Page 30 of Last Resort

“I had a good life after Tom left. I married and had a family, a career. Lived a long time,” the ghost replied. “But I’m afraid to move on because I knew things went on that were wrong, and I don’t know what that means for my soul.”

“Someone else’s actions are not your fault,” Sister Frankie replied.

“I kept his secret,” Sophia said. “I knew he did bad things, and I didn’t do anything to stop him.”

“Tom worked for the Mafia,” Ben said. “You wouldn’t have stopped what was going on, and you might have gotten yourself killed.”

“I was afraid,” Sophia confessed. “Not of Tom—I saw a different side of him. He didn’t talk much about his work, but I knew he was an accountant for shady people. It wore on him. He was scared of them.”

“It’s healthy to be scared of those people,” Ben assured her. “They’re bad news.”

“Tom was bitter when he drank,” Sophia said in a reluctant tone. “He held a grudge against his grandfather. Said that his granddad ‘held out on him’ and ruined his life.”

He probably knew that his granddad hid a large haul and didn’t share it with him. Especially if his father was killed over a treasure he never benefitted from.

“Did he ever say more?” Sister Frankie asked.

“About what his grandfather did? No. I knew better than to ask. But it was strange—just before Tom disappeared, his mood changed. He seemed happier, not as angry at the world. Said something about ‘making up for the inheritance that was stolen from him.’ I didn’t think that made any sense, but he didn’t explain. And then he was gone.”

“Did you hear from him at all after he left town?” Ben’s intuition told him that the ghost was telling the truth, at least as much of it as she knew.

“No. I had no idea he intended to leave. I hoped that we would get married,” Sophia said. “He quit his job, and people came asking about him, but I couldn’t tell them anything. Some of them were mad, and I was scared of them, but they finally left me alone.”

“How did you know he died?” Ben couldn’t help feeling curious.

“I sensed his spirit.” The ghost sounded embarrassed. “I guess I always carried a torch for him despite everything. He didn’t contact me. But I knew he was gone.”

“Is that why you chose to talk about the past now?” Sister Frankie looked intrigued.

“Yes. I’m tired and ready to move forward,” Sophia said. “I just didn’t want to end up in a bad place because of what I knew.”

“Please set your fear aside,” Sister Frankie said. “You could not have stopped the situation, and you would have put yourself in danger. I’m sure it didn’t feel like it at the time, but Tom did you a favor removing you from his life. You would never have been safe.”

“If I move on…will I end updown there?” The ghost’s voice trembled.

“You did not commit a crime. Knowing about something you can’t change is not a sin,” Sister Frankie reassured. “Would you like to cross over now?”

Sophia nodded. “Yes, please. Thank you for hearing my confession.”

Sister Frankie spoke words of absolution and blessing. Sophia’s image dimmed until she finally vanished.

Monty let out a sigh and relaxed against the back of his seat. Ben guessed it had taken a lot of energy for him to help the ghost to be seen.

“More proof that Raines’s grandfather really did pull off a big score,” Ben observed. “And if Tom suddenly perked up before he disappeared, that squares with him embezzling a fortune for himself—making up for the money he didn’t get from his dad.”

“Or maybe he figured out how to rip off the people he worked for to set himself up in comfort while he kept looking for granddaddy’s loot,” Monty countered. “But why did he come back to Cape May, and did someone kill him because of his grandfather’s missing money?”

“Plus, we still don’t know who sent the poker chips to Erik and what they mean,” Ben added. “Raines’s killer is out there. I want to get to the bottom of this in case, for some reason, he comes after Erik and me.”

“I wasn’t sure what Sophia’s ghost would tell you,” Sister Frankie said. “Was it helpful?”

Ben nodded. “We know more than we did before. I’m still missing a couple of pieces of the puzzle. Thank you.”

Sister Frankie smiled. “Any time. It’s not uncommon for ghosts to want to clear the air before they move on, and even though they’re dead, it can take a surprising amount of time for them to work up the courage, especially when they feel guilty. Thank you for hearing her out—I think that helped her be at peace.”

She walked them back to the door. “How’s that man of yours?” she teased Monty.

Monty grinned. “Treating me very well,” he assured her. “He says ‘hello’—from a safe distance.”

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