The Origins of Phineas Bogg

Chapter 9: New Beginnings

Six Months later: Rotterdam

Robbin finished polishing the last silver piece of Dietrich Van Hollebeck's collection. He had acquired a new position as a curator of his 'Antiquities and Objects of art' shop. Robbin learned he had a gift for assessing the value of these collectibles. He found as his reading skills grew, he enjoyed delving into their historic significance. This afforded him better standing in the community, a home of his own, and his most prized treasure of all, the hand of Heine Von Onderdonk. Since getting his wish and marrying AnneMarie Schaffer, Dida's character had become more agreeable and he allowed his sister the freedom to do as her heart desired. Heine never did explain this sudden change of heart and Robbin dared not to question it. They were now allowed to live a blissful, quiet life in the manner they wanted.

As Robbin was about to leave he noticed an unopened package on his work desk and saw the name, Byron Vandeveer. He was the notorious forger of Rotterdam. 'Why does he even bother to send me his junk?' He thought irritably. He was about to disregard the package when a sudden thought struck him to the very core. He sank into his seat and tore open the manuscript. They were nothing more than fake documents supposedly composed by Dutch Counts in the ninth Century. Robbin reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small box. He opened it hastily, it contained small personals and love letters from Heine, from when he was a stable boy with Schaffer. He finally found what he was looking for at the bottom, Phineas' letter to AnneMarie. He grabbed his magnifying glass and put the manuscript and letter side by side. After a few minutes of intense scrutiny Robbin grabbed his mouth and fell back in his seat with a gasp. The 'P's', the letter P was exactly the same on both. His face saddened and he slowly packed up the letter and manuscript. He had to bring this Heine's attention and they would have to show AnneMarie the truth.

Before he could rush home, Robbin had to return the silver chalice back to the owner of the 'Feathered hen.' He pulled his carriage up to the entrance and stepped inside. Though not a big drinker he decided to have a bit of rum for his constitution. As he sipped it, he noticed a new painting on the wall. It was a tragic piece with a ship caught in the midst of a storm. The artwork was not exceptional, but it was the name of the ship which caught his eye, 'Triton.' He gulped down the rum and pointed it out to the bartender.

"Tell me Hans, what is this painting all about?"

"Robbin, don't you remember? That's the ship that capsized in that horrific storm we had a few months back, think lad! It was such a tragedy, only two survivors, Stratton and Ruyter, but I don't know where they be now."

Robbin would never forget the tumult of that night when AnneMarie married Dida. Heine and her parted ways for some time with no just cause, save that both were busy in their new roles as married women. He often saw AnneMarie in the markets, browsing despondently. Her misery could not be kept from him, but they never discussed Phineas again. It dawned on him what Hans said, nearly everyone was killed that night, and that surely included Phineas Bogg. Everything was falling into place, the dock fight, Phineas' disappearance, and the forged letter. He paid for his drink and rushed home to find Heine preparing a chocolate cake. Swooping her in a quick kiss and dipping his finger in the chocolate bowl excitably, he proceeded to tell her the news. Robbin was not expecting the volatile reaction she gave him.

The spoon fell from her hands and she dropped into a nearby chair holding her head. "No! No, Robbin! Please tell me that is not true!"

"Yes…it is! The letter is fake, I know the work of this forger very well!" Robbin paced angrily and ran his hand through his hair, slamming the wall. "Damn! Why didn't I see it sooner? Heine, Phineas was on board the Triton when it sank! I remember that AnneMarie checked the logs a month afterward. I know why it didn't dawn on me then, I was angry and could have cared less after the cruel trick he played on her…This is awful news!"

Heine's large eyes bore into him with horrible guilt. "Oh, Robbin! Please…please tell me you won't hate me for what I'm about to say to you!"

Robbin crouched beside his wife and held her hand to his heart. "Heine, I could never hate you! Tell me!"

Heine admitted the truth about Schaffer and Dida and then told her part in the whole conspiracy against Phineas Bogg. After a brief silence, both wept for the loss of their friend and the trauma that would fall upon AnneMarie. Heine was adamant, and decided AnneMarie needed to know what happened to her beloved. Leaving the baking to her maid, she and Robbin drove their carriage to the Schaffer home, which was now in the sole ownership of Dida. He inherited millions after Captain Balthazar Shaffer and his associate, Van Jansen, mysteriously disappeared on a routine sailing expedition across the Atlantic. The Excelsior's raid was a successful one and due to come in at any month with its cargo of slaves and gold. Heine and Robbin felt that things just fell too easily into place for Dida, and did not put it past him that he was responsible for Schaffer's demise.

Dida was at the Port and AnneMarie was having the dining hall prepared for business associates later that evening. The friends greeted each other warmly, but Heine decided it would be best if she and AnneMarie walked alone toward the stables. After a few minutes of casual conversation, AnneMarie could sense this was more than a friendly visit.

"Heine…there is something you've been wanting to tell me, I can see it in your manner and your eyes, most definitely…" AnneMarie smiled a bit; she had gotten into the habit of saying 'most definitely' ever since Phineas had often used it.

Heine's face crumpled with sadness and she clutched AnneMarie's cloak. "Please! Please hear me out completely before you make any decisions, AnneMarie. I have something dreadful to tell you!"

"Heine! What could it possibly be?" She demanded.

"Anne…Phineas…Phineas Bogg is dead! Robbin found out today that he was killed in the storm that capsized the 'Triton' ship you were to sail away on…but that is not the half of it. Everything has been a lie! Dida…Dida forced me to write a letter in your handwriting to Phineas that night, telling him that you no longer loved him! I didn't know what to do! He threatened Robbin's life! I also found out about the letter you received from Phineas, that nasty, old, forger in the City composed it! Phineas loved you! He was waiting for you, but the sailors your father and my brother hired ambushed him! The black pirate, Jock…apparently he had come to Phineas' aid but his body was found washed up on the beach a few days hence! Dida hid this from me until Robbin discovered the news from some talk around the city."

Heine collapsed against the barn door, breathless and in tears. She couldn't look AnneMarie in the face. A wave of shock overtook AnneMarie and her vision dimmed.

"Heine, why! No... NO!"

Heine screamed for Robbin when AnneMarie fainted. They rushed her to her bedchamber and left her to rest. Hilga tended to her and within the hour she was alert again. Robbin and Heine entered her room and Robbin reluctantly gave her the proof of the forgery.

"It was a very good forgery. Dida knew you wouldn't have examined it in this way, but he didn't count on me! When I get my hands on Byron I'll...!"

Heine grasped his arm. "No, Robbin! What's done is done, he's an old, sick man, soon to pay for all his wicked deeds."

AnneMarie kept a bold countenance for her friends and hugged Robbin. "I greatly appreciate all that you have told me. I knew I wasn't wrong in my doubts! My poor Phineas!"

"I was so angry, I wish...I wish there was a way we could go back and change this! Make everything right again! Your lives have taken a dramatic turn and it never should have happened!" Robin moaned.

Heine laid her head upon AnneMarie's quilt, crying. "Oh, my Anne! I have hated myself everyday since I committed that treacherous act. I am not fit to be your friend anymore. I betrayed everything you hold dear! I can only ask that someday you will forgive me!"

AnneMarie reached out and stroked Heine's hair. She couldn't blame her for Phineas' death. Had she had been on that ship with him, they both would have perished in the storm. Her anger seethed toward Dida and her father. She cared little of his whereabouts and hoped that he stayed missing.

"Heine…Heine, please do not cry. I forgive you! Your brother is a manipulative swine and if he had harmed Robbin I would never have forgiven myself. I am glad you brought this to my attention."

The friends embraced lovingly and Heine wiped her tears. "Let us never part again, AnneMarie. Our home is always open to you should you need us. We are your best friends, now and forever."

-O-

Dida entered the home all smiles. The Port Authority was bustling with the arrival of Excelsior, days ahead of its schedule. When he saw his sister and Robbin, his smile turned to a frown.

"What be your business here, Mrs. Berntsz? I have not invited you to our gathering!"

Heine was about to answer, but Robbin took the lead and stood face to face with him. His hatred for Dida Von Onderdonk was at it's ultimate peak, but he kept his composure. "We were here to pay a visit to AnneMarie, but she is resting now, she…she suddenly fell ill and fainted while we were outside."

Dida became enraged. "Fainted! My wife fainted and no one came to get me?"

Robbin put a strong hand on Dida's arm before he could go upstairs. "Do not rile her! She had…a shock, and it would be best to let her alone."

Dida shoved Robbin off. "No one tells me how to handle my wife…especially not you! Now both of you get out!"

As they left the apartment they glanced at her window, seeing Dida's shadow enter the room. Heine clutched Robbin's arm and they left straightaway, feeling sorry they had to leave AnneMarie in her condition.

-O-

AnneMarie was sitting by her vanity, despondently stroking Phineas' locket. Dida came up behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. He glanced at her table with a bit trepidation, she had the letter and a Manuscript that he knew came from Byron. He decided to play it off and addressed her with sweetness.

"I heard you had an ordeal today, what seems to be the trouble? Why did you faint?" He felt her forehead, but it was cool. "You are not running a fever, what is wrong?"

AnneMarie looked at her reflection and decided it was time to drop her pretenses. Her loathing of Dida had come to the fore and she could no longer control it. She wrenched herself from under his grasp, knocking over her chair as she rose to her feet.

"You! You evil heathen! I hate you, I despise you!"

Dida stepped back with his hands raised at her sudden outburst.

"AnneMarie…you must control your temper, you know your father entrusted me with this slave trade and I am going to see it through to completion…"

"That's just part of the reason for my hate!"

Dida was forced to duck as a perfume bottle grazed his head, and then another, and even her jewelry box, scattering baubles everywhere. She grasped a bunch of long knitting needles from their holder and swung them at him, scratching his cheek. Dida grabbed her wrists and yanked her forward. She stumbled over her settee and fell to the floor. He picked her up and slapped her across the face, forcing her onto the bed.

"What is the matter with you, woman? Have you lost your senses?"

Dida straddled her and grasped her shoulders again, shaking her. She glared at him and spit in his face. He tore at her dress in fury and she wriggled her body out from under him.

"You, monster! You killed him! You killed my Phineas! The both of you plotted and schemed to have him murdered! I know it all now! I loathe you!"

She ran away from him when he dove for her and started tossing more trinkets at him. She picked up the letter and waved it at him.

"And this! This mockery! I know what you did! I know how you manipulated poor Heine and Robbin! I don't blame them, I will never blame them. This is all your fault, yours and my father's!"

"AnneMarie, you are mad! Phineas Bogg left you! Remember! He didn't love you!"

"Liar!" She charged, pounding him with anguished fists until he had to slap her again, this time drawing blood from her nose and lip. She stumbled out of the room, running down the staircase and grabbing her cloak. He was right behind her and tore at it.

"Will you stop it? This is all nonsense! What difference does it make, he died on the Triton and that is all! Let it be!"

A peculiar calm overtook AnneMarie and she stared him down. "And how would you know he died on the Triton, Dida? Nobody knew of our plans but our closest friends and they…they did not betray that! It was all planned and you and my father interfered!"

Dida realized he was caught; there was no sense in hiding the truth any longer and he laughed derisively.

"Yes AnneMarie! We interfered! It was for your best interests, you would have been killed in the storm for all your love was worth!"

"Phineas and I shared a love that you will never fathom! No matter what you do or say to me, I can never love you! I belonged to him! You can strike me, beat me, lock me in my room, but you will never be able to take away my memories or thoughts! You will never come close to being the man he was!"

Dida's wrath built up again and he reached for her throat. AnneMarie clutched the doorknob and pulled open the front door, slamming him with it. She raced to the stables and leaped upon the first available horse. She had to get away from him tonight. Dida's temper often got the best of him and in many instances he had belittled her, struck her and detained her in her own home. However, this time, he had gone for the kill. Without looking back, she kicked her horse forward, riding him toward the cliff side furthest away from home. She felt Dida's presence in a carriage not very far behind her. She reared her horse and then took off between the trees. She had no sense of direction, as anger and passion blinded her to the paths ahead.

Dida's carriage remained on the road following her and he bade the driver to go faster. AnneMarie's horse came to an abrupt stop along the edge of the cliff, sensing danger. AnneMarie soared forward. She was free falling quickly and her body was just about to smash into the jagged rocks that protruded from the cliff. The sky turned white around her and instantly, she was gone. Dida hastened to the edge of the precipice, but saw no trace of AnneMarie

No remains were ever found. He married again, shortly after, his second wife was in full agreement with his business practices. Heine and Robbin moved away from Rotterdam in their grief. They settled down in Amsterdam, where Robbin continued his curator work. They would always blame themselves for the deaths of their beloved friends.

-O-

AnneMarie landed in a spacious room with a pale blue lighting that blinded her in its intensity, but it was not the sun. Her body was sore from the rough horse ride. She grasped the bare walls and pulled herself to a standing position. She felt very much alive, though utterly confused as to how. There was a beeping sound and she hurried to the opposite corner of the room, crouching into her cloak. A door opened and a tall man with a friendly smile and attractive eyes walked toward her.

"Hello AnneMarie, my name is Bobby Peters and I'm here to help you. There's no need to be afraid." He offered, with a warm, Australian accent.

AnneMarie took his extended hand and wobbled a bit. Her body had not stopped shaking. Her tongue felt very dry but she managed to utter a few words.

"Where…am I? Why…why am I here?"

Bobby reached for his belt and pulled off a round, brass device. He held it out to her and she observed the engraved letter 'V' on the lid.

"You are here because we have chosen you to join our ranks. We have chosen you to be one of us, a Voyager!'

-O-

There was no time for Phineas to react; he was ready to land right onto the balcony of this massive structure. He was so high up; the wind chaffed at his skin and nearly blinded him with the small pieces of debris that whisked around.

"OOOHMMPHHH!"

He put his arms up and smacked into solid glass. No. This was not happening. He was not going to be stuck out here and get blown over, or worse, flattened by one of those flying contraptions that passed overhead. Grunting, he picked up his guidebook, deciding it was time to make it really useful. He smashed the glass over and over until it shattered completely. Phineas thrust his arm onto the sill and pulled himself up. He crawled inside the room, being careful not to cut himself. A loud barking was adding to the headache he already had. He hated dogs. He staggered upright and in his dizziness, caught a flash of red and white stripes. He had to steady himself from tottering over. The pavement was stories below and vehicles whizzed by.

"Smoking bat's breath! That could have killed me!"

There was a young boy in the room. He wore a red and white shirt and brown pants. He was scared out of his wits, but Phineas was thankful he didn't scream. Every time Phineas stepped forward, the boy moved back, reaching for his dog, his means of protection. He wasn't going to hurt the boy.

"Arrhh! When did they start building them this high? This isn't fourteen ninety-two!" Phineas' boots crunched upon the glass shards and he disregarded it with a large shrug of bewilderment.

"Where's Columbus, kid? Where am I?"