Robert Douglas’ Will.v3.P1

Hook/Character Creation: You were best friends and freshmen together in 1915 at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Whether you graduated or went to war in 1917 is up to you. In 1919 Robert Douglas married Ellen and moved to Calgary, Canada. It is now 1923 when you received the invite to the reading of his will, in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Strange that he didn’t send his usual Christmas card last December. Or update his address.

Carmen Vigil, Painter/Poet (Andrew): 23yo Spanish (Asturian) heritage gifted her looks and charm, but the English poet/painter William Blake’s darker words and brush strokes guided her own artistic expression, trying to portray a world tarnished by the ravages of war and the influenza epidemic. She moved to Seattle late last year from Arkham, MA for a fresh start from a harrowing experience on the streets of the infamous city. Younger cousin to Ellen Douglas.

Calvin Williams, Elected Official (Justin): 27yo blonde hair and blue eyes, well-dressed, handsome and dashing first-year mayor of Tacoma, WA. Of German ancestry, he is a bit ambitious and arrogant, “You can call me Mr. Mayor or Your Honor.” Calvin was Robert's roommate for freshmen year in college and they played on the baseball team together (Bob the pitcher and Calvin his catcher).

Nico Rivera, Author (Steve): 22yo activist writer, 6’5” average build, kind of skinny. A gentle giant. Fascinated by the occult, he is an idealist hoping to become a best-selling author. Per his heritage, Nico talked Robert into signing up for Italian language classes as Nico volunteered to be his tutor if needed for an easy ‘A’.

1pm, Tuesday, 17 April 1923: Carmen stepped out of her Seattle bungalow to fetch her mail, surprised to find a letter from her cousin Ellen Douglas. 

She settled in her recliner to read, then suddenly sat up at the surprising news of Roberts’ death! She quickly took off her painting smock and rushed to the corner store to use their phone, “Yes operator, can you please connect me to Mayor Williams of Tacoma.” After her hurried report, she next called Nico, “You’ll never believe that Robert Douglas, yes our Robert, named you in his will. Something about a package. I know it’s short notice, only 2 days away, but are you free to join me at the reading of his will up in Nelson?”

3pm: They gathered at the mayor’s office. Mr. Mayor already had his staff researching travel plans for Nelson, “Sorry sir, too far to drive in such short time. Canada doesn’t have enough developed road network as the states. How about a train?” Calvin considered airplane tickets but had no Luck finding air service to the small lumbermill town. [Hard INT] Sitting in Calvin’s office, Nico remembered, “I was doing some background research on aviation in the area and happened to see this brochure about airship service starting up in Vancouver. We’d have to go through there anyway for customs.” Calvin had his staff call to order 3 tickets on the airship for a Wednesday departure, “Business trip for import/export opportunities.”

Carmen got frustrated on the phone, “Operator, I don’t know which hotel Ellen Douglas is staying at in Nelson. They can’t have that many hotels in such a small town. Yes, ring them all if you have to.” Nico suggested, “Call the Bothnall Law Firm; they should know where she is staying.” The operator chimed in, “Sorry sir, no one is answering. They’ve probably gone home for the night. Wait a minute, I just got the Prestige Inn who says they have a Douglas. I’ll connect you now.” Ellen got on the line, “Carmen, you got my letter! You’ve missed the funeral, but I hope you can make the reading of his will. Nico is with you?! I’m anxious to see the package content. And Calvin? I’ll book you separate rooms.”

5pm: As Calvin drove his Cadillac north to Vancouver, Carmen offered, “How about paintings of the Canadian landscape with a handshake to Tacoma as compensation for my airship ticket?” It was a 5-hour drive north with an orange sunset to their left, painting a cloudy horizon. Neither Nico or Carmen had driver a long Cadillac before as proven by the scrapes and dings as they turned city corners too sharply while they took turns driving through the night. At the Customs Toll Booth, Calvin declared his pistol. “Sorry sir, only rifles if you’ve come to hunt.” [Charm] Mr. Mayor explained his political situation, “Too easy to make enemies in this career. I wish I had staff as devoted as you; you’re doing a great job. I’ll bring you back some maple syrup.” After checking into their Vancouver hotel, they quickly fell asleep from the long day.

April 18, Wednesday morning: With their airship flight scheduled for 5pm, they enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and chat at the table as Nico read the local papers. Page 5 had another prominent advertisement about the newest airship service offering both passenger and cargo service. Carmen explored the local shops to supplement makeup and items forgotten in her rushed packing. And of course, all enjoyed a nice seafood lunch almost forgetting why they were in Canada. Maybe that’s why Calvin thought to call the airfield. “Yes sir, So glad you called. The Captain wants to depart early because of weather reports of Pacific storms. If you could be here in half an hour.”

Charleston Airfield: It was a 20-minute drive to the north side of Vancouver, where the large airship dwarfed the few biplanes and a couple of larger transport planes. They had never seen such marvel other than in grainy newspaper pictures covering the Great War reports of German blimps attacking the trenches. 

This airship had to be over 500ft long and half that in width with a unique design of 8 fins at its tail. After parking the Cadillac, Calvin called porters to carry their bags as he stepped to the small building to collect their tickets. The others stood in line to board.

Joining his friends, Calvin overheard the couple in front of him talking in German and introduced himself in their language. Helmut & Ursula Weid turned to meet a fellow German but were disappointed to see Calvin an American. Calvin tried to soften the mood, “What a lovely name, my grandmother is also Ursula. My mother was born in Germany.” Helmut was not impressed, “Ah, deserters of the Motherland. I see you Americans plundered our airships… I recognize the German design of this ship. Not as spectacular as our Zeppelins.”

Carmen welcomed Lt Bambury’s offered hand as he helped her climb aboard, “To the left, you’ll find the Bar and Diner viewing stations with berths further back. The bartender (Ensign Ross) will carry your luggage to your room if you have one; otherwise, he can stow it in baggage. Please, make yourself comfortable; this should be a 4–6-hour flight depending on the winds and weather.” Carmen set up her easel near the slanted windows as she watched the groundcrew prepare for the ship’s liftoff. After collecting their drinks, Nico sat near a window in the dining area while Calvin sat closer to the bar to minimize the time between refills. Other passengers crowded near the windows.

Carmen watched the groundcrew holding onto ropes as they guided the airship to point into the wind. They all felt the gentle lift of the ship biting into the wind. Then a sudden lurk that knocked Carmen’s easel down while also knocking a few passengers off their feet. Nico spilled his drink while Calvin held his (Scotch-On-The-Rocks) steady as the airship seemed to buffet and jump skyward. [Spot-Hard] Calvin and Carmen both saw the poor man dangling from one of the rigger ropes used to guide the airship into launch position. 100ft and climbing above the ground!

Carmen immediately ran to the bartender to report, “There’s a man hanging on for dear life!” Ross continued cleaning the glasses, “Not my responsibility.” She was incredulous at his lack of concern. She dashed towards the Wardroom where they had entered the airship. Having overheard the short conversation, Calvin called Nico, “Follow me, we have a man to rescue!” He didn’t know the layout of the airship, but surely there was access to the man dangling about midbody of the airship. He remembered seeing horizontal platforms connecting the engines to the side of the ship. He ran and called for help, “Where’s the crew? There’s a man outside about to fall to his death if we don’t help.”

Carmen continued forward and found Lt Bambury stepping out of his navigation room to answer her call. The lieutenant offered no compassion, “He’s still hanging on? Usually, they fall by now. I will talk to the captain.” Carmen was close enough to hear the short conversation, “Capt Moore, it appears we have a rigger about to die.” “For the greater good. Lt Bambury, see the woman back to the dining area then call back to Vancouver to let them know to hire a replacement.” Carmen was speechless, “But, But...” She was stunned by the lack of concern or care as Bambury sat her in a chair and returned to work. She quickly got up and rushed to the rear where she’d see Calvin and Nico run.

Calvin ran past the staterooms and through a door and onto a catwalk that spanned a gap between huge gasbags (each filled with 10,000-cubic-feet of hydrogen gas). He continued forward, climbing a set of stairs to what must be the crew area. He could hear the roar of the engines and turned right toward where he hoped the poor rigger was dangling. He looked out a small window in the door access to the external engine and could barely see the taut rope. Surely the man was still hanging on for dear life! Nico arrived and found Calvin, “Is he still there? What can I do?” [Spot] Nico saw the wench box just to the right of the door and saw the 6ft gaff pole stowed along the floor. “Maybe we can reel him in!” Nico didn’t have the strength, but combined they were able to slowly reel him closer.

[I had Carmen make rolls: they were for the rigger’s strength to hold on and his luck to not get jarred loose.]

Carmen arrived to watch from the window, “I don’t see him yet. Wait, I see something…his foot!” Carmen feared they’d lost the rest of him till Calvin confirmed the tension the same. Then Carmen saw the man’s chest then arms. She screamed through the tiny window [as if he could hear her over the roar of the engine], “PULL YOURSELF UP ON THE PLATFORM!!” There was momentary hesitation to open the door, “Are we pressurized and could get sucked out?” They used the gaff to hook Calvin’s belt as the mayor opened the door to reach for the man. He stumbled in and collapsed, breathing heavily.

After closing and securing the external door, they moved the man to the nearby washroom to give First Aid. [00- fumble] Shock was too much as the man passed out. Carmen cut his pants to tend his leg wound (suspecting rope burns), only to learn it was worse, “The man is bleeding!” And that’s when Calvin remembered one of the passengers being addressed as doctor. He fireman carried the unconscious man towards the front of the airship as they called for the doctor. Steve (and Rebecca) Williams stepped from their stateroom, “Bring him in here. What happened?” As the doctor treated the wound and gave him ether to keep him from moving as he stitched the long skin tear, the trio told the unbelievable story of the callous and uncaring crew. “Tell us when he wakes so we can get his side of the story.”

When Carmen suggested not telling the ship captain about the rescue, Calvin was disappointed. “Nico, maybe you can write up an article describing my heroics for my hometown. Sometime to help justify the trip.” When Carmen offered to sketch the rescue effort, Calvin leaned in, “Can you make my biceps bigger?” As the airship flew over the Canadian Rockies, Carmen at first marveled at their beauty till she realized the airship wasn’t crossing them with that much elevation. Didn’t these things fly higher?!

Having lost her appetite, Carmen stayed with the patient under the doctor’s care and chatted with Rebecca Williams. Nico was famished and retired to the Dining area while Calvin refreshed his drink. And that’s when the mayor noticed the man at a table inspecting items within a box on his lap. Martin Biagio explained, “Coming home after buying replacement lenses for my telescope. I’m just an amateur astronomer hoping to watch the Lyrids Meteor showers this month. I think I damaged the lenses when I slipped and fell climbing the mountains a few times. Blurry sights over a few nights that kind of came and went. My luck it was probably just haze caused by the lumbermill furnace smoke. Isn’t this airship a marvel? So fortunate they started cargo service to our small town these last months.” Martin laughed when Calvin called him another Galileo.

Calvin sat and watched a few other passengers: a young woman who seemed to study an older man sitting alone. He soon joined Nico to report, “The other passengers seem OK, it’s the staff who are suspicious.” Nico’s mind raced with possibilities, “Maybe the rigger was sleeping with the captain’s wife, and it was an attempted murder.”

Their theories were put on hold when the patient woke. John Francks tried to remember, “My fault, first time on the job. I tensed when the rope jerked and instinctively held on. Thank goodness you pulled me in, I was getting weak.” Nico offered him food, but the doctor disallowed, “He might throw up the laudanum I gave him for pain.” Carmen was still upset how the crew disregarded him, “You ought to sue or seek injury pay. We have a meeting with a lawyer in town; the Bothnall Firm might take your case and we could swear affidavits to support your case.”

4pm, Nelson: As the airship neared Kootenay Lake, they huddled at the windows to watch the landing. They saw Martin’s lumbermill and logs floating near a pier and saw smoke billowing from a furnace. The airship passed the small town then turned into the wind to swing around toward the open field composed of only a hastily constructed tower and small building. All avoided talking with the crew as they deplaned, grabbed their bags, and waited for a taxi called from the field office. It was another hour before they checked into their hotel and met Ellen.

Hugs and condolences as they took her to dinner. “It is all such a surprise. One minute he says he loves me, then I return home to find him quickly packed and gone. A simple note of ‘For your own safety’.” Carmen tried to reason from clues in the letter, “Was there anything strange before he left? Any enemies?” Ellen sobbed into her tissue, “The lawyer says he wrote a will the day before he died. That’s why the police suspect suicide. There was only his neighbor who attended his funeral besides me. Jean Simpson was the one who identified his body washed upon her shore. Apparently, Robert has a cabin out on the lake. My lawyer has the keys.” It had been a long day and they all turned in early.

Thursday, 9am, Bothnall Law Firm: “Mr. Rivera, if you’ll sign here for the package you are to receive.” The secretary led them into a conference room to wait for the lawyer, Charles Bothnall. Carmen sat beside Ellen who was dressed in all black. Mr. Mayor introduced everyone when Charles entered the room then asked, “If you don’t mind, we’re hoping to see the coroner’s report for our dear departed friend.” 

They silently read the description of Robert’s injuries and the coroner’s suppositions. No declaration of death by suicide: that was the police removing themselves from further investigation.

Ellen composed herself as Charles pulled out the penciled will, “I Robert Douglas, of sound mind and body…bequeath all my possessions to my wife Ellen. And to my executor, Nico Rivera, I leave this sealed package.” Concerned about Ellen’s state of mind, Nico peeked into the large manilla envelope but remained silent. Charles understood and excused himself, “I’ll be in my office if you need anything. Oh, by the way, here are the keys to his cabin, now Mrs. Douglas’.”

Nico pulled out an envelope at the top of the stack of items within the package, “It’s a letter from a Chester Whittle. Talks about how he and Bob were the only surviving riggers from an expedition.” They all turned towards Ellen who explained, “It was in the papers: their 1921 expedition to the north pole. Robert said it was a failure but that the leader paid them all handsomely to keep some details secret.”

Nico emptied the package onto the table and each studied a different item. Carmen took the Shakespeare book and turned to each tabbed page that marked specific sonnets. Other than a morbid tone referencing slavery, she didn’t see a connection, “The letter says it came from a Donald. Ellen, did Robert even mention that name? Was he another rigger? No?” Calvin studied the pictures and pointed out Robert among 12 men with ten faces crossed out. Nico compared the picture to the list of names in the folder full of death articles that spanned South and North America, “These ten deaths must be those ten men crossed out. Each fell from some height (whether tree, cliff, tall building, etc.) and also noted as missing their heads! They must all be the expedition riggers Chester spoke about.”

Calvin picked up Chester's envelope and noticed the Seattle postal stamp dated August, 1922 (about the time Robert suddenly left Ellen). Looking closer, he saw another stamp underneath, “Does that say Sucio?” Carmen puzzled, “In Spanish, Sucio means ‘dirty’.” Nico grabbed the letter and read it again, “It means the same in Italian. Chester says he found his own ‘dirty’ little secret hiding place.” 

And that’s when Calvin made the connection, “There’s a Sucia Island in the bay outside Seattle. That must be where Chester is hiding.” He picked up the other picture and realized, “I knew I’ve seen that face before! The man without goggles: that’s the wealthy socialite, Edward Chandler. He must have been the 1921 expedition financier.”

TO BE CONTINUED: https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2024/05/robert-douglas-willv3p2-conclusion.html