Fellowship & Fairydust

“Wait, she said that?” Joe asked incredulously. 

“Yes!” blurted Nancy, a hint of panic to her voice. She had called the Hardys immediately after supper and told them about the whole day, even the part with Deirdre, knowing they would understand with the unwanted rivalry between them and the Mason brothers. “And I know I’ve told everyone that I like solving a good mystery, but, now that I have one, I’m, I’m not sure.” 

“What’s this I hear?” came Frank’s calming voice over the line. “Nancy Drew unsure that she can solve a mystery?” 

“Yes Frank, I’m unsure. I don’t have the advantage of having a detective for a father.” 

“That hasn’t stopped you before.” 

Nancy pursed her lips, knowing what he meant. Despite her mother’s death, Nancy had solved a few of what they termed as mere schoolyard mysteries. Nothing as big as finding a stolen treasure and dealing with  real criminals. “Well, yeah, but . . .” 

“Nance, you don’t even know the particulars of the case!” blurted Joe. 

“Listen, Nance, should I get my dad? You know he’ll just tell you that you have a mind that could rival ours and his again.” 

Nancy chuckled, Fenton Hardy definitely would. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” 

“I think I can take a guess,” said Frank. “Deirdre always throws you off. You’re going to have to learn how to deal with that.” 

“Like you guys and the Masons?” 

Frank sighed. “Worse.” 

“What?” said Joe. Nancy bit her lip, she understood what he was trying to say. 

“Joe, she has the added problem of Deirdre rubbing in her face that Mrs. Shannon is still alive . . .” 

“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.”

“Well, any tips?” 

“Besides the already several attempts at ignoring her?” said Joe. 

“You haven’t tried a competition yet, have you?” 

“No, there hasn’t exactly been one that wouldn’t require a, well, a mother’s assistance or involves a mother’s attention.” 

“Yeah, well, now that you’re older, finding a competition that would suit you will be much easier.” 

“Yeah, well, right now with Emily’s situation, I don’t think it’s a feasible idea. It is summer after all, and they might, hopefully, leave for the beach, or something.” 

“But are you really going to take that chance?” 

Nancy sighed. “It’s one I’m going to have to take. Right now Emily needs me, and I’m not going to let her down.” 

“Good, keep that in mind and you’ll do wonderfully.” 

Nancy blushed. “Oh, uh, thanks Frank.” 

“No problem.” 

“Now hurry up and get to bed so you can start on your mystery tomorrow!” said Joe, followed by a whoop. 

Nancy laughed. “Alright, alright, I’m going. Good night, and thanks for everything.” 

“No problem. That’s what friends are for.” 

“Oh good grief, we’re going to be here all night. Good night!” Joe hung up the phone as Nancy burst out laughing. She hung up her phone and went to bed, now more eager than ever to find out exactly what Emily’s mystery was. 

Nancy’s alarm woke her up at six o’clock sharp. She rubbed her eyes as she tried to hit the snooze button. She eventually succeeded in turning off the alarm and nearly dropping her phone on poor Togo in the process. She did end up hitting him with her arm. He yelped and eyed her before snuggling back into his bed. 

“Sorry Togo,” she whispered with a grimace. She made sure she got out on the other side of the bed, so as not to disturb Togo any further. She dressed in casual wear, a jean skirt, a floral-print blouse, and a pair of black pumps. She pinned her hair back with a pair of barrettes before putting on mascara and lipstick. She grabbed her purse and rushed down the stairs, where Hannah already had a plate of eggs and pancakes waiting for her. Nancy sat down, buttered her pancakes, and drizzled some syrup on top.

“Now where are you going?” Hannah asked as she joined Nancy at the table. 

“Helen and I are taking Emily out for a trip to the mall,” said Nancy before taking her first bite of food. 

Hannah rolled her eyes. “You said that last night, and then sat up for a hour on the phone with the Hardys.” 

“What? I needed their advice.” 

“What advice could they give you that your father and I aren’t capable of giving?” 

“Advice on solving mysteries,” said Nancy as a slight red came into her cheeks before taking another bite. 

“Emily has a mystery?” asked Hannah. 

Nancy nodded as she swallowed her food. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it.” 

“Oh honey, you know you can,” said Hannah as she patted Nancy’s hand. 

“I know, it’s just . . . it got me thinking about solving Mom’s mystery,” whispered Nancy. 

“Don’t worry about it, just focus on helping Emily. We’ll handle that when the day comes. Now, stop thinking and focus on eating, especially if you’re planning on picking up Emily at nine.” 

Nancy grinned. “Yes ma’am.” She ate her breakfast as quickly as possible before dashing into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She rushed back down the stairs and bid Hannah goodbye with a kiss on her cheek before dashing out to her car. A few minutes later, Helen was climbing into the car, and the two were heading up to Lilac Inn. Helen chatted away about how she was going to take Emily through all the shops, but Nancy only paid partial attention. She was focused on the road, and her mind was racing, trying to figure out why Emily didn’t trust Jane Willoughby. Had Jane said something or did something, for Emily to question her honesty? Or was it just because Emily hadn’t known Jane that long? 

Helen let out a squeal as they pulled into the parking lot of Lilac Inn. “Look, there’s Emily!” Their friend was waiting for them out in the courtyard. She waved to them, and Helen waved back while Nancy parked. Helen was out of the car in a flash and dashed towards Emily, wrapping her up in a hug. “Oh, Emily!! You look so much better!” 

Emily chuckled. “I feel so much better!” 

“That’s good to hear,” said Nancy as she hugged Emily. 

“Well, considering how well you two ran the inn yesterday,” said Jane as she stepped out into the front, “I think this outing will raise Emily’s spirits tenfold. At least, I hope, anyway.” 

Nancy chuckled. “That’s a tall order, Jane, but we shall certainly try.” 

Jane smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do your very best, and that’s the most I could ask for. Now you three go have some fun!” 

Helen saluted her. “Yes ma’am!” 

“There’s plenty to be found at the mall!” said Nancy with a chuckle. 

Emily chuckled nervously. “Yeah, um, shouldn’t we be going?” 

“Of course! Come on,” said Nancy as she led the way to the car. 

“We’ll have her back to you in one piece, and happier than ever!” Helen shouted to Jane. 

Jane laughed. “I hope so! Have fun!” 

“Bye!” the girls chorused, waving to Jane as they left Lilac Inn. As soon as they hit the road, Emily turned somber. 

“Why’d you tell her where we were going?” 

“If she truly is untrustworthy, someone might be following us. And I have a hunch I know who.” Nancy snuck a glance at Emily in the rearview mirror and smiled. “Besides, we’re not going to be at the mall the whole day.” 

Emily gasped. “We’re not?” 

Helen turned in her seat and grinned at Emily. “Oh no, we’re not. We talked about it when we left Lilac Inn yesterday. We’ll be going to a mom-and-pop restaurant for lunch, and then we’ll be hitting some of the thrift stores around town. I aim to get at least one new thing for you.” 

Emily teared up. “You guys are the best.” 

“Don’t thank us until your mystery is solved,” said Nancy. “Speaking of, could you tell me about it now?” 

Emily let out a sigh. “Actually, I think I have two mysteries for you, unless they are connected and are in fact one mystery.” 

“Two?” said Helen and Nancy. 

Emily nodded. “Yes, the first mystery, the one I really want you to solve, is to find the missing will of Josiah Crowley.” 

Helen gasped. “It still hasn’t been found?” 

Emily shook her head. “The Tophams have been all over his estate several times over and couldn’t find a thing.” 

“Wait, what do the Tophams have to do with this?” asked Nancy. 

“They’re his closest relatives and are rumored to inherit everything,” explained Emily. “But from the way Josiah often spoke about it with my mother and me, he made it sound like we were going to get a part of that inheritance.” 

“And you’re afraid that the Tophams might find it first and make changes?” asked Nancy. 

Emily nodded. “Or produce a fake one if they get too impatient.” 

“So, what do you want me to do?” asked Nancy. 

“Look for the will. Josiah loved giving out riddles, clues, and treasure hunts. You’re the only person I know of who could probably figure out his clues.” Emily glanced down sheepishly. “I could never finish his treasure hunts, I was too slow.” 

“You may be slow, but you retain everything you’ve learned,” said Nancy with a hint of awe in her voice. “That’s better than some people.” She shot Emily a grin in the rearview mirror. 

Emily blushed a little. “Thanks Nancy.” 

“No problem!” Nancy turned her attention to finding a parking spot. They finally found one and Nancy quickly parked in the spot. She turned off the engine and turned in her seat to face Emily. “Now, for the most important question.” 

Emily blinked in confusion. “What’s that?” 

“Do you have the first clue to finding Josiah’s will?”

  “I think so. He always told us that time will tell when it came to finding his will. I think the first clue is in that old clock he gave us. It’s sitting on the mantle of the fireplace.” 

Nancy nodded. “And now comes the next important question. Why do you not trust Jane?” 

Emily pursed her lips before answering. “I think she’s helping the Tophams. I, I can’t quite explain it, but, there are a few things that doesn’t add up. She’ll say things that don’t make sense, or seem to have completely forgotten some detail about Mom. It’s really very odd.” 

Nancy knit her brows. “Are you suggesting that this might not even be the real Jane Willoughby?” 

“I don’t know, but it does seem that way, doesn’t it?” 

“Well, if what you say is true, then, she could be there to steal more than just Mr. Crowley’s inheritance!” blurted Helen. 

Emily nodded. “There’s more.” 

“More?” said Nancy and Helen. 

Emily gasped. “The Tophams are here!” Nancy and Helen glanced out the front of the window, the Tophams were walking towards the mall a couple of rows down. 

Helen glanced at Nancy. “Do you think they followed us?” 

Nancy’s face hardened. “I don’t doubt it.” 

“Oh, I shouldn’t have come!” 

Nancy placed a reassuring hand on Emily’s shoulder. “If what you said is true, and that Jane is in cahoots with the Tophams to steal everything from you, then this just proves that Jane sent them after us. Most likely to make sure that you don’t talk.” Her eyes twinkled as a mischievous smirk grew. “Hence why we’re going to be taking a detour for lunch, and lose them.” 

Helen giggled. “I sure wish I could see their faces when they lose us!” 

“Right? But for now, let’s just forget about the mystery. We’ll talk more over lunch.” 

“Right now, shopping spree!” said Helen as she got out of the car. Nancy got out next, followed by a reluctant Emily. Nancy patted Emily’s shoulder reassuringly before the group walked towards the mall. She understood why Emily was still worried, but it didn’t take long before Emily was caught up in the thrill of window shopping. The girls spent the next three hours going through every shop in the mall, looking at pets, shoes, clothes, accessories, and knick knacks. Helen got the most stuff, leaving the mall with three bags. Nancy only got presents, something for her father, something for Hannah, and something for Frank and Joe to commemorate their first mystery. Emily left the mall with a couple of small things, things that reminded her of both her mother and Josiah Crowley. But Nancy noticed the entire time that the Tophams were keeping fairly close. They bought a couple of things, but Nancy had the distinct thought that they were following the girls. She pursed her lips, her plan worked better than she had hoped. The first part anyway, but now they had to lose them. But what could they do to give themselves a couple of minutes? Nancy knew that was all she needed to lose them on the road. But trying to lose them now meant they would know they were onto them. Nancy decided that they would have to figure out when they got back into the car. Right now, they were waiting for Helen to make one last purchase, or at least, they hoped. They still had one more shop to check out before heading out for lunch. 

“Oh man, I have so many bags to carry,” said Helen, adding a slight whine at the end. She glanced at Nancy and Emily imploringly. But Nancy was hoping that she was thinking the same as she was, and played along. 

Nancy sighed. “I’m not carrying your bags, Helen. But, we can bring them to the car and come back, if there’s anything else you were looking at.” 

Helen smiled. “Oh, lots!” 

Emily chuckled nervously. “Is she always like this?” 

Nancy scoffed. “Actually, usually worse. If she was shopping with Bess, the two could clean out any store of anything cute.” 

“Hey!” Helen gave a little pout as Nancy shot her a sideways grin and Emily snorted. “So, can we go to the car, put our bags in the trunk, and come back in?” 

Nancy glanced at her watch. “Yes, but only for a little while. We still have to figure out which restaurant we want to eat at.” 

“Great! You’re the best Nance!” said Helen with a little squeal as she led the way out of the mall. Helen glanced back several times to talk to them about the great little pieces she found, but Nancy noticed that she was also scanning the hall for their stalkers. As soon as they reached the car, Helen let out a squeak. “I think it worked! We seemed to have lost the Tophams!” 

“Let’s not take any chances and get out of here before they’ve realized we’ve given them the slip,” said Nancy as she unlocked the car. Helen and Emily didn’t need any further prodding and jumped into the car as Nancy got in and started it up. She quickly pulled out of the parking lot and drove towards the downtown area of River Heights. Helen and Emily kept a sharp eye out, but they didn’t breathe with relief until they were sitting down in one of the mom-and-pop diners tucked away in one of the many corners in downtown River Heights and had placed their order. 

“Oh man, that was actually fun!” blurted Emily with a giggle. 

“Oh boy, was that ever!” said Helen. 

“We’re still going to have to be quick about this, though, there’s still a chance they could find us,” warned Nancy. She turned to Emily. “You said there was more?” 

Emily nodded. “I did.” She glanced at Helen. “I have to tell her about the legend.” 

Helen shrugged. “Lilac Inn is technically yours now, it’s your choice. Grandma and Aunt Flora might not be happy about it, but they’ll understand if it was just Nancy.” 

Emily nodded before turning to Nancy and letting out a breath. “Well, this is actually more of a ghost story, but, back before the Civil War, there were these two brothers, Adam and Joe Caldwell, who built two identical houses. Joe built Twin Elms, where Grandma and Aunt Rosemary live, and Adam built Twin Lilacs, or what is Lilac Inn now. Apparently, during the Civil War, the houses were set up to be part of the Underground Railroad.” 

Nancy’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” 

Emily nodded. “But the brothers took the secrets of the houses with them, and no one has been able to find the passageway where they hid several men, women, and children on their way to freedom.” 

“That’s amazing!” 

“Oh wait, that’s not even the juicy part,” said Helen with a knowing twinkle in her eyes. Nancy turned to Emily expectantly. 

“The tale goes that one of the men hunting for slaves desired the wife of Adam Caldwell, Rachel Caldwell. He fancied that she liked him back and sought her affection, but she turned him down. She was undeniably in love with her husband. One day, Rachel went missing, her body was never found.” Nancy let out a soft gasp as Emily took a pause to drink some water. Emily continued, “Adam was devastated. He knew she would have never left him willingly, and they had two children she simply adored to no end. They were hoping to have a third. They caught the man who desired her, and they found him guilty, despite not having found the body. He had refused to tell where he had hidden the body, wanting to torment Adam. It was only a month after the man was hung that the apparitions began. A dark-haired woman dressed in white was seen wandering the grounds of Twin Lilacs, walking in from the forest, going around the house, and disappearing back into the woods. She always came on the fifteenth of every month.” 

“So . . .” began Nancy as a lightbulb went off in her head, “you’ve been seeing the ghost of Rachel Caldwell?” 

Emily nodded as she paled. “Or someone dressing up and playing a very convincing ghost, considering I’ve seen her off and on since, since mom passed away.” 

“Have you ever seen her before?” 

Emily shook her head. “And Mom never spoke of seeing her, though she believed that Rachel’s spirit was still restless since her body was never found. It was understandable that she wanted her remains to be buried alongside her husband’s. But . . . oh Nancy, I never see her coming or going, because whenever I look out my window and see her, she looks straight up at me and I get so frightened that I close the curtains and hide in my bed!” 

Helen and Nancy gasped. “Is your room the old master bedroom?” asked Nancy. 

Emily shook her head vehemently. “No, that was my mom’s room!” 

Nancy rubbed her chin. “I think you may be right, this might be someone dressing up as Rachel to scare you off. But, why? And why now?” 

“Oh, I know I’m putting too much on your shoulders, but I’m at my wit’s end, and I’m afraid the authorities wouldn’t believe me because Jane keeps saying I’m seeing things! And I have no proof that she is being dishonest!” 

Nancy patted Emily’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’ll help in any way I can. But I am going to need your help, and Helen’s too. We have three suspects on our hands, and we’re going to have to watch them all.” Helen and Emily nodded grimly. Nancy then glanced at Helen. “Looks like we’re going to have to be spending a lot of time at Lilac Inn.” 

“Any plans on how to do that?” 

Nancy glanced between them as a smirk grew on her face. “It looks like we’re going to have to check into Lilac Inn.”

 

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