Tommie glanced at Harley, who shook his head slightly, as if to say—she’s not going to be reasonable. That was likely true, but Odell was there now, and it was best to see the thing through.
When the drink order was settled and Harley had stoked up the fire, he went to play bartender and returned with vodka tonics for all. Except for the tinkle of ice in the glasses, silence settled over the room. Trouble prowled the bookshelves, but he didn’t make a sound.
“That cat is going to ruin those books, which are probably valuable,” Odell finally said. “You shouldn’t let him have the run of the house.”
“I doubt he’ll ruin anything,” Tommie responded, “but as of right this minute, the manor and everything in it is mine to destroy if I choose to. This is a fact. The best road forward for all of us is to try to determine what, if anything, is owed to you. I don’t want your inheritance, Odell. But we need to see some DNA paperwork, and we need to speak with your mother, Lucinda.”
“Why?” Odell looked truly confused. “She’s an old bag that wouldn’t tell the truth if her life depended on it. She’d lie about me just to keep me from having anything, just like she’s lied to me all of my life.” She glared at Tommie. “Just like she lied to my father about my existence, I suppose.”
“Nonetheless, I need to speak with her.” Tommie caught the slight nod of approval Harley gave her. His support bolstered her confidence.
“What if she won’t talk?” Odell remained belligerent.
“Then I’m afraid she’ll have to be hauled into court to help prove your claim. We need dates and times of her meetings with Samuel. We need testimony, under oath, that proves their relationship was real. We need to see your birth certificate.”
“Documentation. That’s all that matters to you.”
“Put yourself in my shoes, Odell. What would matter to you? I’m not trying to cheat you, but I also won’t allow myself to be cheated. Did your mother tell you that Samuel was your father when you were a small girl?”
Odell’s creamy complexion flushed. “She used me as a tool against men. She’d make me find them in a public place and call them daddy, using public humiliation for a pay day. She milked money out of me. But she always said my real father was Samuel Loftus, owner of Loftus Manor, but that he’d never acknowledge me because he had too many lawyers and too much money to protect him.”
“She never confronted Samuel with her claims?” Harley broke his silence.
“As far as I know, never. She only went after men who could hand over a couple thousand dollars to pay her to keep silent. That’s how she made the rent or a car note. She said Samuel was the big fish she was no match to land. But I’m his daughter, not someone he slept with and forgot as quickly as he could. I won’t go away.”
“Why didn’t you ever contact Samuel?” Tommie had to fight the impulse to feel sorry for Odell. She had to keep in mind the woman may have tried to kill her, though looking at Odell, fidgeting in the wingchair in the library, she looked pretty toothless and sad.
“My mother always made me feel like I was something he would be ashamed of.”
“And yet here you are,” Harley said.
“He’s dead. He can’t look at me like I’m some kind of grifter or cause me humiliation.”
Tommie caught Harley’s eye. It made perfect sense. A child who’d been rejected and used her entire life wouldn’t want to risk that final rejection by the man she thought was her father.
“I promise to treat you fairly, Odell, if your claim is legitimate.” Tommie could do no less. If Odell was truly Samuel’s child, she could not deny her part of the estate.
“What does that even mean?” Odell asked, the sadness disappearing and the fire returning to her eyes.
“It means I’ll share what I’ve inherited.”
“How much of a share?” Odell leaned forward.
“We can discuss all of that once your claim is proven,” Harley said. “It’s premature until then.”
Odell’s gaze almost shot fire at Harley. On the shelf, Trouble knocked a book to the floor, reminding Tommie of the volume that had shifted off the bedside table. Another ghost story, one she hadn’t had an opportunity to even look at. She had a sudden idea. “Odell, I know you wanted to tour the house, so please whenever you wish.”
Tommie saw the look of alarm in Harley’s eyes and Trouble’s sudden leap to the floor with his tail straight in the air. Neither approved of what she’d done. She winked at Harley. She had a plan, after all.
Odell drained her glass and set it on a coaster. “I’m ready.”
“No doubt you’ve heard the stories about Loftus Manor,” Tommie said, her eyes wide with innocence.
“Stories?”
“We have a ghost,” Tommie said with excitement. “I’ve seen her myself. So has Harley. In fact, she’s legendary in the town of Wetumpka. Been here for decades and some believe she may have played a role in Samuel’s death.”
Harley was clearly horrified by what she was saying, but judging from Odell’s expression, Tommie knew she was on to something.
“I don’t know why you think I’m stupid,” Odell said. “I don’t believe in ghosts. No sane people do.”
“Okay,” Tommie said. “I just wanted to alert you while you’re poking around the house. Just give a yell if you see something that upsets you. Harley and I will be right here, enjoying the fire.”
* * *
As soon as Odell was gone, Harley closed the door to the library and rounded on Tommie. “Do you think it was smart to just let her snoop around Loftus Manor? The very fact that she wanted to go alone is suspicious.”
“I know, but she isn’t alone.”
“The ghost is with her?” Harley was incredulous.
“No, the cat, which is almost equally unbelievable, but I’m beginning to comprehend that Trouble is everything Tammy said he was.” She’d watched the cat slip out the door undetected by Odell.
“And we’re just going to wait here until she’s finished poking through all of Samuel’s things, and possibly yours too?” Harley was finding it difficult to believe Tommie’s foolhardiness. He’d grown to view her as measured and thoughtful.
Tommie held up a key. “I locked my door, but I’m curious if she’ll explore Nina’s room.”
“Why would she be interested in Nina’s old room?”
“It’s the source of the ghost activity. I know I sound a little crazy,” she held up a hand, “but my brain has been in a whirl ever since I found the perfume-soaked handkerchief.” She pulled it from the sleeve of her shirt. “If Odell is part of this conspiracy to scare me out of Loftus Manor, it will be interesting to see what areas of the house interest her.”
“You think Odell is the ghost?” Harley asked, his voice a harsh whisper.
“Maybe. Or maybe someone is setting her up,” Tommie said.
“You’re absolutely right,” Harley said. “So you’re hoping Odell will do what?”
“Trouble will be able to show us whatever Odell shows an interest in,” Tommie said. “Then we’ll know whether she’s part of the intruder business or not.”
Harley picked up his glass and Tommie’s and mixed two fresh drinks. “So we wait here?” he said as he handed her a glass.
“No, I think it’s time we go looking for Odell,” Tommie said. “I’ll bet we find her in Samuel’s study.”
Harley knew she was right. They left the library, feet silent on the thick Turkish carpets that adorned the first floor of the manor. The parlors were dark and empty, and they passed several closed doors. Harley trusted Tommie’s hunch that Odell had gone into Samuel’s little study. He wondered if Odell knew a lot more about Samuel and Loftus Manor than she’d let on and was possibly hunting for something specific.
When they arrived at the little study, the door was closed. Tommie turned the knob gently.
The door opened on well-oiled hinges, and Harley stepped ahead of Tommie into the room. He didn’t mind being second fiddle most of the time, but h
e had to make sure she was safe. He quickly scanned the room and found Odell at the cold fireplace, pushing and tugging at the trim, as if she, too, were looking for some kind of secret passage or hiding place. Trouble sat at her feet, watching every move she made.
Harley glanced at Tommie, who nodded. There was a tiny glint in her eyes. “Do you need some help, Odell?”
Odell literally jumped into the air and let out a little shriek. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”
“We thought you might need some help,” Tommie said, barely able to hold back her smile. “Sorry if we startled you, but if you tell us what you’re searching for, maybe we could help.”
Harley stepped forcefully into the center of the room. “Give it up now, Odell, or whatever your name is. You aren’t Samuel’s daughter, but you have some connection to Samuel and Loftus Manor and you’re looking for something specific. Now tell us who you are, what you’re looking for and who sent you to do this, and we won’t press charges.”
Harley realized his abrupt and aggressive change was working. Odell looked scared. “Are you going to press charges?”
“You almost killed Tommie on the Main Street of Wetumpka. Half a dozen people saw you.” Harley let his anger show. “You really could have injured her severely. Now, we find you trying to rip a mantel off a wall searching for what? A passage or room or hidey hole? We know you aren’t Samuel’s daughter, and we know you’re trying to defraud Tommie. Those are serious charges. You better prepare to spend the next twenty years in prison, because I swear to you, we’ll push this prosecution hard. Samuel left Tommie enough money that she can hire all the experts she needs to prove you’re a con woman and a grifter.”
Harley was satisfied to see how Odell blanched.
“Tell us what you were searching for,” Tommie followed up. “Obviously you thought something was in this room, but what?”
“I…I’m not searching for anything.”
“Why did you try to run over Tommie?” Harley asked, changing the subject to throw her off balance.
“I wasn’t trying to hit her. I drove fast by Tommie because she was messing with Nina’s car. I saw that and I panicked, but I only meant to discourage her away from the car. That cat!” She pointed to Trouble. “He was on the roof of the car and he was going to start something. I know all about him and his detective business. Everyone in Wetumpka knows that once he starts messing around with someone, they get arrested.”
“And why would you care if Nina Ahearn was arrested?” Tommie asked. “And you’d better tell the truth this time. Harley and I are willing to speak on your behalf—if you tell us the truth right now.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong!” Odell insisted. “I haven’t.”
“Why should you care what happens to Nina Ahearn’s car?” Tommie pressed.
Odell shook her head and began to cry. “Nina’s my cousin,” Odell said. “She pulled me into this plan. I wish I’d never listened to her. Are you really going to press charges? Nina said, even if we got caught, no one would do anything to us but run us out of town, and I don’t live here anyway.” Odell looked at Harley but shifted her focus to Tommie. “She was lying, wasn’t she? Please don’t call the police.”
Tommie’ smile held victory. “That depends on how cooperative you are.”
Chapter Twenty
I do believe the quaint American phrase for what Odell Rains is doing is called “spilling her guts.” All I know is that Odell is not the arch-criminal. She’s a pawn. And while that job description may still include some grave punishment, she isn’t the mastermind behind the strange events happening here.
Tommie has put on a pot of tea and the bipeds are gathered at the kitchen table as poor, poor Odell attempts to save herself from criminal charges. I don’t know if that’s even possible, but it won’t hurt for her to have Tommie and Harley on her side if she goes before a judge.
When Harley grilled her, she claimed not to be involved in Nina’s alleged marriage. She says her only involvement was that her cousin called her in to play the role of the bastard daughter.
Odell says she doesn’t know if Samuel and Nina were truly married, but from listening to Mr. Brawny explain how the marriage laws in Alabama work, it’s clear to me that the marriage isn’t legal. It was never filed with the State Department of Health, therefore not legal. Interesting laws the bipeds have for consummating a mating season. Felines are not bound by the frazzling intricacies of documents, filing, ceremonies, witnesses, and so forth. And what’s the point? Especially when so many of these legally enacted partnerships end in divorce, which only requires more paperwork, more documentation, more lawyers, and more expense. The antics of the humanoid are difficult to comprehend.
But enough ruminating on the unfathomable. The mystery at hand is what I need to focus on. Odell insists that she has not been inside Loftus Manor and she knows nothing about Nina or anyone associated with her visiting the house. I’m not sure that I believe her, but she is consistent with her denials and Mr. Brawny pressed her hard.
She claims she was in the study looking for a hidden safe where Samuel was supposed to have kept some cash, jewelry, and other assets. She admitted she would have stolen them and left town, despite the fact Nina would have been seriously chuffed with her.
“I never wanted to do anything mean to anyone,” Odell insists. “I was only doing Nina’s bidding. It was her plan, and we just wanted some of the money. Nina said there was so much money that what we got wouldn’t even be missed. I was just a diversion, someone to make you focus on while she tried to get all she could. We both knew that the DNA would prove I wasn’t a Loftus.”
Yes, the chickens have come home to roost here, and Nina Ahearn has a lot of things to answer for. I daresay Harley and Tommie will be talking to her soon—perhaps through prison bars.
But what hasn’t been settled is who has been slipping in and out of Loftus Manor. Odell swears it wasn’t her, that she only knew to examine the “little study room” because Nina told her that was the most likely place Samuel would have hidden some of the money everyone said he had hoarded through his life. Odell swears she hasn’t been on the property since she stopped by the other evening. And she also says Nina has not been back. Perhaps she’s telling the truth. Perhaps not. But if Nina and Odell haven’t been snooping around the manor, who has? That’s the question that troubles me.
Now Odell is preparing to leave. Tommie and Harley are allowing her to do that without calling the law on her. Is this wise? I honestly don’t know. But Odell has agreed to help them in the future. I guess this negates the need for a sample of her DNA. Too bad, I was looking forward to notching out a piece of her hide with my claws. But it is never a misstep to avoid violence, as my mentor Sherlock would say.
I’ll follow her out—to be sure she actually leaves. You can say I have trust issues, but if you’d seen the things I’ve seen…the heart of man can beat with foul intent.
* * *
A single night had never dragged on so long—or at least that’s how it felt. Harley heard the front door close behind Odell and he watched as Tommie sank into a chair in the parlor. He’d never expected Odell to confess, but it seemed the young woman simply wanted out of the plot to steal part of the inheritance. She’d given Tommie her home address in Greenville, Alabama, and she’d promised to come back and testify, if necessary, but in the meantime, she was getting the heck out of Dodge.
Harley sank down into a wingchair opposite Tommie, and she asked him, “Did Uncle Samuel really keep money hidden here at Loftus Manor?”
Harley flexed his fingers several times before he answered. “I honestly don’t know. It doesn’t sound like Samuel. He was so traditional in his views of money and banks. I can’t think that he would hide money under pillows or in holes in the yard.”
“Were you aware of the rumor of hidden riches? Something maybe he promoted in some of his foolishness?”
“You may have hit the nail on the head. Samuel loved to
stir a reaction. Ghost stories, eccentricities, things like having Nina live here. Yes, some of it was done for effect. He never talked to me about hidden treasures, probably because he knew I would disapprove. Some things you can mark up to good fun, but it’s not wise to dangle bait in front of a hungry cat.” He glanced over at Trouble. “Sorry, change that to dog.”
Tommie had left the ghost story novel she’d found in Nina’s room on the staircase when Odell knocked. She went there and picked it up. She read the flap aloud to Harley. “Does that sound familiar?”
“It does,” Harley said. “Samuel told that story.” Harley had always viewed Samuel’s hijinks and fondness for a good yarn to be harmless. Maybe not, though, if he’d been telling everyone in town about hidden treasure.
“Tonight didn’t go as I’d planned, but it all worked out okay,” Tommie said. “I have the goods on Nina now, thanks to Odell.”
“You do, up to a point.” It occurred to Harley they should have called the police and at least had Odell charged with something. On further consideration, it didn’t seem likely she’d appear to testify against Nina or anyone else. Chances were she was gone from the area. “What are you going to do about it?” Harley’s hope was that Tommie would take it to the police and let them deal with the attempted fraud.
“I’m going to talk to Nina.”
He didn’t object, because this was exactly what he’d expected her to do. Tommie always gave people a second chance. It had worked out well with Odell. Nina Ahearn, though, was a different kettle of fish. She’d masterminded a complex scheme to steal and extort. She wouldn’t break the way Odell had done. Putting this in the hands of the law seemed the wisest decision.
“Let’s sleep on it,” he said. “And either you’re coming down to the cottage or I’m staying here. Take your pick. There are a dozen bedrooms available.”
Tommie held up a hand. “No argument from me. Thank you, Harley. I don’t know why you’ve chosen to spend all this time helping me out, but I do appreciate it.”
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