Grind Manor

by Russ Crossley

  Phil moved behind the desk and ran his fingers along the fame's edge. His brow wrinkled and he next pulled the frame away from the wall with the fingers of his free hand. The painting wasn't hinged like in the movies. He directed his flashlight behind the painting then pulled it away from the wall as he looked behind it.

  After a second or two he released the painting. It thumped against the wall. "No safe," he said simply.

  He ran his flashlight around the room scanning the books on the shelves. Amanda directed her beam to the floor and studied the carpet. She didn't know what exactly she was looking for but when Scars appeared through the carpet she knew where the safe was hidden. He wagged his tail at her and mewed softly. She smiled to herself. "I found it."

  "Really? Where?"

  Directing her beam at the carpet where Scars had appeared she said, "Under the carpet in the floor."

  ***

  It took them forty minutes to move two heavy oak side tables, an ottoman, and two leather wing chairs against one of the book cases so they could lift the carpet away to in order to access the trap door in the floor. The carpet was surprisingly heavy but between them with sufficient sweat, grunting and groaning, they managed to left up one corner and fold it back so it was out of the way. It formed a mountain of heavy, thick carpet to one side of the desk.

  After they caught their breath, Amanda trained her flashlight on the trap door and saw it had a key lock. Now where was the key? She arched at eyebrow at Phil. He rolled his eyes and grunted. "Why is it never easy?" he asked what she was thinking.

  "I'll look in the desk drawers," she said. "You check the books for a hollowed out one."

  "Really? Sounds a little Hollywood-ish to me."

  She grinned. "Who do you think movie folk consult when they need the spooky details about those old houses?"

  Phil chuckled. "Oh? My girlfriend knows Steven Spielberg, eh?"

  Amanda stiffened. Phil used the G word. Now was not the time to discuss this. "Just look for the key, smart guy."

  He offered her a lopsided grin and his eyes sparkled. Before she could react he looked away and walked to one of the two book cases. She kept her eyes locked on his back as he began running the palm of one gloved hand over the books. Shaking off the effect his words has caused, she shook her head then let out the breath she'd been holding in. She started clambering over the carpet until she was behind the large desk.

  In the middle was a large single drawer which she tried first, but as she'd expected it was locked too. Things were not exactly going to be easy. Then again too often she was forced to take the harder road.

  Grunting from the excretion she struggled back over the thick mountain of folded Persian carpet she checked with Phil to see if he'd found any keys. He hadn’t so she went the foyer to retrieve her satchel from where she left it on the table. Walking back into the library she sighed as her eyes fell over Mount Persian.

  Gritting her teeth she once again climbed over the carpet until she was behind the desk. Setting the satchel on the desk she opened it and took out two nail files. One was larger than the other, but she didn't know which would work better so she decided to try both. Picking up the shorter of the two from where she'd placed them side by side on the desk she stuck the tip in the desk's lock and twisted. The tip broke off in the lock.

  Amanda fought the urge to throw the broken nail file across the room. She took in a deep breath then let it out slowly.

  She stiffened when a cold breeze suddenly washed over her. The hair on the back of her neck rose. "Miss Dark?" said a breathy voice. A woman's voice by the timber.

  "Yes..." she whispered.

  "Open the bottom drawer on the left," instructed the voice.

  Amanda licked her dry lips and opened the drawer as instructed. "What next?"

  "Pull the middle drawer toward you." Amanda hesitated. "It'll open. I saw my father open this drawer many times."

  As Amanda assumed the voice had to be Priscilla Grind, the ghost of Grind Manor. She wrapped her fingers around the edge of the drawer and pulled, sure enough it slid open, far easier than she thought it would, considering how long it had probably been closed. The lock had obviously been a ruse to fool would be robbers or curious people like her.

  The pencil tray in the drawer had a few paperclips, two pencils, a pen, and a large steel key. She smiled to herself. "Thank you, Priscilla," she murmured.

  "You're welcome, Amanda."

  Amanda's her cheeks grew cold as the blood drained from her face. She was having a conversation with a ghost. After she meets Phil she starts to see ghosts now she's having full blown conversations with them. What's next tea and cookies with the spirits? Maybe her meeting Phil wasn't an accident after all?

  Picking up the key to study it she decided it was about the right size for the trap door lock. She stuck it in the pocket of her black slacks then made her way back over the Persian hill while carrying the satchel. She checked the first item off on her mental mission checked as completed. She was confident the copy of the will would be in the safe beneath that trap door. At least she hoped there would be a safe. All that was left now was to clear the house of Priscilla, help her on her way to her next destination.

  She found Phil, his suit jacket thrown across one of the wing chairs they had moved earlier, standing on a step ladder testing the books on the higher shelves. "Phil, I have the key," she announced triumphantly.

  Phil glanced over his shoulder at her. His face was pale and drawn she suspected from frustration and weariness. His broad shoulders slumped and he nodded. He stepped off the step ladder and joined her gazing down at the trap door. She squatted and stuck the key in the lock. The key turned and there was an audible click. She glanced at Phil and grinned. He nodded his eyes sparkling with excitement.

  The trap door had a steel handle resting in a perfectly shaped hollow imbedded in the steel so it lay flush with the edge and wouldn't protrude. Amanda pulled the handle out and up. The door didn't budge.

  Phil dropped beside her. "Let me try," he offered.

  Amanda let go of the handle and Phil grabbed it. He pulled hard but again it didn't budge. Would this day never end?

  Phil's brow wrinkled. After rolling up the sleeves of his powder blue dress shirt he gritted his teeth then grabbed the handle with both hands. His cheeks puffed out and she watched him count silently to three then he began to pull hard, the muscles in his strong arms straining. His face became red as pomegranate and his arms trembled. He kept pulling until finally with a loud cracking sound the trap door flew open sending him off balance backward.

  "Hey!" He landed hard on his tail bone, the air rushing from his lungs. He lay gasping trying to draw a breath. Dust flew in the air around him the musty smell stronger than ever.

  "What you seek isn't beneath the trap door," said the woman's voice.

  Amanda looked around using flashlight to scan the library. They were alone. But the voice had been right before. Weird she didn't see Priscilla. Ever since Hook Island Amanda had gained the ability to not only sense emotion but she'd been able to see the ghosts. The feeling of confidence she felt emanating for this unseen spirit was strong and clear, but was it really Priscilla or a deceptive poltergeist playing the nasty games they were known for? She had been fooled a few times before, not that she wanted to dwell on those dark events.

  "So where is it?" she said mentally crossing her fingers.

  "Pull out the middle drawer of the desk, underneath you'll find a envelope taped to it."

  Amanda sighed. Back over the mountain once again. "It's not in there," Amanda said. Her voice sounded heavy and dulled by a lack of energy. Closing her eyes she sagged back on her haunches overwhelmed by the feeling of total defeat.

  "Where?" said Phil simply.

  "Taped under the middle drawer of the desk." She nodded her head toward the mountain of carpet. "I can't go over there again..." Her voice tailed off. Amanda stiffened as fingers brushed her left shoulder. Phil's touch sent shockwave
s of passion through her. You pick the worst times, girl.

  A calmness came over her. "I'll do it," she heard Phil say. She wanted to open her eyes and watch him but she didn't want the feeling he'd planted in her to end. Instead she followed him by the sound of his shoes, the sigh of the carpet compressing under his weight as he clambered over it. Finally the sound of the drawer being opened, then silence.

  "I got it!"

  Her heart beat faster. "He loves you," said the voice of the woman.

  "Priscilla?" Silence. No response.

  She heard the scuff of his shoes as Phil returned over the pile of carpet. She shot to her feet as her eyes flew open. Phil walked up to stand in front of her. His dirt smudged face was split by a wide grin. In his right hand he held a manila envelope.

  Before speaking Amanda threw her arms around Phil's neck and shoulder s and dragged him into a passionate kiss. She held him for several seconds and sensed no resistance from him. Good, he felt the same way about her as she did for him.

  Finally she released him and they parted. "What was that all about?" he said. "Not that I'm complaining."

  Amanda chuckled. "I'll explain later. Show me what you found."

  Phil held up the envelope and opened the flap on one end and drew out two documents. "Bertram was right there was another will, but he neglected to mention his sister had a child. A girl, born in 1967. The parents names are interesting." he handed her the birth certificate first.

  Amanda eyes went wide when she saw the baby had the same last name as both her father and her mother. Priscilla was the mother while her brother, Maxwell, was listed as the father. Creepy.

  Phil next handed her the will he'd found with the birth certificate and the baby listed a Melanie Grind was an equal beneficiary of the Grind family estate.

  "So where is this Melanie Grind?"

  "I don't know but I intend to find her. This revelation will probably invalidate the new will arranged by Maxwell. He can't cut out an heir to the estate. Ultimately a judge will determine who gets what. I suspect this was what Bertram was after all along."

  He took the documents from her and stuffed them back in the envelope. After retrieving his suit jacket. He placed his flashlight in the satchel then picked it up and touched her elbow to lead her out of the library. Amanda used her flashlight to light their way.

  When they were in the foyer and about to go out the front door he suddnely stopped. "What about Priscilla?" he asked.

  "Don't worry about her, Phil, I'm sure she's fine." In fact during her review of the documents she sensed Priscilla had exited this world for good now she knew her child would receive her rightful inheritance. She'd found her peace at last.

  The truth did indeed set you free.

  She sensed not only had this investigation been successful but her and Phil's relationship was about to take on a new dynamic. Amanda Dark has a boyfriend. I like the sound of that. Something soft brushed her leg. Looking down she saw Scars had joined them. His glowing eyes looked up at her as he purred. Her ghost cat appeared to concur with her view.

  The adventure in Grind Manor would indeed be a memorable one.

  About the Author

  International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense as well as their various subgenres.

  His latest science fiction satire set in the far future, Revenge of the Lushites, is a sequel to Attack of the Lushites released in 2011. The latest title in the series was released in the fall of 2013. Both titles are available in e-book and trade paperback.

  He has sold several short stories that have appeared in anthologies from various publishers including; WMG Publishing, Pocket Books, and St. Martins Press.

  He is a member of SF Canada and is past president of the Greater Vancouver Chapter of Romance Writers of America. He is also an alumni of the Oregon Coast Professional Fiction Writers Master Class taught by award winning author/editors, Kristine Katherine Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith.

  Feel free to contact him on Facebook, Twitter, or his website http:www.russcrossley.com. He loves to hear from readers.

  Other titles from 53rd Street Publishing you may enjoy

  http://www.53rdstreetpublising.com

  Other books by the Author

  Razor and Edge Mysteries

  The Kidnapping of Billy Buttons

  String of Pearls

  Death by Clown

  Beggin' For Murder

  Ragged Ice

  The Grand Central Mystery

  A Strange Case of Undead Murder

  Jazz Stiletto Mysteries

  A Day Without Sunshine

  Skullduggery

  Instrument of justice (first published in Over My Dead Body online mystery magazine)

  The Amanda Dark paranormal mysteries

  Hook Island

  Grind Manor

  Moonrise Diner

  A Father’s Daughter

  The Trudy Wilson Mysteries

  Bad Loyalty

  Shear Murder

  Buzzcut coming soon

  Novels

  Attack of the Lushites

  Revenge of the Lushites

  My Zombie Prince

  Antique Virgin

  The Fire In Their Hearts

  with R.S. Meger (from Champagne Books)

  Zomopolis

  The Last Serial Killer

  Short Stories

  Countdown

  Shoeless Moe

  Round Up At The Burger Bar:

  The Story of Trixie Pug, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

  Five Minutes

  Blossom Queen, Barbarian

  The Secret

  The Family Line

  End of the Flies

  Death by Magic

  The Penguin Sleeps With The Fishes

  Only The Worthy

  Hero For A Day

  End of Empire

  Strange Bedfellows

  Big Business

  A Perfect Crime

  The Wise Guy and The Pirates

  In Search of the Perfect Cup

  T.I.N. Men

  The Legend of G and the Dragonettes

  The Incredible Mr. Fix-It

  Lock Stock and Barrel

  Divided Loyalties

  Cave of Wonders

  A Family Empire

  Until We Meet Again

  Dragon Rising

  Solitary Man

  The Keel Mountain Conspiracy

  Angel on My Shoulder

  Heroes of Old

  The Great Bicycle Race

  Tikka's Big Day

  "My Partner the Zombie" —

  Hungry For Your Love Anthology

  (St. Martin's Press)

  Big Hairy Deal

  One Red Shoe

  A Bad Day in Lunden Texas

  Bloody Betty, Queen of the Pirates

  Mirror Image

  Dangerous Waters

  Cape Disappointment

  Boomerang

  The Watcher of Wayburn Street

  The Apprentice

  Drip!

  A Beautiful Friendship and The Parrot of Doom

  Robine's Diary

  The Christmas Club

  Loose Ends

  Splatter Pattern

  It Takes Two

  Lexicon

  Replacement Parts

  Sidekicks

  Lost Stories

  Time and Space

  Survivors

  Neighborhood Watch

  Unnatural Immortal

  Rum Runner’s Lounge

  It’s A Small Galaxy

  A Shattered Man

  Betrayed

  Replacement Parts

  Clubhouse Heroes

  Anthologies

  Tales of Urban Fantasy

  Five Tales of Bizarre Detectives

  Tales of Mystery and Suspense

  Tales of Weird Fantasy

  Spies, Detectives, & Heroes

  Tales of Twisted Crime

  Tales
of The Unexpected

  Tales From Space

  10 by Russ Crossley

  Round Up At The Burger Bar: The Story of Trixie Pug,

  Parts 1- 5 The Beginning

  Worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy

  More Tales of Mystery and Suspense

  Ladies of the Jolly Roger

  Justice Served

  Love Stories

  Ladies of the Jolly Roger with R.S. Meger

  The Adventures of Razor and Edge:

  Five Tales From The Quirky Detective Team

  An Unexpected Journey

  On Edge

  Non-Fiction

  The Writers Tools - The Synopsis

  Also available from 53rd Street Publishing

  Aloha Armstrong, The Woman from L.I.P.S returns in an exciting new adventure. Her mission: to go undercover as sheriff of Zomopolis, a domed town where incurable zombies are kept until a cure can be found, to discover the fate of the previous sheriff who went missing under mysterious circumstances.

  She soon discovers a town filled with secrets, people who might not be who they claim to be, and a deadly conspiracy than threatens to destroy humanity. Handsome diner owner Hanson Braddock, a man with his own secrets, offers his help but can she trust him?

  Surrounded by possible enemies Aloha must face a decision that will change her life forever.

  Will Aloha save the world from certain doom or is this her final mission?

  The book may be purchased from your favorite online bookseller or ordered from your local book store.