Chapter 24
Notary Hardenbrook
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Wagons, horses, and towns people flooded the main rode throughout the small town of Sleepy Hollow carrying with them provisions of all kinds.
Ichabod and Masbath rode pass them receiving many angry faces along the way. Ichabod tried to ignore as best as he could as they got closer to the Notary.
Down the road towards the church many people could be seen making a small crowd as Reverend Steenwych could be seen preaching using many hand movements.
"There he is! There!", as Steenwych pointed towards Ichabod noticing him in the distance.
"The desecrater of Christian burial! Twice he met the horseman, and kept his head! How is that so?"
Ichabod tried as ignore as best as he could as he felt the burning eyes of the people of Sleepy Hollow.
"The Devil protects his own!"
Reaching the Notary and tying their horse's so they wouldn't escape they entered the dusty room, full of papers and folders of evey kind.
"I take it Mr. Hardenbrook, that wills and testaments are held here on public record?"
Hardenbrook tried to act as calm as possible as he began trembling profusely. Small drops of sweat could be seen pouring down his forehead as he passed Ichabod a piece of paper.
"I believe this is what you wish to see. Take it and go!", as he handed over the Van Garret will.
"Van Garret Senior left his estate to his only kin that is to say his only son. However the son being murdered in the same instant..", as he continued to scan the document.
"The next kin after the son would be the eldest of the line from Van Garrets father's sister…none other then Baltus Van Tassel. Something else no one thought to mention".
"Well, you have found your way to it and I hope you will leave now before my windows are broken", as shouting of all sorts could be heard outside of the Notary. An angry mob had come for Ichabod.
"I am not ready to leave", as Hardenbrook seemed to whine at this wringing his hands looking around paranoid.
"A brick through your window is not what puts you in terror, Hardenbrook. There is something else…I saw your fear, and Steenwychs and the doctor's when you met at Philipse's house. And Philipse's paid with his head and you fear for your own".
"Yes it's true! But we did not know it was a murdering plot when we were drawn in!", as he began to cry.
"Drawn in by whom?"
"Mercy upon me, we meant no harm to come to her.."
"No harm to come to who?"
"But the marriage made her next of kin".
"Made who next of kin to whom? I'm confused"
"He means that Old Van Garret secretly married the Widow Winship", as Masbath watched Ichabod rub his chin deep in thought as Hardenbrook continued to babble nonsense.
"Of course! And Van Garret made a new will, leaving everything to her and her unborn child. So she stood between Baltus and the legacy! Where is the will!"
" I cannot be seen to help you..the horseman will come for me…"
"I will not leave without the very last will and testament of-"
Hardenbrook began digging through piles of papers searching through the sea of documents pulling out the second will and flinging it into Ichabod's open hands.
"Go then! I am a dead man!", he screamed at Ichabod as he began sobbing again.
"Sir…?"
Reading over the will, Ichabod realized why Masbath's father was murdered. "Young Masbath I know why your father died. That night when Van Garret quarreled with his son, Jonathan Masbath was summoned upstairs to witness the new will. Here is your father's signature. It was a death warrant."
Young masbath took the paper as he stared at it sadly.
"But the secret was not safe. Mrs. Killian the midwife was forewarned the baby was coming. So she too had to die".
Going through another piece of paper it was the marriage certificate. "The marriage certificate…Parson Steenwych married them. Doctor Lancaster confirmed the widow was pregnant. She told the secret to Philipse. Notary Hardenbrook concealed the documents…"
Hardenbrook began to moan as he ran his fingers through his hair and he began sniveling.
"And you all kept silence! Why? For some nameless dread of the man who stood to gain everything….BALTUS VAN TASSEL!"
Selena sat in Ichabod's bedroom locked away staring at the wall, until she noticed something. His ledger sat open on the desk.
Curiosity got the best of her, as she tried to direct her attention to something else but whispers sang in her ear coyly pushing her on until she was sitting at his desk reading his ledger.
Baltus Van Tassel lay circled at the bottom of his book. With dread she closed his book, as she stared at the closed book in disbelief.
He believed her father was the one behind the murders. The man she loved with every fiber of her being was accusing her father.
"How dare he..", she whispered in disgust as a dark look crossed her eyes. Turning around hearing footsteps stood Ichabod and Masbath looking quite surprised to find her.
As Ichabod and Masbath walked up the stairs they passed by Baltus Van Tassel siting there Brandy in hand running coins through his hands.
"I think there is some error in your reasoning…"
"Really?" Do give me the benefit of your…"
"All these murders just so that Baltus Van Tassel should inherit yet more land and property?"
"Precisely. Men murder for profit. Possibly you don't know New York?"
Entering the bedroom they immediately stopped their speaking to find Selena quickly standing up placing the ledger down on his table.
"Selena….", unsure of what to say.
"Umm..how are you feeling?"
"Fine", she responded coldly
"I do not wish to sound rude Selena but why are you in my room?"
"Because it is yours. I find comfort in your room and I did not wish to leave. Is it wicked of me?", smiling at him her eyes still holding their dark nature.
'No..No…"
"I missed you Ichabod. Where did you go?"
"To the notary. I had some question's to ask Hardenbrook.."
"And did you learn anything of interest?"
Ichabod and Masbath exchanged glaces unsure of what to say.
"Well….perhaps…"
"My father?"
"Your father?", as Ichabod's voice to grow squeakier.
"Yes. My father thinks you should return to New York.."
"Really why is that?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he looked in your ledger and did not like what he saw…", shrugging her shoulders and getting up leaving his ledger open.
Ichabod craned his neck to find the page in which he had wrote Selena all across the page and doodles of hearts but also there were some Katrina's once or twice written and Selena's anger seemed to fuel once again.
"He believes townfolk and country should not mix".
Ichabod opened his drawer putting away the papers from the Notary and shoving his ledger in it also closing it quickly as he turned around trying to look calm.
He knew that Mr. Van Tassel was a hard man to get along with especially if he began realizing that there was something going on between the guest and his lovely daughter.
"What have you there?"
"Evidence. I'm sorry, I must ask you -"
"Then I will leave you to your thoughts", as Ichabod expected her to walk over and kiss him until he noticed that Masbath stood right beside him.
"Sleep well", as Selena turned around and left.
Ichabod grew worried. She knew his suspicions and he began to fear that if his suspicions were correct her love for him would diminish. And that could not happen. No matter what.
To add to his worries, he noticed a giant hairy spider scuttling around the floor until it reach under his bed.
Squealing Ichabod quickly stood up on the chair looking terrified his skin becoming paper white.
"Its only a spider", as Masbath shrugged his shoulders.
"Where's it gone? Where's it gone? Have you see it!"
Masbath crouched down under the bed looking puzzled. "There's something under there.."
"Kill it! Kill it! No..no- stun it!"
"Help me move the bed", as Ichabod shook his head. "Noo..its better that you do it".
"Look"
Under the bed revealed a strange looking pentagram. Ichabod grew curious.
"The Evil Eye!"
"What….? What is…?"
"It is someone casting spells against you", as Ichabod turned his attention back to the strange symbol as he felt fear grip his heart.
Well there you go! That's chapter 24! Please enjoy and REVIEW!
