Page 32 of Hoodoo House
Declan and Charlie made their way to their car. Before they could get in, Henry had bounded over to take a closer look at the Beast. “I’m glad I helped you. Just like the detectives in my comic books.”
Declan grinned at him as Charlie took out his wallet, pulled out a business card and handed it to the teen.
“You know Henry, if you make any other discoveries that you think can help with the case, you can always reach us here. My phone number and email are on that card.”
Henry studied it closely then looked at Charlie and said, “Cool. Thanks.”
“No problem. And thanks for the tour of the house,” Charlie added.
Henry cleared his throat. He was holding out his hand. “That’ll be five dollars please,” he said softly. “That’s the going rate for the tour.”
Charlie reached into his wallet. “I only have a ten.”
“That’ll do just fine,” Henry said as he pocketed the bill, then he looked at the Beast. “That is such a cool car! Hey, can I have a ride in it sometime?”
“Sure,” Charlie said, then leaned in close to him. “It’ll only cost ya ten bucks.”
Mrs Cameron waved to Henry from the porch. “Get over here and stop bothering them. It’s time to do your English lesson.”
Henry obliged and ran back to the house while Charlie and Declan got in the car.
As they were about to pull away, Declan spotted a man straddling a motorcycle just along the main road. He was looking at the house. Declan didn’t think he appeared to be the type who would be interested in historic buildings, weird rock sculptures or romance writers. The biker sat on his Harley. He wore an old-style helmet on his head—a brain bucket—and was dressed in full leathers. He had a long scruffy beard and his eyes were covered by steampunk goggles. He scanned the property from the concession road.
“Now, what the hell do you suppose he’s doing here?” Declan asked.
Charlie pulled out his phone and snapped a quick picture.
Declan stepped out of the car so the biker knew he was being watched. The biker fired up his engine and drove off.
“Should we follow him?” Charlie asked.
“Not sure,” he said, keeping an eye on the bike. “Let’s let it be for now.”
They drove for a few minutes before Declan said, “Did Henry say anything else that might be of interest?”
Charlie flipped through the pictures on his phone. “He and Tull didn’t get along, but that seems to be a theme.” Charlie came across the pictures he had taken from the turret. “Oh, I almost forgot, Henry also showed me a secret door that leads from the second floor to the observation tower.”
“A secret door?”
“Yup,” Charlie replied. “Hidden in the back of a broom closet. No computer. I checked.”
“That truly is a house of mystery.”
“How about you?” Charlie asked. “Did you get anything out of Mrs Cameron?”
“Well,” Declan started, “Sinclair Yamada had an all-out screaming match with Tull the evening before he died.”
Charlie frowned. “We knew Tull was blackmailing him, but I don’t recall him mentioning an argument.”
Declan said, “I think we need to set up another meeting with Mr Yamada. See if he’s available to see us at the office tomorrow. There’s something bigger going on here, and I don’t think he’s telling us the whole truth.”
Charlie’s stomach moaned. “Are you hungry? I could use a bite.”
Declan nodded. “Let’s head into Rosebud. There must be a place to eat there.”
He turned at a sign indicating ‘Rosebud 3 km’.
“You and the kid seemed to be getting along well,” Declan said.
