Untouched Whiskey

 

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Chapter 1—The Light Dims

Chapter 2—Beware of the Docks ! 

Chapter 3—Their First Meeting

Chapter 4—Unlikely Allies

Chapter 5—Reopening Silas’ Cold Case

Chapter 6—Book ‘Em

Chapter 7—Rest Easy

Epilogue

 

 

 

 

Author’s Note:  I’m revising a character I created was initially Marvina before she existed in canon but instead, I recreated her.   Welcome to Mavin Bellwether, and her father, Silas Bellwether.   Her mother’s name was Clara.   She died young due to cancer.  

‘Abundance grows where faith flows.’—Celestial Raye, YouTube 

 

Chapter 1—The Light Dims

            Silas Bellwether had been known as ‘The Bell That Rings’ his entire life.  He was clairvoyant, clairaudient, clairsentient, and clairalient.    He had been born with these gifts and could always solve a case with barely any trouble.   Unfortunately, when it came to his happiness, his luck was about to run out completely.

            Mavin Marie Bellwether was six when this all happened.   She was far too young to understand it at the time but even at that tender age, she had inherited her dad’s ‘visions’.  

Clara had always been the light of the Bellwether family, and she adored ‘You Make Me Feel Like Dancing’, even when cancer riddled her body.   She sang almost constantly and loved dancing with Silas but now she was too weak to even get out of bed.   One day, she didn’t even get up.  

Before, Silas Bellwether, badge #1313 of Grimsburg PD had been a legend in his own right.   There was no case he couldn’t solve.   He was unflappable, unshakable.  Until Clara passed away in her sleep.   

Mavin had been afraid that her vision of Clara had been correct.   It had been cryptic, but she had seen her ethereal, beatific voiced mother ascending a golden staircase, wearing gossamer clothing.   Her hair encircled her, trailing to her feet, bare, unshod.    Mavin reached towards her, but Clara disappeared into the light.  

The nurse who had always taken care of them and others had returned to the ultimate Caregiver.   Mavin had been too numb to cry and kept herself strong for her dad.   She watched him disappear into cases even to the point of obsession.    Sleuthing was his forte and cigarettes became his addiction.   She was certain the Marlboro was going to do him in but as soon as she hit her fabulous adolescent years, her visions broadened and sharpened, shaping her and reforming her into a true medium.  

 

Chapter 2—Beware the Docks ! 

            Oftentimes Silas would drink when the loneliness hit the loudest.   His favorite libation was whiskey.    Like any other evening, he had helped more of Grimsberg’s citizens, but he had not taken heed of what Mavin had alerted him to. 

            ‘Beware the docks !’, Mavin warned him before he had gone out to solve another case.   She wasn’t able to give him a quick hug as usual or even murmur ‘I love you’.  Silas, as usual, was bound and determined to assist and help another hurting human being. 

Someone had been observing, stalking and plotting to end Silas’s life for years now.  He absolutely loathed him and everything he had stood for.   The murderer was unhinged, manic and antisocial.   He had never destroyed anything but had taken all his grievance out on Mr. Bellwether simply because he was the easiest target to hit.  

Although it wasn’t particularly dangerous returning Little Dougie’s lost dog Crackerjack, he beamed at the youngster and ruffled his hair. 

‘How did you know where he was, Mister ?’, Dougie questioned curiously.  

‘It probably doesn’t make much sense, but I could see through Crackerjack’s eyes for a little bit, and I caught up with him here.   He was scared, lost and alone.   He’s lucky to have you for an owner.’, Silas said.   Unexpectedly, the boy hugged the private investigator tightly. 

            ‘You’re awesome.  Thank you for getting Crackerjack back to me.  I’ll never forget it.’, he said.   Silas felt overflowing happiness.   Sometimes the job could be gruesome and ugly, but it never once defeated him.   He used faith and his gentility to speak to the victims.   He had known the grief that came from loss, but he never let it dim his compassion and empathy.   Often times, he cried with the victims and held them.   He didn’t care if others thought it made him weak because he was human and honest to a fault. 

            The killer had covered himself in a ski mask and waited for the perfect opportunity to pounce on Silas when he was alone.   Silas had done his duty.  He knew he could go home and sleep well, and hug and kiss Mavin before she went to sleep.  He didn’t care that she was fourteen now.   He made certain he let her know she was precious to him.   Guilt about neglect crept into his mind but when he pivoted to head home, a man in a ski mask towered over him.  Brutally the man stabbed him, again in again.  Silas didn’t have time to react.   He felt his life slipping from him and managed to dial 911.   Although he could say nothing, the killer vanished leaving no trace of evidence behind.     

 

Chapter 3—Their First Meeting

            Marvin had an established job at Grimsburg PD as a rookie PI.  He noticed the young fourteen-year-old using a bicycle for a funeral procession and was morbidly curious as to who was being put to rest.   He hadn’t heard the news until he arrived at the funeral itself.   Silas Bellwether, whom he had met and aspired to be his whole life had been murdered in cold blood.   Suspects had been interrogated but no witnesses had seen what transpired.    He would’ve attended the service, but Mavin had to mourn alone.    She raised herself on music, faith and memories.   She always kept a sunny disposition even after losing everything.    No matter what, she took the path of the warrior and knew someday that her abilities would land her on her vocation, not just a job, but a calling where she would be with her people and with friends who actually cared about her. 

            It wasn’t until later that Mavin found herself working in a numbingly mundane position that she found herself out of work.   She did odd jobs just to keep the roof over her head, her car maintained and the fellow strays around her house fed and watered.    Tonight, she was feeling the weight of being a freelancer and just wanted to have a bit of joy, even if it felt like pretending.

            She went to Quintos every so often to have a drink for herself or in this case, in honor of her dad.   His ghost wouldn’t let her rest.    She could still see him, but she couldn’t really help him, that is, until he mentioned Marvin to her. 

            ‘Marvin is a wonder, but I doubt he’ll want a psychic on the team.’, she said dismissively as she parked her car in the lot.   She doubted Marvin would be in the audience, but she went up onto the stage and sang her mother’s favorite song, ‘You Make Me Feel Like Dancing’.   At first, she shook slightly as her hands grasped the microphone, but when her eyes saw Marvin, it was like she received a sudden burst of confidence.   Even if she was lying, she sang with everything she had.   There were many in the audience who applauded her because her voice was absolutely gorgeous and she seemed to glow.   Marvin drank down his whiskey but ordered another, because he recognized the girl.  

            He slid a whiskey to her, knowing a little bit about her dad although he had come in long after the murder of a beloved community icon and hero.   Such an onus it had to be for her to carry that legacy, he couldn’t have imagined how difficult it was for her on a daily basis.    He figured she wouldn’t have been there unless it was to impress him.   He didn’t know much about her, but he was rather astonished by how brave she was.  

            ‘You’re hired.’, he said.   She raised an eyebrow.   It hadn’t taken him long to decipher what he wanted to know and why he felt she was perfect for the PD.   He had a feeling that perhaps he could help her and ease some of her survivor’s guilt.  

Chapter 4—Unlikely Allies

            At first, Marvin didn’t really believe in the efficacy of psychics.   He always thought they were charlatans trying to make a quick buck, but Mavin was different.   She took after her dad but was far more powerful and intuitive.   She was fascinating and he couldn’t help but like her.   She had also been the only other person to see Mr. Flesh and talk to Stan.    Her influence was actually quite helpful to him.    There was a mutual respect, but he could also sense she wanted answers. 

            To this end, no one had been able to solve Silas’ murder.    

            ‘I know you’ve come to me for answers.   Kid, I’m flattered you chose me.’, he said, placing a hand atop her shoulder.   Marvin rarely touched others unless it was because he was driven by desire, but this time, it was genuine care.    The others in the precinct absolutely adored her.    Even the new brat detective liked her.    She was a genuine sweetheart, and her compassion was what the PD had lacked all along.  

Chapter 5—Reopening Silas’ Cold Case

            3:17 AM.   Context: Responding to a plea for help from a minor male, approx. 10.   RE: Missing canine.    Marvin’s fist closed.   Paper crumpled.   A boy.  A dog.   Silas went.  Of course he went.  

            ‘Don’t go to the docks, dad.   Please.  It’s dangerous, let the PD handle it.’, Mavin’s statement, taken by the station back when she was fourteen.   He had forgotten about that, but it all came flooding back the moment he reopened the case.   

            ‘He had to be Hillel and Jesus at the same time.  Stupid man.  Stupid holy man.’, Marvin thought to himself, irate.   Marvin forced his eyes back to the photos.    No sign of the boy.   No sign of the dog.   Just Silas.  On the wood.  Arms out.    Like he tried to shield someone who wasn’t there anymore, or like he’d been making room for wings.    A note fell out of the file.  Not official.   Personal.   Folded small. 

            ‘Marvin—

            If you’re reading this, I’m gone and you’re mad.   Don’t be.   I chose.   The boy’s name was Dougie and his dog’s name was Crackerjack.    Terrier mix, floppy ear, propensity for bathing everyone in slobber.    If you find them, tell Dougie the man in the funny hat said he’s brave.   If you don’t find them, find why.   Tell Mavin I listened.  I just couldn’t obey.

--SB’ 

            Funny hat.   Silas always wore a ratty fedora, said it made him look like a detective.   Marvin reached into his bureau for his flask of whiskey.    Never opened until now.   He unscrewed the cap.   The smell hit—peat and smoke and something older.   Something Silas would’ve called ‘grace’.    He didn’t drink; he poured.   One shot on the floor, for Silas.   For the docks.   For ‘no one saw’.   

            Marvin had little to go on but felt a jolt.  He remembered small details from the time he was only a rookie.   It hadn’t been long after everything had been cleared from Silas’ desk and removing his name tag that he recalled something the ME had mentioned about the psycho who had fled the scene.    He had thought Silas was acting as God himself.   Silas had been nothing but humble.    He had died for a puppy and gone to the docks because no one else would’ve done so, even after Mavin had warned him.    He had to relax and put the pieces he had together even if they were fragmented.   His crime mind had been fully engaged and with Mavin, the case would be as good as solved.  

            Mavin was surprised Marvin had taken such resolve to assist her, especially since he was still skeptical of her abilities.  

            ‘Do you know anything else about that night ?   Incidentals that stand out ?   I know this might be hard, but I would like to help Silas too.  He was a mentor of mine.’, Marvin said, his voice gravely.    Of all the coincidences she couldn’t believe Grimsburg’s most famous detective had been influenced by her own dad.   It almost made her want to laugh.    She returned to the scene and recalled seeing her father lying in a pool of his own blood.   The stabbing wounds were brutal, deep, deliberate.    She could see the assailant only hazily in her mind’s eye but knew he had worn black.  

            ‘He’s an extremist.   Totally unhinged.  Went into hiding for the longest time and is completely detached from reality.   He’s a recluse but I get the sense he lives close to the docks, lying low.   The only thing I think that would drive him out into the open is music.   We just need to find something to drive him crazier.’, Mavin said.    It was controversial enough to work. 

            Marvin knew the young boy and the dog were probably much older now since the incident had occurred, but they weren’t involved in the killer’s trajectory.   She did get the feeling he would be around the water at the same time.   It was yet another nudge and she decided to take it, if not for herself than for her dad and the boy.   

            She didn’t feel that she had to pretend any longer.   Singing different melodies, Mavin landed on ‘Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water’.    That had been her song to counteract her panic attacks when she was young.    He had sung it to Dougie to soothe him.    She was singing it to Marvin’s specifications and Dougie heard from a distance.     Her voice was clean, pure, inspiring, and sacred.  

            The killer had remembered hearing it and hating it.   He bolted into a rage, wanting to slaughter anything and everything ahead of it.    Marvin tackled the man and Mavin held him in place.   Greg had come in as back up if anything had gone wrong and Otis had come along despite Martinez trying to hold him back.  

            The face of the man wasn’t one anyone knew, let alone anyone cared about.   It was just some rando waste of space who had been filled with hatred and mania.   Otis had come too late but was amazed at how well Mavin performed under pressure.   

            ‘That’s right, you bastard !   Lament in what you’ve done !’, Otis said.   Greg rolled his eyes. 

            ‘You know you’re not really helping, right ?’, he added, dripping with gentle sarcasm.

            ‘Sure, but I like motivating my peers.  My therapist told me people love acknowledgement.’, Otis remarked, incredibly mature for his young age.   The man, only known as ‘Raging Lunatic’ was taken to the station, processed and quickly thrown into a cell.   The initial hearing would be held at another time, but this loser was going to rot for what he had done and if he ever got out, after the public learned of what he had done, they would probably make his life miserable or drive him to suicide if he was lucky.   

 

Epilogue

            Marvin had ordered all of them to celebrate at Cup O La Doughs.   It was a local bakery that Silas had supported for years.   As a simple mom and pop’s establishment versus Starbucks and chains like Duncan, he was a patron for their delightful faire and the hardworking staff.   Plus, they made chai lattes just the way he had liked.   

            Smelling the delicious aroma, the crew was salivating.   The owner, Greta, pointed out the menu.  

            ‘The Silas Special.   Since when have you offered that ?’, she asked.   It was a blueberry cinnamon roll, which was much like her dad.   It was too sweet, too pure and too good for the world but like Bellwether himself, he shared his light with others, even to the point that he was messianic.   

            ‘I’ll take a Special and a chai latte.  For pop.’, Mavin said, with some lingering tears.   Marvin put a proud hand upon her shoulder and patted it.  

            ‘I knew you were special, kid.   My gut instincts are never wrong.   You can rest easily with us.  You’re our family now, Bellwether !’, he said.    Otis grinned.   Marvin had grinned at seeing how much Marvin had changed.    She was their ray of sunshine and she made everything better.   The grief would come and go, but her gentle smile would always be one of the best things the PD had even when matters became rough.  

 

Epilogue

            The Raging Lunatic had been put away for life without parole for manslaughter.   Silas’ case was finally solved.   At night after the trial when things were quiet, his ghost had come to her but gratefully.  

            ‘Thank you.’, was all that her dad had said.    The tears were now joyous and relieved.   Her heart felt much happier.    As for the boy and the dog, they remembered Silas had brought them back together and they could breathe a collective sigh of relief.   

            A monument was built to honor the man, the ‘Bell’ who watched over them.   Mavin was the latest sentinel and she was extraordinary.    Marvin could say he was happy for once, even if he didn’t admit to it outwardly.    She was just exactly the type of detective the precinct had longed for and at last, she had found a tribe to vibe with. 

 

The End