Kane saw the twinkle in Bev’s eyes. “I don’t buy it, Chrissy, and I know all this is bullshit. No one can talk to the dead. When you’re gone, you’re gone.”
She played along. “Still, I’m kind of sad that I missed the séance the other night. Now that I’ve talked to you, Bev, I feel like you may be onto something.”
It was the oldest trick in the book. Good cop and bad cop could be morphed to work in any tag team scenario. Here they had just proved it.
“What if we got everyone to the attic and retried?” she offered, standing. “I’m not an expert, but I can muster through,” Bev offered coyly.
They both smiled as the rat walked right into the trap. “Okay, let’s do it!” she stated, pulling out her phone. “I’ll text Victoria and Julian. They may want to join us this time,” she offered.
Bev patted her on the shoulder. “Good idea. She heard the music too. Let’s see if we can get her to come along. Let me just stop in my room and get some candles I found. We’re going to have so much fun.”
Christina rolled her eyes at Kane before sending the message. Now, they had to keep the ruse going just until after the séance.
Yippee.
They were both thrilled.
More time with the two kooks was the gift that kept on giving.
Man, they couldn’t wait to hand this one off to the bosses.
* * *
Tori received the text and it filled her with alarm. “Shit! They’re on their way up here for a séance in the attic. We need to get out of this room and to the secret passageway fast,” she said.
There was no time to waste.
Julian grabbed a pillowcase off a spare pillow in the closet and dropped the book into it. He handed it to Tori before heading for the door. “We can’t both go down the passage,” he said, as they hurried up the stairs. “One of us has to slip the trunk back in front of the hidden door. We can’t let it be found by those two.”
She would do it. “I’ll go,” she whispered, as they climbed the stairs to the attic. “I have my flashlight on my keys and I’ll meet you in the lounge.”
He didn't like this at all. Leaving her alone was bad enough, but with the book, in a passage, and with Bethany floating around… it all just screamed horrible idea.
“We don’t have time, Jules. I’ll go. I’m not afraid of the dark or tight spaces. Meet me downstairs,” she said, popping the lock with her pocket knife.
“Be careful,” he hissed, kissing her on the lips. “I’ll make sure the room is clear,” he said, watching her climb into the little space. “I love you,” he whispered, before closing the door.
Now, he had to get the hell out of there before the team got there. That only meant one thing. He was going to have to break into one of the rooms just below the attic and scale the tree. Kane would be heading up the stairs with the nutcases, and he couldn’t be seen going down. How would he explain that? Their bedroom was on the second floor, not the third.
Great.
More breaking and entering.
At this point, no one would ever believe that he was once someone in the law enforcement community. My, my how skirting the law had become his norm.
Julian began saying a silent prayer as he hoped the medallion around Tori’s neck would keep her safe until he could reach her again.
After this, he needed a drink.
A big one.
* * *
Kane made sure to laugh really loud, warning Julian and giving him time if he was up ahead. When they came around the corner, he saw the door close, and he prayed that no one was in that room or there was going to be hell to pay.
Their cover would be blown, and they were all going home.
Not that he would mind.
Kane was just about maxed out on this haunted house as it was. What he wanted was home, wedding, family and in that order.
As they climbed the stairs, Bev placed her things along the floor, and began setting up.
“It won’t take long,” she said, smiling.
Kane dropped down onto the box that was in front of the trap door. Just in case Tori or Julian tried to get through there.
Patiently, he waited. For now, he was praying for one thing.
Not to hear any kind of piano music.
Kane was sure that his sanity depended on it.
* * *
Tori made her way through the shadowy passageway. Yeah, she had walked some scary paths before, and she really wished Julian could be with her. When he was at her side, there was less terror.
For now, Tori was definitely a little freaked out. Focusing on the ladder, she felt a cold breeze cross her flesh as she tried to ignore it. If it was Bethany, it was best that they unloaded this book and fast.
Tori was having a hard time not thinking about what the ghost had told her. Yeah, even to her that sentence sounded absolutely crackers, and yet she was desperate to believe.
Tori and Julian needed this.
That alone made her willing to entertain the jackassery.
At the last turn, she headed to the door and waited. She wouldn’t come out until she could see Julian. If he was going to be her cover, she needed to make sure he was in place.
Until he got there, she had no choice.
Tori held onto the book in a small area while the spirit of a dead woman haunted her.
Yeah, not one iota of this was remotely believable, and yet…
Tori clutched the Bible in one hand and laid her other over her belly. “I hope you’re right,” she whispered, refusing to say her name.
Even speaking to her was acknowledgement enough.
Tori had lost her mind.
* * *
Julian lucked out and got the door open. The room was one which wasn’t being used, and he immediately headed to the balcony. It was right above their room, and he knew what he needed to do. Lowering himself over the side, he dropped into the tree. Then, he could leave their room and get to Tori’s side.
That was his one and only priority.
In fact, he was wrapped in nothing but terror over everything that had gone down around them. Yet, it didn't matter that this was the craziest thing that he had ever thought to do in his life. A sane person didn't willingly dangle over the side of a balcony, in the dark, to help his wife hide a book that a ghost led her to.
No, sanity was definitely out the window on this one, and yet he still had faith in his wife. Tori was generally his rock in moments of chaos, and if she honestly believed that the ghost of Bethany Duvaul led her to that book, he was standing by her side.
If the roles were reversed, she would have done the same. When you loved someone, you didn't doubt them when they told you something crazy. For now, he was putting his faith in Tori ahead of everything else.
What did he have to lose?
Other than his life?
Lowering himself over the side, he prayed that no one else would come out onto their balconies, or he had some explaining to do.
Swinging his legs, he timed it just right and dropped the last four feet, directly where he planned. Now, he could hurry up and get downstairs. As he raced through the room, he couldn’t help but feel like he was being watched.
It was as if eyes were following him all the way to the door. Julian knew that was impossible, since they checked for peepholes.
And yet….
He couldn’t shake it.
* * *
When he was gone, the person rolled out from beneath their bed and hurried to the secret passage.
That had been a little too close for comfort!
When the intruder saw Julian’s legs just before he jumped down, there was a moment of panic.
Fortunately, the bed made a really great hiding place.
Now, it was time to get the hell out of there, before the two returned to their room.
The search of their things had turned up nothing. The two lovebirds weren’t hiding anything there. It was both infuriating and befuddling.
&nbs
p; It wasn’t like it mattered. From the secret passageway, all could be monitored. In time, everything would reveal itself. Now, it was a matter of making sure it stayed exactly as planned.
Patience was a virtue.
Too much had gone into this to rush and cause chaos to ensue. It wasn’t like there’d be that many more opportunities. This was like the perfect storm. Everything lined up, everyone was doing exactly what they were supposed to, and time would tell.
For now, it was a matter of waiting, watching, and being alert.
So much was on the line.
There was no need for haste, or it would all begin to unravel further, and no one wanted that.
No one.
* * *
When Julian raced downstairs, he was fortunate to not run into anyone. Heading into the room, he whistled for Tori, and saw the secret door opening.
Immediately, there was relief.
She was alone.
Coherent.
And did he mention alone?
As she headed out, he took sentry in the doorway to buy her time if she needed it. With one eye watching the foyer and stairs, the other was firmly rooted on her.
Tori was glad he was there and being her lookout. Delicately, she pulled out the family Bible and held it to her body. She wasn’t sure what was in it, but now wasn’t the time. They needed to stash this and keep it safe. Climbing up the ladder, which slid along the bookshelves, Tori moved to the furthest location along the wall.
When she couldn’t go any further, she knew that she needed to make sure the book was hidden and out of reach. Leaning as far over as possible, she slid the book onto the self.
“Be careful,” Julian hissed, seeing how his wife was hanging off the side of the ladder, her booted foot the only thing holding her there. One slip and she was falling fifteen feet onto the top of the piano. It wouldn’t kill her, but they would have a lot of explaining to do.
When Tori finally got it there, she made sure to place a few books on top of it to make it blend in. When it was safely in place, she stared at her handiwork. The plain tan book was well hidden out in the open.
No one would ever notice it there, and since the room had already been checked, it was safe.
Climbing down the ladder, Tori placed it back in its place and headed toward her husband. In the doorway, he dropped his arm around her shoulders and hustled them out of there.
When they heard voices coming, Julian led her to the kitchen, and this time he grabbed the tea kettle. Before he could fill it with water, they had company.
Tori glanced over at the doorway from where she was sitting, when in walked Jamie with Lorelei not far behind her.
“Oh, hello!” Jamie said, smiling at the couple. “I was starving and ran into Lorelei wandering around,” she said, heading for the pantry.
Tori tried to regulate her breathing. “I needed a cup of tea before bed,” she answered.
Lorelei sat beside her.
“How are you?” Tori asked, touching the woman’s good arm.
“Lucky to be alive,” she said, rolling her neck. “I still feel like I’ve been run over by a truck,” she added, placing her casted arm on the island.
“You’re very lucky,” Tori said, picking out a teabag that her husband offered her.
“Would you like some?” Julian asked.
“Oh God, yes,” she said. “If you don’t mind.”
Julian didn't. It offered them cover, and he was already feeling less shaky, now that they had finished their mission.
Jamie took a seat beside the women and opened up a small bag of pretzels. She offered some to Lorelei. “You need to eat something before you take your pain pill,” she stated.
The woman rolled her eyes, and then laughed. “It’s like having a much younger mother.”
Tori genuinely liked Lorelei Hesser.
“I really want to say thank you,” she said to Tori. “I know that you raced up that hill after me, and my horse could have killed you,” she said.
“You needed help. I didn't mind.”
Lorelei still appreciated it. “I wish all these bad things weren’t happening,” she said, taking the cup of tea from Julian. “I feel horrible that all of you are having a terrible time.”
Tori offered her reassurance. “Trust me when I say that this has been one hell of an adventure.”
Everyone laughed.
Julian’s eyes met hers. Yeah, if they only knew the half of it.
Lorelei yawned. “I need to get some rest. We’re going to push forward, despite everything that’s gone on,” she stated. “Tomorrow, we’ve got the evening BBQ. I don’t know where I would be without Jamie holding it all together while I’m down for the count.”
She smiled at her boss. “It’s okay, Lorelei. It’s my job to be your assistant.”
The woman stood and patted her on the cheek. “You’re a part of the family, Jamie, and I’m so grateful for you.”
Julian and Tori exchanged glances. They only hoped that when this was all over, Jamie would still be welcome. They waited for the woman to take her tea and leave, before they broke the news.
“We found the book,” Tori whispered.
Jamie got excited. “Really? Where is it?”
They relayed the story about Bev, her husband, and how they had the Bible in their room.
“It was hidden in the piano,” Tori offered. She was going to assume that what Bethany’s ghost told her was accurate.
“When can I get it?” she asked, ready to get to the paper that was hidden inside.
“Not tonight,” Julian replied. “We had to steal it back. It’s hidden in the house and safe.”
“How do you know it’s safe?” she asked, hoping it wouldn’t get taken again. “I really need that book,” she stated.
Tori patted her on the arm. “We put it where no one will ever find it. Tomorrow, when the cost is clear, we’ll get it to you and you can have it.”
“Then you’re done, right?”
Tori knew they couldn’t leave yet. Before Julian could answer, she jumped in, “I would love to see the derby if that’s okay. Can we stay until it’s over this weekend?”
Julian stared at her like she was certifiably insane. This wasn’t his plan at all. What he intended was to get the book and get them the hell out of crazy town.
Jamie didn't see why not. After all, they did clear up the case in under a week. “Yeah, you can. I think that’s only fair. You guys did an amazing job! I’m going to spread the word that Littlemoon Investigations is top notch! Maybe you’ll pull in some rich clientele!”
Great.
Just what Julian wanted.
Tori just smiled, already knowing what was going on in her husband’s head. She could tell by the look on his normally serene face.
“You’re going to have to keep the book thing quiet until after we’re gone,” Julian stated. “If Lorelei finds out, you’re job is in jeopardy and so is our cover.”
“Do you think they’ll make me leave?” she asked softly. “I really love it here. I’ve never heard Lorelei tell me I was part of the family before. Maybe I shouldn’t reveal the truth, since I’m already an honorary member.”
Tori shrugged. “That’s going to depend on you, Jamie. This is something that only you can ultimately decide. Family is more than blood, so my only advice is to choose wisely. At the beginning, you said it was to find your roots and not the money. If that’s still your path, I’d stick to it.”
She understood and smiled gently. “Thank you for your honest advice,” she said, standing. When she waved goodnight, Julian and Tori watched her leave.
“Why do you want to stay?” Julian asked. “We’re so close to getting the hell out of here, I can taste it.”
Tori could feel that this was all coming to a head and about to bubble over. Her gut was warning her, and that meant something to her. “I want to look inside first. If the Currys were after it, Jamie wants it, and a ghost is guarding it, something is definit
ely up with that book.
“This scares the shit out of me,” he admitted.
At that, she began laughing.
“What?”
“Jules, we need to talk.” What she was about to tell him was going to make him a hell of a lot more nervous.
He didn't like the way that sounded. “About what?”
Tori took his hand. “About us, babe.”
Yeah, that didn't sound good, and now he was three days past scared, right into terrified.
Chapter Twenty Five
On the way up to their room, they crossed paths with the people leaving the attic. Julian was so distracted, that he couldn’t even focus on who was in the group. The only thing on his mind was the upcoming conversation with his wife.
Something about it made him incredibly nervous.
As they passed Kane and Christina, Tori signaled that they would message them later. For now, they needed some privacy.
Once in the room, Tori faced Julian. The defensive stance he took was very reminiscent of her past. She had watched many soldiers brace for bad news, and this was no different. Julian may have never served on a front line, but he was still accustomed to fighting many battles.
Now, one big one was brewing.
“Just say it, Tori. I don’t think I can handle not knowing what you’re hiding from me much longer. I can feel it sitting between us.”
Tori didn't move. “Remember the night that we had sex and I wasn’t myself?”
Yeah, did he ever.
It was the start of the terror that had been growing every day in his heart and mind.
“Yes.”
Tori could tell by that simple word, that he was bracing for something bad.
Lost & Broken (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 2) Page 37