Murky Manor by Steven & Margaret Larson
"Did you drop it?"
"No," she said. "I left it at Murky Manor."
"We'll just have to go back for it."
A dark shadow moved through the trees.
"Tomorrow," she said.
"Tomorrow," he agreed.
Just then the front door opened, and Carlo stepped out.
"Tony," he said in surprise. "Doris and I were just talking about you. Meredith seems to be picking up on your bad habit of attracting mud."
Meredith glanced down. The white trim on her clothes was now spotted with gray and black.
"Come on, son. Let's go home and get you cleaned up." He winked at Meredith as he put his arm around Tony. "See you tomorrow," he called over his shoulder.
Argon looked up from the desk as Meredith entered. A flush crept up the Amazon's neck, and her eyes widened. What now, Meredith thought. She hurried into the elevator. As she pushed the button, she looked back and saw her trail of muddy footprints across the polished green marble.
Argon found her voice. "You've contaminated the?"
The doors swooshed closed, and the voice stopped.
CHAPTER 11 - THE CATARACT
Meredith rummaged through the dresser drawer. Everything was some shade of blue. That day of shopping with Heather had been so much fun. She was full of compliments about how pretty Meredith looked in blue. It made her eyes sparkle. It complimented the gold highlights in her hair. With tireless fervor she had pawed through the racks to find blue, blue, blue. Even her shorts were blue denim.
Everyone in Heather's group had their own color. They all blended together like a perfect rainbow. But only Heather wore pink.
The plant needed water again, but she didn't have the cup. Funny how it seemed to change colors. In the stairway it had given off a blue light. Maybe it was radioactive. The shed might be a good place for it.
She slipped a light blue shirt over her head. With a tiny smirk, she pushed her hair back to reveal the small pink flower on her pocket. Heather had missed that tiny spot of color, like a seed overlooked on the ground.
She started down the hall and heard a man's voice. He and Doris were discussing Murky Manor. His voice had a familiar grating sound. Where had she heard it? She slowed her steps. Then she remembered. It was the man the Amazon was talking to in the rainforest.
"It sounds like a simple enough job," he said. "I should be able to get the repairs done in a week."
"You're sure it'll only take a week?" Doris said
He turned to see Meredith standing in the doorway. "Yes ma'am. As long as my workers and I don't have any interruptions or anyone underfoot."
It was the man she had seen in the restaurant, the one with all the papers. The Amazon must have recommended him for the electrical job.
Doris raised her eyebrows and straightened her back. "I don't think that should be a problem. Is there a contingency in the contract in case you run over?"
"That won't be necessary. I have a commitment to sail out of here on Sunday. We'll put in whatever hours are necessary to get the job done on time."
"You have your own sailboat?" Doris asked.
"Indeed, madam. I'm a charter member of the Antediluvian Seamen. We're meeting in the Mediterranean near Crete. I've looked forward to this all year."
"Well, then come on into the kitchen. We'll sign the contract, and I'll get you a key." She looked over at Meredith. "Tony is in the lobby waiting for you. I told him you'd be down in a few minutes."
As Meredith rode the elevator to the lobby, she read a poster that had been hung over the buttons.
ATTENTION! Destruction of plants in this building will NOT be tolerated! Picking flowers is STRICTLY prohibited. Do NOT throw coins or trash in the ponds! Violations could result in loss of privileges and fines. Management
The doors slid open. Meredith expected to see flowers lying on the floor and a security guard with a camera. All she saw was Tony with a big grin. A small sign on the front desk read, "Manager out. Will return at 10:00. Quiet please."
"You haven't been picking flowers have you?" Meredith whispered.
He pointed to himself and mouthed, "Me?" He shook his head and motioned for her to follow him.
From one of the paths, she heard soft pipe music mixing with the regular jungle sounds.
"The Amazon is in the inhalatorium," he whispered.
Meredith looked confused. He pointed through the foliage. Argon was sitting cross-legged next to a pond. Her hands rested on her knees with her palms up. Thin trails of moisture rose from the water like steam and circled her fingers. In rhythm with the music, she breathed in deeply and blew the air out slowly. Each breath brought a smile to her lips.
Tony was shaking with silent laugher. Meredith quickly pushed him out the door.
"I met the guy that we overheard the Amazon talking to," Meredith said. "He's going to be working on Murky Manor. Get this. He has a sailboat and is a member of the Ante-di-lu-vian Seamen."
"What's that? I thought he was interested in Atlantis."
"I don't know. Maybe the Ante-whatever seamen spend their vacations looking for Atlantis. He seemed to think Amari was from Atlantis."
Tony snickered. "Yeah right. Let's go to the marina and see if we can find his boat."
Meredith wasn't thrilled about poking around the marina. She didn't understand his interest in boats, but she was relieved he had forgotten about the cup. She wasn't ready to face the fog at Murky Manor.
As they got closer to the water, the air became cooler and damp. Tendrils of Meredith's hair escaped from the clip, curling and frizzing. She crossed her arms, and held her jacket tight against her.
A thin vapor slipped past Tony's lips as he softly whistled off key.
He paused and looked around. "Now, how will we know which boat is Spencer's?"
Steel drum music with a Caribbean island beat reverberated from a yacht. Footsteps coming up behind them tapped in rhythm. A tall man and a woman in glittering high heels passed by them. The woman wore a cashmere sweater and Capri's. The man looked like he had stepped off the cover of a romance novel.
The woman's voice had a whine to it. "It's just a silly storm that won't amount to much. Why can't we take the yacht out? The party will be sooo boring if we spend the day at the dock."
The man shook his head. "We're not risking it. A weather front like Helga could organize quickly. I've waited a long time for a boat like the Cataract. I didn't spend all that money just to risk having it demolished so you can have a joy ride in the bay with your friends."
"You're so mean. All you think about is being first. We wouldn't have to go far?"
"We're not discussing it. This boat can sail rings around the Antediluvian tub. If there's anything to Spencer's tales, I'm going to be the one to make the discovery..."
Their voices were drowned out by the music as they joined the group dancing on the ship's deck.
"Did he say Spencer?" Tony asked.
Meredith nodded. "Wonder if it's the same one."
A waiter in white swept past them and paused. He pivoted on his heel, and shifted the tray balanced on his shoulder. The liquid in the glasses hardly moved.
He raised his eyebrows, and his mouth curled up in a sneer. "You must be lost," he said. "Shall I have someone escort you back to the public docks?"
Meredith straightened up and adjusted her hair clip. "That won't be necessary. Come Anthony. Obviously Papa wouldn't park his yacht down here."
She slipped her arm through Tony's and nudged him toward the gate. He sauntered along with his hands in his pockets, whistling a tune Meredith didn't recognize. She could feel the eyes of the waiter following them all the way to the gate.
CHAPTER 12 - PIRATE
"Okay, so now where?" Tony asked.
"Lower rent. Spencer obviously can't afford the wardrobe needed for that section."
"You're the expert."
They passed motor boats with families and college kids on their decks. Soon the boats st
"I don't think this is the right area either," Meredith said quietly. Her grip tightened on Tony's arm. "He mentioned sailing. This doesn't look like the sailboat section."
An older boy on the bow of one of the boats was watching them. His long legs unfolded as he stood up. Balancing on one thin arm, he vaulted over the railing onto the pier.
Tony's steps slowed. "I think you're right."
They turned around and Meredith felt a chill. A stocky boy stood in front of them. His shorts were ragged on the edges. A large bruise covered one shin.
"What have we here?" he said with a smirk. "Looking for Daddy's yacht perhaps?"
Had he overheard her talking to the waiter and followed them?
"We're not looking for anything," Tony said. "We're just leaving."
"You can't leave yet, the party's just starting." He looked over their heads. "Isn't that right, Smiley?"
Tony stumbled into Meredith as the tall, lanky kid bumped him as he brushed past. There was no way to get around the two of them. The water looked cold and dark. Meredith wondered how deep it was, and shivered at the thought of what might be beneath the surface. She looked past them down the pier. A scruffy man was heading their way. His battered hat was pulled low, hiding his eyes. Most of his face was covered with a gray beard.
Tony gripped her hand and said, "We're leaving." He took a step forward pulling Meredith with him.
"Not so fast there, hothead. You need to show some respect for your elders. A walk down the plank might be just the thing to cool you off."
Smiley chuckled, and the sound made Meredith shiver.
"You have the best ideas, Bart," Smiley said. "A walk down the plank is just the thing."
Bart dropped his hand on Tony's shoulder. Tony tried to jerk away. Suddenly there was a white blur. Bart's hand was yanked free when something hit him in the back. With a yell of surprise he was knocked off the dock. Water splashed over the pier soaking Meredith's feet. She gasped at the cold and at the large white dog. It snarled at Bart as he splashed in the water.
The dog whipped its head around and bolted after Smiley. The boy's long legs pelted down the pier with the white blur snarling and snapping at his ankles. He leapfrogged across several boats and jumped to the next pier.
The scruffy man yelled, "Pirate! Heel!" The dog trotted back. With a snort it flopped down at his feet. The dog was all white except for a black spot around one eye. It looked at Tony and Meredith and wagged its tail briefly.
"Your uncle doesn't want you hanging around down here causing trouble," the man called to Bart. "After you cool off you head for home. I don't want to see you down here anymore."
Bart pulled himself out of the water. Dripping and shivering, he slunk down the pier at a shuffling run.
Meredith realized she was still gripping Tony's hand. She let go and stuffed her hand in her pocket.
"I've told those kids to stay away from here. Pirate has it in for those two delinquents. Can't say as I blame him." He reached down and scratched the dog's ears. Pirate closed his eyes and rolled his head back.
"Folks call me Smitty," he said. "What brings you two down here?" He pushed his hat back. Friendly brown eyes appraised them. He wasn't as dirty as Meredith had at first thought. He looked like one of the wooden carvings of sailors that were sold in the art shops along the wharf. All he needed was a pipe to complete the picture.
"I hope you're not looking for trouble," he said, and crossed his arms over his chest.
Meredith smiled. "Oh no sir. We're looking for?for?"
"Spencer," Tony said. "We heard he had a boat down here."
"Hummph. How do you know Spencer?"
"He's ah?he's working on my aunt's house," Meredith said.
"Really? What house would that be?"
"Murky Manor," Tony said with a big grin.
"I see," Smitty said. "Then your aunt must be Doris, and that would make you Meredith."
Meredith's eyes got wide. She was speechless.
He laughed. "Surprised? Don't be. We all know about Murky Manor down here on the docks. Old Captain Morgan was quite a character. Who's your partner?"
"This is Tony," Meredith said.
"Ah yes, of course. Carlo's grandson. You look just like him."
Tony made a face, and Meredith giggled. She turned back to Smitty. "Did you know Captain Morgan?"
"Hah! I'm not that old," he said with disgust. "But I've heard that the Captain brought back some mysterious things from his voyages. Many of them are still in the old house."
"There are some weird things there," Meredith said.
"Wouldn't mind seeing some of those things myself," he muttered. He took a deep breath. "Well, now, you were asking about Spencer's ship. You don't want to be down this pier." He jerked his thumb back the way they had come. "Head back to the main boardwalk and turn two piers down."
"Thank you," Meredith said.
"Pirate can't be everywhere so you need to watch where you're headed. Now come up and say hello to Pirate."
The big dog got up, and Meredith took a step back.
Smitty chuckled. "He's just showing his manners. Standing up when he's introduced to a lady. Step up and let him smell your hand."
Trembling, Meredith forced herself to step forward and reach out. Pirate pushed his nose into her hand. His tongue came out and licked her palm. She giggled and ran her fingers over his silky fur.
"Now you, Tony."
Tony did the same, and the dog sat down.
"Now be off with you. And say hello to Doris and Carlo."
He turned away and ambled down the pier. Pirate trotted by his side.
Meredith's shoes squished as they headed back to the boardwalk. She left behind a line of wet footprints.
CHAPTER 13 - THE ANTEDILUVIAN
As the sky clouded over, the temperature dropped. Meredith's open mesh shoes dried quickly, but her feet were cold. She wished she had worn jeans instead of shorts.
They turned and headed towards the water. Endless rows of sailing vessels filled both sides of the pier.
"Smitty was right. This is where the sailboats are," Tony said.
"Yep. This should really narrow it down," Meredith said. They all looked alike. What difference did it make which one was Spencer's?
Gray sky blended into gray fog. It blanketed the water and hid the blackness beneath. A drop of water hit her arm. Then another. Great. It was starting to rain.
"Tell me again why we're doing this," Meredith said. She hugged her arms to her chest to keep out the cold air. She wondered who was wearing the pink fleece jacket. It would have been warmer.
"Aren't you curious?" Tony said. He started reading the names of boats they passed. "Seahorse, Poseidon, Hesperus. That one doesn't sound much like the water. Sea Otter, Coral Reef." He stopped at a white boat with gold trim. A small three-pronged spearhead had been painted next to the name.
"An-te-di-lu-vian," he read.
"What's that picture next to the name?"
"It's a trident. A fishing spear. It's the symbol for Poseidon the sea god in Greek mythology. He used it for creating earthquakes and tsunamis."
"I thought that was Neptune."
"Same guy. Neptune was his Roman name. This has to be Spencer's boat."
"You can't be sure," she said. "It could be a popular name."
"Oh come on. How many Antediluvian Seaman do you think there are in this port?"
"Well, there's the one with the yacht."
"Right. He called Spencer's boat an Antediluvian tub."
"Yes," she said slowly. "I suppose he meant it wasn't new."
Tony sniffed. "It's not new, but it's in great shape. All it really needs is a good paint job. I'd hardly call it a tub."
"That's because you're not comparing it to a yacht."
"I think that guy's wrong. I think this boat is lots faster than his f
"Well, fast or not, I'm ready to go home. It's raining. My feet are cold. I'm cold. Pretty soon the whole place will be covered in fog."
Faint voices drew Meredith's attention away from the boat. At the end of the pier, a patch of pink was visible against the gray. Someone was sitting on the edge looking out over the water.
"We could check it out," Tony said. "No one's around."
She turned back to him. "Are you crazy? We don't know whose boat that is."
"It's Spencer's boat. It has to be."
"Well even if it is. What if he's on board sleeping or something?"
"Yeah, I guess," he said wistfully. "I would like to know what's with that guy. After all, he is working on your aunt's house."
Meredith hardly heard him. It was a girl's voice coming from the end of the pier. She could almost make out the words. Suddenly she wanted to know who was down there. Was someone in the water?
"I think she's talking to someone," Meredith said.
"Who?"
She pointed to the end of the pier, and started walking.
Tony trotted up beside her. "I thought you wanted to go home."
"Never mind that," she said. "I think that's Amari and she's wearing the jacket from the gazebo."
As they got closer, a column of mist rose up out of the fog. It swayed back and forth. For a moment it hung motionless, then sank back into the water.
The girl cried out in a long wail, "Nooo!" and swiveled around. "You have disrupted the contact. Why are you here?"
Tony shrugged. "We came to find a boat."
"There are many boats here." She looked confused.
"Tell me about it," Meredith said. "They all look alike."
"We were looking for a particular boat," Tony said. "The Antediluvian."
"Were you talking to someone?" Meredith asked. "I thought I heard voices." The fog swirled and wavered, like it was trying to solidify. She forced her gaze back to Amari.
"Antediluvian." Amari said the word slowly. She looked out over the water. "Before the flood. Before the water. Could they mean other side of the water?" She stomped her foot. "What does it mean?"
"We found it," Tony said.
"They said you would. You must show me," Amari said.
"It's right back there?," Tony said.
Amari's eyes flashed with anger. "You left it unguarded?"
"Well it's not exactly ours," Meredith said. Why was she getting so upset about Spencer's boat?