He pulled out of the driveway and headed for Black’s Farm. Joe hadn’t said much about Finley, but he never wasted words unless someone asked a specific question..
Joe was walking towards the barn when Harry pulled up. He stopped and waited for Harry to join him. “What’s up?” he asked.
“I’m looking for information,” Harry said, with a chuckle.
Joe nodded. “About…?”
“Finley Burton.”
“Why?”
“Why did he disappear?” Harry said. “And why five years after his father’s death? Why not earlier?”
Joe shrugged. “No idea…”
“Tell me what you do know.”
“I was young… heard teenagers talk about a saloon…”
Harry sighed. “What were they saying?”
“Haunted… asked Grandfather… told me about pirate…”
“What about him?”
“Pirate built place… was haunting it.”
“Did your grandfather say why he was haunting the place?” Harry asked.
Joe nodded. “Didn’t want it sold…”
“Do you have any idea where Connor’s brother and sister settled?”
Joe shook his head. “Nope…”
Harry sighed. “Okay, thanks. I’ll let you get to work.”
“Anytime,” Joe said as he smiled and walked away.
Harry shook his head as he turned the truck around and left. Joe’s information, as always, was interesting but lacking in detail. He headed back home again.
********************
The following morning Harry stopped long enough to tell Bertie he was going to see Silas. “Maybe he can put Joe’s information into perspective.”
After parking the truck behind Silas’s van, he got out, walked up the steps, knocked on the door and went inside. “I need to talk to you.”
Silas laughed. “Sit down and I’ll get the coffee.”
Harry sat at the kitchen table.
Silas joined him a few minutes later, placing two mugs on the table. “What’s on your mind?”
“What do you know about Rupert Burton’s ghost?”
“You been talking to Joe?” Harry nodded and Silas grinned. “We were boys then. Rumour said he started haunting the bar after it was sold. He was disappointed and wanted to keep an eye on things.”
“Is that all?”
“Another rumour said he was protecting the gold he had buried somewhere in the tunnel. The sailor who had supplied the rum – and at least part of the funds to build the place – was looking for it, and that’s when he set off the first explosion under the place.”
“You never mentioned anything about gold before,” Harry said.
“Because I don’t believe it,” Silas said. “Think about it… Rupert suffered serious injuries, took a long time to recover, and couldn’t get back on another ship. During this time, he had to live, and pay for everything. How much gold could he have left by the time he built the saloon?”
“I guess that depends on how much was on board the ships they pillaged, and what percentage of the spoils was divided among the crew.” Harry rubbed his chin. “How did they know he was a pirate in the first place? Did he tell anyone that?”
Silas shrugged. “Not sure it’s true, but one story said that an old sailor came into the saloon one night and recognized him. Rupert put him up for the night and sent him off in the morning. Story said that he gave the man money and warned him not to come back.”
“Okay, two questions: did Declan and Rory settle around here? And why did Finley wait so long after his father’s death before he disappeared?”
Silas leaned back in his chair. “As far as I know, only Connor settled here. Not sure where the other two went. Grandfather said Finley couldn’t sell earlier because of something in the will.”
“Ever hear why Finley disappeared? Or where he might have gone?”
“No idea. The only one left around here with any inside knowledge is Glory. I think she knows more than she’s told. Much as she prefers to keep it a family secret, the truth is that her great-grandfather was once a pirate.”
Harry nodded. “He’s also part of the history of this town.”
“So what’s next?” Silas asked.
“I guess I’ll talk to Glory. I know it’s not her favorite topic but Connor and Finley had the same mother,” Harry said. “You’re right, if anyone knows why Finley disappeared, or where he went, it would be one of his half-siblings. She might have heard something.”
“If she’s willing to talk about it,” Silas cautioned. “She can be stubborn when she wants to be.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Keep me informed,” Silas said as Harry opened the door.
“Will do,” Harry said as he left. Back at the office, he gave Bertie the latest information and said he would visit Glory after lunch.
********************
