07-03. Ghostly Quest Giver

Just after midnight, Larry Walsh again rose from the grave. He suffered from his usual wavering confusion until he spotted his daughter Bebhinn walking towards him.

With a shock, Larry suddenly realized that Bebhinn had been present at the time of his death! What could it mean?

Bebhinn walked right past him. And Larry knew--she'd hardened her heart, blocked his presence out completely.

Larry: Bebhinn! Why? You were my favorite. I gave you everything! My little Bebhinn! Why?

Larry needed help. He was slowly remembering things, and what he recalled angered him. He'd been such a fool!

When Larry had given the knight that old medallion, he hadn't known the power it held, only that it was a valuable relic. But now that he haunted the spirit world, Larry saw the stone's true purpose. A portal to other realms!

He locked onto the bright rays spreading out over Rinn Fada and searched for their source.

It wasn't long before Larry found the home of the knight. ... That's right, he thought, the Wimsel mansion.

Larry now knew he was looking for Brother Bunter, that worthy knight the Brethren had hired to defend the town from dangers. Well, he was needed again.

Brother Bunter had left the Woeful fellowship, but Larry didn't care. He had his revenge to think about. The knight would serve him ... whether he was willing or not!

Larry: Wake up, knight!
Bunter: Walsh? High Elder? What has happened to you!
Larry: Murder! Murder!!

Walsh's hollow wail chilled Bunter's blood. There was a ghost standing in his room crying murder!

Bunter stumbled out of bed and met Walsh face to face. He hoped Caprice wouldn't be disturbed, but it seemed the ghost was only focused on him. Caprice never stirred.

Larry: You must avenge me in the land of the living, knight! I cannot rest until justice has been enforced.

Bunter was getting a bad feeling about all this. There was only one person he could think of that would have wanted Walsh dead. One person whose heart was dark enough to do it. Bunter had tried to warn Walsh, but the old man hadn't listened.

Bunter: High Elder, did my brother have a hand in your death? Did you see him?

Larry: No! No!! My daughter! My Bebhinn! SHE was there! It must have been her. Must have been!
Bunter: What? But I don't understand!
Larry: Damn you! Listen to me! They were in the fog. I know it!

Bunter: Please sir, take it easy. Just explain. Tell me what you remember.

Larry: Someone knocked me into the water. ... So cold. Numb. ... Couldn't breathe. ... Then, then there was a noise. Rustling. I was left alone. ... Tried to climb out. On the bank. ... But no! Someone else ... held me down ...

Bunter: The attack didn't come from out of the water?

Larry: The statue ... by the pond ... too much fog ... couldn't see. ... Find them! ... the killers ... use the medallion ...

Walsh was fading, his voice growing distant, a mere echo. In a blink, he was gone. Bunter stood dazed, trying to work things out in his mind. He would need His Lordship for this mission.

If Larry Walsh had been murdered, the killer--or killers--would need to be given over to the authorities. But if Emad was involved, and Bunter was sure that he was, no human authority would be able to hold him. It would take sorcery. ... Bunter dressed and woke Piers at once. There was no time to lose.

Bunter: M'Lord, I've been visited by a ghost!
Piers: Oh, Bunter. Not again! Another supernatural? Demons, mummies, vampires, sea creatures, rat dogs ... Where do you find them all?

Bunter: Sir, they find ME! I'm minding my own business, keeping a low profile, acting a Proper gent, and well, they just show up! Unexpected-like.
Piers (sighing): Hmm. All right then. Let's hear it.

Bunter: It was Larry Walsh, M'Lord. The High Elder from the Brethren of the Woeful Countenance.
Piers: I knew your getting involved with that lot would be a disaster! Everyone of them, loonies!
Bunter: Yes, sir. Too true. The headaches they gave me far outweighed the rewards. Not that there was ever much in the way of rewards. I had to ...

Piers: My dear man, if you would please stay on task here!
Bunter: Of course, M'Lord. Sorry. ... As to Elder Walsh, he told me he'd been murdered. Pushed into a watery grave, as it were. Drowned!

Piers: Details, old boy. Where and when? How? By whom ... and why?
Bunter: Straight to the point! Ever the detective!
Piers: Bunter, less schmoozing, more facts!

Bunter: Mr Walsh was killed on his own property. By the pond in his yard. From what he said, it must have been near that statue by the back fence. I'm not sure of the "when." I'd say very recent since word hasn't reached us yet. Probably that one night of heavy frost. Walsh kept mumbling something about fog.

Piers: And does this ghost, Walsh, remember who attacked him?

Bunter: That's the trouble. Not exactly. He only has vague impressions. Claims more than one person was involved though. His daughter Bebhinn, my brother's wife, might have been part of it. ... As to the "why," I'm assuming money, sir. But there's always hate. If you recall, Larry Walsh was a mean old codger!

Piers: Bunter, are you saying your brother or his wife might be implicated in this crime?
Bunter: I'm afraid so, M'Lord. I haven't told you much about Emad, but trust me, he is quite capable of bumping someone off if it's to his advantage.

Piers: This is not good, my friend. A very delicate situation. We cannot have this, uh, incident threaten our home. I'm glad you came to me, Bunter. We must investigate immediately, but utmost discretion will be required.