Chapter 1
(Continued from Prologue)
Dysis Harker’s Travel Blog
July 16, 2012 (Day 9 in London)
It’s been a hundred years since I’ve seen the sun.
Okay, so that is perhaps a slight exaggeration but it certainly feels like that since it has rained every day since I arrived. I’ve always known that London, England is famous for its damp, foggy weather but even the locals are complaining about record-setting rain this summer. They’re hoping it clears up for the Olympics next week. In spite of the rain, I’ve never felt so comfortable in a foreign city before. I felt a connection that I can’t explain.
Today was the first full day of sun and so I tried to cram my exterior sightseeing into one day. Originally I was hoping to do the Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour, the Charles Dickens Walking Tour and the Shakespeare Tour. Unfortunately only Sherlock Holmes was available today. However, I missed the tour's meeting spot near the Embankment Station by ten minutes due to the Tube (subway) connection. A word to other travelers – leave yourself plenty of time. There are few stations south of the Thames. Why? I don’t know but perhaps that will be the subject of a follow-up blog. I do know that London’s underground trains are far more comfortable than the ones we have in NYC, and the placement of maps and signs is much better, but it is very expensive to ride. I shall never complain about my MTA Pass again.
Since I was already at the Embankment, I decided to do my own walking tour and see the nearby famous sites. It’s certainly an eclectic mix of architecture here, with the classic old stone buildings peppered with cold sleek modern lines. I went up on the giant Ferris wheel, known as the London Eye to get a better view. It is 443 feet tall, and cost almost £40 to ride. It was fun for the first few minutes but 30 minutes is a long time on a Ferris wheel. Personally, I think it clashes the most with the London skyline, but as a tourist I’m glad to have done it the once.
Dysis Harker - Diary App (Password protected)
July 16
I’m hundreds of feet up in the air in a giant Ferris wheel yet I have this unnerving feeling I’m being watched.
Taking a quick look around - all the other tourists are cramming every window trying to take pix of the London skyline. No one is looking at me – yet I can’t shake the feeling. I’ve even glanced over to the adjoining Ferris wheel capsules at the people there. I must be losing my mind! It’s been like this all day. I tried to dismiss it as a cautious female tourist in a foreign country but the feeling kept nagging at me. It even caused me to get on the wrong subway train today because I was looking over my shoulder.
July 16
I’m hundreds of feet up in the air in a giant Ferris wheel yet I have this unnerving feeling I’m being watched.
Taking a quick look around - all the other tourists are cramming every window trying to take pix of the London skyline. No one is looking at me – yet I can’t shake the feeling. I’ve even glanced over to the adjoining Ferris wheel capsules at the people there. I must be losing my mind! It’s been like this all day. I tried to dismiss it as a cautious female tourist in a foreign country but the feeling kept nagging at me. It even caused me to get on the wrong subway train today because I was looking over my shoulder.
Dysis Harker Travel Blog
July 17, 2012 I am now on a train from London to Exeter, grateful that I took the time to plan ahead and book a reserved ticket for £5 rather than spend £22 for the regular peak train. If you want to save your money while traveling this is the way to go. The down side is that this train takes almost 4 hours as opposed to the other one that takes only 2 hours. So as a traveler one has to decide which they want to save more: time or money. Budget accordingly! Since it took a lot of work to save up the money for this trip, I chose to stretch each British pound as far as I could. So, I have decided to see this four-hour trip as a chance to look through the 500+ photos I took yesterday. How many shots of Big Ben did I need to take? (Note: It was recently re-named the Elizabeth Tower to honor Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee. I understand and respect this tribute to Her Majesty but I’m a traditionalist and in my heart it will always be Big Ben). I found this familiar sight on the shore of the Thames: an Ancient Egyptian Obelisk. They call it the Cleopatra Needle, a misnomer, as it has nothing to do with Cleopatra but rather Pharaoh Thutmose III. This obelisk is half of a pair, the other one is in Central Park back home and I’ve sat under it many a summer day in New York. I was glad to find this one, as it was used by Sherlock Holmes to decipher a code at the beginning of Valley of Fear. Since I missed the Walking Tour this was a lucky find. |
E-mail notification
Subject: Greetings from across the pond
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Date: July 17, 2012
Hey you! Just dropping a line to see how you’re doing? How did it go?
Subject: Greetings from across the pond
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Date: July 17, 2012
Hey you! Just dropping a line to see how you’re doing? How did it go?
Subject: Re: Greetings from across the pond
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Date: July 17, 2012
I’m on the train to Exeter right now …according to the clock on my laptop, I’m about an hour away. Hey! I just did the math on the time difference, what are you doing up this early?
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Date: July 17, 2012
I’m on the train to Exeter right now …according to the clock on my laptop, I’m about an hour away. Hey! I just did the math on the time difference, what are you doing up this early?
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Couldn’t sleep. Was thinking about you and hoping you find what you’re looking for… and you haven’t responded to any of my texts last night.
To: Dysis Harker
Couldn’t sleep. Was thinking about you and hoping you find what you’re looking for… and you haven’t responded to any of my texts last night.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Thanks. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy and not to think about it. I’m afraid of what I’ll find… or not find when I get there. I must be crazy. Wish there was a direct flight from London to Exeter! There are direct flights from Exeter to Toronto, Canada but not to London. Seriously! Now I wished I spent the extra money on the other train that doesn’t make as many stops and is 2 hours faster.
Fyi – I'm not getting texts over here. My phone is off. Can’t afford the roaming charges.
To: Judy Westenra
Thanks. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy and not to think about it. I’m afraid of what I’ll find… or not find when I get there. I must be crazy. Wish there was a direct flight from London to Exeter! There are direct flights from Exeter to Toronto, Canada but not to London. Seriously! Now I wished I spent the extra money on the other train that doesn’t make as many stops and is 2 hours faster.
Fyi – I'm not getting texts over here. My phone is off. Can’t afford the roaming charges.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Wow! I don’t think I could last 10 minutes without my phone… 10 days! That’s like roughing it!
Maybe take advantage of their complimentary drinks and sip a nice wine. Or seven.
To: Dysis Harker
Wow! I don’t think I could last 10 minutes without my phone… 10 days! That’s like roughing it!
Maybe take advantage of their complimentary drinks and sip a nice wine. Or seven.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Yeah, because showing up drunk will make a great first impression. Besides, they don’t serve free drinks on this train. There’s no First Class here.
To: Judy Westenra
Yeah, because showing up drunk will make a great first impression. Besides, they don’t serve free drinks on this train. There’s no First Class here.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
You’re not traveling First Class??? They wouldn’t have a decent wine, then. You really are roughing it!
To: Dysis Harker
You’re not traveling First Class??? They wouldn’t have a decent wine, then. You really are roughing it!
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
I have to be frugal. Traveling economy is not ‘roughing it’. Well, I did stay at a hostel… with a SHARED bathroom! : )
To: Judy Westenra
I have to be frugal. Traveling economy is not ‘roughing it’. Well, I did stay at a hostel… with a SHARED bathroom! : )
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Now you’re just doing that on purpose to freak me out.
Hey you know me. My idea of roughing it is a serve-yourself buffet.
Btw – what did you think of my friend’s drawing? You know the blind girl who drew that fallen angel image! She’s does this kind of thing often. You should write a story about her! That could get you noticed by a big news company.
To: Dysis Harker
Now you’re just doing that on purpose to freak me out.
Hey you know me. My idea of roughing it is a serve-yourself buffet.
Btw – what did you think of my friend’s drawing? You know the blind girl who drew that fallen angel image! She’s does this kind of thing often. You should write a story about her! That could get you noticed by a big news company.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
I’m hoping to be noticed as a serious journalist one day… not a tabloid reporter.
To: Judy Westenra
I’m hoping to be noticed as a serious journalist one day… not a tabloid reporter.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Harsh!
To: Dysis Harker
Harsh!
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Sorry. I know you’re trying to be helpful. But even if what you say is true (and I’m not saying it isn’t), unless you have video footage (date stamped) of her drawing that before the wreck was found, it’s pretty hard to prove as fact. The campus editor would argue that she could have heard it described by someone else.
I know you find it cool. I’ve seen your other posts of FB but as a journalist we have to back everything up with facts.
To: Judy Westenra
Sorry. I know you’re trying to be helpful. But even if what you say is true (and I’m not saying it isn’t), unless you have video footage (date stamped) of her drawing that before the wreck was found, it’s pretty hard to prove as fact. The campus editor would argue that she could have heard it described by someone else.
I know you find it cool. I’ve seen your other posts of FB but as a journalist we have to back everything up with facts.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
I’ve seen a lot of news lately that don’t bother with facts.
To: Dysis Harker
I’ve seen a lot of news lately that don’t bother with facts.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Touché.
To: Judy Westenra
Touché.
Dysis Harker Facebook Status - July 18, 2012
Dysis Harker – Diary App - (Password protected)
July 18, 2012
Sitting at the Exeter International Airport killing time while waiting for my flight back to the USA. Wish I had some extra cash for a drink, but I spent more than expected on color copies at the Archive building in Exeter. Although I didn’t find what I came here to find, yesterday was… unusual. I still had the feeling I was being followed but my nerves about Exeter overpowered it.
The train pulled into St. David’s Station at 11:45am. Left my luggage in a locker and took a cab to the Great Moore House, the archive and records building of Exeter. With a name like Great Moore House, I was expecting to see some grand, centuries old, stone building steeped with British history, adorned with castle turrets. I imagined the inside with hundreds of tall bookshelves and a rolling ladder. To my surprise the Great Moore House looks like a modern-day community center with baby blue trim. And the interior looks like any other library with computer terminals all over. Why weren’t they on-line? Would have saved myself a trip I could browse over the Internet. The helpful lady behind the counter told me that they’re in the middle of scanning their archives and hope to have the new website up and running before the end of October. If only I had known, could have waited a couple of months. Ha! Who am I kidding? The word ‘patience’ and myself are never found together in the same sentence.
When I told them who I was and what I was looking for the lady got uppity and blew me off. She thought I was joking for some reason. She even asked if I had I.D. to prove what I was saying. Seriously?!
So, I showed her my passport. Complete 180! She was suddenly giving me the royal treatment as if I were the Duchess of Cambridge herself. Didn’t help too much in the end. There was no record of my father or any other Harker born in Exeter prior to 1894, but it was interesting to see that the name on the birth certificate is similar: Jonathan Arthur Abraham Quincey Harker.
July 18, 2012
Sitting at the Exeter International Airport killing time while waiting for my flight back to the USA. Wish I had some extra cash for a drink, but I spent more than expected on color copies at the Archive building in Exeter. Although I didn’t find what I came here to find, yesterday was… unusual. I still had the feeling I was being followed but my nerves about Exeter overpowered it.
The train pulled into St. David’s Station at 11:45am. Left my luggage in a locker and took a cab to the Great Moore House, the archive and records building of Exeter. With a name like Great Moore House, I was expecting to see some grand, centuries old, stone building steeped with British history, adorned with castle turrets. I imagined the inside with hundreds of tall bookshelves and a rolling ladder. To my surprise the Great Moore House looks like a modern-day community center with baby blue trim. And the interior looks like any other library with computer terminals all over. Why weren’t they on-line? Would have saved myself a trip I could browse over the Internet. The helpful lady behind the counter told me that they’re in the middle of scanning their archives and hope to have the new website up and running before the end of October. If only I had known, could have waited a couple of months. Ha! Who am I kidding? The word ‘patience’ and myself are never found together in the same sentence.
When I told them who I was and what I was looking for the lady got uppity and blew me off. She thought I was joking for some reason. She even asked if I had I.D. to prove what I was saying. Seriously?!
So, I showed her my passport. Complete 180! She was suddenly giving me the royal treatment as if I were the Duchess of Cambridge herself. Didn’t help too much in the end. There was no record of my father or any other Harker born in Exeter prior to 1894, but it was interesting to see that the name on the birth certificate is similar: Jonathan Arthur Abraham Quincey Harker.
I only know my father went under the name of Jaq Harker based on a letter that my aunt had of him. But one thing’s for sure. He wasn’t born in Exeter. He lied… again.
As I checked to see if I was wearing my gold pendant, the only thing I have from my father, the lady came to the table where I was sitting and brought a locked rosewood box with a beautiful ornate cross with a rose entwined around it burned into the wood. It was beautiful.
As I checked to see if I was wearing my gold pendant, the only thing I have from my father, the lady came to the table where I was sitting and brought a locked rosewood box with a beautiful ornate cross with a rose entwined around it burned into the wood. It was beautiful.
She unlocked the box and in it were other documents and photos pertaining to the Harker family that lived here over a hundred years ago. According to the census there were no Harkers living in Exeter after World War II. I got some color copies, at £2 per page I had to be choosy.
After checking into the hotel I walked around Exeter. According to the locals it was the first sunny day in weeks. I joked that I brought the sun with me. As I walked around I found a familiarity, like I did with London but it was different and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Once again, I started to have the feeling I was being followed. I looked around - nothing unusual. Just the local residents going about their day. I purposely zig-zagged along some side streets.
Then the weird continued. I stopped in front of a large building. I don’t think it’s a private home anymore but there was something about it that seemed familiar. It was like I had seen it in a dream… more likely it was used in a movie that I saw, but the feeling got the better of me and I started to explore the area.
After checking into the hotel I walked around Exeter. According to the locals it was the first sunny day in weeks. I joked that I brought the sun with me. As I walked around I found a familiarity, like I did with London but it was different and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Once again, I started to have the feeling I was being followed. I looked around - nothing unusual. Just the local residents going about their day. I purposely zig-zagged along some side streets.
Then the weird continued. I stopped in front of a large building. I don’t think it’s a private home anymore but there was something about it that seemed familiar. It was like I had seen it in a dream… more likely it was used in a movie that I saw, but the feeling got the better of me and I started to explore the area.
Nearby I found the ruins of this other house. When I took this picture I realized the tunnel under the window didn’t match up. I wanted to go in to explore. Suddenly I was aware of someone standing behind me. I knew it wasn’t my imagination this time as I actually heard them whisper something to me. They were so close I could feel their breath but I couldn’t understand what they said. I turned around…. there was no one there.
I don’t remember the last time I moved so quickly as when I got out of there. It freaked me right out.
After a few blocks, when I realized no one was following me, I started to laugh. I felt so ridiculous. I blame Judy and her superstitious stories for enflaming my writer’s imagination.
I don’t remember the last time I moved so quickly as when I got out of there. It freaked me right out.
After a few blocks, when I realized no one was following me, I started to laugh. I felt so ridiculous. I blame Judy and her superstitious stories for enflaming my writer’s imagination.
Email Notificaiton
Subject: Saw your FB status
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Date: July 18, 2012
Was just going to bed and saw your status. I’m guessing you didn’t find any info on your real father. Are you ok?
Subject: Saw your FB status
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Date: July 18, 2012
Was just going to bed and saw your status. I’m guessing you didn’t find any info on your real father. Are you ok?
Subject: Re: Saw your FB status
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Date: July 18, 2012
I’ll be ok. Found some cool stuff, though. So I’m not coming home empty handed.
I was going to show you this when you pick me up at the airport but it can’t wait.
Check out this photo from 1890.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
Date: July 18, 2012
I’ll be ok. Found some cool stuff, though. So I’m not coming home empty handed.
I was going to show you this when you pick me up at the airport but it can’t wait.
Check out this photo from 1890.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
OMG!!! Who are they? They look so much like us! I wish I could get my hair to curl like that!
To: Dysis Harker
OMG!!! Who are they? They look so much like us! I wish I could get my hair to curl like that!
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
I knew you’d like it. It was at the archives building in Exeter in this really cool wooden box. I got an extra copy for you. You owe me £2! : )
To: Judy Westenra
I knew you’d like it. It was at the archives building in Exeter in this really cool wooden box. I got an extra copy for you. You owe me £2! : )
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
You serious? This is for real? You’re not just pulling my leg?!!
To: Dysis Harker
You serious? This is for real? You’re not just pulling my leg?!!
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
No, you really owe me £2. ;-)
To: Judy Westenra
No, you really owe me £2. ;-)
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Fine! Lol! But did you Photoshop our faces onto this old picture? As a joke?
To: Dysis Harker
Fine! Lol! But did you Photoshop our faces onto this old picture? As a joke?
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
I wouldn’t do that to you! This photo is for real. The original is still in the archive building in Exeter. I checked the census but there is no listing of a Westenra family in Exeter. Did your family come from England?
To: Judy Westenra
I wouldn’t do that to you! This photo is for real. The original is still in the archive building in Exeter. I checked the census but there is no listing of a Westenra family in Exeter. Did your family come from England?
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
According to Dad we Westenra’s are originally Dutch… though I heard mention of Barons in Ireland sometime. I’m not 100% sure. I’ll have to ask him.
To: Dysis Harker
According to Dad we Westenra’s are originally Dutch… though I heard mention of Barons in Ireland sometime. I’m not 100% sure. I’ll have to ask him.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
My flight was called. So I’m going to sign off.
To: Judy Westenra
My flight was called. So I’m going to sign off.
From: Judy Westenra
To: Dysis Harker
Your flight? I thought you were coming in tomorrow… er… later tonight.
To: Dysis Harker
Your flight? I thought you were coming in tomorrow… er… later tonight.
From: Dysis Harker
To: Judy Westenra
14 hour flight. With a stopover in France. I’m arriving at Newirk at 7:05pm Terminal B. See you then.
To: Judy Westenra
14 hour flight. With a stopover in France. I’m arriving at Newirk at 7:05pm Terminal B. See you then.
E-MAIL NOTIFICATION - ROSE & CROSS SOCIETY
SUBJECT: Harker Confirmed
FROM: Alfred Singleton
TO: Max Windshoeffel
DATE: 18 July 2012
I have confirmation that a young lady named Dysis Harker was at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter yesterday. She accessed the Harker files. She departed Exeter UK (EXT) this morning. She is due to arrive in at New York Newark International (EWR) at 19:05.
Have we heard anything from the Demitry regarding U-666?
SUBJECT: RE: Harker Confirmed
FROM: Max Windshoeffel
TO: Alfred Singleton
DATE: 18 July 2012
That was fortuitous and somewhat ironic. It makes me nervous. I’ll pass on the information to our contact in New York.
No word re: U-666. I pray no news is good news.
FROM: Max Windshoeffel
TO: Alfred Singleton
DATE: 18 July 2012
That was fortuitous and somewhat ironic. It makes me nervous. I’ll pass on the information to our contact in New York.
No word re: U-666. I pray no news is good news.
18 July 2012 - Ship to shore SMS message from Huntley to (185) 555-0131
Ship to shore SMS messages are limited to a total of 160 characters (excluding the country code and telephone)
011855550131 Hi Honey! They found a large iron crate wrapped in chains in hull of U666. It'll take 2 hrs to bring to surface. - Ray
011855550131 Iron crate is on deck! It's heavy! Capt hopes it's like the 40 tons of silver the Odyssey recovered from the other WWII wreck. Can't attach pix on this SMS.
011855550131 Noelson & Dobbs are trying to cut thru chains - massive lock too. Whatever's in there MUST be valuable. Capt thinks bonus for me finding it. $$$
Text Message from (185) 555-0131to Huntley on SS Demitry
Is it too early to pack for some place tropical? Don't wanna jinx it!
Is it too early to pack for some place tropical? Don't wanna jinx it!
011855550131 Go ahead and pack! Wait! Commotion going on! They must have opened it! Stand by.
011855550131 SNAFU! Found crate empty. Noelson & Dobbs are missing! Ship wide search! Some of the crew think they've bailed with $. But all seaboats accounted for.
Text Message from (185) 555-0131 to Huntley on SS Demitry
WHAT??? Can't believe Noelson & Dobbs would do something like that!
WHAT??? Can't believe Noelson & Dobbs would do something like that!
011855550131 Something weird is going on. Another crew member missing. Gone. Sudden storm hit us! They may have fallen overboard.
011855550131 They found Dobbs! Dead! Throat ripped open! 2 more crew unaccounted for.
Text Message from (185) 555-0131 to Huntley on SS Demitry
???!! I'm getting scared! Stay in ur quarters. Lock door!
???!! I'm getting scared! Stay in ur quarters. Lock door!
Text Message from (185) 555-0131 to Huntley on SS Demitry
Are you there? What's going on? It's been an hour since ur last text!
Are you there? What's going on? It's been an hour since ur last text!
Text Message from (185) 555-0131 to Huntley on SS Demitry
Ray? Please reply! 2 hrs now. I'm freaking out! Let me know ur ok!
Ray? Please reply! 2 hrs now. I'm freaking out! Let me know ur ok!
Text Message from (185) 555-0131 to Huntley on SS Demitry
RAY PLEASE REPLY!!!!
RAY PLEASE REPLY!!!!