Ghostly Rules

by K. E. O'Connor

  I swallowed the nerves I felt, recalling my alone time with Ignatius in the limousine. I’d been lucky to get away with a warning.

  “You get used to violence being in this line of work,” said Michael. “But some of the things I’ve seen Ignatius do still make my stomach cramp.”

  Ignatius had the same effect on me. “I understand Lonnie was going to use some of the gold to set up a charity.”

  Michael smiled. “Lonnie was really into his charity. He talked about it all the time. Wish there had been something like that for me when I was growing up. Things could have been different.”

  “But other people didn’t support his idea,” I said. “All the trouble taken to steal the gold only to invest it in something that’s never going to make money.”

  Michael shrugged. “Lonnie realized the stealing and violence weren’t the best things to do. He knew it was time to start giving back. He wanted to be seen as a rogue with a heart of gold.”

  “If only people could find that gold,” I said. “You’ve no idea where it’s hidden?”

  “Lonnie didn’t share that information with anyone,” said Michael. “It drove Ignatius crazy that he wouldn’t divulge the location.”

  “No one involved with stealing the gold got to keep any of it?” That would add quite a few names to the suspect list if that was the case.

  “People got paid,” said Michael. “And Lonnie did something with one of the gold bars and gave away some expensive jewelry. But the rest vanished. Lonnie said, when the heat died down, he would start turning the gold into money and handing it out, but we had to bide our time.”

  “So those involved understood it would be a few years before anyone got their hands on significant amounts of money?”

  “That’s right,” said Michael. “It’s always that way when you steal a lot of cash or assets. You don’t start showing off your newfound wealth, or you’ll end up behind bars quicker than a world class whippet in a ferret chasing race.”

  “But it’s been years since the gold was stolen,” I said. “Time to start distributing the wealth?”

  “That’s what Ignatius has been saying.” Michael stared at me and his gaze hardened. “You really think Ignatius killed Lonnie?”

  I raised my hand. “I don’t have any proof Ignatius is involved.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me,” said Michael. “He always wanted to be famous like some of the big name gangsters. He hated the need to be so sneaky and not show off about some of the crimes the family has been involved in. But that’s the way you get put in prison. Keep your mouth shut and everything is fine. You follow the rules and no one gets hurt. Lonnie taught me that.”

  Those words sounded eerily like the warning Ignatius had given me. Stick to the rules; it was all about following the family code.

  “Michael is right.” Sylvia lifted her head and stared straight at me. “My boys are like darkness and light, one a demon and the other an angel. If anyone killed Lonnie, it was his brother.”

  Chapter 20

  I walked over to Sylvia, who looked surprisingly alert, considering she was supposed to have been asleep.

  “Michael’s right to warn you to be careful about my remaining boy,” said Sylvia. “I’ll love Ignatius until my last breath, but he has a dangerous side. I’d hoped him being around Lonnie would help to change that, make him less twisted in his desires, but I don’t think Lonnie had much impact.”

  Sounded like Sylvia had been listening to my conversation with Michael. “And you think Ignatius killed Lonnie?”

  “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” said Sylvia, her gaze sliding over my shoulder.

  I felt the touch of cold fingers on my arm and turned to see Lonnie.

  “Don’t over exert yourself, Mrs. Cornell,” said Michael. “You start seeing things when you haven’t had enough rest.”

  “I start seeing things because they’re really here,” said Sylvia. “And Lorna can see Lonnie as well, so don’t start pointing your big finger at me and accusing me of being a crazy old woman.”

  “I’d never do that.” Michael shot me a worried look. “You can’t see Lonnie, though, can you?”

  Sylvia nodded at me. “Tell him the truth. He’s hardly going to fire you.”

  I chewed on my bottom lip. “He might tell Elita if I say I see ghosts.”

  “Can you?” Michael took a step back and his gaze shot around the trees. “You’re saying Lonnie is here?”

  Lonnie drifted to Michael and pressed a hand to his face.

  Michael shivered and took another step away.

  “Don’t be scared,” I said, “but Lonnie is standing in front of you. And Sylvia’s right; he is still here. We can both see him.”

  The sound of Michael swallowing was so loud I could hear it, despite the distance he’d put between us. “Does Lonnie know who killed him? If he tells me, I’ll sort them out.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” said Sylvia. “You’re a good boy, and I don’t want you getting into trouble over this. We will deal with it, but not at your expense.”

  “I don’t mind doing time for Lonnie,” said Michael. “I’d do anything for him.”

  Lonnie touched Michael’s arm and smiled, making Michael shiver and go pale.

  “He knows that,” I said. “But he wouldn’t want you going to prison. We’ll find out who killed Lonnie and make sure he goes away for a long time.”

  “Or she,” said Sylvia. “Don’t underestimate the women in this household.”

  “I thought you were convinced Ignatius killed Lonnie.”

  “I’m as sure as I can be Lonnie was killed by his brother,” said Sylvia. “But I don’t like Chelsea. She might have put Ignatius up to it. But whoever’s involved, I’ve got people inside who will be happy to make sure Lonnie’s death doesn’t go unpunished.”

  I looked over at her. “Even if it was Ignatius who killed Lonnie?”

  “Of course.” Sylvia’s eyes narrowed. “Nobody hurts my boys and gets away with it. Ignatius needs to learn a lesson.”

  “We’re getting ahead of ourselves.” I could see Sylvia getting worked up about the idea it was Ignatius who threw the radio into the bath tub.

  “We need a confession from Ignatius.” Sylvia slapped her hands on the arms of her chair. “Lorna, have you any experience wearing a wire?”

  “Why would I?” A trickle of fear ran through me. “And I’m not keen on wearing a wire and trying to get Ignatius to confess to murder. What if he discovered the wire? He’s already tried to throw me in the pond today.”

  “Maybe a wire is risky,” said Sylvia. “But at least get him to confess what he’s done and make sure there are family members listening. They won’t believe my ramblings; after all, I’m a crazy old woman who sees the dead. And they won’t believe you, either. This family sticks together, and an accusation of murder won’t hold if it doesn’t come out of Ignatius’s mouth.”

  Michael rubbed his forehead and leaned against an oak tree. “I’m not feeling so good.”

  I rushed over and caught hold of him as he began to sway. “Take a few deep breaths. It’s a lot to take in, finding out Lonnie was killed and his ghost is still here.”

  “No kidding.” Michael sucked in air. “The killer will be found and punished.”

  Lonnie patted Michael on the shoulder.

  “Why don’t you take Sylvia back to the house,” I said to Michael. “Looks like you both need a rest after this.”

  Michael ran a hand down his pale face. “Good idea.”

  “I’m fine,” said Sylvia. “I spend my whole time being told I need to rest, or take this pill, or do this type of exercise. I’m ready to figure out who killed my Lonnie and give them a knuckle sandwich.”

  “And we’ll do that,” I said. “But we don’t want to arouse suspicion, and we need to be sure who the killer is.”

  Sylvia sighed. “This would have been finished by now if I wasn’t stuck in this chair. We’d have sorted out our own form of ju
stice, and Lonnie would be avenged.”

  “Well, I’m glad things are different now,” I said, as I walked next to Michael as he pushed Sylvia’s chair towards the house. “We can make sure the killer gets what they deserve without having to kneecap them.”

  Sylvia tutted. “As if I’d do anything as basic as knee capping. Now, talk to me about water boarding and we’re onto something.”

  I decided not to pursue that gruesome topic of conversation, and we walked along in silence until we reached the house. I left Michael and Sylvia in the hallway, with Sylvia trying to convince Michael she wanted to go out onto the terrace and take a swim.

  I hurried towards the study, long overdue getting back to work with Elita. She must be wondering where I was with our brunch.

  Slowing my pace, I tilted my head, hearing a man and woman talking quietly. I snuck towards the door the voices were drifting out of and poked my head inside. I saw Ignatius with his arms wrapped around Chelsea! Was everyone having a secret affair in this house?

  “We have to finish the job, babe,” said Chelsea.

  “It’s almost done, then we’re getting out of here,” said Ignatius.

  “We can finally be alone,” said Chelsea. “No more sneaking around in this stuffy house.”

  “I thought you loved this house.”

  “I’ll pretend to love it for as long as it annoys Elita,” said Chelsea. “That woman only has to look at me and I want to punch her in the face.”

  Ignatius gave a low chuckle. “That’s my sister-in-law you’re talking about.”

  “Doesn’t mean I don’t want to punch her,” said Chelsea. “And I can’t believe you used to have a thing for her.”

  I saw Ignatius’s shoulders tense. “That was a long time ago. You’re all the woman I need now.”

  “Just me and the gold,” said Chelsea. “That’s the deal. We find the gold, we cover our tracks, and we get away from here.”

  Ignatius kissed Chelsea. “That’s the plan. I was thinking Hawaii might be a good place to start.”

  “I want to go to Mexico,” said Chelsea. “Drink tequila and dance on the table tops all night.”

  “That’s a sight I look forward to seeing.”

  I slipped away from the door, my heart thudding in my chest. This was the proof I needed. The bimbo wife and the evil brother killed Lonnie together.

  A loud wolf whistle pierced the silence in the hallway, and I ducked. I’d only taken a few steps away from the room where Ignatius and Chelsea were plotting their evil scheme. If they caught me, I’d be busted.

  “Coo-eee! Lorna, get out here.” I cringed as Sylvia shouted my name.

  I turned and peered along the hallway, seeing Sylvia sitting in her wheelchair on the terrace. Looked like she’d won her battle with Michael to go out for a swim.

  I was gesturing at her to be quiet when the door opened and Ignatius looked out.

  “What’s going on?” Ignatius glared at me.

  “I was going to see what Sylvia needs.” I backed away a few steps, but Ignatius lunged at me and dragged me into the room before I had a chance to squeak out a protest. He slammed the door and clicked the lock into place.

  “Something you need?” I licked my lips as I stared into Ignatius’s fury-filled eyes.

  “What were you doing in the hallway?”

  Chelsea bustled over, her high red heels clicking on the wooden floorboards. “What’s going on, babe? What’s Lorna doing here?”

  “We’ve got an eavesdropper,” said Ignatius.

  “I wasn’t listening.” I hoped my bottom lip wasn’t trembling.

  “The door was open,” said Ignatius. “You must have heard us.”

  I looked at Chelsea, and she peered back at me with a confused expression. “I might have heard you talking, but I don’t know what it was about.”

  Ignatius crowded my personal space, forcing me against the door. “I can always tell when you’re lying, remember?”

  I cursed my inability to hide my emotions.

  “It’s not a problem,” said Chelsea. “She’s on my side. I’m paying her off. Lorna works for me.”

  “Does she?” Ignatius kept his glare pinned to me. He was so close I could smell his cologne and the coffee on his breath. “What information has she been passing to you?”

  “Nothing yet,” said Chelsea, “but she’s only been here a few days. You can trust Lorna.” She pulled a wad of money from her cleavage and handed it to me. “He can trust you, can’t he?”

  “Of course, I can be trusted.” I waved away the bundle of money.

  “Can you be trusted not to tell anyone what you’ve heard?” asked Ignatius.

  “Babe, calm down.” Chelsea placed a hand on Ignatius’s arm. “Lorna doesn’t mean any harm. And even if she did hear us, what good would it do her? She knows you’re loyal to the family.”

  “I am loyal,” said Ignatius. “But that doesn’t mean I can let people start causing trouble for me. And I get the feeling Miss Shadow is going to cause me a lot of trouble.”

  “Why would I do that?” I fought the panic surging up my throat. “If you’ve not done anything wrong, there’s nothing I can tell people about.”

  “You saw me with Chelsea.”

  “Chelsea is a free woman,” I said.

  “She’s my brother’s wife.”

  “But Lonnie’s dead,” I said. “Chelsea’s not doing anything wrong if she wants to be with you.”

  “That’s right.” Chelsea smiled at me. “We’re doing nothing wrong.”

  I nodded at her. Although why Chelsea wanted to be with Ignatius was a question a therapist would need to unpick over many sessions.

  Ignatius shook his head. “We sort this out the old-fashioned way. Can’t have someone running about with information that will cause me problems, especially not someone so new to this family. Elita might trust you, and Chelsea is daft enough to think she can bribe you, but I know what you’re like. You’ve been poking your nose around ever since you got here. It needs to end.”

  “What are you going to do?” asked Chelsea.

  “Get Frankie to bring the van round the front,” said Ignatius. “Lorna and I are going for a ride.”

  “I don’t want to go for a ride.” My mouth went dry as I saw the fury in Ignatius’s eyes. “I can’t go anywhere. Elita’s expecting me back any second. She’ll come looking for me.”

  “She’ll understand you leaving so suddenly,” said Ignatius. “We’ve lost staff before who couldn’t handle the heat of being a part of this family. The fact you disappear and leave your belongings behind won’t come as any surprise. And you’re easy to replace.”

  “No, I’m not,” I said. “And I’ve got some of my favorite clothes upstairs. I can’t leave them.”

  “You won’t need them where you’re going,” said Ignatius.

  A fist thudded against the door behind me. “What’s going on in there?”

  I let out a relieved sigh. It was Sylvia, and she sounded mad.

  “Nothing to worry about, Mom,” said Ignatius.

  “I saw you with Lorna. Let me in.” Sylvia started thumping on the door again, making a surprisingly loud noise for such a small person.

  “This isn’t your business,” said Ignatius, his tone hardening. “Isn’t it time for your nap? You must be overdue some medication, as well.”

  “I’m not a baby, and I don’t need to take a nap.” Sylvia kept thumping. “I’ll start screaming for help if you don’t unlock the door this instant.”

  Ignatius growled in my face and then yanked me away from the door before flipping the lock and pulling it open.

  Reggie leapt off Sylvia’s lap and launched himself at Ignatius, seizing hold of a finger, which he clung onto like it was his favorite bone.

  Ignatius yelped and grabbed hold of the dog. “What’s he doing?”

  “Reggie is protecting Lorna.” Sylvia peered into the room. “You alright, girl?”

  I realized my hands were sha
king and clasped them behind my back. “I am now.”

  “Get this crazy mutt off me!” Ignatius was tugging on Reggie’s collar, but he held on fast. I could see blood dripping onto the floor from where his teeth had sunk into Ignatius’s flesh.

  “He’ll let go when I tell him to,” said Sylvia.

  Ignatius staggered backwards and tripped over a chair, landing with a thump on the ground. Reggie jumped up and down on his chest as he continued to bite his finger, an amazingly deep growl coming from such a tiny dog.

  The scrabbling of claws on wood made me turn my head, and Flipper bounded along the hallway, jumped straight over Sylvia’s wheelchair, and landed at Ignatius’s feet. His hackles raised, and he grabbed one of Ignatius’s trouser legs and started shaking it.

  “Get these animals off me!” shrieked Ignatius.

  Chelsea hovered around him, her hands flailing in the air as she tried to shoo the dogs away. “What should I do, babe?”

  “Grab this little runt,” said Ignatius. “He’s trying to work his teeth through to the bone.”

  “You leave Reggie where he is,” said Sylvia. “He’s under my instruction and is allowed to do whatever he likes.”

  I watched as the two dogs attacked Ignatius. Although Flipper had hold of his trousers, he wasn’t biting him. And I was glad he was here, looking out for me.

  “Mom, get these dogs off me,” said Ignatius, his tone turning pleading. “I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

  Sylvia watched as Reggie continued to chew on Ignatius’s finger. “Down boy.”

  Reggie gave a final shake of Ignatius’s hand and let go. He made an angry sounding yip and then peed on Ignatius’s jacket before trotting back to Sylvia.

  Reggie would be getting a giant bone as a thank you from me for biting Ignatius.

  “That dog is a menace.” Ignatius gripped his injured finger to his chest.

  I beckoned Flipper away, and he came to my side and sat at my feet. He had a sorrowful look on his face as if he felt bad because he’d not been around to help me. I’d make sure he got a bone, as well. After all, I was the one who’d left him sleeping when I went on my investigations.