The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
The Strange Cases of Detective Warren Stevens
Home?
We begin to wrap things up.
As we get answers to what happens to Alex, Sam and Harmony
Then, we return find out the fate of Silus and finally, Chief Donaldson.
The following podcast is a work of fiction. All characters are the creation of Peter Williams. Any resemblance to someone living or dead is purely coincidental. Thank you. Today we return to Sam, alex and, yes, harmony, as they return home. I guess you could say that it's all a matter of perspective and who's. And as we travel through this Tentacle Tuesday, we get a hint of something beyond what we've seen, something that was in our face the whole time, but unless child endangerment and, of course, naughty, salty language. Now grab your tentacles as we start to say our goodbyes with Arista, chapter 21, home.
Speaker 1:Alex stood in a parking lot she had never seen before. In front of her stood a strange building, a picturesque two-story cottage, meticulously landscaped, set back about a hundred feet from traffic. The building had a model railroad feel to it Deep blue slate walls with rich chocolate brown wood trimmed around four main windows. Under each window sat a large wooden flower box filled with an array of flowers and decoratives, depending on the season. From the sparse parking lot ran a rich colored path until it reached a small porch and an unusually large white front door Etched in black. From the top left of the door to the handle ran a musical staff and written in gold notes, like on a staff, were the words cafe sulfeggio.
Speaker 1:In script the first scent that reached alex's nose was the scent of burning pine and hickory coming from an unseen cast iron stove in the kitchen. The second, almost a magical, invisible, finger-like pull of the scent of coffee. Oh, the word escaped her mouth. Harmony, who was still leaning on her smaller frame, stirred. She had been in and out of consciousness since they had left the labyrinth. Sam, where are we? The spirit of Sam took form and with a semi-apologetic look on her face Home, home.
Speaker 2:Well, to clarify my home.
Speaker 1:Sam replied. The large white door creaked open and an elderly-looking woman looked down upon the group of visitors with a huge smile. Sam Caitlin Maxwell exclaimed Hi Caitlin. Sam said running towards her.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll be. This is quite a surprise.
Speaker 1:I see you've brought some new friends with you. Caitlin welcomed them into the large hall. It was dusty and, except for a long coffee bar, there were no signs that this place served as anything.
Speaker 2:The fact that anyone was here at all seemed like a mystery. And yet my grandchildren are sleeping upstairs. So Copy, I'll try to keep it down.
Speaker 1:Sam replied gleefully she hadn't been here in over 20 years. Alex just spun in circles trying to take everything in the bar. The stairs along the far wall leading to a balcony all showed signs of being reconstructed. A fireplace roared on the opposite side and Caitlin walked past the bar and through a swinging door to an unseen kitchen. A few minutes later she reappeared with a tray of coffee and some bowls of stew. As Caitlin handed her one, she looked up, smiled and thanked her. They had laid Harmony down in a mat near the fireplace and covered her with a deep blue afghan. Caitlin then spoke, directing her questions both at Alex and Sam so tell me about your friend here. At that, alex stood up, extended her hand and fully introduced herself.
Speaker 1:Hello, I'm Alexandra Kuchma and I met Sam at the cottage. Caitlin's eyes opened wide.
Speaker 2:Hot, and this place always seemed to be at the center of things, don't they? Sam?
Speaker 1:Yes, sam replied smiling at Alex.
Speaker 2:And how did you three wind up here?
Speaker 1:Caitlin asked.
Speaker 2:No one knew I had moved in and only arrived two days earlier.
Speaker 1:But Caitlin could see Sam was more than smiling, she was beaming.
Speaker 2:Ah, that man, he is such trouble. Yes, just like his grandfather.
Speaker 1:Sam replied who Alex asked Before we answer that.
Speaker 2:Katelyn stated we need to have a talk about a few things.
Speaker 1:Yes, Sam agreed. Did I do something wrong? Alex asked, feeling a little out of place. No, Katelyn replied.
Speaker 2:You did something very right, Alex. I'm an instructor for the Sacred Dawn. I had retired when I married and had children. Then thoughtfully my daughter and husband recently died. They were victims of an attack at a funeral for a close friend of mine. As a result, I brought my young grandchildren here. I need to train them for the upcoming storm, part of which you've found yourself already involved in.
Speaker 1:Alex nodded that night. She had been separated from her body when the Thomas family had tried to use her as a sacrifice. She became permanently changed and thus involved.
Speaker 2:Harmony spent too much time in the labyrinth and it's going to need a place where she can heal, a way for mothers.
Speaker 1:Sam interjected and, like an old friend of mine, she can help the children train for the battle that is yet to come. Alex frowned. What about Mr Bell? He's waiting for Harmony to come home. Caitlin smiled.
Speaker 2:Don't worry, we'll make arrangements for Henry to be able to visit. Harmony still needs tons of love and support. I know that Henry can supply that.
Speaker 1:I see, and reluctantly Alex asked what about me?
Speaker 2:Well, you're welcome to stay, but in a few days I think it would be best if you go home, home.
Speaker 1:Mom must be missing her by now and although never normal, she still needed some sort of monocle of normalcy. Yes, I'm ready for that, but but me right, sam said, not quite tearing up, but it was clear it was almost time for them to part.
Speaker 2:Alex, I am to stay here.
Speaker 1:I was told to come back here once my mission was done Mission, yes, an old friend of ours, knew you'd need me that with my help and that training you had undergone, you'd blossom and well, the reason you left me alone. Yes, both were crying. Now what will happen to you, alex asked?
Speaker 2:As I said.
Speaker 1:Sam replied.
Speaker 2:I am home.
Speaker 1:I will remain inside the Aes Delection until my next master appears. Won't you be lonely? Sam was already shaking her head. No, with Caitlin here, never. And then, with a hesitant pause, alex, will you come visit me? The two girls, physical and spiritual, hugged. Of course. I could never not visit you. The two had come to love each other over this short time. After that, things became more like a camping trip. Caitlin's grandchildren came down and introductions were made, and then they sat around telling stories, making s'mores. While Harmony slept. She would remain here too, henry would come to visit and of course, alex too.
Speaker 1:Silas woke up in a hospital bed. Everything hurt. He looked around the room and saw a woman sleeping in a brown leather chair in one corner. It was Josephine Kuchma. Out of habit, he goes to push himself up, finding himself nearly toppling out of bed, causing several alarms to go off, waking up Josephine, mr Silas, she says, getting up, helping to push him back so he can lay securely on his bed. A nurse appears in the door to check in Everything. Okay in here? The nurse asks adjusting her glasses. Sorry, nurse, I fell out of bed, I'm not used to.
Speaker 1:Ah, yes the nurse replied.
Speaker 2:I was asked to notify Chief Donaldson when you woke up.
Speaker 1:He had several questions for you. Ugh, he replies Don't worry.
Speaker 2:He also said to wait until you felt up to it. I'll be sending someone down to help you bathe, get some food into you and, if you wish, we'll look at fitting you into a prosthetic limb.
Speaker 1:So soon.
Speaker 2:Well, we're not going to do anything with that arm yet. I still need time to heal, but we wanted to show you some options.
Speaker 1:You'll be amazed at how far we've come in regards to abilities. Okay, yes, please, thank you. Silas replies, the nurse leaves and Silas lays back down. Ugh, I have a feeling this is going to be a very long stay.
Speaker 1:Silas, what happened A few weeks ago? I became a messenger for some people who helped rescue Alex a few years back. A look of concern washed across her face. What's wrong? Alex is missing. She's been gone for three days. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know.
Speaker 1:Silas said his voice trailing off. He had been following Alex when Malus took his arm. Of course he couldn't say that. Oh, I was hoping you might. Chief Donaldson said they found you near a place where she was volunteering. I only wound up there by happenstance after being intercepted, when I was trying to get a message to my superiors. Josephine didn't mention about him being seen on Alex's bike. She was told to keep that quiet. She wanted to get mad Demand answers. After all, she had trusted this man. She had several questions, like how did he obtain her bike? That must have been terrifying for you. Yes, I never suspected they tracked any of my movements and take my arm and that damn key. Well, I need to go for a bit. Josephine finally said I'll come back to visit soon, as much as I can. You really are sweet Lady Josie.
Speaker 1:Silas sunk back to sleep and Josephine left and headed past the nurse stations. A stern-looking man was sitting behind the monitor. Good job, miss Kuchma. By the way, I have a message from Chief Donaldson. He says to meet him at the station as soon as possible. Josephine left and the man turned back to the monitor. He adjusted the imagery to see what the human eyes couldn't. Something clung to Silas. They weren't sure what it was, but its one eye seemed to look around the room as its tentacles dug deeper into the man's body. There were only two explanations for that thing. Either it was planted when he had been attacked or it was something Silas was using as an unseen spy telegraphing information to the enemy. It would explain how they knew critical information. The only thing that kept them from truly being suspicious was the fact that he had lost his arm. Because of that, they couldn't be sure and they had to be careful. If they tipped him off it would mean they'd need to find another way to track him.
Speaker 1:Josephine arrived at the Montgomery Temporary Police Station located at City Hall. Rich Donaldson was sitting on top of a stone slab next to one of the potted pines. Oh, chief Donaldson, hey, josephine, you said you wanted to see me. Yes, I have a package for you. At that, Alex slipped behind from the pine and ran towards her mom. Alex. Hi, mom, sorry, I worried you. Oh, my word, yes, I have barely slept.
Speaker 1:Rich turns and begins to walk away. Hold on, chief Alex says yeah, kid, what's up? I need you to pass a message along to Mr Bell. Henry, yeah, what about? Harmony is fine, and he's invited to join her at the Café Solfeggio as a trainer and a friend. The Café Solfeggio? Alex nods that's an odd name, yes, but the coffee is amazing. Sounds like some place I should go check out. Well, you could drive Henry up, I'm sure you'd be welcome. Oh, and could you give this letter to Leslie at the Cat's Cafe? Okay, alex, I will Thanks. Chief Donaldson left and Alex and Josephine turned to Josephine's mini-wagon sitting on the road just beyond the city hall. But as they approached they were met by a young girl. Her eyes blazed an electric blue and her hair appeared silver in the fading sunlight. Can I help you? Josephine asked. I'm here to give a message to Alex.
Speaker 2:Me. I'm sorry, do I Not yet? No, Josephine, may I talk to Alex alone? Um, we won't be long and I'll be right over there on that bench.
Speaker 1:Okay, they walked over to the bench while Josephine watches nervously.
Speaker 2:Alex, my name is Arista.
Speaker 1:I'm a friend of Warren Stevens, detective Stevens yes, how. I'm a friend of Warren Stevens, detective Stevens, yes, how. He wanted me to let you know that he's returning to the college on this date. He will be waiting for you.
Speaker 2:Wait, he's alive, he's okay.
Speaker 1:Yes, she began to cry. Tears of relief, tears of joy.
Speaker 2:Please don't tell your mom or.
Speaker 1:Mr Donaldson. He will let them know in his own way when he is ready.
Speaker 2:So yes, Warren Stevens is coming home.
Speaker 1:So it was our old friend, Detective Warren Stevens, who's been working behind the scenes. Why, what does he know? And Aristus seems to have more than a clue. Of course, we still have some unanswered questions like what about Jonah, the mystery of the shadow and what comes next. Tune in next week for the final chapter, Chapter 22,. Epilogue or Dreams End.