Silent Knight Twilight Knight A Dr. Trevor Knight Mystery Book 8

By Joseph R Lange

Dr. Trevor Allen Knight, fresh from the adventures in Salem, Massachusetts, is heading back to California for some well-deserved rest.

Perhaps to renew an old flame with Susan Hoo.

The White Witch of Salem has been vanquished.

Alas, there is more.

There is always more, isn't there, Dr. Knight?

Rest is not for the weary or the timid.

His plans are put on hold at the request of the sheriff of Clay County, Texas.

The Texas Hill Country calls.

The demon, vanquished at StoryTown, has been summoned again, from the pit.

For a bargain made in hell.

An ancient parchment points the way.

The Cross of de Vico, no longer at his side.

How to fit in, that is the question.

Who or what is killing those innocent girls?

The signs upon their foreheads, what purpose have they?

Dr. Knight, you have been drawn once again into the shadows of darkness.

What help, if any, will his grandmother be?

What insight can she share?

Hoss and Skeeter, allies in the quest to vanquish the foe.

Saddle up, Dr. Knight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888518779

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Chapter 43

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

About the Author

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Silent Knight Twilight Knight A Dr. Trevor Knight Mystery Book 8

Joseph R Lange

ISBN 979-8-88851-876-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88851-878-6 (Hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88851-877-9 (Digital)

Copyright © 2023 Joseph R Lange

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Chapter 43

Persons of the Best Prudence

The words of the spirit of Susannah came back to him.

Be warned. She will take the form of your grandmother. You must be strong and drive the spike through her heart, or you will die.

Fear gripped him, and he could feel its icy hand almost stop his heart. Yet the dream came crashing over him, the dream of mistakenly driving the silver spike through his real grandmother's heart.

Knight suddenly felt a strange calmness overcome him.

Grandma, he whispered. When I was a little boy, do you recall the little stuffed animal you gave me? he asked, slowly reaching into his front pocket.

Trevor, what kind of question is that to ask at a time like this? We need to get out of this place, she cried.

Taking a deep breath, he asked again, without turning toward his grandmother.

When I was a little boy, do you recall the little stuffed animal you gave me?

Of course, I do, his grandmother replied.

What kind of animal, Grandma, what kind was it? Knight whispered.

The silence was terrifying.

Knight could feel his pulse quicken and his blood pressure rising as his hand felt the silver spike.

Grandma? he whispered.

Pulling the spike from his pocket, Knight turned as quickly as he could and, through the flickering shadow of the candle, saw his target.

With all his might, he thrust the silver spike through the chest of his grandmother and shouted, Ashlen Elizabeth, White Witch, Whore of Salem! Return to your soul in hell!

He saw the face of his grandmother grimace in pain as the spike penetrated her heart.

Trevor, what have you done? she cried.

Knight backed away in horror.

That which appeared to be his grandmother began to change before his eyes.

The stench of decay filled the room. Knight saw the body before him begin to writhe in pain.

The flesh on her body began to drop away to the floor, and soon, all he could see was the skeletal frame.

Within seconds, even the bones began to disintegrate into a pile of ash that lay before him.

Knight wept.

Looking down at the pile of ash, he saw the silver spike.

It can stay where it is, he said. In this secret space.

Gaining his composure, he walked slowly up the staircase and, listening carefully for anyone on the other side of the panel, reached into the small void in the wall and pulled the lever.

The panel opened, and Knight, seeing no one close, exited and turned the wooden ball, closing the panel behind him.

He proceeded down the staircase and was noticed by a tour guide coming up with the next group of guests.

I believe I am lost, I got separated from my group, Knight said.

Oh my, the guide replied. You look as if you saw a ghost, she said, smiling.

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm not a brave man, he replied, wiping his eyes.

You can join our group if you like, and we can proceed, the tour guide offered.

Thank you, I guess I do look at bit shook. This place can scare a person if they believed in all that stuff, he said. Good thing I don't believe in any of it.

Of course, the tour guide replied, smiling. Good thing.

Knight joined the group and, within an hour's time, had made his way to the gift shop and the exit from the house.

Would you like a memento from your visit? the young lady behind the desk asked. Perhaps a littler witch figurine?

No, no, thank you, Knight replied.

Knight made his way past the others and exited the house.

Walking slowly down the flower-lined path, he turned to take one last look at the House of the Seven Gables.

Oh my god! he exclaimed. Grandma, Grandma, it's me, Trevor, he shouted.

Mahl turned at the sound of her grandson's voice.

Trevor, what are you doing here? she said, running up to him and giving him a huge hug.

Well, I tried to call you, but the man at the hotel said you lost your phone, so I decided to come look for you.

Yes, I did lose it, don't know where, but it's gone, that's for sure, Mahl replied. This is quite the house, isn't it, Trevor? Did you see that secret room the owner built to hide his children?

Yes, Grandma, I saw it, Knight replied.

Lots of history in that house, Mahl said.

Indeed, there is, Knight replied.

Trevor, look at this little witch bobblehead doll I got at the gift shop, Mahl said, retrieving the item from a small gift bag. You flick the little broom, and it looks like she is riding it.

Knight just smiled.

Are you hungry, Trevor, maybe we can go get something to eat?

I know a little diner, Grandma, we can go there, I think you will like it, Knight replied. They serve great Irish coffee.

Sounds yummy, Mahl replied. Then maybe we can tour the sights, Trevor.

I have a few days before I have to fly out.

Salem has lots of things to see, I hear, Mahl said. And interesting people as well.

Yes, yes, indeed, it does, Knight replied, looking back at the house. Persons of the best prudence, Grandma. Persons of the best prudence indeed.

Chapter 1

Trevor, you look pale, Mahl said, after giving her grandson another huge hug. Have you been getting enough sleep? And you look so thin.

Knight removed a small handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing his forehead. It's been a tough couple of weeks, Grandma. Not a lot of time to eat, and you know I never sleep well. But I think things will be much better now, he said, looking back at the house. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat?

Do you know of a nice place? his grandmother asked.

I've been to a few nice places here, Knight replied, placing his handkerchief back into his pocket.

I saw an ad for a little place in a flyer back at my hotel, Mahl said. The Tetes Kitchen, I believe is the name.

I understand it is on Twelve Charles Street.

Is that close?

It's about two miles, Grandma, maybe ten minutes depending on traffic, Knight replied.

Mahl could see her grandson's face immediately change.

What's wrong, Trevor? she asked.

Let's walk, Grandma, we can walk and chat.

We can go look at the ships and talk along the way.

Mahl walked about fifty feet in silence as they made their way toward the harbor.

So, she began. What's troubling you?

Nothing, Grandma, it's just that I had a friend that worked there, at Tetes Kitchen. Her name was Suzanne.

Yes, I believe you mentioned her, Trevor, Mahl replied. And the Irish coffee. She was one of the people that, at the harbor, that ship?

Bartimaeus Corey. Knight sighed. The ten innocent lives, and Father Krubel.

Knight could feel the pain of losing his friend, and the others, as if it had just happened.

I was so close, Grandma! We could have saved them. But no one listens, they never ever listen.

Taking a deep breath, Mahl tried to break the obvious sadness that had come over her grandson.

We can just walk a bit and decide later then, Trevor, she said. Perhaps we can go someplace else?

How long are you going to be in Salem? Knight asked.

Well, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to come here, Mahl replied. Seeing that you were here and all, I just didn't give it much thought as to how long I would be here. Maybe we can see some sights and then I can make a call on when to head back home. Not a lot happening in Paltry Station this time of the year, she said. I had planned on leaving in a few days, however. Maybe leave and head down to your aunt Helen's place. The boys graduated, and Joe may be attending college not far from Paltry Station. Why don't you come with me and see them? You don't have any pressing plans, and it would be good for you to get out of this place anyway.

Maybe, Knight replied. I should be getting back to San Francisco and see how things are going as well. And I need to get my finances in order. So much to do.

Trevor, Mahl began. You have had some very perilous things in your life for such a young man. Maybe you need to just settle down some place and stop traveling all over God's creation doing such dangerous things? You almost got killed in Egypt. Remember, Trevor? Egypt? And before that in Louisiana, and before that in Arizona. And don't forget Portland. In the Bronx, god, Trevor, I thought I would lose you when you were there. Don't you think it's time to just live a normal quiet life? she asked. To let someone else fight this evil that seems to follow you?

Grandma, I don't know why my life has been what it has since I left Marshburg. It seems like each place I have been called to, it means facing evil. Evil is real. People don't believe it, but it's true and its power is growing everywhere. Just look at this place, the comical witch patches on the cops' uniforms, the commercialization of what they all believe doesn't exist. Witches riding broomsticks, pointy hats. Grandma, witches exist. They are true manifestations of evil. They serve the beast.

Oh, I believe it all right, Mahl replied. I can't even watch the news anymore. Everything is upside down. Right is wrong, wrong is right, and you have to accept it all. All these shootings, the crime. Our schools are cesspools.

People don't even want to come out of their houses at night, let alone in the daytime, she gasped.

Reaching the harbor, they stopped and, looking out into the beauty, stood quietly.

After a bit, Knight turned to his grandmother and spoke.

Each time, he began. "Each time I am called, and I am called, I don't go looking for it. Each time it takes something from me. I scarcely believe I will recover from it. It is like some evil worm feeds on me, and before I can vanquish it, I am less than when I started. Yet God has blessed me, Grandma. With the financial means, the education, and more importantly, the faith to face the monsters that come for me. Each place, such evil you could never imagine. People always believe that good exists, yet they deny that evil also exists. Like darkness and light, hot and cold, old and young. I have little choice, Grandma. I go, where God directs me. I trust him to take care of me.

Knight gave his grandmother a big hug.

Now, let's get some food. The Witches Brew Café is only about five minutes walking distance from here.

Taking his grandmother's hand, they proceeded from the harbor, Knight stopping momentarily and giving one last glance at the House of the Seven Gables.

Chapter 2

The walk was short, and arriving at the Witches Brew Café, Knight opened the door and they proceeded to a table located by the far end of the three large windows overlooking the street.

This is really nice, his grandmother said, seating herself. "I just love these old places with all the history and old warm wood. Just love visiting the old places, the homes as well.

Within moments, a young lady approached them and, smiling broadly, began to take their order.

Welcome to the Witches Brew, she said. Are you ready to order?

Placing the menu down, Knight looked to his grandmother.

Yes, I believe I will have the Witches Brew Chicken 25. It looks really good. And a cup of coffee please.

Jotting down the request, the young lady turned to Knight.

I guess I will try the Witches Brew Steak 29, he said. And a cup of coffee as well please.

Very good, the young lady replied and turned to leave.

Glancing about the café, Knight couldn't help but notice a man seated two tables to his left, glancing occasionally toward him.

His grandmother also noticed.

Do you know him? she asked, trying not to look obvious.

No, Knight replied. He just came in. But he's a cop. Must be following us.

If you don't know him, how do you know he's a cop? Mahl asked. Why would a cop be following us, Trevor?

Grandma, I have worked with those fact finders all over the place. They are painfully obvious and easily spotted by a trained eye. See these eyes, Grandma? They are trained eyes, Knight said, laughing.

Did you have to work with them here in Salem?

I did, Grandma, but like I said, they are all fact finders, you know, closed minds, never open to the possibility of anything but their own view of things. Not until people die or one of their own die do they shut up and listen.

Mahl could see the disgust on her grandson's face grow as he spoke.

Those people, the ones on that ship, I tried to work with the local authorities, but before they could see reason, it was too late to save those poor souls. It has always been the case, Grandma, every place I go, and it appears that once again, I have overstayed my welcome in Salem as well.

The young lady came back with their order, and as she left, they sat quietly chatting about things, more pleasant things than cops trailing them. Finishing up, Knight paid the check, tipped handsomely as usual, and rising from the table, they proceeded to leave.

I will get us a ride, Knight said, retrieving his phone and dialed the number for G Force Limo LLC. Couple minutes they said. I will get you back to your hotel, and I will pick you up tomorrow at, say, nine o'clock, and we can see some sights before you go, how's that sound? he asked, glancing at the man still watching them intently.

That sounds wonderful, Trevor, Mahl responded. Maybe all those witch trial sights.

Maybe, Grandma, Knight replied. And we need to stop and get you a new phone as well.

Just as they were about to leave, another gentleman was staring at them; this one, however, approached them.

A small rotund man. Balding with an obvious double chin, Knight could see the remnants of what appeared to be barbeque sauce on the man's shirt as well as a smear at the corner of his mouth.

Coughing without covering his mouth.

Extending his hand to Knight, Knight could see the greasy sheen of whatever the man had just consumed upon the man's stubby fingers.

Excuse me, excuse me please, the man shouted.

Wiping his hand on his pants leg, he again extended it to Knight, who refused the offer.

Yes, Knight replied, his impatience clearly showing on his face.

You are that man! That doctor, the one who was working on those killings with the cops.

I believe you are mistaken, Knight replied.

No, I saw your picture in the newspaper, you are that famous doctor, that Trevor Knight, the man squealed.

Turning to the patrons seated close by, the man eagerly proclaimed to them what he had found.

It's him, he shouted. Look everyone, it's Trevor Knight!

Again, I believe you are mistaken, sir, Knight replied. Have a nice day.

Knight took his grandmother by the arm and proceeded out the door to the sidewalk. Within minutes, a driver pulled to the curb, and fortunately for Knight, just before the man inside the café, the one watching them, came out.

God, those people just make me just sick, Mahl said disgustingly. Coughing, gagging loudmouths!

Grandma, your misophonia is coming out, he said, a tiny smile coming to