Through the Looking Glass by Lovesfox Headers in Prologue Part 7 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Diary of Liza MacGregor May 12, 1878 I secretly gloat, for Rose continues to be unwell, her health ever waning. Although my training has allowed me to find the herbs and medicines to sustain her, they never fully ease her misery. They cannot, it is the curse's will. My will. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* South Water Street Downtown Nantucket Saturday, May 21, 2000 12:20 PM Exiting the Police Station, Scully had to duck her head down, and blink rapidly –- the sun was high, and very bright after being in the windowless storage room for so long. A second later she was aware of Mulder beside her, and squinting in his direction, she saw that he was slipping on a pair of sunglasses. Something she had forgotten to pack for herself, she realized, picturing her Revos lying on the little table beside the answering machine at home. "Sooooo, Agent Scully," Mulder drawled then. He deliberately crowded in behind her, his chest brushing her upper arm and shoulder, his hand settling into its accustomed place, and leaned in to croon in her ear as he propelled her gently forward. He couldn't resist the opportunity to tease. "Interested in getting a bite to eat?" The tone was flirtatious, teasing, and Scully knew he was playfully mocking Officer Marston's lunch invitation. Following his non-verbal prompt, she began walking, shooting him a look she hoped was droll and noting his eyebrows waggling above the tops of his Maui Jim shades. She did not grace him with a reply. "Perhaps another time," he murmured next, purposely making his voice low and mournful, and then straightened up and pulled away to walk beside her. "The Nantucket Pharmacy is down this way," she commented, ignoring Mulder's further attempt to engage her in talking about Marston, and the boyish grin flirting at his lips. The officer had recommended several local favorites, including a cafe that was actually just down the street from the police station, and not far from their next destination, the library. But the idea of an old-fashioned soda fountain had been the deciding factor for Mulder. That was fine with her, a longer walk would help stretch out some of the kinks from being hunched over files, as well as providing some fresh air. Not to mention a chance to look at Nantucket Town. Marston had also advised that they leave their car at the Police Station, and travel on foot. Thankfully Mulder subsided with his teasing, and they walked in companionable silence down the rather peaceful and picturesque South Water Street. They turned right at the corner, onto the equally picturesque, cobblestoned Main Street, and up towards the historical Pacific National Bank. Although Scully was extremely hungry, she found her steps slowing on the brick sidewalk so that she was able to peer into passing shop windows. Surprisingly, Mulder did not try and hurry her along; he in fact seemed interested himself. Mulder smiled inwardly as his partner's walk continued to grow slower and slower, and adjusted his pace to match hers. He knew she was fascinated by the sights and sounds of the town, and wanted her to have the chance to look around a little. It was an opportunity not often afforded while investigating their cases. They eventually passed a large billboard-style painted wall on the opposite side of the street, at a store called Nantucket Looms. It was of a compass, with the names of cities and their distance in miles from Nantucket radiating out from it. "Hey, Scully," Mulder said, stopping and standing at the curb to stare at it. "We're only 15,800 miles from New Zealand." "Good to know, Mulder," she responded absently, once again staring into a shop window, having looked only briefly at the picture. "I'll keep that in mind for my next vacation." He shot her a grin that she did not see, and then added, "Reminds me of the sign post in M*A*S*H. Remember, Scully?" She turned away from the window, nodding. "Boston, Seoul, Burbank, Honolulu, I remember," she replied, listing some of the cities as her mind supplied an image of the sign post just outside of the Swamp at the 4077th. "Weren't the cities on it the hometowns of the characters?" "Yep," he responded, beginning to walk again. As she joined him, he quizzed, "How's your M*A*S*H trivia, Scully?" Without giving her a chance to reply, he then asked, "What city was Klinger from?" "Toledo, Ohio," she answered promptly. "Score one for the G-Woman!" he leaned in briefly to croon in her ear. He watched the expression flit across her face, the one that showed she was trying not to smile. Trying not to encourage him. When would she learn just going along with him was encouragement enough? Or maybe she did know, and it was her way of being able to play along, without losing the part of her that was professional and serious. "Well here's hoping the score is lunch," Scully said after a moment, gesturing to a storefront about fifteen feet away. "There's the Pharmacy." Reaching the single door sandwiched between two store windows framed in green-painted wood, she pulled it open, tossing over her shoulder, "You're buying." Mulder sighed theatrically, and followed her into the pharmacy. "Sure, fine, whatever," he replied to her back, several steps in front of him. He swore he heard her laugh. The actual Pharmacy was at the back of the store, while the lunch counter was on the left hand side of the store, deeper inside. Past the shelves and displays of 'tourist' items to the left, with cosmetics and toiletries to the right. Scully was already seated at one of the swivel stools on the end closest to him when he got there, her briefcase at her feet and her arms resting on the gleaming counter. Mulder slid onto the stool beside her, laying his portfolio down between them, and curiously scanned the area. Chrome napkin holders were spaced out evenly along the length of the counter that bent around the corner at the other end, and there were a few glass-covered, pedestal-style containers full of baked goods strategically placed. Old-fashioned and homey, it was very welcoming. They chose from the one page, two-sided laminated menu, giving their selections to a smiling young woman in a plain, green, full-length apron and a hat who introduced herself as Jody -- clam chowder for Scully, and a sandwich for him. Mulder cajoled Scully into having a milkshake, something Marston had recommended highly, although the officer had called them frappes. As did the waitress when she repeated their order back to them. When she had left, Mulder told Scully he had read somewhere once that in Rhode Island, milkshakes were called cabinets. Scully wrinkled her nose. "Why?" "That I can't tell you, Scully," Mulder replied. "I haven't a clue." She rolled her eyes at him, and was saved from replying further by the arrival of their frappes, or milkshakes. Or cabinets, if you were from Rhode Island. Their food was brought shortly thereafter. It was too crowded to talk about their case, or the Carringtons, so they ate mostly in silence, absorbing the local color. An inquisitive, weathered, nearly toothless old man sitting on the other side of Scully eventually introduced himself as Joe, and asked if they were tourists. She smiled engagingly, and told him that they were, in a way, explaining that Mulder was writing a book about haunted houses and that they were staying at Starbuck House. Joe's face wrinkled even further into a frown. "Aye," he said, nodding slowly, body half-turned towards them. "Now that's a place that some folks think just might be haunted. Or under a curse." The words immediately caught Mulder's attention. He leaned against Scully's shoulder, his head ducked forward and turned towards Joe so he could ask the old man what he meant. "How so?" he queried, pretending a casual interest. The old man looked around, as if worried he might be overheard, and lowered his voice when he spoke. "Women disappearin'." He looked around again, and then continued, "Folks don't like talkin' about it much. Think it looks bad 'bout the town, 'bout the Police Department." After saying that, Joe faced forward once more, bringing his cup to his mouth and swallowing the last of his coffee. "Because they never found the women?" Scully prompted softly after the old man said nothing further. "Aye. Never found any of 'em." Putting his cup down with a clatter, the old man got to his feet, one hand pulling a battered baseball cap from the back pocket of his worn denim overalls. Ducking his head at Scully with a quiet, "Miss," he flopped the cap on his balding pate and shuffled off, calling out good-byes to a few of the other locals. Mulder and Scully exchanged glances, and were then interrupted by the arrival of Jody, who asked if there was anything else she could get them. After they both had shaken their heads, she looked around as Joe had done, and leaned over the counter to bring her upper body closer to them. "I heard Joe telling you about the disappearances, and that you were a writer," she said, low-voiced. "Are you going to write a book about them?" "Actually we're working on a book about haunted houses," Mulder told Jody, who appeared to be of college-age, and was probably one of the many students who came over for the spring and summer to earn some money for school. "But now I might devote a chapter or two about Starbuck House. Do you know anything about the disappearances?" "Just rumors and stuff," the young woman replied, looking impressed and fascinated. "You know." Scully cleared her throat, and spoke, keeping her voice low as well. "For instance?" "Like that all the women stayed in the same room in the house, the one they used to call the Rose Room," Jody said. Her voice was still hushed, though slightly higher in pitch, and perhaps tinged with a touch of self-importance. It was clear she was thrilled to have been asked to share what she knew. Mulder glanced at Scully again, noting her thoughtful expression. They had not been told the names of their rooms when they had been shown to them. Perhaps the Inn didn’t use them anymore. He was very curious as to which room had once been known as the Rose Room, and resolved to ask Lisa when he and Scully returned to the Inn, if the young girl was there. Jody was called away then, and the lunch counter got much busier, so they were unable to talk further with her. "You ready?" Mulder asked Scully, and at her nod, rose from his stool to dig out his wallet. He laid some bills down, enough to cover the cost of their meal, plus a generous tip, and picked up his portfolio. Catching Jody's eye, he mouthed 'thanks' and saw her nod in reply, a smile on her face. Taking Scully's elbow, he guided her from the counter, letting his hand fall to her back once they had cleared the lunch crowd. It was as they were exiting the Pharmacy that Scully spotted John Carrington, several shops away, looking in their direction before he turned away and ducked inside a storefront. Glancing at Mulder, she saw that he too was staring down the street at the place where she had seen the Innkeeper, his lips pursed. "Coincidence?" she murmured, her eyebrow arched, showing her suspicion. "Interesting," Mulder responded back, and then after lifting his own eyebrow at her he intoned, "Unusual." She recalled their conversation about John Carrington as they were leaving the Inn, after she had spotted the man in Mulder's room, and knew her partner was once again needling her about her choice of words in describing the Innkeeper's behavior. Not responding to the bait, she merely replied, "Very," her gaze once again focused down the street where John Carrington had been. After a moment, she murmured, "Let's go," and started walking back in the direction they had come, Mulder at her side. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Diary of Liza MacGregor September 17, 1880 The townspeople see only my concern and my caring for Rose and her family, and now they speak of me with admiration and gratitude, when before I was made a mockery. It sickens me, though I do or say nothing, and I hide my rage. Rose mistakenly believes that I am her savior. Her naiveté amuses me and sustains my need for revenge. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Nantucket Atheneum 1 India Street Saturday, May 21, 2000 1:55 PM "It's beautiful," Scully murmured as they walked along the tree-lined brick sidewalk and approached the steps of the Atheneum, Nantucket's library and cultural center. The white building was large and stately, built in the Greek Revival style with tall, graceful ionic columns that soared three or four storeys high. Mulder merely nodded, his mind was already focused on the task at hand. He held the door open for his partner, stepping aside as a woman with a toddler in her arms waited to exit. She smiled her thanks as she passed him, and he nodded in response, and then followed Scully through. The inside was beautifully done as well, Mulder noted, as he had also noted the exterior of the building, though he had not commented. It reminded him of a museum, with displays of sculpture, ship models and scrimshaw, and paintings on the walls. With a return to the Police Station necessary, and the possibility that they might have to go to the Town Hall as well, he hurried his partner along, his hand at her back. Two teenagers, one male and one female, and an older woman, who was speaking to the two with an air of authority, apparently explaining their duties, staffed the front desk in the research section. Mulder and Scully waited politely a foot or so away from the desk, both of them smiling when the woman apologized for keeping them waiting. Mulder took the lead, going into the spiel about their book and the necessity of research. As they had experienced thus far, the librarian, who introduced herself as Caroline Gibbons, was also quite interested in the fact that they were writing a book. Her face however briefly reflected disquiet when he mentioned they were staying at Starbuck House, a reaction both agents noted to themselves. Despite that, she bustled about with excited energy and enthusiasm, directing them to the Microfiche section, and locating several books on historical buildings for Cape Cod and the Islands, including Nantucket, and a few books about Inns in the area. She also informed them that Nantucket's local paper, The Inquirer & Mirror, had been in publication since 1821, and would likely have articles that could help them. Scully thanked Caroline, and followed Mulder to a small, empty table near the microfiche readers. One situated in the corner where it would be difficult for anyone to approach them unseen. She took a seat on one side, while he sat down across from her, with their many books piled in two somewhat even stacks between them. Pulling a notepad and pen from her briefcase, Scully reached for the first book on one pile and opened it up before her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mulder open his portfolio to the lined paper pad inside and pull his pen free of its slot. Mulder leaned in closer to Scully and murmured, "Why don't you start looking through these books and make some notes, while I hit the microfiche?" His partner nodded in response, and smiling in a way he could only describe as impish, said, "Did you remember to bring your Dramamine?" After a momentary flashback to one of their very early cases, Eugene Tooms, he grinned at her. "I'll let you know if I need you to spell me." With that, he rose from his seat, picking up his portfolio and pen, and moved over to the nearest microfiche machine. Every so often, the machine would hum and whir as Mulder printed off a copy of an article that he felt bore relevance to their case. One such piece was a brief story about the sudden disappearance in February 1907 of a woman named Molly Flynn, who had worked as a chambermaid at Starbuck House. The article made no mention of a police investigation into the matter, or any other similar disappearances around that time. Though the date gave Mulder momentary pause, it also intrigued him. He included the woman's name as another incident to look into further. Another article he came across gave him pause as well. For the victim in this case was a male, and his body had been found, with his death being ruled accidental. But the fact that the young man, Tom Phillips, had stayed at Starbuck House was too much of a coincidence for Mulder. That article was printed, and he made a notation on the paper, adding it to his growing list to check into later. Over the next hour, Scully located two complimentary write- ups about Starbuck House and made several notes on other interesting locations around the Islands, as proof of their cover story. She also perused the file the Police had put together on the Carringtons, noting that an Annabelle Esther Carrington, listed as the daughter of Esther Marie Dunford and the mother of John and Nancy Annabelle Carrington, had committed suicide in August of 1970. There was very little detail on the matter. Caroline Gibbons came over twice during that time to ask them if they needed any help, and managed to be in the area quite frequently. Mulder was his usual charming self, and deflected her inquiries with easy grace, managing to make the older woman giggle and blush. Scully saw how he made Caroline's day by asking how one would find out about property on the island, and listened as he was told that they could learn about parcels of land at the Registry of Deeds, in the Town and County Building on Broad Street. However, it was closed on Saturdays, she informed him with a look that said she was sorry she couldn’t be of more help, or have given him better news. He had more than halfway expected that the Register's Office would be closed, it was Saturday after all. But it was discouraging, for they would have to wait almost two days to look into the matter of the woods behind the Inn. He supposed he could inquire around, or even ask the Carringtons themselves, yet he was strangely reluctant to do that at this time. Perhaps Scully could charm Samuel into finding out for them, he thought with an inward smirk, recalling the officer's obvious interest in his partner. The equally obviously unreturned interest, of course. Glancing at his watch, Mulder realized they needed to be going, and was confident he had exhausted his search on the Inn itself, and possible other disappearances. He called out to his partner softly, "You about ready, Scully?" She looked up from her study of the file from the Police, and nodded, smiling briefly. "Mm-hmmm," she added her verbal affirmation, and began packing up. On their way out, they thanked Caroline for her help and kindness, and accepted her well wishes for success with the book. Outside they discovered that the sun was now hiding behind the clouds, and the sky had a decidedly gray cast. Fortunately, it was still very mild, as neither was dressed for cooler weather. With the Police Station just around the corner, their walk was brief, and in no time at all they were once again entering the quaint building. *** End Part 7