CHAPTER 14
Everyone looks at me as if I have grown a second head. I am fully expecting rejection when Abe and Tucker say that they could go for lunch. I smile at each of them with my smile getting bigger as I look at Abe, thankful that he would be there so Tucker and I won’t be alone. Things have improved between me and Tucker, but I’m not yet comfortable with spending extended periods of time with him without a human buffer. It’s not like I’m using Abe. At least that’s what I tell myself. It’s just highly convenient that he agrees to go. And it’s not like I didn’t invite everyone. See, not using him.
Once we get back to our research facility, we make a stop at one of the research suites to deposit the experiment specimens into a controlled-environment storage unit. After, we go to the parking lot where Abe and Tucker are waiting.
I offer, “I can drive so that we’re not all wasting gas.”
Without saying a word Ms. Montgomery continues to her car, gets inside and promptly leaves. As we watch her Abe asks, “Is she always like this?”
“She’s not very sociable,” I respond.
“She just takes her job very seriously,” Tucker states.
We continue walking to my car as I look at him, “Do you know her very well?”
“Not really. We have worked on other projects together. She’s always been the type to work and then go home. Work is for work, not socializing.”
Nodding I agree. “Yes, that is very much how she has been. Work being only for work would be great except we spend most of our lives doing it. For some of us it’s the only social life we have.”
“Maybe she has a fulfilling social life outside of work. So, she doesn’t really see a need to interact with her professional peers,” Abe suggests.
I open the driver’s side door and unlock the passenger doors. Tucker rides shotgun while Abe sits in the back. “Maybe. Just a little hard for me to think of her as the dynamic socialite.”
“First impressions are not always accurate,” Tucker says, looking straight into my eyes before breaking his gaze. “Okay, where to for lunch?”
“I have no idea,” I say. “I’m not from around here, remember?” I look back at Abe in the rearview mirror. “Any ideas, Abe?”
He shakes his head, “I’m not from here either.”
Tucker offers, “Well, there is a mom-and-pop diner that is pretty good. It’s called The Soup Spoon. It’s located on the main strip of downtown Rowan.”
“There’s a downtown in Rowan?” Abe asks.
I smile. “In small towns in West Virginia it’s considered downtown if there’s at least one stop sign.”
Abe laughs. “What if there are no stop signs?”
“Then the residents do not expect visitors to stop for any length of time,” I say.
“Doesn’t sound too friendly,” Abe states.
“On the contrary,” Tucker says. “People in West Virginia are known for their hospitality. They’ll be sitting on their porches and wave at you as you drive by, even if they don’t know you.”
I nod. “But that doesn’t mean they want you to stay. It’s not so much an issue of rudeness as it is suspicion. Some parts of West Virginia have a long and sordid history of being exploited by outsiders, particularly coal companies.”
Abe leans forward in his seat. “Exploited how?”
I briefly look at Tucker to see if he is preparing to answer the question before I continue. “Unfair labor practices, wage issues, mine safety issues. Destruction of the land, including removing the tops from mountains. And all of the wealth from this industry? The people of West Virginia don’t have it that’s for sure.”
“There’s an abandoned mine here in Rowan,” Tucker says.
“Really?” I ask. “Why abandoned?”
“From what I understand,” he explains, “there were some suspicious deaths that happened in the 1980s. Several miners died. The coal company that owned the operation was investigated. Not long after the investigation they packed up and left town. It devastated the people here because practically everyone worked in the mine, so everyone lost their livelihood. Until the government built the research facilities here, there really wasn’t a way to make any money.”
We pull into the small parking lot of The Soup Spoon, get out of the car and make our way to the front door. We sit at an empty table and pick up our conversation. “Was the coal company responsible? Is that why they left?” Abe asks.
Tucker shakes his head as he takes his seat beside me. “No. The deaths were never solved. The sheriff could not determine how the men died, much less any motive.”
“How many deaths were there?” I ask.
“Three,” he answered while looking over the menu. He glanced back up at us. “Would you be interested in seeing the mine?”
I thankfully don’t have to answer and show any ridiculous fear as the waitress arrives to take our orders. When she walks away Abe says, “I would love to see the mine. But isn’t the area restricted because of the deaths?”
Tucker grins. “Technically, yes. But that hasn’t stopped me before.”
“You’ve been there before? Why?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Morbid curiosity, I guess. It’s a mystery and nothing gets the imagination developing all types of theories like something that apparently doesn’t have any explanation.”
“True. You can make up any explanation you want and you’re never wrong, that is until someone solves the mystery,” I state.
“I would like to go,” Abe says. “It sounds like something that would interest me professionally.”
I look at him, “What’s your degree in, Abe?”
“I got my PhD in forensic criminology from Florida State University,” he says.
I smile brightly. “Fascinating field. I had thought at one point to go into criminology, but I ended up sticking with environmental science.”
“You could still work in the field,” Abe returns my smile. “Working knowledge of the surrounding environment at a crime scene is always helpful. Many times it has helped to solve crimes, even if it’s just a matter of knowing the ecology of a specific organism found on a victim.”
Tucker looks at both of us. “As interesting as this is, could we talk about something a little more mundane before the conversation goes off in a direction that I can’t follow.”
I lower my head but raise my eyes just enough to notice a slight blush erupt on Abe’s light brown skin, like cinnamon sprinkled in cappuccino. I can feel the corner of my mouth lift in a half smile as I allow my eyes to drink in the view. Good looking and highly intelligent with knowledge of a field that I find extremely interesting. It is quite possible that I have been directing my attentions in the wrong areas when there are better options that may be available.
We continue to talk about everyday, trivial topics as we finish our lunch. I can’t help but continue to smile at Abe and notice that he seems to be smiling at me just as much. I remind myself that there’s no sense in reading too much into it as he’s just being nice. He’s just thankful to find a peer with similar interests.
After we pay the bill, we return to the car and Tucker says, “So, do you all want to go to the abandoned mine?”
I look at my watch. “Well, it’s just after noon, so we could go for a bit and still have enough time to rest and get cleaned up before returning to the facility.” I look in the rearview mirror. “Is that good for you, Abe?”
“Most certainly. I am very interested to take a look around the area. Do you know where the bodies were found, Tucker?”
“Yeah, I know the general locations,” Tucker advises as he turns toward me. “Emma, get back on the main road going toward the facility. After passing the facility, you’ll want to take the second left. We will take that road for about fifteen minutes as the location is situated in the mountains.”
I nod as I turn the car back on the main road. We drive in relative silence with Abe asking the occasional question about the unsolved deaths. I only half-listen to the conversation. Instead, I take in the scenery of the trees and wild flowers growing abundantly on the sides of the road. Although we are going to the spot of mysterious deaths, I feel a sense of calm, almost like the mountains are giant walls blocking out the evil of the outside world. But, bad things happen everywhere, including in a secluded mountain town like Rowan. Regardless of how hard we try to make ourselves feel safe, evil will always happen wherever there are humans.
“Right there,” Tucker says, pointing to a large, fenced-in area. “You can pull over there on the left side.”
Once the car stops, we all get out in the hot autumn sun. Using my hand to shade my eyes, I look around the vicinity. Everything is locked up and closed with heavy chains. “Looks like the place is locked up. How would we even get in? Even so, wouldn’t it be trespassing?” I say.
Tucker smiles. “I know a way. And there are no signs posted to keep out. Even if there were, it’s not like anyone has kept up with what’s going on with this place. It’s like a ghost town.”
He begins walking toward the right side of the fence as Abe and I follow. “The chained up fence kind of gives the message that they don’t want people inside.”
“It’s not a crime if you don’t get caught.” Tucker looks back and winks at me.
Grunting I say, “Yeah, because leaving the car parked in plain sight is really inconspicuous.”
Tucker stops, turns around and takes a deep breath. He looks me straight in the eyes, pleading, “Emma, please. Just try to relax. Nothing’s going to happen.” He takes my hand and lightly squeezes it. “I promise.” He releases my hand.
I put my hands in my pockets, “Okay, but if we get caught I’m telling them you made me and Abe do it. You threatened us with your....um....your secret ninja skills.”
Abe and Tucker laugh as I push past them. Tucker catches up and takes the lead again. He leads us to a rather large opening in the chain-link fence. It looks like someone had cut it at some point. Tucker spreads the sides open and wiggles his way through. Abe gestures to the opening, “Ladies first.”
“Lovely,” I say, “men showing chivalry when committing crime. Be still my heart.” I wiggle through the opening, glancing back at Abe to see him stifling a laugh by broadening his smile.
Once we are all inside the fence, Tucker takes us between the buildings then further into the mountains. The buildings are in bad shape and everything metal has the dull glint of rust and decay, making everything look as if it were splattered with dried blood. The mineshaft reminds me of the mouth of one of the monster worms from the movie "Tremors," only less inviting. Nothing like walking into a gaping black hole to make you feel like the end will be near.
We walk only a few feet inside the shaft, trying to use the trickling rays of sunlight to see just a little bit more. Tucker pulls out a cell phone and attempts to use the backlight as a guide, an effort that fails miserably. All the while Abe is crouching close to the ground as if he were looking for clues.
Tucker looks at him. "The bodies were found deeper within the mine. If I knew we would be coming here I would have brought a flashlight."
Abe nods, eyes scanning the ground of the entrance. "Evidence doesn't always just stay at the scene of the crime. Sometimes the bodies don't even stay at the scene. Attempting to be mobile is one of the easiest ways for a criminal to make a mistake."
"I guess it's better than sticking around and giving yourself up to the authorities," I say.
"Investigations are never that easy," Abe points out, "because if they were, the prisons would be even more overcrowded than they already are. You would be amazed at the number of crimes that are committed that are not onlynot punished, but never even reported."
"Meaning that on any given day, we're surrounded by rapists and murderers," Tucker states matter-of-factly. I just look at him as he stares at me. The hairs on my arms rise as the surface of my skin prickles. Somehow I don’t think that it has anything to do with the coolness of the mine.
I turn and leave the opening of the mine and walk back toward the abandoned buildings. Something bad has definitely happened here for a coal company to just up and leave. I mean, these types of industries are not known for being the best to the environment, but it looks like they didn't even bother to pack up or strip down. It would be like if your neighbors just left one day with all of their furniture, clothes, pictures and other possessions left in their once-rightful place. It raises too many questions, including what could have scared them so badly?
I barely notice that Tucker and Abe are slowly following me, talking about the unsolved deaths. I go to the side door of the first building and try the handle. The door opens easily, but grates loudly like giant fingernails raking against an even bigger chalkboard. A slight tremble ripples through my body as I grit my teeth and step inside.
Everything is dark but there are enough windows that I can see relatively well. It looks like an office building, as there are desks, chairs and filing cabinets. Everything was definitely left as is, from the half-filled-out forms on top of the cabinets to the dried up, moldy coffee residue within the cups on the desks. Yep, either everyone left in a hurry or after a normal day of work they were told never to return. Either way, no one just leaves things like this unless there is a very good reason.
Tucker and Abe walk through the door. "Find anything interesting?" Tucker asks.
"Not really. Just more confirmation that the company just up and left."
Abe walks to the back of the office where there is another door. Opening the door we can see that it leads to a large area housing a lot of mining equipment. Abe stands there with his mouth hanging open, looking to the right side of the room. He takes a few more steps inside, walking toward whatever has caught his attention. Tucker and I look at each other, returning questioning glances before we follow Abe inside the other room. I look up to the right to see most of the wall is gone, the wilderness growing into the side of the building and invading the nooks and crannies of the mining equipment. More startling is the words that appear to be scratched into what is left of the wall:
Nay-sayers are never believed
Although they ever speak the truth
The dead can never be relieved
In a manner that is absolute
But to believers, this much I say
Your faith is not of blasphemy
For seeing is always the way
To rid the mind of fantasy
I start to back toward the door and end up stumbling against Tucker. "Sorry. I think we should leave."
Tucker half-laughs. "Why? There's nothing to be scared about. No one is here."
I shake my head. "It just doesn't feel right, with that writing. It's too eerie."
"Did they ever determine who wrote it?" Abe asks.
"Well," Tucker responds, "the official documentation states that it was written by whoever was responsible for the deaths. The message is not serious in any sense except to get the coal company to leave."
Looking slightly confused, Abe asks, "Why would something like this make the coal company leave?"
Staring at the floor I softly say, "Because the miners left."
Tucker looks at me. "That's right. How did you know?"
I shrug. "An educated guess."
Abe walks over to us. "I consider myself educated, but I never would have guessed that."
"That's because you're not from around here," I say. "Many people in West Virginia live by the Old Ways. There are beliefs here that some would call superstition, such as a belief in ghosts and other supernatural creatures. There was a time when it was accepted as fact. Then with the advances of science, it was shrugged off as superstition. Now in today's world, when we not only know that vampires exist but they are accepted in society, who knows. Regardless, I think that many of the miners or their families did not want to take the risk that the message wasn't a warning, but a prophecy of something that can’t be stopped by normal humans. With that fear, they had no choice but to leave so they wouldn't end up like the three who were already dead."
Abe hums while rubbing his hand back and forth over his chin, turning to look again at what is left of the ragged wall.
I turn, pushing past Tucker as I walk back toward the car. The place officially makes my skin crawl, so there is no point in staying any longer when I don’t have to. Besides, it’s getting late and I need to clean up before returning to the research facility. I get into my car and start the engine. When I don’t see Tucker or Abe, I honk the horn not caring if anyone learns of our little trip through the fence. After several moments I honk the horn again and I finally see them heading toward the car.
When we are all settled in the safety of my clunky sedan, I put it in gear to turn around. "I'll take you all back to your cars so that we can go home and rest before getting back to work."
Tucker suggests, "Maybe one day when we have more time we can come back."
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Abe responds, "I want to do that. I'm interested to know more information about the case and see where the bodies were actually found."
Tucker looks at me. "Are you game?"
I keep my eyes on the road while occasionally glancing back at Abe in the rearview mirror. After a few breaths I say, "Why would I need to go?"
"You might know more about why the miners would have reacted the way that they did. You definitely would know more than me and Abe."
"Maybe, but everything would just be assumption," I say.
"It's better than what we have now," Abe remarks, "and maybe it could lead to some real answers about what happened."
I shake my head. "There is no need to go messing with things like this just to satisfy your curiosity. It always kills the cat, remember?"
"You're afraid," Tucker states.
I grip the steering wheel. "I'm not afraid. I'm just cautious and practical."
"Cautious and practical are the roadblocks to greatness," Abe murmurs.
We pull into the facility parking lot and I stop the car. "Look, cautious and practical keeps you alive. We have a very specific job here in Rowan, which does not include poking around at an abandoned mine with cryptic writing on the wall. Sometimes when you look for answers, you don't like what you find. And at that point, it's too late to do anything about it. Better to leave well enough alone."
Abe gets out of the car and leans back in, "Some of the worst tragedies in human history could have been stopped if someone would have cared enough to look for answers." He shuts the door and walks to the back of the parking lot.
I sigh then look at Tucker. "Well, what do you have to say?"
He smiles a little. "I agree with Abe. But I also agree with you. I think there is more to why the miners left. I think they know more about what's going on, but I don't think they'll talk about it. At least not with me, a longhaired guy from New York. Regardless of how long I've lived here."
He holds my gaze for several moments. "Just think about it."
"Consider it considered."
Tucker walks to his car. I push on the gas and speed out of the parking lot in an attempt to outrun the nightmares. I'll have to let Tucker know how that works out for me.