The Haunting of Cherry Point:
A P.I.N.N.Y Investigation
By S.J. Sanford
Copyright 2015 Shandy Sanford
Cover art Shandy Jo
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. While the places maybe real the author has used creative license.
Author's Note: This work has not been professional edited, I do this as a hobby for fun. That is why my books are currently free. If you find any misspellings, grammar issues or problems in general with this work please let me know. I look forward to hearing what you think, feel free to email me at
[email protected] or just lay it all on the line and leave a review. I encourage constructive criticism of all kinds. Thank you!
Prologue
Jayme stood behind the van rearranging the cases of gear, and double checking they had everything when arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a well toned chest. Smiling she tipped her head back. “If you keep distracting me we are never going to get going.”
Soft lips pressed against her neck, “Then you shouldn't present such a tempting target.”
“Andy, we have an investigation to get to and the rest of the team will be here any minute.”
He groaned, pressing against her before letting her go. Spinning around Jayme wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted a promising kiss on his lips.
Slamming car doors were followed by someone calling, “Get a room.”
Pulling away from Andy, Jayme turned toward the voice. Elliot, Otis and June walked toward them across the driveway. “Hey guys, ready for tonight?”
“Yeah, you got all the gear?”
“Yup.” Jayme leaned against the van. “You guys got the file on the location.”
“How long do we have to investigate?” Otis asked, nodding.
“The weekend. The owners have given us rooms and will be looking at houses in the sunshine state while we're there. We'll have run of the place, no other guests,” Andy replied.
June leaned into Elliot, “It's on Lake Ontario right?”
“Yeah, it actually has a dock and everything.” Jayme pushed away from the van. “Can you guys fit your stuff in here? I'd like to take just one vehicle.”
Nodding Otis and Elliot walked over to the car. June stepped next to Jayme looking over the vans inventory. “You forgot the Ghost Box.”
“I didn't forget it. I hate that thing,” Jayme ground out, shifting cases to make room.
“But Otis loves playing with it.”
“Fine.” Jayme rolled her eyes, and looked over her shoulder to find Andy. “Hey babe, could you go get the Ghost Box?”
“Sure, anything else?” Andy asked already heading for the apartment door.
“No, just lock up so we can get going.”
Chapter 1
Jayme gasped as she got out of the van and got her first good look at the Cherry Point Bed & Breakfast. The old three story Victorian had a wrap around veranda and large turret. It was painted a cheery yellow color, with white trim and black shutters. Cherry and apple trees, heavy with fruit, dotted the well landscaped grounds. She could hear the waves lapping at an unseen shore from behind house.
“Oh my...” June murmured, “It's beautiful.”
“Mmm.” Jayme agreed, but her attention was drawn to the figures. While they looked normal, she knew by their clothing they had been gone for a long time. A women in an eighteenth century nursing garb pushed an elderly women in a high backed wheelchair across the grounds. Two older men sat in the white Adirondack chairs, studying them as she took in her surroundings. Her gaze moved up and she found a man in a doctor's coat glaring down at the group from the turret window. She shivered pushing the sleeves of her sweatshirt down.
Andy touched her arm gently. “Anything?”
“Five so far, I think two are repeaters though.” She replied, looking a crossed the yard. Repeaters were what she called residual hauntings, the energy imprint going through the motions day in and day out. Jayme's eyes wandered to the turret room, the window now empty. “I don't want to sleep in the turret room, ok?”
Andy nodded, planting a kiss on her forehead. They'd been together long enough that he was used to her odd requests, and quirky behavior. He was the only boyfriend she'd had that accepted her, gift and all.
“I'll head in with Elliot, do our walk through. Learn the hot spots, then come get you for your walk through. Hopefully that will give Otis enough time to unload the equipment and start setting up.”
“Ok.” She replied, as Andy and Elliot headed for the house. June, Jayme, and Otis began sifting through the equipment, and unloading.
June bumped Jayme, whispering, “I thought we had the place to ourselves.”
Jayme turned to see a black van pull into the gravel parking lot, Ghost Hunters R Us emblazoned on the side. Crossing her arms over her chest Jayme ground out, “So did I.”
“I'll just run inside and get Kelly. I'm sure this is just a mix up.” June said, running toward the house.
When the van shut off, a dark haired man jumped out of the drivers side door. He grinned at her and Otis. “Hey gorgeous, what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here?”
“Don't know, Chaz, but June's gone to get the owners so I'm sure they'll explain.” Jayme replied, forcing herself to be calm. She had no idea why Chaz and his ghost chasing lackeys were here but she didn't want them muscling in on her investigation. They were only in it for the fame, not to help people or spirits. That was why she had left the show years ago and started her own group, Paranormal Investigations of Northern NY, closer to home.
“What the deal, Chaz? Who are these amateurs?” Came a nasal whine from a bleach blond with balloon boobs and a wasp thin waist. A black GHRUs t-shirt stretched over her double D's and skinny jeans so tight they looked painted on, were topped off with high heeled leather boots that no self-respecting paranormal investigator would wear.
Jayme felt her anger rise, trailer trash barbie did not just call her an amateur. She hadn't spent several grueling years listening to her parents tell her parapsychology wasn't a proper degree choice, to be called an amateur.
Chaz must have noticed the look on her face, because he grabbed the blonde tugging her close saying. “Lindie this is Jayme O'Brien, she used to work for the show when we were first starting out.” He glanced at Jayme. “Jay this is Belinda Marsh, she's the shows new psychic.”
“What happen to what's her name, the redhead?”
Chaz glanced at the ground and muttered, “Creative differences?”
“Right.” Jayme snarked, wondering if that's what he told people when they asked about her. She was sure he didn't tell them that she'd caught him banging the show “psychic” while they were dating. Or that she was sick of all the fake ghost crap caught on camera or edited in later. The show was as real as Lindie's boobs.
Belinda wrapped her arm possessively around Chaz's waist. “You're that Jayme. I've heard a lot about you.”
“I'm sure you have.” Jayme ignored Belinda's gaze on her face. She'd learned long ago to ignore people who stared at her different colored eyes. Rubbing at her temples, she felt a headache coming on. She didn't need this. She was using her very limited vacation time to do this investigation. It was their only shot, to get in before the place was closed for the season and
possibly sold.
Behind them a screen door slammed and Kelly, with Andy in tow, came bustling toward the group. When he reached her Andy slid his arm around her waist.
Kelly wrung her hands, “I'm so sorry I double booked your groups.”
Andy smoothly added, “We have two options either someone reschedules or we have to play nice.” He gave Jayme a squeezed as he said the last part.
Chaz shook his head, eyes taking in Andy's arm wrapped around Jayme's waist. “We're on a schedule. It's now or never for us, but we'd be happy to let you play with our toys.”
With a snort, Jayme turned to her group. “What do you want to do?”
Elliot and June shrugged, looking to Otis who glanced at Jayme, she looked up at Andy. They'd met working on the show and he knew the kind of crap Chaz was capable of. Andy ran his hand through his hair, and sighed. “This could be the only chance we have to investigate the place. Let's just take it and if Chaz's pulls any funny business, we bail.”
“Fine, but I'm going on record saying I think this is a bad idea.”
“Duly noted.” His kissed the top of her head and looked over his shoulder. “We'll work together.”
Kelly let out a huge sigh, and clapped her hands together. “That's wonderful. Lets get you all settled, I just hope we have enough beds.” She headed back toward the house.
Jayme turned back to Chaz and Belinda. “So how do you guys want to work this?”
Chaz grinned at her, “I assume our investigation styles are similar so Andy and I do the walk through with the owners. You and Belinda do a second walk through, and do your thing...”
“No, I think we should walk through separately. My way of going through the house is a bit different from most investigations.”
Chaz glanced at Belinda who just shrugged. “Ok the let's get this party started.” He and Andy took off toward the house.
Jayme rolled her eyes and turned back to the van. “We're setting up in the dining room, does that work for you?”
“Sounds good, Jay.” Piped up Chaz's tech guy Luca. He was a quiet guy who preferred to stay off camera. Jayme beamed him a smile and went back to unloading, handling cases to Otis to take inside. Once June and Otis had taken in the last of the equipment, Jayme grabbed her bag. “I'll wait for my turn to walk through in the garden. Will you guys let Andy know?”
“Sure,” Otis replied, taking the last of the cases into the house.
Jayme walked out to the garden beside the house and sat on a bench. She tried to stay out of the house, or area until her walk through. Usually it wasn't a big deal Andy did a walk through, then she did then they all set up. This was just a clusterfuck. Pulling out her sketch pad and charcoal pencils she began drawing the scene in the garden with the nurse and patient.
Engrossed in her work she didn't hear Andy approach. “We're ready for you.”
Putting her stuff away she asked, “They have the thermal, Mel Meter, and voice recorder?”
“Yeah, everything's ready, but um... Chaz and Belinda want to walk through with us.”
Jayme sighed, “Fine. I assume Chaz will be recording too.”
“Yup.”
“Great,” She muttered, standing and walking with Andy to the porch.
“June's in charge of EVP's and the Mel Meter, I'll be running the thermal and Elliot will be filming.”
Jayme nodded, walking up the steps. Chaz stood off to the side, with his camera, Belinda standing beside him. Pushing them out of her mind, she walked to the door and entered the foyer. The dining room was to her left and the living room to her right. Otis and Luca stood arguing in the dining room, so she turned to the living room. Two wing-back leather chairs sat before the fireplace and an old flowered upholstered sofa faced them in the center of the room. A small grand piano sat in front of the windows and she felt drawn to the piano.“ I feel like there's something with the piano.” As she walked closer a man appeared his fingers flying over the keys.
He looked up and smiled at her. “Any requests?”
“Anyone have a request?” She asked her group.
“Camptown Races,” Elliot called out.
The man laughed, and suddenly the piano began to play. She heard gasps, and a chuckle behind her. Jayme moved to the bench, sitting beside the guy. “What's your name?”
“Henry.”
“Why are you here, Henry?”
“I play for the old folks.” He grinned, at her, “They enjoy having some entertainment.”
“That's nice of you. I'm sure the elderly enjoy your music. My friends seem to.” From the corner of her eye she saw Belinda staring at the piano. “I need to finish checking out the house, but thank you for playing for us.” He nodded, the piano stopped playing as he faded away.
Standing she walked back to the door and let the energy pull her down the hall. By the stairs she felt tugged in multiple directions and wandered toward the strongest which led her past the great room. In a small corner of the house she found the den, which was now Kelly's office. “Wow,” She muttered, the tiny room felt crowded. Standing by the windows was a man in a doctor's coat, but wasn't the same guy she had seen in the turret room.
He turned and smiled at her, “Welcome to Cherry Point Wellness Retreat. I'm Dr. Welcott.” He pointed to a haggard looking man in a much older garb. “That's Dr. Hartford, please don't bother him he's very busy with all the tuberculosis patients. Of course that was before my time, but the man runs himself ragged.”
“All right, we'll try not to bother him.” She turned back to Dr. Welcott. “Was this your office?”
“Yes and it was Dr. Hartford's before me. It was also Dr. Trent's, again he was before me.”
“Who is Dr. Trent?”
“He ran the asylum. I think the poor man spent too much time with his patients as well, a little odd if you ask me.”
“So this was Dr. Hartford's office when he ran the tuberculosis sanatorium and Dr. Trent's when it was an asylum and your's, Dr. Welcott, when the house was a wellness retreat?”
The doctor grinned, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Yes, my dear that is correct.”
“You know you're dead?”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that fact.”
“Why are you still here then?”
He seemed to ponder this for a moment. “I enjoyed my time here very much, it's a lovely place and the people seem to feel so much better when they leave. Also I can't leave while I still have patients. It would be wrong to leave them. I think Dr. Hartford and Dr. Trent feel the same way.”
“Thank you Doctor. I'm going to continue looking around, I hope that's all right?”
“It's fine, my dear. Although you may want to stay out of the second floor turret room. It's Dr Trent's private room.”
“All right.” She nodded and shooed every one out of the room. Now she knew who was in the turret room and wanted to figure out why he was glaring at her. She headed for the main stairs and stopped cold on the bottom step. A girl somewhere between twelve and fourteen, in a 1920's dress, stood at the top glaring down at her, arms crossed over her chest. “Hello.” Jayme ventured, slowly moving up the stairs. The girl didn't reply just scowled. “I'm Jayme, what's your name?”
She cocked her head to the side, her scowl turning into a puzzled look. “You can see me?”
Jayme nodded, “and hear you?”
“I'm Tessie.”
“Why are you so angry, Tessie?”
“Miss Kelly and Mister Ethan are leaving us.” She frowned, anger clouding her blue eyes. “They're going to sell the house and wash their hands of us.”
“Tessie, I don't think that's the case.” Jayme chewed on her lip for a moment. “Did you push Miss Kelly down the stairs?”
“I'd never. It was a complete accident. She was going to drop her washings, and I was trying to help steady it. I pushed too much and she took a tumble. Would you, please, tell her I'm very sorry?”
“Of course I will.” Jayme had reached the top
of the stairs now. Tessie beamed her a smile, and disappeared. Turning she made a beeline for the turret room, opening the door she immediately got a feeling of being unwelcome. Stepping inside she came face to face with Dr.Trent.
“It's very rude to enter a person's private quarters unannounced and without an invitation.” He thundered.
Jayme took a step back bumping into Andy who had followed her with the thermal camera. “Holy crap what is that?”
Hazarding a glance at the thermal she noted the body shaped cold spot before them. “Dr.Trent,” She whispered, looking to the ghost glaring at her. “I'm sorry, Dr Trent. Do you happen to know what year it is?”
He studied her, his face changing from anger to understanding. “You're a new charge. The year is 1935.” He smiled and something cold wormed it's way up Jayme's spine. “Let's head downstairs and get the head nurse to assign you a room.” He stepped forward, and Jayme backed up pushing Andy out of the room with her. As soon as Trent stepped over the threshold, he disappeared.
“Damn, he doesn't know he's dead. Dr. Trent still thinks this is his asylum and it's 1935.” Jayme stared into the room, not really ready to go back inside. Through the open door she could see a rocking chair with a woman holding a baby, rocking the fussy infant. It was a repeater, Jayme could tell because the woman didn't pay her the least bit of attention. “There's a residual in the room as well, a mother and baby. Judging from the clothing they were tuberculosis patients.”
Andy put his hand on her shoulder, “Want to take a break?” His brown eyes were filled with worry, as he glanced toward the room then back to her.
“No, I'm fine. Let's get this over with.” She turned letting the energy lead her down the hall toward a corner bedroom. Pushing open the door, she was hit in the face by the smell of marijuana.
“Dude, someone's toking up.” Chaz muttered behind the group, getting a few chuckles. Stepping into the room, Jayme found two men sitting on the bed. They looked to be from the late sixties, early seventies.
“Get out!” Came a shrill scream from the opposite side of the room, and it took Jayme a minute to realize that Tessie was yelling at the hippie ghosts not her.
Behind her June muttered, “Ow! That was loud.”
“You need to relax,” One of the guys muttered, raising something that Jayme was sure wasn't a cigarette to his lips.