Hush Sisters Hush

By Donald Krueger

Geoffrey Downs seems to be ageless. His biography would suggest it, but when an automobile accident puts him in the hospital, he realizes his vulnerability. He seeks out an investigative book author to help find his origin. She is highly skeptical but finds herself in a lengthy interview with him that triggers her curious mind. She begins a search that evokes more and more intrigue. At an old Catholic orphanage in Worcester, England, she finds another clue. But now she needs his help that involves travel to England and France. The charm of Paris throws them into a romantic affair. They try to disregard it so they can pursue answers, but their attraction for one another is always waiting in the shadows. Again, they go back to the abbey where secrets live only as myths to be passed from one generation of nuns to another, always keeping alive the mysterious arrival of six babies at their doorstep three hundred years ago.

A message is revealed at the orphanage that six babies were mysteriously left at the orphanage some three hundred years ago. So is there another world like ours? Are there more ageless persons like Geoffrey? Sarah is determined to find out. She scours England for months and returns to Chicago empty-handed. Then a very unusual source discovers another ageless person.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524550219

Donald Krueger

Donald Krueger Sci-fi author Donald Krueger is a retired airline pilot. His airline career had him flying transports starting with the DC-3 and ending with the DC-10. He lives in the pleasing climate of Southern California and enjoyed numerous interests other than flying, including music and sculpture. Currently is his interest in writing. The 'Snows of Shangrila' is book five of his science fiction book series. It spans a dozen years of research plus a vivid imagination. The stories have a rich mixture of imagination and actual history. More than once the reader will find his/herself pondering, “I didn’t know that”, yet on checking find the occurrences are factual.

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Copyright © 2016 by Donald Krueger.

ISBN:      Softcover        978-1-5245-5022-6

                eBook            978-1-5245-5021-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/07/2016

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Contents

Chapter One Dayton

Chapter Two The Interview

Chapter Three Worcester Abbey

Chapter Four Another Interview

Chapter Five Back To Worcester

Chapter Six Paris

Chapter Seven Back To London

Chapter Eight Puzzlement

Chapter Nine Contact

Chapter Ten The Reunion

Chapter Eleven The Surprise

Chapter Twelve The House

Chapter Thirteen Leaving Chicago

Chapter Fourteen The Wedding

Chapter Fifteen The Big Day

Chapter Sixteen Casey Lives Again

Chapter Seventeen Radio Telescopes

Chapter Eighteen Designing A Big Dish

Chapter Nineteen Off To Chile

Chapter Twenty That Old Devil Wine

Chapter Twenty-One The Farm’s Big Dish

Chapter Twenty-Two Going To South Hampton

Chapter Twenty-Three The Big Party

CHAPTER ONE

Dayton

S arah Warner was driving south on I-65 out of Chicago heading for Dayton, Ohio. She couldn’t receive her familiar Chicago radio programs out here and was tired of her CDs. Her mind began to wander. She had just turned 40 but never regretted her career choices. Her interest in journalism began in high school and was just as strong now as it was then. Life was good No marriage or children. She could be ready to go almost any place in a couple hours.

Writing historical nonfiction had taken her all over the world and she loved it. Her last book ‘NO MORE DOUBT’ was a best seller and her bank account was at a new high. Better yet were the leads that sprang from readers. She was well on the way to writing a sequel but her trip today was responding to a call from an old gentleman she’d met a month before. He sounded like it was urgent but she thought it would probably be a waste of time. Yet she had to check it out. A lead is a lead and her curious mind needed more. Besides she liked the old guy.

She met him in Dayton a couple months ago doing a book signing in a local store. Her book had just been published and she was doing the signing tour trying to trump up sales. During a slack time, a distinguished looking man approached her table. He appeared to be about fifty years old and most handsome.

I’m Geoffrey Downs, I’ve read your book and you are a very gifted writer. The thoroughness of your research is extraordinary.

Thank you very much Mr. Downs, are you a historian?

Not professionally. I just read a lot. I’ve noticed the reviews on your last book. You seem to be doing quite well.

Yes I’m very happy about it. I’m already gathering material for a sequel.

He shifted his weight and glanced around and noticed an old man in the store.

That old guy is a neighbor of mine. I’m sure he’ll be over to talk. He loves a new face, anyone who hasn’t heard his stories before. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a dear friend but sometimes his imagination runs away with him. I wouldn’t give too much credit to what he says.

She looked over to see whom he was talking about. The old guy looked in his eighties. Geoffrey Downs turned to leave the store. As he passed the old man he said, How are you Casey?

The old guy met his eye, Oh I’m okay. Moving a little slow but I don’t hurt much.

Are you taking that medication for your arthritis I told you about?

Sure am, Jeff. If I don’t, my joints really let me know it.

Downs left the store and a few moments later the old man came to her table.

How’s the book doing?

So far, so good. Do you read much?

A little, I like Louie L’Amour. I’ve read most of his books and Zane Grey’s too. I like the old west and cowboy stories. I like the old movies too. They really knew how to make movies way back before color. I liked stuff like, ‘Tobacco Road’ and ‘Laura’. My favorite of all was ‘Gunga Din’. Casey hesitated and let his mind wonder and then with little grin, ‘You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din’. I loved that line. Those men were pure genius when it came to telling a story.

They were indeed. I wish I could hold the reader like that.

Your books are nonfiction and that probably makes them harder to read.

Well you won’t sell much if you can’t hold the reader’s attention. I try to make my stories read like a novel. That’s probably just as hard as getting all the facts straight.

She paused a moment, Was that fellow a doctor? I heard him mention arthritis medication.

Well, he seems to know a lot about ailments but he doesn’t practice medicine and I’ve never heard anyone call him ‘doc’.

What does he do for a living?

He’s retired. At least that’s what he says and he must get money from someplace. We go out to dinner sometimes and he always grabs the check. I think he reads a lot. He’s always carrying some books when I see him. Hey, maybe he’s a writer like you and gets royalty checks. I’ve never known him to have a job and I’ve known him for thirty years.

Thirty years, and he didn’t talk about writing or working?

He doesn’t talk about himself. He talks about everything else and he really seems to know a lot about whatever the topic is. Funny part is that when we first met, I figured we were maybe the same age but now he looks just the same and I’ve become an old man. Crazy, huh!

The store was getting crowded and several people were standing behind him now. I’m sorry, Miss, I’ve been taking up your time.

Wait, Mr.?

Fellows, mam, Casey Fellows.

Mr. Fellows, would you mind coming back this afternoon at four? I’ll be finished then and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. You’ve got my curiosity aroused.

Yes mam, I’ll be here. I’ll run by home and get a couple snapshots and then come back and visit the video store. I like to browse around in there; it’s really why I came to town in the first place.

Sarah finished the book signing at the scheduled 4 p.m. and gathered up her things. This had been a long day and she was starved. Casey Fellows walked in the door. He was carrying a little satchel.

Would you care for a little supper? I need more than coffee.

I reckon so, Miss, as long as it’s not too fancy. I didn’t dress up.

While walking, Casey pulled something out of his bag. Look at what I got. It’s Gunga Din on DVD. Remember I told you about it? I’ve been looking for a DVD for a long time.

I thought you’d seen it.

I have but it was a long time ago and there are some movies I like to watch over again, sometimes many times.

What’s so special about this one?

Well I don’t know, maybe it’s the actors. Yeah I did like the actors back then but the story keeps you hooked all the way through. You see these three British soldiers are in India. The British had a regiment or something there and a rebel group hated them. These three soldiers were always being followed by this Indian boy named ‘Gunga Din’. He wanted to be a soldier but of course he was too young and these three sergeants were snobbish Brits. But since he was so persistent, they let him carry their water as they ventured around the desert. This was a lowly job because water was heavy. It was a couple gallons carried in a goatskin. One of the three, Cary Grant, had a bugle that the water boy admired. So Grant let him carry that too. When they were camped, the boy would sneak off and practice bugle calls. At the end, the three got trapped by rebels in an old monastery. A whole British regiment was marching towards the monastery where the rebels had planned an ambush. Now Cary Grant had been shot in the leg and couldn’t move. Gunga Din was hurt too but he struggled up to the top of the building and kept playing Retreat over and over on the bugle. As he was playing, the rebels were shooting at him and even though he was getting hit he kept on playing until he fell. When the British regiment heard the bugle call, they dispersed and the ambush was foiled. Then as Gunga Din lay dying, Cary Grant says to him, You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din."

Now is that a great line or what?

They reached the coffee shop and they both ordered the special and as they waited she asked what he meant about the age thing?

It’s a bit unbelievable, I’m getting old and sometimes I think my memory is not as sharp as it used to be, but this part is perfectly clear. When this little housing tract was new, Downs and I moved in at the same time. I was 53 years old at that time. I remember it well because my wife and I were celebrating our silver anniversary. We had a little party and asked our new neighbors to come. Downs was there and we took some pictures. He didn’t like his picture taken but I have a few of him from that party.

Their orders came and they stopped talking for a few minutes. Then Casey reached in his satchel and brought out some snapshots. In the photos Casey and his wife looked fiftyish and sure enough, Downs in the background looked exactly like he did in the store today. About fifty was her guess.

How in the world could he still look the same after thirty years?

That’s what I’ve been telling you mam, it’s unnatural.

Do you have any other pictures of him?

Well not many, he doesn’t like his picture taken and we didn’t socialize much. Mostly we’d just go to lunch or ball games. But my dear Mary died ten years ago and Downs was at the services. My sister made a lot of food and Downs came over after the funeral. Someone took this picture.

She looked at the snapshot of Casey and Downs. Downs appeared to be offering condolences but what jumped out was that Casey had aged a lot but Downs still looked about fifty.

Sarah had to admit that it was strange but she didn’t think she could make much of a case for her articles. She’d seen people that didn’t look their age and this was probably one of those cases. It would take a lot of work to prove anything else and the odds were stacked against her.

Have you ever asked him about it?

Yes I have and he really gave me a look. I immediately turned it into a sort of joking thing about what kind of diet was he on and if I could have some. He did smile then and told me that he was just lucky and came from a long line of people who carried their age well. He then went into a different subject. He is a master at that.

Casey took a sip of coffee and looked at her.

Are you thinking of asking him about it?

No I don’t think so. If you say he’s touchy about it, he won’t be cooperative and I can’t see much of a story here anyway. But take my card and if you come up with more stuff, call me.

CHAPTER TWO

The Interview

A month later Casey Fellows called Sarah. Apparently Mr. Downs, the one they had talked about, had an auto accident and suffered a broken jaw. Casey had visited him in the hospital. His jawbone was surgically wired to hold it until it mended and speech was difficult. During the visit his speech was labored and hard to understand but he managed to ask Casey about the lady writer from the bookstore.

I still have her card. Volunteered Casey. What should I tell her?

Downs grimaced. Tell her I have some material worthy of her new book.

So now Sarah was back on the road to Dayton. She pulled up to the address and looked at her watch. She was fifteen minutes early and as she gathered her attaché case, the door of the house opened. There stood Geoffrey Downs with a black eye that covered most of his face. She wouldn’t have recognized him if she didn’t know he lived here. He motioned for her to come in and she saw a bandaged right hand. He was sharply dressed in casual clothes and had a distinguished look in spite of his condition.

Please come in and make yourself at home. His speaking came with difficulty and the pain of it showed. He led her to a sitting room. It was also the house library. Two full walls were lined with books. She looked around at some of the titles. Most had historical significance. Even the novels were seated in history. She noticed ‘Gone with the Wind’ and others.

Have you read all these?

Oh yes, I’m a fast reader and I read a lot. I find it hard to part with a book and these are only a sample of what I’ve read. I’ve lost many over the years from moving about. May I offer you something to drink, ice tea or a soda?

No thanks, I can sense your discomfort and would rather cut to the chase. What is it you wanted to talk about?

Okay, I’ve sort of led a charmed life and hadn’t thought much of it ending until now. This accident was a result of stupidity on my part. I was in heavy traffic, stop and go. I was late for an appointment and picked up my cell phone to make a call. I punched in the number and as I put the phone to my face to speak, the car in front of me stopped suddenly. I didn’t hit him hard but it was hard enough to inflate my air bag. The bag smashed the phone into my face breaking both my jaw and thumb. Now I can hardly talk and can’t write at all.

Sarah pictured the accident. How many times had she done the same thing? She damn well won’t do it again.

Downs continued. Anyway, it brought me to realize that my life could end in a heartbeat and there are some things that should be told. If I die these things die with me.

How can this concern me?

Because it’s the kind of stuff you write about. You do your homework and you lay it out in a wonderful way, a way that makes reading interesting and easy.

Well thank you. What sort of stuff are you talking about?

Before I continue, you must agree to keep my identity confidential. If I should die, I no longer care. But I’m getting tired of running off to some other city or country every couple dozen years of so. Changing an identity is becoming more difficult every day. Can you agree to that?

Are you wanted by the law or some foreign country?

He started to laugh but immediately put his hand to his face. Laughing obviously hurt. No, no, it’s nothing unlawful.

Sarah pondered the strange request. I can agree if it doesn’t make me some kind of an illegal accomplice, but how can you be certain of me?

I’ve done some checking. You have a reputation for responsible journalism. And just in case there’s a question, I already have a new identity prepared and will move from here and just disappear as I have many times before. Would you excuse me a moment? I think I’d better take something for this pain.

He returned in a minute and asked if she wanted something to drink.

Perhaps some iced tea,

A minute later he returned with her tea and another glass with a straw in it.

"It’s easier if I drink through a straw. Now to continue, I’ve lived a very