Chapter one: The Visit
The night was stormy and uninviting. Despite how cheerful the daytime was in the small town's neighbourhood, Port Smith barely had any business.
The long, windy driveway Nancy Drew took brought her further away from civilization. Plenty of dark, creaking trees gave the path its charm.
In the dark lighting, one branch snapped which made the eighteen-year-old sleuth gasp. She turned her head and gazed at a pair of yellow eyes in the bare trees.
Their stare was intense.
They also belonged to an owl much to the girl detective's relief.
She continued her walk down the dark path with only her phone to light the way.
Light rain drizzled as it created a haze. Mud splattered beneath her shoes.
Should have brought boots she thought, filled with woe at her soggy feet.
Immediately, she noticed the house up ahead as the lights shone through the uncovered windows.
Two more steps were taken when the shrubs rustled.
She looked over her shoulder in time to see something standing in the woods.
"Nancy!" someone shouted.
A bright light shone in her face which she covered.
There stood a young woman with tanned skin and short, black curly hair as she held a flashlight.
Small diamonds dangled from her pierced ears and some freckles dotted her face.
The woman spoke, "I'm so glad you could make it. It's been a while."
Nancy paused until she replied, "It's good to see you, Kate."
There was pause between the two.
"Something troubling you?"
"I thought I saw someone here."
Kate frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Before you came, there was someone in the bushes—"
Kate's eyes narrowed and she moved her flashlight to the woods. The light fell on a large tree trunk as well as a hunched figure in a grey blue summer rain coat.
The figure stood and blocked the light and shouted, "Enough! Can't you leave an old woman in peace!"
Under the coat's hood was an old woman's greyish white, short hair that curled at the tips. Her grey eyes were wide but irritated.
On her arm was a basket filled with a black blanket.
Kate said, "What are you still doing here? Nick said you got your recipe book."
The old woman pointed at them which appeared somewhat worrying.
"I came for more than just that. I was just finishing planting."
"You may not plant here! This is our property. Leave at once."
The old woman stood and pulled her hood down more as she walked away.
Kate said, "Sorry you had to see that. We've had that neighbour coming and doing other weird things."
Nancy turned to her friend and asked, "Like what?"
"Sorry, Nancy, but I'm really tired. I promise we can talk more tomorrow. How's about you get settled?"
"I guess it is really late."
"Here, let me take those bags, and I'll take you to your room. You'll love it here. After supper, we usually have hot chocolate with a gorgeous sunset view, and Nick is a great cook. He is such a good fiancé."
Different from the stressful expression she wore a few moments ago, Kate became absent-minded.
She blinked and straightened. "We should really get out of the rain."
They entered the house.
Everything was rustic and the log walls gave it a cabin feel. Rich with warm light from the lamps and fire place, the red carpet was revealed. Small yellow and white swirls decorates its edges.
Underneath it were the old floorboards. Around a corner was what Nancy assumed was the living room.
She was led up the wooden stairs and felt them creak from her weight.
A slow pace was the only way to keep quiet.
They finally reached the room which was down a few doors.
Kate opened it and places the bag on a table.
She said, "Well, I should get going. Sleep well, Nancy. I'll see you in the morning. I'm usually up at eight but Nick likes waking at six."
" 'night, Kate."
At the sound of the closed door, Nancy took out her pyjamas and set her alarm for the next day.
In the next morning, she descended the staircase while yawning.
Kate was in the kitchen, stirring some batter.
She said, "Morning, Nancy. I trust you had a good sleep? Having old Lynn in the area and the way she behaves always shook our guests."
Nancy smiled.
"It was great sleeping here."
Relief swept over Kate's face, and she relaxed her grip on the whisk.
"That's good."
"Do both you and Nick like to cook?"
Kate looked down at her batter and smiled as she explained, "We made a deal that if I did breakfast, he would do supper. It has worked—so far..."
Her gaze became somewhat distant but she stiffened as though to shake herself awake.
Nancy then asked, "Where is Nick?"
"He's at work. We used to run a restaurant but things got a little out of hand."
"How so?"
"It's not something I like talking about." Kate lifted her spoon as she indicated her bowl. "How many pancakes would you like?"
"Three."
Batter was poured into the pan.
A thundering knock alerted both of them, and Kate said, "Would it be alright if you watch these for me?"
"Sure."
Nancy accepted the flipper and kept a watchful eye on the almost bubbling pancake dough.
In the background was heard Kate's voice.
"Oh it's you."
"You know why I'm here," was said by a deep-voiced male.
"My answer is the same as it was before, John."
"Now that ain't friendly, Kate. I haven't even told you my deal yet."
"Why won't you let things go?"
"I don't think you need me to explain why. Now where's that fiancé of yours?"
"He's not here."
"Then tell him I said hi."
The door slammed.
Nancy heard Kate groan in the other room, "This neighbourhood is just...I don't know how much more I can take."
Kate returned and said, "Hey, Nancy, I can take over. Thanks. Did the pancakes give you any problems?"
Nancy replied, "It wasn't bad."
"You could take a seat and eat. I'll finish the rest of these. I will be at work on my computer but feel free to take a look around here."
"Okay, thanks."
Nancy took her breakfast and enjoyed the light fluffy works of art.
Everything was so stressful for Kate. It seemed that a lot of people made life difficult for her.
It was Nancy's hope that Kate's fiancé was as nice as she made him sound. But she could not help but wonder if something was up between the two of them.
After finishing her meal, she called her Dad and took a walk around the property.
With plenty of forest to explore, she spotted a young man with a metal detector. He wore black work gloves and a blue shirt.
Nancy accidentally stepped on a twig which made brought her to his attention.
He lowered his gadget and said, "Hey, come here."
Nancy stepped closer, and the man placed a hand on his machine.
With a smile and sincere brown eyes, he said, "So you must be Nancy?"
It surprised Nancy who answered, "I am—how did—."
With no hesitation, he extended his hand.
"The name's Nick. I'm Kate's fiancé. Man, she told me lots about you. You're from River Heights, right?"
"I am."
"She told me that you have a nack for solving people's problems. That's some talent."
"Are you guys in some kind of trouble?"
Awkward, Nick rubbed the back of his neck.
"Aside from the occasional strange visitor? Nah! This town is full of weirdos who make a big fuss out of nothing. For the most part there are good people here." He paused and lifted his finger. "Just avoid John Bates."
"What's wrong with him?"
"He likes causing mischief."
"What do you think about this woman named Lynn?"
"Lynn? Oh, that Lynn." He leaned forward. "She's a little strange, but she is perfectly harmless. Kate finds her more difficult than most people do."
Nancy glanced over at the metal detector and asked, "I thought you were at work."
"I got off early. You see I dropped my shed keys out here. So I'm trying to locate them."
"I guess I shouldn't be keeping you. It was nice talking to you."
"You too, Nancy. I look forward to seeing you again when I'm not so tied to finding those keys."
At the end of the day, everything felt great aside from the strange behaviour everyone had. It could have been just her imagination, but Nancy felt that something bad was cooking.
That night Nick had supper made for everyone. The roast and potatoes were so heavenly and the gravy was amazing.
Someone knocked on the door while Nick was grabbing some apple pie.
Kate answered and said, "It's you again. What will it take for you to leave us alone, John?"
The deep voice that Nancy heard that morning replied, "A little cash would be great along with the deed."
Nick stormed to the doorway and said, "We are not selling."
"With a history like yours do you actually have that much attachment to this rundown property of yours?"
Nancy smelt something off and noticed some smoke.
She turned to the kitchen but as she spun around, she spotted Lynn in her house, peeking through her curtains.
A large sound banged.
Kate screamed, and John said, "Quick, someone grab the fire extinguisher."
Nancy spotted it by the fireplace and put out the fire. It wasn't too big, and in the background, she heard Kate on the phone.
Minutes later the fire department arrived on the scene to check everything.
Nick said to Nancy once everything was settled, "You doing okay?"
"Yeah. That was some fire."
He shook his head and said, "Could you do something for me? You see the kitchen's backdoor was left open to cool down the temperature. That fire was no accident. Nothing was in the oven and the fire chief claimed that someone poured gasoline on the floor."
"You want me to find out who did it?"
"Kate told me that's what you do. Someone's behind this, and I want to find out who it is."
Kate interjected, "Nancy shouldn't have to be worried about solving a mystery out here."
"I'm sure she won't mind, will you, Nancy?"
Nancy looked over at her friend and said, "It won't be any problem at all. I'll see what I could find."
Nick smiled. "Great, you're the best."
And with that Nancy was on the trail of a mystery.
The first thing that popped in her mind, however, was what she saw just before the accident.
I might need to pay Lynn a little visit.