Faith in the Dark, Part2



Two days later

Despite spending most of the night searching the area around the Douglas house, inside and out, Declan and Miranda found no explanation for the strange shadow in Davey's room. They brainstormed most of the following day and made a second trip out to the house to move lighting around the outside walls to see what the shadows produced from various angles. Miranda photographed the trees and buildings from various positions hoping to find out what shadows would appear through Davey's bedroom window.

Now, they sat in Declan's office at the university, pictures scattered across his desk. Peggy Fowler sat directly across from Declan trying to make sense out the photos of the shadow. Miranda lounged in a nearby chair with another set of pictures from the outside of the house. Two hours of theorizing brought them to the conclusion that no angle of tree, building, power line, or any other object around the house could produce the shape of the shadow in the boy's room.

Peggy dropped the pictures on the desk and sat back in her seat. "I don't get it. Shadows don't appear out of nowhere. Could this be a hoax?"

Declan heard skepticism in his friend's voice. He knew she was prepared to dispel any "miraculous" theory associated with the apparition in the Douglas home.

"Peg, I told you, Davey believes that shadow some how means his father is with him in that room. Jim Douglas died four years ago. He was a cop. Shot in the line of duty. Ann Douglas is worried that her son is letting his grief fuel an overactive imagination. He was only four when his dad died but he does have memories of him. Davey is not afraid of the shadow. Looks for it every night and sleeps like a baby. His mom tried to get him to sleep with her or in another room in the house but he won't budge. Ann is totally freaked out by his reaction."

"Me too," Miranda retorted. "A child should be terrified of a big black shape on the wall. I get chills when I see it and I'm a grownup."

Peggy sighed, "So what you're saying is that Davey is not scared because it is his father? Come on guys. There's nothing else to support this theory of yours?" She looked at Declan and turned to glance at Miranda. They both shrugged at her. "Obviously, Davey misses his father a lot. It's not unusual for a child or even an adult to imagine seeing a dead loved one. In this case, Davey is using the shadow as proof his dad is not completely gone."

"You could be absolutely right about that," Declan responded. "But how do you explain that shadow? It is literally out of nowhere. It's just…weird. For the record, Peg, there have been many reported appearances of dead loved ones that have never been disputed. You know why? Because there was no scientific or logical explanation that could prove otherwise."

"Declan, you're doing it again." Peggy shook her head. "I hope you're not helping Davey's imagination along by encouraging him to believe that his dead father might just be the shadow on the wall." She stood up and propped a hip on the desk. Miranda barely contained the small smile that crept to her mouth. :: Here comes the axe of rationality::

she thought to herself.

Peggy leaned toward Declan. "I know you want to help the Douglas'. You're worried that you won't have an answer for her when she's so desperate to spare her son anymore pain. I'm glad you told Mrs. Douglas that I'd be more than happy to talk to Davey. I'll help anyway I can. Let's make sure everything is well with mother and son before you examine what else might or might not be going on in their house."

"Sounds good to me." Miranda sat up. "I don't have all the measurements calculated yet anyway. Something may come up when I see what angles the shadows outside make. Who knows, could be something we missed."

Declan was nodding as she finished talking. "I agree. I'm going back to the house early this evening, Peg. Come with me and see the shadow."

Peggy looked hesitantly at Declan and then suddenly smiled. "Can we make it a couple of nights from now? Saturday maybe?"

Declan watched her stand up and move away from the desk. She stood looking at him twisting a small gold ball hanging from the chain around her neck. He recognized that "fidget." Peggy was anxious about something or trying to hide her feelings. Miranda caught his eye and they silently agreed that their friend suddenly seemed worried.

"Everything okay, Peg," Declan asked.

"Yes." She looked around the room and then turned back to Declan. "I have a date tonight I'm a little nervous about it, that's all. So, can we see Mrs. Douglas on Saturday if she's free?"

Declan readily agreed. "Sure. I'll call her. Is this a blind date?"

Peggy laughed nervously. "No, nothing that dangerous. This is a third date actually."

Miranda pushed up and out of her chair. She stood next to the desk with raised eyebrows and a grin. "Huh. That sounds promising. Care to share?"

::Oh God I'm blushing! They act like I never leave my house except to see them! Well…I guess I can see why they're curious. They've seen my blank and dusty social calendar:: Peggy wiped her moist palms together. "Actually Miranda, you met him. Remember the book club party you dragged me to around Valentine's Day?"

Miranda frowned in momentary concentration. "Yeah I remember. I don't remember you meeting…Hey, I know who're talking about! The guy who convinced the host to include us in the novel roundtable. That was fun. He was…kinda cute." :: And a hottie!!! :: She silently thought.

Peggy was still shyly smiling. "He's really nice. We went out a week after the party. Just for lunch. Then he had to go to Japan for two months. I didn't expect him to call when he got back. We went out again, just last week. He called yesterday to ask if I wanted to attend another book club party tonight. I did have fun at the last one."

"See, I told you it would be a good time." Miranda grinned. "I've met a few... friends at book club parties. Just social buddies…"' She stopped herself from revealing anything more about some of her dates.

Declan was somewhat speechless at all he had just learned about two very important women in his life. He managed to keep quiet hoping that they would reveal more about their private lives. Miranda abruptly ended her contribution to the conversation and turned to look at him. Declan cleared his throat. "Nice to hear you guys aren't afraid to let your hair down. Does your friend have a name, Peg?"

She felt uncomfortable again under Declan's gaze. "Elliot Cauldfield. He's a free lance writer and a published author."

"Yes, I've heard of him." He was surprised at the mention of the name. "He's written several books on contemporary culture issues. Good stuff. I read the one about the negative consequences of majority rule."

"That's him. He has some interesting opinions." Peggy shrugged her shoulders. "We enjoy debating. Elliott has a wicked sense of humor."

"And he's famous?!! Way to go, Doc Fowler." Miranda teased her friend.

Declan kept staring at Peggy. She avoided eye contact with him and flashed back to the night before the book club party. Emma Sheppard had just returned to Portland after a long- term journalist assignment. She was only going to be in town for three days before heading out over seas to tackle another assignment. Declan spent all of his free time with her. Peggy buried herself into work until Miranda, feeling lonely, invited her to go out. She glanced at Declan as she picked up her pocketbook and briefcase. "I have to run. Let me know about Saturday. I'm free all day"

"Sure thing, Peg. Have fun tonight." Declan watched her hurry out the door as she waved a good-bye to Miranda who turned back to look at him with amusement and curiosity.

"So professor, are you still going out to the Douglas house tonight?"

"Yeah, wanna come?"

"Sure, unlike our friend Peggy, I have no social commitments at this time." Miranda had gathered her backpack and stood next to Declan.

He gave her a quick hug. "Good. Take it from me, you're better off."

Miranda followed him out of the door completely puzzled by his statement and remembering Emma's Valentine's Day visit all those months ago.