150: A book by Kevin Godfrey

By Kevin Godfrey

An unexpected inheritance including a fleet of classic cars becomes a gateway into an iconic past. Paul Chesterton, an electronics interface designer in the automotive industry encounters advanced concepts far beyond his understanding, catapulting him into a mind bending series of adventures, including romance and intrigue. His new companions test his trust and emotions as they help him achieve a seemingly impossible goal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781794782723

Book preview

Chapter Two – This quintessence of dust.

So, you’re in the auto industry – you’ll enjoy the fleet you’ve inherited then.

Candice made this more a statement than a question, clearly wanting to generate some conversation as she drove west along highway 126.  Chess had remained very thoughtful after reading his uncle’s note.

Oh, I’m sorry Candice – lots to think about.  I didn’t mean to be rude and ignore you.  Yes, I do development work on infotainment systems, a far cry from model T Fords, things were much simpler then.  But you know, I grew up working on my dad’s cars – doing maintenance and minor repairs.  He liked that because I must have saved him a bunch of money that he would’ve been giving the dealership for tune ups and stuff. He loved Chevys – especially the old Impala.  What a monster that car was, you could hold a dance in the trunk it was so big!  Chesterton chuckled at the memory.

It’s mostly about trees, isn’t it? he mused after another thoughtful pause.

What? Oh yes, the scenery hereabouts, Candice replied, but it levels out in a few miles, we’re just coming up to Florence, it’s a coastal town. Was a Native American settlement back in the 18th century – the Siuslaw tribe. There’s a river outfall there that used to slice the area in two until they put a bridge across it back in 1936.

They fell into a friendly silence as Candice drove though the town, eventually turning north onto the Oregon Coastal Highway. Initially this just looked like ‘Anywhere, USA’ but soon became a scenic, twisting, narrow road with little to be seen except the ocean to the west and steep wooded slopes to their right.

Here we are. Candice announced as she turned off the highway onto a road that cut between a stand of stately Douglas firs, up a steep incline. The trees thinned out and Chesterton saw that they were emerging into gently sloped meadowland with a house visible at the top of the hill.

Candice pulled up in front of a neat, but spacious ‘Craftsman’ style house, built on one level and attractively positioned with a background of native trees, mostly pines, but a having a splendid view of the ocean looking west over the long driveway and artfully arranged landscaping.

Let me show you around then I can pass the keys to you. Strictly speaking, until the property is legally titled to you, I am only permitted show you the house, not allow you free access, she declared, but I’ll come and throw you out if you’re an imposter. she added with a light laugh, then went on, I understand old Mr. Chesterton employed a lady to keep house for him; cleaning and suchlike.  She lives in Florence, here’s her number – I expect she’s hoping to keep her job, but that’s up to you of course Chess.  There’s also a mechanic who looks after the car collection, but I don’t know much about her, sorry.

Noticing the puzzled expression on Chesterton’s face, she went on,

Yes, a woman, I know it’s a bit unusual but she’s genuine enough.  The old man gave me a tour of the place several months ago and she was in the vehicle collection garage, working on some ancient car. ‘Zeta’ is her name but beyond that I know nothing about her or the arrangements for her employment.  Perhaps he mentioned something about that in the package he left for you?

Candice let her question hang in the air for a moment before continuing, anyway, let’s go up to see the cars first, she might be there today.

Without answering, Chesterton followed her up a pathway to the large garage.

I think there’s a more convenient path from that study, or workshop or whatever he used it for, but the door there is locked, and it doesn’t look like it was ever used, so we’ll go this way, Candice explained.

The garage was not well named; this building was artfully designed and not at all as one would expect a garage to look.  The exterior presented a pleasing set of geometric angles with narrow red brick and hard coat stucco accentuating the differing surfaces.  There were several windows, taller and more slender than standard and with such woodwork as was present, painted a soft sage green. Ornamental shrubs and pine trees surrounded the building; sympathetically placed to benefit the architecture. In all, it reminded Chesterton of the aesthetic style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

There were three main garage doors, out of sight from the house or roadway, also in the same sage green, but with structural framework picked out in grey. One of the doors was open revealing neat rows of gleaming vehicles of varying types and ages. Standing out somewhat was a current model Ford F150 fitted with, as far as he could tell, all the available factory options. At the far end, the area was set out as a workshop, a very well equipped and spotlessly clean workshop, overlooked by a brightly lit office in which could be seen a woman.

Chesterton and Candice walked into the garage, the cool air inside redolent with a heady fragrance of fine leather pierced with the sharp metallic tang of oiled machinery and a faint overtone of gasoline and ethanol.

Hi, you must be Mr. Chesterton and of course we met before didn’t we – its Candice isn’t it? Zeta stepped out from the office; hand extended in greeting.

Yes, and you are Zeta, right? please call me Chess.

He had formed a mental image of the mysterious Zeta, one that pictured her as a tattooed, oil-stained jeans, unwashed hair, hard faced kind of biker woman. But the reality was quite the opposite: She was clear skinned and well-groomed, wearing shorts and t-shirt, her manner open and friendly with an engaging and ready smile. It was difficult to estimate her age, perhaps around thirty he guessed and the fact that she wore no rings on her fingers pleased him, until he realized that even if she did have a wedding ring, she would likely remove it before working on a car. Nevertheless, she intrigued him, her appearance just deepening the mysterious comments in his uncle’s letter.

Zeta, Candice is helping me with all the zillion things that need to be done after my uncle’s passing.  I suppose you know that I’m his fortunate inheritor – including this beautiful collection.  Chesterton waved his arm in an inclusive way towards the parked cars. but you can probably tell me more about them than I’d learn from reading all the inventory schedules – will you be here later?

Oh, yes, of course – I had intended to be here for a good while today – I have to do some work on the brake system of that Ferrari. she gestured towards a car positioned on the hoist. Chesterton later learned was a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale and, if original, extraordinarily valuable.

OK, now you’ve fixed that up, let’s go see the house, Candice was clearly not that impressed by antique cars and saw no reason to hang out in the garage.

Oh yes, lay on McDuff! Chesterton replied cheerily with a favorite expression from Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish’ play while waving a friendly ‘see you later’ at Zeta.

The house was immaculately clean, due no doubt to the efforts of the lady from the town, and his uncle was not a smoker, so there were no lingering tobacco smells.

Other than some furniture and other items of décor the house was quite empty. Candice walked ahead of him, pointing out items of interest, rather as a realtor might.

In the days before his death, your uncle left detailed instructions concerning disposal of his personal stuff – clothes and suchlike.  He was also specific about what was to be done when he died. Old Mr. Chesterton was a highly organized person and remained mentally sharp right to the end.  Under his final instructions, we arranged and implemented his wishes; you saw the details in the closure pack I gave you and maybe he also said something in that note to you. So, if there’s anything you need from us, you’ve got my number if questions arise and I do hope you’ll allow our practice to continue as your legal advisers, Candice added, somewhat formally. In any case, we’ll need to see you back at our office in a couple of weeks to close out various things – I’ll let you know about that.

Candice, thank you for your help in all this. Look, I originally planned to go back with you to Eugene, but I think I’ll stay here for a few days and get better organized. I’ve got that new F150 in the garage, so I can go to town and get some essentials, food and stuff. I’ll be okay.

With that, Chesterton walked her back to her car. Then, leaning down to talk to her through the side window added,

Look, Candice, there’s bound to be a million things that’ll crop up in the next day or so – will you be around the rest of the week because maybe I can check in with you at your office. Perhaps you could join me for lunch too?

He had no idea that he would need to follow up with her on anything soon, but the thought of seeing her again pleased him.  In any case, it seemed a logical and polite thing to say. 

She put the car in gear and started back down the long driveway, shouting her reply, sure, I’d like that!

*******

Chesterton walked directly back to the garage, hearing, as he entered, the zipping whine of a compressed air tool. Zeta, still only wearing shorts and a t-shirt, was removing a wheel from the Ferrari. She looked up as he approached, put the removed wheel down and turned the compressor off.

Would you prefer we go in the office? It’s air conditioned as well as quiet, she sounded businesslike but friendly.

Oh, sure, do you have any coffee in there too?

I don’t use it myself, but I can fix one for you, there’s a machine.

Chesterton followed her into the cool office and sat down, watching Zeta appreciatively as she fussed with the coffee machine. Then he thought how effortlessly she handled the bulky Ferrari wheel and tire, as though they were from a toy car. It was also remarkable that she still looked as fresh and clean as she did earlier, despite working in the heat and humidity of the shop.

So, Chess, what do you want to know?

Well, perhaps you can tell me about the collection – you know, the most important pieces, where they came from, what work you do on them – stuff like that?  Chesterton paused just long enough to add emphasis to his next question,

….and something about yourself?

Okay, let’s see……there’s a total of 42 vehicles here – all roadworthy, in fact, Old Mr. Chesterton would frequently take them out to drive them.  I think he was well known in town because of that.  He acquired them over the years, sometimes buying them in good condition, sometimes as wrecks that we would restore.  Occasionally we would show at various concours around the states, even left with rosettes and prizes from some of them; in fact, we won the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best-of-Show with a 1927 Bentley 4½ liter some years back. It’s that one down there.

She gestured through the glass office window pointing towards a splendid old touring car finished in what was known as ‘British Racing Green’.

Smiling happily at the recollection, Zeta continued,

Anyway, there’s no particular theme to the collection. He was just very particular about finding original specimens – some collectors don’t mind retrofitting with modern technology by substituting assemblies or other parts. You know, like replacing drum brakes with discs or changing an original 6-volt system with modern 12-volt circuitry.  That’s okay for some but we never did that. Paul – that’s what I called him – loved a good original example of any historic classic car, so we have family sedans as well as Le Mans and Indy champions here, and all sorts in between.  Each one as genuine and shiny and clean as they were when they first rolled out of the showroom or race development shop.

Chesterton was thoroughly intrigued as Zeta continued with her answer, interspaced as it was with memorable anecdotes as well as her obvious theoretical and practical knowledge.  But as she continued, he became confused at the timeline of many of the details. She had clearly been helping his uncle over many years in pursuit of his classic car hobby, but since when?  Earlier that day, when they first met, he thought she might be in her late twenties, early thirties perhaps, but some events she talked of were decades ago.

Taking advantage of a pause in her comments, he interjected,

Where did you study automotive engineering then, Zeta.  You have such a special and detailed knowledge?

She hesitated without answering immediately but clearly considering what to say.

You’ve not met Alpha yet have you; he will probably call on you later.  You’ll find him to be an interesting person, and what you learn from him will also answer your question.  Paul, your uncle, already referred to us in his note didn’t he – probably said that there is much for you to know.

Why, yes, he used precisely those words. So you’re not going to tell me then?

It’s complicated Chess, and my answer will lead to other questions that Alpha can deal with. I’m not trying to be evasive, but you’ll understand better by this time tomorrow – I promise.

Zeta smiled broadly in a friendly, apologetic way, spreading her hands slightly to emphasize what was clearly the end of the conversation.

Okay Zeta, you win.  I’ll wait to see the mysterious Alpha.  In any case I’m staying here for a few days and need to go shopping in town – for food and stuff.  Is the F150 good to go?

*******

A storm system moving in from the ocean announced its arrival as Chesterton pulled out onto the Oregon Coastal Highway. His simple but essential journey nevertheless had to be made, so reluctantly he drove back towards town under darkening skies and squally