After Dark: The Mystery of Highland Manor (Science Fiction Anthalogies Book 3) Read online

  After Dark

  The Mystery of Highland Manor

  By

  Mark Lee Ryan

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2016 by Mark Lee Ryan

  Cover and internal design © Mark Lee Ryan

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locals, businesses, event or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews – without the permission in writing from its publisher, Mark Lee Ryan.

  All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. We are not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Bonus Chapter

  About The Author

  Preface

  Jeremy Patten discovers that he has a very unusual and unique skill. At night when others fall asleep Jeremy is able to enter a world, a dream world. As those around him wander in their dreams Jeremy is conscious of the dark world he has entered. He is able to be both summoned and summon those he seeks out to bring realism to the dream world he has entered.

  When Jeremy enters a dream he is able to play out whatever role he wants almost as if he is carrying out his day time life by two; one life by day and one life at night, where in the latter, his body and mind transcends to a new world. Jeremy starts to understand the power he possesses, and in turn learns to manipulate his powers to bring justice and correction in people’s life.

  ‘The Mystery of Highland Manor ’, is the third book in the After Dark series and follows on from, ‘The Story Begins’, and ‘Chicago Fire’. It continues the romance between the main character Jeremy Patten and Tara Shield, and sees Jeremy uncover and help solve a long running and ongoing mystery in this gripping tale.

  Chapter 1

  Backpacker murdered in Hillside Street. Jeremy reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Herald and buries himself in the story as Tara Shield and Mrs. Dooley enter the Old Coffee Stop. The pair is seated before Jeremy is alert to their presence. ‘Good morning,’ Tara announces as she gives Jeremy a polite kiss on the cheek. ‘Can I grab you a coffee?’ Tara asks. ‘Yes please. I’m sorry I was busy reading the front page news. A little too close to home! I hope they catch whoever is guilty and quickly!’ Jeremy adds as he displays the contents of the front page on the small coffee table for Tara and Mrs. Dooley to see.

  As Tara orders coffee for the trio, Mrs. Dooley politely pulls the newspaper that is sitting on the table around to read the story. She adjusts her reading glasses and as Tara and Jeremy discuss plans for the coming evening they are ignorant of Mrs. Dooley who is intensely reading the front page news. Tara is first to notice the old lady silently reading and with the newspaper now pulled up close to her chest she is deeply entrenched in the story. ‘It’s a horrible crime isn’t it grandma?’ Tara quietly adds looking straight at Mrs. Dooley as she continues to read. ‘Yes. Yes, it is but …’ Mrs. Dooley pauses and Tara and Jeremy await her explanation but she simply continues reading. ‘Grandma, are you okay?’ Tara asks slightly concerned at Mrs. Dooley’s apparent interest in today’s news. ‘Yes, I am okay dear, but I cannot get over the similarities between two cases……..oh probably fifteen odd years ago!’ she calmly exclaims as she reads the last few lines of the column.

  Jeremy looks up with renewed interest and asks ‘Really? Mrs. Dooley, so you recall a similar story?’ ‘Oh, yes and I am surprised that the newspaper hasn’t …..Well, linked that as well. I mean the two girls I remember were killed in the same area and their bodies dumped in an alley just like this young lass.’ She adds. Tara plays the issue down and politely adds, ‘Grandma there are LOTS of crimes in Chicago. It’s a big city….a really big city. I am sure that this girl’s murder is just a senseless crime and the other two were also just that - senseless crimes!’ she adds. Whilst Tara is quick to move on and dismiss the horror as just another crime, Jeremy is curious and keen to ask more questions. ‘Mrs. Dooley tell me a little more about these murders fifteen years ago? Do you know roughly when those murders took place?’ ‘Well, time flies especially when you get to my age,’ she sighs, ‘But I am pretty sure it would be roughly fifteen years ago because it was just before my father passed away and that is thirteen years in June,’ she adds seemingly doing the calculations as she looks up at the ceiling.

  ‘Well I am going to be off to work. I will leave you two sleuths to solve the cities woes and talk later,’ Tara laughs tongue in cheek as she gives both Mrs. Dooley and Jeremy a polite parting kiss on the cheek before disappearing out the door and heads to work. Jeremy is keen to seize the moment and no sooner is Tara out the door and he asks Mrs. Dooley, ‘So do you think these crimes are really similar?’ Mrs. Dooley’s eyes focus on the newspaper article again and answers without even looking at Jeremy, ‘Yes, yes I am sure that there are similarities.’ Jeremy is clearly curious and stares at Mrs. Dooley as she continues to read the article. ‘I must be off Mrs. Dooley,’ Jeremy adds as he stands preparing to leave. Mrs. Dooley nods politely, smiles and hands Jeremy his newspaper before he walks out of the coffee shop and heads off to work.

  The horror crime has clearly got more than a little bit of Jeremy’s curiosity, fueled by Mrs. Dooley’s comments that it bears similarities to an earlier murder. As he slowly walks to work Jeremy decides that he will research the murder that Mrs. Dooley referred to some fifteen years ago at the local library during his mid-morning break. He has some errands to run for Carter Gibson his employer, so it will be opportune for him to slip into the library to research what they have discussed this morning.

  Jeremy organises his morning and continues to glance at the newspaper article which he has placed on the edge of his desk. He has read the front page headline several times over. The Chicago Library’s online resources will enable him to search murders within the last fifteen years and after organising his morning duties in the office, he is soon briskly walking downtown towards the Library. Once inside he quickly locates the online resources area where he sits and organises himself with pad and paper. Mrs. Dooley was confident that she had a reasonably accurate idea of the date the murders took place and he discovers that a double murder did occur in January 2000 a little over fifteen years ago. As he reads the Daily Herald newspaper dated 6th January, 2000 he is taken back how the murders do bare similarity to the one that occurred yesterday as reported in the news. He thinks that it would be hard for a reporter to consider they would constitute a serial murder, but is mindful of Mrs. Dooley’s comments and can see how there are very real similarities.

  The two girls murdered in January 2000 were both young European backpackers who were holidaying in Chicago, and the murder reported in yesterday’s paper was a young British backpacker. Jeremy notes that a short term and student accommodation known as the Highland Manor is located within a short distance from where the murders took place. Jeremy’s curiosity becomes more heightened. He recently met with the Superintendent of Chicago Police Ryan Golding and received a very warm than
k you for his help solving a long standing crime the great Chicago Fire. He hesitated about contacting the Superintendent, but craves to know more. He is sure that there is a mystery that needs to be unlocked and convinces himself that Ryan Golding could help. As he leaves the Library he dials Ryan on his cell phone and the phone immediately answers with Ryan warmly answering, ‘Hi Jeremy. How are you?’

  ‘I am good…real good Ryan. I know you are busy, but I have researched the backpacker murder that took place yesterday, and am aware that a similar double murder took place fifteen years ago. Are you free to catch up and discuss this with me?’ ‘Jeremy I know what you are referring to and yes there are similarities but at this stage ….that’s all similarities a long way apart. The investigation is at an early stage and the headlines only just made the news as the paper was going to print. I have a busy day, but have to eat. I can catch up for a sandwich around midday if that suits you? What say we meet at the Pavilion just around from the station here?’ Jeremy is keen to meet and replies, ‘Sure, I will look forward to it – see you at midday and thanks!’

  Midday comes around quickly and Jeremy is early and waiting for Ryan to enter the small café. He spots the Superintendent enter the café and bounds out of his chair to greet him. ‘Thank you for meeting me Ryan,’ Jeremy declares. ‘It’s a pleasure Jeremy! So, shall we order something to eat before we chat about murders?’ Ryan laughs half-heartedly. Jeremy heads toward the counter and together with Ryan eyes off the sandwiches on display as the pair quickly decide, pay for their order and sit down. ‘So tell me Private Investigator Jeremy, what can I add to what you already know? Ryan says somewhat tongue in cheek and smiling broadly as he looks on at Jeremy.

  ‘Well, there are without doubt similarities Superintendent, don’t you think?’ ‘Yes, and don’t think that the Police aren’t aware of that. But… unless we are looking at a copycat murder, and we could be,’ the superintendent emphasises,’ the murders are otherwise no different to any other murder that takes place within the city almost daily.’ ‘But Ryan is there potentially a link between the Highland Manor and the double murder? I mean it seems to make sense that they are all young tourists and likely have all stayed there given the close proximity to the murders?’ ‘Well, it is something that our detectives have considered but unlike this murder there is no record that the earlier two stayed at the Highland Manor. There are similarities but that could be nothing more than the fact they are within a similar area. Jeremy your curiosity is admirable, but let us do the detective work and don’t overthink things,’ he laughed as he respectfully pats Jeremy on the shoulder.

  As Jeremy and Ryan finish off their sandwiches they banter about lighter issues. Jeremy decides to abandon his questioning about the backpacker murders and thanks Ryan for meeting with him at such short notice. ‘Always a pleasure to see you,’ Ryan pleasantly adds before the pair shake hands and go their separate ways.

  Chapter 2

  The following day, Jeremy is no sooner seated in the Old Coffee Stop and his head quickly buries in today’s edition of the Daily Herald. As he sips on his coffee he takes keen interest in the headlines which follow on from yesterdays - Murder in Hillside Street. It reads Murder a Mystery for Police, and Jeremy reads on in between looking over the top of the paper as he awaits Tara’s imminent arrival.

  Jeremy’s eyes light up as he reads…… Police have confirmed from the registry records of Highland Manor that murdered British tourist Vicki Tomlinson was a guest of the well-known local Bed and Breakfast. I knew it Jeremy mutters under his breath as he continues to read the headline in between looking over his paper for Tara’s arrival. Current owners of Highland Manor holidaying overseas….Convicted criminal recently released from prison detained and questioned by Police…it reads. As he continues reading he is startled by Tara who has now pulled her chair up beside him. ‘Good morning!’ she adds. ‘Good morning,’ Jeremy replies before asking ‘Would you like a coffee?’ She nods and Jeremy politely hops up and stands in queue waiting to order a coffee for the two of them. Tara grabs the paper and reads the headlines.

  ‘You seem to have a little more interest in the news than you did yesterday!’ Jeremy adds as he passes Tara her morning coffee. ‘Yes, well’…….she pauses and replies, ‘It’s a serious crime.’ Jeremy can see that Tara has a serious look about her this morning and politely and quietly asks, ‘Are you okay?’ Tara looks directly at Jeremy, sighs and then with a slight gulp in her throat adds, ‘I received some disturbing news last night…….and well it put things a little more in perspective for me.’ Jeremy is concerned and with a comforting arm placed around Tara asks, ‘Tell me, what’s wrong?’

  Tara wastes no time and quickly opens up, ‘Last night a good friend of mine’s mother phoned and advised that she hasn’t heard from her daughter in over two months. My friend’s younger sister was apparently staying at Highland Manor and has just disappeared. My friend and her mother heard about this murder and are really worried that something similar may have happened to Sophie.’ Jeremy is quick to comfort Tara. ‘Well they have named the young British Backpacker, and there is nothing to say that anything remotely similar has happened to your friend’s sister.’

  ‘I need to find out though Jeremy. Her Mum was awfully upset on the phone and is beside herself. Her sister Julie is a good friend and although I haven’t seen her for a few years I know she will be worried too. I really don’t know her sister Sophie. I haven’t seen her since she was little and she has always been someone that has just wanted to see the world. She’s travelled a lot. Jeremy, I am going to take some time off this morning from work, and call at the Highland Manor. Will you be able to come with me? Will you Jeremy? I would really love you to come with me, ‘she begs.

  Jeremy ponders but only for a second. ‘Sure. I do have a couple things to sort out in the office first and it’s still early. Can we meet here at say 10.30 and head up there before lunch?’ Tara smiles and is clearly pleased that Jeremy will help. ‘Thank you,’ she gives Jeremy a hug and then again adds in a quietly whispered voice ‘Thank you. It means a lot. I will see you then.’

  The morning disappears as Jeremy organises his few immediate duties and then asks Matthew Warren his boss for some time off to help his girlfriend look into a matter relating to a missing friend. Matthew as always is obliging of Jeremy and allows him to take as much time as he needs to help Tara. Tara is waiting patiently outside the Old Coffee Stop as Jeremy walks quickly to greet her. She gives him a welcoming kiss on the cheek and the pair hail a taxi to take them to Highland Manor.

  The Manor has a real presence about it set high on a hill the landmark stands out surrounded by simple residences strewn either side of it. Tara and Jeremy walk up the hill and through the small wooden gate that leads up to the Managers reception. They are greeted by a middle aged woman of around fifty who smiles politely and warmly adds ‘Hello and good morning. Can I help you?’ Tara immediately answers ‘Yes, we are looking to see if a friend of mine stayed here recently?’ ‘What was her name?’ The woman asks and then introduces herself adding, ‘I am Lily Thomas. I am the maid. If you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me how you are connected to your friend? As you may know there has been a lot of Police here lately, so I am sorry but I really need to know who you are?’

  They are interrupted briefly as a middle aged man enters reception carrying a basket laden with fruit. ‘Hello,’ a very friendly voice announces. ‘Booking in? It’s a great place. Apricots, peaches, pears or strawberries? I’ve got the lot, ‘the man announces before introducing himself, ‘I am Barry and I am next door with the fruit block just over there,’ he waves his arm pointing to the block next door. ‘Here have an apricot. They are fresh and taste great.’ Barry shoves an apricot in front of Tara who is taken back by the brashness and front of Barry who has interrupted their conversation. ‘No thanks.’ She adds politely. ‘Don’t worry about him,’ Lily laughs as she makes a friendly face towards Barry and smiles. ‘He is part of the furni
ture, and’ …she pauses as she looks at Barry before laughing and adding, ‘and yes his fruit is the best!’

  ‘Sophie Burgess is her name and her sister and mother is a friend of mine. Sophie stayed here about two months ago and her family hasn’t heard from her since. They are so worried,’ Tara replies, trying to get things back on track. ‘Her mother is beside herself and they haven’t heard from her, so if she has stayed here I really need to know?’ Tara looks at Lily and begs her support. Lily smiles back and can see the innocence in Tara’s face, and adds, ‘Let’s see what we have. I have been the maid here over twenty years and the name doesn’t ring a bell, but as you can imagine we have a lot of people come through here……so let me take a look. I was away having a few days off when the murder took place and have only just returned,’ she smiles again as she starts to flick through the pages of the registry. ‘Burgess, yes Sophie Burgess. Yes, she was here two months ago and left after spending two weeks here,’ she smiles as she shares the details.

  As Lily finishes explaining the details a thin, middle aged man enters reception looks at Tara and Jeremy and without any expression on his face grabs some paperwork from the front counter. Lily looks up at Tara and with her hand waving toward the man, adds ‘Tara this is……..’ As she starts to introduce the Relieving Manager he turns without any interest in meeting Tara or Jeremy and disappears out the back door. Lily is clearly embarrassed and looks down at the desk trying to cover up the rudeness of her colleague as she refocuses on the needs of Tara.

  Tara looks at Lily and stoned faced adds, ‘So she was here and you don’t know where she left to?’ Lily smiles and weighs up the situation. She can see the concern in Tara’s face and softly replies, ‘I am sorry, but we don’t know where people move onto………I mean how could we? People come and go. But your friend stayed here and moved on. I hope you receive some news soon. I am sure she is okay.’ Tara is comforted by Jeremy who places his arm around her and looking at Lily replies, ‘Thank you Lily, you have been a big help.’ Tara sighs and struggles to raise a smile, but nods towards Lily as she and Jeremy slowly turn and head back down the path towards the front entrance. They look on as Barry whom they had just met walks ahead of them towards the block adjoining the Manor. Jeremy has phoned for a taxi and the couple is silent as they head back into the city before they return to work.