“I’m the embarrassment! You’re the one who couldn’t keep hold of Lonnie, despite all the filler in your face. And how many facelifts have you had? A dozen wouldn’t make any difference. He was always going to be with me.”
Sylvia settled back in her wheelchair, a look of grim satisfaction on her face. “They can’t stop fighting over my Lonnie, even though he’s gone.”
“Who are they?” I whispered.
“Elita Cornell, Lonnie’s ex-wife, and Chelsea, the new Mrs. Cornell,” muttered Michael. “And the guy next to Chelsea is Ignatius Cornell, Lonnie’s older brother.”
“And the women are as crazy as each other,” said Sylvia. “This should be fun.”
“You’re an absolute cow!” Elita threw the contents of her glass into Chelsea’s face.
Chelsea screeched with rage as one of her false eyelashes drifted down her cheek. She thrust her own glass at Ignatius and ran at Elita, her long red nails aimed at her eyes.
Ignatius stepped between them and held them apart before they clashed. “Ladies, now is not the best time to sort out your differences. Lonnie loved you both in his own way. He made it clear he expected the two of you to get along if you were to stay in this house. I’m sure neither of you wishes to leave.”
“She should leave.” Chelsea jabbed a finger in the air. “She’s past her best. If she was a dog, she’d have been put to sleep by now.”
Flipper growled at that comment and lowered his head, causing everyone in the room to look at us.
I waved at all the curious faces, despite my desire to hide under the table. “Hi. Nice to meet you all.”
Sylvia cackled out a laugh. “Get used to this. This is what happens every day in this household. It’s better you see what things are like straight away. You never know, you might decide it’s not the place for you.”
That’s exactly what I was thinking. The family was crazy, and the house was creepy. I did not want to be here.
“Who are these women?” asked Elita.
“You hired them,” said Sylvia. “So, you’ll know more about them than I do.” She wheeled herself towards the food table and piled a plate high with cheese pastries.
Elita glared at Chelsea before shrugging off Ignatius’s grip and walking towards us, her gaze running over me and Helen. She was an attractive woman, and from the soft lines around her mouth and eyes, I got the impression she hadn’t had a facelift like Chelsea claimed, but looked after herself. Her hair was dyed a deep glossy chestnut, and she had a trim figure. The watch on her wrist sparkled with diamonds, matching the jewels around her throat.
“Are you Lorna and Helen?”
I nodded and extended my hand. “Elita Cornell?”
“Yes, glad you were able to find me in all this chaos.” Elita waved a hand in the air.
“I know our timing isn’t great,” I said. “We can come back later if you need time alone.”
“No, not at all. I’m sorry you had to see my dispute with Chelsea,” said Elita. “She’s yet to learn her place in the household. I’m planning to demote her to kitchen hand when I get the chance.”
Chelsea snorted, obviously listening into the conversation, before turning her back on us and staring out the window.
“We can leave,” said Helen. “We don’t want to be in the way.”
“There’s no need for you to go,” said Elita. “And, I hate to say it, but Sylvia has a point. It’s often a bit feisty around here. You need to know what you’re getting yourselves into. Not every day is like this, but we all have our challenges to face.” Her gaze hardened as she looked at Chelsea, who was dabbing drink from her face with a linen napkin.
“Ladies, allow me to introduce myself.” A tall, slim man in a charcoal grey three-piece suit stopped by my side and smiled. “I’m Carson Rosso.”
“He was Lonnie’s right-hand man,” said Elita.
“And now, I’m yours,” said Carson. “That is, if you wish me to remain here.”
Elita sighed and brushed a hand down her fitted black dress. “Right now, I’m not sure what I want. Well, I can think of one thing I’d like.” Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Chelsea. “But I know she’s not going anywhere while there’s money to be made around here.”
“Why don’t you have another drink?” said Carson. “I’ll explain things to these lovely young ladies and make sure they understand how the household works.” His tone was sickeningly smooth, and a trickle of revulsion slid down my spine at the slimy smile on his face. Here was a man I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw.
Elita turned away. “I could do with something to calm my nerves. I’ll catch up with you both later, and we can talk about your roles. There’s so much to do now Lonnie’s gone; you’re both going to be busy.”
Carson took hold of my elbow and placed a hand on the small of Helen’s back before guiding us away from the rest of the family. I had to resist the urge to shake his hand off; it felt like a cold hard vice on my flesh.
“As you can imagine, this is a difficult time for the family.” Carson released his hold on me. “If you have any questions, please come to me first. I have been with the Cornells for years and will assist you in any way possible.”
“I appreciate that,” I said. “We weren’t aware there had been a death in the family.”
“Lonnie’s demise was not anticipated.”
“I can’t imagine anyone’s is,” said Helen.
Carson shot Helen a glare. “What I mean is, the family sometimes strolls on the grey side of life. It is a dangerous place to be. Accidents do happen.”
“I’ve never heard of the grey side of life before,” I said. “Is that some sort of business you’re in?”
“It’s the business of discretion,” said Carson. “And it’s important to remember that if you’re joining this family.”
“We’re just going to be working here. No plans to take things any further than that,” I said.
Carson spread his hands wide. “There’s a fine line between the two. But, if you are to be a part of the business we run, then you will need to be discreet about everything you see.”
“We’re discreet.” I shot a puzzled look at Helen.
“What is it you do here that needs so much discretion?” asked Helen.
Carson looked around the room, a slow smile spreading across his face. “We keep ourselves safe and make sure to protect our assets.”
“I’m guessing that means you don’t run a chain of bakeries?” I asked.
Carson’s glare turned steely, and I felt myself cringe. He looked like an overly-tanned snake about to strike. “We do not bake. But whatever you learn about us, you’ll be required to keep the information within these walls. Can I trust you both to do that?”
“We’re not going to gossip if that’s what you mean,” I said. “And we’re not new to this kind of work. You only have to check our references to know that.”
“Your backgrounds have been checked,” said Carson. “We did not find anything... unsavory. And there was nothing that caused me concern.”
I swallowed. That didn’t sound like the usual sort of background check we went through when we started a new job. “Neither of us have unsavory backgrounds. We’re good at what we do.”
“And so are we,” said Carson, “but only because the family keeps things to themselves.”
“And what if they don’t?” asked Helen.
“Then they leave the family,” said Carson. The darkness in his gaze lifted, and a false smile spread across his face. “But I have a good feeling about the two of you. I’m sure you’ll be an asset and help with the smooth running of the estate. Elita is in need of help now Lonnie has gone and has all of this to manage. Don’t let her down.”
“We never let down our employers,” I said. The uneasy sensation I’d experienced since entering the house increased. I couldn’t figure out whether it was being so close to the sleazy Carson that was doing it. But whatever it was, it was time for us to leave. T
his job might pay well, but everything felt wrong. The atmosphere was so tense I could feel it almost sticking to my skin. And Flipper now sensed something was off and was glued to my side, his anxious gaze flitting from me to Helen as he kept checking to make sure we were okay.
“Enjoy your time here, ladies. If you ever have need of me, I have a private annex in the grounds close to Lonnie’s military toys. You’re welcome to drop by any time you have a query.” Carson gave us a nod before turning and walking back to Elita’s side.
I moistened my dry teeth with my tongue and leaned over to Helen. “What do you think of this place?”
“It’s super weird,” whispered Helen. “I don’t get what all the secrecy’s about over the family business. Maybe it’s something they’re ashamed of, like selling double glazing or one of those scam pyramid schemes you hear so much about.”
“That’s hardly something to keep so secret, though.” I glanced around the room, seeing everyone else engaged in conversation or eating. “I think we should leave.”
Helen raised her eyebrows. “Haven’t you seen the amazing food on the table?”
“I’m not hungry, and something’s wrong here.”
“I agree the family is a bit odd, but we’ve dealt with eccentric before. This isn’t so strange. Maybe they don’t like outsiders getting involved in a traditional family business and are uncomfortable with us being at a family wake. It is making me squirm a bit.”
“There’s eccentric and then there’s dangerous,” I said. “Don’t you feel the weird vibe in here?”
“A ghost sort of vibe, you mean?”
I shook my head. “Not a ghost. Something darker.”
“Are you going to tell me there are demons in this house?” Helen’s voice rose in pitch.
I shook my head again. “No, nothing like that. But something is wrong here, and I don’t want to find out what it is.”
“Can’t we stay for some champagne and canapés?” Helen’s bottom lip jutted out. “The food looks good, and it’s getting late. We can leave as soon as I’ve eaten.”
I tipped my head back and stared at the ceiling. I was never going to get Helen away from here until she’d had her fill of tasty treats. “Fine. You stuff your face and get drunk. But then we’re getting out of here.”
Chapter 4
Half an hour later, Helen had eaten a plate of caviar filled vol-au-vents and drunk two glasses of champagne. She’d just gone to investigate the desserts, giving me a chance to speak to Elita.
“We should go and unpack,” I said, “and leave your family to mourn your ex-husband. And I am sorry for our intrusion into something so private.”
“You’re welcome to stay,” said Elita. “We’re just getting started. And Lonnie liked pretty women at his events, so he’d have loved you and Helen being here.”
“We had a long drive,” said Helen, as she returned to my side with a plate of mini chocolate eclairs. “And it would be nice to have an early night before we get started in our new jobs.”
Elita clicked her fingers and beckoned Michael over. “Show the ladies to their rooms.”
“Very good,” said Michael.
“Don’t be long. I don’t like the look in Chelsea’s eyes. She’s drunk and unhinged and could try to go for me with one of the butter knives.” Elita smirked and patted her purse. “Although, I’d like to see her try. I’ve got a little surprise of my own in my purse in case she gets ideas above her station.”
Although I was tempted to ask what the surprise was, I resisted. I looked at Chelsea and noticed the scowl on her face. But she was nowhere near any cutlery, so Elita was safe from death by butter knife for now.
Michael nodded and opened the door to the parlor for us. We followed him into the hallway and up the large flight of stairs. Turning right, Michael stopped outside a door and unlocked it. I poked my head inside and saw a pale pink bedroom; from the carpet to the curtains, everything was a soft shade of pink.
“We have other rooms if this isn’t to your liking,” said Michael. “The family sleeps in the East Wing, and staff have rooms here.”
“Where’s your room?” asked Helen.
Michael ducked his head. “I’m Elita’s bodyguard now. My room is next to hers, so I can be on hand in case anybody tries to get into the house without an invitation.”
“Why would anybody want to do that?” I asked. “This place has a lot of security. It feels more like a secure unit than a family home.”
“It’s for protection. The Cornells are well-connected,” said Michael. “And that means they have enemies. Enemies I intend to put down if they come too close.”
I raised my eyebrows and looked at Helen. It was definitely time to get out of here.
Michael left us to investigate our rooms, and I was pleased to see my suitcase had made it up safely. Helen’s room was next to mine and was almost the same, apart from the color scheme, which was a powder blue and cream.
The second Michael had gone down the stairs, I hurried to Helen’s room and shut the door behind me. “We need to escape while we have the chance.”
“Escape?” Helen looked over at me. “We’re not prisoners. Well, other than that first hour when we were locked in a room.”
“It feels like we are,” I said.
“Is that weird feeling still bothering you?” Helen did a quick circuit of her room, opening the closet before taking a look in the attached bathroom.
“It is. And it’s nothing to do with a ghost. Can’t you feel the tension in the air when the family is together?”
“It’s hard to miss when Chelsea and Elita are fighting with each other.” Helen sat on the bed, and I joined her. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay and see how you feel in the morning? Could just be new job nerves?”
I tugged on my bottom lip as I considered the question. “The money would be great. What we earn from this job will pay for the furniture in our new house.”
“But you don’t think it’s worth it?”
I looked around the room and imagined living in this house for three months. I found myself grinding my teeth and struggling to breathe. “No. We should leave. And right away. We can sneak out while the family is in the parlor.”
“Won’t it seem odd the two of us vanishing?”
“The recruitment agency can make our apologies for us. We can say there’s been a family emergency or something like that and we had to leave quickly.”
Helen shrugged. “Fair enough. If you can’t see yourself working here, then we leave.”
I hugged Helen, grateful she didn’t try to force me to stay. We’d both be out of pocket because of this, and the agency might not be so quick to find us other jobs, once we’d let down the Cornells, but I just couldn’t stay. “I’ll grab my bag and meet you at the top of the stairs.” I left the room and hurried back to my own.
Once inside, I took a moment to tune into whatever weird feeling had me by the throat. It could simply be because the family argued a lot, and that was never pleasant to be around. But maybe it was more than that, and I was picking up on a ghostly presence. If there was one in the house, it wasn’t friendly, and I didn’t want to meet it.
I looked at Flipper, who was settled on the carpet by the window, his eyes half closed. Whatever it was, it wasn’t something that bothered him, so was unlikely to be ghost related. He always spotted the ghosts before I did.
I had a freshen up in the bathroom, splashing water on my face and smoothing down my hair, and then picked up my case and headed out of my bedroom with Flipper. I already felt better knowing we’d soon be out of the house.
Helen was waiting for me, and after a check down the stairs to make sure the coast was clear, we crept to the front door. From the sounds of laughter and music coming from the parlor, it didn’t sound like Lonnie’s family were missing him too much.
I snuck open the front door and ushered Helen and Flipper out, before closing it behind me softly.
Helen pulled up sharply.
“Where’s the car? I left it right there.” She pointed to the gravel driveway, where there was a distinct lack of bright red car.
“Did you leave the keys in it?” It wasn’t the first time she’d done such a thing. “Maybe it got moved.”
Helen dug around in her purse and pulled out her car keys. “They’re right here. And only you have a key to use the car. Did you give it to someone?”
“Nope. Mine is right here.” I dangled my own set of keys in front of her.
“They’d better not have damaged my car by towing it away.” Helen’s frown deepened as she peered into the gloomy evening.
“Let’s check around the side of the house,” I said. “We might find it there, and I bet it will be just fine.”
We carried our cases to avoid making any noise by dragging them across the gravel and ducked as we passed the window, looking into the wake to avoid being spotted.
Helen rounded the side of the house first, and I could see from the scowl on her face that the car wasn’t there. “What have they done with it? Where’s my lovely car?”
I scratched my head as I looked around. “I don’t see any sign of a garage, but they must have put it somewhere safe.” If we couldn’t find the car, we had a big problem; we had no way of getting away from this house and the weird family inside it.
Flipper ran ahead and then returned, before running along the same route again. His tail was up, and he kept looking from side to side as if he heard someone coming.
“Flipper’s spotted something,” I said to Helen. “Since we’re not having any luck finding the car, let’s follow him and see where he leads us.”
Helen nodded, and we hurried after Flipper, who kept glancing over his shoulder to see what we were doing. There was still no sign of the car, and from the sound of Helen’s increasingly loud sighs, she was getting angry about its absence.
Flipper stopped dead and sat down, his ears up and his nose pointed ahead of him.
I looked into the navy-blue gloom around us but couldn’t see anything. The night was quiet with barely a breath of wind.
But as I continued to stare, a slow haze appeared in front of me, and I felt a shiver of ice cold run down my back. Something was coming, and it wasn’t alive.
Ghostly Rules (Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery Book 6) Page 3