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Chapter Four

-October 16th, 2006-
Saint Brendan’s Children’s Hospital


Aloysius stood patiently waiting outside the nursery window looking in. His nephew slept soundly inside his incubation cradle at the end of a row of newborns. The child had inherited the high forehead that was a trademark of the Pendergast bloodline.

The swinging door creaked from behind him. Constance, sitting in her wheelchair, looking pale and anxious, was being pushed towards the nursery. She smiled blankly at him; there was almost no emotion behind it, only the reflex.

“Aloysius, I am glad that you choose the names you did.” She spoke without looking at him.

“I do hope you’ll forgive me for taking that liberty.”

“Franklin Alister Fausto Pendergast... Franklin for ‘free man’, Alister... would be the Gaelic form of Alexander; meaning ‘Defender of man, champion of the helpless.’ And last, Fausto. The Italian form of ‘Faustus’ for good fortune.” For the first time Constance looked into Aloysius’s eyes.



-October 17th, 2006-
Savannah, Georgia


Fall had swept through the beautiful streets of Savannah, Georgia. The leaves had changed out of their traditional greens and were dressed festively in gold, orange, red, and rust. Only the Candler Oaks remained ever the same. They covered the antique streets in a lush green canopy, blocking out most of the unnatural heat.

Joanna Newson drove towards the familiar Historic District in her Honda Accord. The address printed on the form her employment agency had sent her was only another block up. A large renovated mansion in the French colonial style dominated the center of an entire block. The ironwork gates were painted a deep green and rows of roses could be seen extending around the property.

The agency also sent along a brief history regarding her new employer along with a generous starting bonus. Joanna felt a certain pity for the family. Mr. William Dobbins owned a leisure boat-making company and had been away when Hurricane Katrina swallowed his ancestral home in New Orleans. Apparently his wife suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation and his elderly aunt was left alone sitting on her bedroom porch for six days before anyone came along and found her. Both of them had to be hospitalized when Mr. Dobbins came back. Several months ago Joanna was contacted as a possible candidate for the caretaker position Mr. Dobbins would need for his family once they were released to personal care. He had bought taken great pains to select the best for his family, and Joanna was proud to be thought of as the best.

Walking up to the door of the mansion, she couldn’t help but notice how dense the foliage was around the back garden. None of the usual fountains or statues that graced almost every other house in the area could be seen. Pressing the door bell, Joanna heard it chime from deep within the house. A second later Mr. Dobbins opened the door.

He was a tall man with lively auburn hair and green eyes. A somber grey suit swathed his lean frame. Joanna couldn’t help but note the aristocratic features, finely positioned in an oddly mischievous face. He smiled handsomely at her and bowed.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Miss Newson. Please, do come in.” In a fluid movement he stepped aside from the door, showing her in.

“The agency was able to forward most of your instructions, but I would prefer to hear them directly from you. If that is possible, of course.” She looked around the parlor as he led her into the informal living room.

“Yes, I would prefer to make sure the detailed particulars of our daily life be followed as close to the letter as possible.” He gestured for her to be seated in the chenille covered Queen Anne chair, while he lowered himself into its twin. “I’m afraid my business keeps me away from here most of the time. It is an unfortunate fact. My family suffered greatly in the recent hurricane.” He took a deep breath and sighed. Leaning back, he placed his long fingers carefully in his lap and stared melancholically out the back window. “My wife almost drowned in the flood but she was lucky enough to be rescued. Oxygen depravation and a severe concussion rendered her mentally disabled. I have hopes that she will fully recover someday, but the doctors do not.”

“I’m sorry,” Joanna whispered, looking down at her hand, unwilling to gaze upon Mr. Dobbins’s face.

Mr. Dobbins nodded without looking, “Now I must relate to you the even more troublesome case of my dear aunt. She lost her entire family in a car accident a long time ago. The stress from the loss had over taken her and she had to live in an institution. When I got married three years ago, my wife insisted that we take back home.” He paused letting his buttery accent fade into silence. “She has her good days and her bad days, so it is best to always be polite and leave her to her own devices. She has her own hobbies and I pretend to need her help on things. It makes her feel like she has purpose.”

“What is the schedule you need me to keep?”

“I would prefer that you stay at the house on the nights I am away. Mrs. Dobbins will be given her medication on the schedule that was provided and Aunt Cornelia just needs to be served her meals accordingly. You do not need to do any cooking; the meals will be brought by a catering company. A private cleaning service comes three times a week, but it is best if you pick up lightly along the way.” Mr. Dobbins looked at Joanna intently, willing her to understand her role.

“Nothing else is expected of me?” she asked.

“Just watch over the two ladies in my life when I am not here. When I am home, I might send you out to purchase some odds and ends, but I suspect no more.”

“That sounds perfectly all right. When do you need me to start?”

“I would like to see you back here tomorrow morning. And one last thing, Miss Newson...”

“Yes.”

“I am a private person. I picked this town for its subtle reminders of New Orleans. It is hardly avoidable for the neighbors to be curious but I would caution you against speaking about my household to anyone. Could you give me your word that what happens within the bounds of my property stays private to the outside world?” Mr. Dobbins stood as he spoke and Joanna got an almost intimidating sense of his height. His wide shoulders and lean frame gave the distinct impression of a man in excellent physical condition. And for a moment the light from the windows gave the green in his eyes an unnatural glow.

“Of course, Mr. Dobbins.” Joanna stood up, straightening her jacket. “Will I be meeting the ladies tomorrow, then?”

“If you don’t mind?” Mr. Dobbins gestured towards the door. “I would prefer to give you the full tour when my time allows tomorrow morning.”

Joanna bid farewell and left the house feeling relieved. Her boss had proved to be a sensitive but thoughtful man. And her work did not exceed the initial proposal. She was pleased.


Diogenes regarded himself in the mirror. His eyes itched slightly with irritation from the green contacts, but everything else had gone well. The mansion around him echoed his childhood home as well as his own adult interests. He looked down at his watch, checking the time. His lovely bride would be in need of her medication soon.

Upstairs an exceptionally ornate bedroom suite glowed in sunlight. A fragile looking woman with dark hair sat holding a cross stitching in her lap. The white wicker rocking chair gently swayed as she looked intently down. Her hands did not move and the embroidery was an odd jumble of nothingness. No pictures, no style, nothing at all.

Diogenes smoothly placed his hands around the door frame and gazed upon the once full and lovely face of his brother’s interest. Viola Maskelene was no longer the woman she once had been. She was now his puppet and willing wife.

Aside from the attractive physical features, Diogenes didn’t see what his brother saw in her. But ever since he abducted her last year, he was determined to dominate her in every way. She defied him and she had lived; he wanted to break her fiery spirit, break her to his will. Actually, he wanted to break all the female companions his brother had had to his will. Their adoration for him would be a savory victory. Maybe when he had all of them in his collection, Aloysius would finally understand what it was like.

Viola looked up dully and smiled. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out but unintelligible babble. Reaching out her arms, she beckoned to him. Diogenes complied. He let her hold him and babble softly into his ear. After a moment he eased out of her grip and presented her with a glass of water.

“My dear, it would make me very happy if you drink the water now.” He looked down at her.

Viola took the glass obediently, drinking the contents promptly, then gazed up at him, expecting a compliment.

“Well done, my dear.” He took the glass from her and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

Viola smiled, her expression serene. Diogenes stood up and went into the large closet. A moment later he had changed into a tailored black suit and milky blonde wig.

Viola gazed at him in a puzzled expression.

“Don’t worry dear, it is still me,” he said lazily, switching out his contacts in front of the vanity mirror. A pale blue pair took the place of the green ones.

Diogenes looked somewhat distastefully at the reflection in the mirror. It was not his favorite disguise, but Aunt Cornelia would never lend her help to Diogenes. She had always favored his brother, and Aloysius was no doubt extremely nervous about her disappearance. A delightful thought which made his irritation over becoming Aloysius almost worth the trouble.



-October 17th, 2006-
E. Glinn’s new building
4:15 pm


The computer room was flashing with countless images. Video surveillance footage from every entrance of the hospital was being carefully scrutinized. Diogenes appeared as himself with no beard exiting the northeast entrance at 4:30 pm on October 15th. He made no pretense of avoiding the cameras. The top row of monitors played the feeds of various cameras around the hospital.

A series of people and cars moved in fast forward. Another row of screens ran ingredient analyses of several different kinds of candy. Three different technicians sat side by side with earphones typing away into their own work stations.

Eli Glinn sat in his wheelchair, pouring over a list of passengers from Kennedy and LaGuardia. The light was hurting his eye and strain from another night of restless sleep made his pallid complexion almost grey. Every name was then checked with the corresponding section of surveillance video his team had already pulled. There was no trace of Diogenes. He was starting to feel the fatigue that had been threatening to overcome him for sometime now.

It was true that Diogenes had left them clues, but in each clue there was yet another mystery to solve. One lead led to another in a seemly never ending cycle. Sometimes he regretted taking on the challenge Pendergast had set before him all those months ago.



-October17th, 2006-
7:30 pm
Miko’s Sweets Heaven
Savannah, Georgia


Bright colors of every shade printed on the wrappings of countless pieces of sweets crowded the neatly stacked bins. The air was sticky with the scent of fruit and chocolate. Whimsical looking characters winked out from silly displays.

Large toffee squares heaped on an ornate platter that was placed in front of a large all-sugar haunted house, complete with electronic ghouls and goblins, making their appearance in the windows. A chocolate witch hovered from the ceiling over a significant assortment of themed confections.

Diogenes regarded the spectacular displays with mild disinterest. The candy store smelled delicious, and was no doubt an astonishing presentation. It might have actually been delightful to be in, but through his eyes everything was no more than varying shades of grey.

He had come looking for a specific treat, something that would befit the one who had eluded him for so long. A basket of dark shining balls caught his eye. Picking one up with his long fingers, Diogenes looked intently at it. Perfectly round, shining, sleek, and dark. With a quick hard squeeze of his fingers the soft creamy center oozed from the cracked shell. A satisfied smiled touched his lips. He had found what he was looking for.

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