Page 42 of One Last Whisper

“Provided no one catches him, of course. The plot thickens, though. Lady Alivia had an eight-million-pound trust. When she died, that trust passed to her son, Oliver. Should Oliver survive to majority, the trust will be fully vested, and should hethendie, the trust will become the property of his nearest relative.”

“Uncle Edmund.”

“Uncle Edmund indeed. And lastly, we have Lady Evelyn Downing, whose death yielded to our Lord Blackwood ownership of properties in Scotland, and Northumbria totaling twelve million in value.”

I see the motive now. They were killed for money.

But… “What about Sarah? The maid? She didn’t have money.”

"Yes, that's the odd one out. If I were a betting man, I would say that she discovered something she shouldn't have. Before you lodge your second objection, I'll answer it. The reason why Lord Edmund doesn't still have money is that he is utterly incompetent at managing his money. He's lost millions attempting speculative investments. He is stubborn and refuses advice, but somehow, he always comes upon money when he needs it. Usually, that money arrives conveniently around the same time as a catastrophe reaches someone close to him."

Lighting crashes outside, and then a loud scream follows it. I remember why I come here and say, “Keep looking into this, Sean. I believe I may have some more evidence for you in a moment.”

“More evidence? Wait. Mary, where are you—”

I hang up and put my phone in my pocket. Then I look for the book I remove the other night. I find it and push.

Nothing happens. I stare in disbelief. I could have sworn that worked the last time.

But then, I pulled the book off of the shelf and started reading it, so it couldn’t have been the book that was the key to moving the door. Perhaps the shelf?

Yes! I push it, and it recedes. A moment later, I hear a click, and the entire case slides backwards, then to the right.

I’m about to step through when I hear Theresa cry out behind me.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

We stare at each other for a moment. Theresa is shocked by the secret entrance that opens behind me. I am shocked by Theresa.

“What are you doing here?” I finally ask.

She blinks and seems to just now remember I’m there. “What areyoudoing here?”

“I’m…”

My voice trails off. What do I tell her? What can I tell her? I’m caught. What possible good reason could I have for snooping through Lord Edmund’s library?

Then again, what possible reason couldshehave?

She tells me. “You heard the screaming again.”

I nod slowly. “You did too?”

“Aye. I’ve ignored it too many times. Told myself it was just the wind, but…” she shook her head. “With poor Sarah found the way she was and with Lady Cordelia talking the way Lady Alivia did before she died.”

“Yes,” I reply. “Exactly like that. I wonder if maybe the killer drugged them somehow or influenced their thoughts to feel that they were being chased by ghosts.”

Theresa stares at me for a moment, and I remember that I’m not supposed to know about Lady Alivia’s ravings. Heat climbs my cheeks, and I stammer, “I… well, Lady Cordelia said that she was being haunted by ghosts, and she mentioned that Lady Alivia was unwell before she died and perhaps… I thought maybe her condition may have been worsened…”

I let my voice trail off. It’s a horrible excuse, and I can see that Theresa doesn’t buy it. After a moment, she chuckles drily. “You’re a sly one, Mary. You’ve been looking into this for a while now, haven’t you?”

I don’t respond. Theresa nods and says, “Well, thank God someone was brave enough to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves anymore. Yes, Lady Alivia complained of being persecuted by ghosts before she died. I fear Lady Cordelia might be doing the same. I would say it’s just the curse of this house if not for Sarah.” Her face tightens, reminding me once more of the affection she held for the young maid. “Sarah was a good girl. And she wasn’t screaming about no ghosts hunting her. But then, she was only a maid.” Her lip curls. “Wouldn’t have to be too careful about her, would you?”

“Do you think… I mean… who would you believe could do something like this?’

Theresa laughs. “There’s only one person I know might stand to gain something from this, and only one person I know who would know where this chamber is. Well, three people now, but I think you see where I’m going with this.”

I nod. Then I look behind me. A dark hole looms in front of me. I remember the hollow sockets of Annie’s eyes in my dream, and a shiver runs through me.

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