Page 19 of When You're Forgotten

Finn considered the detective’s eagerness.“Either way, we’re checking the finances, among other things.We’ve heard James was supporting the family after some rough times, and he might’ve gone too deep into risky dealings.”

Lloyd’s eyes lit with recognition.“So you’ve heard.The Penrose clan used to be among the wealthiest old families in Wales— centuries of inheritance.Then came James’s so-called ‘ventures.’A handful of unwise, high-stakes investments decimated their fortune.They sold off antiques, mortgaged properties to keep afloat.”

Amelia folded her arms, brow creasing.“So we suspect maybe a loan shark or unscrupulous partner demanded repayment and threatened James?If he couldn’t pay, that confrontation might’ve ended badly.”

"Exactly," Lloyd confirmed."He may have promised future returns or used the house as collateral.Then, when it came time to pay up, he had nowhere to turn."

Finn rubbed his chin.“That explains his anxious state: he might have arranged a meeting that evening—hence sending everyone away—so he could negotiate or hand something over.”He glanced at Amelia.“If the person demanded more or used intimidation, James’s weak heart could have collapsed under the stress.”

Amelia nodded.“So, murder in spirit if not in direct action.But either way, we can’t ignore the possibility that it was all accidental.He might have just had a random heart attack at the worst time, especially if he was under a lot of stress.”

Thomas Lloyd pursed his lips thoughtfully.“I’m leaning toward the ‘someone came calling’ theory, personally.But I can’t prove it…yet.I’d appreciate being kept in the loop if you find anything concrete.”

Finn offered a wry smile.“Sure.As long as you share what you learn with us.We need local insights, after all.”

“We think someone was definitely here,” Amelia explained.“Finn and I had a look over the security footage, and we found hand prints in the ground.It was as if someone was crawling around under the cover of dark, heading towards the east side of the house where there was no camera coverage.Our best guess is that’s how the intruder would have gotten into the house.

“I see,” he grimaced, then looked at the building as if it were a threat.“But no idea who it was?”

Finn shook his head.

“Okay,” Lloyd said.“I have to go about my rounds, but let’s keep in touch.If you need anything, I’m your man.”

“Absolutely,” Amelia smiled.

A small grin curled Lloyd’s mouth.“Good hunting to you both, then.”

He turned to leave, stepping across the garden’s neat paving slabs.The vines rustled in a mild gust, the floral scent mingling with the faint tang of damp stone.Amelia and Finn watched him head for the gate.Just before stepping out, Lloyd paused as Finn called after him:

“Detective—one last thing.We keep hearing about ghost stories here.You must’ve heard them too?”

Thomas’s posture stiffened as he half-turned, a cagey look crossing his features.“I have.Some of the more famous folklore around these parts.Local chatter claims the Penrose ancestors haunt the halls.Some believe that they come to forewarn of calamity.But I stick to the living, Mr.Wright.I’ll leave ghosts to the historians and mediums.”

With that, he tipped his head in parting and disappeared through the walled gate, letting it swing quietly behind him.

Finn let out a long breath.“At least he was open about his suspicions,” he mused.

Amelia turned, gazing over the rose-laden trellis.“He seems to be a capable inspector.He might be too keen to label this a murder… Still, if there was a shady deal going on here at night with everyone else away, he might be right.”

They wandered deeper into the walled garden, stepping past rows of neatly trimmed hedges and a small fishpond at the center.Bees buzzed around the blossoms, the morning sunlight lending everything a gentle warmth.

Finn lowered his voice.“The bit about James arranging a covert meeting is bugging me.Why ensure the house is empty, especially if he was worried for his safety?Unless he believed that secrecy was paramount.”

“Or maybe he thought he could handle it himself,” Amelia added, lightly touching a vine of pink roses.“He might’ve miscalculated his trust in whoever was coming here, or the intruder’s presence ended up terrifying him to death— literally.”

Finn nodded, mind churning.“One detail that keeps returning: the figure we saw on camera.Crawling around the lawn.If that was the visitor, they approached in a bizarre, almost animalistic way.It’s not how you’d walk up to a front door if you had a legitimate appointment.”

“It’s more how you’d move if you wanted to spook someone,” Amelia agreed grimly.

He paused at the pond’s edge, peering at a few koi gliding beneath the surface.“So, how do we proceed?We talk to the rest of the family?See if there’s any mention of James scheduling a meeting or dealing with shady contacts.”

She nodded.“And keep an eye out for that ghost story background—someone might have exploited it to unnerve him.Detective Lloyd was cagey about it, but these local myths can shape people’s fears.Superstition can be dangerous in the wrong hands.”

Finn stepped back from the pond.“All right, let’s go find some more people to pester.The day’s young, the suspects are plenty.”

CHAPTER NINE

Finn walked across the lawn with Amelia at his side, morning sunlight warming his face after their talk with Inspector Lloyd.The Welsh sky was a luminous shade of blue, the grass still jeweled with dew in places.Brynmor Hall loomed before them, an imposing structure of timeworn stone and ivy-covered walls.Despite the manor’s dark undercurrents, in this light, it appeared almost welcoming.

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