Page 47 of When You're Close

"Thanks, Rob," Finn replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "We will."

Ending the call, Finn stared at the phone for a moment, the dire nature of their situation sinking in.

Amelia, who had been standing a few steps away, examining the body, now approached. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Finn turned and looked his partner straight in the eyes. “Amelia... We're on our own.”

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Amidst the gales that began to churn the foliage outside, the front doors of Huldra House groaned open, admitting Finn and Amelia. The aging grandeur of the place, with its high ceilings and dark wooden paneling, offered them a brief respite from the impending storm. However, the cold silence of the interior did little to warm Finn's spirits.

He was starting to think the island was going to take them all down to some unseen, rotten abyss.

"Lady Ferguson?" Finn's voice echoed through the vast entrance hall. There was no reply, only the howls of wind outside and the internal whisper of air sweeping under the door.

Amelia looked around, her brow furrowing. "It's so quiet in here compared to outside. Do you think she left for the mainland with Nathaniel because of the storm?"

Finn glanced out of the window. "I doubt it. The ferries would have stopped running hours ago, and besides, Lady Ferguson doesn’t strike me as the type to flee from Huldra House. Frederick wanted her to get Nathaniel to the mainland, but she had already refused. Where the hell is the rest of the staff, though, it isn't the evening yet?"

Amelia nodded, absorbing this. "Remember, the staff here don’t all live on the island. Some come from the mainland."

"You're right," Finn agreed remembering. "With the storm warnings, those who could leave probably made their way back home. Still, there should be some islander staff around."

"But they might be staying in town," Amelia reasoned. "The cove offers some protection. It's more logical to gather there with other locals than stay in this massive house all alone."

“I don't know, I think this house seems like the safest place on the island, from storms at least. It's made from thick stone.”

“Do you think she already heard about Frederick's murder?” Amelia asked. “Maybe she went to the cliffs to see for herself.”

“She wouldn't leave her son.”

Finn contemplated his own words, then resumed his calling, "Lady Ferguson!" His voice echoed through the empty corridors and grand rooms, returning to him with no answer.

The absence of the lady of Huldra House felt out of place. The vast manor, which normally resonated with hushed conversations, footsteps, and the distant movement of staff during the day, now felt like a tomb. Every shout for Lady Ferguson seemed to get swallowed by the house itself.

"I don't like this," Finn murmured, his unease palpable. “I'd say split up if it wasn't for the warning in the back of my mind.”

Amelia looked around, taking in the grandeur and vastness of Huldra House. "We can't waste time searching every corner," she said decisively. "We should go straight to the only other person here."

Finn quirked an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Nathaniel," Amelia replied. "Lady Ferguson's son. He's tied to this place more than anyone else. She might even be up there with him."

Finn looked skeptical but nodded. "Alright, let's head up, but Winters, keep your eyes and ears sharp."

As they approached the grand staircase leading to the upper levels, Finn halted suddenly hearing something, lifting a hand to signal Amelia to be quiet. "Did you hear that?" he whispered.

Amelia strained her ears, trying to catch any irregularity over the growing cacophony of the storm outside. "I don't hear anything. Probably just the wind."

Finn wasn't so sure. He took a few steps onto the staircase, trying to pinpoint the origin of the sound. The wind was indeed howling, gusts making the old windows of the manor shudder. But beneath that was something else—a faint, distant thud.

"There it is again," he said, pausing to listen.

Amelia seemed unconvinced, but her alert gaze never wavered from the shadows above them. "Look, Finn, this house is ancient. It's bound to have its noises, especially during a storm. We should keep moving."

But Finn was starting to feel like they were walking into a trap. As they ascended the staircase, the thudding became more pronounced, though still distant. "That's not just the house settling, Winters. There's something else."

Amelia paused, tuning in. After a moment, her eyes widened in realization. "Okay, you might be right. That doesn't sound like any wind I've heard."

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