Ghost in Time

Sue Gilbert

Description

Caitlin bases her screenplay on a journal supposedly written by the fictional character Dr. John Watson, but a real life crime hides within its aged pages.
While on a vacation in England, Caitlin O’Connor finds an antique journal. Soon after she returns to the States, she adapts the journal’s handwritten notes into a movie script and submits it to Piermont Studios. The studio gives the work a green light and she is hired and now pursues her dream as a screenwriter. Piermont decides to cover the movie studio and hires an investigator to trace the journal’s history. After a shocking turn of events, the journal is revealed to be over a hundred years old, and it is believed that it was indeed written by none other than the fictionalized detective Sherlock Holmes’s friend and assistant, Dr. John Watson.
The enigmatic Arthur Kensington is the movie’s new producer. Kensington believes the yellow-tinged leather book is a link to a hidden past that reveals a century old crime. Tony Langdon is the Piermont security detective in charge of investigating the journal’s origin. Although, at first a skeptic, he becomes absorbed with his own analysis and his need to know the truth.
After the movie wraps, the actors, crew, and other involved individuals begin to believe in Caitlin’s mysterious journal. As truths are unveiled, it seems the so called fictional Watson, and the mysterious tale is genuine and tied to a dangerous and cryptic cover up in the distant past.

Sujets

• Thrillers
• Arthur Conan Doyle
• Suspense
• John Watson
• Fiction
• London

Informations

• Publié par: Archway Publishing
• Date de parution: 20 octobre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665710510
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

GHOST IN TIME
A crime over a hundred years old resurfaces along with an explosive discovery...
SUE GILBERT


Copyright © 2022 Sue Gilbert.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
 
Archway Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.archwaypublishing.com
844-669-3957
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6657-1050-3 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-1051-0 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021915485
 
 
 
Archway Publishing rev. date: 10/19/2022
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three

I thank author Conan Doyle for your indelible characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Mary Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft Holmes, detective Lestrade, Irene Adler and Professor Moriarty. Without them, this story would not be possible. Many thanks to Stephanie and the librarians who helped with historical research and computer assistance. The cover photograph, Skating in Central Park, was taken in the late 1890’s by JS Johnson and is stored in the New York Historical records archive. Research sites included Wikipedia, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Museum, Old Bethpage Restoration and Sagamore Hill. At the turn of the century, William Gillette was the lead in a play about Sherlock Holmes which is not played out within the pages of this manuscript. As for the old New York reservoir remnants, the remnants were on view in the 42nd street library before publication. With much gratitude for the provided library resources. This story uses the original Sherlock Holmes non-fiction, with some variations, and is not intended to infringe upon the original creation.

This novel is for my family. My cousin Allen and little Teá…

“Elementary, Watson. Elementary.”
 
The journey of a thousand
Miles must begin with
A single step.
CHAPTER ONE
C aitlin O’ Connor shivered in the cool March air. Today was her last day in London, so she decided to spend her leisure time souvenir hunting in the stores nearest the Excelsior hotel. The ominously low clouds were saturated gray and the intense moisture, that increased the threat of rain, clung to her rosy cheeks. Although, she wished she had one more day of her heritage vacation, gifted to her by her grandmother, she was elated about her departure for Los Angeles tomorrow. Caitlin walked quietly along the street and stared at the quaint buildings that emphasized the history of the renowned city.
She was content to search for a special decoration that reminded her of her Irish-English heritage.
Finally, she found a store of interest to her. Yesterday’s Home Antiques.
Caitlin walked into the antique shop, which was adjacent to the famous Baker Street, and gazed at the aged items that adorned the shelves and tables. The interior decorator knew she would find something here and she combed the store as she dreamed about a century past.
Caitlin greeted a woman who worked quietly behind the counter, and then continued to browse. She spied the quaint blue plaid throw that reflected the color of a California indigo night sky, and the copper tea pot. That was the effect she wanted!
She fell in love with both, and they were in mint condition. The throw had been strewn intentionally over a Victorian chair. Caitlin grabbed it and decided to purchase it along with the tea kettle . They would be a delight when she returned home to the states.
She reminisced about the tea pot, and a good brew of Twinning’s English Tea which she had bought among her earlier purchases. Content that both pieces of décor would add some spice to her modest apartment, she quietly scanned for other antiques that she could fit into her suitcase which was already packed and ready for her long ride home. She certainly had time. In a few hours it would be dinner then tonight, she would probably watch some English television and attempt a good night’s sleep.
In the corner, Caitlin found a shoe box filled with some aged- tinted goods. She delighted by rummaging through it. There were some old photos, postcards, and an envelope with an open seal. There was also a black bound journal. It seemed to be a journal. It was that leather book that intrigued her most of all. It was in descent condition, including the binding, and its white pages were crisp yellow around the edges. The book also had an unusual antique scent.
Caitlin had a fascination for creative writing, and so it sparked her curiosity as she browsed through the items. The photos were especially unusual, and for some reason she clung favorably to what she had discovered all wide eyed and fascinated.
“That box of miscellaneous stuff is being tossed out.” The saleswoman sidled over to her. “The journal is fascinating. It is handwritten.” she marveled at her expression.
Caitlin casually smiled. As she opened the journal, she saw there were handwritten scripted entries, yet legible and by the looks of it, written in old fashioned ink. It was interesting enough and she was conflicted as to whether she should ask if she could purchase the journal. The material was intensely written from page one. She read a few lines then flipped a couple of pages. At first, she was not certain what she had read but then it dawned.
Discreetly, she closed the book. Her nerves tingled. It had to be an antique collectible. She loved a good mystery and this, even if it were an exemplary fake, was undeniable hours of fun. Her chin trembled. She was across the street from that very building, in fact.
Then the clock on the mantle caught her attention.
“That clock came in that box. If it is worth ten Euros- we can wrap it tight as a small parcel. It would get by airport security. Probably fit snug in your bag.” the woman commented icily. She anxiously pursued her sale and Caitlin did not mind. “A collector in the area donated it. The clock apparently hasn’t worked in years!” she explained.
Curious and more curious, the items had a mysterious aura. Caitlin grew distraught. She wanted to read further into the black bound book. Maybe it was her Nancy Drew instinct and therefore, she accepted the package deal. “I can’t pass on a good read-” she smiled. Caitlin took out her American Express card then reflected an impassive expression. At the very least the clock would prove to be one lovely piece of decor.
The clock was wood crafted and petite. There was scalloped edging around the rectangular base and a velour draw for storage . That must be where they stored the key to the clock, she thought. That must be why it does not work . It needs to be wound with a key! Now, she wanted the clock. The journal fascinated her, and the parcel would be small enough to carry home to the states. She could not wait to scour through the journal pages! Why not! And both were hers to own!
“It’s lovely. Such rich details.” she trailed off. “Ten euros it is then.” Caitlin agreed.
“And ten for the throw and kettle. I will cut you a deal as you Americans say. How do you like our country so far?” the woman queried. She swiped the Am Ex and Caitlin inhaled as the Hermes image flew through the credit card reader.
“I love it. Can you recommend an interesting tour?” Caitlin asked with a timid voice . She had too much leisure time to herself today.
“Do you like mysteries? The Sherlock Holmes tour leaves very soon and is around the corner. Includes a museum tour and lunch as well.” The woman stared at her devoid of expression. She grabbed the clock off the mantle, and a shopping bag from the back room. “The clock is small so we will wrap it in the quilt. The kettle is tiny so the bag should be light enough to carry.”
She watched the woman pack the goods then thought about that leather- bound journal. Grandmother would concur it was the perfect souvenir. “So, I am across the street from Baker Street , aren’t I?” Caitlin remarked after she paid for her purchases.
“Yes.”
“I love Nancy Drew mysteries. In honest, it sounds fun. Why not? What time does it leave?”
“Twenty minutes. But do hurry.” she advised.
Caitlin raced from out of the store and baily overheard another store customer comment to a second store salesperson about some murder four blocks away. “Sherlock Holmes would have more luck solving it.”
The tour was the last venture in England, and it was worth it.
She packed her souvenirs snugly in a carryall bag, and discreetly carried the bag