When Harry left Silas’ place, he made a stop at Tim Horton’s and then headed down to the waterfront. Joe was in his little trailer home, browsing through a grocery store flyer.
“Going grocery shopping?” Harry asked as he knocked and went inside.
“Possible,” Joe replied. “Picked up a few hours last week. Got space for a few extras. You lookin’ for something?”
Harry laughed and sat down. Joe didn’t waste time or words. “Maybe,” he said. “Have you heard of something called a Restless Spirit?”
Joe frowned. “Long time ago. From my Granddad. Why?”
“Do you believe in it?”
“Never gave it much thought.” Joe shrugged his shoulders. “Old folks did. When the fog rolled in, some went inside, closed the doors and windows, even closed curtains.”
“Surely they didn’t think it could harm them.”
“Didn’t know it was out there if they didn’t see it, I guess.”
Harry told him Silas had seen the light the previous night. “We think there’s a logical explanation but we need help proving it.”
“What kind of help?”
“We need someone with a small boat who will take us out to check the caves, maybe learn if we’re on the right track.”
“Boat’s no problem,” Joe said. “Won’t see much, though. All jagged rocks. Too dangerous for boats to go in.”
“That might be a problem. Divers might get in there but they don’t come cheap.” Harry rubbed his chin. “Any idea how deep the water is there at low tide? Could a man swim in there safely?”
“Don’t know… and don’t know.”
Harry chuckled. “So, I guess we have to find the answer another way.”
“Use the other way in.”
“Joe, are you saying there’s another way into those caves?”
“Thought Silas would know. Guess Grandad only told me.”
Harry closed his eyes and breathed deeply, saying a little prayer for patience. “Joe, do you know the other way in?” Joe nodded and Harry said, “Then, for God’s sake, where is it?”
“Back of Hobie’s Hill. Grown over now.”
“Do you think you can still find it?”
Joe nodded. “No trouble.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at eight.”
“Wear rubber boots, bring flashlights…” Joe said as Harry stood up, “and coffee.”
“Lots of it,” Harry agreed and left, chuckling to himself as he went back to the truck.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After breakfast at Silas’ cottage, the three men set out next morning as planned. Harry parked his truck in the pit at the side of the highway, where all the hikers and ATV users parked. “I’m kind of surprised someone hasn’t come across this entrance, with so many using the trail out here.”
“ATVs don’t go that way,” Joe said. “Hikers stick to the trail.”
“Most of them don’t see anything unless it’s right in their path anyway,” Silas added.
Each man carried a small backpack with water and food as they got out of the truck. Joe headed towards the right side of the pit and stopped at the edge. “Been someone here. Recently.”
