by Morgana Best
Alum looked slightly less angry. “I’ll have to leave at six in the morning, because I forgot my pain medication in my panic to get here.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so simply said, “Sorry. Would you like some hot chocolate?”
Alum said that he would, so I went to the kitchen to make some for both of us. When I returned, he was fast asleep. I covered him with a blanket—this was getting to be quite a habit—and went back to the kitchen, where I poured his hot chocolate down the sink. I took mine to my bedroom.
Sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned, wondering who the murderer could be. I also wondered if Alum was here out of duty.
I awoke at seven. Alum had already gone.
Chapter 20
Alum gasped when he saw me. “Wow, Prudence, you look gorgeous!”
I had decided on a dress of simple design, as it was a country town Police Officers’ Ball, so a flamboyant gown would have been too over the top. Besides, that wasn’t my style. I had always admired the stunning green silk dress Keira Knightley wore in the movie Atonement, and I had bought one like it years earlier. The fabric was silk charmeuse in a deep gray, with a tinge of blue. I was relieved when I had managed to squeeze myself into the dress. I had kept my jewelry to a minimum, black pearl drop earrings and a faux diamond bracelet in an Art Deco design.
I thanked Alum, and tried to stop staring at him. “You look pretty good yourself.” And indeed he did. Some color was returning to his face, and he was looking more handsome than ever. He wore a black velvet evening jacket, black trousers, and gleaming black leather loafers. His soft silk bow tie looked more elegant than the usual stiff bow tie. As he walked to me, I caught a hint of his soap, a manly combination of cedar, grapefruit, and bergamot.
I should have been over the moon to accompany Alum to the Police Officers’ Ball, but for one thing: he had told me he was inviting me to make it up to me. Those are not the words a girl wants to hear. I wanted to be invited as his date. Of course, I was his date, but probably an obligation only date, or that’s how it seemed to me.
I was nervous, not just because I was going to the ball with Alum, but also because I wondered how his colleagues would treat me. Would they assume I was his girlfriend? It could turn out rather awkward. Hopefully, they would not ask any questions.
In the end, it was not as bad as I thought. Worst fears generally never do come to fruition. I noticed several women casting admiring glances Alum’s way, but so far, no one had actually made any remarks as to our relationship status. I knew Larry, of course, but Alum introduced me to his other colleagues. They all seemed a nice enough group, but I could see them wondering who I was. I didn’t know if word had gotten around that I had tracked down Alum in the safe house, but then again, I supposed it hadn’t. It had been a top secret operation. Still, they were all fellow police officers, so I’m sure many of them had wind of the whole matter.
The Ball was held at a well-known homestead built in the height of the Victorian gold rush era. We were having pre dinner drinks in a garden terrace overlooking the rose garden. Through the open French doors, I could hear the tinkling of the chandeliers in the ballroom. A String Quartet was playing soft music on the porch, as waiters moved between the guests serving canapés.
Alum and I walked through the house to the garden. The fine parquetry floors, opulent antiques, and late Victorian décor added an element of romance to the evening, as did the fragrance from the rose garden carried along by the gentle easterly breeze. Once again I had to check my feelings, reminding myself that Alum appeared more interested in friendship than love.
I was a little nervous when Alum went to get me a drink. A woman sidled up to me and looked me up and down. “Are you Alum’s latest girlfriend?” she said, not even trying to hide her snarky tone. “I hope I look as good as you once I get to your age.”
“You don’t look as good as me now,” I said. As soon as I said it, I was embarrassed that I had been so rude, but my nervousness had lowered my tolerance levels for that type of pettiness.
She looked taken aback my response, muttered, “How rude!” before scurrying away.
I turned back to see Alum standing close behind me. He handed me a glass of champagne. “What was that all that about?”
“That lady just asked me if I was your latest girlfriend.”
Alum muttered something I could not repeat, followed by, “How mean-spirited of her. She’s batted her eyelashes at me many a time, but she’s not my type.”
I nearly asked him who was his type, but caught myself just in time. “Oh gosh,” I said aloud.
“What is it?” Alum asked.
“I’m used to sensing spirits, but usually only when I’m receptive to them. It seems there are more spirits than usual in this area.”
Alum looked thoughtful for a moment. “This homestead had its own cemetery, back in the day. I don’t think it’s been used for many years now, though.”
“Oh, that explains it,” I said. People always told me it was wonderful to have my gift, but they didn’t realize it had significant drawbacks. It was quite a distraction to have spirits trying to contact me at all times.
“When did you know you were a clairvoyant medium? I mean, when did you first realize that you could speak with the departed?”
“For as long as I can remember,” I said. “I saw spirits all the time as a young child. I’d wake up most nights and see spirits in my room.”
“I thought you didn’t see ghosts as such?” Alum asked me.
“It’s awfully hard to explain something paranormal in terms that don’t describe the natural world,” I said. “I’ve seen spirits in my mind’s eye, but I don’t mean that I’ve imagined them. I really don’t know how to explain it. Sometimes I’ve almost seen them with my natural eyes, and I can sense exactly what they look like. It’s really something that has to be experienced. I’m sorry I’m so bad at explaining it.”
Alum hurried to reassure me. “You’re not bad at explaining it at all. You’ve explained quite well. I know how difficult it is to explain something to someone when that person doesn’t share the same context. I think I know what you mean.”
I nodded. “You were the only spirit I’ve ever seen who was as clear as a real live human being.”
“So you’ve been able to see spirits for as long as you can remember?” Alum prompted me.
I nodded. “Yes, I’ve seen them all my life. The first one that asked me to give a message to someone was a woman who’d died in a car wreck. She asked me to pass a message to her daughter, a girl my age, but when I did, the girl became extremely distraught. That’s when I realized it was best to keep quiet.”
Alum looked sympathetic. “That would have been awkward.”
“It was,” I said emphatically. “Really awkward.”
“Do you always know when spirits are around?” he asked.
I pondered his question. “As far as I know, I do. I mean, how would I know if there were spirits around that didn’t want me to know?”
Alum laughed. “Good point.”
I smiled at him. It was good to be back to our old way of conversation, the way it was when he was in a coma, when I had been speaking to his spirit. Yet he had been out of the coma and we had been speaking as two fully conscious human beings for a while now, and I still was none the wiser as to whether there would be any romantic involvement between the two of us. I hoped he hadn’t friend-zoned me already, but I was beginning to think that he had. After all, I had read the book, He’s Just Not That Into You, and I could already see the warning signs.
Larry brought over two men. He introduced me as a ‘consultant.’ Hmm, so that’s what I was tonight in Larry’s eyes: a consultant, not Alum’s date.
The first man nodded at me and looked at me appraisingly. “Are you Jim Burns’ replacement?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.” I looked at Larry, and wondered why his face had paled.
“No, Prudence is a consultant in ano
ther field of work.”
The other man laughed. “Lucky for you, after what happened to poor Jim. Everyone thinks it’s nice and safe to be a consultant, but after poor Jim…” His voice trailed away and he shook his head.
Larry tried to change the subject. “I’m sure Prudence doesn’t want to hear about that.”
“Oh, but I do,” I said.
“So do I,” Alum added firmly.
By now the man had obviously clued in to the fact that Larry didn’t want us to know. “Oh well, nothing to worry about. The doctors think Jim’s going to make it. I’m sure he’ll be out of the hospital in few months,” he said, before excusing himself and hurrying away. The other man nodded and followed after him.
Alum tapped Larry on the arm. “Prudence, do you mind if I speak to Larry for a minute?”
“Sure,” I said.
After they left, I looked aimlessly around the terrace. Alum and Larry were the only people I knew, and everyone was talking in groups. I felt awkward standing out like a sore thumb in the middle of the terrace. I hadn’t noticed where Alum and Larry had gone, so I walked inside. I saw a long table covered with a pristine white tablecloth, and decided to get something to eat. It was decorated with a large antique epergne filled with fruit and flowers, and several enormous candelabra. There were platters of canapés and an amazing spread of cheeses. I didn’t want to spoil my appetite, but I was doing it more out of finding something to do. I selected a sparkling Julep cocktail, the only drink I recognized, and then went to stand against the wall where I could survey the crowd.
I could hear words coming from behind me and I recognized the voices as those of Larry and Alum. Larry’s voice was first. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting, Alum?”
Alum answered at once. “Larry, she has to be kept at a distance.” Other words passed between them and I couldn’t hear what they were, but then Alum said again loudly and clearly, and it seemed to me, angrily, “Prudence must be kept at a distance!”
I was mortified. It was all I could do not to burst into tears. Alum had invited me out of a sense of duty, because I was the one who had saved his life. And it seemed I had made an awful fool of myself by not realizing it sooner. Hot tears blinded me as I made my way to the door. I pulled my phone from my purse and called a taxi.
Chapter 21
I felt like Cinderella, fleeing from the ball, only I was still wearing both my shoes. For some reason that made me laugh, and the taxi driver shot me a look in the rear view mirror.
I felt like a silly schoolgirl, at any rate. Fleeing from the ball was a childish thing to do. I should have stayed there and maybe excused myself gracefully, or stayed there the night but not been too friendly with Alum, treating him as a friend rather than a romantic interest. But wasn’t that what I had already been doing?
Maybe I just needed a good long sleep. I paid the taxi driver and made my way to my door. I unlocked it and opened the door, but Mary pushed past me and sprinted down the road. I called and called her but she completely ignored me. All I could see was her tail departing into the distance.
I rushed inside, threw my purse on the couch, and then ran to my bedroom where I quickly pulled on jeans, a tee, and the first pair of sneakers I could find. I grabbed Mary’s leash and shoved a handful of treats in my pocket.
I jumped in my car and drove off in Mary’s direction, which, as luck would have it, was straight to her old owner’s house. I had promised Alum I wouldn’t go there alone, but what choice did I have? I couldn’t have Mary wandering all over town. Hopefully, she would be waiting at Mrs. Cornford’s front gate and I could put her in my car and take her straight home.
And indeed, she was sitting at Mrs. Cornford’s front gate. I called her as I approached her, but she didn’t move. When I reached for her collar, she moved out of range. She would not even be tempted by a treat. “Mary, come here. Do you want a treat?” I said in a nice voice. Mary continued to avoid me, keeping out of range just enough to avoid me. Finally, I caught her and clipped the leash onto her collar. I was walking back to the car when I sensed Mrs. Cornford’s spirit come through strongly. “I’ve been looking for you, but I haven’t known how to leave this area. I seem to be stuck close to my house,” she said.
“That often happens at first,” I said. “What information do you have for me? Do you know who killed you?”
“It’s all to do with the emerald bracelet. I know where it is. I hid it behind a brick in my chimney.”
I knew what was coming. I would have to go into the house, move the brick, and retrieve the bracelet. “Can you tell me where?” I asked her. “It’s not safe for me to go into the house alone, so I’ll tell the police where it is.”
“No.” That word came through loud and angrily. “You must go now. Someone’s searching for it. My murderer is searching for it.”
“But you said you didn’t know who your murderer was?”
“The bracelet is the proof that he’s murdered before,” she said. “You must find the bracelet before he does. He’s been back here looking for the bracelet.”
“Well, why don’t you tell me who it is?” I asked her, exasperated. “You must have seen him if you say he’s been back looking for the bracelet.”
“It’s not making sense to me,” she said. “I can’t remember much. But I do know for sure that he’s murdered before, and the bracelet is proof. If you get the bracelet, I’ll tell you who it is.”
“Look, it’s not safe for me to go into the house,” I said firmly. “I’ll tell the police and they can go and get it.”
“There’s no time. He’s on his way here now. I’ll warn you if he gets closer. You’re not in any danger at all. Mary will attack him if he tries to harm you. Besides, he’s a coward. That’s why he poisoned me. It’s the coward’s way out.”
It seemed that I didn’t have any choice, but I didn’t like my success rate in trying to explain that to Alum.
“All right, you win,” I said reluctantly. “Are you sure Mary will attack a man if he tries to attack me?”
The ghost emanated a wave of assurance.
My heart was racing ninety to the dozen. I broke out in a cold sweat. I fought off the wave of nausea, and clutched Mary’s leash in both hands. I carefully made my way inside the house. The door was not locked. I wondered why the police had not secured the scene, but then again I doubted that any of the windows could shut properly, given the state of the house. I hurried straight to the fireplace in the living room.
It was one of those houses that made me want to run from it, screaming. To say the atmosphere was oppressive and unpleasant was an understatement.
Mary wasn’t growling and appeared quite relaxed, so I hurried to the fireplace. Mrs. Cornford’s ghost directed me to stand up inside the fireplace. I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned on the torch app. I could hardly breathe—the chimney was full of soot.
The ghost was stronger now. “Turn around and face me, and then you’ll see a brick at head height. It’s loose. Take it out, and reach behind it for the bracelet.”
I did as I was told, which was rather difficult, given that there was no way I was letting go of Mary’s leash. She wasn’t pulling, but I didn’t doubt that she would run away if I let the leash go. I couldn’t see anything at first, but then I remembered that Mrs. Cornford was shorter than I was, so I ducked down a little and ran the light from my phone over the bricks. I did indeed see a loose brick, but it was difficult to pry out with my fingers. “I’m going to need a kitchen knife or some sort of tool,” I said.
“Quick, hurry; he’s coming.” The ghost projected that with urgency.
“Will I have time to get it a knife?” I asked without delay.
“Yes.”
I ran to the kitchen, Mary running beside me, and grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer. I ran back, and to my surprise, the brick came away readily after a bit of prying. I left it on the ground with the knife and stepped out of the chimney bracket. I shot a quick look a
t the bracelet, and to my surprise, it did look pretty much like the image I had found on the internet. I shoved it in my pocket. I’m not gifted in psychometry, the art of receiving information from an object. However, it worked for me sometimes, and when it did, it was invariably overwhelming and powerful. As I shoved the bracelet in my pocket, I had a vision, or rather, a series of visions, one tumbling after the other. I felt fear, and horror, and despair, and above all, terror.
“Quick, run! Go!” Mrs. Cornford’s ghost said.
I needed no urging. The bracelet briefly forgotten, I sprinted from the house with Mary beside me, flung open the gate, and ran to my car. I opened the door. Mary howled that peculiar high pitched whining sound that dingoes emit when they sense danger, but then jumped straight in the back seat. I drove off as fast as I could. I didn’t dare drive too fast because it was dusk, and kangaroos would be out and about. As it was, I had to swerve countless times to avoid all the rabbits that were playing Russian Roulette with the car.
I ran inside with Mary and then locked the door behind me. I looked out the window, but didn’t see anyone. I hadn’t passed a single car on the way, so whoever was coming, was obviously coming on foot along the back way to the house. I hoped whoever it was hadn’t seen me.
It was then that I realized that Mrs. Cornford hadn’t told me the name of the killer. I forced myself to look on the bright side—at least she had remembered who the killer was and I had the proof of his or her identity. Now I just needed a name.
Chapter 22
I paced up and down my living room calling Mrs. Cornford’s name, yet I had no sense of her at all. She had already told me that she was bound to the house. I just had to know the identity of the killer.
I made my decision. I grabbed my phone and my car keys, and soon was driving back to Mrs. Cornford’s house. I considered taking Mary for protection, but I had no intention of leaving the car. It was now dark, and whoever was snooping around the house, if they were still there, would not be able to identify me, or even my car in the dark. It was a cloudy night, and barely any moonlight managed to shine through. I was glad it wasn’t a full moon, at any rate.