The Spa

As Beth was getting her nails done and finishing a crossword puzzle, she overheard a woman two seats down, whispering into her phone.

"Just take care of it," she said. 

"No, drop it in the ocean," she whispered in a hushed, hurried voice.

Beth knew something was up. She drove out to the ocean later that eve as the tide was coming in...

Abandoned

It was misty this morning.  A brisk walk to the beach confirmed my suspicion of the shadow at my seaside home the night before.  I thought I'd better paint it before I forgot the detail.  For later when the 'authorities' might question me. 

It was hard to see the boat, off there to the left side in the moonlight.  Abandoned.  It was curious the tide did not drift it out to sea.  Had they come back?   Or was this a new boat?

So many questions filled my early morning head.  What were the Men in Black doing?  Where did they go? 

I was anxious to meet with Henry David.  He would know more.

Look Out. Look Up.

Just as things were heating up, I decided to take a break, visit a friend for dinner and chill out.  The dinner was strange for sure.  My new friend had UFO encounters. But I didn't know I would also have one...later that night.   Below are both of our stories.  First, my friend's story.  Mine follows.

UFO flies toward three women in Cashiers, NC

EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s not unusual for Glynis Heenan and her 12-year-old daughter Devon to see UFOs above their home in the mountaintop town of Cashiers, NC.  Consequently, we only report their more significant sightings.  This is one of those.

My daughter, my friend Sally and I decided to watch the annual August meteor shower the night of August 11, 2012.  So we grabbed a tarp to sit on and went to a nearby paddock that’s completely encircled with trees but has a 360-degree view of the sky.
We were facing northeast watching shooting stars for about a half hour when suddenly a bright red-orange ball of light appeared at 11:15 p.m.  Not only did it suddenly appear, but it came directly toward the three of us.   It was wider than my thumb at arm’s length when it abruptly stopped and hovered over the tree line across the paddock.  It remained there for about eight minutes.
“It’s gonna’ land, Mommy!  It’s gonna’ land!” Devon whispered excitedly while my normally chatty friend went completely silent.
Sally, who’s a bit of a skeptic, would normally blow off a UFO as a plane, a star, a planet or a satellite, but not this time.  When she finally spoke, she could only say “Well, I really don’t know what that is.”

This is a photo of the paddock where we went to see the shooting stars.  The red-orange ball of light hovered over the evergreen trees on the far side of the grassy area.  The three of us were sitting on the grass between the two bare trees and the line of evergreens.  By the way, this is the same paddock were I saw a sky ship land the night of February 26, 2012.
CLICK HERE to read “Sky Ship lands in Cashiers, NC” which is posted in Witness Testimonies.

Drawing shows approximate positioning of UFOs seen by the witness Source:  Skyshipsovercashiers.com   My Story:  As I left my new friends home, I was headed south on highway 441 about 9:40 p.m on July 20, 2010.  As I came upon the Exxon station just south of Dillsboro, I had a strong feeling I should look up. As I turned my eyes toward the black night sky, there it was hovering just 35 feet over the highway.   It was a narrow, rectangular ship that appeared to be about 50 to 60 feet wide and 20 feet high.   The ship had dim lights in no particular order.  There were maybe four or five long, vertical lights salmon amber in color.  The ship hovered at a slight angle as though it might be circling or perhaps seeking a place to land or crashing.  I have taken flying lessons and flown over this area so I know the terrain. I heard a loud, screeching noise behind it – like the sound of a jumbo jet about to land.  The thought crossed my mind that military jets might be chasing it.  Of course, jets couldn’t fly that low and would have been forced to abruptly regain altitude.  Since there was no place to pull off the highway where I felt comfortable enough to stop at night to observe it, I drove on home.  As I passed under the ship I did look back but couldn’t see a thing. My immediate feeling upon seeing the ship was one of wonder.  I felt surprisingly calm and also experienced a light tingling sensation.  Reflecting back on the experience, it was an answer to a week-long request to see a ship for myself.  What an honor to actually see one! But the story doesn't end there.  For ten (10) consecutive nights I awakened exactly two seconds before 1 a.m. totally refreshed after only sleeping three (3) hours.  I was given a 'knowing' that we must become economically sustainable immediately.  That means we have to live in small communities, eat locally, consume only what we need locally. Since the encounter my intuition is heightened.  I am earthquake sensitive.  I get a sensation through my body when an earthquake is about to occur.  Then I check it out with the USGS.  This past week my joints were in extreme pain.  Two days ago, the pain abated in the joints but I got quite sharp sensations in my hips going down my legs.  This was not sciatica.  I felt as though something major was going to occur.  I looked at a wall map and felt a pull toward Japan.  I wondered about a tsunami.  So you wonder how I know things.   About the Appletons, about earthquakes, about others.   About you.  Mr. Appleton.  Look out.

Surf's Up

So I was in my studio creating a piece for a dear friend.  He likes vibrant colors, abstract, very untethered things.  My first commission and I was excited.  Of course, one has to wait until one feels the creative juices.  I never know what will come out.

Just as I was finishing this piece I heard voices.  Sounded as though there were in the basement.  I washed the brushes, cleaned off my palette and went to the window.  Two dark figures ran by the house and out toward the water making a sharp right into the brush. 

The painting above shows the area disappeared near the surf.

Was I getting too close to this?

What The Watercolorist Knew

I couldn't get out of my mind that we are connected.  Pfft to the money.  I want to know more.  Now.  So I waited outside.  A new set of sable brushes and M. Graham watercolors and I was good to go.

I liked the stormy seas.  It resonated what was really going on.  With my chair in place and aisle in front of me this is what I created.  The summer house.  We used to go there when I was a wee tot.  Before money ruled.  My next-door neighbor, Donnie, the first boy I kissed under the steps in his...not my...steps.  Well, he often came with his family.  Their cottage was just down the dusty, dirt lane.  I'd ride my bike and meet him half way early in the mornings. 

That was long ago.  Before egos ruled. But Donnie and I still kept in touch.  In fact, he called last night. 

"You know I am still curious about what happened to Mrs. Appleton."

"Don't you know.  Gosh, I thought everyone did.  She is miserable with her husband.  I once overheard her say she wanted to leave him.  I wonder..."

"Well, we sure have motive.  Lots of opportunity.  Now when?  That is the question.  And how?"

Painting is a curious thing.  Changes the side of the brain we use for starters.  It crystallizes everything. Just as I finished the painting and was set to clean off the brushes it came to me. 

Mrs. Appleton was filing for divorce.  That is what Donnie meant when he reminded me how unhappy she has always been. 

I remembered a few years ago when I asked him, another watercolorist, if I could use his palette knife.  He panicked. Said he misplaced it. Oh my g-d.

The Gasp

"Yes. I know them.  I am one of 'em."

The silence was deafening.  You could hear a pin drop. 

Suddenly a young man appeared.  Tall, slender, well spoken.

"Ms. Stillwell, do you have a moment?"

"I do...I...I...am on duty."

"That's okay.  My family is paying for this.  It's okay  By the way, I am Henry David Appleton. It is kinda funny, I was named after the transcendentalist writer by my late Mom."

"Come, into the den.  It is quieter there.  I have something to tell you."

Beth found a seat on the leather sofa.

"I've been working as a reporter on The Herald here.  Please don't blow my cover.  The editor is my friend.  He wants to disclose some of the things that have been happening.  Frankly, it is making me physically ill.  I mean...I am about to burst, can't take it any more.  No one speaks up.  This corruption is everywhere.  D.C., hospitals, the financial industry, small towns.  It is money, money, money.  I'm sick of it!"

Beth's face softened.  She moved closer to Henry.

"Yes, it is.  What do  you want to do about it?"

"Look, we are the sum total of our efforts in this life. I'm not so sure I can change it all, but I know who ended her life.  I mean, I saw it."

Beth was speechless.  Her head tilted toward Henry.  Her hands opened. 

"Have you talked to the D.A. about this?"

"That is another problem.  He got paid for his silence.  But, in my position, I can expose things.  I don't care about the money.  I am not dishonoring myself.  And, well...ahhh...I am going public with the story tomorrow. I also know that some of the holdings in our family belong to you.  That is why I had to speak up now."

Beth gasped.

Stillwells?

A trip to 5432 Montbel and an old newspaper behind the eaves had a newspaper article in it. above the fold was a story about the Appleton family.  The Appleton's, the article said, had an estate in the Hamptons.  I couldn't get ready fast enough to check it out.

Behind the sign was a heavy wrought iron gate.  From the porch,  I imagined you could hear the waves roar.  I quickly put my camera away as I saw the gate begin to open.

"Hi, I am here writing a story.  It is about the Appleton family.  Actually, it all began with my Nana's plate from England.  It gave an address.  When I went to the house and looked under the eaves as the inscription on the plate suggested I found this newspaper article.  Mrs. Appleton was apparently murdered in her home.  Isn't she that heiress...to the antiseptic family, what is their name?"

"Well, yes...she was...now the money is in her husband's name.  You know he married her for the estate.  Everyone thought he was up to no good.  With the parties...well, it isn't my business.  Hey, look, I am catering a party.  Put this white shirt on and go help out. Your black jeans will be fine.  That is the color combo."

"You kiddin me?"

"Nope, fifteen dollars an hour plus tips.  These people tip really well.  Especially if you flirt."

"Just one more thing.  Why didn't the police pursue this  Seems awfully open and shut."

"That's probably because this is such a large family.  Beechwoods, Stillwells.  Everyone wants their share of the inheritance."

"Stillwells?"

"Yes,  they are from Maryland.  Baltimore in specific.  Know them?"

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