In the next, the couple was standing hand in hand amongst acres of grape vines.
Another was an old wedding photo. The young woman was without a doubt one of the two girls from the photo of the four children, only older.
The chief moved on to see the woman of the couple hugging a younger woman—the other girl from the children’s photo—on a pier.
Then there was one of the twins as a young man in front of one of Hargrove trains. While searching the house for any signs of Torrie, the chief had seen a train set in one of the upstairs bedrooms. HARGROVE was painted on the small train set making them look just like the one behind the man in the photo. Chief Bradford drew in a long breath, afraid to see the coincidence in that.
The other twin was in the next photo. Although the two looked alike, each held his own expression. Behind him was a city that appeared to be early Chicago.
The same couple as before filled the last photo, only they were older. The woman held a baby, probably a grandchild. The photo had captured tears in her eyes, as well as a lovely ring on her finger. The man held her about her waist. The love written on their faces was practically jumping off the photo.
Where the hell had Torrie Reynolds found these photos? Who were the people in the photos? Had the family who disappeared really just gone to California? Had the stories just been mere stories? He hoped Riley William Dalton could provide a few answers and identify these people.
But where the hell was Torrie Reynolds?
Chief Bradford moved back to the cellar where Ms. Victoria Reynolds had stated someone was digging. One of his men was still searching for fingerprints. Another wore earphones and held a metal detector. He wanted to make sure there was no foul play. So far, despite the loose ends, he saw no signs of foul play. He almost wished he did. At least he would know which direction to take. There were just so many unanswered questions.
“Chief?” Officer Jackson grabbed his attention.
“Yes?”
“I did some checking like you asked.”
“Yes?”
“I searched William Dalton in connection with the Hargrove House and found the original owner, William Hargrove, his wife, and four children had a second house in California where they owned a vineyard and winery. Their first daughter, Eleanor, married a man by the name of Michael Dalton. It looks like they prospered out there, too. The Victorian Winery is going strong, run by three of the descendants—Riley Dalton, Victor Hargrove, and Andrea Chesney.”
“Thank you, Jackson. I talked to Riley William Dalton already. He plans to come here in the next week and check out this house. And he’s trying to follow the money trail.”
“Right, Chief. I’ll keep digging.”
The chief nodded as Jackson moved back up the stairs. He had the strange feeling his questions would never be answered.
“Chief?”
This time it was Officer Bennington who spoke.
“Yes?”
“With the metal detector, this is all I’ve found.” He held up a gold coin.
“Just one?”
“Yes, just this one. Why? Do you think there’s hidden treasure?”
“Oh, I have no doubt there’s hidden treasure. But I don’t think we’ll ever find it.”
Chapter Eleven
“Happy Birthday to You…”
The ballroom was well lit. The new electricity was working well, but it still made Victoria nervous. She didn’t like touching the switches.
When the large crowd finished singing, Victoria beamed and smiled broadly as they applauded her. “Thank you, all!” she said loudly.
“By George, I think you’ve finally pulled something off that has left your lovely wife blushing and speechless!” Benedict Smith said.
Everyone around chuckled as Alice wheeled the cart with a large round two-tiered cake closer. Tiny candles burned brightly.
“You’re supposed to blow them all out at once,” Aiden informed her. He bounced the red ball and then held it tight as he obviously remembered his father instructing him to not bounce the ball around the guests at the party.
His mother didn’t remind him. She merely smiled at him. “Thank you, Darling,” Victoria replied. “You’ll help me, won’t you? You look very handsome in your new suit, by the way.”
Aiden smiled broadly at her. “I don’t think you’ll get your wish if I help you blow them out.”
Victoria leaned close to whisper in his ear. “It doesn’t matter. I already have everything I wish for.” Then she took a breath, put her arms around him casually, and together they blew the candles out, leaving a fog of smoke around them.
Again, many in the large room laughed.
“It really was a surprise for you, wasn’t it Mama?” Alexander asked.
“Oh, I was definitely surprised,” she promised.
“It took a lot of work to surprise you, but I daresay I succeeded,” Will said.
“We had to help you,” Violet put in.
“Yes, I couldn’t have done it without my children.”
“Happy Birthday, Mama,” her children chimed, as they hugged her.
For a long moment, Victoria merely relished in the feel of love that surrounded her as she hugged her children close. Will reached out with one hand and gently cupped her cheek. I love you, she mouthed to him.
She read his lips as he returned the same message.
“Do we always have to put up with this,” Nathan Hargrove intruded upon the moment of love. “Every time I even look at the two of you, you’re always acting like newlyweds! But Willy, you sure know how to throw a party. The lobster is delicious.”
“Eat up and enjoy, Nathan,” Will suggested.
“Actually, I’m sorry to say, I must get going. I have a train to catch.”
“And where are you off to, this time?” Will asked.
Victoria knew full well his horrible brother wasn’t off to anywhere just yet. The memory came to her that he would spend the evening in the cellar digging graves. She fought down a shudder with the knowledge that Alice would catch him down there and be the first to die. Nathan had boasted of that to Victoria after he took her away.
“I bought a piece of land in California. I’m almost certain there’s gold. When I strike it rich, I’ll write and let you know.” He made a brotherly gesture and shook Will’s hand. Then he took in Victoria.
Victoria inwardly cringed, feeling as if he undressed her with his eyes, but she kept her smile frozen on her lips. She nearly had to bite her own tongue to keep from asking where Nathan might have gotten any funds enough to buy land anywhere. But she doubted he bought anything at all.
“But I’d really like to thank you both for inviting me. Your invitation was quite a surprise.” Nathan smiled slowly.
Victoria thought he looked like a cat about to eat a mouse.
“You’re welcome,” Will said. “It was my lovely wife’s idea. She convinced me I should let bygones be bygones.”
“A very wise woman, your wife,” Nathan put in, still studying Victoria as if she were the most interesting creature he’d ever seen.
“That she is.”
Will put his arm around her. It brought comfort and warmth against the shiver that moved through her.
“Well, I must be off. Thank you again. You’ll be hearing from me,” Nathan said. He pumped Will’s hand again.
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Will muttered.
Then before Victoria could move away, Nathan snatched up her hand. Holding on to her tightly, he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it longingly. “Thank you so much for inviting me, dear sister-in-law.”
Victoria thought bugs crawled on her where he touched her. She thought she might choke on the lump in her throat. She kept the smile forced on her lips. Her jaw ached.
“Now where did all your dear children run off to?” Nathan asked. “I wanted to tell them good bye, too.”
“I’m sure they’re close by,” Will said.
Victoria felt the tensi
on in Will as he held her close. She had to lick her lips to bring some moisture to her mouth. It turned her stomach that Nathan asked about the children. But Alice had strict instructions, and if Alice was anything, it was dependable.
“Take care of yourself, Nathan,” Victoria bit out.
“Thank you. Thank you, both.” Then Nathan whirled away and was gone. Victoria couldn’t see him over the crowd.
“Is he gone?” she asked Will softly.
Will continued to watch the doorway for a long time. “Yes, he’s just gone down the stairs.”
“You’re sure the children are safe?”
“I saw Alice sneak them through the attic door. She’s very efficient. Nathan will never find them up there,” Will said softly. “Hell, he’ll never find the door.”
“I’m so sorry about all of this, Darling. I can’t begin to imagine how much this must hurt you. He is, after all, your brother.”
“Knowing his intentions, that he plans to kill me and my family, to take you away, makes him no brother of mine,” he whispered softly in her ear. He pulled her into his arms and danced around with her as the music started again. “Dance with me, my love. I can’t stand still, knowing what lurks in our future. Keeping up the façade of looking happy and without worry is nearly impossible.”
“I know.”
“Then you must know, too, that no matter what happens, I love you more than life itself.”
“I love you more, Will.” Tears sprang to her eyes. She shouldn’t have to feel so torn and terrified. It was her birthday.
“Are you certain you can pull this off?” he whispered, leaning closer.
“Our family is at stake. I have no choice.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. It wasn’t very appropriate, but it was her party and it was her birthday, so her guests forgave her. “I want this to be over. I’m afraid our guests will never leave.”
“I know,” Will said. “But at least Nathan created the greatest alibi with his idea of catching a train.”
“Can’t we just catch a train? Can’t we just run away for a while?”
“He’ll always be waiting for us, and we will never be able to trust him, you know that. Do you want to spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders?” Will asked. He lightly touched his lips to her brow.
“Come, now, none of that on the dance floor,” Jack Stevens said as he and his partner danced by.
Will smiled easily. “You should try it. It makes dancing all the more fun!” He spun Victoria away. “I’m just terribly sorry your birthday is ruined with this.”
“I’m busy thinking about how it really could be ruined—with my family gone and me in a sanitarium. Just thinking about it makes me feel as if I could be sick. Whatever you do, please don’t force me to eat any cake.” Victoria held on to Will’s arms as if she held a life ring in a raging sea.
“I don’t think I could force any down, either. So don’t offer me any and I won’t offer you any.”
She offered the first genuine smile of the party. “It’s a deal.”
When at last they ushered the last of their guests out the front door, Victoria leaned against the cool wood and let the exhaustion move through her. Her legs ached from dancing and remaining on her feet. Her face was tight and painful from forcing a smile all night. Her palms stung from all the times she clenched her fists and her nails cut into them. But the party was finally over, and it was time for the real work to begin.
Will reached out and took her hand. “Tell me what else you remember. I know so little because he came up behind me in the kitchen and stabbed me in the back.”
Victoria shuddered at the thought. “Then you mustn’t go into the kitchen, ever.”
“I don’t plan on it. Before I died, he promised to spare you and the children if I told him the combination to the safe in our bedroom so he could take our money, too.”
“Oh…” The lump in her throat nearly choked her.
“Just keep thinking about our family, that our children are safe with Alice, and how much I love you.”
“I’ll try. He hid in the cellar. I believe he must have been down there all evening digging. He killed Alice first before he…” She simply couldn’t say the words. She couldn’t say that he murdered Will or their children. “He did his work and was able to drag each of you down there and be finished quickly.” She swallowed hard, fighting the bile that burned her throat. “Oh, the thought—the horrifying thought…”
“I know it’s painful, but we must think on it. We can’t let him take us by surprise again,” he reminded her.
“I know, we won’t.
Will pulled her into his arms and held her close. They both knew this might very well be the last time if things didn’t go as they planned. They both knew now how precious a touch, a hug, a kiss, the words ‘I love you’ were. Never again would they take anything for granted. “Where did he find you?” Will asked.
“In the ballroom. He was covered with dirt and blood…” She hugged him tighter.
“Perfect. We’ll go up there together.”
He held her hand tightly as they traveled up the stairs.
“I feel as if my heart might beat right out of my chest,” she said softly.
“I know. Mine, too.”
They found the ballroom still lit, but completely empty. There were remnants of her cake still on the cart. There were empty glasses set about the room. The ribbons Will had used to decorate were white and beautiful. He kissed her hard under one of them. “You know what to do.” He turned away.
“Will?”
He turned back to her. She slipped the emerald ring from her finger and held it out to him.
“What do you want me to do with this? It should stay on your finger, where I put it.”
“I just remembered, he took it from me and obviously sold it. It wound up as a family heirloom with a family named Miller. I can’t let him get his hands on it, no matter what happens. I can’t let it go to a man named Nick Miller. So please keep it for me until this is over.”
He carefully placed it in his vest pocket. “I will. Then I’ll put it back on your finger where it belongs.” He pulled her into his arms one last time and tenderly kissed her brow. “We’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Terrified she wouldn’t succeed, terrified things would still turn out horrible, terrified even more at the prospect that perhaps she and Will could not change what was a combination of their future and their past, she allowed him to slip from her grasp and stood still in the large room commanding her knees to stop shaking. She watched him silently disappear through the hidden door leading to the attic.
She didn’t have to hear him to know Nathan returned. Whether she smelled him or merely sensed him, she had no idea. Nor did she care. She turned to face him. She let out a huff of relief when she saw no blood on his hands or his clothes or splattered on his face. But his hands were dirty, and there were smudges of dirt on his shirt and his face.
“Where are they?” he boomed at her, stomping to her in four easy strides.
“Where are what?” she tried to act surprised to see him. “And what are you doing here?” she remembered to ask. “I thought you had a train to catch.”
He let out a hateful laugh. “I do have a train to catch—after tonight.”
Victoria pressed her lips together to keep from telling him he would never catch another train.
“Now where are they?”
“Where are what?” She wondered how long they would play this game. She hoped it was over long before Will grew tired of waiting and gave away the children’s hiding place by coming through that hidden door.
Like a snake striking, he reached out and grabbed her arm roughly, shaking her. “Damn,, woman, I don’t have time for games. Where are your brats?”
How she kept her courage, she had no idea. Her insides shook with terror and sent bile burning up her throat, and yet she managed to keep her outside calm as she sta
red into his eyes. “I have no brats. But if you are referring to my children, they are gone.”
“Gone, where?”
“None of your business. What do you want here?” She still tried to act as if she had no idea why he was there.
“What? Did you and that no good brother of mine need a night of passion alone without the little curtain climbers underfoot?”
“What do you want?”
“Where’s my brother?”
“Down in the cellar.”
“He can’t be in the cellar. I—”
“You what?” Just came from there and he wasn’t there?
“Nothing.”
“Take your dirty hands off me.” She thought for a moment he was either going to strike her or shake her until he tossed her away from him. As it turned out, he did neither.
“We’ll find him together.” He gripped her arm tighter, his fingers biting in to her soft flesh as he pulled her from the room and down the stairs. If he hadn’t held her so forcefully, she probably would have stumbled and fallen all the way down for there were many times she thought her feet didn’t touch the steps. Now wouldn’t that have been ironic if she had fallen, broken her neck and died. She fought the wild urge to laugh at the idea. By the time they reached the cellar door, her foot, although healed, ached from the punishment.
He turned to her sharply. And finally he did shake her, rather hard. “What the hell is he doing in the cellar?” he demanded.
This was the moment, she thought. This was where the plan either worked or it didn’t. And Victoria was suddenly so cold; she thought her teeth might start chattering. “Why don’t you take a look for yourself?”
He pulled her closer, his nose suddenly mere inches from hers. His breath reeked of whiskey. Every pore of his body reeked of his evil. She wanted to retch. She wanted to pull away or run.
And yet, she could do nothing. He held her fast. Besides, she needed to stall and give Will time to reach them.
“I’ll tell you what I plan to take a look at, you little pretty lady. I plan to take a look at you. I plan to look at and take and have everything my dear brother, Will, possesses. That’s what I plan. What do you think of that plan?”
Hargrove House: The Haunted Book One Page 22