Page 41 of When You're Safe

The rental’stires sounded a grating echo against the cobbled stone as Finn drove into thecastle’s internal courtyard. It was just as he remembered from their first visit—aspace that, though open to the sky, felt undeniably claustrophobic. Itscompressed atmosphere was intensified by the tall, narrow windows that pepperedthe walls all around. As he glanced up at them, Finn couldn’t shake the feelingthat the castle’s secrets were watching him. It was as if the very stones hadeyes and ears, and they were attuned solely to him.

Winters’s carsmoothly parked beside him. The engine went silent, and for a moment, all thatcould be heard was the rustling of the wind against ancient stones, seeminglycreated by the tight courtyard funneling air up to the increasingly darkeningsky. As she emerged, her gaze met his.

Finn gesturedaround, still feeling the weight of the countless gazes. “Looks like we’vestepped back into the dark ages again, doesn’t it? Like we’re being observedfrom all angles.”

Winters took amoment to look up. “I’d say it’s only your imagination, but we both know that’snot true,” she whispered.

Clearing herthroat, Winters said, “We need to see Quentin DeGrey’s will. But I know we haveto tread carefully. The DeGreys are not going to just hand it over, even if itmight help with the investigation. It will be filled with sensitive info, nodoubt.”

Finn nodded. “Weneed to figure out who stands to gain the most from his death.”

As they spoke,the shadows seemed to converge and solidify around the top of a small flight ofsteps nearby, eventually forming the gaunt, pale figure of Thaddeus Lincoln.His spectral presence almost managed to make Finn’s spine tingle. Almost.

Standingbeside the entrance to the castle, in the shadow of the grand double-archeddoor, Thaddeus fixed his gaze on the pair. His voice, cold yet resonating,broke their conversation. “This way, please.”

Withoutanother word, the keeper turned, disappearing into the dimly lit entrance ofthe castle. Finn and Winters exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passingbetween them. There was no turning back now.

The inside ofCastle DeGrey was as imposing as its exterior. Grand chandeliers hung from theceilings, casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. As Thaddeus led themthrough winding corridors adorned with portraits of stern-looking ancestors,Finn attempted to strike up a conversation. “Thaddeus, how long have you workedat Castle DeGrey?”

Thaddeus’sfootsteps never faltered, but he responded with a chilling detachment, “I’vebeen instructed not to speak with you.”

Finn raised aneyebrow, intrigued. “By who?” he asked.

Thaddeus,without breaking his stride or turning his head, replied, “I cannot say.”

“Can’t or won’t,Thad my man?” Finn asked. But the man didn’t respond.

After whatfelt like an eternity of silent walking, they entered an expansive hall. Redand black tiled flooring sprawled out beneath their feet, gleaming under the crystalchandeliers. The room was lined with large, arched windows draped with heavyvelvet curtains. On one end stood a grand fireplace with a roaring fire,casting a warm glow across the room. The hall gave off an aura of opulence andlooked like it was meant for dances and grand balls. In the center of it allwas a grand wooden table, ornate and polished to a shine.

Thaddeusgestured to the table. “You are to sit here and wait,” he said, his voiceechoing slightly in the vastness of the room.

Then, as suddenlyas he appeared, he turned on his heel and walked briskly out of the room,leaving Finn and Winters alone in the echoing silence.

Winters,visibly irked, said, “The audacity of these people! To treat the police thisway! It’s as if they believe it’s one rule for them and one rule for the restof the world.”

Finn nodded inagreement, though his gaze was locked on the ornate chandelier overhead. “Ihope that chandelier doesn’t fall on us, it would make quite a mess of myshirt.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “This is a strange place, no doubt.Let’s not get caught up in their parlor games.”

The door swungopen with a deliberate, slow creak. The light from the hall illuminated thefigure of an elderly woman. She held herself with an unwavering regal air,standing tall despite the curvature of age pressing down on her spine. Hersilver hair was piled into a neat bun, revealing a sharp, angular face markedby wrinkles and age spots. But what struck Finn the most were her piercing blueeyes that radiated authority.

She wore anaustere dress, black and buttoned all the way up to her neck. A lace collarframed her thin face, while her fingers glittered with multiple rings. Eachstep she took was careful, measured, and echoing a sense of purpose.

Reaching the table,she didn’t acknowledge either Finn or Winters initially. Instead, she took amoment to arrange the folds of her dress before sitting gracefully at the headof the table. Once seated, she glanced up, her intense gaze first landing onWinters and then settling on Finn. A weighty silence followed.

Finally, shespoke. “I am Frau Mildred Wolf,” she announced, her thick Bavarian accent lendingan extra layer of authority to her words.

Winterscleared her throat, about to speak, but Mildred held up a hand. “Before youstart with your inquiries, I must clarify my position. I am a distant cousin ofQuentin’s. The DeGrey family, in their grief, saw it fit to ask me to handletheir affairs temporarily. It’s a family obligation, and I take it veryseriously. I will not put up with anything that will disturb them.”

“Frau Wolf,”Winters said, “you do realize this is a police investigation and we’re—”Winters tried to push forward with her questions, but Mildred’s steely gazeshut her down.

Finn tappedthe table, drawing Winters’s gaze. He could see she was about to go atomic onthe situation, but he managed to interject before that happened. In his workwith the FBI he had dealt with people like this before.

Trying adifferent tactic, Finn leaned in. “You’re from Bavaria, aren’t you, Frau Wolf?I recognize the accent. Beautiful region.”

For a briefmoment, a hint of a smile appeared on Mildred’s lips. “Ah, yes,” she said, hertone softening just a fraction. “I am indeed from Bavaria. The mountains, theforests, there’s no place quite like it.”

The ice broken,Finn took the opportunity. “We only want to help, Frau Wolf. And to do that, weneed to understand what’s going on. Can we count on your cooperation?”

Mildredconsidered him for a moment, her icy demeanor melting ever so slightly. “Verywell, let us proceed, but do not think your American charm can dissuade me frommy duties.”

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