Jane led her guests into the small keepers cottage and they all sat around the table in the small kitchen. Jane offered to make some tea, and set the pot on the stove to boil. She quickly sat down across from Mr. Haskins, the deputy Governor. Mr. Thorton sat at the end of the table, and the director of the Parks department, Mr. Alters sat between him and Mr. Haskins. It was Jane who broke the awkward silence.
"I hope you enjoyed the tour this afternoon, but something tells me this is more than just a routine visit."
Mr Alters looked at his companions and then spoke up."Yes, as a matter of fact Ms. Tolenz I have to say I did enjoy the tour. Your presentation was lively and you have a gift for speaking to audiences. Furthermore, I believe the grounds have never looked better. Mr. Thorton, wouldn't you agree?
Thorton had a sour expression on his face, one Jane had seen several times already in her dealings with him. "Yes, the grounds have been groomed nicely." he said grudgingly.
The Deputy Governor looked at his companions and then at Jane. "Ms. Tolenz I am one who believes in getting to the point. To put a fine point on the matter at hand you have put the State of Michigan in a somewhat, less than flattering light. It was never our intentions to slight anyone who died in service to the State, regardless of their position. The fact is, that during the time these people perished, they were members of the US. Lighthouse Service, and were in fact Federal Employees, not State employees. When we originally took over the upkeep of the lighthouses, we followed the lead the Lighthouse Service handed us in presenting their history. Until now we were comfortable with that presentation. You however have changed all that."
Jane cleared her throat slightly and replied "Pardon me?"
Haskins smiled and continued, "In other words Ms. Tolenz, your willingness to expose this injustice, regardless of the consequenses has not been lost on this administration. The State of Michigan is prepared to change it's presentation of the history of the lights. Starting next season all lighthouse literture will include mention of the apprentice keepers who served in Michigan Lighthouses."
Jane was stunned, but managed to ask,"You mean I am not fired?"
The Deputy Governor laughed loudly and Mr. Alters chuckled and smiled at Jane. "No, in fact there's more. The stir you have created here has also been noticed by the US Lighthouse Society., and the US. Coast Guard. So representives of both will be here on July 25th to meet with you and see first hand your tour & pamphlets."
Jane was dunbfounded, she started to speak,when the kettle whistled loudly from the kitchen. "Oh excuse me gentlemen, I'll be right back." As she fixed the tray with cups, tea bags and sugar, Jane was still reeling from this turn of events. She was not sure if she had been ready for this type of attention from her project. Still she was no quiter. Setting the tray down for her guests she passed round the cups and poured water in each one. Sitting back down she cleared her throat and said."My grandma always called me a pesimist, I have to wonder if there is any strings attached to this overwhelming news."
Mr. Thorton spoke up immediately, and for the first time this afternoon had a satisfied look in his eyes. "Ms. Tolenz, the String as you so diplomatically put it is simply this. The state is willing to right whatever injustice was done to the men & women who served in the lights. However it can not back flights of fancy such as your story of ghosts walking the grounds of Eagles Point. Therefore from now on all mention of your visions of "Amanda Grey" are to be stopped." Thorton sat back and sipped his tea with a smug look on his face.
Jane could feel her anger rise at this loathsome man, but held some of it back. Looking him squarely in the eye she simply said;"She scared you didn't she Mr Thorton?
Mr Alters jumped in before the exchange could go any further. "Ms. Tolenz. We really do not want to get into being host to all the hoopla such stories can cause. Today when asked about the ghost, your reply was a very good one. You did not mention the ghost without being asked, and then you left the matter to be decided by the visitors own beliefs. We simply ask that you refrain from making any mention of your sightings or whatever they were."
Jane looked again at Thorton and replied, I will agree to this only so some justice is done for the apprentice keepers , especially Amanda Grey. However 2 of us here today know the truth don't we?"
They sat and finished the tea and made polite conversation for about another twenty minuets. As they were getting ready to leave the Deputy Governor extended his hand to Jane and said. "Again Ms. Tolenz I want to congratulate you and a job well done and we will see you again on the 25th."
As she watched them walk through the gate, Jane sighed. This was getting to be a far more exciting summer than she had envisioned. Jane spent the rest of the evening relaxing, trying to putthe matter out of her head for a while, soon she got to thinking of the upcomming holiday, and of her dinner date with Brian.
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ON TO PART 19
