Catherine's Cross (11 page)
When she reached her car, she dialed Seth's cell phone. He answered briskly, “Detective Mason.”
“This is Jenks. I was wondering if you could go with me to Charleston in the morning. I would like to see the portrait of a young lady in the Gibbes Museum.”
“I'm working with Detective Campbell tomorrow evening, so the morning will be fine. Did you read anything helpful today?”
“Yes I did. I'll tell you on the drive to Charleston.”
S
eth drove Jenks's Jeep to Charleston the following morning. They left the windows down and cool spring air blew through the vehicle. The route of the Savannah Highway between Beaufort and Charleston was beautiful with the lushness of new greenery on the trees and the smell of rich perennial flowers bursting into bloom.
Jenks told him what she had read the day before and showed him the notes she had taken from Joseph Andrews's journals. “Miss Iris Elliott should be wearing a necklace with a gold cross in a portrait that hangs in the Gibbes Museum.”
He listened to her recount the history in the journals, and when she finished he said, “Even if we used the information available to us from Joseph Andrews's writings, locating any remnants of that ship would be virtually impossible.”
“I want to see what the cross looks like.”
“Yes, ma'am,” he said with a smile.
“When I left Meta and Ida Mae's home yesterday, I went by Rory's house and took him some cookies that the sisters had made. I hate to see him sitting down at Land's End all by himself.”
“I do too. Why don't you and I take him out to dinner?”
“He mentioned having us over.”
“Either way, I think he needs to get out more. Taking him the cookies was very thoughtful.”
When the Gibbes Museum opened at ten a.m., Seth and Jenks were the first to be admitted. Jenks spoke with a guide and asked for the location of the portrait of Iris Elliott. The guide gave her a map of the museum and an informational booklet that gave the history of many of the exhibits. When they reached the portrait gallery on the second floor, the painting of Miss Iris Elliott was mounted in the center of one wall that displayed South Carolina residents from the American Civil War period.
“There she is,” Jenks declared as they approached the portrait.
The young woman in the portrait was wearing a champagne-colored dress that complemented her golden-blonde hair and rosy cheeks. The dress had a plunging neckline, and around Iris's swan neck was an ample-sized gold cross adorned with red stones. Jenks's mouth dropped open. The red-stoned cross was identical to the one that had appeared in her dreams.
A historical description of the painting was in the brochure.
Portrait of Miss Iris Elliott, 1860. Daniel Huntington, Artist 1816â1909. Huntington is well known for his landscape works done in the Hudson River School Style. He painted this portrait of South Carolinian, Iris Elliott, at his New York studio after returning from a nine-year stay in England. The necklace in the portrait was purchased by Elliott's father while on a tour of Europe in the late 1850s and was from the collection of Catherine the Great. Designed by artist Aleksi Gregori Kartashkin, whose works were a favorite of the Empress. The ruby-studded and 18-carat gold necklace vanished during the American Civil War.
Jenks paused after she finished the description. “SethâI swear to you, that necklace is the same as the one that I have envisioned in my dreams.”
“That's amazing.” A frown crossed his brow as he studied the painting.
“I know I've never seen this painting before.” Cold shivers descended upon her as she looked at the cross.
“Have you ever had psychic dreams before now?”
“No. I feel like Gigi is reaching out to me.”
“Does that scare you?”
“I am concerned about itâwhat is she trying to tell me?”
They both gazed quietly at the portrait until Jenks broke the silence. “It says in this booklet that a postcard of the Elliott portrait is available in the gift shop.” On their way out of the museum, Jenks purchased the postcard, and they exited onto Meeting Street.
“I'd like to show you where I'll be attending law school this fall. Do you mind a walk?”
“Not at all. Lead the way!”
Seth took her hand once they reached King Street. They lingered in front of some of the stores and went inside several antique shops.
“I like being with you,” she told him after leaving a store.
He smiled and responded, “I promise, it's mutual.”
When they reached the reception center for the Charleston Law School, Seth opened the glass door for Jenks. As soon as the receptionist saw Seth enter the building, she rose from her seat and came forward to greet him. With a bright smile, she said, “Detective Mason, how nice to see you. It won't be long before classes start.”
“Yes, ma'am, I'm looking forward to it. Ms. Berry, this is my friend Jenks Ellington.”
The two women exchanged greetings, and Jenks noticed how fond the receptionist seemed to be of Seth. When they left the office, they walked to the location where the classes were held on Meeting Street.
“I'm starting to get hungry. Seth, I'd like to buy you lunch. Where would you like to go?”
“For the best crab cakes in CharlestonâFleet Landing.”
“Is that a naval establishment?”
“Come onâI'll show you. The Fleet Landing restaurant is located at the Charleston Harbor in a building that formerly functioned as a US Navy debarkation point for sailors.”
As they walked toward the waterfront, Jenks noticed the cranes used for loading cargo onto container ships, towering above the Columbus Street Terminal. They passed a large brick warehouse that housed a shipping firm. Jenks read the name, “Heath Brothers Shippingâwow. They have quite an operation.”
“Yes, I've read in Forbes Magazine they are consistently one of the most successful American companies.”
When they reached the restaurant, they were seated on the outside deck of the concrete building, which gave them an exceptional view of the harbor.
Seth looked at her closely and asked, “What is it that you plan to do with this information about the cross and sunken treasure?”
“I want to know if Gigi located the
Defiance
. What if Frank wanted everything for himself, and he killed her for what she found?”
“At this time, there is no evidence to prove that Frank had a hand in your sister's death. Listen to me, JenksâFrank Hiller is a highly trained military expert. Please be careful about sharing your thoughts on this.”
“Yes, I'll be careful.”
After they finished a lunch of crab cakes and collard greens, the pair walked through Waterfront Park. A child was running in and out of the massive play fountain, and they stopped to look at sailboats racing in the harbor.
“I'm going to start interviewing real estate agents to sell Gigi's home. I know that selling a house is difficult now, so we'll see what happens.”
“I hope it takes a long time to sell. I like having you around,” Seth said as he put his arm around her.
She was feeling the same way, but she had a teaching job to go to in August, and Seth would be starting law school. There was no doubt she was enjoying his company. His easygoing nature calmed her, and his touch sent deep feelings of warmth throughout her body. She had never felt these sensations beforeâit was like her insides might melt.
On the drive back to Beaufort on the Savannah Highway, Seth told her he'd like to show her one of his favorite places. “Let's go see the ruins of Sheldon Church.”
She nodded, and they branched off the highway, turning onto a rural road to Yemassee marked Sheldon Church Road. The temperature even dropped a few degrees as they entered a thickly vegetated area surrounding the ruins of a church. They parked the Jeep and entered the churchyard. It was enclosed by an ancient wrought-iron fence bent with age. Multitudes of live oak trees shaded the grounds and encircled the remains of the ancient structure. Topped with resurrection ferns, four columns marked the entranceway to the sanctuary, whose brick wall remnants still enclosed the former house of worship.
“It's eerily beautiful, don't you think?” Jenks asked.
“Yes, I visit from time to time.”
Jenks stepped to the front of the ruin and read a plaque that was mounted on the front wall. “Church of Prince William's Parish . . . known as Sheldon. Built between 1745 and 1755 . . . burned by the British Army 1779. Rebuilt 1826 . . . burned by the Federal Army 1865.” They walked through the interior of the church and went into the rear churchyard. The Southern Cross of Honor medals graced the grave of one Confederate soldier, and a new Confederate battle flag was placed beside the marker. “Died in battleâ1864,” Jenks read out loud.
“I'm glad to see that fallen soldiers are still honored,” Seth said.
“Why do you like to come here?” Jenks inquired.
“This churchyard has known violence, but I have a sense of peace when I visit these grounds.”
As they walked around the churchyard, a green manual well pump caught Jenks's eye. “Let's see if the pump still operates.”
She led Seth to the well, and in a brick oval pool at the base of the pump was clear water. Jenks bent down and put her fingers in the water, and then Seth began to pump the handle. Within a few strokes, water began to flow from the pump, and Jenks bent over the stream and drank. “Delicious,” she said.
After she finished drinking, she operated the pump handle for him, and he drank from the clear water.
“Tastes pure,” he said when he finished drinking. “JenksâI have to be at work in about an hour. I'm going to drive you home now.”
They drove back to Port Royal, and Jenks walked with Seth to his police car. She noticed that his suit was hanging up in the back of his vehicle. “Would you like to come inside and change?” she asked.
“No, I'll change at the station.”
He walked her to the front door and hugged her. That familiar jolt of energy coursed through her limbs. As he embraced her, she put her head against his chest. “I like your hugs,” she quietly said.
He leaned her back and kissed her on the forehead.
“No kiss on the lips?”
“Someone might be watching,” he laughed and hugged her once more.
“So what,” she laughed softly.
“That's a wonderful sound.”
“What sound?”
“Your laughter. I'll call you tomorrow,” he said as he walked down the path to his car.
“SethâThank you for today.”
He smiled and waved as he sat down in his car. She watched him pull away from Gigi's home and then she opened the door to the house and went inside. Closing the door behind her, she leaned her back against it and took a deep breath. She had thoroughly enjoyed her day.
Just as she started to walk into the living room, there was a knock at the door and Jenks immediately opened it, thinking Seth had returned. Standing in the doorway was the powerful frame of Frank Hiller.
He smiled at her, and in his hand was a large shopping bag.
“Hello, Jenks. I know that you were very upset with me at Gigi's funeral, but I hope you no longer are. I have some of Gigi's things, and I wanted to bring them to you.”
She felt nervous and stammered for a few seconds. “FrankâThank you for stopping by.” She stepped out onto the front porch, closing the door behind her. Fear surged through her body.
“I've been worried about what you said to me at Gigi's funeral. I don't think that I've conveyed to you how badly I feel about what happened.”
“Please have a seat.” She motioned for him to sit down on one of Gigi's front porch rocking chairs. Jenks sat down opposite him.
“I saw a For Sale sign on your workout center.”
“Yes. I've decided to move to San Diego. There are several old friends of mine who live there. I'm planning to open another workout facility. Plus, it's not nearly as humid in San Diego as it is here.”
He turned his attention to the brown shopping bag and said, “I'm sorryâ This is why I came over. These clothing items belonged to Gigi. They were at my house. I apologize for not getting them to you sooner.”
“Thank you.”
“I was wondering if you'd like to go out to eat dinner one evening. I know just the placeâWrens.”
She didn't have to think long about a response. “I'm not up to it, but thank you for asking.”
He smiled slightly and then handed her the bag.
“I appreciate you bringing this over.”
“You're welcome . . . I hope you don't think badly of me. I cared very deeply for your sister.” He gazed into her eyes. “WellâI should be leaving. If you change your mind, please let me know.”
Jenks stood up when he did, and Frank put his arms around her, hugging her in his powerful embrace. Jenks tried not to let her head rest against his chest. When he released her, he walked down the front path. She watched him go down the lane to where his car was parked at the street. Opening the front door, she stepped back inside. As she shut the door, Jenks felt cold chills run down her spine. She rubbed her hands together and realized her palms were sweating.
