“Actually it was, when I first tried it.”
“So did you break a window to get in?”
“Of course not. I don’t go around breaking windows. Anyway, every window in that house—except one—is already broken.”
“I understand the broken windows are all boarded up, to keep people out.”
“True, although the window in the kitchen was only half boarded up. According to Officer Henderson, it had been boarded up the last time he was in the house. The plywood was pretty much just hanging there.”
“So that’s how you got in?”
“No. I came through the front door.”
Heather frowned. “I thought you said the door was locked?”
Danielle studied Heather a moment and finally said, “You might say the door…it just sorta opened on its own.”
Heather’s eyes widened. “Someone—or something let you in?”
“Is this about the story you want to write? Is this why you’re asking me all these questions?”
Heather sat back in the sofa. “What do you mean?”
“You said you wanted to write about a haunted house.”
“Do you think Presley House is haunted?” Heather asked.
“According to local legend it is.”
Heather smiled. “But, you have actually been in the house—you say the door opened by itself and let you in.”
“I didn’t say that exactly.”
“Then how did the door open if it was locked when you first got there?”
“What is it you really want?”
Heather took a deep breath and then looked Danielle in the eyes. “I want to know if you saw a ghost when you were at Presley House.”
“I know many people who’ve gone into Presley House and have never seen a ghost. Like the boys who broke in, the police officers who checked out the property and even Adam Nichols who used to manage Presley House for its owners. None of them claimed to have seen a ghost.”
“Yes, but, when you went there by yourself, you managed to get into the house without breaking in. And you found the body.”
“So?”
“I’m thinking, if those boys really did find a body and it disappeared, then something had to have hidden it.”
“And you are thinking a ghost hid it?”
“Maybe.”
“And just where did the ghost hide it?” Danielle asked.
“Umm…probably a secret room in the house.”
“A secret room?” Interesting, the chief and I discussed the possibility of a secret room.
“Yes.
“So because I found the body, you assume the resident ghost must have helped me find it?”
“That’s pretty much what I am thinking, yes.”
Danielle laughed. “And if I was to say yes I saw a ghost, you would think I was crazy.”
“No I wouldn’t. I would ask you another question.”
“Really? What would you ask me?”
“I’d ask you if the ghost told you his name.”
“His name?” Danielle frowned.
“Yes. I want to know if the ghost’s name is Harvey.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Danielle and Lily sat in the parlor eating tuna fish sandwiches: Lily, on a chair facing Danielle, who sat on the sofa. Max perched on the back of the sofa, his paw gently patting Danielle’s shoulder, begging for a taste of tuna.
“She knew his name and she wouldn’t say how she knew it?” Lily asked before taking a bite of her lunch.
Danielle removed a bit of tuna fish from her sandwich and offered it to Max, who sat by her shoulder. He nibbled it daintily from her fingers. On the floor, Sadie sat at Lily’s feet, glaring up at Max. Just moments earlier, she had tried begging for a bite of sandwich, only to have Lily scold her.
“I didn’t admit to seeing a ghost so she didn’t tell me how she knew his name.”
“She just blurted out his name and then didn’t explain anything?” Lily took another bite of her sandwich.
“At first I assumed she was just being nosey. You know, had heard on the radio about me finding a body and wanted the juicy details. But then she started asking about ghosts, and when she mentioned his name, well that kinda threw me for a loop.”
“I bet it did. I would like to know why Harvey—how she came up with that name.”
“I did ask her. She said something about hearing that was the ghost’s name, which I don’t believe for a minute.”
Lily looked up from her half eaten sandwich. “You think she was lying?”
“Without a doubt. Heather Donovan is not a very good liar.”
“Hmmm… well, when you first met, she did tell you she intended to write about a haunted house, and Presley House is the only house in town with the reputation of being haunted. So perhaps you and those boys aren’t the only one who visited the house this past week.”
“You suggesting she may have also seen Harvey?” Danielle asked.
“If she knew his name, I’d say she must have also talked to him. If so, I wonder, does she have some psychic abilities like you? Or is Harvey like Darlene, using his energy to make his presence known to people who aren't normally sensitive to these sorts of things?”
“What does Lily mean by that?” Walt asked as he appeared in the room.
Danielle glanced over to Walt. “Hi Walt. Where have you been?”
“Around.” Walt walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Danielle.
Lily looked to the door, where Danielle had just directed her greeting. “Hi Walt.”
Danielle nodded at what appeared to be an empty spot on the sofa. “He’s over here now.”
Max jumped down from the back of the sofa, landing in the space occupied by Walt’s lap. Sadie immediately leapt up and went to the couch, nosing Max, who swatted her nose.
“Stop you two!” Walt scolded.
“Don’t tell me, the animals are both converging on Walt?” Lily asked.
Danielle glanced to Walt and the competing pets and shook her head. “Pretty much.”
“So what were you talking about?” Walt asked. Sadie now lay by his feet while Max leaned over the sofa’s cushion, occasionally batting the dog’s head.
“We saw Darlene today,” Danielle began.
Walt leaned back in the sofa and looked at Danielle. “Lily told me what happened at Pilgrim’s Point.”
“Lily did?” Danielle looked from Walt to Lily.
“I did what?” Lily frowned.
“Walt said you told him what happened to us this morning.”
Lily let out a brief laugh. “I wasn't sure he was in the library with me. Glad to know I wasn’t talking to myself.”
Walt flashed an unseen smile to Lily and then turned his attention to Danielle. “So what now?”
“Well, the police are no longer looking for Christiansen and Haston. We don’t have to worry about going to court, which I suppose is a relief. I wasn't looking forward to that. Although, there is still John Smith’s trial. It’s pretty crazy that all the parties directly involved with trying to pass Lily off as Isabella are now gone.”
“Do they know for sure Christiansen killed Haston?” Walt asked.
“I think it’s just a formality, having the gun checked. I can’t imagine who else would have killed him. The way Darlene was talking this morning, I get the feeling she might be moving on now. It sounded as if she was just sticking around so she could even the score with Christiansen.”
“Are you going to do anything about Harvey?” Walt asked.
“I don’t know what I need to do.” Danielle shrugged.
“What you need to do about what?” Lily asked.
“Walt wanted to know if I was going to do anything about Harvey.”
“Dani, you told us Harvey wanted to help you find something. Something that didn’t have anything to do with all this other stuff—at least that was the feeling you got.”
Danielle frowned. “So?”
“Harvey obvi
ously has figured out how to dream hop. If he still wants your help, you can’t exactly ignore him. He could easily take over your dream again.”
Danielle groaned. “You’re right. I would like to think all of this was finished, what with finding Haston’s body and Christiansen.”
“You know Dani, you virtually stopped taking reservations when I moved in to recuperate—aside from Will Wayne. These last couple of weeks, with me off the IV treatment, we’ve both gotten used to sort of coming and going without any demands of the B and B.”
Danielle looked at Lily. “Not sure I understand your point.”
“Without guests, it makes it easier for you to deal with certain annoyances—like a dream invading ghost—or to venture off on side trips, like breaking into an old haunted house or taking a drive up to Pilgrim’s Point. Beginning the second week of November, this place is going to be taking a lot of your time. You all ready have reservations booked pretty solid through Christmas and into the New Year.”
“I think what Lily is saying,” Walt spoke up. “You need to resolve the Harvey problem before your guests start arriving.”
“You’re both right.” Danielle sighed.
“Oh? What did Walt say?”
“Pretty much what you did.” Danielle set her now empty plate on the end table and leaned back in the sofa.
“So what is the plan of action?” Lily asked.
“I suppose the first thing I need to do is try and find out more about Harvey. Who is he, and what is he looking for?”
Max stopped batting at Sadie and looked at Walt.
“According to Ben from the museum, Marie probably knew the Presley twins, they were about her age. I’m pretty sure Harvey is one of the twins.”
“I assume you’re going to go talk to Marie and see what she knows.” Lily said.
“Would be a good place to start. According to Adam, she should be back from Portland by tomorrow. I’ll give her a call in the morning.”
“And then there is Max,” Walt reminded, looking down at the cat.
“Max? Ahh yes, Max was living in Presley House.” Danielle reached out and stroked the fur along Max’s neck. He began to purr.
“Unfortunately, Max doesn’t really know anything about Harvey’s history—when he was alive. He may or may not be one of the twins. Harvey has never mentioned his family or last name to Max. When Max moved into Presley House a number of years ago, the house was empty. There was no Harvey.”
“I’m assuming that’s because when he moved into the house it wasn’t October?” Danielle suggested.
“Precisely.” Walt nodded.
“I hate these one sided conversations,” Lily grumbled.
“I promise to fill you in on everything that we say—afterwards,” Danielle told her.
“Sure…whatever.” Lily popped the last bite of sandwich into her mouth.
“Max initially moved into the house during the summer. It was fall—I am assuming October—when Harvey showed up. He seemed surprised to see Max but told him he was welcomed to stay, providing he helped him look for it.”
“Look for what?” Danielle asked.
“Max doesn't know. But every year Harvey would show up and start going through the house, from top to bottom, looking for something. What it was exactly, he never said. And when kids would periodically break into the house—normally as some Halloween prank or dare—he would do things to scare them. Max got the impression he initially did it to scare them away so he could search the house without them underfoot, but over time, Max came to realize Harvey enjoyed frightening the teenagers.”
“Harvey is a teenager himself,” Danielle reminded.
No longer able to contain herself, Lily begged, “Please tell me what you two are talking about.
Danielle took a moment to fill Lily in on Walt’s side of the conversation.
“What I’m trying to figure out, why Halloween? Now if Max wasn’t there to verify the fact—” Lily paused a moment and let out a groan. “Good lord, I’m talking about a cat.” She shook her head before continuing. “Then I would assume Harvey was always haunting that place, but people only noticed on Halloween. Because after all, it is Halloween—ghosts and stuff. And if Harvey is the spirit of a teenage boy, then it kinda makes sense he might be more active that time of year.”
“But we know he is only there during October. He isn’t there the rest of they year,” Danielle reminded.
Leaning back on the sofa, Walt silently listened as he watched smoke rings drift up toward the ceiling and disappear.
“Exactly! But why?” Lily asked.
Danielle silently considered the question for a moment. “I’ve thought about this a lot and have come up with two possible scenarios.”
“Which are?” Lily asked.
“Perhaps, whatever he is looking for has something to do with Halloween. Something lost on Halloween, maybe?”
“And what is the other possibility?”
“Some people believe Halloween is a time when dead souls can return to the earth. To see their love ones—for their love ones to see them. Maybe there is some truth to that. Perhaps the Halloween season opens some doorway between our world and the spirit world,” Danielle suggested.
Lily looked to where she was sure Walt was sitting on the sofa. She could smell the cigar smoke. “What about it Walt? Do you think Danielle has something there? About the spirit doorway?”
Preparing to take a puff off his cigar, Walt paused a moment. He looked from Lily to Danielle. “A bunch of hooey. Danielle is just making this stuff up. She doesn’t know how any of this really works.”
Lily reached into the pumpkin and pulled out the slimy innards. It was late Tuesday afternoon and she sat with Danielle on the side patio, while they prepared Jack-O-Lanterns.
“How can Walt say that?” Lily asked. “That you’re just making this stuff up?”
“I suppose he is right, in a way.” Danielle scraped the inside of her pumpkin out, after dumping pulp and seeds on a sheet of newspaper. “Although I wouldn’t call a theory the same thing as making stuff up.”
“Did he say what he believes?” Lily asked.
“I imagine what he believes would not be as interesting as what he knows.”
Lily looked up from her pumpkin. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it, Lily. When Walt left here the first time to follow the light, he went somewhere. He saw something.”
“Has he told you what that was?”
“No, not really. I know just what I’ve told you. That Walt can leave when he’s ready, but until then he’s confined here, at Marlow House.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
“True? You mean, do I think Walt lied?”
“Not lied exactly. But what you said about the energy thing—how Walt is using up all his energy to move things and dream hop, but if he focused his energy elsewhere, he might be able to leave here and wander the countryside, if that’s what he wanted.”
Danielle shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe… maybe not.”
“So what now?” Lily positioned her knife on her pumpkin and began carving features.
“First thing, I’m going to finish this Jack-O-Lantern. Then I’m going to put it by one of the front windows—with yours. Later, I’ll serve us some of that yummy chili I have simmering in the slow cooker, and in the morning…I’m calling Marie Nichols.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Adam Nichols propped his newly polished leather shoes atop his desk as he leaned back in his office chair, newspaper in hand. Without looking away from the front-page article he was so engrossed in, he leaned forward and reached for his cup of coffee, which sat on the edge of the desk. Just as he grabbed it, a knock came at his door, breaking his concentration. He glanced up. Standing at his door in the hallway, was Danielle Boatman.
“No one was in the front office,” Danielle explained, nodding behind her. “Didn’t think you’d mind if I just came in.” She stepped into Adam’s o
ffice.
Setting his mug back down and awkwardly removing his feet from the desk to the floor, he sat up straight and tossed the paper aside. “Well, if it isn’t the never-a-dull-moment Danielle Boatman. I see you found another dead body. What is that, two in one week for you?”
Danielle walked to the two empty chairs facing Adam’s desk. “Well, you know me, I will do practically anything to avoid going to court.” She tossed her purse on one of the chairs and sat on the other one.
“Careful, if Henderson hears you say something like that, he might get it into his head you put Christiansen and Haston in their current states.”
Danielle smiled. “You have a point.”
“So why were you and Lily at Pilgrim’s Point?”
“We were just taking a drive. Ian took off early yesterday morning for New York. We don’t have anyone staying at Marlow House this week. I suppose if we hadn’t found Christiansen’s car someone else eventually would have.”
“According to the newspaper, it was Stoddard’s car.”
“Yeah, I guess it was. According to the attorney for the trust, that vehicle wasn’t included on the inventory list.”
“I imagine it was parked at one of Stoddard’s properties, somewhere that Chuck still had access to,” Adam suggested.
“That’s kind of what I figured. Although, I would have thought whoever was in charge of the trust would have inspected all the properties.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. I remember Isabella telling me her uncle had a number of corporations he expressly used to hide assets.”
“Hide from who?”
“I imagine Uncle Sam, probably Darlene.”
“Chuck obviously knew about the car and where it was stored. From what I understand his car is still missing.”
“He probably left it where ever Stoddard’s car had been parked.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’m figuring.”
“So tell me Danielle, what brings you here today? I can’t imagine you came just to gloat about your newest discovery.”
“Gloat? Am I gloating?”
Adam chuckled. “Not really. But you have to admit, you are a regular Nancy Drew. Either that or a diabolical serial killer who has convinced everyone you just happen to trip over these dead bodies.”
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