Page 35 of When You're Forgotten

Finn nodded, eyes scanning the case files splayed across the table.They’d drawn genealogies of the Penrose family, tallies of who inherited what, old records of James’s business.“Right, back to that.Where were we?Judd Aspen told me that Marianne demanded more money from James to keep up her lifestyle.We suspect that was one reason he believed she orchestrated his death.”

Amelia wrinkled her nose.“It doesn’t quite fit the Marianne I’ve seen— worried about finances, yes, but also genuinely caring about her children.She doesn’t come off as a shallow trophy wife who’d murder for a bigger bank account.”

“Yet Judd insists otherwise,” Finn pressed, rifling through the typed notes from his interview with Judd.“He says she was deeply unhappy with James’s tightening wallet, threatened to leave him if he didn’t keep funding her tastes.”

Amelia shrugged.“People can be complicated.Maybe Marianne vented frustrations to Judd or others.That doesn’t automatically mean she plotted murder.But we do have that letter Marianne supposedly wrote, wishing something would happen to James so she could be free.It’s fairly damning if genuine.”

Finn drummed his fingers on the coffee table, considering the swirl of conflicting narratives.“It’s possible she was venting.Or maybe she was testing a hypothetical.We can’t know until we dig deeper.”

Amelia tapped a pen on her notepad.“We need more data, specifically about finances.If James’s life insurance and Catherine’s inheritance are factors, we might see who stands to gain.We also don’t know Marianne’s personal finances—did she have large debts?Was she forging any business deals without her husband?So many unknowns.”

Finn gave a resolute nod.“In that case, let’s phone Rob or local authorities, see if we can push for a warrant to examine everyone’s finances.We want to see bank statements, debts, those sorts of details for Marianne, Richard, Jenna, and even Mrs Hughes if necessary.Maybe something will leap out—like a huge debt or suspicious transfer.”

Amelia grimaced at the thought of more bureaucracy, but she recognized the necessity.“You’re right.If we can get those records quickly, it might break this case wide open.”

Finn caught her eye, remembering the phone conversation not five minutes prior.“Want to call Rob back for that?Or should we go through Inspector Lloyd?”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her expression, but she squared her shoulders.“I’ll call Rob first.He’s more likely to expedite the request with the Home Office.Lloyd might be supportive, but we’d still need higher clearance.Let’s go for the direct route.”

She reached for her phone, sighing at the prospect of another tense conversation.“Though I hope he doesn’t try again to talk me into leaving Brynmor.I’m definitely not in the mood for that fight.”

Finn nodded, picking up a stray file.“I guess we’d better get used to it.Wendell’s threat changes the game.Everyone who cares about you is going to push for your safety.”

Amelia half-laughed, a bitter note there.“I’ll manage just fine.”She flipped open the phone, preparing to dial.“We can handle both: track a murderer in Brynmor Hall, and keep Wendell at bay with the local cops.”She paused, thumb hovering over the screen.“We have to.”

Finn leaned back, letting the muted crackle of the sitting room's fireplace fill the silence.He studied Amelia's determined posture, reminded again how strong she was—even if fear lurked beneath her calm veneer."I'm with you," he said quietly.But in his bones, he felt that something had shifted and that the fear of losing Amelia was only going to grow.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Finn rubbed a thumb against the dull ache in his forehead, trying to stay focused on the immediate task.It was midday, or perhaps a bit past—time seemed to blur in Brynmor Hall’s oppressive atmosphere—and he and Amelia were still waiting on the promised financial information that might shed light on the Penrose family’s motives.The latest tragedies—the suspicious death of Catherine, and the lingering questions around James—had left them scrambling for any solid lead.

He sat at the end of a velvet-cushioned settee, leaning forward with his elbows braced on his knees.Amelia had taken a seat on the couch across from him, tapping away at her phone, presumably coordinating with Rob about the upcoming warrants.The crackle of the fireplace undercut the conversation’s tension, giving the sitting room a semblance of warmth that neither of them truly felt.

“What next, partner?”Amelia asked, lowering her phone.“Rob’s working on the warrants, but we might not get them until tomorrow.”

Finn nodded, scanning the notes they had on the table.“While we wait, I’ve been thinking; maybe it’s time we dig deeper into Wilkie’s death.The older brother’s demise seems to have set the stage for a lot of these… family fears.And both James and Catherine’s deaths mirror his, even though it happened several years ago.”

Amelia frowned, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.“Judd mentioned Wilkie’s name only in passing, and Hobbs gave us that story about Wilkie being found in the cellar.But we need more detail if we’re to find any deeper connection to what’s happened to James and Catherine.”

Finn let the files fall closed, exhaling.“Mrs.Hughes might be our best bet.She’s been around the family for decades—her late husband was apparently close to Wilkie.She might know what truly happened back then.”

Amelia nodded.“Good idea.Let’s see if we can get her to open up.”She rose from the sofa, letting out a tired sigh.

Finn stood and followed Amelia out of the sitting room.The corridor beyond was bright from tall windows letting in a mild midday sun, a welcome break from the gloom of the previous evenings.Paintings of stern-faced Penrose ancestors seemed less menacing in the daylight, though the residue of tragedy still clung to the walls.

They found Mrs.Hughes in the large hallway near the base of the main staircase, quietly organizing a silver tray with tea cups as though trying to maintain normalcy.When she noticed them approaching, her shoulders tightened.She set the tray on a small table and turned to greet them with a forced half-smile.

“Mr.Wright, Miss Winters,” she said, bobbing her head slightly in acknowledgment.“Can I get you anything?Tea, or—?”

“Not at the moment, thank you, Mrs.Hughes,” Finn replied gently.“We actually wanted to speak with you about Wilkie Penrose.Hobbs mentioned the other day that your husband knew him well.We realize it may be a painful subject, but it might hold clues about what’s going on around here.”

A flicker of apprehension crossed her features.Her gaze darted from Finn to Amelia and back.“Why bring up Wilkie?That was so many years ago.The police back then concluded it was a heart condition, or at least that’s what was… rumored.”

Finn exchanged a knowing glance with Amelia.Another Penrose death explained away as “heart condition” or “fear.”“We suspect Wilkie’s death might be relevant to the pattern of tragedies.You see, James built the panic room after Wilkie died.And now we have James and Catherine dead under suspicious circumstances.If there’s a link—any small detail might help us.It feels like this could have all started with Wilkie.”

Mrs.Hughes pressed her lips together.“I don’t see how raking up the past helps anyone,” she said quietly, though there was a tremor in her voice.“Wilkie was a sweet man, if troubled.My husband—God rest him—was pained by that death for months.They were close, you see.I…” She trailed off, eyes distant, as though recalling the pain.

Amelia softened her tone, stepping closer.“We understand it’s painful, but can you recall any odd details about Wilkie’s final days?Who was around him, how he acted?Maybe an argument, or a fear he voiced?”

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