Fiddle for the Dead

Last Chapter First Black Sky A file lay open on the Inspector’s desk. Only one scrap of paper remained. The letter was not addressed to anyone in particular and was not signed. There was no reason to shred it. The script was difficult to decipher, but the message was quite clear: By the time you receive this letter you will already suspect my ending and your beginning. Stories are rarely what they seem. While falcons reel out of sight among clouds, the downy dove fluffs her nest by the silvery light from the moon. Would that we were orphans cast adrift from our fathers’ eternal blood thirst to suckle at the breast of Mother Earth! Go forth, my child, borne on wings of love. The detective shut the folder stamped “CASE CLOSED”. He stood up, flicked off the light, and locked the door behind him. Chapter One Crescent Moon Waning “Only magic or madness would draw folks out of their cozy homes on such a night,” mused Emily Blossom. “Probably a bit of both,” said Pete Picken, who reluctantly accompanied his friend to the event in spite of his better judgment. Emerald Hill was not big enough to support a real theatre, so the high school gymnasium was the venue for The Greatest Magic Show on Earth. Emily watched the hall fill with hooded and muffled theatregoers. There was stamping of feet, and shaking of umbrellas; the air of dampness left at the door. Outside rain pommelled the pavement. Rushing rivulets flooded the streets. Lightening flashed, and thunder boomed all around the hill where the town clustered. Inside, the auditorium was warm and dry, and full of chatter. The excitement of gathering small-town folk was contagious. Even Emily and Pete craved social contact and entertainment. The entire town turned out for a respite from the Canadian weather. According to the poster that appeared around town the previous week; the show promised to provide ‘Memories to Last a Lifetime’ Emily Blossom was in the audience that evening because she had decided she needed a “lifter-upper”. Magic just might do the trick. Mostly the thought of growing old depressed her, although she would never allow herself to admit it. A person should never use age as an excuse. If one is not terribly careful, one could easily convince oneself to curl up and crawl into the grave before it’s time. Never say die; that makes life much simpler. She had cajoled Pete into a date. From experience, Pete had learned that hanging around with Emily was more likely to get him into trouble than not. Emily had to bribe him. She offered a free ticket and a beer after the show. Pete said, “Make it two beers.” ... Chapter Two Star Rising Daisy's first happiness in the morning was the sight of her dog’s smiling eyes and the exuberant wag of his tail. My Dog Friday was Daisy’s primary reason for living. While Daisy eternally questioned the meaning of existence, Friday welcomed the joys of life with his entire being. His enthusiasm caught her up in its wake and carried her towards the pleasures of the unfolding day. Therefore, when she came downstairs and Friday was not at the door to greet her. Daisy’s heart skipped a beat. In an instant, all the tragedies that might have befallen her beloved companion flashed into the realm of possibilities: He had been hit by a car, eaten by a wolf, or shot by the neighbour for chasing cows. In her wildest imagination, she could not have fathomed the scene that did greet her when she stepped outside to look for him. Curled up on his dog bed, Friday had become a pillow for a sleeping child. They shared his dog blanket. A rag tag girl with straggling hair tucked herself into the warmth of his giant mastiff body. The dog’s golden eyes twinkled at Daisy. To avoid disturbing his precious new friend, he never flinched Daisy gasped. The child awoke. Her sparkling eyes shone with an eerie familiarity that sent chills up Daisy’s spine. Friday’s tail thumped loudly on the floor. The youngster leaped up and attempted to straighten her clothes, trying to improve her appearance. “Oh, Aunt Daisy, I’m so glad to see you. Your wonderful dog took care of me until you woke up. Daddy told me that if anything ever happened, I should come here, that you would look after me. He knew I’d be just fine once I got to the farm. He told me to explain everything. He said that you would understand.” “Who are you?” said Daisy, through the screen door. “Where did you come from?” “It was a terrible night last night. Thunder and lightening. But when he didn’t come home, I knew it was time. We have a secret code. I had to come here right away.” ... Chapter Three Cat’s Eye “Emily, dear, this is Daisy speaking. I know I haven’t called in a while. Ever since…well, you know…since the last time.“ “I know this is Daisy. You’re speaking to me, Emily. You don’t have to identify yourself every time you call. It hasn’t been long enough for me to forget the sound of your high-pitched whine. Why are you calling so early? Charlie likes to sleep in. He needs his beauty sleep.” Her voice was groggy. The annoying phone call had wakened Emily from a deep sleep. She had been having a lovely dream of adventure featuring her as the brave heroine. Holding the receiver to her ear nestled between curlers, she lounged against cozy feather pillows. A pink satin mask that matched her pink pajamas covered her eyes. Anti-aging cream whitened her skin to the point of stickiness. Her cheeks felt puffy, and bangs stuck to her forehead. Charlie, the cat, curled into a fluffy ball on his side of the bed. When the phone rang, he opened one eye just wide enough to assure himself that he would not be disturbed. Now he was fast asleep again. Emily was tempted to hang up, but she didn’t want to waken her feline companion. He rarely forgave her if he was disturbed before morning. Were she to try to go back to sleep, his methods of revenge were calculated to torture his transgressor. As soon as her eyes were closed, he would knead her cheeks with claws extended just enough to be cruelly annoying. To prolong his grudge he would tickle her nose with his whiskers, or, even worse, place the tip of his claw, ever so gently but firmly on her chin just as she slipped into a deep slumber. Breakfast must be served as soon as he was awake. After years of being owned by a cat, Emily had long since resigned herself to servitude. Cats have no conscience. They are the most supreme creatures on earth. Humans are merely their slaves. “Emily, I wouldn’t be calling so early, but we have a big problem. Things have happened so unexpectedly.” Daisy cupped the receiver to her ear and covered the mouthpiece. Emily could barely hear her whisper. “The kid’s upstairs. I have to talk quickly. Emily, we have to discuss our situation.”