Mysterious Teacher: Arrival (Mysterious Teacher #1)

Chapter 1

Arrival at Summer House

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CALIFORNIA WAS STARK and gloomy despite the ever-present sunny skies. A decade ago, the country had celebrated after freeing Europe from the murderous hatred of Hitler’s Nazis, a somber recognition to all the lives lost now hung over many who still felt the pain of those losses.

The booming economy in America, helped to raise the spirits of many, but for those who had lost a loved one in the battles, numbering in the tens of thousands in California alone, the wound was painful.

But it was now the mid-1950s. America enjoyed a massive post-WWII population boom, a suburban housing explosion, and a thriving car culture.

While this period brought prosperity and a sense of optimism, there was an undercurrent of tension.

With the windows rolled down, Sonya Song drove her stylish 1939 Coupe de Ville down the quaint country road that led out of Clementine.

She’d passed through the small town that offered all the necessities, be it in the most minimal of ways.

American flags were proudly on display in front of every business and home, as they were out here in the vast countryside.

With a happy sigh, Sonya admired the farmlands that sped by. They were of such luscious green, and the orange groves were heavy with sun-filled fruit.

“What a wonderful setting to work in,” she mused to herself.

As she passed a large farmhouse with the number 12 on it, she glanced once again at the address she’d jotted down.

1 Lemon Grove Lane.

The farmhouses grew larger; wide wraparound porches, bow windows, thriving gardens, double and even triple garages in addition to the stables and barns. They were also set farther and farther apart with acres of farmland separating them.

“Six,” she counted down aloud as she passed a bright yellow farmhouse. Several moments later as she came to a deep blue house, “Four.”

Then, “Three and two. There’s only one place left to go,” she said as she looked at the road that led to the one solitary home at the end of the lane.

A five-foot high stone wall topped with decorative, yet deadly looking wrought iron spikes ran out on either side of the road for about a hundred yards. An intricately decorated wrought iron gate blocked her path.

Slowly bringing the car up to the gate, she reached out to open the small door of a tiny niche and picked up the phone inside.

“Yes?” a sweet young voice said.

“I’m Sonya Song. I’m here to meet with Dr. Ang about tutoring his daughter.”

“Okay,” came the bright and enthusiastic reply before the call was abruptly ended.

The gates parted and Sonya drove in, amused by the two rabbit-shaped topiaries that immediately greeted her.

“A man with a sense of humor,” she mused. “I like that.”

The lawn, while healthy and green, appeared a little neglected. The flower beds that lined the drive as she approached the house seemed cluttered with weeds.

She parked behind the silver Chrysler Thunderbolt Roadster and got out.

“Not bad,” she muttered to herself as she looked at the impressive home.

The structure had an interesting blend of wood and stone, the two marrying perfectly on the sprawling ranch style home. While the stones were on the cool side, the woods were rich and warm.

She walked up to the door, grasped the heavy knocker and knocked three times. She’d barely finished the third knock when the door opened wide, and she faced a pretty, young woman.

“Sonya, right?” the young woman said with a bright smile.

“That’s right.”

The young woman offered her hand and Sonya reached out to take it. “I’m April,” she said as she gave Sonya’s hand a firm shake. “April Ang.”

Taking a good look at her, Sonya surmised that the girl was about sixteen years old. Her long, silky black hair trailed down her back, almost reaching her hips. There was an inquisitive twinkle in her eyes and sweet innocence in her smile.

“Please,” April said as she waved Sonya in. “Do come in.”

“I’m supposed to meet with Dr. Ang,” Sonya said as she entered the home that was silent and still.

The front foyer was inviting with its hardwood floors, its wallpapered walls and ornate wood trims. Sonya immediately felt at home in the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Yes,” April said. “I know. Father is off to one of his meetings in Europe.”

“Are you alone here?”

She nodded. “I arrived at our family summer house last week with my tutor.” She shrugged as she led the way to an informal sitting room. “With Father away, he thought it best that my tutor accompanies me.”

She went to the window to pull the heavy green drapes back, flooding the room with sunlight. Two rose colored sofas faced one another while two yellow floral armchairs joined them around the large coffee table in the center. In the far corner was an elegant side table and tall curio cabinet.

“And what happened to that tutor?” Sonya said as she sat on the rose-colored sofa.

Again, April shrugged. “I wish I knew. We were here for three nights... maybe four... and then, suddenly, I got up one morning and she was gone.”

“Gone?”

“That’s right. Not a note. Not a call. Not a word. Just gone.”

“That’s unusual, isn’t it?” Sonya said, a little concerned about the situation.

“I looked everywhere I could think to look, but I could not find a clue to where she could have gone. I finally had to conclude that she abandoned me.” She looked pointedly at me.

“I’m not that bad of a student, if that’s what you’re thinking.

I don’t understand why she would leave. And my father really does pay handsomely. It is quite curious, if you ask me.”

“Have you told the authorities about her disappearance?”

She waved the question away. “They’re all the way in town and couldn’t be bothered coming all the way out here to look for a runaway tutor.”

Sonya looked around. The home was tastefully decorated, with expensive paintings on the walls, handwoven rugs on the floor and elegant furniture. But there was dust on the coffee table, the hint of a few dust bunnies under the sofa facing her and grime on the windows.

“Don’t you have anyone to help you... well, tend to the property?”

April shook her head. “The house has been closed since last summer. Father wanted to have our staff come back to reopen it, but they were all unavailable.” She looked at me, her eyes suddenly sad.

“The war has been hard on everyone in more ways than one. The horrors of what happened over there are just unimaginable, and now, with the war finally over... well, it seems that many strong, able-bodied men have not returned, leaving us shorthanded.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s not all bad,” she said, bringing a smile back to her lips. “I do have my pets here to keep me company. And, of course, I do have my work to keep me busy.”

“Work?” Sonya said. “I thought you were a student?”

“I am,” she said with a beaming grin. “But I do have a few projects that I like to spend time on. And being out here at the summer house makes it easier to do so.” She leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret.

“There are no prying eyes out here. Back in the city, it’s virtually impossible to get anything done without a barrage of questions from inquisitive neighbors. ”

“Oh,” Sonya said. “That sounds very interesting. What kind of projects are you working on?”

April clasped her hands together and squealed with delight. “Projects that I’m passionate about. Projects that keep me up at night as I think through every aspect of it. It’s all about...”

The phone rang.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she said as she turned to the side table to answer the phone. “Hello. Oh, Father! I’m so happy you called.”

She wrapped the telephone wire around her fingers as she listened to him. “Yes. Yes. She’s right here,” she said after a moment. “All right. Yes. I look forward to seeing you, too. I love you, Father.”

She held the phone out a moment before setting it down. “Father is tied up in Europe and won’t be able to be here for a few days still. He would like to conduct the interview over the phone, if that’s all right with you.”

“That’s perfectly all right.” Sonya stood and went to the side table.

“I’ll go make some tea,” April said on her way to the door. “It’s usually Wanda, our maid, who does such things, but... well... like I mentioned earlier; since the war, it’s been impossible to find adequate help.” She let out an uncomfortable giggle and headed out.

Sonya looked at the black phone on the elegant side table. The lamp offered a golden glow over the rich mahogany, amplifying the dust that was streaked with fingermarks. She picked up the phone, suddenly nervous. “Dr. Ang?” she said.

“Ah, Miss Song. I do apologize for my absence. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you... but... well, you know how these things go. Duty calls, as it were, and being delayed is part of it all.”

“Of course. It’s all quite understandable.”

“I’m told that you’re seeking a position as a private tutor.”

“That’s correct, Dr. Ang.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“Absolutely not. I’m eager to answer any questions you might have.”

“Good.” He cleared his throat. “What subjects do you teach?”

“Just about everything,” Sonya said. “Many languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. A bit of the arts, particularly photography. Of course,

math, science, philosophy and politics.”

“Very good,” Dr. Ang said. “What about music? Do you play an instrument... let’s say the piano?”

“Oh, I’m so glad you brought it up. Yes. I love music. While I have a good ear, I can also read music. In addition to playing the piano, I also play the violin.”

“Splendid. And how are you on biology? Physiology?”

Not expecting such depth in the required subject matters, Sonya frowned.

“Are you interested in how the body functions?” Dr. Ang added.

“Yes,” she said, a little off guard. “Nutrition and physical fitness are very important to me.”

“Do you train in any type of exercise or athleticism?”