Jack Ryder Mystery Series: Vol 4-6 Read online

  “You’re hurting her!” Daisy yelled, and the Doctor let go of her arm, which was twisted at the shoulder, completely dislocated. The Doctor gasped.

  “Oh, no! I am so sorry, Millie. I am so terribly sorry.”

  The girls all surrounded Millie and helped her get up. The Doctor felt terrible. “I am so sorry.” The looks from the girls were of contempt and anger as they dragged their friend to her room. Only Miss Muffit was still sitting at the table when they had all left. Meanwhile, a bus stopped outside the door on the street and the Doctor could hear the tour guide’s loud yelling in the microphone.

  The Doctor watched the tourists from behind the curtain as the guide explained about the house, how it was rumored to be haunted. The Doctor sighed and looked back at Miss Muffit. Tears were streaming from her eyes.

  This had gone too far.

  “I’ll get her back. I promise you, all of you, I’ll get Betsy Sue back. Don’t you worry.”

  6

  May 2016

  “The Hampton Lillybridge House was built in 1797,” our tour guide Jessica said and pointed. I looked at the three-story house; it did look very creepy in the darkness. It was evening, and Shannon and I had decided to take a haunted house bus tour around Savannah, while Sarah took care of the kids and especially Tyler. It was the first time Shannon had been away from our son, and I could tell she was troubled. Mostly by the way she kept checking her phone over and over.

  “It’s beautiful, don’t you think?” I whispered to her.

  She nodded distantly.

  Our tour guide had started the trip by telling us that around seventy percent of all houses in Savannah were considered to be haunted. I didn’t believe in this type of stuff, so I found the stories she told us quite amusing, but Shannon didn’t seem to take them as lightly as me. Maybe she was just worried about Tyler. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but she didn’t seem to be enjoying this ride as much as I was. I was just thrilled to be alone with my bride-to-be for the first time in three months.

  “This house was cursed from the start, when a worker was killed during preparations to move the structure,” Jessica continued. She was dressed in an old-fashioned dress herself, probably to create the right atmosphere for us. I thought it was quite funny how all the houses simply had to have a haunted story to them; I had even read it made their value go up if they had such a story.

  “A year after that, when construction resumed, workers found a crypt on the property where the house was to be moved. Not wanting to delay any longer, the construction foreman went ahead with it anyway; the house got moved, and to this day it still sits on an old unopened crypt.”

  “Uh,” Shannon said, shivering.

  I saw it as an opportunity to put my arm around her and pull her closer. It was kind of chilly tonight, at least compared to what we were used to in Florida at this time of year. But it was still beautiful.

  “It is said that weird things happen on a regular basis in this house; furniture gets moved around, items disappear and reappear, doors get mysteriously locked and lights go on and off at random. Some tenants have said this is the work of a small boy who sometimes appears in a green suit, and that you can hear him giggling after one of his practical jokes.”

  I chuckled at the last part, thinking even ghosts have bad humor apparently. Shannon moved closer to me in the seat, then checked her phone again.

  “He’s fine,” I whispered. “It’s only a few hours. He’s probably sleeping so he’ll be awake all night after we come home.”

  “Don’t say that!” she said.

  I laughed again and kissed her cheek. She smelled divine as always. She was wearing a big hat and a pair of fake glasses so no one would recognize her. I was getting used to that being the deal whenever we went out. She even sometimes wore a wig. I didn’t mind. As long as it gave us the privacy we wanted.

  “Savannah’s history is rife with horror stories, including several major fires and a yellow fever plague that killed ten percent of the population at the time,” Jessica continued talking about this tragedy like it was the most exciting thing in the world. “It was a fire that claimed the lives of the girls at our next stop: The Old Orphanage located at 117 Houston St.”

  I turned my head and looked at the old house. A three-story brick house with the traditional Savannah porches wrapped around it. It seemed peaceful enough, but then again, they all did.

  “The building served as the female orphanage with seventeen girls living there. In 1827, tragedy struck. A fire broke out in the orphanage. Rescuers thought they had gotten all the girls out until they did a headcount and found out that some of the girls were missing. One spectator spotted two girls frantically trying to escape through an attic window while the place burned to the ground. Eleven girls died during the fire when the building’s roof collapsed. To this day, the people who live around here claim they can hear the sound of girls singing and playing. People living in the rebuilt house have told stories of waking up in the middle of the night with two girls standing at the foot of their bed.”

  “Ugh,” Shannon said and shuddered again.

  I had to admit this story gave me the chills as well. The thought of these young girls trapped inside a burning building gave me goosebumps.

  Because it was real.

  7

  April 1990

  It took them a few weeks to get all their stuff packed and arrange everything for the move. Kimberly and Joseph Milligan were as excited about this big move as they had been when they found out they were expecting Rosa.

  This was a new beginning for them and just what they needed. As they drove up the small street in the historic downtown of Savannah, Kimberly’s breath was taken away by the beauty of the town.

  “I didn’t know anything like this existed,” she said. “I mean, I’ve seen it on TV and all, but that doesn’t compare to real life at all. These houses are stunning, and the trees, wow, I can’t stop staring at them; what’s all that grey stuff hanging from them?”

  “They call it Spanish moss,” Joseph said, and took a turn right into another little square surrounded by the most exquisite houses. Two, three some of them even four stories, all with porches and balconies, and entrances elevated from the street, from back when there were no cars and the streets were filled with horse excrement. At least that’s what Joseph had explained to Kimberly.

  “Ah, so that’s Spanish moss. Wow. It makes the street look really creepy.”

  “We’re here!” Joseph said and stopped the car.

  Kimberly looked out her window. The house was located on one of Savannah’s famed squares, this one a small park shaded by live oaks with crossing paths leading to the surrounding streets, and benches on all sides of a flowerbed. It was so pretty.

  “Is this it? No. It can’t be!”

  Joseph whistled and nodded. “It’s the address all right.”

  Their house was a red-brick mansion, with balconies surrounding it everywhere. It had green shutters framing all the tall windows. It had a pair of curved staircases with wrought-iron rails leading to each side of the front porch. High columns supported the balcony on top.

  “But it’s the most gorgeous one of them all!” Kimberly almost yelled.

  “It sure is.”

  “Is this our house, Mommy?” Rosa said from the back seat.

  “I guess so,” Kimberly said. She spotted a man waiting at the end of the stairs leading to the front door. And what a front door that was!

  “That must be that lawyer-guy that called me. I asked him to meet us here so we can sign the papers and take over the house right away,” she said and jumped out of the car. Joseph and Rosa followed her closely.

  “Whoa. This house has four stores, Mommy.”

  Kimberly chortled and decided to not correct her. Instead, she walked up the stairs where a smiling man with a brown briefcase waited. He presented himself once again as Jonas Anderson, attorney-at-law in Savannah, and Kimberly shook his hand.

  �
�Is this really it?” she asked, smiling from ear to ear. “Are you sure?”

  The attorney chuckled lightly. “Yes, ma’am. This most certainly is it.”

  “Wow,” she said and looked up at the many balconies above. Kimberly had grown up living in a small apartment and had been living in one with her husband as well up until now.

  “I can’t believe it,” she said.

  Jonas Anderson lifted the key and dangled it in front of her. “Here are the keys to your new home.”

  Kimberly grabbed them and looked at her husband. “This is finally it, babe. We finally have a house we can call our own.”

  “There is, of course, the paperwork that…” the attorney said, but Kimberly wasn’t listening anymore. She took the key and put it in the lock, turned it, and opened the double doors fully and dramatically.

  “Wuaaav,” her daughter exclaimed, as they stepped inside into the giant hall that seemed big enough to fit their entire apartment complex where they lived before.

  Kimberly walked across the marble floors till she reached the stairwell. With a cautious finger, she touched the railing that twisted its way up to the next floors. Then she turned and looked at her family, tears springing to her eyes while she—with arms wide open—exclaimed:

  “Welcome home.”

  8

  May 2016

  We ended the night with a late dinner at one of the restaurants at the harbor. The food was very good and we enjoyed having a little time together for once. Shannon eased up a little after calling Sarah, who told us that Tyler was sleeping heavily and all the other kids, except Emily, had gone to bed too, exhausted from playing outside all afternoon.

  I reminded myself to buy something nice for Sarah as a thanks for all her help. I knew Shannon paid her well, but still. It was very nice of her to help us out like this and give us this night out.

  We took a stroll on the boardwalk by the water and went into a few of the souvenir shops till we found some strange small statue to give her. I thought it was very ugly, but Shannon called it art, and I decided she knew best.

  As we walked outside again, ugly statue hidden in the bag, we decided to go down to the water and keep walking. I wasn’t quite ready to go back home yet. I wanted to make the most of the night, even though I was exhausted. I hadn’t been up this late in three months.

  “What a lovely night, don’t you think?” Shannon said with a sigh, as we watched the moon rise above the water, causing it to glitter. Big ships were docked and the sound of the water hitting against them was calming to me.

  I put my arm around her and kissed her. I felt emotional and very happy at this moment.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Right now, everything is perfect, isn’t it?” Shannon asked.

  “It sure is.”

  We had stared at the gorgeous moon and water in front of us for a few minutes, when a sound made me turn my head to our right.

  “What is it?” Shannon asked.

  “There’s someone there,” I said and let go of her. I took a couple of steps towards the figure. Someone was sitting on the dock, legs dangling over the edge.

  “It’s a little girl,” I said to Shannon. “What’s a little girl doing out here this late?”

  “Maybe her parents went into one of the shops and will be right out,” Shannon said, and turned to look at the souvenir shops behind us.

  I approached the girl. She had her back turned to me and was staring out over the water.

  “Jack, we should be getting back,” Shannon said. “It’s getting late.”

  “I’ll be right there. I just need to make sure she’s all right. I don’t like that she is sitting this close to the water. If she falls in, she won’t be able to get back out.”

  I walked up to her and knelt down next to her when I heard that she was singing. I recognized the song immediately as Willie Nelson’s Blackjack County Chain, and I chimed in. I never would have done that before I met Shannon, but she had gotten me confident about singing, and even told me I wasn’t completely tone deaf, as I had always believed I was. I enjoyed music and singing and it was a side of me Shannon had cultivated.

  The girl stopped and looked up at me. In the weak light from the moon, I could tell she was young. Not as young as the twins and Angela, but only a few years older.

  “That’s quite a song for such a small girl to sing,” I said.

  The girl stared at me for a long time, then her eyes left me and returned to the water.

  “The Doctor used to sing it,” she answered.

  “The Doctor? Who’s that?”

  The girl didn’t answer.

  “What’s your name?”

  “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.”

  “Of course not. Good answer. Where are your parents?”

  “I don’t have any.”

  My heart sank. “Really? Then are you just here all by yourself, then?”

  She looked at me. “No. Of course not.”

  “So, who’s here with you? The Doctor?”

  “Yeah, sure,” she said.

  “Where is he?”

  The girl looked at me again. She was biting her lip. “He…he just went for a walk. Will be right back, he said.”

  “Jack?” Shannon called from behind. “Can we go now? I want to get back to Tyler and I’m getting cold.”

  “One second,” I yelled back. I didn’t like to leave this little girl out here all alone. I didn’t buy the story of the doctor and his walk one bit. Something was off here. “Do you know I’m a police officer?” I said. “My name is Jack.”

  The girl turned her head towards me again. I reached out my hand so we could shake, but she left it hanging.

  “I’m Betsy Sue,” she said.

  9

  May 2016

  “So, tell me, Betsy Sue. I notice you’re not wearing any shoes. Where do you live?”

  “Around.”

  “I bet,” I said. “Do you know your address?”

  She shook her head without looking at me. I could hear Shannon sigh behind me. I felt torn. I could just get up and leave her, that seemed like what she wanted, but something told me not to; my gut told me it was a bad idea.

  “A phone number?”

  Head shaking again.

  “Jaaack, come on!”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “You should go, you know,” Betsy Sue said. “Don’t want to keep a lady waiting.”

  “You’re right,” I said with a light chuckle. And then it struck me. This girl knew country music. “Say, do you know Shannon King?”

  The girl turned her head and looked straight at me. “Yes. She’s my favorite singer!”

  Bingo!

  “Well, that’s her. But don’t tell anyone,” I said, putting my pointer finger over my lips.

  “That is Shannon King?” The girl turned her head and looked back at Shannon standing underneath a streetlamp wearing her big hat.

  “Yes. And she’s my girlfriend. We’re going to get married here in Savannah next Saturday.”

  “Lucky you.”

  I snickered. “Thanks. Say, would you like to meet her?”

  Even though it was dark and the only light came from the moon, I could still see the girl’s eyes become big and wide.

  “I’m guessing that’s a yes,” I said.

  I got up to my feet and reached out my hand. She grabbed it in hers and let me pull her up. We walked towards Shannon, who looked at me, confused, then smiled when she saw the girl.

  “Shannon, meet Betsy Sue; she’s your biggest fan.”

  “Well, hello there, Betsy Sue,” Shannon said and reached out her hand. Betsy Sue looked at it and embraced Shannon in a big hug instead. Shannon laughed, startled.

  “Say, are you hungry?” I asked.

  Shannon gave me a look. I knew we had to get back, but I had to find out where this girl lived so I could get her home. The harbor was almost empty except for one bum sleeping it off on a bench. This was n
o place for a little girl. I was guessing she had run off from home and it was vital for me to get her back. These streets were hardly safe for such a small girl at night.

  “We can’t leave her here,” I said.

  “Of course not,” Shannon said.

  “Let’s grab a burger somewhere,” I said. “I’m sure we can find somewhere that’s open. Do you like burgers?”

  The girl looked puzzled. “I don’t know,” she said.

  “You don’t know?” I said, laughing, and looked at Shannon. “All little girls like burgers!”

  “Okay.”

  I pondered over her answer, then Shannon grabbed her hand in hers and we walked till we found a diner that was open. I ordered a burger and fries for the girl, the burger plain, with only cheese, like my kids always wanted.

  “And loads of ketchup,” I said to the waitress. “And coffee for us.”

  “Not me,” Shannon said. “I can’t sleep if I drink coffee this close to bedtime.”

  “Then just for me,” I said. “And a soda for the girl. What do you like?”

  Betsy Sue stared at me, then shrugged.

  “We have Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Lemonade, and iced tea,” the waitress said.

  “Do you have water?”

  “Sure thing, sweetie pie,” she said and winked at Betsy Sue.

  “So, Betsy Sue. We need to find out where you live,” I said, as soon as the food had arrived.

  Betsy Sue just stared at it like she wondered how to attack it. It was nothing like the reaction I had expected. My kids were always throwing themselves at their food when it was served.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Shannon asked and hugged her hand in hers.

  “Yes. But…”

  “But what?” Shannon asked gently.

  The girl’s eyes hit the edge of the table. “Usually we have to wait.”