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  Hidden Entity

  Sweetfern Harbor Mystery #14

  Wendy Meadows

  Like Cozy Mysteries?

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  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Thanks for Reading

  About the Author

  Read more by Wendy

  1

  The Fright Night Halloween Party preparations were underway at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, and the whole house bustled and brimmed with activity. Brenda walked through the downstairs to observe the creative and ghastly decorations that had been hung up for the bash. Her head housekeeper, Phyllis Pendleton, walked with her. They were not only employer and employee, but also very good friends.

  “I think this year will be the best yet, Brenda,” Phyllis said. “I am amazed at how artistic and creative Allie is with her designs.”

  She pointed up toward a fake body hanging upside-down. The figure dangled from the majestic chandelier in the sitting room. Its eyes were black, and trickles of fake blood seemed to flow between ridges on its face. Overall, it was the eeriest prop Brenda’s young reservationist had created to date.

  “I agree. She gets better as the days go by. I hope she lands that scholarship for college. Sweetfern Harbor will present it at the end of the year.”

  They talked about Allie Williams for a few more minutes before meeting her in the front foyer. Allie was bent over the list of guests soon to arrive to spend a long weekend at the bed and breakfast.

  “We’re ready for them,” Allie said, looking up with a smile. “I can’t wait to meet the guests and get to know them.”

  Brenda Sheffield Rivers took a deep breath and tried to calm her excitement before the next onslaught of visitors to her bed and breakfast. This was the norm for the owner. Once dinner was served the first night, she could then relax. She complimented Allie on the decorations.

  “Wait until you see what I did in the upstairs hallway on the second floor.” Allie’s eyes shined in the sunlight that permeated the foyer. “Wouldn’t it be something if we had a huge storm to go along with the celebrations? It would be so spooky.”

  Brenda and Phyllis laughed and had to agree with her. They started for the stairs just as the front door opened and Allie greeted the first guests.

  Lauren and Ryan Meyers were first to arrive. Both were outgoing and in their twenties. Their tan skin and fit bodies made it obvious to Allie that they were outdoors people. The two jested with the young reservationist as she checked them in.

  Lauren jabbed Ryan. “Don’t make a spectacle of yourself, Ryan. This lovely young lady won’t appreciate your performances right now. She’s trying to do her job.”

  Ryan projected a crooked grin at Allie. “She doesn’t appreciate my attempts at comedy. What can I say? I’m a natural born performer.” His sandy red hair and crystal blue eyes sparkling with wit and humor left no doubt in Allie’s mind that he was an entertainer. She thought he probably liked to do comedy and asked him if he performed. “Sometimes. Hey, your Halloween Fright Night could be my venue. We jumped at the idea to come here once we saw the postings about your party. Word of this bed and breakfast has reached far.”

  “I can’t wait for the party,” Lauren said. “We love Halloween.”

  He and his wife looked around at the ornate architecture of the mansion and took in every detail. Allie noticed their interest and told them a little bit about the 1890s Queen Anne style building.

  “I suppose we’ll find out even more during the tour,” Lauren said excitedly.

  They were shown their room on the second floor. Allie heard their laughter as they dodged two of the animatronic twitching ghouls that she had positioned along the passage.

  Jolene and Marcus King were next to arrive. Allie was momentarily distracted when she noted Jolene’s exquisite willowy frame and pristine facial features. Both were very friendly.

  “We are here specifically for your well-advertised Halloween bash,” Jolene said in graceful tones. “I believe in the paranormal. Are there ghosts here?” she laughed, a brief musical sound. “Don’t answer that. I’ve no doubt there are plenty of shadowy figures in this historic building.”

  “Pay no attention to her,” Marcus said. He appeared older than his wife. His handsome darker features contrasted to Jolene’s fair skin. “I’m here to go along on her imaginative trips, but don’t count me in as someone who believes in ghosts and bumps in the night.”

  After they left for their room, Allie smiled to herself. This should be a fun time for everyone. So far, all guests had come for one reason, and that was to enjoy everything Halloween offered at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. The next guest was a man who appeared to be in his early forties. His personality was pleasant.

  “William Pendleton insisted I not miss Fright Night this Halloween.” Clive Wilson laughed in a deep tone. “I’ve known William many years. I’ve referred entertainers to him a number of times, some of whom he has managed to lure up to Sweetfern Harbor on occasion.”

  “You won’t regret being here for our Halloween celebration. We go all out to give everyone a good time.” Allie noted the absence of a wedding band on the man’s hand when he signed the guest registry book. Allie invited him, as she had the others, to gather for refreshments when he was settled in. “We hope everyone will join us in the sitting room on their first evening to get acquainted and enjoy some light refreshments.” She gestured toward the large sitting room that opened through the ornate wooden archway across the hall. He thanked her and followed the porter Michael up the stairs to his room.

  Brenda joined Allie, who updated her on the arrivals so far. “I’m glad they are all ready for a good time. The decorations upstairs and down are perfect, Allie. Let me know when Jenny gets here with the bouquets of fall flowers. That will put the finishing touch on everything.”

  “Is she still working at her shop? I hope she doesn’t go into labor while she’s arranging flowers.”

  Brenda smiled. “I suppose she will know when it’s time. She isn’t working her usual long hours, so I think she’s planning to get some time to rest before the baby arrives.”

  Brenda was very proud of her stepdaughter, the capable owner of Jenny’s Blossoms. She and her detective husband Bryce Jones were expecting their first child. Jenny was someone Brenda felt very lucky to know, and she regarded her as her own daughter.

  “Your mother called a little while ago,” Brenda told Allie. “She’s bringing Halloween cakes and goodies over in a few minutes. It’s a good thing Sweet Treats isn’t next door. I’m obsessed with her new ginger spice cupcakes!”

  “I know,” Allie said with a roll of her eyes, “I think I’d eat one for breakfast every day if she let me. After I leave here, I plan to stop by her shop to go over her final baking plans for tomorrow night’s big party, Brenda. Do you have anything you want to add?”

  “I fully trust Hope. Thanks for your help in going over the plans with her, Allie. My hands are full right now.”

  They were interrupted when melodious voices flowed through the entryway as the front door opened. A woman in her forties appeared ahead of her friend who followed her. The first woman was well-coiffed and more sedate than the second one. Both wore friendly smiles.

  “My name is Grace Mitchell,” said the second woman, who was more bubbly, “and this is Karina Harris. We’ve come for a real
diversion and hear Fright Night will do it for us.” The two women shared a wink and a giggle.

  Allie assured them they had come to the right place. Brenda welcomed them and said she would see everyone a little later for refreshments. She left the group knowing that this weekend would be perfect. Every guest so far was eager to engage in all the activities. Her husband Mac would be surprised that Brenda had no doubts about it when he got home. Usually, Detective Mac Rivers expected to need to reassure his wife on the first night of new guests. He learned to accept her nervousness until she was sure things were going as smoothly as possible.

  When Mac came into the bed and breakfast earlier than usual, he stood back and admired the transformation of the place. He helped his daughter carry in baskets of fall foliage and brilliant mums and asters. Brenda noticed the circles under Jenny’s eyes.

  “Join us in the sitting room, Jenny. You look like you could use a good break.”

  Jenny smiled. “I do become more tired each day. Dad, will you carry the rest of these baskets in? I’ll take Brenda up on that invitation if it’s alright with you.”

  “Take care of yourself, Jenny,” Mac said, hurrying to take Jenny’s baskets from her. He worried about his daughter, who was such a hard worker.

  “Bryce tells me that often, Dad. I think this will be my last full week at the flower shop. I’ll go in only when I feel up to it. Right now, I can barely see my feet.”

  When all were gathered together, Brenda asked everyone to introduce themselves to the other guests. None had a problem, and lively conversation flowed through the room, though Karina Harris waited until she’d gathered a little more courage to speak to the group.

  “I’m a researcher in the field of Alzheimer’s disease. We’re trying hard to find the source of the effects of it.” Several commented on this, and Karina relaxed.

  Grace mentioned that she was recently widowed. “Karina and I have been good friends since elementary school. We both needed a getaway. I work with her in the same research facility.”

  Clive Wilson kept his background brief. He stated William Pendleton encouraged him to see what a real party at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast had to offer. Phyllis spoke up and mentioned William was her husband. A few words back and forth about how she met him late in life and was now happily married drew others into the conversation.

  Marcus King introduced himself and his wife Jolene. He told them he kept busy climbing the ladder in a large industrial business started by his grandfather. “Jolene works in finance in a bank in New York City. And, by the way, if you haven’t heard already, she believes in hauntings and ghosts. She hopes to fulfill her desire to meet some of them here.”

  Everyone laughed, and Jolene was nonplussed. She gave a tiny little smile and didn’t hold back as she discussed her beliefs in the paranormal.

  Grace stated that she, too, believed in the paranormal. “I have had sessions with a very good medium...since the passing of my dear husband. I didn’t know what to think at first, but let me tell you, there is definitely more around us than most people are aware of.”

  She was the only one who ventured to tell a personal story other than Jolene. The financial advisor explained she had met with a psychic once while in college. “She knew things that only I knew. She told me she saw my mother standing over my shoulder. I believe she truly did. When I left her, I felt very close to my mother again.”

  Marcus listened as if he had heard her story many times before. Brenda was sure he had, since his wife told it like it was second nature to her.

  “Are there spirits here, Brenda?” Marcus asked good-naturedly. Jolene looked at him in surprise.

  “I’m not sure about that, but I suppose the Halloween lantern tours may tell a different story.” Brenda was accustomed to guests asking that question. She had never seen ghosts roaming the halls of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, but it made a good tale for Halloween, and she didn’t like to disappoint the fanciful imaginations of her guests. She and Phyllis, along with Allie, had their ghost stories ready. The ambiance of the 1890s Queen Anne mansion gave them plenty of ideas.

  When the subject was momentarily exhausted, all eyes switched to Lauren and Ryan Meyers. Lauren pulled her husband back down to his chair, signaling him to introduce them. He laughed and told his audience his wife was probably afraid he was going to come up with an elaborate comedy routine to make their introductions.

  “I’ll save the entertainment for the party. Lauren and I are big on the outdoors. We do a lot of hiking in the Rockies on vacations and we really like winter sports. We are from Minnesota.”

  “Yes,” Lauren agreed with a smile. “Though we do love tackling adventures in every season. But my favorite pastime of all is to enjoy big holidays. Halloween is my absolute favorite. That’s why we are here.”

  “Well, you’re all in for a treat. We have invited about forty-five guests to the party,” Brenda said. “We try to limit the number so that everyone has room to move around freely and enjoy themselves. Tours will open at ten tomorrow night. Everyone will be invited to enjoy our Halloween treats. That’s when many more people will walk through.” She explained they would be guided in small groups and to expect many suspenseful surprises along the way. She turned to Jolene. “You never know when a ghost will suddenly appear before you. Prepare yourselves to be frightened throughout Fright Night.”

  Some of the guests remained in the sitting room and others meandered through the lower floor admiring the artwork and Halloween decorations along the walls and up to the high ceilings. Brenda answered questions others had about the bed and breakfast mansion.

  “How did you come to run this magnificent place, Brenda?” Clive asked.

  “My uncle, Randolph Sheffield, left it to me. He was in theatre for many years. He came to Sweetfern Harbor several times to perform and was drawn to this place. It was abandoned and in disrepair at the time, but he was determined to purchase it and left his acting career to start a business as a hotelier. He spent several years restoring it down to the last detail.”

  “And what about his family?” Jolene said. She realized her implication. “I don’t mean you aren’t his family or that you didn’t deserve it, but I’m just curious where his wife or children are now. I can’t imagine wanting to leave this place.”

  “He never married, and he had no children. My parents and I visited here once when I was a child. He showed me the antique toys in the attic, and I played there for hours while my parents visited. I was an adult when he passed away, and I had not seen him for many years. Later, listening to my father’s stories of their childhood, I realized the toys must have belonged to him and Randolph. Uncle Randolph kept them all those years. He loved children.”

  “That is so touching,” Jolene said.

  “He was a wonderful, charismatic man. I was shocked to learn he left Sheffield House to me, actually. He had established it as a bed and breakfast, but I didn’t know much about it. I lived in Michigan and worked as an assistant to a private investigator.” She laughed at her memories of arriving in Sweetfern Harbor. “I wasn’t sure I could run something like this at first. I soon came to love it, and since I arrived, I’ve never left.”

  “It is just beautiful,” Jolene said. “You were lucky to inherit such a treasure. Who knows if it would have been abandoned again if you hadn’t moved here?” The group agreed with her.

  “We’ll never know how things would have turned out otherwise,” Brenda said. “I’ve come to love the life of a bed and breakfast owner, and I love this town, too. Everyone is very friendly here, and I feel like I now have a huge family. My father even moved to Sweetfern Harbor, too. He married my chef a month ago.”

  Brenda was happy to have an audience to listen to her happy words, but then worried she was talking too much. She excused herself gracefully and told them she would see them at seven for dinner. Several said they wanted to hear more stories about her Uncle Randolph’s restoration process and his background in theatre. She promise
d them she would tell them everything they wanted to know later.

  “Wait until after the tours…you may learn more during them.” She grinned mysteriously. Just then, Mac Rivers arrived in the hallway, the perfect excuse for her to step away from her guests, many of whom began to return to their rooms to relax before dinner.

  She linked arms with Mac, and they headed down the back pathway to their cottage on the grounds. Mac smiled when Brenda sighed deeply.

  “I take it the guests are all to your satisfaction,” he teased.

  “I am really looking forward to this weekend. By tomorrow night, everyone will be more than happy they chose this weekend. Let’s have some tea before dinnertime.” They entered their little cottage together and settled in to talk.

  In the front hallway of the bed and breakfast, Phyllis busied herself with a few last tidying tasks. Then her eyes lit up when William walked in. Her husband hugged her and asked if he could do anything to help.

  “I believe everything is ready. I’m not sure about tomorrow night. You may want to come early if you want to help make sure things are in order.” Phyllis smiled adoringly at her husband. “Clive Wilson has checked in. I think he went to his room. Do you want to see him?”

  William was indeed anxious to see his old friend. Clive had been devastated the last time he saw him. William convinced him to come to the Sheffield’s party to have a good time and forget his troubles. Months ago, his friend Clive had discovered that his wife was in love with someone else. To Clive’s surprise, she left him with few words except to tell him she had already filed for divorce. To this day, Clive remembered being numb with shock that day, a feeling that stuck with him for a long time. When he and William had last met up in Boston, Clive said he had had no idea troubles between him and his wife had been building to that degree.