He made a mop.
«You will hardly get what you are looking for from him. Assuming he decided to listen to you, you will get nothing from him except what he chooses to tell you. He's very secretive about police investigations, he'll never talk to a reporter, even if that reporter is you, Reb.»
The commissioner was a tough man, he knew how to be respected and he managed to maintain discipline in the city. He took his job seriously and did it perfectly.
He was in charge of the small local police district; he represented the law in Hazycreek.
Greg was right, I would have just aroused suspicions and I had to be invisible.
«You could try with Father Dorian, he knows both Claire and Rose, his information will probably not be as thorough as those of the police, but you could get definitely something useful out of it», Tina suggested, looking for her fiancé's approval, he nodded his head.
«Right. My uncle is more open to communication. But be sweet and don't push your hand too hard, he's a sensitive person. If you approach him properly, he will help you», he agreed.
«What is your opinion?» Josh, who had stood silent for a long time, intervened.
«I honestly think I've been affected by popular rumors. But I can't stop thinking about the Thirsty», Greg whispered, lowering his head to the table.
But seriously?
«What you have found out makes me just more suspicious about them. Yes, well, there is no evidence, but we grew up listening to those ancient stories. Everyone in Hazycreek is afraid of the Winterbournes. Maybe there is a pinch of truth», Tina asserted, expressing the same opinion.
Everyone talked about it, but no one made himself heard.
It was no longer clear where fantasy began and reality ended.
If everyone suspected the Winterbournes, then why not go and get them?
What was holding them back?
«It is too easy to justify with a legend what you cannot explain»,
I argued firmly, always supporting my position.
The Thirsty didn't exist, they were just bullshit.
Greg began handling his smartphone, plugged in two Bluetooth headsets, and handed one to me and one to Josh.
«I want you to listen this», he said with a serious face.
I motioned him to start the audio:
«We can't go on like this forever. Here young girls disappear and people ask themselves questions.»
«We have ties with them. We'll find a solution.»
«We have to get them away. I don't know how, but sooner or later the situation will get out of hand.»
«No way. It would be suicide. These are the agreements.»
I was amazed, it was a conversation between two well-known voices to me.
The first was that of James Tanner, the commissioner, while the second was that of Alan Ryder, Hanna's father, the mayor of Hazycreek.
«Why do you have this recording?» I asked, confused.
It could have meant anything, but those short lines confirmed the presence of something unspoken, masked.
«Tina and I wanted to look for the truth on our own, we had the feeling that there was little clarity about these recent disappearances, so I inserted a spy software into my dad's smartphone and discovered that he has secrets and he is not the only one», he paused briefly, during that time he looked at me in the eyes. «We also thought someone in this trade could help us. You, for example.»
The request caught me off guard. And I couldn't refuse their cooperation, it would have been stupid.
«Yeah, but I can't understand the meaning of recording one of your father's conversations», I insisted, I was trying to understand to what extent I could count on their help.
«I have often doubted him. It happens that he is introvert, that he says things in half, and there seems to be always something tormenting him. I just wanted to find out about the ongoing investigation, but I have found out more.»
«Do you think he is hiding something?» I asked, being even more careful.
«I think it's pretty obvious. As indecipherable as the conversation is, it is clear that something is happening.»
I was impressed.
How long have Greg had doubts about his father?
Was the appearance deceiving so much?
And if the mayor was also involved, what was there so obscure that had to be hidden?
Maybe I was traveling in my fantasy, building only paper castles. But I have had a hunch.
I was aware that curiosity was sometimes paid dearly, however, I did not expect to find out so many skeletons in Hazycreek's closet.
What was I supposed to expect?
Chapter 7
Rebecca
The next day, early in the morning, I reached Hazy Central Church. In the city there were two parishes and that of Father Dorian was the most popular.
I showed up at the house of God with two black furrows under my eyes, I hadn't been able to sleep. My mind didn't want to keep silence and had kept me awake all night.
I felt tired and my head was spinning, but I was not giving up, I wanted to continue the investigation at any cost. With Greg's recording the mystery had deepened and I wanted to figure it out as soon as possible.
Dorian Tanner, the inspector's brother, was a sweet and generous person who was always kind to the others. He knew how to listen to people and never denied a chat to anyone, which is why his community of the faithful was very large. He knew how to make himself loved and the role he held made him a person worthy of trust.
I hoped to get some more details from him about what was going on.
I walked to the threshold of the Victorian-style structure, like the whole Hazycreek. The nineteenth-century style had survived over the centuries and walking through the streets of my hometown put serenity. It was like being in an enchanted place where everything seemed perfect.
Only the Black Raven Hill screeched in context, its medieval walls looked tired and sad and, despite the trees hiding it, you could feel its presence hovering over us.
I entered the church, mimed the sign of the cross and headed to the altar. I crossed the main nave, lined with marble columns, which housed two rows of large benches arranged in a precise, almost maniacal way.
The building seemed completely deserted.
At that time, Father Dorian was reciting his prayers and only a few faithful, the particularly devoted ones, joined his litany.
I sat in a corner and waited for the priest to take a break. I didn't have to wait long; the man descended the three steps that raised the altar site and went to the lectern on the opposite side of mine.
I slowly joined him.
«Good morning, Father Dorian», I began with a bright smile and narrowed eyes.
He noticed me and returned surprised.
«Good morning to you, Reb. What brings you around here?» he asked me kindly.
I looked down.
I went hunting for news, it was part of my profession and questioning people was the first source of information. But that was the part I least liked when my questions got uncomfortable. In spite of my feelings, it was all part of the package and, with guilt, ready to scratch my chest, I accepted that side of my job too.
«I was wondering if I could spare a few minutes of your time. You know, Mr. Sullivan is a pretentious guy», I explained with a calm and gentle tone. I made an effort to wear the same mask I wore every day at the editorial office.
Father Dorian raised an eyebrow and adjusted the neck of his cassock.
«Come, let's sit down», he invited me, showing the way to the first bench in the row.
«What would you like to know?» he said, pressing on me that pointed look typical of all Tanners.
«You knew the two missing girls? Claire and Rose» I asked as I retrieved a pen and paper from my bag.
Father Dorian looked up and moved his sight to the left, he was remembering.
«They were two good girls. Very active in the community and caring for children. They were two angels», he whispered with a mild and sorry voice. He sighed.
«What do you think is going on? It is not the first time that in Hazycreek similar facts are happening.»
The priest hesitated, blinked several times and made a grimace with his nose.
Did I say something wrong?
«Nothing is given to us to know. Not yet, there is only the hope that the two girls are still alive», he finally answered after having gathered his ideas.
I tightened my eyes and studied Father Dorian.
I made him uncomfortable.
«A lot of people in town believe that the Winterbournes are behind the disappearances, what is your position?»
I had dared again; it was a low blow on my part.
A precise question with no way out.
Father Dorian stirred, seemed struck by a tremor that lasted a few seconds, widened his eyes and stretched out his mouth.
«They are Devil worshippers! They are not allowed to enter the house of God», he raised his voice and its echo rang out through the church and slowly faded away.
I became suspicious.
«I did not ask you this, father», I urged him while maintaining a polite and respectful attitude.
«Don't ask too many questions, Reb. Don't venture into dangerous terrains. Protect yourself and forget the Winterbournes. Now excuse me, but I must resume my daily duties. With permission.»
With that stern earful, Father Dorian, liquidated me and quickly holed up in the sacristy.
I wasn't satisfied with that exchange of words. I had discovered nothing useful except the fact that Dorian Tanner had felt oppressed by the turn our dialogue was taking, and had preferred to run away.
I rubbed the corners of my eyes and, after putting the notebook back in my bag, I got ready to leave Hazy Central Church.
I walked slowly and bitterly, I had also altered a good and peaceful man like Father Dorian.
I had to not attract too much attention, not arouse suspicions and, of course, not get people angry.
«Nobody is talking. The truth is concealed. Buried.»
It was a whisper, soft in sound, dark in tone. It tickled my neck behind my ears, drawing all my attention.
A figure dressed in rags was sitting not far from me. She was bent over and seemed to be praying. She had the hood over her head, and, for the moment, I hesitated.
I approached cautiously.
«What does it mean?» I asked in a low voice.
The strange person looked at me.
I had a gasp.
It was Mary Weather, Frank's crazy sister. Her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair was damaged, frizzy and grey, her eyes were dark covered with a sort of patina as if they were suffering from cataracts, they looked dull, sad.
«While fools stay in fear, who decides, is lying.»
Another enigmatic sentence.
It was for this kind of thing that the city community had decided to push her away. It was difficult to converse with her.
I reflected a few moments, I thought that Mary might be the only one who did not have prejudices or second ends, she lived in her strange occult world and did not participate in the city's life.
I smiled.
«Is there something you'd like to tell me?»
The woman nailed me with her blank glance and forced me to look into her eyes.
«Don’t trust the Black Blood. The Black Raven Hill is infected. Walk away, Reb, or people will call you crazy.»
She awkwardly got up from her seat and walked quickly out of the building.
That was a weird day.
Everyone was telling me to let go and stifle the burning desire that was keeping me searching.
It would never happen.
It was precisely this attitude that pushed me forward.
Sometimes you get angry when you have something to hide. And when you have something to hide it means those secrets are real, unspoken information or untold events, something so wrong that it is better to bury over time. Here: Reb J. Cross would have solved the mystery and revealed all those secrets.
I needed a break to clear my head and regain strength, I continued to feel weak.
«Reb? What are you doing here at this time?» Hanna asked as soon as I walked into the Moonlight.
«Take me some coffee. A lot of coffee», I told her with narrow eyes as I headed to the usual table.
She burst out laughing as she was working to serve me.
I sat down on the chair, turning my back to the entrance. I recovered my tools and began to view my notes.
When Hanna brought me a steaming cup full of coffee, my smartphone vibrated.
«Here you are. I am finishing in an hour, so you can tell me what is happening to you», she said winking at me.
I accepted and thanked her. I touched the phone screen and saw the chat I discovered Josh had sent me.
Josh:
Where the hell are you?
Reb:
At Hanna's. At Moonlight.
Josh:
I am coming.
And so, it was.
Only two minutes later, my best friend arrived at the club out of breath. He dropped into the chair on my left and took a deep breath.
«What's happening?» I asked him dumbfounded.
«Nothing. You said you were coming back to the office and I was worried», he admitted pausing after each word.
Josh was getting very apprehensive. Too much, I was glad that he cared about me, but I knew how to take care of myself, since ever.
«I am fine, I was having a break.»
«You said this morning that your head was spinning. I thought you were sick», he said in a low voice, motioning Hanna to bring him some water.
She handed him the necessary from above the counter.
He was not wrong; I had felt my head muffled since all day and a strange weakness deep into the bones. The stress was more and more evident, I was not used to it, but I would have survived.
«I had to clear up my mind. Summing up my morning, I could say it was a real disaster: I pissed off Father Dorian and Mary Weather told me I'm going to go crazy. I think I deserve a coffee», I answered ironically smiling to Josh.
He widened his eyes and raised both eyebrows.
«You'll never change, Reb. One day soon you'll get yourself into trouble if you keep harassing people» he said sternly.
I didn't torment people, I just chatted with them.
It was different.
A few minutes later, Greg arrived, exhausted and astonished, immediately took his place next to Josh.
«What is wrong with you?» I questioned him, amazed.
He took a deep breath and rummaged in his jacket's pocket impatiently. He pulled out a USB pen drive which he handed to me.
I grabbed it and looked at it: thin, metallic and completely anonymous.
«If my father finds out what I have done he is going to disinherit me», he said drinking the water from my best friend's glass.
Josh looked at him annoyed and, with a sudden gesture, took his glass back.
«What's in that pen drive?» he asked, pouring himself more water from the bottle that Hanna had given to him.
«I went into the police database and found some reports about disappearances that have occurred over the past twenty years. Plus, other documents that seemed suspicious to me», he explained with the voice so low to be barely audible.
My face lit up, Gregory Tanner had done something so rebellious and dangerous just to help me. Sure, he wanted as much as I did to find out the truth, but I was equally thrilled.
I hid those important data in my bag and thanked Greg fondly.
«I adore you. I know I can always count on you. You are my hero!» I acted like a little girl admiring her favorite star.
We all laughed together when, suddenly, Josh's gaze became alarmed.
«Holy crap!» he said, turning pale while staring at something beyond my back.
Greg, not least, seemed petrified, mute, motionless and with his eyes completely wide open.
Intrigued, I turned to understand what had caused their strange reaction and my heart suddenly stopped.
Sebastian was standing in front of Hanna at the bar counter and was asking her something.
My best friend looked at me out of the corner of her eye and I swallowed, staring back at the center of the table.
«What the hell is he doing here at the Moonlight?» Greg murmured dismay by the presence of that much feared character.