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Authors: Kathi Daley
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hadn’t been incorporated back then,” Zak added. “Which means there wouldn’t have been a lot of recordkeeping.”
“Yeah , and the newspaper in Bryon Lake wouldn’t even have been in existence.”
“How did Davenport find all of this out?” Zak wondered.
“Death records and personal accounts from the diaries of some of the mill workers who lived in the area during the days when it was used as a logging camp, among other things.”
“So although Hezekiah lived a long life, dozens of others have died of mysterious causes over the years,” Zak concluded. “Wow. It sort of makes you believe in the haunted house theory.”
“I know. Right?”
I switched feet so that Zak could work on the left side of my body. Zak really does give the best foot rubs. He knows all the pressure points to address to create total body relaxation.
“So Davenport comes to get a ‘feel’ for the house and ends up dead,” Zak continued after I’d made the switch. “I agree that the whole thing is odd and sort of spooky, but I think it’s best we don’t get too caught up in the theory that a ghost or otherworldly spirit is guilty of scaring Davenport down the stairs.”
“Why not?” I groaned as Zak found an extra -sensitive spot.
“Assuming the man did n’t simply fall, he was most likely pushed, and there very well could be a real killer out there.”
“That’s basically what Trenton said,” I admitted. “Although he did say that it seemed like there was more going on with Davenport than he communicated.”
“Like what?” Zak asked.
“Trenton didn’t really know. He said Davenport seemed extremely invested in the history of the house, and the personal detachment that most researchers try to bring to a project seemed to be skewed by something Davenport wasn’t saying. Trenton didn’t go so far as to say he was lying about his true purpose for investigating paranormal activity in the house, but he did say that his words seemed deliberate, and at times he became downright evasive.”
“So Davenport thinks there may be more to the killings than meets the eye?” Zak began to work his way up my calf. I hadn’t had a chance to go for a run in several days and my muscles felt tight, so Zak’s magical hands felt wonderful.
“Not really ,” I answered. “Although he isn’t completely convinced the killings were random either. He spoke to Salinger, who thinks the killer ghost theory is hogwash, so I assume he’s focusing on locating a living, breathing killer. I feel like I should be doing something, but I’m not sure what that would be at this point.”
“It’s not your job to track down every killer who lands in the area,” Zak reminded me.
“I know. Which is why I ’m going to leave the investigation to Salinger for once. Besides, I’m going off the mountain tomorrow and will be gone most of the day.”
Zak looked surprised. “Really ? Where are you going?”
“To see a man about a dog.”
Chapter 6
Wednesday, October 22
“I can’t believe how excited I am.” Ellie smiled as we drove through the valley toward the home of Peter Darwin, the breeder Jeremy had told me about the day before. Not only was he willing to meet Ellie to discuss placing a puppy with her but he happened to have a pup in need of placement. Talk about perfect timing.
“Remember , it’s not a for-sure thing until he meets you,” I warned her as we made the trip down the mountain. A rambling river paralleled the narrow, winding road as the thick evergreen forest gave way to the foothills, painted with autumn colors. “He wants to be certain that you and Shep are a good match before he agrees to the adoption.”
“Yeah, I get it. You would do the same thing.”
“Yes, I would.”
Ellie took a deep breath and looked out the window. I could tell she was nervous , which, to be honest, sort of surprised me. When I’d first suggested a puppy, she hadn’t been interested, and now she was acting like
“Yeah , and the newspaper in Bryon Lake wouldn’t even have been in existence.”
“How did Davenport find all of this out?” Zak wondered.
“Death records and personal accounts from the diaries of some of the mill workers who lived in the area during the days when it was used as a logging camp, among other things.”
“So although Hezekiah lived a long life, dozens of others have died of mysterious causes over the years,” Zak concluded. “Wow. It sort of makes you believe in the haunted house theory.”
“I know. Right?”
I switched feet so that Zak could work on the left side of my body. Zak really does give the best foot rubs. He knows all the pressure points to address to create total body relaxation.
“So Davenport comes to get a ‘feel’ for the house and ends up dead,” Zak continued after I’d made the switch. “I agree that the whole thing is odd and sort of spooky, but I think it’s best we don’t get too caught up in the theory that a ghost or otherworldly spirit is guilty of scaring Davenport down the stairs.”
“Why not?” I groaned as Zak found an extra -sensitive spot.
“Assuming the man did n’t simply fall, he was most likely pushed, and there very well could be a real killer out there.”
“That’s basically what Trenton said,” I admitted. “Although he did say that it seemed like there was more going on with Davenport than he communicated.”
“Like what?” Zak asked.
“Trenton didn’t really know. He said Davenport seemed extremely invested in the history of the house, and the personal detachment that most researchers try to bring to a project seemed to be skewed by something Davenport wasn’t saying. Trenton didn’t go so far as to say he was lying about his true purpose for investigating paranormal activity in the house, but he did say that his words seemed deliberate, and at times he became downright evasive.”
“So Davenport thinks there may be more to the killings than meets the eye?” Zak began to work his way up my calf. I hadn’t had a chance to go for a run in several days and my muscles felt tight, so Zak’s magical hands felt wonderful.
“Not really ,” I answered. “Although he isn’t completely convinced the killings were random either. He spoke to Salinger, who thinks the killer ghost theory is hogwash, so I assume he’s focusing on locating a living, breathing killer. I feel like I should be doing something, but I’m not sure what that would be at this point.”
“It’s not your job to track down every killer who lands in the area,” Zak reminded me.
“I know. Which is why I ’m going to leave the investigation to Salinger for once. Besides, I’m going off the mountain tomorrow and will be gone most of the day.”
Zak looked surprised. “Really ? Where are you going?”
“To see a man about a dog.”
Chapter 6
Wednesday, October 22
“I can’t believe how excited I am.” Ellie smiled as we drove through the valley toward the home of Peter Darwin, the breeder Jeremy had told me about the day before. Not only was he willing to meet Ellie to discuss placing a puppy with her but he happened to have a pup in need of placement. Talk about perfect timing.
“Remember , it’s not a for-sure thing until he meets you,” I warned her as we made the trip down the mountain. A rambling river paralleled the narrow, winding road as the thick evergreen forest gave way to the foothills, painted with autumn colors. “He wants to be certain that you and Shep are a good match before he agrees to the adoption.”
“Yeah, I get it. You would do the same thing.”
“Yes, I would.”
Ellie took a deep breath and looked out the window. I could tell she was nervous , which, to be honest, sort of surprised me. When I’d first suggested a puppy, she hadn’t been interested, and now she was acting like
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