Harland's Cove

By Sean Patrick O'Mordha

Ghosts remain to haunt the place where they died because they refuse to admit the reason for their demise. In the case of Ilene Harland-Stanovich and her three sons, that reason was hate and to seek revenge. That is quite understandable, considering the brutal manner in which death was inflicted. They would remain to haunt the Harland's Cove mansion for all eternity until the perpetrator returned. He wouldn't, of course. Everyone knew the place was haunted, and he knew why. To move on to where our souls once lived, Heaven if you will, they must relinquish that hate and ravenous desire for revenge. That was not going to happen until writer, and adventurer Jasper Murphy arrived. Acquainted with ghosts, he was not phased by the Stanovichs' antics to begin an investigation to reveal the identity of the person in black. As his search continued, Jasper encountered backwash from the resents of Harland's Cove. They didn't want to revisit what happened the night of the murders and admit they really didn't help identify the perpetrator. Of course, neither did the psychotic murderer until rectitude—justice, not revenge—was satisfied.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Patrick O'Mordha
• Release date: Sep 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005664701

Sean Patrick O'Mordha

Sean O'Mordha grew up riding horses through the mountains of SE Wyoming. Fresh out of high school and attending the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, he landed the job of cub reporter for a major newspaper there. During the next two years, he studied journalism and archaeology and came under the tutelage of writer, Rod Serling. That career path was interrupted upon receiving an all-expense, paid trip to Vietnam courtesy of Uncle Sam. Returning home, life took a decidedly different direction as he a Law Enforcement Officer, completing a career as a Federal officer and special prosecutor in his native Wyoming twenty-two years later. During this time he actively wrote for National and International police journals. Upon retirement, he continued writing non-fiction and short fiction until encouraged to write a novel. He has published a number of novels and many short stories. The father of three, he retired to southern Arizona to be near grandchildren when not traveling to the locations of the next novel under construction. He also is involved with operations at Celtic Publications of Arizona.

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HARLAND'S COVE

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Sean Patrick O'Mordha 2021

This story is for your personal enjoyment; however, if you would like to share this story with another person, you may do so. A kind word of thanks to the author for his hard work would be appreciated.

This is a work of fiction. With the exception of familiar geographical locations, all names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business, companies, or events is purely coincidental or used according to US trademark and copyright law.

Harland's Cove

Mother and three children found murdered in Harland’s Cove

By Betty Francis, NMDR Staff Reporter, October 11, 2001, 1:37 pm

HARLAND’S COVE, Maine ― Members of Harland’s Cove founding family were found murdered in their home Wednesday morning according to the Independent County Sheriff spokeswoman.

The small coastal community of Harland’s Cove on the north coast was rocked by the murder of a well-liked founding family. The Sunrise District School Supervisor requested a welfare check around 10 a.m. Wednesday when Mrs. Ilena Harland-Stanovich and her three sons did not come to school. Mrs. Harland-Stanovich taught English and French at the high school.

The Sheriff’s spokeswoman said that a Deputy Sheriff found Mrs. Harland-Stanovich and her sons, ages 8, 13, and 15 brutally murdered in their bedrooms. Investigators from the Maine State Police are assisting with the investigation.

The main business sections of Harland’s Cove consists of two distinct types – the wharf with its docks, processing plants, and warehouses along the protected inlet. One street inland, small shops and service stores straddle the main highway slicing through town. These are mostly individual, two-story brick or clapboard structures, nothing new since WW-II. Nestled in the middle of this one-block long eclectic collection of quaint shops a stranger to town stood across the street eyeing one in particular. He smiled, a wistful, seasoned smile born of seven decades of worldly experience. He’d come to fulfill unfulfilled dreams—for himself and others.

The narrow office he regarded has a recessed door and large, grilled window. The old, distorted glass still bears the painted sign, Molly Hanson, Realtor. A little bell at the top of the door announced the arrival of the almost ancient-looking gentleman. Being between the tourist and fall color times, Molly hadn’t expected anyone that day, or most any other day for that matter. A welcomed surprise. A sensitive person, she felt something unusual about this man.

Silver-gray hairs sticking out from under a short-billed fisherman’s cap suggested age. The deep lines on the well-tanned face and crow’s-feet suggested a life outdoors. Dark brown eyes suggested perception and understanding. A medium-blue, button-down shirt closed at the neck, dark gray denim trousers and black sneakers helped Molly peg the visitor