Adam's Point
Legacy Series, Book 3
by Elena Dorothy Bowman

Prologue

The third and final episode begins with Ethan’s return to Adam’s Point after taking some of the guests to Caleb’s Cove in order to lesson the danger that might engulf them.  After the disappearances of the McCutcheons and the Holms, he thought it was a wise move to make until he could unravel the mystery of their disappearances.  

The strange spirits who, without rhyme or reason, or so much as a ‘by your leave’, had suddenly inhabited The House On The Bluff and caused a multitude of problems.  It was not only that people were disappearing, which heightened their trepidation, but the menacing, almost threatening manifestations it showered on the human residents, while relegating the “harmless” spiritual entities into their own inescapable prison.  A prison, which was so deep within the recesses of the house, they apparently couldn’t or didn’t dare attempt to escape or leave.  The new entities had taken control of The House On The Bluff and were bound and determined to bring everyone into its clutches. But Jacob, one of the resident spirits, did try to break the hold that bound him and his compatriots only to fail in his attempt to warn Ethan, Abigail and or Tony.

Ethan had deposited the four couples in the Bed and Breakfast motels in Caleb’s Cove and asked Tom, one of the Sheriff’s men to watch over them until he could return for them.  And seeing that they were safely established within their rooms bid them good-bye and headed back to Adam’s Point, promising that he would return with the others as soon as he found them.  

He was in a hurry to return to the Point because he didn’t like leaving Abigail alone.  It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the people he left her with.  He didn’t trust the house. It tried to make her a part of it before, not once but twice, and he wasn’t about to let it happen again.  He knew she wasn’t really alone there were three other couples with her along with Tony who would never let anything happen to her.  Still, he wasn’t there and he wanted to get back to her as quickly as he could.  He knew the strange happenings and disappearances of two couples from the Inn had really shaken his remaining guests.  Even if they didn’t leave with the others who were quick to take Ethan up on his offer, they were still unnerved.  They had decided to stay with Ethan, Abigail, and Tony instead of going aboard the Abigail for the half-hour sail to Caleb’s Cove, and what had been considered a “safe harbor”.  On his return trip to Adam’s Point, Ethan had the schooner at full throttle up until the time he reached the entrance to the Bay.  He reduced speed as slow as possible so that he could quietly slip into the dock, unnoticed, and hopefully without further angering the wraith hovering over the Inn.  It was where the others, especially Abigail, who had stayed behind were waiting anxiously, for his return.

* * *

With the disappearances of the McCutcheons’ and the Holms’, Ethan wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.  He wasn’t aware of the fact that Jill had also disappeared. The people at Caleb’s Cove hadn’t thought to share that bit of information with him.  Why?  Because, as a group they had decided the strange wraith hovering over the Inn was just an apparition, conjured up by the Inn-keepers for publicity purposes.  It was an illusion that was manifested for their benefit, so that they might enjoy a wonderful and entertaining vacation they never thought possible.  It was meant to be a spirited vacation.  One in which they could talk about to their families, and their friends, for many, many, years to come.  They also believed that the missing guests weren’t missing at all, but were in on it and had either decided to leave the Inn and were safe at home, or were somewhere else on Caleb’s Cove waiting for the hallucinations to end.  They convinced themselves that the McCutcheons had decided to make that trip to Scotland they were thinking of and that the Holms were either safely back in their own home or somewhere else on Caleb’s Cove.  The reason they gave was because they thought the McCutcheons and the Holms were in on the shenanigans occurring at the Inn on Adam’s Point.  The strange noises heard at night, the horrendous wraith hovering over the Inn, the fog that appeared and disappeared wantonly, and all the mysterious spirits who kept popping up at the strangest places, and at the strangest time.  And in one case, it appeared as if Bridget McCutcheon had physically forced her husband to make a move away from the Inn.  It was all intended to make those who were not involved believe that it was all for real and that they were really terrified of the goings on.  Therefore, it was easy to believe that they had left the Inn and returned home sooner than they were expected to do.  

But what they couldn’t understand was why Jill would leave her husband and return home without him, unless she was a part of the scheme. It was a question they couldn’t answer, and didn’t even want to contemplate that maybe that wasn’t the case and she might have left without him for parts unknown.  Neil, her husband, however, was totally convinced that Jill had returned to The House On The Bluff as part of the illusionary scheme that was being perpetrated for the benefit of the guests, and would be waiting for him after the charade had been discovered and all was revealed.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.  Ethan wasn’t sure how he was going to convince the remaining guests that danger still lurked at the Inn from an unknown source. That he was doing everything in his power to contact Jacob, one of the permanent spiritual guests of the Inn, to help in his search for a safe resolution hoping to obtain the release of the missing guests, and the safety of the others.  

***

But it was going to be difficult.  He knew that.  What he didn’t know was that they would be in far more danger than he thought possible.  A danger, which was lurking in the unknown, that could affect them all even the ones who had disappeared, but most especially for Abigail.  The Gatekeeper was determined to get what he wanted, even if it meant the destruction of the people who were guests of the Inn

So it is that Ethan and Abigail must now fight for the survival of the guests in their care.  And, for the return of those missing who are in the clutches of the Gatekeeper. That huge, untouchable, illusive, menacing, apparition, who refuses to release his victims until his demands are met —the problem is that, neither Ethan, Abigail, the residence spirits, or any of the guests at the Inn, knew what the Gatekeeper wanted.  

 Chapter 1

As Ethan and the others walked up from the dock they couldn’t help but notice that the wraith hovering above the Inn seemed to be agitated.  They didn’t know what it was that caused the manifestation to writhe in such a way that it seemed almost as if it would swoop down and engulf them all.  

They looked to see where the women were and felt they were far enough away to be safe —that is if anyone could be safe near the Inn at this point in time.

“Look at the way it’s moving.  It seems as if it is extremely angry,” Lorenzo said quietly, staring at the apparition.

“I know,” Ethan said, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it like that before.”

“Can’t say that I did either,” Henri ventured.  “But something sure has that thing up there angry as hell.”

“What makes you say that?” Ethan asked.

“Well, don’t you think it’s angry?”

“Yes, but at what?”

“How should I know?” Henri asked. “I simply stated a fact.”

“The women will be coming back soon,” Lorenzo interjected.  “Maybe we ought to keep them away from here.”

“Where would you suggest we send them?” Ethan asked.

“Maybe to town?” Henri answered. His comment seemed more of a question than a statement.

Ethan looked at Henri, then to Lorenzo.  “Maybe Henri’s got a point there.  It might be better if we send the women off to town where they would be safe.”

“Don’t think they will go without an argument,” Lorenzo said, with a slight laugh.

“I guess you’re right…At least where Abigail is concerned,” Ethan answered.

“Not just Abigail, neither will Bernadette or Sabrina, you can bet on that,” Lorenzo said.

“Yes, I am almost certain they think they we wouldn’t be safe without them here to protect us,” Henri said, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

Ethan looked at the other two men and wondered just what they would do if push came to shove and they had to force their wives to leave them behind.  And where the hell is Tony? Ethan wondered.  He should be around here somewhere, but where? I haven’t seen him since I took the others to Caleb’s Cove.  I know damn well he wasn’t on the Abigail, and I know for certain he was standing with the others when I left —so where did he go? And what is he up to?  Questions, questions, but Ethan didn’t have any answers.  When he finally stopped thinking about Tony, and looked up he was surprised to see the others staring at him.  

“What?”

“That’s what we want to know?  What are you thinking about, Ethan? Lorenzo asked.

“Actually, I was wondering where Tony got off to.  Did anyone see him leave?

“No, not really, he was standing with the rest of us when you took the Abigail out.  When we all went back toward the house I thought he was with us, but to tell you the truth, I can’t honestly say he was,” Henri answered, perplexed.

“And neither can I,” Lorenzo said.  “I thought he was, but like Henri, I can’t be sure if he did walk up to the Inn with us…but he must have.”

“Well, we will have to worry about Tony later, right now what should we do about the women?”  Ethan asked.

“Ask them?” Lorenzo said.  “You can’t make them do something they don’t want to do, so ask them.”

“And if they say no, they won’t leave?”  Ethan asked, looking from one to the other.

“If you can make Abigail leave, the other two will follow.  So you see, Ethan, it’s all in your ball park,” Henri said.

“Thanks,” Ethan said, “you guys are a big help.”

“You’re welcome!” Lorenzo said, with a smile in his voice, “Glad I could be of service. Here they come now.”

* * *

Ethan, Henri and Lorenzo watched as their wives started ambling up towards the Inn, carrying their shoes in their hands, laughing, hanging on to one another, while trying to wipe the sand off their wet feet with every step they took.

Ethan really hated to approach Abigail to tell her she had to leave the “Point” with the other two women for their own safety.  He shot a look at the top of the Inn. The wraith seemed to be getting more and more agitated, framed within the shadows of the late afternoon sky.  And as the twilight began its odyssey across the heavens, it appeared to be far more menacing.  The sudden grayness of the ocean beyond did little to help.

He couldn’t imagine what could be causing this strange turn of events.  He wondered, briefly, if Tony had anything to do with it, then shook his head as if the thought was the strangest thing he could have imagined.

When the women approached closer to the men, their laughter stopped almost on cue, as they stared at the threatening apparition above the house swaying back and forth, up and down, and shooting blue-white lightning bolts in all directions, barely missing them, or the men standing nearby.  

An occasional strike reached the ocean behind the women, and the water sizzled as if it turned to oil dancing on a hot frying pan.  The noise of the strike caused them to jump, and run a little faster toward the men who stared in awe as the turbulence of the ocean’s water turned black, grew, and then subsided almost as fast as it started to boil.

“Did you see that?” Lorenzo asked of no one in particular.

“What do you think?” Ethan answered, staring at the dismal, still, water.

“I don’t like this,” Henri said. “This is getting dangerous.”

“Maybe we all better leave,” Lorenzo said.

“I think maybe you ought to,” Ethan answered.  “I want you to take Abigail with you.  I can’t leave until I find Tony.  He’s here somewhere doing God knows what, and I can’t leave him behind…I won’t leave him behind.”

“Then I’ll stay.  Send the women to the Cove.  I can’t leave you here alone searching for Tony.  Someone has to back you up.  Henri you take care of the women, make sure they get to Caleb’s Cove and stay with them.  I’ll stay here with Ethan and as soon as we find Tony, we’ll join you.”

“Why don’t you take the women to the Cove and I’ll stay behind with Ethan?” Henri asked.

“Because I’m the detective and you are not.  That’s why.  Besides, I’m bigger than you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I can outweigh you and we don’t want to go through that now, do we?”

“Neither one of you are staying.  Take the women and get to Caleb’s Cove and do it now.  I can handle this house by myself.  Don’t make an issue out of it…please.  Just do as I ask and leave as soon as possible…preferably while there is still some light.”

Lorenzo and Henri stared at one another, with no spoken words; each blamed the other for Ethan’s demands.  Lorenzo thought, Okay, I’ll help get the women away from here and when they are at a safe distance, I’ll come back and help Ethan.  I don’t care what he says, he can’t stay here alone.

Smiling, Lorenzo said, “Okay, Ethan, we’ll do what you ask.  We can leave immediately as soon as we get the women to move.  Right, Henri?”

Henri nodded.  What is he up to? He’s giving in to easily.  He’s up to something.  I’ll just play along but I’m not leaving Ethan here alone and that’s final.

“Okay, I’ll tell them they have to leave and they have to leave now,” Ethan said as he approached the three women.  

Abigail stared at Ethan as he walked toward them.  Oh, oh, she thought, I don’t like the looks of this. He’s going to make us leave.  I can just feel it.  I’m not going.  The other two can go, but I’m staying here until I know what he’s up to.

As Ethan approached the women he smiled reassuringly, telling them that he thought it was best for all of them to leave since the actions of the apparition appeared to be developing into a dangerous situation.  That he would be along as soon as he caught up with Tony and they would both meet them at Caleb’s Cove.  

Abigail started to protest, but Ethan was adamant.  If anyone was to leave, he said it was she.  The house had her once and he was not about to let that happen again.  Darkness falls quickly here.  It would be dark long before they reached Caleb’s Cove. They must start now while there was still some light, or they would only have the Rover’s headlights to get them across the causeway that stretches from the “Point” to the mainland.

He turned to Lorenzo and said, “I’m entrusting my wife’s life in your hands.  I am charging you to deliver her safely to Caleb’s Cove along with Bernadette and Sabrina.  And Henri, I am charging you with the same mission.  See them all to safety and keep watch over them until Tony and I join you and relieve you.”

“I can see them to Caleb’s Cove,” Lorenzo said, with deadly quiet, “and leave them with the others.  I cannot in all good conscious stay away while you are up here alone not knowing where or if Tony is anywhere near here.  I will do what you ask about getting them to safety, but I am coming back…count on it.”

“That goes for me, as well,” Henri said.  “Once the women are safe with the others, we will be coming back.  There is no point in protesting…you can’t stop us.”

 Before Ethan could answer, Bernadette interrupted him, “There is no need for the men to see us to Caleb’s Cove.  We can find our own way.  Leaving Ethan alone up here without backup is the wrong approach.  

“I will see to it that we arrive in Caleb’s Cove in good order…you can count on it Ethan.  Abigail will not leave my side until you join us.  We will be in the company of the other four couples who are already safe at the Cove and at their hotels…or B&B’s as you call them. And await you there.  But please, don’t be too long.  We will not wait forever, before bringing up a rescue squad.”

Since Ethan couldn’t argue with Bernadette, the three men watched as the women, dragging a reluctant Abigail along with them, left Adam’s Point in Ethan’s Rover and headed toward Caleb’s Cove.  The men waved as the women, with Bernadette at the wheel, headed down the unpaved road away from the Inn and toward the causeway that would take them to the village.  

* * *

When the women were out of sight, Lorenzo turned to Ethan and said, “What now?”

Ethan shook his head, looked over to where Tony’s Jeep was parked and wondered, where the hell did he go? Why?

“Well?” Lorenzo asked again.  “What do we do now?”

“Start searching the house to see if he’s in one of the rooms, lying down or something.  Don’t think he got much sleep.  He could just be sleeping in one of the rooms,” Ethan answered.

“Not likely,” Henri answered.  “But if he is, at least he won’t be that hard to find.”

“Let’s go,” Ethan said, as he and the others entered the house to look for Tony.

* * *

As the women drove down the long narrow road toward the causeway, Abigail tried to convince the other two to turn around and head back toward the Inn. Neither Bernadette nor Sabrina would hear of it.

“Didn’t you see that thing hanging over the house?” Sabrina asked, leaning forward to touch Abigail.  “Abigail, Ethan wouldn’t have sent us away if he wasn’t worried about it.  You’ll have to admit it was an ominous invitation to disaster.”

“That’s why we have to go back,” Abigail said, turning.  “Don’t you see Ethan and the others could be in real danger?”

“And what do you think we could do to offset that?” Bernadette asked, as she drove further and further away from the Inn, finally having to turn on the Rover’s headlights to see her way.

“We could help, somehow?” Abigail said helplessly.

“No, we couldn’t.  And you know that, Abigail,” Bernadette said.  “We shouldn’t be thinking of adding to their problem, just the opposite. We will do exactly as Ethan asked,” she said, patting Abigail on her leg, as Abigail sat helplessly beside her, “and wait for them at the Hotel, where we will be perfectly safe and Ethan, Lorenzo and Henri won’t have to worry about us,” she added in her most professional, authoritative voice.

“That’s right, Abigail,” Sabrina said.  “If we were there…who knows,” she said gesturing with her hands in the air, “we just might add to their problems, giving them pause to worry about us instead of the danger they could conceivably be in; or, for that matter, the job at hand.”

“What job is that?” Abigail asked, downhearted.

“Searching for Tony,” Sabrina answered. “So let’s not be the cause of them not finding him.  Okay?”

“Okay,” Abigail said, finally smiling at the two other women.  “You know,” she added, “for people who came to the Inn for a vacation, it’s very nice of you to worry about us and take such and interest in our welfare.”

“Why not,” Bernadette said.  “We feel as if we’ve known you, Ethan and all the others our entire lives.  We have become a family of sorts, and we have to look out for one another.”

“Bernadette, I couldn’t have said it better.  Even when this is all over, everyone is safe again, and we return to our own homes, I hope this “family” stays together for a long, long time.  I never want us to lose touch with each other…ever.”

“Do you really think everyone will ever be safe with that thing hanging over the Inn?” Bernadette asked.

“It’s got to be,” Abigail answered.  “Our “spirits” are still trapped within the house, but we haven’t been able to contact them and that is what is so strange.  We didn’t have a problem before that thing hovering over the Inn showed up, but now I can’t even contact Jacob.”

“I’m sure Jacob wanted to show me something, don’t know what, he never got the chance.  But if Ethan or Tony can get through to him, maybe Jacob will tell us what is going on and where our missing guests are…if he knows…which is something I cannot…,” she stopped abruptly, as if a bright light went on in her mind, “that’s where Tony is!” she cried out.  “He’s trying to contact Jacob…I’m sure of it…turn back…I’ve got to tell Ethan!”

“Nice try, Abigail,” Bernadette said, smiling.  “If you figured it out, so will Ethan.  We are not turning back. Besides we’re coming into Caleb’s Cove.  Now where did you say that B&B is at?”

“Which one do you want?” Sabrina asked.

“It doesn’t really matter, either one will do, the Mariner, where the Carswells and Drydens are staying, or the Seagull, where the Beachums and Oberlins are staying —what’s your choice Abigail?”

“I think the closest one is the Mariner.  The Seagull is one block over, near the docks.”

“The Mariner it is,” Bernadette said as she pulled into the parking lot of the B&B.

The women disembarked from the Rover and headed in to the Mariner.  The clerk at the desk asked if he could help.  Yes, they said they needed three rooms, but if only one room was available they could handle that until two more rooms opened up.  They were waiting for their husbands to arrive, but it wouldn’t be for a day or so before they showed up.  Did the clerk know where the Drydens or Carswells were?  

“Oh,” he answered.  “You’re with the group from the Inn on Adam’s Point.  The last I knew they were in the dining room.  Don’t know if they are still there.  The dining room is open if you want dinner, but it won’t be open for long so you’d better get in there and order your meal before they close the kitchen,” he said, all in one breath, then with a broad smile pointed them toward the dining room.