Midnight Ep. 018: PaLACE

"Where will you go?" Esteban closed his eyes to avoid tears.

"Not your concern anymore Este." Dolan paused Irene before admitting her thoughts on that. "Last chance Irene..." He holds the key up to Esteban's handcuffs.

"Release him... as I have." She turned her profile to avoid tears and letting him see her sadness.

"Alright!" Dolan unlocked Esteban's cuffs and let the fool rub his wrists for circulation. "Let's let her rest. I'll drive you back to your car. Where you go after that is on you Esteban."

"I will make you proud wife. Of this I swear."

No reply Esteban rubbed his nose on his arm and turned away. He knew he had no choice. Dolan letting him go free on his own hesitated at the door. "Irene?" Her eyes followed his voice wearily. "I know it's not my place to get involved... but... give Mister Sanchez a chance. Give Midnight a chance."

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Roster."

"Get better, Pretty Lady!" He took his leave. Outside in the hallway he found Airika Ferrec looking at a chart near another ICU room. Peering up from her clipboard with dazzling green eyes she smiled.

"Are you stripping me with your eyes Sheriff?"

"What? No! Just... yeah maybe... I'll be in touch..."

"I'll be here to be touched."

"How are you not married?" He eyed her wedding finger with no ring.

"I could ask the same of you."

"My wife died a few years back."

"I lost my husband a few years back. We share something other than x-ray eyes it appears."

"You were stripping me with those gorgeous green eyes?"

"Let me visually remove that fine thread left on... him." She lowered her eyes to his crotch. It made Dolan chuckle. "Harassment charges on both our parts?"

"Not worth the paper I hope you write your number on."

"You know where I work."

"Same here." He taps his badge. "I have to get back to Caretaker. You won't believe my day and it's only getting started. I have a jail wall to get fixed. That guys... gross ass girlfriend tore the bars off, taking the window and wall with it. That's what my town gets for living in the Stone Ages. Who has bars without windows? Good thing it's warm most of the year here in South Carolina."

"Oh my! He... gets around." She glances at Esteban standing in the waiting room window looking in at Tilly and Dorothy. Both women were flipping him the bird as he stood smug hands in his pockets.

"Wish I could say it's over. He's not done even if he says he is."

"Be safe..." She looks at his nametag, "Dolan."

"You too Freak."

Oh, he had an admirer! Caprice who? That would change, his memory would return.

********

Harbinger Shoals... 12:30 PM

"Lace up we have company."

"I was rather enjoying my freedom." Dawn Bearpaw sighed at the demands of Nick Sanchez. "I recognize that truck."

"The name Gullivant on the side clue you in? Looks like he found some lumber to work with. I know Niles put in an order, but I didn't think he'd get any so quickly."

"It helped jog the memory." She giggled as she tied her buckskin vest up with the shoelaces adorning it. Once her cleavage was contained, if you can call it that, still visible just firmed up. "It's been a while since anyone's lived here. Over 20 years now I believe."

"Believe or know?"

"Know! The prior owners...their names escape me, but I can find out for you only lived here a year. Said the place was haunted. No surprise there, ghosts are common in these ancient homes. All I know is the owners updated some of the interior but closed the door on the way out. I'm more familiar with the legends surrounding the place. I've seen early photos of the property when it was in its prime, the place was gorgeous back in the 1800's. If it weren't for the reputation of the house owning slaves back before Lincoln released them."

"Slaves?"

"Yep! There was a third-generation owner named Tolliver who owned the plantation, well what he called one, there wasn't much here besides fruit trees, and he made his living off of believe it or not... a harp. He and his wife both played the harp. They toured the coast playing at early venues."

"Makes sense why I found an old harp up in the attic."

"It's still there? I'm shocked the local kids breaking in to throw a party there didn't destroy it. Better yet steal it to sell."

"Maybe they did. There is only one harp. If they both played there were likely two harps."

"That's true." She joined Nick in leaving the truck meeting him at the grill. "So, you hired the Gullivant's to work for you?"

"Needed someone to get started until I could round up a crew. Niles was recommended by Tilly and Sheldon Cooper."

"He built Grandpa's deck."

"They allowed an outside contractor to build on the Rez?"

"Grampa and Mister Gullivant's grandmother were friends. I don't go any deeper than that, I know better." She chuckled.

"For a tribe so against outsiders there sure seems to be an awful lot of intermingling."

"Old habits, I guess. I myself keep an open mind." She winked.

"I can see that. Nothing wrong with open... as long as it's minding."

"Mm! You make me miss Tom."

"He's right behind ya." The truck was, yet strangely the second he mentioned that she felt a sensation about her neck that felt... captive for a moment. It was enough to reach up with her right hand and caress her throat and smile. Yes, Tom was here with her. Home!

"I hear hammers."

"I hear bitch whining."

"That too." She trailed Nick as he reached the wooden bridge going over a steep ravine with a stream running through it, dank dirty water stirring over rocks then goes deeper as it winds through the overhanging willows.

"GET AWAY! SHOO!"

"Was that... Veronica Redmane?"

"The bitch whining."

"Right!" Dawn smirked, "It's been a while since I've seen V. Her dad used to fix my first car before I moved to Charleston."

"Joey Redmane. Newton mentioned him."

"Oh yeah! He did, didn't he? Something about him remodeling an old Jeep, right?"

"Yeah! Restore it... get it right Bearpaw."

"As if I'm into the white man's lingo." She giggled following Nick carefully on to the rotting bridge. Looking over the rail Nick noticed Veronica throwing large rocks at the local alligator even though the beast simply watched without advancing toward any possible lunch. "He's a big boy."

"I'm thinking twelve feet long. Her rocks are only skipping along as far as he's concerned. He makes for a good guard dog."

"Hi Veronica." Dawn leaned over waving at the girl wearing jean booty shorts and a black t-shirt, her hair tied back for once. Looking up at Dawn the girl winced against the sun filtering through the canopy of trees. Nick held her by her hair as the rail creaked fearing the pressure, she had on the railing it might give way. Her savior!

"Oh, hey Lillian. What are you doing here?"

"Nick needed a history lesson on Harbinger Shoals so I tagged along. If you're here I presume Willy is too?"

"Looking right up your skirt if you were wearing one." Will laughed from beneath her, he clinging to a makeshift scaffolding built by him and his father. "Dad was pointing."

"I was not. Stop lying." Niles hammered another nail into the structural beam. "Buddy of mine had some 8x8 beams in his barn when he remodeled it. You owe him $300 bucks on my IOU. I bought some steel plates I'm screwing into the wood frame for better support. It's a start. You might be able to get some riding mowers across it at least. My battery drill lost its juice so I'm just nailing by hand. I didn't have enough extension cord to reach the house."

"You're a good man Niles. Give me your routing numbers I'll put money in your account to cover you and your barn stormer."

"So did your friend remodel or restore his barn?" Dawn laughed. "I'm learning pale face lingo."

"Remodel!" Niles grinned up through the planks at her, now his eyes saw right up between her thighs. Wet stains on white shorts very nice. Even better the under-boob action of her push up vest. "Now I'm pointing."

"Story of my life." Dawn laughed, "If I were wearing any other shirt, you'd get the idea." Her vest was thick enough that her nips were well hidden, unable to share their meaty nubs willingly.

"Are we done talking about wood and chippers?" Nick sighed.

"Not if I can help it." Veronica laughed and flashed Nick her chest.

"That got the gators interest here he comes." Nick pointed.

"WHAT?" V nearly lost her balance only to find the gator still docile.

"Better throw the rest of your clothes at him. That will keep him away."

"Don't tell her that Nicky." Niles grumbled, "I can barely keep her dressed as it is."

"Dad?" Will rolled his eyes.

"What? She's your girl and I bet I see more skin that you do."

"Whatever!"

"What's this Nicky crap?" Nick snarled.

"Sorry Buddy. Just a habit of mine. I'll just go with Nick here on."

"I like Nicky." Dawn grinned.

"Too soft." Nick curled her long raven hair around his knuckles and started across the bridge. "Let's walk Bearpaw." Tugging her head, she brightened her eyes at his controlling nature. "Watch your step."

"Yes Sir." More old habits. Tom used to tell her that when she got cocky. It usually didn't go over well. Releasing her at the other end of the bridge they made their way toward the house. The weeds overgrown on both sides of a stone path worried her never knowing what kind of critters were hiding in the overgrowth. Hearing the ocean not far away was soothing, however.

"Killed a big coral snake a few days back. Might want to step carefully."

"Yes, we definitely need to get this place cleared so we can see those rainbow raiders."

"We?"

"You. My people once Grandpa signs them up. Can I ride piggyback?" She whimpered feeling creepy crawly with every step she took.

"Would Tom give you a ride?"

"He would throw me over his shoulder and carry me."

"Like this?" He turned and caught her off guard tossing her over his left shoulder. With no shirt on Nick felt her chest swell crushing into his shoulder blade. Holding her up by her ass, his finger tormenting her cameltoe on purpose he marched onward to the house. She smiled all the way to the dilapidated front porch. Good thing he claimed her she saw a black snake cross the pathway behind them. Cottonmouth! No wonder her mouth was dry.

"You're trying to turn me on, aren't you?"

"Yep!"

"You know I'd fuck you in a heartbeat, right?"

"Yep!"

"Care to christen your new old home?"

"Nope!"

He stood her back on her own feet, the porch creaking under her 120-pound weight. Opening the front door was spooky for Dawn but she followed him on inside. Wet as hell she had to ask him what was on her mind.

"Is that a never ever?"

"Nope!"

"That's good."

"Get to it... tell me HIS STORY."

"His? Tom's?"

"No, the original owners."

"Well, that would be long before the Tolliver's. This place is one of the earliest post Native American settlements in South Carolina."

"Tilly mentioned some pirate and a banished Santee warrior."

"Abraham Spry. Sounds English but he was Spanish. Spry was his seafaring name but his true name was Dionicio Soccaras Bargo... he landed here during a storm on The Shoals. His ship was demolished, 60% of his crew dead. He was lesser known in the piracy circles but feared none the less. From any remaining documents we have in Archives both here in the states and in Spain he was outcast over there as a teenager and escaped hanging. He moved up the crow's nest so to speak under an English pirate by the name Spry and swore loyalty to him. When Spry perished in the Caribbean, Dionicio assumed his name of Spry to honor his mentor, as well as play upon his ferocity on the high seas. The original Spry's first name was Horatio, but he had a son named Abraham that died as a young boy from plague. Dionicio simply emerged as his son. This was in I believe 1685. All I know after he was marooned here is that he built Harbinger Shoals in a minor capacity with what he had to work with." She paused to look at old photographs still on the wall.

"From what I understand some of the wood from his ship the Abraham also named after the original Spry's son was used to build a portion of the first house. Those would likely be toward the foundation. A number of Dionicio's crew were woodsmen by craft so the local trees finished the construction. The place was obviously added on too many times since then for it's more Victorian era appeal."

"Did Dionicio die here?"

"Nobody knows for certain. His crew all moved on leaving him alone as he grew older so there's not much to go on. He liked the quiet here, so I presume he died on the Shoals."

"What about this banished Santee?"

"Nawtahnwi!" She smiled, "This story gets weird. Nawtahnwi I'm told by my grandfather... rather liked men more than women. Back then especially in the tribal sense of the Santee it was taboo. Not to say gay couples didn't exist back then, they did but the Chieftain at the time... well... he had to make a tough choice. He and Nawtahnwi were secretive lovers. When it became knowledge the Chief chose his people over his lover, so byebye Nawtahnwi. Cast out, he found his way here to the Shoals. He was here even before Dionicio but remained hidden the first year. Once he became known Spry... Dionicio... kept him on even after his crew departed. Some say even they became lovers, but it's not known as any fact. Maybe they died in each other's arms. Nobody knows what happened to either of them."

"Tough love! So, I presume the Tolliver's were next in line out here? What came after the Tolliver's?"

"Well, the Tolliver's eventually moved back to England. The Shoals became more slavery based after the next proprietor Tobias Walton took ownership. He had somewhere around fifteen slaves up until the mid-1800's. Where they all went when he died is anyone's guess. Ancestry.com probably doesn't even know. Walton himself dug his own grave and laid down in it one day and never returned. His slaves I hear paid their respects and filled the hole. No marker anywhere these days so he could be in your backyard.

"After Walton?"

"It sat empty for nearly fifty years after he died in 1841. I'd almost guess the slaves stayed here awhile until driven off or stolen away by other slave owners. Once Lincoln abolished slavery in 1865, they were free but likely couldn't purchase the land so were pushed off. Treasure seekers moved in during the early 1900's once it became known a pirate built the place. It was rumored Spry did indeed have a mass treasure, but it's never been found. He likely spent it anyway. Trade with the Cherokee, the Yessone."

"The Santee?"

"No. After Nawtahnwi settled here any trade became outlawed by the Santee nation."

"So, who bought the property after it sat for fifty years?"

"Alberto Portagent. 1913! Albert moved over from France and took possession. He was only here for two years then World War One began and he went back with his family to fight with the Allies. Died there! His daughter Sylvie once old enough claimed the land and lived here until 1988. She outlived her husband and children, so the property ended up in the hands of bankers. The owner after her you might need to ask the city. I'm not aware of who had it for those last 10 or 12 years. All I heard was the ghosts ran them off."

"Ghosts?"

"Everywhere you look. Could be Walton maybe Sylvie or one of her kids."

"The Jeep out back is a 1963 Gladiator, so I'd guess Sylvie's kid owned it."

"More than likely. You could always run the VIN number."

"No VIN numbers weren't active until the 1980's."

"One up on me Sir."

"I really hate that term Sir."

"Only showing respect."

"I know that. I prefer it be expressed with..." He sighed, "I probably should check on Midnight, then call Dolan and see how things went with Irene."

"Need a minute?"

"Take a look upstairs, attic, basement... oh... that reminds me I wanted to bring a flashlight I found a tunnel downstairs. You mentioned slaves I figured it might just be underground railroad, but if Walton was all for slaves I'd guess not."

"Oooo! A tunnel. Now you have me curious."

"I've got electricity in here now, but the basement doesn't have bulbs, just a bit of daylight."

"If the batteries are good Tom had a big flashlight in his glovebox."

"Let me call Niles he can grab it. He's probably taking a break by now." Dialing the contractor Niles answered him from the scaffolding. Telling William to run out to the Raptor for the flashlight gave both men a breather. Niles just sitting on the manufactured ledge found Veronica climbing up to sit with him to escape gator duty. V being V quietly masturbated with her hand down her unbuttoned jean shorts even as Will raced over the bridge to deliver a working flashlight. Niles just drank his bottled water and watched her. She loved teasing Daddy Gullivant even if he refused to go any further.

"Sheriff Roster?" Nick stood on the porch having made the call.

"Deputy Sanchez!"

"Nice try! How did it go with Irene and Esteban?"

"Refused to press charges I had to cut him loose. I just dropped him off at his car and banned him from Irene for thirty days like you requested. Made sure he left the boatyard with his belongings too. Where he goes now, I don't know. I'm about to pull into the hole in the wall." He sighed driving past the rubble outside still piled up on the ground. "I'll look in on Midnight here shortly. It's lunch time for the prisoners so I'll feed her." Spoke too soon, he could see her naked beauty through the opening as he passed by, hood still intact.

"No food! No water! If my shirt came off of her head put it back on."

"Ah Sanchez. You're brutal."

"Nope! Just strict."

"Same thing, isn't it?"

"Call me back if there's a problem." Nick hung up on him as Will bolted down the path with the big flashlight. "It work?"

"Heck yes it works. I nearly singed my arm hairs off." Will passed it up to Nick. Examining it Nick chucked, "Tom liked to light his path. This is a Wicked Laser. You can scramble eggs on the lens with it on."

"Really? That's cool."

"Yeah, it is. Thanks for bringing it to me."

"No problem Boss." He turned away heading back to finish their woodworking job. Hearing V moaning Will looked down between the bridge planks to see her hand down her shorts. "Can't I leave you two alone for five minutes without you cheating on me?"

"Not happening son." Niles growled, "Just watching."

"UGGGGGGH!" Break time was over.

********

Caretaker Sheriff's Department... twenty minutes prior to Sheriff Roster arriving...

"So, you're my studly Spaniard's offspring, eh?"

Shantel Bigelow held the jail cell bars just like Midnight Amador was doing, only without being cuffed. Dancing in step wagging her big ass as if she were a stripper, the 55-year-old mad woman just would not shut up. Never knowing Esteban Amador had a kid she was all curious about making friends at least. Behind them seated on the only bunk was the newest inmate Clinton Biles, the burley bearded lumberjack stuck there between a rock and a hard place.

Not even thinking about his wife Mindy probably celebrating her temporary freedom with her lover's dick in her ass could be worse than this hideous grandma thinking she was a Playboy centerfold. Add in the rank smell her body odor left in the confined space, and his own puke in the bucket provided for Midnight to pee in this was hell on Earth. He did not deserve this inferno.

"Pussy got yer tongue? Why are ya wearing a t-shirt over yer head?"

"OH, FOR GODS' SAKE! LEAVE HER THE FUCK ALONE."

"Don't make me cry abuse, the woman always wins." Shantel had no sympathy. Touching a nerve Clinton jumped up with a clenched fist but then relaxed just as fast. Noting Midnight shivering he was tempted to cover her with Shantel's discarded fur coat, but damn it looked ready to crawl away as it was. Instead, he growled and took the puke bucket back to Midnight's stride. Gauging the trajectory of her stance he hoped she might hit the bucket if she peed. Before he even stood up Midnight cut loose, a steady stream spilling down into the vomit. Shantel, hearing it looked down to see the urine waterfall and chuckled. "Reigns it pours!"