George was nodding. "So what happened to him?"
"No one knows and no body was ever found. When a year passed with no sign of him, people just assumed he was dead, but I still have doubts. Yet, some say they've seen his ghost chasing ducks or fish across the swamp in his little boat."
"Are you serious?" George was wide-eyed.
Harry nodded. "They see something they can't identify or explain and call it a ghost."
"Do you think I'm imagining this?"
"Not at all," Harry said. "You're seeing something and we just have to find out what it is. There's always a logical explanation, Mr. Riley. We just have to find it."
"Will you help me?" George asked.
"Yes, but I need you to do something too," Harry said. "Over the next two weeks I want you to take note of each time you see it... date, exact time, weather conditions including wind direction and speed. Also note any movement the object is making. Report back to me with your observations and we'll go from there."
George nodded, grateful that Hogan seemed to be taking him seriously.
"What time do you usually pass by the swamp?"
"Between five-thirty and five-forty-five. Why?"
Harry smiled. "Just another detail. "See you in two weeks, unless you see something different to report before then. And don't worry so much, there's always a logical explanation."
George felt a bit relieved as he stood up to leave. "Thank you."
"I"ll check the area and talk to a few people. If anything changes before the two weeks are up, call me."
As the door closed behind George, Harry leaned back in his chair. It could be the setting sun reflecting off the water. Tomorrow was Saturday, the forecast was good, it had been a long time, Maybe it was time to revisit the area.
********************
Harry left early the next morning, picking up coffee and donuts on the way - just in case, and headed for the swamp.
Stopping at Ollie's place, he saw no visible signs of life, but that didn't mean much. There was no sound from inside and the door was locked. As he reached for the key, he heard a soft footstep behind him and swirled around quickly, then grinned. "Ollie!" He stepped aside to let him open the door while he retrieved what he had in the truck.
"Where have you been?" Harry asked when they were seated at Ollie's little table.
"Cooking at the lumber camp while their regular cook underwent surgery and recovery. It was almost like old times," Ollie said.
"People thought you had vanished. Though some said they saw your ghost over the water. When did you get back?"
Ollie laughed. "Late spring, and it was good to be home. What are you up to now?"
"Have you seen anything unusual out here, maybe over the swamp??"
"Depends on what you call unusual."
Harry told him what George had seen. and Ollie began to nod his head and smile.
"At first, I thought it was the old Witch Lady. She's been gone for years but she was said to be a witch, so you never know."
"The old Witch Lady," Harry said. "Never heard of her."
