Christmas At Eden House Part two

The Visit

Nicholas Blair descended the staircase of his house by the sea. Startled by a strange texture on the railing, he stopped to investigate. He shook his head in disbelief...What the...It's garland! Immediately tearing it to shreds, he pitched it outside. He couldn't for the life of him figure out whom was responsible for it.

Donning his magnificent robe, he strutted into the drawing room and paced impatiently. His servant Harry was late as usual.

Finally, the knock he was waiting for sounded. He quickly strode to the front door and ushered in the non-committal Harry. You're late! He spouted through gritted teeth.

Harry walked in like a man made of limp noodles, his attitude surly and uncaring. Hey, Carolyn wanted me to do something, I couldn't just drop it.

Nicholas grabbed him by the collar, his eyes, fire blazed. You work for me first! He thundered.

Harry gave him a frightened yet listless stare. His jaw dropped as he licked his lips. What'dya call me over here for Nicholas?

Mr. Blair! He hissed.

Yeah, yeah sorry! Mr. Blair.

Nicholas crossed over to his desk and opened one it's smallest drawers. As he pulled out the long, slim vile he thought about the full impact of what he was about to do. He knew that Maggie still felt a strong sentimental attachment to Joe Haskell. This would assuredly end it. He'd easily killed others in the same way but for some reason he felt a twinge of guilt. Culpability didn't stop him from fulfilling his purpose. It just gave the act a gravity that the other cases hadn't shared, the mere fact that he was about to kill someone that Maggie cared about.

As he held up the vile, light illuminated its sapphire liquid glow. Gravely, he presented the lethal tonic to Harry.

Harry's nose and upper lip flew up simultaneously in confusion. What's that perfume?

No! Nicholas' jaw tensed and he lowered his lids slightly. It's poison. His voice was almost a solemn whisper. You're to go to the old house and put in Haskell's medicine.

Harry's characteristically phlegmatic expression all but disappeared. Shaking his head madly, he backed away. No, no. I can't do anything like that! A fellow could go to jail maybe even the chair for that! No nothing doing.

Harry!

By the way, it's Christmas Eve, don?t you have any respect?

Nicholas was livid. He grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck. Don't you start giving me a lecture about scruples you dissolute little monkey! Get over to that old house now and do as you're told! Trust me, the chair will feel like a cakewalk compared to how I'll punish you if you don't. Now move it!

Harry grabbed the vile and stumbled skating through the front door.

Nicholas watched Harry disappear into the darkness. Impudence all around me! He thought to himself. Don't they know whom they're dealing with?

He crossed to the mirror. Someone's been touching my looking glass. He thought, indignantly. The controls had been fiddled with and in addition the bunny ears were tangled. As he tried to readjust the imager, the lights in the room dimmed and the widow flew open. Gusty winds caused the draperies to dance frantically as the lights went out completely.

There was a moment of silence and then the sound of clanging chains.

Nicholas picked his way through the darkness. A fuse, a fuse must have blown. He thought to himself. But, what's with the chains? Probably some damned ghost, thinking to stop in and reminisce. I'll shoo it away. I've too much on my mind right now.

The chain clanking was becoming louder, labored, rattling, maddening! Nicholas called into the darkness. Whoever you are, I am not receiving company this evening. Kindly call at another time!

The clanking became relentless despite Nicholas' protestations. And then, there was light. Before Nicholas stood the shackled, sun glass bespectacled ghost of Sam Evans.

Nicholas Blair! Sam moaned.

Nicholas smiled a half smile. I know who you are. You're Sam Evans! I don't believe we've ever had the pleasure. Nicholas extended a hand in greeting.

Sam refused his handshake Don't bother Mr. Blair! I've no interest in becoming acquainted with you!

Nicholas drew his hand back clearly dejected. He cleared his throat. Then why are you here?

In answer to a prayer. He stated simply. My daughter's. You see I happen to know that you have plans to Marry Maggie.

Yes that's quite true. Nicholas affirmed complacently.

Well I don't think you're good enough for my daughter! And that's an understatement! At that, Sam shook his chains their loudest.

Careful Mr. Evans, I could damned your soul for all eternity. Nicholas threatened. His eyes were as black as onyx.

Believe it or not Mr. Blair, your jurisdiction is defunct when it comes to my soul. The Divine has already sent me to purgatory. We both know that good is stronger than evil so your threats fall on deaf ears in this case.

Nicholas was growing weary of the banter. Mr. Evans if you'll excuse me? I have other matters to attend to.

Sit down Mr. Blair. Sam commanded.

Not used to taking orders, Nicholas retorted, raising a sardonic brow. Mr. Evans!

Sam pulled out a cross from his pocket as his chains rattled in answer. He flashed it in front of Nicholas? eyes. You will sit sir.

Cowering, Nicholas obeyed. Put that away!? He hissed.

?I will, when I'm reasonably assured that you'll sit and hear me out.

You have my word. He said silently, defeated.

For whatever good that's worth! Sam laughed, his chains rattled even more.

You have my word!? He repeated through gritted teeth.

Sam put the cross away. Good. Now there's one more thing I will say before I state my purpose with you. If I had to choose a son in law I would choose Joe, not you! But, I'm not doing the picking my daughter is and she wants you. Though just why I'll never!

I get your point Mr. Evans!

As you are now, evil incarnate, you will not do for my Maggie. Therefore you must change!

Nicholas shook his head in disbelief. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He laughed, shaking a dismissive hand toward Sam. He looked his perspective father in law square in the eye. And I don't want to. He jeered smiling his broadest.

Sam continued as if he'd never heard Nicholas at all. Tonight you will be visited by three spirits.

At that, Nicholas threw his head back laughing convulsively. Is that supposed to scare me? You forget Mr. Evans I am of the Netherworld. I can summon and entertain a legion of spirits with the snap of my finger. He shook his head as her observed Sam, his half smile and brow furrowed quizzically.

This time it was Sam who smiled complacently as he peered from hidden eyes. Oh Nicholas, you've never been visited by the likes of these ghosts. I assure you, you'll be completely powerless in their company. Heed them well Nicholas, for the sake of Maggie and your soul. Heed them, heed them, heed them! With that, Sam dissolved, melting into the atmosphere, his clanging chains barely audible and then completely imperceptible.

To be continued...Delilah