Mystery at London Ledge Lighthouse

“There’s more, but it’s getting late. It’s 11:00 already, can you believe it? We’d better leave, Heath. My mom will be worried,” said Cade closing the book and putting it on the coffee table.

“Sure, just let me slip up and tell Gramps goodnight,” said Heath getting up from the floor where he was lying. He walked through the door and started his ascent. Half way up the stairs, the door he just passed on the second floor opened and then closed. No one came through it, but Heath suddenly felt coldness all around him. He heard footsteps right below him. He turned and quickly hurried up the steps to the watch room.

As he entered the room, he turned back around to see if anyone was coming behind him. He heard footsteps and saw the door on the third floor landing open and close.

“Son, what’s wrong?” asked Owen a bit concerned. “Is everything okay?”

Hearing a voice, Heath jumped slightly.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I thought … Never mind. Cade and I are leaving, so I wanted to say good night.” Heath walked over and hugged his grandfather.

“You’re trembling. What happened? I know you well enough to know something spooked you.”

“Not really. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. I love you, Gramps. I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”

“You bet. Get a good night’s sleep, Heath.”

Heath turned and walked to the stairs. He stopped and turned to look at Gramps who was still staring at him.

“You be careful, Gramps, okay?”

“Sure. I’ve been reading some of the old logs kept by the former keepers. Really interesting stuff. I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow. Love you, too.”

Heath wasted no time descending the steps and entered the living room. He thanked Mrs. and Mr. Norris and Hayden for a great time and meal.

Cindy handed Cade the meal she packed for Alyson, and the two boys walked down the concrete steps to board the boat.

Darkness surrounded them. It was late, and the lighthouse's beacon and moonlight streaked the ocean with paths of light. It was a beautiful, calm night.

Heath untied the ropes while Cade started the engine. When they were about a hundred feet away from the lighthouse ledge, Heath glanced upward toward the signal light. Three white flashes and one red then three …

Heath spotted the outline of someone standing at the edge of the signal octagon. Thinking it was Gramps, he waved, but the figure did not wave back. It just stood there staring at their boat as it traveled toward the harbor away from the lighthouse. As the signal light flashed passed this person, Heath saw it was a man wearing a hat and jacket. He was shiny yet cloudy, but nevertheless, it was a man.

Seeing movement below in the watch room, Heath’s eyes moved downward to see his grandfather waving to him from the window. Heath waved back, but looked upward again. If Gramps is in the watch room, who is that standing on the top floor by the signal light?