Monague O'Hara Paranormal Detective

After the meal, Victoria, Liam and Monty moved into the sitting room near the dinning room. Victoria continued on with more of the story she has pieced together concerning this property and the members of the Beaumont family who have resided here.

Many of the Beaumont clan had been sent here, had got into bother back in Britain. Some had killed important people in duels and fights, some had been caught cheating, a few had been disposed of here due to affairs with the wives and daughters from important families. Many had disappeared here to keep them out of the courts and prison. Many of these outcasts of British society of the period had carried on with their bad habits over here. Some had been involved in piracy, smuggling and many other dodgy dealings. Much of this shady behavior had assisted the Beaumont family accumulate much of the wealth the have today.

The biggest mystery, that no information has ever turned up is the ancient Irish circle of standing stones in the basement. It most likely has been here before the house was built, before any dwelling existed on this property. It would have to be at least 5,000 years old. The stones being Connemara marble, was an indication it had been brought over from Ireland. How, by whom, and why. These were the big unanswered questions.

The “impossible” legend that came into Monty’s mind. The voyage of Saint Brendan. A fascinating tale of vast mysteries of the Atlantic. Detailing encounters with sea monsters, volcanoes, icebergs, and other adventures.

Brendan belonged to what was known as Second Order of Irish Saints, also described as Twelve Apostles of Ireland. As there are two Brendan’s in this group, this Saint Brendan is often given the title of Saint Brendan, the Navigator, to distinguish him from the other Brendan. These texts tell how Saint Brendan, and a party of monks sailed to a land far across the ocean, in a boat made of ox hides. Of course, if the claim was true, then Saint Brendan would have reached America almost a thousand years before Columbus and four hundred years before the Vikings.

After sailing around the North Atlantic, Brendan made landfall in the New World. A legend tying Ireland and the New World together. Monty, in recent times, was seeing many of these Irish myths and legends, in a new light, but was not yet, prepared to accept this legend as possibly containing a truth. The logistics of moving the stones in the basement across the Atlantic, in a boat made of sticks and leather made believing this is how the stones made their way to the New World, a tall order.

Monty awoke the next morning happy and content. He now had a proper job, and a property here in Staten Island. Thoughts of a Gloria Sullivan, now entered his mind. With his new and unexpected status seeing where things could go with Gloria was now a remote, but actual possibility. Having Gloria Sullivan in his life was still a scary prospect. All the women he had been involved with, Monty had completely under his control. This would never be the case with Gloria.

Monty went down to the kitchen to see what he could rustle up for breakfast. There he found both of his parents already there. Having two parents, in his life, together was a new experience for Monty, one that he was beginning to like. His Mother, was way more relaxed in the environment here in Staten Island Back in Britain she was way more formal. It was the relaxed Victoria he encountered, sitting there next to his father.

“Come and join us for breakfast, son.” his father said as he approached them. “You should call that woman of yours, and let her know you will be staying on here for a while. You should introduce her to your mother sometime.”

Monty grabbed a coffee, from the freshly made pot, some bacon and eggs, being kept warm in the oven.

Monty sat at the kitchen island. His mind drifting back to thoughts of Gloria Sullivan as he silently consumed his breakfast. Monty’s phone began to ring, pulling him back into the real world. It was Frank Sullivan.

“Monty how is it all going. I have been hearing through the grape vine you are going to be sticking around for a while, and you have a new job out at Brooklyn College. I still have not received an account for your services.” Frank added at the end.

“Let me know what time suits you and I will come and talk to you about that.” replied Monty.

Frank and Monty then came up with a time that suited them both, agreeing to meet up in Frank’s office at 2:00 pm tomorrow afternoon.

“Monty, we should go down into the basement soon. The fee for the services you provided to the Sullivan family will have arrived by now.” said his father.

Monty followed his father down to the basement. Right in the center of the standing stone circle, Monty noticed there was an envelope, right in the center, that was not there yesterday. He walked over, picked it up and went back upstairs with his father. Monty, opened the flap on the envelope, and poured the contents out onto the table in front of him. The first thing that fell out was the old Irish penny, he had flicked into the chest, just before he had closed the lid. Next the envelope Frank had placed inside the chest fell out.

Monty sat there, with his father, silently, for around thirty seconds. Let’s see what valuable item, Frank had placed inside the chest. Monty opened the small envelope that Frank had used for his family’s contribution. Inside this envelope was a gold ring, with a single, but small diamond. Not something of immense monetary value, thought Monty. Monty then picked up the enclosed note and read it.

“This plain and simple engagement ring is my most treasured item. This is the ring I gave to my beloved wife and mother of my daughter, Gloria, Kathleen. It may not have much monetary value but outside my much loved daughter, it is to me, my most valuable possession. I could not put Gloria inside the chest, hence the ring.”

The old Monty O’Hara would have scoffed at this low value trinket, as payment for his services. The new enlightened Monty could see the ring as the valuable thing it really was.

Monty then placed his lucky penny back into his wallet, the same place he had always kept it. The ring he added to the chain he wore around his neck. The one with the old peace sign medallion his mother had given him many years ago.