Page 7 of When You're Forgotten

“What ghost?”she asked, tone light but inquisitive.

Evan shrugged.“The Penrose ancestors, of course.Folks say they haunt the halls.Some even say they come back to claim vengeance if the family line is dishonored.All that old nonsense—but I reckon there’s some truth.”He nodded knowingly.

Finn raised an eyebrow.“You believe in that?”

Mrs Hughes sniffed, cheeks pink with embarrassment.“He’s just a lad.Pays too much heed to stories.We’ve got enough tragedy without such superstitions.”

“Yet,” Amelia said softly, “you were about to hush him.So maybe you’ve heard something yourself?”

Reluctantly, Mrs Hughes glanced around, as though checking no one else was in earshot.“A few nights before Mr.Penrose’s murder, I heard a… shriek.Horrible, echoing through the corridors.I can’t say it was a ghost, but the tales do tell that when a dire calamity is about to befall the Penrose family, something howls in the night.”

Evan, his arms shaking under the suitcase’s weight, nodded vigorously.“See, I told you.I believe it.Don’t you?”

Finn eyed Amelia, his mouth quirking.He turned back to Evan.“I’ve seen a lot of strange things in my line of work.But…” He paused, letting the grin spread.“This might be a new level of weird for me.”

Amelia brushed a hand on Finn’s shoulder, stepping closer.“We’ll see,” she said quietly.“But I’m intrigued.”

The boy started to wrestle the suitcase up the final few stairs.With a sigh, Finn placed the folder under one arm and extended his free hand.“Here, let me—unless you’d like to trip up into another concussion, Amelia?”He shot her a teasing glance, but she merely rolled her eyes.Finn took the handle from Evan and hoisted it.“Lead the way.”

Evan darted ahead through the main doorway—massive, ornate doors that creaked on their hinges.Amelia glanced over her shoulder at Mrs Hughes.“Aren’t you coming with us?”

Mrs Hughes lifted her chin, trying to mask her anxiety.“I’ve things to attend to, Miss.I’ll let Evan show you the rooms.You’ll be comfortable there, I promise.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said gently, then stepped over the threshold, following Finn and the boy.

As soon as they were inside the grand foyer—a marvel of marble floors and lofty ceilings—Finn caught up with the boy, suitcase in tow.“So, Evan,” he ventured.“Do you really believe in these ghosts?”

Evan turned with wide eyes.“Yes, sir.You never experienced anything like that?”

Finn exchanged a quick glance with Amelia, who offered him a faint grin of anticipation.He exhaled, turning back to the boy.“Once… On a case with my partner here on a Scottish island, but I can never be sure.”

“Lead on, Evan,” Amelia said.“I’m sure the ghosts of Brynmor Hall will make us quite welcome.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Finn followed Evan down a long corridor lit by antique wall sconces, the soles of his shoes scuffing softly against the polished wood floor.The boy led them past a series of ornately framed paintings and an occasional window that let in slices of the Welsh afternoon light.At last, Evan stopped before a modest wooden door, pushing it open to reveal a cozy bedroom with a high, timber-beamed ceiling.

A large bed sat in the middle, layered with a thick duvet and plush pillows.To one side rested a small writing desk, and to the other stood a narrow armoire with an oval mirror on its door.A flicker of the old fireplace in the corner gave the room a welcome warmth, and soft drapes lent a faint sense of privacy from the broad windows looking out onto the estate grounds.

“Here you are, sir,” Evan said, dropping Finn’s suitcase by the foot of the bed.“I, uh, hope this suits you.”

Finn gazed around appreciatively, inhaling the faint scent of aged wood and lavender polish.“It’s great, thank you,” he replied.“Looks like I’ll sleep well here.”

Amelia, peering over Finn’s shoulder, gave a small smile.“Cozy indeed,” she commented.

Evan nodded, smoothing out his uniform.“Then I’ll show Miss Winters to her room next.”He started toward the corridor, but Finn interjected, “That’s fine.We’ll be staying in the same—”

“I don’t know about that,” Amelia cut in, arching a playful brow at him.She turned to Evan.“I don’t think the housekeeper was too keen on that idea.We best do as our hosts wish.Lead on, Evan.”

Finn sighed, resigning himself to the arrangement.He snatched his jacket off the suitcase and followed Amelia and Evan back into the corridor.They walked a short distance—down a corner, past two more doors—until they reached another bedroom, this one located at the far end of the hall.Evan swung it open.

This space was significantly larger than Finn’s.A grand four-poster bed stood in the center, draped in ivory linens.A chaise lounge nestled by the tall windows, which offered a wide view of the estate’s rolling lawns.An intricately woven rug covered the floor, depicting what looked like Celtic knots.The overall effect was more spacious and just a touch more luxurious than Finn’s cozy nook.

Amelia set down her small carry-on bag, eyeing the tall windows.“I guess I get the scenic route,” she said, turning to Finn with mock triumph.

He gave the bed a once-over, then shook his head.“You get a bigger room, too.I see how this is.”

She half-laughed.“Don’t start.Anyway, it’s not that much bigger.”

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