~** The Lady of the Lake**~ ~Blue............Halloween Contest # 3

The area and its surrounding region rich with history, its mysteries, folklore and legend filled with stories of Native Americans who once walked by the river’s edge. Where perhaps Tecumseh and Daniel Boone  walked together in camaraderie and in harmony. Its heritage ran deep as the rivers themselves. The Land of Lightning, Land of The Thunderbolt, home of The Cumberland River Shawnee, The Creeks, Chickamauga Cherokee, they became its guardians, protectors. Meg was proud of her Native American heritage, her mother being a descendant of Chief Amatoya Moytoy of The Cherokee. Here on this very spot where she stood was once land belonging to The Thunderbolt People. Yet the very same ground at Ywahoo Falls in McCreary County ran red with the blood from the women and Young Ones in the Massacre of 1810. Their lives, land stolen. Life growing up within The Cumberland Mountain Plateau had been an adventure for a young girl filled with hopes, dreams. She and her two sisters attended school at Whitley County Elementary and the high school, the old one up on the hill near the turn to Laurel Lake. The new school had been built ten years ago in down- town. A small rural community where everyone knew one another, it was difficult to keep a secret in Corbin at least one for very long. Megan had been promoted to Homicide a year earlier, a few weeks before her father’s untimely passing. She recalled how proud he was of her.

 Though her mother, a retired elementary school teacher, had, had definite plans and dreams for her middle daughter, none of which had included law enforcement. She had often noted saying, why can’t you work at a more quieter job, go back to school become an elementary teacher like Your sister, Marlene whom they referred as Marlee, their father giving each of his daughters a nickname shortening their given names. The oldest sister Melanie known as Mel, graduated with honors in Architecture, that’s a sensible responsible career. Their mom had said one late afternoon, when Meg had returned home one evening after a month on the police force. She’d had a black eye, her lower lip cut and badly swollen with a fractured rib.

When she had attempted to arrest a teenage gang member near O’Malley’s downtown. The teen had said he wasn’t going to let any girl handcuff him. The scuffle was on. When Meg arrived at home, her father wanted to know what the other fella looked like! He always had her back, in her corner…… words couldn’t express how much she missed her loving father; John Weinwright. At the time, Meg hadn’t known he had joined forces with Sam Shaw; a detective originally from Chicago, Illinois who had also been investigating the same unsolved murder case of a young woman who had lived near Lake Cumberland. Twenty-five year old Elana McShae had traveled with her family, prominent landowners from Birmingham, Alabama in 1912, settling in McCreary County. Two years later, she was to wed Farris Jefferson of The Jefferson’s at Big Stone Gap. The wedding never took place, Elana disappeared and was later found near Lake Cumberland, murdered. It made for great ghost stories at Halloween down through the years, kids had shared the story in school and during Summer break while sitting around campfires. Some believed the story Meg had dubbed, “Lady of the Lake” and the One at the Falls were one and the same.

It’s been said in early Autumn, a lady in white can be seen walking down at the water’s edge in late evening. Until Meg talked to Sam Shaw last night, she had no idea her dad had such an interest in the mystery. Sam himself seemed obsessed. She had been more than a little curious and wondered why her supervisor had called her into his office yesterday morning. When she mentioned the story to Captain James Thomas “JT” Abrams, he said he believed Shaw retiring within the next couple of years, may have something to do with it, after forty-five years on the force it was the only case he had yet to solve, still its one of hundreds, crime seemed to be on the upswing in the rural town. Ten years ago, Shaw put together a cold case team. Wrapping up unsolved cases in not only Corbin, but in London, Williamsburg, and Somerset, he hoped to eventually go statewide. He has asked me about you joining their team. Abrams had said. “Me!?” Meg had been a little surprised. “Yes, he and the team are meeting at O’Malley’s at 5:00pm.” “ He wants you there if you are interested that is and don’t tell me your not, I’ve seen you in back going through the files when you think no one is looking. I think its more than a mere mild curiosity don’t you?” “Look, Meg you’ve got great instincts, why don’t you put them to the challenge, see what you come up with, you never know until you try.” He said.

The popular diner that served as a meeting place for all of Corbin’s finest dressed in blue and its local residents, there was sometimes an occasional out-of-towner passing through, would drop in to enjoy the laid back atmosphere not to mention its 1st class food. Meg had worked hard and with it came a long-awaited promotion to Homicide. Her late father had been the Senior Editor for the local newspaper, The Times-Tribune for more than forty years at the time of his passing. He was so proud of his girls, he wanted them to be successful at whatever career they had chosen. Meg often worked long hours, not only for Corbin’s police department but at times in Williamsburg and Somerset too. With the city ranking 3rd on The FBI’s list of most dangerous Kentucky cities. Somewhere on that list there should have been room for Harlan. Harry O’Connor came up to the table where Meg had sat down. “What will it be for you Meg?” Harry wanted to know. “How bout’ giving us all the usual!” Sam Shaw yelled over the throng of noise. The room erupted with laughter. Meg didn’t know how poor Harry did that. Remembered all their orders and kept his head on straight at the same time.

Three Rookies who had just graduated from the state police academy, making their way into the diner. Brandon Johnson sat down opposite Meg. “Oh I meant to Congratulate you Brandon on your graduation.” Brandon smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate that.” Most of the detectives from their area and surrounding region she already knew, but there was one or two there tonight she had not seen before. Sam approached her table. “Meg, I know you know most of my team, when you see them but I don’t think you’ve met, Jose; call him “Joe” Suarez, there’s, each one threw up their hand in greeting as Sam introduced them to her. This is, Marva Daniels, she’s one of our profilers, Jillian Alexander, Big Jim Owen Sykes, he’s one tough hombre’ John Daly, me and now, there’s you.” Sam smiled. Meg had recently celebrated her seventeenth anniversary on the force. Though she wasn’t intimidated, it was going to take some getting used to.

It was well after midnight when Meg turned the key in her cabin door. Alley greeted her. There had been another shooting in McCreary County earlier. Drugs were taking over not only the big cities but the rural towns as well. She had heard through dispatch; a family in Pike County who owned a German shepherd had been shot at point blank range in the head and its tail cut off. When their pet went missing, the family had been searching for it, and finally finding the dog rushed it to a vet and it was at least holding its own. It was cruel enough what people do to one another but to harm an innocent animal, was too unbelievable.

She’d been working cold cases for the past ten months now and could use a break. This upcoming weekend though it was Halloween Eve, she was going to drive to Lake Cumberland, spend the weekend resting, maybe she could talk her sisters into joining her if they hadn’t already made plans. Melanie, married with three children one grown and married; they were expecting a child of their own, Mel had two more at home almost out of high school, with solid plans for their future, finishing their education, a career. Marlene; better known as Marlee had went off one weekend last Fall without telling any one where she was going much less whom she was going with, marrying her high school sweetheart; Mike Mahaney. Though they seemed inseparable and very happy.

Her cell phone rang, It was Melanie, they were set. they would all meet up at the Lake, have a cook out, try to relax enjoy themselves. Mama Josephine had declined. She had said something about a crafting class with one of her old friends. Meg had packed an overnight bag, locking the front door, she let Alley in the backseat of her silver Buick Verona and turned down Highway 90 in the direction of Cumberland Falls, it was only ten miles from her house. Laughter was on the menu that day. Meg hadn’t laughed like that in a while, well since the last time they had all gotten together. Christmas, Thanksgiving, family Birthdays. They were all a close family and Meg even liked her brothers-in-law now that was really something!

When every one had settled in for the evening, Meg decided to take a walk. It was a short distance to the lake, she walked along beside the water’s edge taking in the peacefulness of the evening, the gorgeous sunset. When she saw something 20 feet or so away. Meg stopped in her tracks. It was her!......it was The Lady of The Lake…….it was really her, she couldn’t believe it………..

All these years, she had thought it was only a myth, a ghost-story, something of local legend. But what she was seeing……it amazed her. Careful not to scare her away, what else could she do, she had never encountered any- thing quite like this before. The woman turned as if, seeing her for the first time. Meg felt herself go weak. The woman ‘s piercing ice blue eyes, it seemed as if she could see through her to her very being. Yet there was a sadness, a wistfulness about her too. “Who are you?” Meg asked her. “Don’t you know?” She replied. “I am Your Great great, great grandmother.

Take heed my child, this very day Your family are in danger.” The woman started to walk away. “Wait!” Meg called to her. “Please , wait!” Meg, thought she had not heard her. She turned as if to reassure her. Turning back around and walked toward the woods and seemed to vanish into thin air.

Meg quickly looked around, sensed an urgency. She needed to get back up to the cabin, check on her family. Suddenly she awoke with a start. Looking around, she could see someone standing by her, she was wearing scrubs and had a stethoscope draped at the front of her jacket. The woman apparently was a nurse. She smiled in greeting at Meg. “Your finally awake I see.” ‘Where am I?” she wanted to know. “You’ve been in an accident, but you are going to be fine.” “Where’s Alley?” The woman seemed to read her thoughts. “Your little dog is fine” “What about my family?” She was anxious to know. She recalled seeing, talking to the lady in white, it had to have been The Lady of the Lake, her family was in danger. She was confused, how did she talk to the woman at the lake if she was involved in an accident before she ever got there? But, she and her family had the cook-out, they all talked of their plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas…………What was going on here!? “We’ve contacted the police, in fact they let us know you are employed with them, someone from your department will let your family know.” The nurse said. ‘But, I’ve got to go I need to check on my family.” she said. She kept remembering the warning. Something wasn’t right. She didn’t dream all of this…….it was real, she spent time with her family, they were going to call it a night, she had decided to take a walk down by the lake when she saw the lady in white. Clearly she warned her of danger. Had she said she was not only her great grandmother but her great, great grandmother?

Sam Shaw walked into her hospital room. “Girl, you gave us all a pretty good scare.” Sam said. Meg looked up at him. “Sam I don’t know what’s going on, maybe it’s the meds they have me on I don’t know. But, I do know when I left my house with Alley, I was on my way to the Lake to meet with my sisters and their families. I arrived there, we all had a cook out enjoyed ourselves, planning for the holidays and every one, tired from the week, when they wanted to call it an evening, I decided to take Alley for a walk down by the lake. The next thing I know here I am at the hospital. “Did you see any- thing while you were down there?” Sam wanted to know, needed to know. Meg hesitated. Not sure whether to tell him about seeing “The Lady of The Lake” The name she herself had given her and turns out she’s my great great, great, grandmother.” She said. Sam looked at her.

“ Incredible! She said for you to take heed your family were in danger? “That’s what she said.” Sam wondered how much he should tell her right now. Realizing, part of the confusion must be the meds she had been given. What she didn’t realize she had the accident after her walk at the lake. No doubt in a hurry to get to her family. Witnesses said she had fell off a twenty- foot cliff and was very lucky to be alive, lucky enough there was deep water below and even more so when a man had seen what happened, saying it nearly caused him to have a heart attack but with quick thinking, he dove in to the water pulling her out to safety. Now, they needed to get her family to safety. There was a SAFETY Team right now as they spoke, up there negotiating their release. Meg and her family inadvertently walked into the middle of a major drug surveillance and in hope to get away, the drug dealers were calling all the shots using Meg’s family as hostages.

It was incredible after all these years, the lady of the lake appearing, so many had said they had caught but a glimpse of her. Amazing, truly amazing….how true life is sometimes so much more stranger than fiction! “Let’s get you dressed, gal and let’s get out of here. What do you say!?” Sam said with a smile. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.’ Meg replied. “Yeah, she was gonna fit nicely.” Sam thought to himself. After changing into her street clothes, He helped her slip on a coat but she couldn’t find her shoes. Opening the door to the room, He looked both ways down the corridor. “It’s clear, let’s get out of here.” He opened the door when he heard the attending nurse. “Miss Weinwright, Miss Weinwright, You can’t leave!----Your in no condition to leave!....Miss Weinwright!” Sylvia get the doctor!.....They took the steps two at a time, quickly walked to his parked Suburban, put it in reverse and drove out of the parking lot in the direction of McCreary County. Sam glanced over at Meg, burst into laughter. “I guess we need to buy you a pair of shoes, Miss Weinwright.” Sam said. Meg smiled.

~The End~ © November 2014 S.A. Lawson

This is a work of fiction. The characters are the work of the Author’s Creativity, Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is strictly coincidental, Unless otherwise noted. “The Chickamauga Cherokee, Shawnee, Lake Cumberland, Cumberland Falls, Moonbow at Cumberland Falls, The Massacre at Ywahoo of 1810 ( Now Present day, Yahoo ) Falls in Southeast, Kentucky McCreary, Whitley, Corbin, Laurel, Whitley City are true accounts of such occurrences.