Page 55 of Air Of Mystery
“Sure,” I told her. “No problem.”
Manny sat and stared adoringly up at me while I reached for the dog treat canister on the counter. After double checking that my cousin was still in the living room, I gave the dog two treats.
In my opinion he deserved all the cookies.
There was a new predator in the house on Henry Street, and I truly hoped it wasn’t the sort that Sunny had envisioned.
***
My investigation schedule became packed. Alton had more than earned its reputation as one of the most haunted places in America, and for some reason this year almost everyone was experiencing something paranormal.
At least it sure seemed that way.
I booked a room for myself and another for Larry and George on Wednesday and Thursday—the night before and the night of my investigation—at the Marquette Mansion Hotel. We planned to arrive on Wednesday afternoon so we could get shots of the amethysts and the museum room, as well as the room in the western wing where the jewels were found.
In addition, I had two interviews scheduled: one with Camilla and a second with young Archer Marquette. Gabriella and Philippe had given their permission for me to do the interview—so long as their son wasn’t on camera and we didn’t talk about the newly discovered secret passage.
That was fine with me. I got it. They were worried about liability and their future weddings and parties at the mansion. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time I’d interviewed someone off camera. But I wanted Archer’s perspective and his side of the story about how the ghost of Jacques had most recently helped with the lost flower girl.
Maybe I’d get lucky and Philippe or Gabriella would consent to an interview as well. Because I damn sure planned on asking them once I got there.
I was the first to arrive at the mansion Wednesday afternoon. After parking in the hotel lot on the western side of the house, I sent Charlie a quick text to let him know I had arrived. Then I snagged my video camera case, laptop, and suitcase and went straight to the front desk.
“Skye Golden, checking in,” I said to the front desk clerk.
“Hello, Ms. Golden.” She smiled. “Is the rest of your team with you?”
“Not yet,” I said. “I expect them soon.”
A few minutes later I was rolling my suitcase toward an elevator and heading up to the third floor. After staying in the hotel for Cordelia and Tim’s wedding, I was familiar with the layout and found my room quickly. Once I stowed my suitcase, I checked my hair and face in the mirror and considered my outfit.
In an attempt to make myself look more approachable, I had worn flats and a casual black dress. The dress was light with a long flowing skirt and mushrooms and ferns that were outlined in ivory all over the fabric. Personally, I felt it was a good choice of an outfit for conducting interviews. With a nod at my reflection, I fluffed up my hair, freshened my lip gloss, and dabbed a bit of powder on my nose.
“That’s got it,” I said to my reflection, and grabbing my recording equipment, I headed back down to the main lobby.
I had an appointment to meet Camilla and Archer in the smaller event room in about forty-five minutes for their interviews. Once they arrived, I wanted to be set up and ready to roll.
When I returned to the lobby, one of the hotel staff was waiting for me. He offered to carry my equipment bag—I politely refused—and then he escorted me to the empty room. I had been hoping to see Charlie, but he was probably busy with something somewhere on the property. Walking across the ground floor, I appreciated all over again just how big the building actually was.
I’d be seeing him later that night. We had plans to have dinner at his place, once I finished the preliminary interviews and we got the shots of the museum room.
Charlie had invited George and Larry to join us for dinner. I was semi nervous about the men in my life all hanging out together, but I reminded myself that Charlie was making a real effort. And him getting to know my team could only help.
The clerk escorted me as far as the door and offered to bring me something to drink. I requested a ginger ale for myself, and a couple bottles of water for Archer and Camilla. I quickly arranged a chair in front of the pretty fireplace and another for myself across from it. Then I set up the video camera and adjusted the angle for the first interview with Camilla.
Out of my peripheral I saw someone walk back in holding a drink tray, and I turned with a smile to thank him.
My smile faded when I discovered the bearer of the tray was Estella Midnight-Marquette.
“Thank you,” I said politely, even though she was scowling at me.
Estella walked over and placed two water bottles on a nearby table. “I was hoping to get the chance to speak to you alone.”
I bit back a sigh. I had expected Estella would find a way to make her presence known while we were here. I’d even warned George and Larry ahead of time about herandher dislike of paranormal investigations and me in particular.
“You’re going to be very careful when you interview my nephew,” she said, her face hard as stone.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve interviewed a child for my channel,” I reminded her. “In fact, I interviewed Caroline Tremaine, Eloise and Grayson Walls about their encounter with the Reaper and finding the treasure a couple of years ago.”
