Page 17 of When You're Forgotten

“True,” Finn conceded, letting out a faint sigh.

“Good night, Finn,” she said, turning toward the corridor that branched off to her room.“Try not to conjure any poltergeists.”

He watched her slip away, footsteps fading until she disappeared around the bend.A fleeting pang of loneliness hit him, but he shrugged it off.They both needed rest for the day ahead.

Stepping into his bedroom, he closed the door behind him.The room looked much as it had that first night: a cozy bed with thick blankets, a small writing desk near the window, and the same old fireplace, now unlit.The only difference was the nighttime hush creeping through the window’s drawn curtains, amplifying every shift of wood or rattle of the old glass.

He flicked on the solitary lamp by the bedside, the faint glow revealing the large bed.The space was undeniably comfortable—warm colors, plush duvet, the faint floral scent of fresh linens.Yet a chill, perhaps from the old stone walls or the ghostly rumors swirling in his mind, made him shiver.

Dropping his jacket on the back of a chair, Finn glanced around, half-smiling at the thought of ghosts after everything he’d faced.He moved to the desk, where he’d left a few personal items.The old wood creaked under his palm.

“Ghosts?If you’re in here,” he whispered dryly, “keep the noise down.I’m exhausted.”

With that, he switched off the lamp, leaving only the corridor’s glow under the door seam.He sank onto the bed, the mattress dipping comfortably beneath him.Outside, the wind sighed through the Welsh countryside.In the stillness, his mind churned with images: a dark shape crawling across the lawn, a frantic heart failing in a locked panic room, and the knock that led to an empty corridor.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Finn rose early, spurred by restless curiosity as much as by habit.The morning light filtering through his bedroom curtains had grown bright and welcoming—an invitation to begin the day’s inquiries.After dressing quickly in a crisp shirt and slacks, he decided to look in on Amelia.His footsteps echoed along the manor’s corridor, the floorboards creaking in protest.Despite Brynmor Hall’s looming presence and the undercurrent of tension from the previous day, the early sun lent the estate a peaceful hush.

Stopping before Amelia’s door, he rapped his knuckles softly.“Amelia?”he called.No response came from within.He tried again, only to be met by continued silence.Worry prickled at him—Amelia rarely left without a quick word.Still, he reminded himself she was an investigator through and through; perhaps she’d simply gotten a jump on the day.

Finn tested the door handle.It turned easily, and the door swung inward, revealing the room lit by the cheerful glow of morning.However, Amelia was nowhere to be seen.The bed was made with neat corners, her overnight bag resting on a chair.A fleeting frown pulled at Finn’s mouth.If she’d left, she hadn’t taken her belongings, so presumably she was still around somewhere.

He stepped back into the corridor, gently shutting the door.A waft of warm air from a nearby vent teased the back of his neck.He started down the stairs, the sunlight spilling through high windows onto the wide steps.In the foyer, a quiet hush prevailed—he glimpsed no staff scurrying about, no housekeeper waiting.

Rounding a corner, he nearly collided with Evan, the young servant.Evan recoiled with wide eyes, then relaxed when he recognized Finn.

“Morning, sir,” Evan said, blinking.“You almost made me drop these linens.”

Finn nodded an apology at the stack of folded sheets in the boy’s arms.“Sorry about that.Have you seen—Inspector Winters?I looked for her in her room, but she’s not there.”

Evan shifted his grip on the sheets.“I believe she’s outside, sir.Talking to someone, looked like a gentleman.She went out not long after dawn, I think.”

“Thanks,” Finn replied, pausing a moment.“Any idea who the gentleman was?”

Evan just shook his head.“Didn’t get a good look.Sorry.”

“No problem.”Finn offered the lad a quick smile, then headed toward the front doors.If Amelia was outside, he might catch up to her easily enough.

Pushing open the large oak door, he stepped onto the manor’s wide stone steps.A flood of brilliant morning sun bathed the front drive.The Welsh countryside sparkled under a sky of pale blue, a refreshing change from the gloom of the night before.The gravel crunched underfoot as he descended, scanning the expansive lawn.

No sign of Amelia.The breeze carried the scent of dew-laden grass, and faint birdsong chimed from the distant woods.He noticed footprints leading away from the gravel path—two sets, by the look of it—though one might be from earlier staff.Still, they looked fresh.He took a chance and followed them, the soles of his shoes trailing lightly in the disturbed gravel.

The footprints curved behind a row of ornamental bushes, where he spotted two figures standing near a trimmed hedgerow.They weren't Amelia and her unknown companion, however.Instead, he found a man and a woman, both in their early thirties.The man, dressed in a casual blazer and jeans, had short, dark hair and an angular jaw that tightened when he saw Finn approach.The woman wore a stylish spring coat, her blonde hair swept into a loose updo.Both had the slight air of travelers who arrived in a hurry.

The man glared at Finn, brow furrowed.“Who the devil are you?This is private property.”

Finn halted, raising both palms in a peaceable gesture.“I’m Finn Wright, with the Home Office.Are you by chance members of the Penrose family?”

“Home Office?”The man’s suspicious gaze flicked to Finn’s ID badge.Then he softened, nodding once.“I’m Richard Penrose, James’s younger brother.This is my wife, Jenna.”

Jenna offered a polite, if reserved, smile.“Pleasure,” she said, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

Finn pocketed his badge.“Apologies for startling you.We’ve been asked to investigate the circumstances of James’s death.”

At the mention of James’s death, Richard’s frown deepened.“Yes...It’s…we’re all in shock.Catherine and Marianne called us to return and help with arrangements.”

“So you weren’t here when it happened?”Finn asked gently.

---