurse Johnson.” Mr. Dinello said, greeting the Moltons.
“How did this happen?” Mr. Molton continued angrily.
Mr. Dinello opened his mouth to try to explain.
“Save it!” Mr. Molton interrupted him. “I don’t care. All I want to know is if my daughter is safe.”
“This is all your fault!” Mrs. Molton said viciously. “She snuck out of the house because of one of your mysteries!”
Mr. Dinello raised his eyebrows. He agreed that he and the officers should keep a better eye on the kids, but he didn’t feel it was his fault that Vera snuck out of her house. After all, he had dropped Lucy and Vera off at the house. Wasn’t it the Molton’s responsibility to make sure Vera didn’t leave their home?
What should Mr. Dinello say?
Voting results for how the story continues:
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