The Mystery of Rangeley Lake

By Gary T Brideau

In Rangeley, Maine, people are disappearing from their campsites around the lake. There's no sign of a struggle or any kind of violence. Inspector Noel Richards was contacted to help figure out the mystery. The Inspector sends his highly trained team into the area to find out what's going on. When the team arrives at Rangeley Lake, they are baffled over the strange disappearance of some of the campers. Then, one of their team winds up missing. Then, the investigation team has to hide because of the constant threats on their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664199699

Gary T Brideau

I was born in a small house in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1947 and moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut as a small boy. I met Lauren, the love of my life in1985 and were married years later and moved to Bristol, Connecticut. One night, I had a vivid dream that caught my attention, that spurred me to write it down, and sent it to my sister T. Jene Brideau, for an interpretation who also is a writer. She wrote and told me that the story was good. I took her encouragement and my imagination went to work. That’s when I discovered my God-given talent to write great space adventures stories. From then on, I have written over fifty stories of which only seven of them have been published with great reviews.

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Copyright © 2021 by Gary T Brideau.

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/15/2021

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Contents

Storyline

Chapter 1 The Gathering

Chapter 2 Rivals

Chapter 3 Bunk buddies

Chapter 4 Candy, on the outs

Chapter 5 A bad trip

Chapter 6 Look who’s the Lacky

Chapter 7 Candy in charge

Chapter 8 Shoe leather express

Chapter 9 Candy is down

Chapter 10 Attacked

Chapter 11 Candy on the outs

Chapter 12 On the run

Chapter 13 Friends

Chapter 14 Paydirt

Chapter 15 Briana’s revenge

Chapter 16 The Letter

Chapter 17 Beebe’s failed attempt

Chapter 18 Mrs. Applebee’s revenge

Epilogue

RESCUED IN TIME

Chapter 1 Time’s Captive

Chapter 2 The Truth Revealed

Chapter 3 A New Beginning

Chapter 4 A Twist in Time

Chapter 5 Somethings Been Added

Chapter 6 Dead End

Chapter 7 One Strange Thing After Another

Chapter 8 Terror Stalks at Noon

Epilogue

Sasha Gillespie Cooper: Is 26 years old and is 5 foot 6 with medium-length light brown hair with an infectious smile.

Thomas Cooper: a tall clean-cut man in his early thirties with chiseled features

Callie Sidewinder: married to Bo, she is a 31-year-old woman 5’ 5’’ tall with short wavy black hair. Are you a writer and a few cents short of a dollar? And is dating a man named Bo Sidewinder.

Bo Sidewinder: Callie’s age with short brown hair and likes to jog.

Briana Coffey: a 5’ 8" tall, 37-year-old woman with medium-length brown hair and is married to Ray Coffey.

Ray Coffey: A tall gentleman in his late 20s with short light brown hair, likes to wear a dark gray suit and tie, and is in law enforcement.

Candy Fits: single, she is a cute 25-year-old woman who is 5-foot five blonde hair with a great figure. She is always happy and has a positive outlook on things. She rides a red Honda scooter.

Rosella Puckett: single, she is a petite 33-year-old woman who is 5’3" feet tall, with brown hair.

Patrick O’Brien: A leprechaun married to Alexis.

Alexis O’Brien: A petite four-foot seven-inch woman in her 30s with bright red hair done up in a Pixie.

Inspector Noel Richards: a tall man with neatly combed light brown hair, in his late forties, clad in an English tweed suit smoking a Pipe.

Jacque: A tall angel who appears to be in his thirties with short blond hair clad in white pants and a turtleneck.

Beebe M. Tomson: A cute, young petite woman in her early 30s, wears gold wire-rimmed glasses, with dark brown hair done up in a Pixie, likes to wear jeans and a white t-shirt.

Storyline

In Rangeley, Maine, people are disappearing from their campsites around the lake. There’s no sign of a struggle or any kind of violence. Inspector Noel Richards was contacted to help figure out the mystery. The Inspector sends his highly trained team into the area to find out what’s going on. When the team arrives at Rangeley Lake, they are baffled over the strange disappearance of some of the campers. Then, one of their team winds up missing. Then, the investigation team has to hide because of the constant threats on their lives.

Chapter 1

THE GATHERING

Thomas and Sasha Cooper live at Grave’s Victorian Mansion with its many peaks and is situated on a small peninsula overlooking the ocean, near Rockland, Maine. Sasha is 26 years old and is 5 foot 6 with medium-length light brown hair with an infectious smile. She was sitting on the front veranda that wrapped halfway around the house reading a book called, The Lost Treasure. A loud clap of thunder broke the silence of the afternoon and a bolt of lightning slammed into the ground a few feet in front of her. Knocked her out of the Adirondack chair, sending her sprawling on the porch.

Thomas, her husband, a slender 6-foot clean-cut man in his early thirties with chiseled features, rushed out and helped her up, then stared at the small crater the boult of lightning left.

Just then a black, steam-driven, 1900 Porter automobile stopped under the portico driven by a tall, muscular man in his 30s with short light brown hair clad in a black nineteen hundred pinstriped suit. The woman sitting in the passenger’s seat was five foot five, thirty years old clad in a long pale blue dress, and wore a deep blue lace around the cuffs and neck. She stepped out of the car and fell on her face. She sprang to her feet and energetically waved.

Sasha put her head down and moaned, Oh Lord; please tell me it isn’t true. That is not Callie, AKA Mouthy, who did a swan dive out of the car.

Callie rushed on the porch, gave Sasha a hug saying, Back together again. What have you been doing with yourself up here in the boonies?

The man shook Thomas’s hand saying, I think you remember me, Bo Sidewinder? I know it’s been a while.

What brings you here?

Didn’t you get the e-mail from Inspector Noel Richards? Maine is having a problem with Rangeley Lakes and called the Inspector to investigate.

Our internet has been down for the past 4 days. Prayerfully we’ll be back online today sometime.

Bo glanced at his wife, approaching the porch railing, and shouted, Callie, stop, the porch railing is right in front of you!

Callie let go a scream as she flipped over the railing landing in the bushes. She shouted, I’m alright! then giggled.

Bo stated, The doctor put drops in Callie’s eyes before we drove here and refuses to let me help her.

Sasha sighed and said, I’ll take care of Mouthy. She pulled Callie out of the bushes, brought her upstairs and in a bedroom at the back end of the house, then gave her a sedative to prevent her from injuring herself.

Bo, Thomas, and Sasha sat on the front veranda and Sasha asked, What have you and Callie been doing since the last time we saw you?

Bo stated, One Sunday, we decided to attend the service at Right Fellowship. The worship service and the preaching were great. After the service, we stared at everyone fellowshipping and talking. We try to engage in fellowship, but we felt rejected. Callie tried to enter into a conversation, but she was ignored. So, we went to a nearby Burger King and ordered a meal. The next two Sundays were the same thing. After the Sunday service, we walked outside, everybody was fellowshipping and talking with smiles on their faces. We silently walked to my car and went to Burger King for a meal, trying not to feel rejected.

Sasha stated, Maybe you in Callie should approach people, say hi to them and how are they doing, or something that will trigger some type of conversation. If you do this enough people will see that you’re friendly and will begin to warm up to you.

Callie and I have been doing it for the past couple of months. Matter of fact this past Sunday Callie approached a middle-aged woman clad in a purple slack suit after church and said, The other day I sat at a picnic table in a park and began to write my novel. But while I was writing the next chapter in the story, acorns kept falling on me. I looked up, and there, on a branch high above me, was a squirrel dropping nuts. I said to the squirrel. If you don’t stop dropping those nuts, I’m going to come up there after you. The squirrel promptly scampered down the tree and up to the picnic table and stared at me in open defiance. If I didn’t know any better, I say that squirrel understood me."

While Callie was talking, the woman turned and fellowshipped with someone to her right, then said, That’s nice. and walked away.

Callie walked on the veranda, sat next to her husband, and said, Sasha, I didn’t swallow that pill you gave me because I hate sedatives, but thanks anyway. I think I know why we are being snubbed at Right Fellowship. It was last year that I asked Miss. Sara Saunders if she could take me shopping. On our way to the store, I told her about the books I had published and was all thumbs that day and kept dropping things. But for some reason, Sara kept a good ten feet from me all day. When Bo and I went to Right Fellowship, I saw Sara and overheard her tell some ladies in the church that she didn’t trust me.

Thomas inquired, Callie, how are your books doing?

Wonderful, the book, The Ill-fated Trip to Denver just came out, and people love it.

Just then, a haggard petite, thirty-five-year-old five feet three inches feet tall woman with brown hair. Clad in dark blue jeans and a yellow t-shirt dropped her black suitcase, collapsed on the front steps, and moaned, Do you know your phone is out of order?

A shocked Sasha saw Rosella Puckett and asked, It’s nice to see you, but did you walk here from Rocklyn?

I crawled the last five miles, now where is my room so I can pass out for a few hours?

Callie shouted, Pucky! sat on her right, and gave her a hug.

Thomas handed Rosella Puckett a mug of coffee saying, I just made it.

Rosella took a swallow, gasped then, said, Woah! That coffee is strong.

It’ll put hair on your chest, quipped Bo.

Rosella glanced up and said, Hi Bo. If I wake tomorrow morning with a hairy chest, someone is going to hear about it. By the way, does anyone know why the Inspector called us back together?

Bo explained, There is a mystery at Rangeley Lake we have to solve.

Sasha asked, Rosella, why didn’t you take a taxi?

I tried to but, none of them knew where this place was. So, I walked and enjoyed the fresh air after being on the bus with the woman in front of me who had gas, and the guy in the back of me reeked so bad, he could have offended B, O Plenty.

Sasha inquired, Bo, did the Inspector tell you anything about what’s happening at Rangeley Lake?

No, he didn’t, but the lake has an area of 9.85 square miles. Which means we’ll have a lot of ground to cover.

A cute twenty-five-year-old woman, five feet five tall with blonde hair with a great figure, was dressed in a white, short-sleeve button-down blouse and old washed-out jeans. Parked her red Honda scooter in front of the porch, took off her bright yellow helmet, and asked, Is this the Cooper Mansion?

Sasha greeted the woman saying, Yes, it is. I’m Sasha Cooper. Can I help you?

Inspector Noel Richards called me the other day and told me he wants me to help you guys solve some kind of a mystery about a Lake. Hey, wasn’t the weather wonderful these past few days?

A puzzled Sasha asked, Are you from Maine? Because I wouldn’t call torrential downpours, we had this past week wonderful. That’s why we have no Internet, and our phone is out. I’m just thankful the sun came out today so I can get some of the dampness out of this old mansion.

The woman smiled giggling, and said, I’m Candy Fits, and I live at 16 Roberson Street in Rocklyn.

Sasha stated, I suppose you’re the type who goes outside in the pouring rain and dances around.

What’s wrong with dancing in the rain, questioned Candy, Because that’s exactly what I did. When I saw it was pouring outside, I put on my bright yellow bathing suit, went out in my backyard, and enjoyed the weather. It’s better than sitting inside feeling gloomy. Then when the sun came out, I went outside and enjoyed the fresh clean air. Now, who’s up for Donuts because I brought two dozen with me.

Sasha stated, I’m gonna need to see your credentials then show me your experience in solving mysteries because Inspector Richards wants nothing but the best working for him.

I’ve read all of Callie Swanson’s murder mysteries, and I especially like the one called, A Murder in Time. Plus, I’ve written to her many times and advised her about some of the problems she’s had. I was the one who advised Callie about the Minneapolis Stalker. During your trip to the Grand Canyon, I was constantly in touch with Miss. Swanson and encouraged her when she was depressed. However, I do not have to show you my credentials or prove to you concerning my experience. Because Inspector Noel Richards hired me himself, which means I will be the one who will keep things on track. Sasha, Thomas you guys will be in charge but if anyone steps out of line, they answered to me.

Candy took a white notebook with sunflowers on it out of the scooter’s side pouch, opened it, and stated, Mr. Richards faxed me all the information I need about those who are going to be on this investigation. By the way, where are Brianna and Ray Coffey? They should be here by now. Oh, just so you know, I finished college at the age of fifteen and have an IQ of 185. If anyone wants to check me out, contact Maine University.

Rosella pointed to the sky and asked, Is that what I think it is?

Two figures parachuted on the front lawn, removed their pale blue and white chutes. A tall gentleman in his late 20s, with short light brown hair, and a woman who was 5’ 8" inches tall, 37-years old with medium length brown hair.

approached Candy, and the man stated, Ray and Briana Coffey reporting for duty. Mr. Richards will be here tomorrow sometime around noon.

You guys know how to make an entrance, oh, Thomas and Sasha will Lead the investigation; I’m going to be in the background to make sure everything is copacetic. Have Thomas assign you a room and dress casually for supper, Because I want to get to know everyone.

Callie walked up to Candy and said, I’m Callie Swanson but now I’m Callie Sidewinder. I am glad I finally have the chance to meet you. I can’t thank you enough for your encouragement and insight into the many predicaments I’ve had.

Candy walked to the shore with Callie to tell her what she thought of her excellent investigation skills. Spotted a tightly sealed plastic bag washed up on the rocks on the left side of the peninsula. She opened it and found a wedding ring, a pair of woman’s white satin gloves stained with blood, a diamond choker, and a three-by-five file card with the words, I’m sorry it had to end this way, A.P."

Callie stated, smiling, Things are getting interesting. Do you think some guy killed his wife and is trying to get rid of the evidence?

It very well could be, but we don’t have much to go on.

In the house, Candy approached Sasha and stated, I’m not here to steal your thunder as head of the investigation, nor do I want to tell you what to do, I’m your overseer. What we need to do is coordinate our efforts.

In other words, I’m the puppet and dance when you pull my strings.

That’s not it at all. We exchange thoughts, and if you think your idea is better, I’ll go with yours. In other words, I am the messenger girl for the Inspector. However, if Mr. Richards gives me strict instructions on what the team is to do, they are to be followed oh, what are we having for supper,

I wasn’t planning to have six guests, so I haven’t the foggiest idea.

I have you covered. Candy dialed a pizza place in Rockland and said, I want to order three large mushroom and sausage pizzas and 2 large bottles of Coke, and it is to be delivered to the old Graves Estate.

I am sorry ma’am we don’t deliver that far.

I am Candy Fits, Inspector Noel Richards’s gal Friday, so put it on his tab.

Yes, ma’am anything for the Inspector; your order will be there within the hour.

Sasha brought Candy to a small cottage out back where the guest stays. Stopped in front of a white cottage, with light blue trim, and flower boxes on the windowsills full of different colored pansies. Opened the front door, showed Candy a quaint kitchen and a living room with a fireplace. Candy sat on the green padded chair with its lace doilies on the arms and said, If the bedroom is anything like the rest of the place, I might stay here, permanently this is perfect for what I need. Thank you so much.

Sasha walked to the fireplace pushed a lever saying, "If it’s raining, pull this lever, then follow the arrows in the tunnel to