Angel Watch at Blacknest: A Supernatural Mystery Read online

  To my Family

  Copyright © 2014 T. A. Paquette. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.

  contact at: [email protected]

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Cast of Characters 5

  Prologue 7

  Meet Dilly 8

  Dilly and the Hill People 9

  Blacknest Manor 10

  Dilly's Prayer Group 11

  The Ceremony 12

  Xander and Blacknest Academy 13

  Dottie's Hair Salon 14

  Sheriff Gibbs 15

  Caverns and Tunnels 16

  The Lab 17

  The Creative Writing Assignment 18

  Dilly in her garden 20

  Dilly and Emily at the Barbecue House 22

  Meet Mercy May 23

  Mercy goes to Purlee Pentecostal Church 25

  Elise 27

  Zara 28

  Supper at Blacknest 29

  Faith Tabernacle Church 31

  Pastor Bud's Sermon 33

  Dilly and Emily after church 35

  Activity at the Nest 36

  Faith Tabernacle Food Pantry 38

  Yair and Deidre 40

  Mercy May 41

  Berry picking with the Tully sisters 42

  Silas 45

  Colin McNeil 46

  Keelie 48

  Sam Grayson 49

  Old Blithe 51

  Dottie at Home 53

  Sewing Bee at Faith Tabernacle Church 54

  The fundraiser meeting at the church 55

  Bud and Meg 57

  Maize 59

  Gus 61

  Deidre 62

  Jack Evermore 64

  Joe and Jeb 66

  The girls leave on the jet 67

  Snide 68

  Yarrow 70

  Chili Cook off prep. 71

  The Chili Cook off 72

  Leeboy 74

  Lizzie 76

  Baron 77

  Bart Moore 79

  Celeste and Bart 80

  Silas on the road 82

  Carrie and Roy 84

  Doron and Calev 86

  Purlee Pentecostal Church 88

  Old Ferrall 90

  Gator Fry 92

  Lotus picking day 94

  Lygari and Anna 95

  Blithe cooking 96

  The Pendulum 97

  Frank 98

  Chicky 99

  Bud and Meg's trip 100

  The Cheating Vegan 102

  Nonie 103

  Dilly and her cats 105

  Maize and Nonie 106

  Lily in Ireland 108

  Belinda 109

  Dilly spinning 111

  Nonie gives notice 112

  Old Moses 113

  Elise has a plan 114

  Mimi 115

  Pastor Amos 116

  Maize and Otis 117

  Vivey 118

  Blithe and Snide 119

  Snide picks up Zara 120

  Fires 121

  Carrie teaches 122

  Leeboy looks for Stookie 123

  Halloween prayer vigil 124

  Snide and Blithe go snooping 125

  Angie and Mimi 127

  Cast of Characters

  Blacknest, Massachusetts Townsfolk

  Pastor Bud - Pastor of Faith Tabernacle Church

  Meg- Pastor Bud's wife

  Dilly’s Prayer Group-

  Dilly Conroyal - nickname Condilly, retired and near 70 years old. She once owned a yarn and fabric store in town.

  Carrie – she and her husband, Roy recently came out of retirement and opened a cafe.

  Lucy – owns a Bakery with her husband, Duncan.

  Emily – Dilly’s best friend since childhood and she lives two houses down from Dilly. She was recently widowed.

  The Missing Girls

  Millicent Morgan – just graduated from high school

  Sarah Franks – college student home on spring break

  Mary Burley – worked at The Thorny Rose Pub; her father Gus owns the pub.

  Blacknest Academy Teacher

  Miss Samantha Grace teaches creative writing and has recently directed a play at the Academy.

  The Hill People

  Xander Blacknest – owns Blacknest Manor, very rich

  Zara Blacknest – Xander’s sister, lives in Amsterdam.

  Elise Blacknest – Xander and Zara’s mother, widow.

  The help at Blacknest Manor –

  Snide – the butler

  Old Jake Blithe – handyman and gardener

  Maize – the cook

  Nonie – Elise’s private nurse

  Colin and Lily McNeil – Irish banker and his wife

  Keelie – their daughter

  The help at McNeil Manor

  Tomas – butler and chauffeur

  Nessa – cook and housekeeper, Tomas’ wife

  Jack and Robin Evermore – they own antique stores

  Chicky – their daughter

  Timor – their son

  Sam and Vivey Grayson – Sam is a magician and owns The Pendulum Club in Amsterdam.

  Lizzie - their daughter

  Baron – their son

  Bart Moore – bachelor, jet setter, gambler and very rich

  Celeste Moore – Bart’s sister

  The Bayou people of Purlee Parrish, Louisiana

  Pastor Tully and his wife, Marie – He is pastor of Purlee Pentecostal Church

  Mary and Louise – their daughters, both old maids

  Mercy May – elderly Cajun woman who attends Purlee Pentecostal, widowed (her husband was Maurice)

  Henry – Mercy May’s and Maurice’s deceased son

  Eva – Henry’s deceased wife and mother of Zeke and Silas (Mercy May’s grandsons)

  Jeb – Mercy May’s brother

  Leeboy and Stookie – Eva’s brother and siste

  Prologue

  In a time before man, in a realm that no man has seen, the battle has raged between God’s angels, the Holy Ones, and the fallen angels, the dark ones. From then until present, the clash has only intensified.

  Now with the presence of God’s beloved believers, who have required His constant protection in this invisible battle; the Holy Ones have been tasked into the Angel Watch.

  Soon, it will no longer be needed; when the Savior, Jesus, returns to Earth. Until then, the Angel Watch is ever present in the realm of men.

  Meet Dilly

  Condilly’s Folly is what the sheriff calls me. I solve mysteries sometimes, but I do have my missteps on occasion. The new librarian really did look very much like the bank robber in the picture down at the post office and I did apologize to him for the mistake. I try not to put my nose into things, but curiosity does get me. Who was that sneaking about last night and why are there deep scratches today on the arms of that stranger, Silas? He had that guilty look when he passed me. He’s not from this town. I have lived here in Blacknest, Massachusetts for a long time. I am old and spend my time spinning yarn and knitting, but I am always watching. Some of the kids call me, a witch. I don’t know why. I’m not much of a talker and I keep to myself. I know things others don’t because I pay attention. My name is Dilly Conroyal but they call me Condilly. I think the intent is to make fun but I don’t mind. I am thought to be touched but I’m not. I watch and listen; things are not as they appear. The truth is under the covers, behind the doors and behind the smiling faces.

  I have seen footprints in my garden and below my wi
ndows. I have heard some fear me because of what I know. This morning, my Tiger Lilies are lopsided. Someone has been creeping about at night. The wicked ones come, loving the darkness; thinking they are smarter than me. They are. I am a simple woman; but I have a protector. I do not fear the darkness or what it may bring. Angels with drawn swords, I do picture, in my mind’s eye surround me. I am not a servant of the dark one as some might think. No, I am a prayer warrior. There is power and unbelievable strength in the prayers, I mumble thru the night and day. You see, I don’t talk to myself, as some think. I am not rummy; a Condilly full of folly and foolishness. No, I am focused on what is truly important. There is great evil in this small pretty little town; behind the gardens and the gates.

  I am an amateur herbalist and I very much enjoy my herb garden. I am always digging, planting and making plans for new flower and herb beds. I mix healing remedies for my neighbors; to help with sleep, ointment for rashes, wonderful teas, etc…I don’t perform magic or incantations. I only use nature’s medicine that God has provided. The knowledge has been passed down through many generations in my family. I have been taught the wisdom and remedies from nature and from the garden. This summer I have hopes of putting up a greenhouse in the back corner of my yard. I love my garden and I have been blessed with wonderful neighbors.

  Dilly and the Hill People

  In the hills, above the town, are huge elegant estates that have been in families for generations. They are surrounded by lovely gardens; but there are secrets hidden there. The occupants or Hill people, as we call them, are rich and aloof. They stay to themselves and don’t mingle with us. Around kitchen tables there are stories told in whispers, as if they don’t want the devil himself to hear; definitely not the young children. The most common story is that the Hill people are generational witches. I don’t know; I just know there are a lot of secrets up there. What is going on in the hills is private; visitors come and go, often in dark tinted windowed limos. Your imagination can cook up all sorts of evil goings on. I’m not much for gossip and spreading rumors, so I will leave it at that.

  I observe and form my own opinions. Yes, I agree they are strange and secretive. Maybe, they are all members of a cult or some type of secret club?

  I know some young girls from town, have gone missing, three, I think. And I did see a pink ribbon flapping in the wind, caught in the door of one of the limos that pulled into the academy the other day.

  You see my house is directly across the street from the very exclusive Alastair Blacknest Academy; we locals call it “The Nest”. It’s a prestigious private school with a who’s who of alumni. All the Hill people send their kids there from grades 7th to 12th. They dress in black and white uniforms; there is a day school and a boarding school (housed mostly by rich foreign students).

  Daily I sit on my front porch, just rocking and knitting; watching the comings and goings at the school. I have seen some puzzling things over there. I told Sheriff Gibbs about the limo and the pink ribbon. He laughed at me, saying it was more of Condilly’s Folly. Is he protecting them or maybe afraid?

  I often drive through the hills and look for anything out of the ordinary. I wave at people when I pass them but they never smile or wave back. I only get blank or angry stares. They are a strange bunch up there on the Hill.

  Blacknest Manor

  Halfway up the mountain, is Blacknest Manor; it sits on 40 acres and was built in 1899 by Alastair Blacknest, a shipping merchant. His great, great, grandson is the present Lord of the Manor, Xander Blacknest. The main house is large and imposing; mostly brick and stone with large leaded windows cut in on the top and bottom floors; ten on each level and there are stone winged gargoyles, of sort, looking down at you. On the back of the house the roof curves down in a steep slope, with no windows on that side of the house. There is a large stable once used by visitors for their carriages and horses. There is also, a small caretaker’s cottage behind, the stable; where old Jake Blithe lives. He has been on the estate since he was a boy; he learned early to keep his own counsel. Now days, he works on the grounds, does chores that need tending; gardening, washing the cars, fixing things and because of his poor eye sight and age he doesn't drive Xander, any longer.

  Thru the large oak front door you can hear muffled voices; Mr. Snide, the butler walks with a tray holding a drink. “Sir, here is your drink.” Xander Blacknest takes his whiskey from the tray preoccupied in thoughts. “Snide, what have you heard in town about the missing girls?” Snide grimaces, then sighs, “Sir, there has been no progress. The count is now three; the Burly girl, Mary went missing two nights ago. She was walking home from her job at the pub, The Thorny Rose.” “Damn shame, Snide! Damn shame!” inwardly, Xander smiles.

  Then his thoughts wander to that pest, Dilly. That Dilly woman has been a bother, nosy and asking too many questions. Many people confide in her and she has cleverly guessed some of our most tightly held secrets. She has angelic protection around her, our familiars have informed us. I must think of a way for her to have an accident; a fatal accident, very soon. She keeps having those blasted prayer meetings in her home. Will those women ever shut up! They are powerless, of course. But their incessant praying and pleading must be stopped. Damn, them!

  That evening Xander takes his usual stroll of the grounds. His head feels clear and he is making some plans for Dilly and her church. He will consult the counsel at the next meeting for some input. He notices Blithe and Snide are sitting together in front of Blithe’s cottage; he is not sure what he thinks of their friendship. They both work on the estate so, it makes sense they are friends. He wonders what they are talking about as he walks back to his study.

  Dilly’s prayer group

  At Dilly’s house she is rearranging the furniture to accommodate her friends. They meet weekly on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings to pray and intercede for the people of the town and for whatever else is on their hearts. Recently they have been praying more fervently, with more purpose because of the goings on in the town. “Knock, knock” Lucy walks thru the door, “Hello, anyone home?” laughing and smiling in her carefree way. She is carrying a cob salad and a tray of brownies. We all bring a salad and a dessert; figuring they balance each other out. Emily is already in the kitchen sitting out dishes and flatware. She lives two houses down and has been a lifelong friend.

  Emily looks up, “Hey, Lucy! How are you doing today?”

  Lucy giggles, “Great, ready to eat brownies and storm the gates of Heaven! You know the usual.”

  Door slam…”Oh, sorry, door slipped” says Carrie balancing her dessert. Carrie lives in the house behind mine, so she just comes thru the gate and thru my backyard. We met over the fence, while we both were tending our gardens. She is also, a believer and an amateur herbalist. She calls me her mentor but I am always telling her, I still have so much to learn. She’s a sweet friend; glad she lives so close. She says, “Dilly I’m embarrassed to say I forgot the salad, but I have strawberry shortcake."

  Dilly smiles and give her a hug and says, “Honey, we love you even empty handed; lets pray!” We decide to just sit around the kitchen table.

  We join hands and bow our heads; Lucy starts, “Dear Lord, we are so grateful to be able to come before you and thankful for our blessings and friendship. Please, forgive us for everything we have done to offend you. We love you and ask for your help and guidance. Father, please bring those young girls home safe and please, comfort them and their families.

  Dilly continues, “Dear Lord, we don’t quite understand the heaviness in the air about this town and the fear in some people’s eyes. Please, untangle whatever mess is going on and protect this town and its people, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

  Hey, let’s eat a little and then go back to our prayers.” After lunch, they prayed and chatted into the late evening. All returned to their homes with new hope but also the lingering old worries; God help us.

  The Ceremony

  Later, Xander sits in his study looking into the f
ire, as he relives the ceremony last evening; all black cloaked, solemnly assembled and chanting in a foreign language; an ancient language. Frightened Mary had been drugged and quickly dispatched. She was now missing her heart; she no longer needed it. Two days ago, Silas had offered her a ride as she was walking home from work. She refused, so he forced her into the van; she fought fiercely, clawing at him in a frenzy to get away. Silas is a fool; a young girl should have been easy to charm, to persuade; he will have to be dealt with later.

  Representatives of all the old families were present at the ceremony; all elegantly dressed, beneath their dark cloaks; all holding bejeweled chalices with their family crests on them. They were all smiling and laughing drinking the essence of Mary; enjoying the power that her blood offered. The sweet wicked secrets they all held; how they savored them. The fools down in the town had no idea who really wielded the power in this area or who they really were; Old power and tradition passed down for generations. All to honor and worship their Dark Lord, their beloved, Master. A young woman with extremely long whitish blonde hair stood inside of the magic circle; her title was Mother Goddess Star Song. She had called up the Visitors that now stood with her in the circle. She had been born with the psychic ability to call up Visitors from the hidden spirit realm. The coven calls them, The Wise Ones and we were honored by their presence. They had observed the ceremony and Xander thought they were pleased, although it was hard to read expression on their twisted distorted faces. One looked like an Ogre of sorts and the other looked half man and half ox. They didn't speak but they did help dispose of the body in a manner that made even Xander shudder. Then without ever speaking a word, they disappeared. Star Song left immediately after the ceremony to conduct another one, in a place she would not say. She did not mix with the coven and she rarely spoke except to conduct the ceremonial duties. She looked like a beautiful twenty year old girl but there was power and mystery that surrounded her and her stare looked right through you.