Flutter

By Ed Merwede

I am not writing this to convince you one way or the other. Some people believe in vampires, and others just laugh them off. If you do not believe in vampires, I seriously wish you good luck.

If you do not believe, when you hear a sound like a flutter, please, please be aware of your surroundings. A flutter is the very soft sound of a bats wings, and what follows next is always unpleasant! Believe it or not, this is the story of Baron Ellington. It has been kept undercover for years, so as not to cause panic. Read, beware, and draw your own conclusions!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524582630

Ed Merwede

ED MERWEDE, also the author of “DONE!” started his career with Yale University Press. After eleven years as plant superintendent, he went on to manage three other printing companies before starting his own business with his wife, Ellen. That business, PrintAbility, operated for fourteen successful years, before the couple retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In the late 1990s, the author was diagnosed with syringomyelia, caused by a very severe crash while serving on a US Naval Air Station. Ed is listed as 100 percent disabled with the Veterans Affairs Office. His wife of thirty-five years, Ellen, died in November of 2014. He is now living in an assisted living facility on Cape Cod.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Voyage

It was a cloudy, rainy day down at the pier. Ragland made sure he got there early—to make absolutely sure no mistakes were made loading Baron Ellington’s luggage on board. He was sweating profusely because he knew the penalty for a mistake.

The baron told him that most of his luggage could be loaded as normal, but the seven-foot mahogany box with his emblem emblazoned on top was to be placed in a cabin room and was not to be disturbed. Ragland told the captain about it as the baron’s luggage arrived. The captain questioned the placement of the mahogany crate in a guest room. Ragland produced a receipt showing that the baron had paid extra for this privilege, and it was not to be disobeyed. The captain shrugged but complied with the order. Ragland said he would escort the crate to the cabin room, making sure it was handled with care.

The captain just shook his head and said, As you wish. I’ll have two men handle it with care.

Oh, thank you, Captain, said Ragland. You just made my life a little easier.

The ship set sail in about one hour, with Ragland sitting next to the crate, to make sure there were no mistakes. The ship was modern and powered by huge engines; the words set sail were from the previous days of shipping. Their destination was Boston Harbor, where they would transfer all the baron’s belongings onto a truck bound for Maine. The mahogany box was taken by limousine to its destination.

The voyage was quite calm, and Ragland stayed with the crate. A steward knocked on the door and asked if Ragland needed anything to eat.

Why, yes, said Ragland, maybe some bread and a little piece of cheese would be nice.

Are you sure that’s all?

Oh my, yes, said Ragland, that would be nice.

The steward stood there for a while and then said, What’s in the box that’s so important? The entire crew is talking.

Ragland got to his feet and, with drool coming down the side of his mouth, said, Don’t ever ask that question again. Do you understand? He broke into a grin, showing yellowed teeth and a look in his eyes that could stop a clock.

The steward backed off, as though he had been slapped in the face.

The arrival at Boston Harbor was not eventful—just another arrival. Ragland was the first person on the deck to make sure his master’s wishes were accommodated. The truck pulled up as requested, and the baron’s luggage was unloaded. Ragland made his presence known by demanding that the baron’s crate be unloaded—carefully—next! The captain beside him OK’d the transfer of the crate next and into the stretch limousine.

Ragland gave a sigh of relief. They were now on land again. Maybe, just maybe, the baron would look favorably upon him again for his diligence in keeping his master’s orders.

Ragland approached the limousine driver and gave him the address of where they were going. He told the driver to be extremely careful. It was not a matter of time but a matter of a nice, smooth trip to get there.

The driver said, That’s quite a waste.

Ragland replied, Money is of no object, but smooth driving is. You shall be paid handsomely for your care during this trip.

The driver held the door open for Ragland, but he declined, saying, No, thank you. I shall remain in the back with the crate.

They were heading for just outside of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. The baron had negotiated the purchase of an old mansion, which dated back to about ninety-five years. It was in relative disrepair but suited his needs quite well. He had paid for workers to clean the basement and install a pedestal to hold a casket. It was to be surrounded by velvet curtains, and all the basement windows were to be painted black.

The real estate agent was inquisitive but never expressed concern. He was glad to sell the old place and, believe it or not, had made a commission on a piece of property that he thought would be torn down.

Chapter Two

The Arrival

The trip was long, but smooth, until they got to the approach to Meddybemps Lake. They made a turn before the lake onto a dirt road leading uphill to the ancient mansion. The road was slightly bumpy, and they made a long turn to the crest of the hill where the mansion stood. All was dark, and Ragland hoped they had turned on the electricity as planned. He told the driver to wait while he looked for a switch inside the house to turn the lights on.

He found one just inside the front door—which, thankfully, was unlocked. Flicking the switch illuminated two lights, one on each side of the front door. He then flicked another switch, which lighted up the hallway. Walking down the hall, he found the door to the basement. Opening it, he flicked another switch, illuminating the basement stairway. Now came the hard part, getting the driver to help carry the crate down the stairs and onto the pedestal.

At first, the driver objected. But after Ragland showed him a hundred-dollar bill, he changed his mind and helped with the final task of delivery.

Ragland was sweating profusely when the task was finished, and he hoped all would be still for just five minutes. The moving van was not due until tomorrow with the little