The Violin

The blue sky was getting dark and the rain was getting heavier outside. I decided to cash out the till and close up early, so I could have a nice evening at home.

The bell tinkled over the door, I looked up and saw a drenched thin woman dripping on my floor,  in a long tan raincoat, with dark wet hair dangling down over her shoulders. In her hands, she was holding an old violin case.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Perhaps you can.” She stated. “I want to sell my violin.”

“Well, come in and let me have a look.”

She walked over to me and put the violin case on the counter. I opened it and looked inside.

“May, I pick it up?” I asked her.

“Yes, yes, do what ever you need to do.” “I inherited this instrument and can’t play, so I don’t want it.”

“How did you inherit it?” I asked.

“My Uncle sent it to me before he was killed, this was just a month ago.” “I have no idea what he was doing with it.” “He was in some kind of secret service job.”

I picked up the violin; it was beautiful, having a solid back and a lot of character in the wood. I picked up the bow, tuned it and started playing.

“Wow, what do you want for this?” I asked.

“I don’t know, what do you think it is worth?”

I looked inside and the label said it was a 1920 Roth.

“Well, do you want to leave it with me to sell, or sell it to me?”

“I want to sell it to you.” She said.

“Ok, how about $500?”

“That’s more than I expected!” “Great, let’s deal.”

I took the cash out of my till and handed her $500 in twenty dollar bills.

“Would you give me your contact information, incase I have any questions for you about the violin?”

“Oh, I don’t live in Port Townsend.”  She said. “I just came up here to see the area and saw your shop.” “I don’t know anything about this violin.”

“What is your name?” I asked her.

“Tracey Whitaker.” She said.

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you. My name is Mary McDonald and this is my shop, M Antiques.” “Here is a card, if you find out any information perhaps you could call me?” I asked her, handing her the card.

“Thank you.” She said, “if I find out anything, I will give you call.” She turned and walked out of my shop.

I quickly went over and locked the door, putting up the closed sign. I went back looked at the violin again and placed into the case. I picked up the phone and called my boyfriend, John. Asking him to come over for dinner tonight. Stepping out into the street, holding the violin case in my left hand, I locked up the shop. Sprinting to my car, which was parked around the corner I got inside without getting too drenched and headed to the market.

Arriving home, I could hear my Parrot greeting me as my German shepherd ran through my legs greeting me. I had just bought an 1830 Victorian house in Port Townsend, right on top of the hill. I placed the violin on the kitchen counter, then went back out and brought in the pizza, wine and goodies for the pets.

Just as I took off my coat, John was at the door.

“Hi, you got over here fast in this weather.” I said to him.

He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and greeted, Destiny, my dog and ialani, my parrot.

John said, “Let me get a fire going in the fireplace while you feed Destiny.”

“Ok.”  I pulled out Destiny’s dinner from the refrigerator, fed her and picked up ialani and put him on his play stand. I moved his stand into the living room by the fireplace, brought in the food and drinks. Serving ialani his pizza, I placed ours on the table in front of the couch.

“Oh, that fire feels good on night like this.” I told John, rubbing my hands together.

“It sure does, how was your day?” He asked me.

“Oh, I didn’t tell you.” I said as I ran into the kitchen and brought back the violin in its case. “Look what I got right before closing tonight.”

“Wow, let me guess, another violin?” He said grinning.

“Yes, but this one is special.” I took it out of the case and handed the violin to him.

He looked inside at the label, and then looked at the lines, color and turned it over to check the back and how straight the neck was.

“This one is a keeper for sure.” “Have you played it yet?”

“Yes, just a bit and the sound is big and mellow.” Let me go get my good bow and see how it sounds.”

I went upstairs and grabbed my best bow. Downstairs I played a bit for John.

“Pretty.” Said Ialani. We both laughed.

“Yes, it is very pretty.” Said John.

“Ok, why don’t you put it down and lets eat.” He switched on the news.

“There has been a terrible accident tonight on the Washington State Ferry out of Port Townsend. A woman was murdered and thrown off halfway to Whidbey Island.” The TV showed a photo of the ferry, it had been brought back to Port Townsend. People were still sitting in their cars and could not unload. “There is more information, the woman’s ID was found in her purse.

If anyone has any information on Tracey Whitaker, please call the Washington State Police at.”

They went on and on, I stopped eating and listening.

Turning to John, I said; “John! That is the woman that sold me this violin!!!

“Oh no, I gave her my card with information on how to reach me!”

“This is not good.” “Why would someone want her out of the way?” John stated as he picked up the violin, placed in on the couch and picked up the case.

“Let’s check out this case.”  He ran his hand along the inside and felt a bump. “Mary, get a knife for me, I need to tear out this lining.”

I got up and did as he asked. Handing him the knife, I watched him make an incision in the lining of the case. He uncovered an envelope. Taking it out, he opened it up.

Reading it to me, he couldn’t believe what he was reading and I turned ashen. This was surreal. The letter was addressed to me and this is what it said:

Dear Mary, I had no other way to send this to you. I know how much you love violins and knew that I could get this letter to you unsuspectingly this way. I have found the missing S violin. I know where it is hidden and need your help, if you are willing, to get it and return it to it’s rightful heir. You must travel to Scotland. I will meet you at the airport.